Mission Statement: To provide all students an excellent education today to prepare for tomorrow’s challenges.

Mission Statement:

To provide all students an excellent education today to prepare for tomorrow’s challenges.

Commitment to early childhood education

Relevant 21st Century learning

Exploration, application, and mastery learning

College and career preparation

Student activities that support academics

Community service and engagement

Life-long recreation and wellness engagement

MARCH 2019

WHAT’S INSIDE? Kindergarten Round Up p.3

Rec Millage Information p. 5

All A’s p. 10

Mission Statement: To provide all students an excellent education today to prepare for tomorrow’s challenges.

Jefferson Schools - 5707 Williams Rd; Newport, MI 48166

DADDY DAUGHTER SOCK HOP DANCE

Sodt & North

E l e m e n t a r y

along with the

5th & 6th grade

students joined

together this

year to dance

the night away

at the “Sock

Hop” themed

Daddy-Daughter

dance held at

our Recreation

Center on Febru-

ary 22nd. Former high

school teacher, Bruce Bez-

eau, was the DJ for the

evening. If they weren’t

rocking it out on the dance

floor, they were having fun

taking pictures at the photo

booth. A big thank you goes

out to everyone that helped

make this night a huge suc-

cess! It was a great evening

with lots of memories to cherish!

PAGE 2

Superintendent

of Schools S. Michael Petty

Director of

Business & Finance

Cindy Hauser

Jefferson Board of Education

President:

Keith Williams II

Vice President: Brian Russell

Treasurer: Judy Greene

Secretary:

Cory McLaughlin

Trustees: Ron Bedra Shirley Cox

Theresa Sonoras

Congratulations to the Competitive Cheerleaders! They ranked third in the State of

Michigan. This is the third year that they have been in the top three rankings and the

fourth year that they have made it to the finals. They have also taken top honors in

the Huron League now four times in a row! Thank you ladies for epitomizing what

Bear Pride is. Is it Spring yet? Earlier in February I sent out a communication regarding the number

of snow days and what we might have to make up. Fortunately, things have not

changed since that letter. We would, according to guidelines, need to make up two

days. However, we will be applying to the State of Michigan for additional

“forgiven” time to cover those days. When we receive communication from the State,

we will convey that to everyone. I have to say a special thank you to the young ladies in the fifth grade. We inter-

rupted their lives by doing a restroom renovation during the holiday season that car-

ried over to mid-January. The renovations are complete and life is back to normal…

at least normal to a fifth grade student! The restroom renovations were funded by

the kindness of the community in approving the sinking fund a few years ago.

Projects are being planned for this summer, including more restroom upgrades. The

next edition of the Jefferson Journal will include those plans. Are you reading? March is “Reading Month.” Activities are being held in both ele-

mentary schools celebrating reading. Reading is not only a gateway to knowledge

but also a fantastic way to relax. Reading also will lead to better writing…so visit

our school and our community libraries to bolster your reading lists. Scheduling season is upon us. Folks at JMS and JHS are reading the course guides

and getting the forms ready to send home. Look for communication from those build-

ings in scheduling activities. If you have any scheduling questions, please do not hesi-

tate to contact your child’s school. A huge thank you to the community as you have had to adjust times for transporta-

tion. Please understand that our drivers are doing their best to maintain a consistent

schedule on a daily basis, but interruptions to that schedule are happening regularly.

We appreciate your patience as these are worked out. We are always looking for

bus drivers. We will pay for you to be trained as a driver. Please contact our Trans-

portation Department at 289-5570 if you are interested. Finally, after Spring Break, testing season will be starting for the mandated testing

from the State of Michigan. I always encourage our students to do their best. Howev-

er, I also want to remind students, staff, and parents, that the Bear Nation is not

defined by a test score but defined by who you are and what you represent-and

that’s the Pride of being a Bear!

PAGE 3

KINDERGARTEN ROUND-UP Your child’s future starts here!

Let your child experience what awaits them in September! Join us on Wednesday,

April 10, 2019, for Kindergarten round-up. Future students will be able to meet the

staff and tour a school bus. Not sure if your child is ready for Kindergarten? Readi-

ness screening will be done. Each student will also receive a free t-shirt and book.

