School phone number: (540)828-6081

Greetings John Wayland Families,

In this edition of the Jaguar Jiggy Journal, you’ll find helpful updates and opportunities across our school community. We’re highlighting our library resources, sharing a special chance for some families to visit our National Parks at no cost, and offering ways to support one another during the holiday season. This issue also features our cafeteria manager in the Teacher Feature, along with a few simple, fun ideas for practicing reading skills while traveling. You’ll find announcements from our PTO, the latest Title I newsletter, and the updated monthly menu. And as always, we’ve included information about ordering John Wayland spirit wear and an up-to-date calendar of upcoming events.

Enjoy this beautiful fall weather,

Doug

The John Wayland Elementary School Library is a vibrant and welcoming space designed to spark curiosity, encourage a love of reading, and support learning for all students. Under the direction of Mrs. Tricia Hass, our librarian, the library’s mission is to maintain a rich and diverse collection of materials that enhance the learning process for students, faculty, and staff.

Families are encouraged to stay connected to their child’s reading journey!  Mrs. Hass can send an email notification each time your student checks out a book—including the title, check-out date, and due date. If you’d like to sign up, simply contact her at phass@rockingham.k12.va.us.

The JWES Library aims to:

Provide materials that meet the individual learning needs, abilities, and styles of all students.

Promote an appreciation for a wide variety of literary formats.

Guide students and faculty in understanding copyright and responsible technology use.

Offer up-to-date resources that support teaching and learning.

In addition, Mrs. Hass designs engaging lessons that promote reading, research, observation, listening, and critical thinking skills—all aligned with and extending beyond the Virginia Standards of Learning. The library also supports digital literacy and the thoughtful use and care of library equipment and technology.

To explore everything our library has to offer, visit these helpful links:

-Library Website: https://sites.google.com/view/hassslm?usp=sharing

-Search Our Collection: JWES Collection List

-Tutorial: How to Use the Collection List: Watch Here

-Family Resources: Parent Resources Page

On the collection page, families can:

-Search our full catalog of books and resources.

-See which books your student currently has checked out.

-Create a “Favorites” list to help your child plan what to read next!

The JWES Media Center continually seeks input from staff and students to ensure our resources reflect diverse voices, interests, and learning goals. Whether your child is discovering a new favorite story or researching a big question, the library is here to support every step of the way.

We wanted to share a really great resource for 4th graders and their families—it’s called Every Kid Outdoors (https://everykidoutdoors.gov), and it gives all 4th graders and their families free access to national parks, forests, and other public lands for the entire school year. Since our school has been recognized as a Virginia Naturally School for over 20 years, we thought this program would be a perfect fit to share with families. It’s such an amazing opportunity for kids to explore nature and learn outside the classroom!

John Wayland's Holiday Gift Assistance program is underway, and we are ready to match sponsors with students here at school.  Each student’s list will include clothing sizes and gift preferences, but no names.  Typically, sponsors provide one outfit, a pair of shoes, a coat (if needed), any special items identified, and a few toys.  We currently have around 30 students to match, so reach out to Mrs. Strite (astrite@rockingham.k12.va.us) or Mrs. Long (ekunowsky@rockingham.k12.va.us) if you're willing/able to take part.  They will pair sponsors with students as they receive responses.  If you aren’t able to sponsor an entire list but would like to be on a standby list to help with last-minute needs during the first week of December, please let us know. Your support in any amount is meaningful and appreciated.

Interviewee:  Mrs. Kariann Palmer - Cafeteria Manager
Interviewers:  Kylene Chico and Hagan Elkins

What was your favorite school lunch as a kid?   Pizza  

What did you think you were going to be when you were little? Veterinarian and a mom

What was your funniest memory from school? I was in high school, and it was raining, and my best friend and I were walking from the outside building with an umbrella that had like comic strips on it. So we were walking to our next class, and we were reading the comics. We didn’t realize we were in the hallway, and we felt really stupid.  

What do you think the favorite meal is for students?   Breakfast for lunch

What skills are most important for a cafeteria manager to have? Organized, friendly, like kids, and keep things clean

How did you choose to be a cafeteria manager?  I went to culinary school, had a catering business, and loved working with food, and I love kids.

