Dear JCMES Families,
We hope you are having a wonderful week! It was fantastic to see so many of you at our first Walk to School event last week—what an amazing turnout! Today, we proudly honored Patriot Day by wearing red, white, and blue, and our students engaged in meaningful classroom activities to recognize the heroes in our community. We are also so proud of our 3rd-5th graders for completing their reading growth assessments today.
Be sure to check below for more exciting events happening in the coming week and beyond!
September 9th-24th
Students came home with a fundraiser package on Monday, September 9th. Our fall fundraiser is completely optional and will run until September 24th. JCMES receives a percentage of all sales which go towards classroom supplies, furniture, after school programs, and special guests and assemblies.
September 12th:
Students in grades 3-5 completed their reading growth assessments today. Tomorrow, September 12th, they will be completing their math growth assessments. We appreciate your support in limiting tardies, early dismissals, and absences tomorrow in order to ensure our students are present and prepared for their math assessments.
September 13th:
Each year the school practices several types of safety drills including fire, tornado, earthquake and lockdown. Two weeks ago, we practiced our first lockdown drill. This week on Friday, September 13th our school will practice our second lock down drill of the year. Students in grades PreK-5 will be instructed by their teacher to move to a safe location in the classroom and remain quiet the duration of the drill. The important part of a lockdown drill is not for students to be fearful of what could happen if a lockdown is necessary but instead be prepared to listen carefully to teacher instructions and stay quiet when asked. We are required to have four lockdown drills per year.
September 13th:
This Friday, September 13th, join Broadway High School in the fight against childhood cancer by participating in a Gold/Yellow Out event! Coach Grogg, head football coach at BHS, invites all JCMES families to wear gold or yellow on 9/13, at school and to the game, in support of Childhood Cancer Awareness. The Gold Out game will take place at 7 PM as the Gobblers take on Waynesboro. Let’s come together as a community to raise awareness and show our support for this important cause!
September 19th:
Join us for a fun-filled Welcome Back Picnic on September 19th from 6:00 PM to dusk at the track behind the school. Bring your own blanket or chair and get comfy as we kick off the new school year together. You can either drive around to the back or park in the front and walk through the school. Families are encouraged to bring their own dinner, but our amazing PTO will be providing free hot dogs and water bottles while supplies last. We can't wait to see you there!
September 27th:
Get ready to smile, JCMES! Fall Picture Day is coming up on September 27th! No need to send any money now—after picture day, a proof or portrait package will be sent home with your child, along with easy instructions on how to order. We can’t wait to capture those bright smiles!
JCMES Online Spirit Store:
Get your JCMES spirit gear now! Our online spirit store is open through October 1st, so don't miss out on your chance to grab some fun Jakes apparel. All orders and payments are made online – simply click the link to start shopping today! JCMES spirit store
Counselor Newsletter:
Please see the most recent School Counselor newsletter from our counselors Mrs. Hull and Mrs. Woodward: newsletter
Strive for Less Than 5:
Regular attendance is key to your child's academic success, and every day truly counts! Each missed day can add up and impact learning. This year, Dr. Larry Shifflett, Superintendent of RCPS, is challenging all students to embrace the "Strive for Less Than 5" initiative—encouraging students to miss no more than five days of school throughout the entire year. Let’s work together to make every day a step toward growth and achievement!
Special Live Broadcast and Fireside Chat:
RCPS is excited to invite all families to a special Live Broadcast & Fireside Chat with the First Lady of Virginia and Dr. Jonathan Haidt, author of The Anxious Generation. This event will take place on Thursday, September 19, 2024, at Mountain View Elementary School, and will be broadcast live to schools across the Commonwealth. It’s a valuable opportunity for families to connect with our school division and learn how reducing social media and cell phone use can help restore childhood and the importance of play.
Following the broadcast, there will be facilitated community conversations about the dangers of technology. We encourage all families to join us for this important discussion and take part in fostering a healthier future for our children! Please see the flyer for more information. Fireside Chat
Important Future Dates:
October 4th: Walk to School morning
October 14th: No School (teacher workday)
October 25th: No School (end of first nine weeks, teacher workday)
We hope everyone has a great evening!
Erin Branner, Principal erbranner@rockingham.k12.va.us
Chelsea Imbrescia, Assistant Principal cimbrescia@rockingham.k12.va.