NICHOLASVILLE
“Nessie”
drawing by
Annabelle
Crockett
ELEMENTARY
ACCELERATED
The PONY EXPRESS
VISIT THE N.E.A.S. WEBSITE at www.jessamine.kyschools.us
A WORD FROM
OUR PRINCIPAL
by Mrs. Crum
Dear Parents,
Welcome back! We are so excited to kick off the new school
year and to share with you some of the fun changes we have in
store. The past few weeks have been filled with back to school
activities, assessment of student progress, and getting back into
the swing of things. Students have really enjoyed getting to know
their new teachers, reuniting with their friends, and meeting new
classmates!
There is nothing that makes me happier than seeing the smiling
faces of our students and knowing they are enjoying being at
school. One of our goals for the new year is to create a climate
at NES where our students want to come to school each and
every day. We want them to love it as much as we do! We have
added “Music in the Mornings”, and students seem to love this
new addition. We are changing up our incentives for attendance
and NESsie (our mascot pony) will be choosing theme days to
celebrate when we reach a 97% attendance percentage or higher
on a given day. We believe 97% is really good, but that 98% is
GREAT. On days when we reach 98%, NESsie will dance for our
students! This will definitely be a lot of fun. In addition, we are
adding new incentives to encourage good behavior in the cafeteria.
Ask your child to tell you about the “Golden Spoon” and “Mix It
Up Day”.
As we settle into the new school year, we want you to know
how much we appreciate your support and involvement in our
school. We encourage you to stay in close contact with your
child’s teacher, attend school events, and join the PTO if you are
able. We welcome your input. We truly believe that if we all work
together, we can do great things for our students.
Let’s make this the best year yet at NES!
Thanks, Thanks, and More Thanks
We would like to thank the staff of White, Greer, Maggard
Orthodontics for the donation of our beautiful Thursday envelopes
again this year! We appreciate this so much as it allows us to save
our funds for other things we need. They have provided these for
us for the last seven years and it is a huge help. So, thanks, White,
Greer, Maggard! We appreciate you!
We would also like to express our utmost thanks to Bethel Harvest
Church. Bethel provided an amazing lunch for our school staff and
provided an incredible amount of school supplies to help our teachers
prepare for the year and to allow us to help students who do not have
what they need. Thank you for your partnership, Bethel!
Finally, we would like to thank our amazing PTO for
providing back to school lunch for our teachers and for purchasing
a new, much needed, laminator for our school.
9/7
9/8
9/10
9/11
9/17
9/14-9/18
9/23
9/28
SCHOOL
No school: Labor Day
SBDM Council Meeting at 4:30 in the library
Family Resource Center Advisory Council Meeting, 3:15
Student Council Meeting with Mrs. Crum
Constitution Day Assembly 2:00
Grandparents’ Week!
SBDM election for minority parent representative
PTO meeting, 5:30, in the library
Career Day at NES
No School for Students
September 2015
What’s Vital in
This Month’s Newsletter?
v Attendance ~ Number of parent notes that can be counted as
excused has changed from 8 to 6.
v FRC ~ Grandparents are invited to join us for lunch the week
of Sept. 14. Please RSVP.
v Thanks to White, Greer, and Maggard, Bethel Harvest
Church, and our amazing NES PTO.
v Elections for a minority representative on our Site Based
Decision Making Council will be held the week of
September 14-18.
v Morning drop off takes place in the front lot…not on 5th
Street!
v Regular priced student lunches have increased to $1.55 this
year.
The
Pony
Report:
Attendance
Counts!
from Mrs. Hager
Welcome back to NES! We hope that all of our families had
a wonderful break and are ready for a fun year. Good attendance
will be one of our main objectives this school year. We are striving
every day to reach our goal of having at least 97% of our students
in attendance.
