Dear JES family and friends,

Welcome back to a new school year! I would like to invite you to come to an informal coffee on Tuesday morning to welcome our newest JES Dragon parents. Newcomers and Kindergarten parents, please join us in the JES cafeteria between 8:30 and 9:30, so we can personally welcome you. Members of the PTO and the JES staff will be available to greet you.

Thank you to the JES PTO for providing the Core Essentials Character Traits program for us again this year. Our character trait for August is Obedience. The definition is trusting those who lead you by doing what you're asked to do.

As a parent of a 1st-4th grader, you have an opportunity to nominate your child to be evaluated for QUEST until September 9th.  If you need more information, let me know.

I hope you have had a great start to the new school year. If I can help in any way, please contact me.
 
Kind regards,
 
Ziba Johnston
JES Counselor
Elizabeth.johnston@southlakecarroll.edu
817 949 4500

SCHOOLS OUT FOR THE SUMMER!!!

Dear JES family and friends,

As the school year wraps up, I can’t help but reflect on all that was accomplished this year. Our children learned reading skills galore. They learned all levels of math facts. They learned how to read maps and about Texas history, civil rights and freedom. They learned about the stars and musical instruments and artists and how to take care of their hearts and so many other valuable lessons too numerous to name.

I hope the children remember about acknowledging their feelings, what it takes to make a friendship, and taking care of their emotional needs.  I hope they practice being a good listener. But, most of all, I hope they remember that it is more important to be kind than to be right.

Old Tex and I will enjoy our summer holiday. I will be back in my office on August 8^th. Tex and I look forward to seeing you then. Have a wonderful summer!!!

Kindest regards,

 

Ziba Johnston

JES Counselor
Elizabeth.Johnston@southlakecarroll.edu

Dear JES family and friends,

February is already here and we are sharing the love around JES! Come join our Love and Logic Parenting class which runs four consecutive Fridays beginning February 19^th and ending on March 11^th. Love and Logic is the parenting approach of choice among leading educators, parents, and other professionals worldwide. The Love and Logic Institute is “dedicated to making parenting fun and rewarding”. Visit the Love and Logic website at https://www.loveandlogic.com/ for more information.

Barbara Yeargin will be the facilitator. She is a License Professional Counselor who is a trainer for Love and Logic. Sign up for the classes being held at Johnson before February 5^th by contacting me Elizabeth.johnston@southlakecarroll.edu and sending in the $50 registration fee. Make your check payable to Barbara Yeargin. All materials will be provided. Come join other JES parents in learning about this practical and straightforward philosophy of parenting.

 Our character trait for February is Cooperation defined as working together to do more than you can do alone. When thinking about what are the most important skills to teach a child, we think of reading and writing and of course math And then there is science and social studies. Perhaps one of the most valuable skills a child learns at school is cooperation with their peers and the classroom environment. We had a great time last month with the character trait of SelfControl. We will be emphasizing  the value of cooperation all this month.

One last thing, I want to share an incredible website that offers useful parenting tips based on current research. Many of these short video clips address issues that are commonly discussed with parents in my office. Parenting videos include how to help your child develop the ability to be happier, helping kids build friendships, setting limits, and letting go of being perfect. The website is: http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/.  I would enjoy hearing what you think about this website.

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

Kindest regards,

 Ziba Johnston

Counselor 
Elizabeth.Johnston@southlakecarroll.edu

                              Ambassadors delivering the food baskets to complete Project Kindness
                                                            Thank you to all who contributed.

Dear JES family and friends,

 On November 18^th at 9AM,  there will be a special presentation for JES parents and guests entitled “Communicating with Our Kids - Helping Kids Decrease Stress and Anxiety. The talk will be in the JES Auditorium. Anxiety among our students has risen over the last few years. Come hear about steps you can take to help your child. There will also be a time for questions and answers. I hope you will join me at this informative presentation.

SERVICE - November's Character Trait

Our Core Essential character value for November is SERVICE which is defined as lending a helping hand to help someone else. We will be talking about SERVICE in guidance lessons. Service is an important character value that can easily be reinforce at home. When we work together our children make twice the progress.

We will be working on several service projects throughout the year to give our students opportunities to “give back”. Research shows that when children (and adults) give they get positive feelings that lead to a greater sense of self-worth. Giving promotes cooperation, social connections and gratitude. And research has found that gratitude is integral to happiness and health. Watch for opportunities for our students to get involved in the experience of giving.

All JES students are challenged to “earn” a dollar to donate to the Buckner Foundation which is being collected by the JES Choir. Thanks to all the children who have done an extra chore or had a bake sale to raise money to donate to these children in need. The money will be presented to the foundation during the winter holiday concert.