The Monroe County Health Department will also be there to provide free hearing and

vision screening. Please call 734-289-5575 to make an appointment.

Want to come early and fill out all of the paperwork ahead of time? Early Kindergar-

ten registration will be available on Thursday, March 21st, from 4-6 p.m. for those of

you that would like to get the paperwork filled out beforehand.

Jefferson Schools “Excellence in Education”

All registrations will take place at Sodt Elementary & Early Childhood Center

2888 Nadeau Road; Monroe, Michigan 48162

Learn more by visiting our school’s website at www.jeffersonschools.org

Find us on Facebook by searching Jefferson Schools

PAGE 4

JHS STUDENTS ADVANCE IN COMPETITION

Each year, DECA members from Jefferson High School attend Eastern Michigan University where the DECA District 5 conference is held in January. Stu-dents may compete in individual series events or team events where they are scored on their ability to present their categorized roleplay. Prior to this, they take a comprehensive online exam before the conference. Members are scored overall based on their compre-hensive exam and the judged competitive event. During the awards ceremony students can earn me-dallions with blue ribbons for the comprehensive ex-am score, yellow for the judged competitive event (role-play), and a red, white, and blue ribbon for advancing to the state conference in March. The DE-CA State Career Development conference is held annually, this year in Detroit. The Jefferson students that exceled in their catego-ries and are going to the State Conference in March are Ashlee Bartel, Erin Bezeau, Zoe Messer, Julianna Metdepenningen, and Jacklyn Nolan. DECA is a co-curricular, student-centered organiza-tion specifically designed to provide activities that will motivate high school students to learn marketing, management and entrepreneurial skills. Submitted by Ashlee Bartel and Zoe Messer, Jeffer-son DECA members

MSBOA Middle School Solo & Ensemble Festival took place on February 9th in Livonia. Five of our JMS students participated and all received top ratings! -Liz Brda, 8th grade, Alto Saxophone Solo, Superior Level rating of 1 Kaycee Maitland, 8th grade, Flute Solo, Excel-

lent Level rating of 2 Thomas Barror, 7th grade, Clarinet Gabe Cable, 7th grade, Alto Saxaphone Gabe Hall, 7th grade, Clarinet, in a Woodwind

Trio, Excellent Level rating of a 2 Gabe Cadle, 7th grade, Alana Aluph, 7th at

Monroe

Our high school solo and ensemble festival took place February 2nd, and both of our soloists, Sammi Ballmes 12th, Flute, and Max Ranger, 12th, Alto Saxophone received superior ratings of a 1. They will be competing at the state level on March 16th. Good Luck to our fantastic

musicians, Sammi and Max!

MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND HONORS

HIGH SCHOOL SOLO AND ENSEMBLE FESTIVAL

Max Ranger Sammi Ballmes

PAGE 5

RECREATION MILLAGE RENEWAL:

JEFFERSON SCHOOLS IS ASKING FOR A RENEWAL OF THE CURRENT .5

MILL OF OPERATING MILLAGE FOR 10 YEARS, 2020—2029. THE CURRENT .5

MILL LEVY FUNDS DAILY OPERATIONS AS WELL AS UPGRADES TO THE

FACILITIES.

jeffersonrecreationcenter@gmail.com 734-289-9001

Why is there a Millage Renewal? What are the funds used for?

What will it cost the average homeowner?

The previous public recreation

millage approved by the electors is

set to expire with the 2019 levy.

Day to Day Operations

Cardio Equipment Lease

Facility Upgrades:

Weight room upgrades Locker room upgrades

Dive Blocks (pool) Family Locker room solution

Padding upgrades

This millage is a RENEWAL, not an increase. Renewing the .5 mill will

cost the average homeowner $50 per year.

NOTE: THIS IS NOT AN INCREASE

What the JRC has done for the community:

Low cost memberships Low cost classes

Kids Summer Camps District Wide Daddy Daughter Dance

North & Sodt Family Fun Night Jr. Bears Basektball League

PAGE 6

We were very excited to present to all students in fifth

and sixth grade the opportunity to see Science Alive.

We provided this opportunity as an “In-School Field

Trip.” Science Alive – Hands on Education with Living

Things program brings live animals into the classrooms.