There are some changes to note related to attendance this school
year. The biggest change will be the number of parent notes that
can be excused. This year the number of parent notes has dropped
from 8 to 6. The limit of doctor notes remains the same at 12. We,
by all means, do not want to encourage sick children to come to
school. Please use your best judgment as to the reasons your child
may not attend school & try to schedule all necessary appointments
after school hours when possible.
Another change happening this year is the school/parent
communication that will take place when your child misses school.
You can expect a phone call each day your child is out. The main
purpose of this call to remind you to send in an excuse when your
child returns. Absences that remain unexcused past 5 days after
returning to school will stay unexcused and several of those could
eventually result in truancy consequences.
Please be sure the school has your most current contact
information on file.
There will be some fun things for the students to look forward
to when we do reach our goal of 97%. As Mrs. Crum mentioned
in her letter, any time this happens our school mascot, NESSIE the
pony, will draw a special theme day for the entire school. Ninetyseven is good, but 98% is great...and NESSIE will dance for that
98%! Be sure to ask your child about NESSIE dancing, since we
have been fortunate enough to celebrate 98% at least once already
in our first 10 days of school! That is quite a feat...having 98%
means that we have 10 students or less absent in the entire school.
We’d like to see our NESSIE dance a lot in the 2015-16 school
year! Let’s work as a team to increase our school’s attendance.
After all the best learning takes place when we are all together
each day.
MATH PROBLEM
OF THE MONTH
September Problems:
• 1st -3rd Grades: had 14 pieces of candy. Show the number 14
in two different ways.
Hint: Use rods and cubes, draw pictures, write the number in
words, break the number apart, or use another strategy you
have learned about in class.
• 4th and 5th Grades: Danny had 142 marbles. He let his friend
Jim borrow 136 of them for a game he was playing. How many
marbles did Danny have left? Show your work.
All answers must be turned in to the office by Friday,
September 11. Students: Don’t forget to include your name and the
name of your teacher! One winner will be drawn from each level,
and prizes will be awarded on the morning news.
Helping Hands
News from our FRC Coordinator, Ashley Jenkins
The FRC is a busy place this time of year ensuring all
of our students have necessary school supplies, connecting
families with our Backpack Snacks program, and making
plans for some exciting Family Fun nights this school year!
If you have questions about any of these opportunities,
please contact Ashley in the FRC. A special thanks to
Jessamine Leadership, Bethel Harvest Church, and Kroger at
Brannon Crossing for generous donations as we kicked off
the year.
Plans for grandparents’ week are underway. Our
grandparents’ lunch will be served on the following
schedule: Monday (1st grade), Tuesday (2nd grade),
Wednesday (3rd), Thursday (4th), Friday (5th grade)
Mark your calendar for these events for September so you
don’t miss out!
September 10th @ 3:15: Advisory Council
September 14th-18th: Grandparents Week/Lunches
September 18th: First Career Café
September 23rd 8:15-11:15am: Vehicle Career Day
SBDM Election for Minority Parent
Representative
As our school has an enrollment of at least 8% minority
students, we will be organizing a special election to add a
minority parent representative to our council. If you would
like to nominate someone or submit your own name as a
candidate in this election, please do so by Friday, September
11. No official form is required, but one can be accessed
from our school webpage. All nominations may be submitted
in the main office. Our election will be conducted throughout
the week of September 14-18. A 6 hour mandatory training
for elected representatives is required of all new council
members.
Morning Drop Off
Please remember that if you choose to bring your child
to school, he/she should be dropped off in front of the
school. Please pull all the way down to the first available
spot. Students may be dropped off as early as 7:30 and enter
through the side door into the vestibule and on into the
cafeteria. Teachers will be at the drop-off location from 7:30
until 8:00 to assist students. After 8:00, students are to enter
through the front door. Students are never to be dropped off
on Fifth Street and should not exit their cars until 7:30 as that
is when the door is unlocked and staff will be available to
supervise students.
