2022.23 September-December News

JGS News for December 20 & 22, 2022

News from the Principal

Dear Jackson Families,

As we prepare for our holiday break I have some exciting news! We will be offering our afterschool program, led by Mr. M., on Monday and Wednesday starting on January 9th and running through March 15th which is the end of the second trimester. At this time we will be charging the full rate recommended by the afterschool enrichment committee last spring of       $ 10 per day with a sliding fee scale available. This will help us to offset costs for running the program. Please contact me or Miss Susan to inquire about the sliding scale.  We will not be holding the program on Early Release days to allow the personnel to participate in professional development activities with the other staff. It is my understanding the PTO will offer care  on Early Release days when they are able to do so.

I wish you all a safe and peaceful holiday break and that you take the time to enjoy time with your family and friends,

Happy Holidays,

Gayle


Dates to Remember

Monday, Dec. 26- Monday, Jan. 2, 2023 - Holiday Break!

Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023 - Send them back! 

Friday, Jan. 6 - weather permitting - first day of ESSC downhill skiing!

Thursday, Jan. 12, weather permitting - first day of afterschool Nordic! - contact Jackson XC for free and reduced-cost gear before Friday, Dec. 23! Call to make an appointment, 603-383-9355 & ask for the rental shop.

Monday, Jan. 23 - First of 4 XC in PE! Cross-country skiing in Physical Education Class!From Miss Melis:

Many thanks to the PTO for providing us with a terrific J Town Deli lunch on Wednesday--delicious! WE APPRECIATE YOU!!

I hope everyone has a happy holiday and a relaxing break from our school routine.

Life is short: hold your loved ones close and push for joy!

See y'all next year!

Miss Melis


Classroom News

From Mrs. Porter in Physical Education class: Photos HERE! 

Students enjoyed a fun filled PE class of Reindeer Games this week.  They learned a contra dance to an instrumental of Jingle Bells.  Students worked in small groups to create snow people using an assortment of PE equipment. Some classes had time to collect toys riding on a sleigh, or not on a sleigh, depending on their communication skills with the reindeer pulling them.  It's quite the ab workout for the driver.  The Ring-deer toss was entertaining as students wore blow-up antlers for the targets. 

Although Nordic skiing in PE will begin Jan 23rd, DON"T WAIT to get your gear!  Get your skis & boots now as JSTF may not have your child's size if you wait until after the holidays. ~ Sonya PorterWinter Trimester After School Enrichment - ready for sign ups!


Hello all,

We are excited to be opening enrollment for our next enrichment session! This session will take place Mondays and Wednesdays January 9 through March 15th, and will be open to 18 students. Spots will be reserved on a first come first serve basis, but anyone interested is encouraged to inquire.

This session will include a broad range of themes including but not limited to sports, games, crafts, and problem solving exercises. With that in mind, we are looking for volunteers who are interested in sharing enrichment activities. If this sounds like you, please reach out to o_mcandrew@sau9.org and we will work to find a place on the calendar that fits.

Happy holidays and best wishes- JGS

Winter Trimester Enrichment Registration

JGS News for December 15, 2022

TONIGHT! JGS Winter Concert! 

Student Performers  - arrive at 5:45 dressed to impress! Show starts at 6 PM! 


Notes from the Principal

Dear Jackson Community,

As I write this we are getting ready for the dress rehearsal for the JGS Annual Holiday Show. Music is a passion of mine and I enjoy nothing more than joining music classes to sing and dance with the children!  We have so many talented children and I am proud of each and every one!  I do hope you will be able to join us tonight to enjoy their musical efforts!

See you then!

Gayle


From the JGS Office:

Ski Helmets are in! If you ordered a helmet for your skier, please let me know if Santa will be delivering it or if it's ok to send it home with your skier. 



In the Community: 

Hey families! The MWV Soccer Club sponsors Futsal in the winter at the North Conway Community or Fryeburg.  Futsal is a fun version of indoor soccer that is very fast paced.  There are no throw-ins and they use a smaller ball and smaller goal.  It is a great opportunity to have some fun and practice footwork.  The best news is that it is open for students in grade 1 through adult!  See the attached flyer and if you have any questions reach out to me. 

Joan

j_heysler@sau9.org


Dates to Remember: Food Drive Going on Now!

Thursday, Dec. 15: JGS Holiday Concert - 5:45 - performers (students) arrive dressed to impress! Show starts at 6 PM in the WCC

Monday, Dec. 26- Monday, Jan. 2, 2023 - Holiday Break!

Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023 - Send them back! 

Friday, Jan. 6 - weather permitting - first day of ESSC downhill skiing!

Thursday, Jan. 12, weather permitting - first day of afterschool Nordic!From the SKI-ool Office:

REPRINT:

Hello, JGS Volunteers! 

We couldn't do our ski programs without you and so, first things first: THANK YOU! 

In hopes of supporting you as vols we're asking that you attend a ski volunteer meeting to go over the programs and the rules. Childcare is a strong possibility - please contact Nora to let her know if that is something you need. 

When: 3:15 Tuesday, December 20

Where: WCC

What: the agenda looks something like this:

3:15- intros (Mike and Neil)

3:20- Behavior management (JGS)

3:40- Old ski volunteers leave and new vols stay.  Run down of how the programs run (15-ish minutes for ESSC and 15-ish for Nordic)

4:15- done.

childcare? ntbeem@yahoo.com

Fine print: This does not replace an ESSC clinic. This meeting is to familiarize our volunteers with the specifics of Jackson School ski programs.


We need more vols for our Thursday after school Nordic program, a few more for ESSC wouldn't hurt - tell a friend! 


Please RSVP for Tuesday's meeting to Susan - Thanks! 

JGS News for Dec. 9, 2022 - also emailed to families!


Notes from the Principal

Dear Jackson Community,

Yesterday at the All School Meeting our sixth graders presented some facts and a skit about bullying that they had researched. They included  examples of how students can make our school feel safe for everyone. Facts about the definition of bullying were shared, a student was interviewed about experiences she has had, and a skit was performed where children moved to another table when another student sat at their lunch table (an event that really happened at JGS!) We will continue to counsel and teach students about behaviors that might make others feel less than, or unsafe.


