December 2017 Panther Press

Dear Jacoby Creek School Families,

I hope that everyone enjoyed a relaxing and fun Thanksgiving holiday. We have so many things to be thankful for here at Jacoby Creek School.  I would personally like to express my gratitude for all of the support that the JCS families provide in making this school a safe and productive place to learn. I am happy to report that attendance at parent teacher conferences was excellent, drivers are working to make our parking lot safer, and our students are fortunate to have the support of countless volunteers working in their classrooms, on committees, and at their sporting events.  Thank you!!

This is a long Panther Press with a lot of important information. Please take a moment to read it over.  It is very helpful when the entire JCS community is informed.  Thank you!!!

I want to make sure that all families know that school safety is of the utmost importance to the staff at JCS.  Following the tragedy that occurred in Tehama County, many parents came to me with questions regarding our school’s plans and protocols in the case of an emergency.  I want to assure families that we have spent, and will continue to spend, a lot of  time planning, practicing, and discussing our emergency protocols and plans. Please reach out to me or your child’s teacher if you have any specific questions.

The School Site Council will be sending out three short surveys to families this school year. The data collected from these surveys will help guide decision making for our school, so it is very important that every voice is heard!!! The surveys will be 10 questions each and are designed to solicit information about how families feel about the school climate, curriculum and instruction, and our school’s physical space. Your opinions are very important in the process of decision making on how to use our school’s resources. PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO COMPLETE THE SURVEY! The link for the first survey will be sent out via e-blast on December 1.  There will be paper copies of the survey available in the office if you would prefer paper over the digital version.  The survey will be completely confidential, so please feel comfortable expressing your honest opinion.

I hope that everyone has a safe and happy holiday season!

Sincerely,

Melanie Nannizzi

Important Dates:

Play Performance Mrs. Jackson’s class: Monday, 12/4 @ 8:45 am and 6:30pm

Play Performance Mrs. Walsh’s class: Tuesday, 12/12 @ 8:45 am and 6:30 pm

Holiday Boutique: Saturday, 12/9 @ 10:00-2:00 JCS Gym

School Board Meeting:  Monday, 12/11 @ 7:15 JCS Library

School Site Council Meeting: Tuesday, 12/12 @ 3:30 Room 1

Foundation Meeting: Tuesday, 12/5 @ 5:30 Baywood

PTO Meeting: Thursday, December 14 @ 5:30 Room 6

Early DIsmissal:  Friday, December 22 @ 12:00–Activity Center Open on Friday

BUS leaves JCS at noon dismissal.  No 3:00 bus run this day only!

Winter Break: December 25-January 5, 2018  Happy Holidays!  

Activity Center is closed for Winter Break.  

Office Hours During Break:  The JCS Office will be open January 2-January 5.  Mrs.  Nannizzi will be checking email regularly and can be reached at mnannizzi@jcsk8.org  if families have a pressing need while the office is closed.   The voicemail will also be checked regularly. (707) 633-9090

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE

One of the school’s goals for this year was to increase student attendance, and we are doing very well. It is so wonderful that families are making school attendance a priority.  Please reach out if you need any support with attendance.

I would like to make sure that all families are aware of our School Board Policy surrounding absences excused for illness.  After 10 illness absences, a doctor’s note is needed to excuse an absence.  Please let me know if you have any questions.  

EVERY CHILD AT SCHOOL + EVERY SCHOOL DAY = SUCCESSFUL STUDENTS!!

THE BACK PARKING LOT

The school bus drivers have requested that the back parking lot be used ONLY as staff parking during school hours.  Parents dropping off and picking up students in that lot are causing serious safety concerns for the drivers.  Please respect this rule and refrain from using the back parking lot between 7:50 am-3:20 pm.  Thank you!

After School Classes

After School Enrichment Session One continues until December 11 (with Friday holiday make-up on December 15) for Activity classes and until December 15 for Homework Club and Study Hall. Watch for registration for Session Two coming out in December.