Cafeteria News
Student breakfast prices are still $1.00, and adult lunches
are $3.00. Student lunches have increased to $1.55. Please
remember that there is a monetary charge for all students,
including those receiving free and reduced lunches, when an
extra “a la carte” item is requested.
Primary Points
*We are currently in the process of assessing all first
and second grade students in the areas of reading and
math. Reading assessments include MAP, the Benchmark
Assessment System, fluency reading, sight word
assessments, and math screeners. This data will guide our
instruction this year. Students are doing a wonderful job of
showing us what they know! We will share this data with
parents at our first parent conference day.
*Be on the lookout for information regarding our online
reading program, Lexia. Your child will be able to work on
reading skills that are customized to his or her needs right at
home. Many students will also take part in Lexia activities
during the school day.
The Write Stuff
This year all grade levels will be using the Lucy Calkins
Units of Study
writing program. This program introduces students
to various writing genres while giving them practice
communicating through their writing. All grade levels will
be focusing on writing narrative pieces first nine weeks.
We are also inviting students to submit their creative
writing to Mrs. Crum for consideration for inclusion in The
Pony Express! Students should submit their original poems
and stories to the office by the third Friday of each month.
One piece will be selected for each month’s newsletter.
Milk or Beverage choice
Staff Development Day
No School!
Milk or Beverage choice
Milk or Beverage choice
Milk or Beverage choice
Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs /Toast29
Lunch: Chili and Grilled Cheese Half
Whole Grain Corn Dog
Yogurt/ Cheese Stick/ Crackers
Sides: Whipped Potatoes
Steamed Broccoli
Assorted Fruit, Fruit Slush Cup
Breakfast: Sausage/Biscuit
22
Lunch: Chicken Quesadilla
Beef/Bean/Cheese Burrito
Yogurt/Cheese Stick/Crackers
Sides: California Blend, Baby Carrots
Pinto Beans
Assorted Fruit
Fruit Juice Swirl Cup
Breakfast: Pillsbury Mini Bagel 21
Lunch: WG Bosco Sticks/Sauce
Beef Teriyaki Meatballs w/ WG Rice
PBJ JamwichCheese Stick/Crackers
Sides: Steamed Green Beans
Brocooli Salad
Assorted Fruit
Nature Valley Crisps
28
Milk or Beverage choice
Milk or Beverage choice
Milk or Beverage choice
Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs/Toast15
Lunch: Chili and Grilled Cheese Half
Whole Grain Corn Dog
Yogurt/Cheese Stick/Crackers
Sides: Coleslaw
Baked Potato Wedges
Assorted Fruit Choice
Nature Valley Crisps
7
Breakfast: Breakfast Pizza
14
Lunch: Chicken Nuggets, WG Roll
BBQ Honey Rib Sandwich
PBJ Jamwich/Cheese Stick/Crackers
Sides: Whipped Potatoes
Steamed Broccoli
Assorted Fruit
Fruit Slush Cup
No School!