We have had many student and staff absences in the last couple of weeks making completion of report cards in a timely fashion difficult. We hope our school community will understand that we will send them home on Monday, December 12, rather than rushing to try and complete them by today. We appreciate your ongoing support and kindness these last several days.

Best,

Gayle



Dates to Remember

Food Drive sponsored by JGS Student Council - Dec. 12-23! See notice, below!

Thursday, Dec. 15: JGS Holiday Concert - 5:45 - performers (students) arrive dressed to impress! Show starts at 6 PM in the WCC

Monday, Dec. 26- Monday, Jan. 2, 2023 - Holiday Break!

Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023 - Send them back! 

Friday, Jan. 6 - weather permitting - first day of ESSC downhill skiing!

Thursday, Jan. 12, weather permitting - first day of afterschool Nordic!


Welcome to the JGS staff: Amy Dufault will be working as a one-on-one aide.

Thank you to Kathy Byrne - moving on but we'll still see her helping with the afterschool enrichment program over the next couple of weeks! 


PTO Sweatshirt Sale! Order fast! XLs are sold out! 

The PTO has sweatshirts left over from our fundraiser last year. We will not be ordering sweatshirts this year, however stay tuned for another cool JGS swag item!

$20 each

Youth Sizes- M

Adult Sizes- S, L, 2X, and 3X

Contact Katie Reardon if you are interested in purchasing one.

kereardon@gmail.com or 603-969-9428From the JGS Student Council:

Student Council is sponsoring a JGS winter food drive. Help local people feed their families! Please bring canned goods and non-perishable foods in to donate starting on Monday, Dec 12. Put them in the box near the front office.The food drive will end on Friday, Dec.23, 2022. Help us meet our goals of 150 cans or boxes. Go Jaguars!

Thank you 

Student CouncilThe Winter Wonderland enrichment program has been off to a good start! Over the past few weeks, students have participated in crafts, sports, scavenger hunts, and baking. A special thanks goes out to JGS Physical Education teacher Sonya Porter for hosting our first jump rope class of the year, and to Old Village Bakery’s Nate Iannuccillo and Joel Fischer Katz for joining us to make holiday cookies. This Monday we are also excited to host local artist Molly Mundy, who will be teaching about water color and the perfect greeting card.

Thank you to the JGS community for your support towards the enrichment program. It’s been a lot of fun :)

- Owen McAndrew, After School Enrichment Coordinator & Kathy Byrne, Assistant 

JGS News for November 17, 2022

Hello, JGS Community, 

Lots and lots of important info in and linked to this week's news! pdate from 11.18.22

Hello, JGS Families and Staff! Here are some important updates for you: 

Please call the school office with any questions. I will be out of the office on Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 21 and 22, but plan to return on the 28th. Email will be monitored but quickest answers will be via the office phone, 603.383.6861. Have a happy Thanksgiving! SNotes from the Principal


Dear Jackson Families,

I greatly enjoyed the 4,5,6 presentations of their Native American projects this morning at All School Meeting. Great work, Upper House!  The artifacts were skillfully done and each group presented some excellent facts about their topics! Kudos to all of you!


We welcome Owen McAndrew to our staff as our After School Coordinator! Please help him feel welcome!  We will start with some short term after school activities in December, sign ups to come. We will  embark on a more regular schedule after the new year as we ask Owen to become familiar with how our ski programs work so he can assist Mike Dufilho and Neil Stokes with our ski programs. We have not yet found a second employee to work with the After School Program, so enrollment may be limited until we are able to hire -- but we are moving in the right direction! Welcome to the staff, Owen!


May you all have a peaceful and joyous Thanksgiving with your families.


Best,

Gayle

Meet Mr. McAndrew

Hello JGS Community,

My name is Owen McAndrew and I will be joining Jackson Grammar as the after school program coordinator!

A bit about me: I have been in and out of Jackson since my first season with the AMC in 2016. After years of coming and going however, I’ve decided to stick around for the foreseeable future! My background is in youth outdoor programming and I have worn many hats over the years to provide outdoor experiences to young people. Most recently, I’ve spent the past three school years as a ski coach for the Carrabassett Valley Academy in Maine, meanwhile working as a rock climbing instructor in the Mount Washington Valley over summers.

While my background is in outdoor programming, I am excited to hit the ground running with a variety of enrichment activities. If you have any ideas or skills you’d like to share, please feel free to email me at o_mcandrew@sau9.org.

I’m looking forward to getting to know everyone. More to come soon! 

- Owen McAndrew

SNOW SNOW SNOW!

Great job getting to school with the two-hour delay! Please let Miss Susan know if you did not receive a text or email from SAU 9's messenger. See attachment regarding management of your notifications.

For snow season, please send your jaguar ready for recess play outside with snow boots, snow pants, mitts/gloves, hat, jacket/parka. 

SKI SKI SKI - see a second email from JGS with all things about JGS ski programming! 


News from the Art Room

Grade 4 created some festive Cornucopia Still Lifes that were turned into cards to go out in the Whitney Community Center Baskets! Hope these bring a smile to those recipients. ~Carrie Scribner, JGS Art Teacher

From the Guidance Office

There are still a couple of weeks left to sign up for Angels and Elves.  If your family could use some with Christmas this year, please use the following link to request gift assistance:  Angels and Elves Application ~Victoria Hill, JGS School Counselor

Dates to Remember    JGS Events Calendar

ASM at 8:35-9:00 AM on Thursdays in the WCC - families are welcome to join us!

Nov. 21 - Monday - High School Option Committee meets at 4:30 before 6 PM School Board meeting - WCC

Postponed and TBD: School Picture Makeup Day. Please let Susan know if your student will need their photo taken that morning!

Nov. 23, 24, 25 - Thanksgiving Break

Nov. 28 - Send them back!

