COMPASSION CHAMPIONS

 

Johnson Elementary Student Body receiving the Compassion Champions Cup for 2016-2017. GO DRAGONS!

Welcome back to second semester of our 2016 - 2017 school year! I wanted to start it off with this awesome picture that was taken earlier in the year when Johnson Elementary won the Compassion Cup. It was such a great picture of our whole student body and many staff members. The district sponsored a food drive challenge and we won by donating more canned goods than any other campus. Thank you for your support in your incredibly generous donations for GRACE food banks. We are honored for JES to be recognized in this way.
 
Our campus makes a great effort toward showing kindness and compassion to each other, to our community, and internationally. Although we are not always perfect and we are a work in progress, kindness is a theme throughout the year.

CogAT and ITBS Results

To second and fourth grade parents, you should have received the results of the testing that was completed in mid October. If you need help with interpreting the report, I am happy to go over it with you. You can contact me at 817 949 4500 or Elizabeth.johnston@southlakecarroll.edu.

 If I can assist you in any way, please feel free to contact me.
 Kindest regards,

Ziba

Elizabeth Johnston
JES Counselor

THE BIG THANK YOU!

Dear JES family and friends,

Our Core Essential character value for November is HONOR. What an honor for us to show our veterans how much we appreciate their sacrifice. Third grade and Encore teachers, the assembly was inspiring! Thank you for all your hard work!

The BIG THANK YOU!

 

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the outreach projects during Red Ribbon Week. We sent over 600 thank you letters to deployed soldiers around the world through the Big Thank You program. The letters were an out pouring of appreciation. It was truly awesome!

 

Our cereal drive for Christ’s Haven was a big success, as well. Thank you to the parents who support our community and give our children visual reminders that there are those in need all around us. We will be working on 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 continuing opportunities for our students to get involved in the experience of giving.

JES ANGEL TREE

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.

THANK YOU!!!

Thank you to Nancy Lesky and Elle Choi for assisting with the Southlake Firefighters’ visit. The children heard key information about personal safety and each got an opportunity to climb up into the fire truck, see inside an ambulance and a police car. Students also saw a presentation demonstrating how smoke travels inside a house during a fire.  It was an informative day. Has your family designated a location to meet outside of your house in case of fire? Ask your children about suggestions they heard.

A special thank you goes out to the Harding Family for helping decorate the school for Red Ribbon Week. This has become a tradition for them and I appreciate their generous contribution of time! Thank you Courtney and Sean!

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

Kindest regards,

 

Ziba Johnston

Elizabeth.johnston@southlakecarroll.edu

BUSY OCTOBER COMING UP!

Dear JES family and friends,

September is winding to an end and we are into our routines here at school. I hope that you are feeling back in the swing of things at home.

 

Courage

 October, as always, is shaping up to be a busy one! Our character value for this month is COURAGE defined as being brave enough to do what you should do even when you’re afraid.  We all need some courage!

 CogAT and ITBS

 

On the 4^th, 5th, and 6^th of this month our second and fourth graders will be taking 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 18th-21^st 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 can do to help your student? Make sure they are well rested and present at school on time each testing day. Check your calendar and make sure that you have not scheduled doctor appointments which might conflict with testing times during these days. Testing will take place during the morning when the students are at their best!

 

RED RIBBON WEEK-October 24^th-28th 

This is a district wide drug awareness celebration. Each day of this week we will have a fun theme.  Be watching for the daily themes which will be coming soon! Incentives will be given away through a drawing to help emphasize the benefits of making good decisions which include leading a drug free lifestyle. 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 soon to share this important message.

Thank you to the JES PTO for their support in providing the incentives for Red Ribbon Week and many other activities throughout the year!

 If I can help you or your child in any way, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Kindest regards,

 Ziba Johnston

Counselor
Elizabeth.johnston@southlakecarroll.edu
817 949 4500

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