Family Cheetah Tracks

February 2, 2026

2025-2026 Student/Family Handbook

JES Website

Lunch Menu

2025-2026 District Calendar

Happy February JES Families!

Dear JES Families,

February has arrived with sunshine in the air and so much to celebrate inside our school! Despite a few chilly winter days, the warmth of learning, connection, and community has been shining brightly throughout JES.

We are thrilled to be in the midst of Snow Motion. This incredible program gives our students access to new experiences, builds confidence, and encourages perseverance. We are deeply grateful to the many volunteers who make Snow Motion possible, your time, energy, and dedication truly make a difference for our students, and we could not do this without you.

Alongside Snow Motion, we have also launched a month-long focus on Kindness. Schoolwide we have centered belonging and being a kind friend. Every class created thoughtful, “How to Be a Kind Friend” posters, highlighting what kindness looks like in our classrooms and beyond. These are hanging throughout our hallways as beautiful reminders. Last week, some of our 4th grade Cheetah Leadahs led a special assembly that brought these ideas to life. They shared the beloved story Can I Play Too? from the Elephant and Piggie series, beautifully connecting kindness and friendship to our shared value of Belonging. Students also learned and sang “Put a Little Love in Your Heart” and participated in a fun heart chain greeting, spreading warmth and smiles across the gym.

Last week, history was also made in the JES gym with our first-ever Skateboarding unit in Physical Education! We are incredibly thankful to our innovative PE teachers for thinking outside the box and to JES PIE for supporting this exciting opportunity by helping provide skateboards and helmets. Watching students try something new and encourage one another was truly inspiring.

The conversations in our Kindergarten classrooms have been particularly remarkable as they have launched ARC Unit #3, studying ecology and focusing on comparing, analyzing, and writing about biomes.

This week is National School Counselor week. JES is so fortunate to have Kerrie Colleran supporting our students in this role. She is dedicated, passionate, warm and such an amazing collaborative partner. Thank you Kerrie for everything you do each day!

JES PIE meetings return this week, Wednesday evening in the JES Library at 7:00pm. Lots of opportunities coming up this spring to volunteer!

Wishing everyone a wonderful month!

Warmly,
Katie Barea
JES Principal

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

February 4th - JES PIE Meeting 7:00pm
February 11th - Early Release
February 23rd - March 3rd - No School February Break

School Happenings

Penguin Plunge - This Saturday!

The five Elementary School Principals of MMUUSD are taking the Cool Schools plunge to support Special Olympics Vermont and its mission to foster inclusion and acceptance of individuals with intellectual disabilities! Mrs. Barea is braving the icy waters to make a difference—please consider supporting our efforts and help us reach our fundraising goal by donating HERE. Your donation will help provide year-round sports training and competition for athletes and build a more inclusive community. Together, we can make a big splash for a great cause!

School As A Haven

Dear MMUUSD Families and Community,

I want to take a moment to reaffirm something that I hope you already know: our schools are places of safety and belonging for every student, every staff member, and every family in our community. In our Mount Mansfield Unified Union School District - five towns, one heartbeat - we are defined by our commitment to one another.

In times of uncertainty, schools matter more than ever. They are where children learn, yes, but they are also where they are known, where they are cared for, and where they belong. For many of our students, school is a haven. It is a place where the outside world pauses, where routines bring comfort, and where trusted adults show up for them every single day. We take that responsibility seriously.

I also want to be clear about how we approach safety and access to our buildings. Our schools work hard to maintain positive, collaborative relationships with local law enforcement for safety planning, emergency response, and educational support. This partnership is vital to our community and remains unchanged.

However, regarding enforcement actions not initiated by the school, we have strict protocols in place to protect student privacy and the learning environment:

● Restricted Access: No part of our schools or school property (like buses) is considered open to the public during the school day.

● Warrant Requirement: Law enforcement seeking access for non-emergency enforcement purposes must present a valid judicial warrant signed by a judge. An "administrative warrant" or "detainer" does not carry this legal authority and will not grant entry to our buildings.

● Centralized Review: Any such request is immediately routed to my office and legal counsel for review before access is considered.

These practices reflect longstanding expectations under federal law, including FERPA, and recently updated guidance from the Vermont Agency of Education.

Furthermore, we do not collect information about students' immigration status, nor do we require Social Security numbers or immigration documents for enrollment.

Our goal is simple: every student should feel safe coming to school, and every school day should be uninterrupted by fear or distraction. School is where our children should be able to focus on learning, on friendships, and on growing up. We intend to protect that.

If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to your student’s or students’ principal(s) or to my office directly. We are here to listen, and we are here for your family.

With gratitude for your trust and in partnership,

John Muldoon Superintendent, MMUUSD

NEWS FROM JES PIE

Mission Statement

Partners in Education is an organization whose purpose is to enhance and strengthen the educational and social environment for the Jericho Elementary School students.

JES PIE Meetings Return After Winter Slumber

Join us in the JES Library this Wednesday, February 4th at 7:00pm.

Can't make it in-person but still want to join? No problem! Join us virtually: Meeting Link

No Fundraiser Fundraiser

PIE used to host multiple fundraisers throughout the year in order to fund our efforts for the school. Last year, we switched it up and just asked for donations instead and it worked! We’re doing the same this year and we need your help! Our goal is $8,500 which comes to around $30 per student.

DONATE HERE