LINKED:

High School Options Committee Meeting Agenda - Parents Welcome to Attend!

DEI Committee Agenda and Minutes

More winter activities at Bartlett Rec: The Rec will be selling trees from the Rocks as a fundraiser.  They will be available at our sugar shack on Mon. Nov 21.  The cost is $35 and the trees are 6 to 8 feet tall. 

The Rec is in need of a few more girls to join the basketball team for grade 4, 5, 6.  Practices will start the first week of December. Registration forms are on the website. The Bartlett Rec Nordic program's sign up form is also attached, below. 

JGS News for November 9, 2022


Hello, JGS Families! Here are dates to keep in mind - especially tomorrow's early release day and conferences! 

Thank you to all the veterans in the JGS community. 


Dates to Remember

JGS Events Calendar

ASM at 8:35-9:00 AM on Thursdays in the WCC - families are welcome to join us! Tomorrow: Veterans Day celebration with the JGS band and chorus!

Nov. 10 - Thursday - Early release at noon after an early lunch. Parent-Student-Teacher conferences follow as registered.

Nov. 11 - Friday - Veterans Day - no school

Nov. 14 - Monday - Send them back! 

Nov. 21 - Monday - High School Option Committee meets at 4:30 before 6 PM School Board meeting - WCC

Nov. 16 - Wednesday - School Picture Makeup Day. Please let Susan know if your student will need their photo taken that morning!

Nov. 23, 24, 25 - Thanksgiving Break


Heard around JGS:

Mrs. Heysler's 4th grade did a little figurative language nature walk and came up with these similes (as ... as, like) and metaphors:


Meryl:

The stream is as sparkly as glitter.

The stream is glitter. 

Meaning: the stream is sparkling in the sun


Norah:

The mud is as thick as jello.

The mud is jello.

Meaning: the mud is thick and gooey.


Poppy:

The leaf is as crunchy as a granola bar.

The leaf is a crunchy  granola bar.

Meaning: the leaf is very dry and crunchy


Kingston:

The tree bark is as bumpy as a rock.

The tree bark is a bumpy rock

Meaning: the tree bark is textured like the rock


Cecilia:

The sky is as clear as glass.

The sky is glass:

Meaning: there are no clouds


Max S

The moon is like Swiss cheese.

The moon is swiss cheese

Meaning:  the moon looks like it is holey like swiss cheese


Henry:

The tree is as tall as a giant.

The tree is a giant

Meaning: the tree is huge.


Brodie:

The fall leaves are like a fall colored rainbow.

The leaves are a rainbow of fall colors

Meaning: there are a lot of colored leaves.


Max M

The rock is as dark as the night.

The rock is a dark night.

Meaning: the rock is black


Sabine:

The wind howls like a wolf at the moon.

The wind is a howling wolf

Meaning: We can hear the wind blowing through the trees.


Rent:

The tree is tall like a church spire.

The tree is a spire.

Meaning: the tree is very tall.


School Board News - High School Options Committee Updates

Hello JGS Families, 

Hard as it to fathom, your JGS student will go to high school. The current contract between Jackson and Conway (Kennett High School) will expire and the school board must decide what to do next. Please read the following from Darlene Ference, Jackson School Board member and representative to the Jackson High School (HS) Options Committee: 


Jackson's HS Options Committee is hard at work researching high schools as well as programs to consider when making a recommendation to the Jackson School Board in May. The board will use this information when they consider options for students from Jackson for high school when the contract with Conway expires.  


In the next few months we will be formally soliciting comments from residents in various ways.  The Committee wants to reach as many people as possible, so we would ask you to let your friends and neighbors know that our committee meets monthly before the Jackson School Board meeting and the agenda is posted on eNews as well as at the Post Office. The next meeting is Nov. 21 at 430 pm in the Whitney Center. Of course, you do not need to wait to share any thoughts or concerns with the committee.  You may email Chairperson Darlene Ference at d_ference@sau9.org or Jessica Della Valla at jess.dellavalla@gmail.com.  We welcome your input and value your thoughts and opinions so please do not hesitate to reach out. ~ Darlene Ference


Have a great long weekend! S

Hello JGS Families - a few updates and reminders for you - also available on the JGS website! 

Dates to Remember

JGS Events Calendar

ASM at 8:35-9:00 AM on Thursdays in the WCC - families are welcome to join us! Next week: Veterans' Day celebration with the JGS band and chorus!

November 4 - JGS PTO  Winter Clothing Swap!   3:15-4:30 pm in the WCC

November 10 - Parent Student Conferences. See Mrs. D's newsletter note from Oct. 21 and check your email for the online sign up form!

November 16 - School Picture Makeup Day - please let me know if you'd like to have your child's photos retaken.

November 23, 24, 25 - Thanksgiving Break: no school.

Reminders

JGS News for October 21, 2022

This news was also emailed to families!

Principal's Notes

Hello JGS families,

Students have mostly completed our annual NWEA testing and teachers will be able to share results on November 10 when we will be hosting Parent-Student Conference Night. These conferences are designed to involve students at an age-appropriate level to build self awareness and develop a sense of who they are as learners while they take more control of their own learning.


Parents are requested to schedule conferences from 1:00 to 5:30 pm on November 10th. Watch for a signup form, coming soon!   Students in grades 4-6 and their families will have a parent-student conference to discuss strengths, challenges and goals. Students in grades 1-3 will participate in the first part of their conference, allowing time for parents to meet with teachers without their child for the second portion. Short term child care will be available in the WCC for students in grades 1-3. Kindergarten conferences are only for parents at this time. Our Unified Arts (Music, Art, Physical Education, and French)  teachers will also be available in the big room of the WCC so parents and children will be able to confer briefly with them. If you would like Mrs. Hill, JGS Guidance and Family Liaison, to attend your conference, please indicate so when you sign up. Stay tuned for more info! 


