School phone number: (540)828-6081

Greetings John Wayland Families,

March has been a full month with a lot of great things happening in our school.  In this edition of the Jaguar Jiggy Journal we recap some of the big things you probably knew about, and probably a few things you were unaware of.  

Here you’ll find highlights from our Change Challenge, a recap of one of our students’ participation in the Regional Spelling Bee, and a look at the fun and learning that took place during our “24” Tournament.  We also recognize National School Social Worker Month and celebrate National Music and Arts in Our Schools Month.  Be sure to join us in congratulating our students who took part in the TAHS production of The Little Mermaid, check in on our Lost and Found, and get to know one of our outstanding staff members in this week’s Teacher Feature.

At the end there is a special request about birthday celebrations in school and an update from the cafeteria staff about visiting your child during mealtime.
 
We are always impressed by the kids and all they do.  It's a privilege to be a part of all the learning and growing each day!

Mr. Granger, Principal

We don't have any final numbers or winners for the 2026 PTO Change Challenge yet, but as soon as we do we will send out a text letting everyone know how each grade level did and how we did as a school!

On Saturday, March 7, Davis Higgs took part in the Rockingham District Regional Spelling Bee along with 27 other great spellers from all over the valley.  It is a great accomplishment just to make it to this level, and we are very proud of him!  Spellers from 27 different schools ranging from 5th grade to 8th grade competed to earn the opportunity to take part in the Scripps Spelling Bee in Washington, DC.  Davis made it through the 3rd round, which is farther than any John Wayland student has made it in recent history.

The John Wayland “24 Tournament Club” competed on Monday, March 16, in the school-based JWES 24 Tournament.  This marks the eighth year our students have participated in this exciting math competition.  Third, fourth, and fifth grade students with an interest in competitive math are invited to join the club, which begins practicing in early November and participates in three tournaments throughout the season.  The next competition will take place on Monday, March 23, at 5:00 PM, when John Wayland hosts the annual Rockingham County 24 Tournament.  Students will compete against teams from Pleasant Valley Elementary School and McGaheysville Elementary School.  Following that event, the JWES 24 Tournament Club will join other RCPS teams at the Regional Tournament hosted by Wilson Middle School in Fishersville at 6:00 PM, closing out the season.  

The 24 game challenges students to use addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division with four given numbers (using each number exactly once) to create an expression equal to 24.  It’s harder than it sounds!

Using this card students could get to 24 like this:
4 x 3 = 12
4 - 2 = 2
then
12 x 2 = 24

March is School Social Worker Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the incredible impact school social workers have on students, families, and our entire school community.  School social workers play an important role in supporting students’ social, emotional, and behavioral well-being.  They work closely with students who may be facing challenges, help connect families with community resources, collaborate with teachers and staff, and advocate for the needs of every child.

At John Wayland Elementary, we are especially grateful for our school social worker, Ashlea Link, and the care and dedication she brings each day.  Her work helps remove barriers to learning and makes sure all students have the support they need to be successful, both in and out of the classroom.

March is Music In Our Schools Month and Youth Art Month, a time to celebrate the important role the arts play in our students’ education and daily experiences.  Music and art give students meaningful opportunities to express themselves, build creativity, and develop confidence.  Through singing, creating, performing, and exploring, students are able to connect their learning in new and exciting ways.

If you wanted to check out any of this art in person (or the artwork of many other talented RCPS youth) the Art Council of the Valley Youth Art Show is on display all month from March 6-27.  Their exhibition is open to the public Monday-Friday, 11AM– 4PM, at the Art Council of the Valley building in downtown Harrisonburg.  The address is 311 S. Main St.

Thanks for your support!

Last week Turner Ashby High School presented The Little Mermaid, and 11 students from John Wayland Elementary School got to participate!  It was a lot of work (weeks of after school practice and 5 shows) but a ton of fun!

One fun part of the entire process was the coloring contest that the cast held for our elementary school students.  The winner received 2 complimentary tickets to the show!  This year’s winner was Willamena Hawkins.  Congrats Willamena!

We have 66 coats and hoodies that have been lost over the past months.  If your child is missing a jacket (or anything else) please swing by the school and take a look in our Lost and Found whenever you get a chance.

Interviewer: Maggie Ohgren

When you were in college you dove, what was your best accomplishment? 

