Jefferson Elementary School

Our students have been working extra-hard in preparation for our annual Veterans Day program, which will take place this Friday, November 10th at 10:00am. Are you a Veteran? Is someone in your family a Veteran? We want to extend a special invitation to be our honored guest. If you haven't already RSVP'd, please use the following Google Form. We hope to see you Friday! Google Form RSVP: https://forms.gle/VrykC2THG1K3Zk9v9 #ExperienceWCS

Believe it or not, we are just ONE MONTH AWAY from the start of our in-person Literati Book Fair, coming to Jefferson the week of December 4th–8th! Waiting is hard, so we wanted to share that our ONLINE Literati Book Fair is open NOW for your shopping convenience. Find all the best reads while shopping from the convenience of your phone or computer. Every online and in-person purchase benefits our Jefferson Library in big ways! https://efairs.literati.com/?school=jefferson-elementary-school-winona-lake-in Did you know that funds raised from the annual book fair go to support student reading throughout the entire school year? While district funds must be spent by a certain deadline, book fair profits can be used anytime during the year to buy that newest copy in a series or add a fascinating topic or book for classroom enrichment. Your purchases from Jefferson's online or in-person Literati Book Fair have an enormous impact! Check it out today! The ONLINE Literati Book Fair will be open from now until the end of our in-person fair on December 8th. Thank you for supporting literacy at Jefferson Elementary! #ExperienceWCS

Once a month, Jefferson students meet together in person on a Friday morning for The Gathering. (The other Fridays are virtual in the classrooms.) This past Friday was a very packed assembly, filled with exciting announcements and introductions—and of course, Sparty, our awesome mascot, was also present. This was also the first time the older students got to sit in the bleachers, as we prepare for seating for next Friday's special Veterans Day program. ​ Mr. Wall announced the winners of our Tower Challenge from Family Groups. Categories were Best Decorated Pumpkin, Tallest Structure, and Best Engineering Design (see photos), as determined by visiting judge, Mr. McClintock. Students of the Month were also recognized. Student Council shared about our upcoming Spirit Week and Food Drive. Then girls and boys basketball teams were introduced, along with the cheerleaders, who led the student body in a rousing cheer. We finished off our time with the Spartan Creed. ​ #ExperienceWCS

Congratulations to our Spartan Students of the Month. They enjoyed a trip to the Winona Lake canals to fish. Thanks to the Winona Lake PD and parents for supporting our trip. #ExperienceWCS

Students in 6th grade went rafting on Grassy Creek. It was an incredible experience as students learned about water quality and enjoyed a beautiful sunny day outside. Thank you to the Kosciusko Soil and Water District for your continued support! #ExperienceWCS

Mr. McClintock, who retired at the end of last school year after 44 years of teaching at Jefferson, returned on Friday to share his knowledge about wooly mammoths and to harvest part of our vegetable garden, with the help of some eager 5th graders. (Photo provided by Mrs. George.)

We are thrilled to welcome our newest, tiniest Spartan: Noah David Wall! Noah arrived early in the morning on Friday, September 1st, and weighed in at 7lbs. 12ozs., 21" long. Mr. Wall reports that everyone is healthy and doing great! Welcome, Noah David! (Photo provided.)

The Box Tops app is currently running multiple bonus offers for participating product purchases at Walmart, Dollar General, and Meijer. This is an easy way to maximize Jefferson's earning potential. Check it out in the Box Tops app under "Explore Bonus Offers," and don't forget to scan those receipts!

WCHS is holding an elementary Cheer Clinic next Saturday, Sept. 9th. Scan the QR code for all the details.

Jefferson Families, we need your help! Would you host a table for our upcoming Cultural Heritage Night on October 5th? Are you from another country? Have you visited another country? Are you an expert on another country? Then you can host a table! When you host a table, you get to decorate it with pictures, souvenirs, garland, posters, etc. and share a tiny sample of food from your country. (Remember, you do not necessarily have to be from the country of the table you host). Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040E4AAFAA2BA1FC1-spartan Questions? Contact Brooke Friedberg bfriedberg@warsawschools.org or Regina Acuahuitl-Tlaca racuahuitl@warsawschools.org THANK YOU in advance for making this night a fun tradition for our Jefferson Family!