Have a great weekend,

Gayle

Quick News from the School Office

ESSC Coordinator-Assistant and Nordic Coordinators - Ski season is coming and JGS will be skiing! Neil Stokes will be our ESSC Coordinator once again, but he'd like to train the next JGS ESSC Coordinator. If you'd like to be involved with ESSC at a coordinator's level, give me a call in the school office: 603-383-6861. We will also be starting our after school Nordic (cross-country) skiing program and we'll need a coordinator for that. Please let me know if that interests you! 

New school cell number - JGS has a new cell phone. Please add 603-733-6379 to your contacts. I'll be using that phone to text families, phasing out my personal phone. 

Fall Festival - JGS needs apples for cider pressing! Call Susan in the school office (or try out the new cell number!) for specifics! 

Welcome Back, Mrs. Brennan! We're glad you can teach the fourth grade while Mrs. Heysler is away!  

Great Links:

High School Options Committee Information

Dates to Remember

JGS Events Calendar

ASM at 8:35-9:00 AM on Thursdays in the WCC - families are welcome to join us!

October 24-28 - en Plein Air Week with Artist in Residence Melanie Leavitt

October 24-November 4 - Bus route and schedule changes! Please see the email sent home to bus-riding families on the Village Route!

October 26 - Deadline to turn in your Ski Helmet order to the school office. Need another order form? Contact Susan in the school office.

October 31 - Fall Festival at JGS during the school day! Jackson PTO Family Halloween Celebration  4-5pm @ Town Green & River Walk

November 1 - Flu shot clinic for students and staff. Registration forms home today in your student's backpack! Forms due back to school office by Thursday, Oct. 27 - this allows the nurses to have the correct number of doses for the clinic.

November 4 - JGS Winter Clothing Swap!   3:15-4:30pm

November 10 - Parent Student Conferences. See Mrs. D's newsletter note for more information and watch for registration - coming soon!

November 16 - School Picture Makeup DaySoccer

GOALS WERE SCORED!! 

Way to go 2/3! Another exciting night of Jackson Grammar School Soccer with the 2-3 team taking on the combined efforts of the North Conway-John Fuller- Barlett combined 3/4 team ! 

Looking forward to Tuesday's final practice and teacher-parent-student game and don't forget about Sunday Soccer...even when JGS soccer is over Sunday Soccer on the Jackson town field every week at 3:00 until it's too cold and snowy to play....although I realize that may still not stop some of you!

Big thank you to Ms. Susan for helping to reschedule the game with our fearless ref Ryan...thank you both! ~Hampton

JGS News for October 14, 2022 

- also available at https://sites.google.com/sau9.org/jackson-grammar

Today's photos: Scenes from Friday Reading Buddies! Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Graders are paired with K-3rd Graders for an afternoon of reading (or math games, sometimes other activities) each week. Youngers read to olders, and olders to youngers. This is a great way for JGS kids to get to know each other across the grades, helping each other and sharing interests and favorite books, giving older students a chance to lead, and younger students to see leadership (and reading) in action. 

Lots going on in the next few weeks! A big shout out and thank you to all our parent volunteers: in the classroom, on the soccer field, on the way to the library, and with the PTO! There's even more Learning, Community, and Fun with our parent volunteers!

Friendly reminder: School dismisses at 3 PM. Students will be dismissed to parents right after the bus leaves. 


Dates to Remember

JGS Events Calendar

ASM at 8:35-9:00 AM on Thursdays in the WCC - families are welcome to join us!

October 17 - School Board: Margot potatoes, Gayle Curriculum vs program?    Joint board at 5 PM, Jackson Board at 6 PM 

October 24-28 - en Plein Air Week with Artist in Residence Melanie Leavitt

October 31 - Fall Festival at JGS!

November 1 - Flu shot clinic for students and staff. Registration coming soon!

November 16 - School Picture Makeup Day


Jackson PTO Family Halloween Celebration    Monday, October 31, 4-5pm

Town Green & River Walk

Join the Jackson Grammar School PTO for a safe & fun community trick-or-treating event. Local community organizations and businesses will be staffing tables around the town green for families to trick or treat at. 

Please park by the Whitney Center and across from the Post Office and be sure to bring your own bag for

treats.

Interested in staffing a table or helping out? Contact Nora Dufilho at ntbeem@yahoo.org.


JGS Winter Clothing Swap!     Friday, November 4, 3:15-4:30pm

Winter is coming - let's share those outgrown items with one another and help outfit our JGS kids for the season. If you have clean, gently used outerwear, base layers, boots, and accessories (hats & mittens), please consider donating them to the event. Items can be dropped off at blue table in front of the school or box in the Jackson Post Office lobby. Don't have anything to contribute? Not to worry, you are still welcome!  

The swap will be held at the Whitney Community Center on Friday, November 4th from 3:15-4:30pm. If you are interested in participating but are unable to make it, please let us know. Questions? Contact JGS PTO members Katie Reardon (kereardon@gmail.com) or Nora Dufilho (ntbeem@yahoo.com).

Hi JGS Soccer Families, 

Soccer season is coming to an end in the next week and a half but there is a lot coming up! 

Dates to Remember for Soccer

Tuesday October 25th : 

LAST DAY for 2022 soccer season. 

Practice for players: 3pm -4pm

4:00 -4:45 Parent/teacher/Player Game!

To be followed by pizza 


And don't forget about SUNDAY SOCCER!

SUNDAY SOCCER- 3:00-4:00 Every Sunday - Fun family community pick up game for as long as people are willing to play into the late fall season. Sportsmanship and laughs required- soccer skills are not!


**Please keep your eye out in the next month for fundraising opportunities to raise funds for next year's soccer season!**


Have a great Rainy Friday

Go Jags!

~Hampton

Bartlett Rec News (JGS students and families can participate in Bartlett Rec activities!) 

Craft fair & Apple Pie Contest will be held on Saturday, November 5 from 9 to 1. Come and start your shopping early this year. We do have vendor space available if you would like to come and sell your items. The concession stand will be open as well, join us for lunch.

