BREAKFAST AND LUNCH PROGRAMS

Our school now qualifies for free breakfast for all students under the Community Eligibility Provision. This means that all students will be able to participate in our breakfast at no cost.  We will be taking part in the "Breakfast in the Classroom" (BIC) program. This insures that every student is offered a breakfast after the school day begins. BIC will replace the daily snack and milk break. 

The daily lunch menu is published in the Janesville Gazette, and can be downloaded from the district website.

The instructional day for children in grades K-5 is from 8:15 – 3:08 with a 35-minute lunch/recess and a 15-minute recess in the daily schedule.

Parent Information for Dropping-off / Picking-up Children at School:
 

Playground supervision will begin at 8:05 am.  Students should not arrive at school before then.

When picking up or dropping off a child, please beware of traffic hazards and students. Students can be dropped off on Jefferson School Drive along the sidewalk. If you plan to stay with your child, park on the side street or in the visitor parking lot in front of the school. Street parking on Jefferson School Drive is available from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm. At the end of the day, you may wait on Jefferson School Drive until your child joins you as long as you do not block traffic or leave your car. Parents who wait for their child at the front of the school should us angle parking. Police patrol this circle regularly.

• When ever students are present, the maximum speed limit on school grounds is 5 mph.
• Teach your children to cross the street only at the crosswalks.
• Allow people in crosswalks to cross.
• Observe the one-way signs when entering and exiting.
• Do not park in the crosswalk at any time.
• Do not double park or pick up a child in the passing lane of the driveway
• Remember to Stop - Drop / Pick-Up - Go

All Janesville residents are required by law to follow these and other Janesville City Ordinances:

• 6.04.110 Pets are prohibited on leash or not
• 10.32.030 Obedience to crossing guards - violation with penalty
• 10.36.010 Prohibited acts: It is unlawful to block hinder or retard any street traffic, whether it is vehicular or otherwise including by receiving or discharging passengers from a vehicle in a lane designated for the movement of traffic.
• 10.40.025 No parking, stopping or standing contrary to official traffic or parking sign or marker - No Exceptions.
• 10.40.140 Vehicle left with motor running is prohibited. 

DISMISSAL DURING SCHOOL HOURS

If a student needs to leave the school during school hours, they should call the office or bring a note from their parent/guardian to the office, stating the time the student needs to leave and the reason for leaving. Parent will sign out their child and the office will call them down to meet them.

If a student comes to school after 8:20, we have staff in the lobby to let them in until 8:40. They will check them in.

If a parent is to be detained from picking a child up at dismissal time, the office should be notified so the child is not left standing outside the doors or at the curb. (The office is open from 7:30 A.M. until 4:00 P.M.) Late pickups should be rare. If late pick ups become frequent, Jefferson staff will work with the family to address the issue.

Bike and Skateboard Riding

Children who bring bicycles to school do so at their own risk. The school does not provide special supervision for the bike rack and will not be responsible for bikes that are damaged or stolen.

Bikes are to be parked and locked (students need to provide their own bike lock) in the bike racks provided.Although our safety patrol provides some supervision, bikes are the responsibility of their owners. Bikes and skateboards are not to be ridden on school grounds. Once a student enters Jefferson property, they must walk their bike or carry their skateboards on school grounds. We ask that skateboards, roller blades, shoes with wheels, and scooters be brought to the office.

3.

School Year Calendar

Absences / Homework Information   

REPORTING STUDENT ABSENCES

State Statute 118.15 (https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/118/15) requires that all children of school age be in school during all days and hours that school is in session.  Students who must be out of school due to reasons of health or family emergency must return to school with a statement from parents, guardians, or physician to the attendance office.  Parents or guardians are expected to call the attendance office if their child is going to be out of school.  Students who skip a class or a school day or who exceed the 10 day/80 hours of parentally excused days are subject to disciplinary action.  Every time a student reaches the equivalent of 5 unexcused absences (40 hours), a referral to the school resource officer will be made and a truancy ticket (fine) will be issued.  Attendance records transfer with the student to any School District of Janesville middle school.

When a student is absent, it is important that the parent call as early as possible (office opens at 7:30 A.M.)  to report the absence. If a parent forgets to call, the school attendance clerk will make a telephone call to follow-up on the absence.