8
Milk or Beverage choice
Breakfast: Sausage/ Biscuit
30
Lunch: Spaghetti w/ Meat sauce/WG
Texas Toast, Chicken Pattie/WG Bun
PBJ Jamwich/ Cheese Stick/Crackers
Sides: Steamed Green Beans
Steamed Baby Carrots
Assorted Fruit Choice
Fruit Juice Swirl Cup
Milk or Beverage choice
Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs /Toast23
Lunch: Hamburger
Turkey/Cheese/WG Bun
PB Jamwich/Cheese Stick/Crackers
Sides: Trimmings
Tater Tots
Vegetarian Beans
Assorted Fruit
Milk or Beverage choice
Breakfast: Sausage/ Biscuit
16
Lunch: Spaghetti w/ Meat sauce/WG
Texas Toast, Chicken Pattie/WG Bun
PBJ Jamwich/Cheese Stick /Crackers
Sides: Steamed Green Beans
Steamed Baby Carrots
Assorted Fruit Choice
Fruit Juice Swirl Cup
Milk or Beverage choice
Breakfast: Sausage/Biscuit
9
Lunch: Chicken Nuggets/ W/G Roll
Stacked Ham/Cheese/WG Bun
PB Jamwich, Cheese Stick, Crackers
Sides: Whipped Potatoes
Baked Beans
Assorted Fruit
Pudding /Topping
Milk or Beverage choice
Milk or Beverage choice
Breakfast: Peanut Butter Jamwich
Lunch: Bosco Sticks/ Sauce
Chicken Pattie/WG Bun
Yogurt/Cheese Sticks/Crackers
Sides: Steamed Broccoli
Baby Carrots
Assorted Fruit
Breakfast: Sausage/ Biscuit
2
Lunch: Spaghetti w/ Meat sauce/WG
Texas Toast, Chicken Pattie/WG Bun
PBJ Jamwich/ Cheese Stick/Crackers
Sides: Steamed Green Beans
Steamed Baby Carrots
Assorted Fruit Choice
Fruit Juice Swirl Cup
Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs /Toast 1
Lunch: Chili and Grilled Cheese Half
Whole Grain Corn Dog
Yogurt/ Cheese Stick/ Crackers
Sides: Whipped Potatoes
Steamed Broccoli
Assorted Fruit, Fruit Slush Cup
The whole purpose of
education is to turn
mirrors into windows.
~ Sydney J. Harris
Wednesday
10
Milk or Beverage choice
Breakfast: Rice Krispy Granola Bar/
25
Toast
Lunch: Pizza, Fish Sandwich
PB Jamwich/Cheese Stick/Crackers
Sides: California Vegetable Blend
Cole Slaw
Assorted Fruits
Pudding w/ Topping
WG Poptart/Crackers, Cereal/Toast, Yogurt /Cookies
Fresh Fruit or Assorted Juices
Choice of Milk
+ Breakfast Plus +
24
Milk or Beverage choice
Breakfast: Cinnamon Toast Crunch
18
Bar/Toast
Lunch: Pizza
Fish Sandwich
PBJ Jamwich/Cheese Stick/ Crackers
Sides: Steamed Corn
Steamed Mixed Greens
Assorted Fruit
Milk or Beverage choice
Breakfast: Nutrigrain Bar/Toast 11
Lunch: Pizza
Tuna Sandwich
PB Jamwich/Cheese Stick/Crackers
Sides: Steamed Corn
California Blend Vegetables
Assorted Fruit
Fruit Slush Sidekick
Milk or Beverage choice
Breakfast: Cinnamon Toast Crunch4
Bar/ Toast
Lunch: Pizza
Fish filet/ WG Bun
PBJ Jamwich/ Cheese Stick/ Crackers
Sides: Steamed Corn
Steamed Mixed Greens
Assorted Fruit
Friday
(The following breakfast menu items are served daily in addition to the breakfast item
listed for each day.)
Milk or Beverage choice
Breakfast: Sunrise Flatbread
Lunch: Nachos/Cheese /Beef
Tangy Chicken/ Rice w /WG roll
Yogurt/Cheese Stick/Crackers
Sides: Stir Fry Vegetables
Steamed Corn
Assorted Fruits
Fruit Slush Cup
Milk or Beverage choice
Breakfast: Pillsbury Mini Bagel 17
Lunch: Popcorn Chicken w/ WG Roll
Hamburger/ WG Bun
Yogurt/Cheese Stick/Crackers
Sides: Potato Wedges
Vegetarian Beans
Assorted Fruit
W/G Chocolate Chip Cookie
Milk or Beverage choice
Breakfast: Pancake on a Stick
Lunch: Hot Dog w/Chili on Bun
Fish Sticks/ WG Corn Muffin
Yogurt, Cheese Stick, Crackers
Sides: Macaroni and Cheese
Seasoned Pinto Beans
Mixed Greens, Assorted Fruit
WG Chocolate Chip Cookie
Milk or Beverage choice
Breakfast: Pillsbury Mini Bagel 3
Lunch: Popcorn Chicken w/ WG Roll
Hamburger/ WG Bun
Yogurt/ Cheese Stick/ Crackers
Sides: Whipped Potatoes
Vegetarian Beans
Assorted Fruit
WG Chocolate Chip Cookie
Thursday
Lunch
$ 1.55
Reduced Price
Lunch
$ .40
Breakfast
$1.00
Breakfast
$ .30
Extra Milk
$ .50 Adult Meal Price: Breakfast $1.75 Lunch $ 3.00
Daily additional entrée choice: Chef salad • Daily additional vegetable choice: Veggies &
Tossed Salad . • Note: Menus are subject to change without notice.