The presenters are able to work with small groups of students, usually one class at a time, so that all of the

students can get an up close look at each of the animals that are brought in for the presentations. Students

viewed about 5-8 animals and ask detailed questions regarding each of the animals and were also able to

touch and hold the animals.

SCIENCE ALIVE VISITS THE MIDDLE SCHOOL

Derrek Powell, Grace and Olivia Reaume attended

the Braille Challenge in Flint, Michigan on February

23rd. They competed with other VI students from

around the state with their skills that included typing

on the Braille writer, reading braille words and other

challenges. They all did a great job! Each participant

was happy to go home with a Google Home Mini.

MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS COMPETE IN BRAILLE CHALLENGE

Middle school news

PAGE 7

STUDENT SAFETY - DRIVING Student safety is the primary concern at Jefferson Schools. Please use the following guidelines when driving on or near any of the Jefferson School campuses: 1. Obey posted and school zone speeds

Kessler drive - 15 MPH

Sodt Elementary School Zone (Nadeau Rd.)- 25 MPH- 7:30-8:30 AM and 3:30-4:30 PM

North Elementary School Zone (N Dixie Hwy.)- 25 MPH- 7:30-8:30 AM and 3-4 PM

Jefferson Middle School (N Stoney Crk Rd.) - 25 MPH- 6:45-7:45 AM and 2:10-3:10 PM 2. Refrain from cell phone use, or any form of dis-tracted driving, when waiting in line to drop off or pick up students 3. Pedestrians in the crosswalk have the right-of-way 4. Do not use bus lanes for drop off or pick up of students 5. JHS student drop off and pick up is on the Rec. Center side of the high school 6. JMS student drop off and pick up is on the church side of the middle school. 7. Park in designated parking spots only, avoiding parking in grassy areas, crosswalks, along edges of roadways, or directly in front of doorways/walkways 8. Leave designated handicap spots for the appro-priate students, staff, and guests 9. Always obey flashing school bus signals, and give drivers room to maneuver busses 10. Do not allow students to exit your vehicle while busses are moving Many of our young drivers are brand new and still learning defensive driving strategies. Please model patience and safe driving practices around the community schools. Thank you for playing your part in continuing to make our safety record a point of pride at Jefferson Schools.

Fridays at Sodt Elementary are all about involving

positive male role models in the life’s of young

learners. Mr. Holcomb read to a group of first grad-

ers as his daughter Lexi, who is in Mrs. Upchurch’s

class, listened intensely. Meanwhile, Mr. Dyson, Vice-

Principal of Jefferson Middle School, reads to excit-

ed kindergarten students whose laughs could be

heard down the hall. The initiative is to get positive

male models involved in the school so that children

can see a male presence in the building doing great

things!

POSITIVE MALE ROLE MODELS AT SODT ELEMENTARY

PAGE 8 PAGE 8

The North Ele-mentary teach-ers are all ready for a fun month of reading activi-ties. We kicked off the month by having a special assem-bly and we are doing a March Mad-ne s s Book Bracket event. The students will let us know what their favorite books are and we will have all the brackets—just like a March Madness basketball tournament. All students at North will also have reading goals and

many special events. Stay tuned for a report on the winners!

Another exciting day took place at North Ele-mentary. The Cat in the Hat (Mr. Mariano) visited the students to read the story Green Eggs and Ham. Mrs. Ryan, North Elementary Social Work-er, and Mrs. Pat Masserant, our retired cook at North, made sure The Cat in the Hat tried her delicious green eggs and ham. The students en-joyed a fun story and also set their reading goals for March. Keep reading!!

THE CAT IN THE HAT IS BACK TO

VISIT NORTH ELEMENTARY

NORTH GEARS UP FOR MARCH MADNESS

NORTH ELEMENTARY STUDENTS ENJOY THE

NEW ASHPHALT PLAYGROUND AREA

PAGE 9

Congratulations to the Jefferson Middle School competitive cheer team on a very suc-cessful season. The lady bears went unde-feated this year winning the Richmond Invita-tional, Pinckney Invitational, Lincoln Invitation-al, Whitmore Lake Invitational, Romeo Invita-tional, and the Saline Invitational. Also, the JMS competitive cheer team won the Huron League Jamboree this year which secured them their 7th straight Huron League title. Congrats to Claire Conover, Ava Conte, Alexa Glancy, Mariah Hamric, Alyssa Mass-erant, Maison McKay, Ellie Nichols, Olivia Peare, Ella Simpson, Avery St. Andre, and

Coach Jenn & Coach Adney.

