Hello Jefferson Families,

The Parent Advisory Council met on November 7th and created 4 committees to support our early learning center. The 4 committees include: Fundraising, Student Engagement, Teacher/Staff Appreciation, and Parent Volunteers. Each committee established goals and plans to engage families throughout the school year.

The fundraising committee is currently exploring opportunities to raise funds to support special projects at Jefferson that include redesigning our motor and sensory room, and redesigning our outdoor courtyard. In addition, the fundraising committee would like to support special projects that support the curriculum and created by the teachers and staff.

The student engagement committee is working on providing opportunities for students to participate in social events outside of the school day as well as opportunities for students to engage with members of the community. The committee is in the process of planning a Winter Fest, kindergarten playdates, and a literacy night.

The teacher and staff appreciation committee is working on planning opportunities for students and families to demonstrate their appreciation to Jefferson's amazing teachers and staff throughout the school year as well as during teacher and staff appreciation week.

Finally, the parent volunteer committee will be working collaboratively with our other committees to recruit volunteers to support and bring these ideas to fruition. Please see the sign-up form below to volunteer to be a teacher helper.

Our next PAC meeting will be held on December 5th @ 6:00. The meeting will be held in person and virtually. Please complete the RSVP below and you will be sent the agenda and the link to join the meeting if you intend on participating virtually.

In addition, please continue to scroll to view upcoming Jefferson events.

Thank you to those that attended our November PAC meeting and to all of our families for your continued support for our early learning center!

Sincerely,

Ms. Barkley

Hello Jefferson Families,

November is the month of giving. As we celebrate Thanksgiving with our family and friends, let's give thanks and give back to the community by donating blood to all in need, in honor of one of our very own Jefferson Butterflies, Maja Inciong.

In January of 2022, Maja was diagnosed with Wilms Tumor (Kidney Cancer) and lost both of her kidneys. The first year after diagnosis was a very challenging year for Maja and her little body. She needed 15 blood transfusions in a 10 month period. Everyday the family is thankful to those that donated blood to help save Maja’s life. Please help us save other lives by donating. You can read Maja’s story and follow her journey at Team Maja - Maja's Kidney Journey

On November 30th, please join us in being thankful by giving back in one or two of the ways:

• Donate Blood - In honor of Maja, we are hosting a blood drive on November 30, 2023 from 2PAM - 6PM at Jefferson School (8200 Greendale Ave. Niles). Please donate using the following link and spread the word, Click Here. Please help us well exceed our goal of filling the 27 spots, See attached flyer for more details.
• Bring a toy to be donated to Ann & Robert Lurie’s Children Hospital - Maja has spent many nights at Lurie’s hospital, including around the holidays, receiving all her treatments and blood transfusions. Many children, not just Maja, spend many months at the hospital. With Christmas quickly approaching, let's light up the faces of the children by bringing a new unopened toy to the blood drive, which will be delivered to Lurie’s by the family. Donations can be dropped off at Jefferson's main office November 27th - December 1st. The hospital will accept the following:
• New and unopened items. No cloth donations (clothing, plush items, blankets, etc.).
  
• Gift cards in small denominations ($5 - $30) makes an incredible impact for the patients and families purchasing adaptive toys that increase patient access to play and communication, supplies for special events and milestones (birthday and graduation celebrations), specific toys that are unique to a certain patient’s needs, and gifts tailored to the adolescent population
• Amazon Wish Lists. These lists are curated by our staff based on the current needs of patients and families. These items are shipped directly to us. To visit our Amazon Wish List, click here.