Jaguar Tracks
August 30th, 2021
Dear JE families,
The first days of school are upon us! Have the first day jitters hit you yet? I feel a mix of excitement and anticipation. At Joshua Eaton, we want our students and families to be psyched for the first day of school. While first day of school jitters are a part of everyone's transition back to school--I often find myself thinking, "How can I turn my anxious feelings into excitement?" I am excited to see our incredible staff in action. I am excited for the hustle and bustle on the first day of school. I am excited to problem solve. I am excited to meet all of our students. There is so much to be excited for! How can you help your students channel their first day of school jitters into excitement? Consider encouraging your students to write down a list or draw a picture of everything they are excited about or love about school.
This past week was certainly an exciting week!
- PTO Engagement: I was thrilled to launch the week at the first executive board meeting for the PTO. It was evident the moment I stepped in the virtual space that this is a group of parent leaders that are committed to enriching the educational experience of our students. I was thrilled to be a part of this meeting and look forward to partnering and illuminating the work of the PTO this year.
- Parent Volunteers: We had a number of parent volunteers this week support with a photo-booth for staff, prep bulletin boards and help make our playground more functional for our arrival procedures. Thank you, thank you! If you are interested in volunteering, check out the JE PTO Facebook page for opportunities.
- Kindergarten Playdate: Our PTO welcomed our Kindergarten students and families to our playground on Thursday. Unfortunately, it was way too hot for pictures, but that didn't stop our students from enjoying their time and meeting new friends. I was so grateful to meet so many families and students!! Thank you for repeating your names under your masks in order to help me learn all of your names!
- New Staff Orientation: Our District Leadership Team hosted new staff orientation this week to support a smooth onboarding. The excitement in the room was apparent--energy that our students deserve to be met with each and every day!
This week will be even more exciting and eventful! Our staff comes back for two full days of community building, learning and classroom preparation on Monday. I keep joking that I have been waiting for this day since the moment I got hired--and now it is really here. It will be wonderful to have our whole team in the building.
As September is a busy month, please mark these dates on your calendars:
- Wednesday, 9/1: First day for Grades 1-5. See you at 8:15 on the JE blacktop!
- Wednesday 9/1 & Thursday 9/2: 1-1 Kindergarten Screening. You should have received an email from Amy Greco with your date and time slot.
- Thursday 9/2: Virtual Kindergarten Orientation. See you on the link that was sent out.
- Thursday 9/9: 1st Day for Kindergarten, 12:45 dismissal for all students, Curriculum Night (stay tuned for more details about curriculum night).
- Friday, 9/10: 2:45 dismissal for all students (except for half day K)
- Wednesday, 9/15: Picture day for all JE students
In community and with so much excitement,
Caitlin Shelburne, Principal
New Staff Introductions
Jamie Hopgood
Laura Ives
Christie Proctor
Kindergarten Corner
Physical and Immunization Forms:
If you haven’t already done so, please submit a copy of your child’s most recent physical and immunization form. (State law requires that incoming kindergarteners have a physical completed within the past 12 months.) Also, if you have any other health related concerns or issues regarding your child (e.g., food allergy/asthma), please reach out to Mrs. Trevejo as soon as possible. She can be reached by email at elmy.trevejo@reading.k12.ma.us or via telephone at 781-942-9161.Upcoming Kindergarten Specific Dates:
- Wednesday 9/1 & Thursday 9/2: 1-1 Kindergarten Screening. You should have received an email from Amy Greco with your date and time slot.
- Thursday 9/2: Virtual Kindergarten Orientation. See you on the link that was sent out.
- Thursday 9/9: 1st Day for Kindergarten and half day for all students. 12:45 dismissal (half day Kindergarten included)
- Thursday 10/10: Full day Kindergarten Dismissed at 2:45. Half day Kindergarten dismissed at 11:30.
From the Desk of the PTO
Welcome back to school families!
We had a very successful first PTO event, our Kindergarten Playdate. We had a great turnout and everyone seemed to have had a great time. Big thanks to Amanda Rotondo and Catherine Camacho for all of their help with this event!
If you ordered a Welcome Bag, please email Natalie at jeptopresident@gmail.com to arrange a pick-up time/date.
We are very excited for our first PTO general meeting which will be held on September 9 at 7:30 in the JE cafeteria following Curriculum night. We hope to see many new faces as well as some regulars this year! We will be discussing things such as our calendar, direct donation drive, and volunteer opportunities. Please come and learn about the wonderful work we do for our school, and learn about ways in which you can get involved!
Please note that our next PTO event will be the Back to School Picnic from 5:30-7 on September 13th, with a raindate of the 14th. As a reminder, this is a change from the original September 15th date, as that date conflicted with Yom Kippur. This is a fun event kicking off the new school year, and is a way for families and children to reconnect over the summer. Bring your own dinner and a blanket, and join us! Slush will be served.
Natalie and Meredith, PTO co-presidents