(14-3) OVER ALL RECORD MARV HALL TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS- ( 330PTS) BEDFORD BRONCO DUALS- 3RD WYANDOTTE TEAM DUALS RUNNER-UP MELVINDALE INVITATIONAL CHAMPIONS- ( 302 PTS) WYANDOTTE MS CHAMPIONSHIPS CHAMPIONS- ( 310.5 PTS) HURON LEAGUE CHAMPIONS- (11th CONSECUTIVE) JEFFERSON VS. ALL TEAMS SCORE- (1203 TO 463) JEFFERSON VS. ALL TEAMS AVERAGE SCORE- (80 TO 30)

MIDDLE SCHOOL WRESTLING TEAM FINISHES WITH A GREAT SEASON

MIDDLE SCHOOL COMPETIVE CHEER TEAM UNDEFEATED

Way to go BEARS!

PAGE 10

North Elementary Cont. Jason Workman Chris Young Middle School Laura Barror Thomas Barror Haden Betts Gabriella Busenbark Zander Connally Claire Conover Ava Conte Rylee Dunn Madison DuVall Edward Dyson Veronica Fitzgerald

Elijah Foster Elliot Fowkes Samantha Francis Gabriel Gelso Elizabeth Giles Alexa Glancy Ryan Goupel McKenzie Hollers Madlyn Jankowski Shane Johnson Andrew LaBeau Kyle LaBeau Samantha Ledger Alexander MacIsaac Kayce Maitland Ella Mansfield Alyssa Masserant Issac Masserant Carter McCalister Benjamin Merkel Abby Miller Allison Muncy Gabriel Nolan Cody Nordstrom Joseph Ochoa Olivia Peare Julia Perry Erik Peters Jenna Pilachowski Caden Pridemore Grace Reaume Olivia Reaume

Gary Rice Brady Runyon Olivia Russell Ella Simpson Cheyenne Spear William Steinhour IV Quintin Stotler Joshua Stirmpel Layla Tamouch Darien Trotter Riley Vanderpool Anna Younglove

Middle School Cont. Cole Zabawa High School Isabelle Arnold Samantha Ballmes Brendan Bashaw Mario Benvenuti Erin Bezeau Thomas Boggs Samantha Bondie Ethan Brabant Ryan Brow Luke Conover Kassidy Daniels Kristin Davis

Madison Dennis Kennedy DeSilvis Quinten Elek Grayson Friar Lindsey Garant Anthony Gennoe Ryan Gennoe Cassandra Gossett Tatum Graham Ryann Grube Lindsey Hammer Julia Hatfield Kailey Head Kaitlyn Hemwall Emily Hintz Max Hudson Nicholas Jablonski Sarah Johnson Levi Kolak Brooke Lavoie Allen Lin Janice Lin Lily Liptow Tommy Martin Sydney Masserant Danielle Mathews Emma McCalister Emily Miller Katelyn Nadeau Jacklyn Nolan Devin Oliver Kline Peare

Shea Peare Conner Petit Catrina Prather Levi Prather Max Ranger Reanne Roberts Zachary Roberts William Robinson Cheyenne Rutherford Erinn Sancho Cadance Sharpe Dominic Simons

North Elementary Madelyn Arnett Joshua Beach Brooklyn Berns Hunter Burt Audrey Camilleri Brenden Christopher Joshua Clark Hannah Congioloso Sarah Cvengros Logan Dorow Lyle Drummonds Connor Dubke Shylynn Dunn-Miles Madison Duvall Elijah Ellison