What are the biggest challenges you have faced as a cafeteria manager?  Don't get deliveries on time or bad behavior

Have you worked in a different lunch room other than JWES?  No

What do you like about your job?  Seeing and getting to know the kids and feed the kids things that they like

What goals do you have this year as a cafeteria manager?  Getting new foods

Take Reading on the Road

We have several school breaks coming up in the next couple of months, and many families will be traveling to visit relatives. Travel time is a wonderful opportunity to build and reinforce reading skills together. Below are four simple, fun activities you can do on the go to keep reading practice enjoyable and meaningful. Enjoy the journey!

FIND A LETTER      Skill: letter recognition

Adult: Find the letter M.

Reader: I see the letter M on the McDonalds sign!

Adult: Great! Now you tell me a letter to look for.

Reader: Find the letter X.

Adult: I see the letter X on the Exit sign!

-repeat-

I SEE SOMETHING (1) Skill: isolation of beginning sound

Adult: I see something that starts with the /s/ sound

Reader: Is it a semi-truck?

Adult: I like your thinking. It is not a semi-truck. Look for something else that starts with the /s/ sound.

Reader: Is it a street sign?

Adult: It is!!!

-repeat-

I SEE SOMETHING (2) Skill: identifying rhyme

Adult: I see something that rhymes with right.

Reader: Is it light?

Adult: It is!!!

-repeat-

ROBOT TALK          Skill: blending sounds

Adult: I am going to tell you a word, but I’m going to talk like a robot. When you know the word I’m saying, shout it out. Ready?

R-oa-d.

Student: Road!

Adult: Great! Here’s the next robot word...g-a-s.

Student: Gas!

-repeat-

*When you see a letter in between slash marks, that represents the sound.../b/ says or spells b.

You can find a printable version of these activities to carry in the car with you at this link:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1I5W_yx5dXL-Q0g1EWL0-Z4OjGhKJZlU_/view?usp=sharing

Don’t forget!  Pasta with a Purpose orders are due Friday, November 7th!  Informational flyers and order forms were sent home with your student.  Additional flyers are available in the front office.  Please contact jwesptova@gmail.com with any questions!

After each 9 weeks we will have a special newsletter that is sent home to families.  You should have gotten this from your child's teacher already, but in case you missed it we are sharing it here.  You can see the text below or find the full newsletter at the following links:

English: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yIEiMAGbPI1VL6LdoXh5vtdvPEkLqbtjB4Wg_xZhJHU/edit?tab=t.0

Spanish: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wW61g8j7Fxi60mRq61khmDKF2Q-rrBG9JFUt9e_-JKw/edit?tab=t.0

Breakfast and lunch are available for purchase to every student at John Wayland Elementary School each day.  Daily menus and information about the cost of each meal can be found at: https://www.schoolnutritionandfitness.com/index.php?sid=1496945305215 

Friday, November 7th: Pasta with a Purpose orders due

Thursday, November 20th: 4th grade musical performance

Friday, November 21st: 5th grade Spelling Bee

Wednesday-Friday, November 26-28: No School (Thanksgiving Break)

Monday, December 22-Friday, January 1: No School (Winter Break)

Need a new t-shirt?  Looking for a nice fitting hoodie?  Wondering where all those great looking John Wayland clothes come from?  Look no further.  The University Outpost has created a site you can use to order a number of great items that not only look great, but support the school as well.  The University Outpost will donate 15% of every purchase back to the school.

You can find t-shirts, hoodies, polos and more at this site: https://stores.inksoft.com/john_wayland_elementary_school/shop/products/all?page=1

We are working hard to make sure this year is a great one for your child. I’m energized by the opportunity to partner with you to support your child’s growth—academically, socially, and emotionally.

For updates, reminders, and celebrations throughout the year, be sure to follow John Wayland Elementary School on Facebook.  Also, Rockingham County Public Schools has an incredible new app called the RCPSApp that allows you to stay connected to the latest news and information about our school and the division.