Meal Cost:
Tuesday
PLEASE NOTE:
Daily Breakfast PLUS Menu
Items are listed at bottom of this calendar.
Monday
September 2015
Elementary School Menu
by Kathy T. Fields
The 2015-16 school year is underway and I would like to
Our enrollment has increased again this year and we
welcome back all of our returning families and also extend
continue to be one of the fastest-growing districts in the
a warm welcome to those of you who are new to Jessamine
state. Challenge sometimes accompanies growth and we
Schools. We have much to celebrate in our district and we’re
thank you for your patience, understanding and feedback as
excited to kick off another amazing school year!
During what seemed like an extremely short summer
break, our employees packed in a lot of activity.
Professional development, building maintenance, staff
training, supply ordering…the list goes on. Between
wrapping up one school year and preparing for the next, we
have taken some time to reflect on our progress over the
last year and the direction that we are headed and we’re so
excited about what the future holds!
Recently, at our Administrative Retreat and at our
we work to improve our learning facilities. We are in the
final stages of completion of an extensive renovation project
at Warner Elementary and look forward to the expanded
learning opportunities that the new and improved facility
will provide for the 2015-16 school year.
The start of a new school year brings excitement and the
opportunity to begin again. It’s also a great time to reevaluate family routines and set guidelines to help support
your child’s success. We ask for your help in laying this
foundation by setting clear expectations regarding your
child’s behavior, attendance and academic performance.
Opening Day district-wide faculty meeting, I challenged our
Good daily habits will also help support your child’s success
administrators and teachers to strive for excellence in all that
in school. Setting homework and bedtime schedules and
we do and offer a world-class educational experience for our
students. With a foundation of focusing on what we know
works best for kids, combined with innovative approaches
and a district-wide emphasis that includes, but also stretches
beyond, college and career readiness, we will do our utmost
to ensure that every Jessamine learner is prepared for today’s
academic success, tomorrow’s challenges and ultimately, for
life. We are blessed with outstanding support staff, teachers
and great leaders to accomplish our goals and to live the
district motto and become, “Great by Choice”.
Our path to greatness involves reflection on what we are
fine-tuning your family’s morning routine by planning
the night before (packing lunch, getting clothes ready and
backpacks filled) will help your child begin the day on a
positive note, reducing stress that might carry over into the
classroom. Students who get a good night’s rest and eat
breakfast focus better in class, perform better, and are more
likely to maintain a healthy weight. Lastly, please take
care not to over-schedule your child. Just as adults need
time to unwind after work, kids need time to play every day
after school, especially during the first few weeks as they
transition from a more relaxed summer schedule.
We believe in fresh-starts and what better time than the
doing well and also on where we can improve. Our Strategic
beginning of a new school year to recommit ourselves to
Visioning process that was initiated last year has provided a
our students and to helping them achieve their full potential.
roadmap of where our community would like for us to travel
And what better time for our students to pledge to come to
together as we work to continually improve our students’
school every day, ready to learn and to give their best effort.
educational experience. We consider you an integral partner
This school year is filled with unlimited potential; let’s use
in your child’s education and encourage you to become
every moment to ensure student success!
involved in the activities of your child’s school.
Happy New Year!