Monday, December 5, 2011

JES Donations Arriving in Zimbabwe


A thank you message from Zimbabwe. Watch the video that the children at JES viewed the day we left for the Thanksgiving holiday. How exciting to see our donations of books, school supplies and shoes arriving and in the hands and on the feet of the children! Thank you for your generous support of our outreach project. Our children, who by world standards are so very fortunate, have a desire to share what they have. A special thank you to Sipho Gumbo for packing and shipping the donations.

Saturday, December 3, 2011

December's Character Trait : Generosity

 
 Dear JES family and friends,

 What a perfect time of year to talk about the character trait: Generosity. Our Core Essentials definition is making someone’s day by giving something away. In talking with our students it is evident that they know quit a bit about generosity both as givers and receivers. A high five goes out to the JES Choir students for collecting over $500 for GRACE. The children lead us in wonderful ways along with help from their tireless leader Becky Sewell. Great job!

Our emphasis this month will be on the benefits that we all receive as we practice giving. On that note, there are many opportunities for generosity right here at JES!  There are still some angels on the Angel Tree in the JES office. It isn’t too late! Thank you to all who have chosen an angel. Your wrapped, labeled Angel Tree gift should be returned to the JES office by Friday, December 9th. It is amazing when we work together what we can do!

Another opportunity for generosity is our Holiday Outreach Rachel’s Challenge Act of Kindness for December - to collect a dollar from each student and staff member to purchase gift baskets for our Custodians and Cafeteria staff. The baskets will have holiday food items and a gift card to make purchases for their holiday meal. Of course, we will accept any additional contributions as well. There are 10 food baskets to fill.

During the coming week from December 5th through 16th, JES will be participating in a toy drive for Cook’s Children Medical Center. When one our students, Tatum Hayes, was in the hospital during the winter holiday, she received the gift of an art kit that helped cheer her up and speed up her recovery. Now Tatum is showing us the Power of One by leading her school in a “new” toy collection for the medical center. You will receive a flyer listing preferred items such as scissors, crayons, and small art kits. This is a financially challenging time of the year and, please know, your participation is voluntary.

The winter holiday can be stressful for children as well as their parents. Take time to care for your child’s needs for a healthy diet, rest, and exercise. And remember that your love, your time, and undivided attention are the greatest gifts that any child can receive. In the classroom, your children tell me that the best thing that we have to share is love. They are pretty smart, aren’t they?

As always, if I can assist you in any way, please write or call.

Sincerely,

Ziba Johnston/Mrs. J
Counselor
elizabeth.johnston@southlakecarroll.edu

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Thanksgiving Video

On Friday, our whole school viewed a video of the school supplies that we collected last year arriving at the school in Zimbabwe. The video sparked a wonderful discussion in the third grade classroom (where I was viewing) about thankfulness. 

Thank you to all who donated books, school supplies and other usable items. I want to express our appreciation to one of our parents, Sipho Gumbo, who received the mounds of donations, packed them, and arranged for shipping. Sipho is the director of Munhu,Inc., a non-profit organization, which supports children in Zimbabwe by supplying tuition and necessities so they can attend school. We are privileged to work hand and hand with her in an effort to teach our children the importance of giving back through the outreach of Rachel's Challenge acts of kindness.

If you would like to view the video, follow this link: 
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kI2iN6IxuM   


Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!


Ziba Johnston

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Thankful for Fall!



Dear JES family and friends,

 Our Core Essential character value for November is GRATITUDE which is defined as letting others know you see how they’ve helped you.  We will be talking about GRATITUDE in guidance lessons this six weeks. GRATITUDE is an easy character trait to reinforce at home. It is important for our children to recognize all that they have for which they can be thankful. When we work together as  a team our children make twice the progress.

There is so much for which we are thankful around Johnson. . . our safe school, our caring staff and teachers, our precious children who come to school each day ready to learn, our families who support us, our PTO who provides the extras. I could go on and on.

An opportunity to show our appreciation is on Grandparent/Special Friend Day which is November 17th and 18th. This is a day for our students to share a traditional Thanksgiving lunch with someone special. It does not have to be a Grandparent. I hope that each child will have a guest whether it is a sibling, parent or neighbor. More information will be coming your way about which day your guest should come for lunch.

On November 16th, our Angel Tree will be up and ready with many little angels. For those who are new to our school, we put up our own Angel Tree here at Johnson to provide a chance for us to share with those who may need a little help right here at JES.  Look for the Angel Tree in the front office.

The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) and Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) has been completed for all second and fourth grade students. When the results arrive around mid semester, they will be mailed home.

As always, if I can assist you in any way, please write or call.

Ziba Johnston - Mrs. J

Elizabeth.Johnston@southlakecarroll.edu

“Giving connects two people, the giver and the receiver, and this connection gives birth to a new sense of belonging.” Deepak Chopra

Thursday, October 6, 2011

RED RIBBON WEEK



Dear JES family and friends,

As we begin the second six weeks, October, as always, is shaping up to be a busy one! Our character value for this month is CREATIVITY defined as using your imagination to do something unique. I hope you continue to use the Core Essentials home link attached to spark discussions that lead to reinforcing what the teachers are sharing about CREATIVITY.