Our wreath & tree fundraiser is gearing up. We will need you to order your wreaths and kissing ball by October 28. We should have them in prior to Thanksgiving. All our wreaths are full and double sided. They come from Maine. You can order online at https://bartlettrec.org/wreath/ Our trees come from the Rocks estate, and we should have them just before Thanksgiving.

Basketball registration is happening now for grades 4, 5, 6. This level will begin in November. With games starting in December/ January. All other levels can register now as well, but you will play in the spring, March, or April. We will need coaches for all levels of play. Download a form at Bartlettrec.org

Stoney Syrup is available. Would make a great gift! Call if you would like some! 


Cross-Country (Nordic) Skiing! Coming Soon! Please complete the Jackson Ski Touring Family Programming Survey:

link to the JSTF Survey.


SEE THIS LINK for events at the Jackson Public Library

Have a great weekend! 

JGS Updates for 10/5/22 - also sent to you via email!

Dates to Remember

JGS Events Calendar

ASM at 8:35-9:00 AM on Thursdays in the WCC - families are welcome to join us! 

October 6 - Early Release at NOON. If your child is signed up for PTO Legos, they will be dismissed to the PTO at noon. Pick up from Legos is at 3 PM.

October 7 - Teacher Workshop Day, no school

October 10 - Indigenous People's Day, no school

October 11 - Send them back!

October 12 - PTO hosts Parent/Guardian discussion: Search for a New Principal - details, below! 5:30 PM, WCC

November 16 - Picture Makeup Day


UPDATED:

ALL SCHOOL MEETING - Families Welcome! 8:35-9 AM on Thursdays at the WCC!

Oct 6 - Mrs. Scribner, Art Teacher, and the Pumpkin People

Oct 13 - Mrs. Robert's 2-3: Potato Harvest

Oct 20 - Mrs. Heysler's 4th: Human Science


PTO Updates:

1. Lego Event on Oct. 6 is FULL.

2. The JGS PTO will be hosting Assistant Superintendent Kadie Wilson in a parent/guardian discussion  regarding the search for a new JGS Principal for the the 23-24 school year in light of Mrs. D's retirement. We would like to have families, community members weigh in on the qualities that people would like to see in the next JGS principal.  Superintendent Kevin Richard met with JGS staff on Thursday and the school board will weigh in at their next school board meeting in October. Once the various groups have provided their qualities Superintendent Richard will codify the responses into categories and priorities.  The interview committee will use this information to develop questions along with criteria for selection of interview candidates. Parent input meeting: October 12 at 5:30 at the WCC. Childcare will be available. Please complete THIS FORM - Thank you, JGS PTO! 

3. JGS Winter Clothing Swap! (Date TBD!)

Not sure what to do with those too small items from last winter (or the winter before...)? We've got just the thing! The JGS PTO is hosting a clothing swap for Jackson families to help extend the life of outerwear your child has outgrown. We are soliciting donations of clean, gently used outerwear, base layers, boots, and accessories (hats & mittens). This is not a fundraising event, but a way for families to help one another. Event details to come!

Items can be dropped on the blue table in front of the school or in the drop box at the Jackson Post Office. Questions? Contact JGS PTO members Katie Reardon (kereardon@gmail.com) or Nora Dufilho (ntbeem@yahoo.com).


There's frost on the pumpkins!

Get ready to ski! Jackson Ski Touring, who partners with JGS to provide Nordic (cross-country) ski opportunities for Jackson kids, is reaching out to families to gauge their interest in weekend Nordic programing.  Give them your feedback at this link to the JSTF Survey.

JGS Jaguar/Community Soccer

Dates to Remember-

Team 456 HOME vs Conway JGS Field Monday October 17th 5:00pm

Valley Cup- @ Conway Middle School Fields SAT 10am October 15th


Hello Soccer Community!

This Sunday we will reinstate our ever so wonderful weekly Sunday Soccer community game in the Jackson Town field at 3pm! 

(Originally announced for 1pm but please note time correction to 3:00pm) 

This is a FUN event for adults, parents, friends, kids of all ages to come and have a friendly game of soccer. 

Laughs and sportsmanship required.....soccer skills are not!

Come to the field ready to play and we will break into teams. If there are only a few of us, no problem! If there are a lot of us we can break into multiple teams and rotate through as we are playing on a small field. 

Bring your own water, snacks and whatever you need to get through a game. 

See you on the pitch :) ~ Hampton Synnott, JGS Soccer Coordinator

Note from Miss Susan - Sunday Soccer at the Jackson town field has been a great community event over the years with lots of participants: school families, the wider community - even visitors have joined in. My twenty-somethings remember these Sunday gatherings as one of their favorite parts of growing up here in Jackson. 

JGS News for September 30th

This news was also emailed to families! 


Notes from the Principal

Hello JGS families,

Please be sure to check out the PTO-sponsored events coming up in the next few weeks! Next Thursday is an early release (at noon) with Teacher Workshops in the afternoon and Friday is a Teacher Workshop day and there is no school for students. You should be aware that staff will be doing active shooter training on Friday between 9 am and 11 am. Campus will be closed: it would not be a great time to come use the playground or gaga pit!  

A reminder to talk to your children about respect for parent volunteers and coaches as well as fair play on the field at soccer on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We want all children to have fun and feel included on the field. Have a great weekend,

Gayle



Dates to Remember

JGS Events Calendar

ASM at 8:35-9:00 AM on Thursdays in the WCC - families are welcome to join us! 

October 5 - School Picture Day!

October 6 - Early Release at NOON. See note about PTO event, below.

October 7 - Teacher Workshop Day, no school. Campus is closed.

October 10 - Indigenous People's Day, no school

October 11 - Send them back!

October 12 - PTO hosts Assistant Superintendent Kadie Wilson to lead parent discussion regarding the search for a new JGS Principal  - see details, below.


ALL SCHOOL MEETING - Families Welcome! 8:35-9 AM on Thursdays at the WCC!