• The Board of Education policy states that parents must contact the school office when their child is absent. 
• Please give the following information: student’s name, homeroom teacher’s name, reason for absence and if you are requesting homework be gathered.
• Homework requested is not guaranteed to be ready until 3:15pm.
• In addition, parents may provide a written excuse for each absence when the child returns to school.
• After 10 unexcused absences, a student is considered Habitually Truant and a parent / guardian will be required to meet with the school principal and/or social worker to discuss the situation.

When a student is to be excused before the end of the school day for any reason (example: doctor or dentist appointment), a note from the parent must be written to the child's teacher. The office will then issue a yellow passport slip, which must be signed by the doctor or dentist and returned to the school office when the child returns. A parent or the adult who picks up the child MUST come into the school office - NOT the classroom or entryways, and sign the child out of the building before the child can be released during the school day. A passport DOES NOT take the place of a written note from parents regarding illness or other absences. 

After a child has been sick absent from school for two consecutive days our teachers will arrange for homework upon parent request. Parents may call or email your child's teacher and leave a message or send a written request. Homework can be picked up by 4:00 pm the day after it is requested.  Most students can make up their missed work upon return to school.

JEFFERSON SCHOOL PTA INFORMATION

The Jefferson Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is an organization developed to support and speak on behalf of children and youth in the school, in the community, before governmental bodies, and other organizations that make decisions affecting children.  It is also here to assist parents in developing the skills they need to raise and protect their children.  The PTA encourages parent and community involvement in our public schools. 

Officers: Officers are elected in the spring of the year and serve a one-year term.

Meeting attendance is not required to join the Parent Teacher Association (PTA); however, it is a great way to get to know more about what is going on at your child's school, meet other families/teachers and be a part of the Jefferson Elementary School community!

Jefferson welcomes you to join us each month for our PTA meetings!

Family Resource Center

The Family Resource Center encourages parent-school partnerships and helps strengthen parent-child interactions. Family Resource Centers promote choice, responsibility and independence.

Emergency Drills/Evacuation Location

Fire drills are held at least once a month. We are able to evacuate the building in less than 2 minutes during these drills. Disaster drills (tornado) are held in the fall and spring and classes are assigned a safe place in the basement of the school. “Lockdown” drills are also scheduled twice during the year.

LOST AND FOUND

PLEASE, PLEASE mark your children’s clothing, boots, lunch boxes, etc., with tape or a marker. If they lose any article, please have them check the LOST AND FOUND lockers near the office. The amount of unclaimed lost clothing during the year is tremendous, and we are unable to return many of these articles because of no name. If glasses are lost, please check in the office.

Medications at School / Student Illness/Injury/Emergency Care

MEDICATION POLICY

All medication prescribed by a physician that is to be given at school, requires a permission form giving instructions, dosage, etc., signed by both physician and parent. This form is kept in the office along with the medication.

ILLNESS / INJURY/ EMERGENCY CARE DURING SCHOOL

If a child becomes ill during the school day, the parent will be contacted. If the parent cannot be reached, the emergency contact number will be called about picking up the child. If no one can be reached by phone, the child will remain at school until dismissal time. It is important that you notify the school of any phone number changes.

A. If your child has a minor accident, the following action will be taken:

• First Aid will be administered according to school approved procedures.
• Your child will be returned to class if he/she is all right.

B. If your child is unable to return to class because of illness or minor injury, the following steps will be taken:

• You will be contacted, and when arrangements have been made with you, your child be allowed to leave the school premises.
• If you are not available, the emergency contact number recorded on the student information card will be called. 
• Once contacted, you or the emergency contact will have the responsibility for providing transportation for your child to leave school in a timely manner.
• If we are unable to reach you or the emergency contact, your child will be kept at school and continued attempts will be made to reach you or the emergency contact.

C. If your child is in need of immediate medical attention, the following steps will be taken:

• First aid will be rendered immediately according to District approved procedures.
• Transportation to a medical facility will be arranged for your child.
• You will be called. If you cannot be reached, the emergency contact will be called.
• When necessary, if you or your designated emergency contact cannot be reached, your child will be taken to a local emergency room.

D. If your child receives a head injury during the school day, the following steps will be taken:

• First aid will be rendered immediately according to District approved procedures.
• A letter will be sent home with your child to inform you of the head bump/ injury and a call home will be placed to inform you of the head bump/injury.
• If your child is unable to return to class because of the head bump/injury or if school personnel feel that the head bump/ injury is serious, you will be contacted.