Plan to join us before the school day begins this Friday and hang out with your student(s) over a yummy pastry! Ample parking is available across the street at Winona Lake Grace Church. (Thank you for not parking at Grace College or in our bus lanes.) See you this Friday, September 1st!

Time is running out—8/31/23— to purchase your student's Accidental Damage Protection Plan (iPad insurance) for this school year. For only $28, you'll have peace of mind, knowing that your child's iPad is covered for any costly repairs. https://securedtechsolutions.com/Warsaw-ADP-enrollment-form/

Our school is once again participating in "Raise Craze: Fundraising Through Kindness." This is our major fundraiser for the entire school year, so we hope that everyone will register and participate! Students will be bringing home more information today via "backpack express." You can also get a jump on the registration process by going to the following link right now: https://my.raisecraze.com/app2/join/AMN1GBM Pictured are students who talked about ways that they have shared kindness with others, from including someone at recess to helping siblings complete chores at home.

For the second year in a row, the Jefferson Library has become home to an assortment of native lake fish, thanks to the school's partnership with Lilly Center for Lakes and Streams at Grace College. This year's tank, which was installed earlier today, contains two yellow perch, one channel catfish, a redear sunfish, and a largemouth bass. The tank's central location in the school's library allows all students access, and during the week prior to Fall Break, each class will receive guided lessons from Lilly Center staff. Mrs. Propp, Jefferson's Digital Learning Specialist, is excited about the return of fish to the library. "Students have been asking since the first day of school when the fish will be back, as they really got attached last year. I think the experience provided an amazing opportunity for our Spartans to see the fish tank as an extension of our 'lakes community.' It helped them want to care for our lakes and streams, because our 'library fish' made it more personal for them." The fish tank is cleaned regularly and fully maintained by Grace College students, who work with Lilly Center. Mrs. Propp is responsible for facilitating the feeding schedule. #ExperienceWCS

Via Credit Union will open a Student Branch at Jefferson Elementary on Friday, September 22. The Student Branch will be run by Jefferson students, who will be able to open new accounts and take deposits each Friday before school. The purpose of the Student Branch is to help students establish money management skills and a habit of saving while having fun! Via Credit Union will be offering various incentives throughout the year, plus each time a deposit is made, students will be placed into a weekly and monthly drawing. During October, students who make a deposit can spin the prize wheel for school supplies! If you would like your child to start saving at the Jefferson Student Branch, please complete a permission slip and return it along with their initial deposit. Permission slips will be sent home but are also available at the school office. #ExperienceWCS

Did you know that Mrs. Long (6th) is an author? She'll be doing an "author visit" at Warsaw Community Public Library on November 18th. https://www.inkfreenews.com/2023/08/19/warsaw-community-public-library-back-to-school/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

Kindergarten Color Days begin next week on Monday. The Kindergarten classes focus on a color every day for the next two weeks. We've come to see that reinforcing this throughout the entire school is both good for learning and just plain fun! So, here are the days/order of colors. Please feel free to participate, no matter what grade. Monday, Aug. 21: Red Tuesday, Aug. 22: Orange Wednesday, Aug. 23: Yellow Thursday, Aug. 24: Green Friday, Aug. 25: Blue Monday, Aug. 28: Purple Tuesday, Aug. 29: Black Wednesday, Aug. 30: Brown Thursday, Aug. 31: Pink Friday, Sept. 1: Favorite Color

Mondays are "late-start" days. School begins at 10am every Monday for the entire school year. Buses also run 50 minutes later than on other days of the week. https://share.peachjar.com/flyers/2514179/districts/9157

Please see attached Spartan Volleyball Tryout info. https://share.peachjar.com/flyers/2514128/districts/9157

We can't wait to see you!