Oct 10 - Mrs. Scribner, Art Teacher, and the Pumpkin People

Oct 13 - Mrs. Robert's 2-3: Potato Harvest

Oct 20 - Mrs. Heysler's 4th: Human Science


PTO Corner - 3 Events!

1. PTO is excited to offer Lego Building with Cody Wells on October 6th (Early Release Day) from dismissal to 3:00. 

Your student will enjoy an afternoon of Lego fun! Join Cody Wells of C3Brix (aka: the Lego Man of NYC) for Lego builds, challenges, and Lego knowledge beyond your students' wildest dreams.

$15 per student and $10 for each additional sibling. Guardians please fill out a form for each of your students. One form=One Student. Checks should be made out to "JGS PTO"  

Pick up will be on the playground or inside the WCC. Contact Katie Reardon with any questions 603-969-9428 kereardon@gmail.com.

SPACE IS LIMITED! Once we have 20 students signed up we will start a waitlist. 

Sign up here https://forms.gle/AJLAadgAapVkeAuS9

Scholarships available through the PTO, contact Victoria Hill for more information.

2. The JGS PTO will be hosting Assistant Superintendent Kadie Wilson in a parent discussion  regarding the search for a new JGS Principal for the the 23-24 school year in light of Mrs. D's retirement. We would like to have families, community members weigh in on the qualities that people would like to see in the next JGS principal.  Superintendent Kevin Richard met with JGS staff on Thursday and the school board will weigh in at their next school board meeting in October. Once the various groups have provided their qualities Superintendent Richard will codify the responses into categories and priorities.  The interview committee will use this information to develop questions along with criteria for selection of interview candidates. Parent input meeting: October 12 at 5:30 at the WCC. Childcare will be available. Please complete THIS FORM - Thank you, JGS PTO! 

3. JGS Winter Clothing Swap! (Date TBD!)

Not sure what to do with those too small items from last winter (or the winter before...)? We've got just the thing! The JGS PTO is hosting a clothing swap for Jackson families to help extend the life of outerwear your child has outgrown. We are soliciting donations of clean, gently used outerwear, base layers, boots, and accessories (hats & mittens). This is not a fundraising event, but a way for families to help one another. Event details to come!

Items can be dropped on the blue table in front of the school or in the drop box at the Jackson Post Office. Questions? Contact JGS PTO members Katie Reardon (kereardon@gmail.com) or Nora Dufilho (ntbeem@yahoo.com).


JGS Jaguar Soccer - please send questions to Hampton Synnott, JGS Jag Soccer Coordinator, hamptonsynnott@gmail.com

TEAM 4-5-6 

Game vs CONWAY AWAY

Time: 5:00pm

Location: Field BEHIND Conway Elementary (NOT the big Middle School Fields- Enter into Conway Middle with Elementary on your right....field behind the Elementary school- back right) 

Mike Dufilho - Head Coach 

* Please let me know who else can be there to help with the game

TEAM 2-3

Game AWAY VS North Conway 

(John Fuller, NoCo and Bartlett combined team) 

TIME: 4:00 PM 

LOCATION: JOHN FULLER 

Confirmed Coaches: Don Bilger and Nora Dufilho

Nora will bring Pinnies for the kids to wear as a uniform. This is very much a LEARNING event for both teams and can take whatever form it needs to :) 

* Please let me know who else can attend as a coach or for support. 

K-1 and 4,5,6 will have practice as usual at JGS.

Please let me know if you have any questions. As soon as I get a home game date for us with North Conway I will add it to the calendar and send out a full OCT schedule. Thank you all for rallying so hard for the kids despite a bit of a make- it- up -as -we -go along schedule!!

The large group of 2-6th out there on Thursday looked AHHHHH- MAZING!!! 

GO Jaguars!

Hampton Synnott, JGS Jag Soccer Coordinator

hamptonsynnott@gmail.com


Bartlett Rec News - Tae Kwon Do with Ryan Murphy starting Oct 5, Wednesdays, at JBES. Registration form attached, below. Complete and return to JGS office. 



JGS News for September 23rd

This news was also emailed to families on Sept. 23, 2022.

Have a great weekend, JGS Families! 

Dates to Remember

JGS Events Calendar

ASM at 8:35-9:00 AM on Thursdays in the WCC - families are welcome to join us! 

September 27 - Town of Jackson Facilities Presentation, see attached

October 5 - School Picture Day!

October 6 - Early Release at NOON. See note about PTO event, below.

October 7 - Teacher Workshop Day, no school

October 10 - Indigenous People's Day, no school

October 11 - Send them back!


Classroom News

PE with Mrs. Sonya Porter

PE MONDAYS - Wear or bring SNEAKERS!!!

Students in grades 4-6 have been learning about Colonial Games in PE.  Working in groups of two or three, students were each assigned a game.  After reading about it, they introduced the game to the class providing rules, demonstrations and variations.  As a class we discussed how the game may have come about (while doing chores, watching wildlife, etc.) and similar games we play today.  Ask your student about Five Stones, Rabbit, Prisoner's Base, or Puss in the Corner.  At recess many students played Rook, (or Cat and Mouse as the re-enacters at the Muster called it), a game of balance and strategy.

-Mrs. Porter

Photos of the 4-5-6 trip to Muster in the Mountains - to the right and below.


Programs from the PTO

PTO is excited to offer Lego Building with Cody Wells on October 6th (Early Release Day) from dismissal to 3:00. 

Your student will enjoy an afternoon of Lego fun! Join Cody Wells of C3Brix (aka: the Lego Man of NYC) for Lego builds, challenges, and Lego knowledge beyond your students' wildest dreams.

$15 per student and $10 for each additional sibling. Guardians please fill out a form for each of your students. One form=One Student. Checks should be made out to "JGS PTO"  

Pick up will be on the playground or inside the WCC. Contact Katie Reardon with any questions 603-969-9428 kereardon@gmail.com.

SPACE IS LIMITED! Once we have 20 students signed up we will start a waitlist. 