So, I was a walk-on for the dive team my freshman year. I had done diving in summers but was a gymnast growing up.  My biggest accomplishment over the 4 years was just going from not knowing a lot and not being able to do a lot to placing in the Championship meet my senior year; I got second.  Getting to set some records and seeing my name on the pool at JMU was a really cool accomplishment.

What is your favorite thing to teach and why?

Well, I teach everything in Kindergarten, so that’s a unique thing about being a kindergarten teacher.  I have always loved math, so I do love to teach math because I just love being able to make it hands on and play games and make it a fun way for the kids to learn.  

Did you always want to be a teacher?  Why or why not?

I knew I always wanted to learn more about how kids think. I didn’t always know I wanted to be a teacher.  I did coach and babysit a lot growing up, so I knew I liked being around kids.  I actually started as a psychology major, so I could learn how kids' brains develop, and then I realized that I enjoyed hanging out with kids, so I switched to teaching.

What was the funniest thing a student has said to you?

Ok, so, it was this year. This is the most recent story in my brain.  I was teaching a student how to use the magic words please and thank you, so when I helped him with his backpack I said, “OK, what’s the magic word?” and he said, “Abracadabra!”.

What is the hardest part about being a teacher?

I would say that the hardest part is that there are so many things that you can always be working on that it can be hard sometimes to just stop for the day. For kindergarten there is a lot of prep work you have to do to get ready for kids, and you have so many different kinds of learners that you want to make sure you’re reaching every single one. Another hard part is saying goodbye to your class at the end of the day.

What is a hidden talent that you might have that people don't know about?

I don’t know if it’s hidden anymore, but I love to watercolor, and I have recently gotten into painting pet portraits.  I’ve painted for other teachers in the school portraits of their pets.  

What is one of the most life teaching things a kid has ever said to you?

I don’t know if it’s something they have ever said to me, but I think I learn a lot about the kids and what they have learned from me by just watching them interact with each other a lot.  To see them grow, I don’t know if it’s life teaching, but it’s a really neat thing to see. 

What is the biggest change you have seen in a student as their teacher?

I would say, this was a few years ago, there was a child who wouldn’t speak and was very shy, and by the end of the year he was giving everybody hugs.  When I see kids grow in that way it’s really neat to see.  

How would you describe your students in three words?

Innocent, funny, and sweet.

Did you have a favorite teacher growing up? Why were they special?

My 3rd grade teacher, as far as I know she is still a substitute teacher where I grew up, but she would come to my gymnastics meets, and she was like another mom.  She was so loving and supportive of her students, and I remember feeling loved and supported because she would just show up.  She was my favorite.  

We love the chance to celebrate birthdays here at JWES!  Over the past couple of weeks we have had a few instances of confusion regarding student birthday celebrations in the classroom.  In an effort to clarify any questions parents and families may have, we want to share the following policy:  

1.  Your child’s classroom teacher is your primary point of contact when scheduling a celebration.  The teacher will know students who may have allergies in the classroom, a convenient time of day to celebrate, and will make sure that the students are ready when you arrive.

2.  Once you arrive at school, our front office staff will ask that you sign in as a classroom visitor.  Teachers do their best to inform the office staff in advance, but if we have not been informed that you are visiting, we will call the classroom to confirm with the teacher prior to having you sign in.

3.  Arrival time is the busiest time of the morning in our building and bringing treats during that time presents a challenge as students are settling into their classrooms.  We’d ask that if that is the best timing for you to drop off your child's birthday treats, that you please leave them at the front desk clearly labeled with your child’s name and teacher's name.  We will be happy to deliver them to the classroom!

Again, we love celebrating birthdays!  These guidelines help us celebrate in a way that helps to keep students safe and to provide the necessary communication between teachers, families, and office staff.  We thank you in advance for your cooperation!!

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 

Families are welcomed and encouaged to come to school to enjoy breakfast or lunch with their children.  We love having you here!  To ensure we have enough food for everyone, PLEASE LET YOUR STUDENT'S TEACHER KNOW YOU WOULD LIKE TO BUY A LUNCH.  There have been a few times that we did not have enough food on hand for all the family members and children who wanted to eat.  (We obviously prioritize the children having food, but hate it when family members are not fed.)

Monday, March 30 - Friday, April 3: RCPS Spring Break (No School)

Monday, April 5: Teacher Workday (No Students)

Tuesday, April 21: Teacher Workday (No Students...this is a shift from the original school calendar.)

Thursday, April 30: Title 1 Reading and Math Night

Friday, May 1: Regular School Day for Everyone (This is a shift from original school calendar.)

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