Gabriela Esteban-Chavez Thomas Fountain Francis Gerlach Allie Gilley Ryker Goff Noah Gondek Myles Gonia Daniel Goupel Ava Gratwoski Emily Grube Alyssa Henderson Emily Hernandez-Pinero Aubrey Hoffman Samuel Holton Harper Jackson Calyn Kay Maizey Kolakowski Jalee Leach Carter Lee Lola Ludwick Caleb Luplow Drew Matzinger Claire Miller Randee Mulherin Breanna Neumann Jaycee Pace Brody Pancone Ethan Pauwels William Peltier Lilleigh Pridemore Averie Riley Ava Sandifer

Sawyer Schaffer Elijah Simons Gage Smith Emma Struth Novaleigh Stump Rilynn Trigge Lincoln Tulik Harlie VanWashenova Aaron Vitale-Garcia Chloe Vujnov Blade West Kinsley Wilburn

WOW! All A’s 1st

Marking period

Education is

for improving

the l ives of

others and for

leaving your

community and

world

better than you

found it.

High School Cont. Logan Tackett Craig Trombley Alexis VanDevelde Kirsten Vanisacker Sarah Vanisacker Ashley Waldecker Evan Walters Gwendolyn White Samantha Wilburn Ethan Wilgocki Bradyn Williams Brett Williams Hali Wisecup Katelyn Younglove

PAGE 11

High School Mar 22 End of 3rd quarter Apr 1-5 Spring Break Apr 9 SAT - 11th grade Apr 10 PSAT Testing 9th & 10th grade Apr 10 Workkeys Testing 11th grade Apr 18 1/2 Day of School 10:35 am dismissal Apr 19-22 Easter Break

Middle School Apr 1-5 Spring Break Apr 18 1/2 Day of School 10:45 am dismissal Apr 19-22 Easter Break

North Elementary Mar 6, 20 Banking Days Mar 15 Wear green for St. Patrick’s Day! Mar 22 End of 3rd Marking Period Mar 29 Report Cards go Home Apr 1-5 Spring Break Apr 10, 24 Banking Days Apr 18 1/2 Day of School 11:45 am dismissal Apr 19-22 Easter Break

2018-2019 District Calendar

Apr 1-5 Spring Break

April 19 & 22 Easter Break

May 27 Memorial Day

June 11 1/2 Day of School for Students

June 12 Last day of School - 1/2 Day

of School for Students/Staff

Upcoming School Board Meetings

DATE MEETING PLACE TIME

Mar 18 Regular Admin Office 6:00 pm

Apr 8 C.O.W. Admin Office 6:00 pm

Apr 15 Regular Admin Office 6:00 pm

May 13 C.O.W. Admin Office 6:00 pm

May 20 Regular Admin Office 6:00 pm

June 10 C.O.W. Admin Office 6:00 pm

June 17 Regular Admin Office 6:00 pm

July 15 C.O.W. Admin Office 6:00 pm

Aug 12 C.O.W. Admin Office 6:00 pm

Aug 19 Regular Admin Office 6:00 pm

*(COW—Committee of the Whole)

*Subject to Change Sodt Elementary Mar 22 Read to Me Apr 1-5 Spring Break Apr 18 Leader in Me Day Apr 19-22 Easter Break

School Calendars

NON PROFIT U.S POSTAGE

PAID PERMIT #40

MONROE, MI 48161

JEFFERSON SCHOOLS 5707 WILLIAMS RD NEWPORT, MI 48166

Electronic copies of this newsletter are also available by visiting us on our district website at:

www.jeffersonschools.org

Sara Griffin, Principal Jerry Dyson, Interim A.P. 734.289.5565 734.289-5596-fax Dave Vensel, Principal Jon Scharf, A.P. 734.289.5555 734.289.5595-fax Tuition Administration Building Preschool 734.289.5550

734.322.2502 734.289.5574-fax Cubcare Patsy Payment 734.322.2410

School Contact Phone Numbers

Sodt Elementary Tara Roe, Principal

734.289.5575 734.289.5600 –fax North Elementary Millie Grow, Principal

734.586.6784 734.586.8854 –fax

SCHOOL BUILDING OFFICE HOURS:

Jefferson High School: 7:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Jefferson Middle School: 7:00a.m.– 2:30 p.m.

North Elementary: 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Sodt Elementary & Early Childhood Center:

8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Bear Pride!

POSTAL CUSTOMER