Sign up here https://forms.gle/AJLAadgAapVkeAuS9

Scholarships available through the PTO, contact Victoria Hill for more information.


Soccer Updates

Monday October 3rd - AWAY 5pm Vs. Conway 4/5/6 - details, coming soon!

YAHOO! Our rained out game pitting the  4-5-6 Jags against Conway Rec has been rescheduled: Monday,  October 17th - 5:00 PM on our home field at the town pond. More details to follow!

MW Valley Cup: info and permission forms were emailed on 9.22.22 and, if requested, sent home on paper. Available, here, too. Please return ASAP so that we can roster the team. Go Jags!

JGS News for Sept. 16, 2022

This news is also available - with photographs - on the school website!

Attachment links: 

Soccer permission form


Notes from Mrs. D

Dear JGS families,

It was wonderful to return to the tradition of Curriculum Night, in person and together as a community. I hope everyone enjoyed hearing about topics and upcoming events as well as having a chance to officially meet the teacher(s), see the classroom, and meet  other families. Many thanks to the PTO for sponsoring childcare with Katie R and Gloria B to enable parents to attend. I hope you also took some time to see the art work Ms. Scribner displayed around the building. I love seeing the variety of styles and the details each child adds to their art.

It seems like soccer got off to a good start thanks to Hampton stepping into the soccer coordinator role and parents making commitments to be coaches and assistants so our children have a program here in Jackson! As we struggle to find staff in our paid positions our PTO and volunteers become even more valuable to our organization. If you have not signed on, please contact Nora Dufilho or Katie Reardon for more information about how you can help.

Enjoy this last weekend of Summer!

Gayle


Dates to Remember

JGS Events Calendar

ASM at 8:35-9:00 AM on Thursdays in the WCC - families are welcome to join us! 

Monday, September 19, 6 PM  - WCC - School Board Meeting

Tuesday, September 20 - after school  - PTO Meeting. Mrs. Weeder, JGS Music Teacher, will be presenting 

October 5 - School Picture Day! Details attached!


PTO Presents:

JGS Instrument Parent & Guardian Information Session

Sept 20th at 3:15PM in the WCC Music/Art Room

Parents and Guardians! Come and learn about the JGS Concert Band Program! This presentation is geared towards fourth grade families, but all are welcome. Starting in the fourth grade, JGS students have the opportunity to learn a band instrument. Join Mrs. Weeder as she explains the program, which instruments are options to study, the best way to go about getting your instrument, and more.

Join the PTO Facebook Group  This is a closed private group for JGS families and staff. Stay in the know with all things JGS. Ask questions, post ideas, and stay connected! Click on the link above or simply search "JGS PTO" on Facebook. Once we confirm you are either a family or staff member you will be approved. 


Soccer Goals (and Updates!)

This is a repeat of the email sent to soccer families on Thursday, 9.15.22. The permission slip is attached to the email and linked, here.

JGS Soccer UPDATES and Permission Form!

Hello, JGS Jaguar Families! 

Here are some soccer updates for you and your player(s) and a REQUIRED permission slip I need to have on file for your soccer player.  Please return by Monday, Sept. 19.

UPDATES/DETAILS you may have missed: 

Soccer practice runs from after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

PICKUP TIMES:

4:15 for K-1 across the street from JGS (in the “triangle.”) Please park at JGS.

4:30 for 2-3 at the town field. Please park on the street above the field. Keep fire lane clear.

4:30 for 4-5-6 at the town field. Same as above.

Parents are responsible for arranging pick up. There is no bus service after soccer.

Soccer games: watch for updates! Hampton, our soccer coordinator, is assembling the soccer schedule! 

Monday’s game for 4-5-6 will start at 4:30 at the town field. Players will have practice before the game. They should come to school ready to play with cleats and shin guards, uniform, and water bottle. Pick up will be about 5:15 at the town field if you can’t make the game.

Soccer refs - love and know a little bit about soccer? We will need refs! This is paid by the game opportunity, with refs making calls as age appropriate for the players. Interested? Contact Susan! Most games start at 4, 4:15, or 4:30 and run 60 minutes.

Have you returned the soccer permission slip? It's linked, here. NO SLIP, NO PLAY.

JGS News for September 9th

This news was also emailed to families on Sept. 9, 2022.


From the Principal:

Dear Families,

We have had a very smooth return to school and everyone is adjusting to the routines. It has been wonderful to return to traditions of all school lunch and recess as well as having families returning to All School Meeting and volunteering in classrooms! It seems like we have enough parent volunteers to pull together a soccer program with some modifications to age/grade groups and ask that everyone be aware that we are counting on consistency in order to provide the children with adequate supervision. Thank you to everyone who stepped up for our children!  Look for more details on the schedule TBD.


Please remember that we are your partners and want to know if your child is having any difficulties in adjusting to new grade configurations, teachers, friends etc. Please contact your child’s teacher with any question, large or small, so we can work together to address any concern. Mrs. Hill is also available and can provide resources and strategies as well.


Have a great weekend,


Gayle


Dates to Remember

JGS Events Calendar

ASM at 8:35-9:00 AM on Thursdays in the WCC - families are welcome to join us! 

Tuesday, September 13 - Soccer Practice! After school until 4:15 for K1, 4:30 for 2nd-6th

Wednesday, September 14 - Curriculum Night for JGS parents and guardians - see below!

Monday, September 19, 6 PM  - WCC - School Board Meeting

Tuesday, September 20 - after school  - PTO Meeting. Mrs. Weeder, JGS Music Teacher, will be presenting 

October 5 - School Picture Day! Details coming soon!


Notes from the Music Room

Chorus will be taking place again this year! 

Chorus started Thursday, with a “try it” class for all students in grades 2-6.

Chorus is optional for students 2-6. K-1 students are invited to join chorus after winter break.

Chorus will be immediately following ASM on Thursdays (9:00- 9:30). 

If you would like to opt your student out of chorus please email me: l_weeder@sau9.org  or send a note to school.

