Welcome Back! 2019-2020

     Welcome back to the 2019-2020 School year. It was a summer of adventure and reflection for me!  It was a summer where I took risks and it was a summer where I had to pause and reflect on the blessings of the day and how very fortunate I am.  

The First Step...

 As I took my first anxious step onto one of several VERY questionable suspension bridges I was shaking with fear. I was there on the edge of the ravine...finding reasons to turn back...not take the risk and to take another path. While the other trail may have been beautiful, I am not sure it would have provided the same rewards.  I stepped forward and the whole bridge shook, wobbled and swayed from side to side and as I moved forward the challenge became overwhelming.  Then David's voice could be heard over the roar of the waterfall and my own thoughts.  It was a voice of reason that created a sense of calm.  That voice coached me over the first bridge and while the other bridges were scary, they became less overwhelming and the last bridge was the longest but the most rewarding.  It was one of the most significant and valued filled moments of our adventures. 

This summer also presented an obstacle that became an opportunity.  While in Costa Rica my father had a terrible fall and broke his upper arm.  This break required surgery, I learned how to navigate international insurance in a developing country in a rural hospital.  I also was faced with the need to care for my father in a different way. I have always tried my best to care for my parents, but this was the first time where he absolutely needed our care, he simply could not do daily activities without our aide.  I realized at that moment that our roles had changed and the man who has always been my teacher, my mentor, and my touchstone was learning from me.  It was truly another valued filled moment...in one of our weakest moments of uncertainty as a family, we embraced the moment and grew.

Both of these experiences lead to moments of reflection and they brought me back to our work at Thomas Jefferson.  Our students, our families, and our colleagues come to us as they are and every person faces challenges and obstacles that may seem minor to others but are HUGE to them.  It is important that we accept the WHOLE person we are interacting with.  We must take a pause and ask ourselves how do we bring value to the moment.  If we take a moment and embrace their challenges and ours, I know that there is MUCH we can learn from each and every one.  

Last year we embraced the theme that we are all Star Polishers.  We strive to encourage, motivate and "polish" our stars so that they can SHINE!  We will continue with the theme this year and "polish" our Stars so that they can all face their challenges and RISE to STARDOM!   

 

     As you embrace the last few days of summer, please know that the office staff is here to assist you in any way we can.  We are currently working hard to sure up our numbers and to schedule our students in classes as soon as possible.  The lists that you currently see on PowerSchool are not our final lists.  Please refrain from committing pen to paper for those cute little name tags until you hear more.  We have some grade levels that are very full and we still have families that are coming in and calling to register.

     Our campus is ready to go and Rico, John, and Kaitlyn have done a TOP NOTCH job preparing the school and it's grounds to welcome our STARS back to school!  They deserve a HUGE round of applause! Please take time to thank them. 

 We would like to welcome a new addition to our staff:

• Brittany Lemos will be joining our team as our new 4/5 SDC teacher.  She comes to us from Woodbridge and prior joining RCSD she has previous teaching experience.  We are thrilled to call her a TJ Star!
• Kaitlyn Stevens will be our evening custodian while John is out on medical leave as recovers from his shoulder surgery.

WELCOME Brittany and Kaitlyn we are SO happy you are here!  

Staff grade level changes:

Kelly Ertola will be joining the first-grade team this year!  Our littles are going to love her!

There may be future movements in grade levels and I will keep you posted.  Thank you for supporting them in their new positions!

. 

STUDENT CLASS ASSIGNMENTS

Class Placements and Room Assignments will be EMAILED home to you on  Tuesday, August 6, 2019.

TK/Kindergarten will be EMAILED at 3:30pm

Grades 1-5 will be EMAILED at 4:00 pm.

The 2019-2020 BELL SCHEDULE

Grades 1-5

Monday (PLC): 8:45-1:49

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: 8:45-3:02

Kindergarten:

Early Kindergarten:  

8:45 - 1:45 Monday-Friday

Late Kindergarten:

8:45-1:45 Monday and Friday

10:00-3:00 Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday

Lunch Times:

Kindergarten: 12:05 pm

1st Grade: 12:25 pm

Second Grade: 12:05 pm

Third Grade: 12:45 pm

Fourth Grade: 12:25 pm

Fifth Grade: 12:45 pm

Please Mark Your Calendars

Monday, August 5, 2019 -

District-Wide PD -Please click here for further Information: August 5 - All in One

Tuesday, August 6, 2019

Thomas Jefferson Site PD - You can find the Agenda here: 8-6-19 TJ PD Agenda

8:00 am Breakfast and Fellowship

8:30 am - 3:30 pm Professional Development
Please see the agenda below:

TK/Kindergarten Orientation/Back to School Night Tuesday, August 6, 2019, at 5:30 pm.

Wednesday, August 7, 2019

Teacher Workday -

LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE PTC

8:30 am - Possible Staff Meeting

9:30 am - SPED IA Meeting - Conference Room

10:30 am - MDS Meeting

1:00 pm - Photo Session - Ann will be taking staff pictures for our staff wall.

2:00pm -Our PTC Popsicle Social

2:30 pm -Meet the Teacher

Thursday, August 8, 2019

First Day of School -*Please note that this is a REGULAR school day and school hours for Grades 1-5 will be 8:45 am-3:02 pm

ALL Kindergarten students will attend on the EARLY schedule 8:45 am - 1:45 pm

Wednesday, August 14, 2019 - 5:30 pm.

Back to School Night - Grades 1-5

5:30-5:55 pm - Session 1 - Grades 1, 2 and 3

6:00 -6:25 - Session 2 - Grades 1, 2, 3, and 4

6:30-7:00 Session 3 - Grades 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

7:00-7:30 5th Grade Alliance Redwoods Presentation

   

It has been a pleasure seeing those of you who have been around campus and for those of you that are savoring summer, I look forward to seeing you next week.  I will be off-campus Thurs. August 1 and Friday, August 2.  I am available via email or text.  I will get back to you as soon as possible 

Here's to a year were we all RISE to Stardom!

- Kirsten