 ANGEL TREE Tradition at JES

Our traditional angel tree will be decorated in the front office before we leave on Thanksgiving Break. Each year, we have our own Angel Tree to provide for children at Johnson.  If you are able to help, I hope you will choose an angel and make it a family project of showing gratitude and compassion for those families at Johnson who can use our help.

The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) and Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) was completed for second and fourth grade students. Make ups are complete. The results will be sent home around mid semester.

 A Big THANK YOU!

Thank you to Officer Jim Johnson for arranging the Southlake Firefighters’ visit.  The children heard key information about personal safety. It was a fun, informative day. Thank you to Jessica Colvin and Tracy Lenz for volunteering to assist. Has your family designated a location to meet outside of your house in case of fire? Ask your children about suggestions they heard.

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

Kindest regards,

Ziba Johnston 

Counselor

817 949 4500

Elizabeth.Johnston@southlakecarroll.edu

 “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in service to others." Gandhi

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 INDIVIDUALITY defined as: discovering who you’re meant to be so you can make a difference. I hope you continue to use the Core Essentials Values to spark discussions at home that lead to reinforcing what the teachers and staff are sharing about INDIVIDUALITY. Our character trait program is sponsored by Chik fil A and is provided through the generosity of our JES PTO.

 CogAT and ITBS Testing for 2nd and 4th Grades

 

On the 6^th, 7th, and 8^th of this month our second and fourth graders will be taking the CogAT test. 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 19^th, 20^th,, 21^st and 22st  both second and fourth grades will be taking the Iowa Test of Basic Skills or ITBS. Although the CogAT’s primary goal is to assess students’ reasoning abilities, it can also provide predicted achievement scores when administered with The Iowa Tests.
     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 these days. Check your calendar and make sure that you have not scheduled doctor appointments during the mornings on these dates. Testing will take place as early as possible while the students are fresh.

 RED RIBBON WEEK  October 26th-30th

 Red Ribbon Week will be celebrated the last week in October. This is a district wide drug awareness celebration. Please take advantage of this opportunity to talk with your children about the dangers of drug abuse. We will be emphasizing making good decisions. It’s never too soon or too late to share your thoughts about this important matter.

 Understood.org

 Recently, I learned about a website that supports parents who have children with learning and attention issues. Understood.org https://www.understood.org/en is an excellent resource! When you go to the website, I recommend visiting the tab labeled Your Parent Toolkit. The information is research based and gives parents ideas of how to work with the child’s strengths and support their self-esteem. There also is a section about parent support. The website is for helping your child at school, home and community. If you access this website, let me know what you think.

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

Kindest regards, 

Ziba Johnston 
Elizabeth.johnston@southlakecarroll.edu
817 949 4500

Dear JES families and friends,
WELCOME New and Returning DRAGONS!

There are so many fun activities going on in our classrooms as our students return to school. We are happy to welcome your children whether they are returning students or brand new Dragons.  I hope that you have had a wonderful summer! We are back in full swing here at Johnson!

 Core Essentials - Thank you PTO!

Our character trait for August is WISDOM defined as finding out what to do and doing it. Our JES PTO is sponsoring our Core Essentials program again this year. If you are interested in more information about our character education program go to www.CoreEssentialsValue.com .  Our September character trait is INITIATIVE – Seeing what needs to be done and doing it. Discussing these character values at home reinforces their importance.  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.

Kindest regards,

 

Ziba Johnston

JES Counselor

SUMMER HOLIDAY

Dear JES family and friends,

Summer has arrived and Texas and I are off for a summer holiday. Tex is spending a lot of time chillin’ in the pool and under the shade of the tree doing what dogs do best. I am looking forward to having more time to read a good book!  

RED4VAN - over $6500 from CISD

 

Thank you to all who wore RED 4 Van the last day of school and/or contributed toward over $6,500 collected by the CSHS Student Council. The folks in Van, Texas who sustained damage to their school will appreciate the kindness extended to them, as well as the money.

Wearing red for Van!

New Student Registration - August 5th

 

Although, I will be off for summer break until August 10^th, I will be checking my email periodically, if you have an immediate concern. Those who are new to our school district may register on August 5^th at the Johnson campus.
 
  Meet the Teacher is Aug. 21^st from 8:30-9:30 a.m.

Enjoy the break and Tex and I look forward to seeing you on Meet the Teacher day in August!

 Kindest regards,

 Ziba Johnston

JES Counselor

Elizabeth.Johnston@southlakecarroll.edu