If you have any questions, comments or concerns please email me. I am looking forward to another year of making music together! 

Lauren Weeder, JGS Music Teacher: l_weeder@sau9.org


Curriculum Night! Wednesday, September 15! 

Parents and Guardians! This evening is for you to meet your child's teacher and to hear about the curriculum and activities at JGS. 

Lower House (Grades K, 1, 2, 3) meet Mrs. Groves and Mrs. Robert at 5:30 in their classrooms

Unified Arts for all classes - meet Mrs. Weeder, Mrs. Scribner, Mrs. Porter, and Mrs. Klein - 6:00

Upper House (Grades 4, 5, 6) meet Mrs. Heysler and Mr. Marshall - 6:30

Other JGS staff will be there, too! This is the a great time to get an overview of your child's school year! 


From the school office - Miss Susan

Thank you to everyone who has completed the task of re-enrolling/updating your child's enrollment information! If you have not done this, please do it ASAP. This info helps me help your child in the nurse's office, in case of emergency dismissal, and in giving the best phone numbers to contact you. Here is the list of paperwork and online registration I need to complete your child's enrollment: 

Signed paperwork to return:

Tech Agreement - Keep the first page for your reference, send the last page to the school office

Handbook/Medical Protocols/Soccer form - bottom half

Free and Reduced Lunch Application - on paper or online

If you have not yet done so, please complete your child's school registration: Go to this link: https://sau9.powerschool.com/public/home.html. 

This is the link to directions for accessing and completing the forms:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mYI5VMgbyeHxs_mDpYjYwBp0Xz3ue4BQRZAilB-uCaI/edit?usp=sharing. 


Soccer! We're hoping to start on Tuesday, after school! Please send your player ready to play with sneakers or cleats and a water bottle. Practice starts right after school. Pick up is at the field: K1 right across the street from JGS in the Snowflake "triangle," older grades at the town field near the pond. 

This email was sent to families on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022


Hello, JGS Families! What a great 2 days of school! Please see Mrs. D's note, below, and more JGS news, following.

Notes from the Principal:

Dear Families,

Our school year got off to a great start with children and staff smiling and having fun with the getting-to-know-you, team-building that is part of how we start our school year!  Thank you to everyone who helped get us ready to welcome the children back! A shout out to the JGS PTO for providing and scooping ice cream at our ice cream social! Please consider joining our PTO:  they make such a difference for our students, staff and families! Thank you PTO.

We have not been able to hire any afterschool staff and so cannot offer a consistent program for you as we had hoped. We will continue to look so please continue to spread the word. Some staff members are working on some activities such as pumpkin people, games, etc., that will be offered in the next few weeks. In the meantime we are looking for a soccer coordinator right away as well as volunteers for small group coaching for our soccer program! Give Susan a call to discuss how you can help. There are many roles that don’t require coaching skills!

Please enjoy your long weekend

Best,

Gayle


From Mrs. Hill in the Guidance Office:

Hello Jackson Jaguar Families!  Welcome to the 2022-2023 school year.  I wanted to start off the school year with a list of resources available at our school and in our community:

- Weekly Food Bags are available to all families on Fridays.  These bags contain packaged foods, toiletries and sometimes fresh fruit for families.  Occasionally they will also contain a Shaw's card.  There is no qualifying income for these bags.  Please email me at v_hill@sau9.org to add your name to the list of recipients.

- Free and Reduced lunch forms went home with students on the first day of school.  These forms are long and can be tricky to complete.  Please let me know if you would like help filling them out.

- Free bike helmets are available through the hospital.  We can get a helmet for your child to keep.  Anyone planning to ride a bike to or from school must wear a helmet.  

- I maintain an updated list of counselors in the Valley and their contact information.  If anyone in your family is in need of counseling services let me know.   

- Do you have older students at JBES or Kennett?  All of our school resources are also available for them, including assistance from the family advocate.   

I am looking forward to working with all of your kids this year and to getting to know our new families.  

Victoria Hill

School Counselor/Family Advocate

v_hill@sau9.org  


Arrival and Dismissal Logistics

Thank you all for working with our drop off and pick up routines. AM drop off in front of the WCC is going very smoothly. Please direct your kiddos to stick to the sidewalk instead of hopping the fence and cutting through the parked cars in the staff lot. PM pick up in front of school is bit more complicated. The bus has a different schedule this year and we appreciate your patience as we work out the timing for bus dismissal and cars entering the driveway. If you choose to meet your child on foot, please wait at the WCC-end of the front porch. Please park in the WCC lot. Please do not take up spaces at the PO or the shops. 

Lunch Lines

Updates from Miss Lisa, Lunch Lady

The link to the lunch calendar is here, along with other lunch-related information, including applications for Free and Reduced Lunch.

Thank you to everyone who's worked on setting up online lunch accounts for their students. Hints we've learned so far: enter the students as CONWAY (we'll sort it out later.) If you need your child's school number please contact Susan in the school office. 

JGS will serve lunch from the WCC M-Th, from JGS on Fridays. Students will eat in the WCC, outside, or in their classrooms weather and day permitting.

Dates to Remember

Monday, Sept. 5 - Labor Day, no school

Tuesday, Sept. 6 - BACK TO SCHOOL!

Thursday, Sept. 8, 8:35 AM - All School Meeting in the WCC. Families are welcome to join us for this weekly half-hour all-school activity featuring school news, class presentations, guest speakers...This week's topic: getting to know you with Mrs. D.

Signed paperwork to return:

Tech Agreement - last page

Handbook/Medical Protocols/Soccer form - bottom half

Free and Reduced Lunch Application - on paper or online

If you have not yet done so, please complete your child's school registration: Go to this link: https://sau9.powerschool.com/public/home.html. 

This is the link to directions for accessing and completing the forms:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mYI5VMgbyeHxs_mDpYjYwBp0Xz3ue4BQRZAilB-uCaI/edit?usp=sharing. 


Soccer!

Please consider volunteering for the JGS soccer program! 


Have a great weekend! 

Susan