ASE is looking for more instructors for classes and academic support. If you are interested please contact Abby Munro-Proulx, ASE Coordinator at aproulx@jcsk8.org

School Lunches

We are attempting to use a new system for our hot lunch ordering and billing. Outstanding balances for lunches will now be mailed to your home rather than emailed. Please be patient with us as we learn to use our new system efficiently and be sure to alert us if you see any billing errors. Thank you!

The Lost and Found

• Please write your child’s FIRST AND LAST NAME on all sweatshirts, lunch bags, and containers.
• Lost and found will be hung weekly on dry weather days.
• All Lost and Found will be donated on the LAST FRIDAY OF EACH MONTH.  

Jacoby Creek Children’s Education Foundation:

Auction: After the great success of the Panther Pentathlon, the JCCEF is gearing up for its next important fundraising event.  The annual AUCTION is coming up on Saturday, March 17, 2018 at the Arcata Community Center.  This year’s St. Patrick’s Day theme promises to be a fun time!  Volunteers are needed to help organize the auction. Please contact Elizabeth Fogg at elifogg@gmail.com  if you are interested in helping.  

Foundation Meeting: Tuesday, 12/5 @ 5:30 Baywood

PTO:

Holiday Boutique: The Jacoby Creek School PTO will be hosting the Holiday Boutique on December 9 from 10:00-2:00 in the gym.  There will be a snack bar benefiting our JCS school garden, JCS student vendors, community vendors, cookie platters, and the beloved Children’s Shop.  Thank you to Diana Freeman and Karly Alvarez for coordinating this event for our JCS community!

Movie Day: JCS PTO will be hosting a free movie showing in the gym on Sunday, January 21 at 2:00 PM.  Movie title TBA!

Bring your pillows, blankets, and travel chairs! Wear your cozy clothes and slippers! All students must be accompanied by an adult!

PTO will be hosting a donation Snack Bar.

PTO Meeting: Thursday, December 14 @ 5:30 in Mrs. Hatchett’s room

ATHLETICS COMMITTEE:

Girls’ Basketball

The girls’ basketball season is coming to an end.  The JCS Take It to the Hoop 8th grade Tournament will be held at JCS on 12/1 and 12/2.  The Panthers  will be playing at home for the rest of the Bay League Season. Their last game will be on 12/12. Come out and support our girls basketball team.

Boys’ Basketball

The deadline to turn in all required paperwork to the office is Monday, December 4th. Grades will also be checked that morning.  In order to begin practices/tryouts on Wednesday, December 13th, students must have all of their paperwork turned in.  Fifth graders who would like to tryout for the sixth grade team must meet all eligibility requirements and have all of their paperwork turned in. More information about try-outs will be shared with fifth grade families.

Support JCS Athletics:  Our Athletics Program is solely funded by monetary donations and profits from hosting tournaments.  Please consider sponsoring an Athletics Banner and/or volunteering at one of our tournaments—both are great ways to support JCS Athletics. Please contact our Athletic Director, Davita McGoldrick, if you are interested in sponsoring a banner or volunteering.

Enrollment for 2018-2019 School Year

Enrollment for next school year began in November.  Students currently attending JCS are automatically registered for the following school year.  New students wishing to attend JCS need to turn in registration packet.  For students living outside the district boundaries, a random public lottery will be held on January 19.  Application packets are due by January 12 to be in the lottery.  

Enrollment Timeline Document:

http://jacobycreekschool.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/2017-Enrollment-letter-and-Timeline.pdf

Registration Packet:

http://jacobycreekschool.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/2017-Registration-Form.pdf

A Note on Immunizations:  Immunizations are now legally required for school attendance.  Incoming TK/K students and seventh grade students must be up to date on all immunizations.  Please visit shotsforschools.org or call the office if you have any questions regarding immunization laws.