On the 4th, 5th, and 6th of this month our second and fourth graders were administered the CogAT. The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) measures students’ learned reasoning abilities in the three areas most linked to academic success in school: Verbal, Quantitative and Nonverbal. On October 17th-21st both second and fourth grades will be taking the Iowa Test of Basic Skills or ITBS. Although the primary goal of the CogAT is to assess students’ reasoning abilities, it can also provide predicted achievement scores when administered with the ITBS. There is no special preparation you need to do at home for these tests. What you can do to help your student is make sure they are rested and present at school on time each testing days. Check your calendar and make sure that you have not scheduled doctor appointments during these days. Testing will take place during the morning when the students are at their best.

RED RIBBON WEEK will be celebrated October 24th-28th. This is a district wide drug awareness celebration. At Johnson our theme will be “Color My World Drug Free”. Each day of the week, incentives will be given away through a drawing to help emphasize the benefits of leading a drug free lifestyle. On Wednesday there will be an assembly featuring the Morris Brothers. The Morris Brothers are “nerds” who will deliver a message of character strength and making good choices. Please take advantage of this opportunity to talk with your children about the dangers of drug abuse. Our emphasis at school will be about making good decisions. It’s never too late or too soon to share this important message.

If I can assist you in any way, please contact me.

Sincerely,

Ziba Johnston
Counselor
elizabeth.johnston@southlakecarroll.edu

Sunday, September 11, 2011


 Rachel’s Challenge Kickoff at JES on Tuesday

Dear JES family and friends,

On Tuesday, September 13th, our school will kick off Rachel’s Challenge for the 2011-12 year. The district-wide focus for the year will continue to be The Power of One and at JES we will add an emphasis on Change Begins with Me.

Our PTO has generously provided a special video presentation entitled Stand Together which reinforces the message professed by Rachel Scott and Rachel’s Challenge. Stand Together has an anti-bullying message encouraging kindness and friendship.

At Johnson we will continue to share the message that our differences are our strength, including others, welcoming those who are new to our school, and kindness and compassion should be shown to all.

Thank you for your continued support of the message of kindness and compassion through Rachel’s Challenge.

POP TOP Collecting

We will continue to collect Pop Tops to benefit Ronald McDonald House and our own Iron Man Sam. If you are new to our campus, we collect pull tab pop tops, like the ones on soda cans, to get a credit to support one of our students who is receiving medical treatments out of state. Any kind of aluminum pop top is acceptable and each pop top is worth 6cents! Keep those pop tops coming! Containers are in the front lobby.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

WELCOME BACK!



Dear JES families and friends,

Welcome back! There is a flurry of activity at school preparing for the children to arrive. Teachers are putting the finishing touches on the classrooms.  I hope that you have had a pleasant summer. We are back in full swing here at Johnson!

 Newcomer's Coffee - On Tuesday, August 30, there will be a Coffee for new parent members to the Johnson family – new families to the CISD and kindergarten parents. This will be an informal opportunity to ask questions and allow us to welcome you personally. Our PTO will be on hand to host and make you feel at home. If you are new to Johnson, drop by the newly renovated JES library from 8:30 to 9:30. Of course, if you are not new and would like to attend you are welcomed to come greet our newest parents.

Our Rachel’s Challenge initiative to promote kindness and compassion will continue to be a major focus on our campus and throughout our community. Our kickoff will be on September 13 with a special assembly for JES students and faculty. You can find more information about this district wide program at www.rachelschallenge.com .
  
Our character trait for September is KNOWLEDGE defined as discovering something new so you can be better at whatever you do. The three "big ideas" that our character program promotes are (1)treat others right, (2)make smart decisions, and (3)maximize your potential.  Chik fil A is sponsoring our Core Essentials program again this year. If you are interested in more information about our character education program go to http://www.coreessentials.org/ .   Discussing these important values at home reinforces their importance. Invite your child to share what they have learned about knowledge. When we work together at school and at home great things are possible.

It is not unusual for students to be tired and “out of sorts” the first few weeks of school. The change in their sleep and meal routines alone may cause some stress and then when you add on the expectations of school - it is understandable that most children will react. If problems persist or are more extreme than you feel is typical for your child, talk with your child’s teacher and contact me. If I can do anything to help you or your student, please let me know. You can email me at elizabeth.johnston@southlakecarroll.edu or call 817 949 4500 to schedule an appointment.

Sincerely,
Ziba Johnston
Counselor

Thursday, June 9, 2011

On Summer Break

Dear JES family and friends,

Summer has arrived and Texas and I are off for a summer holiday. Texas is spending a lot of time in the pool and under the tree trying to keep cool.  I am following his lead.

Summer is a great time for children to read simply for pleasure. Newly emerging readers tend to regress in the summer so keep up the reading activities. Also, I want to share a website:  http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/   that has some interesting thoughts on encouraging happiness and wellness in children. I have mentioned it before. There are informative podcasts and articles on current research. An article that is especially timely addresses ways to reduce stress in children. The author writes about appropriate praise as mentioned in the recent documentary Race to Nowhere. You will find it at the following link:

Although, I will be off for summer break until August 8th, I will be checking email regularly, if you have a concern don’t hesitate to write.

Enjoy the break and Tex and I will see you in August!

Ziba Johnston - Mrs. J

Elizabeth.Johnston@southlakecarroll.edu

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Welcome!

Welcome to the JES Counselor's Blog. I look forward to having more frequent communications throughout the school year. I am new to blogging so it will be an opportunity for all to practice patience.