E. Automated External Defibrillator (AED) device is available when the need arises.  An AED is a device that delivers an electric shock to the heart. For a person who has just experienced a sudden cardiac arrest, the electrical shock from an AED may help save the person's life. Persons on the Emergency Response Team in each school have received CPR and AED training through the American Red cross. These responders will bring the AED to emergency calls in the building.

We need your cooperation in putting this plan in effect for each child. Please insure that the emergency contact information on your child's Student Information Card and emergency contact information on Infinite Campus is accurate. Failure to provide the school with emergency contact information or with any other necessary up-to-date information will give the school district authority to provide emergency care as needed according to school approved procedures.

Emergency Procedures

Fire drills are held once a month.  We are able to evacuate the building in less than 2 minutes during these drills. Disaster drills (tornado) and lockdown drills are held in the fall and spring. Students are assigned a place in the building with their classmates and are taught how to assume a safe position in the event of such an emergency. Lockdowns are practiced twice a year with the staff and students. In a case of a lockdown, students will be kept at school and released when the "all clear" has been given by the municipal authorities.

Campus Messenger will service as our primary means of notification to let parents know when students will be released. 

Visitors / Volunteers/ Chaperones

 (including lunch and classroom visits)

VISITORS

The experience of watching your child interact with others in a learning environment is something we encourage. We also know that when parents visit the classroom they give a child a feeling of cooperation between parents and teachers.  Parents are requested to contact their child's teacher in advance to seek approval to schedule a classroom visit.  All visitors must sign in with the school office and were a visible visitor's Badge during their stay.

For safety reasons, visitors who are participating in classroom activities or chaperones on field trips, etc. must complete a volunteer form for approval. Approval is good for the current school year, with a background check each following year.  Approved visitors must stop into the office to sign in and receive a visitor's badge.   

The final decision to accept or deny a visitor to the school, a classroom or on a field trip rests with the designated building or district administrator. 

Parents wishing to have lunch with their children must sign in with the school office and wear a visible visitor's badge during their stay, proceed directly to the lunch area, and sign out in the office after the lunch period.

Student visitors are allowed only with prior district approval, and teacher and principal permission.

For additional information on visiting or volunteering at your child's school, please refer to Board Policy 1230 and Administrative Regulation 1230.1 - Volunteers in Schools; Board Policy 1240 and Administrative Regulation 1241.1 - Visitors to Schools; and Board Policy 1241 and Administrative Regulation 1241.1 Registered Sex Offenders. The school District of Janesville recognizes its responsibility for the health and safety of all students and will take appropriate precautionary measures in situations where the District has been notified that a registered sex offender wishes to visit a school building or persons on school premises. 

For a volunteer/visitor form please visit our Community Page 

Field Trip Chaperone Guidelines

Thank you so much for volunteering to chaperone for Jefferson Elementary School field trip. Please read and follow the guidelines below to help ensure a safe and successful experience.

• Chaperones are required to follow current District and Rock County Health Department mandates; including the wearing of face masks 
• If you find out that you cannot be a chaperone, please contact the teacher immediately so other arrangements can be made.
• Stay alert to the whereabouts / activities of your group.  "Count heads" FREQUENTLY.
• Avoid being distracted by conversations with other adults.
• Remember that you are setting an example for the children, so please be respectful to the visited area and enforce school rules.
• Follow the directions of the teacher in charge.
• Refrain from drinking, smoking, bringing weapons or using profane language during the field trip. 
• Verbally correct students in a calm manner who are not following the rules (Please walk. Please do not talk during the performance, etc.) If the behavior continues, advise the classroom teacher of the problem.
• Follow the bus rules.
• Wear appropriate attire. Be sure all slogans on clothing and hats are suitable for the elementary school environment.  (NO adds for liquor, smoking materials or inappropriate language.)
• Smoking at a school activity is prohibited by law.
• For safety reasons and due to liability concerns, no siblings or other children will be allowed to accompany a chaperone.
• Supervise public bathrooms very carefully.
• Because this is a school sponsored trip, all students must stay with their assigned group and chaperone.
• If possible, please bring a cell phone with you for emergencies. Please provide that number to your child's teacher prior to the trip.

ClassDojo connects teachers with students and parents to build amazing classroom communities.  Here at Jefferson we utilize ClassDojo for communication with families via important announcements, student feedback, and sharing learning moments with photographs.

Once your child's teacher has been announced, you will be invited to your child's classroom through email if you have not already been connected to your child in ClassDojo.  From there you will be able to see classroom and schoolwide posts, and communicate individually with your child's teachers.