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Message from Mrs. Kunze
Some parents have asked why no backpacks?
Last year the teachers complained that students were carrying huge backpacks to class, which blocked the aisles. Teachers could not circulate easily and the bags inhibited student movement during activities. We also had several incidents in the hallways where students were pulling on each other's backpacks. The leadership team decided that we would investigate adding lockers in the hallways to replace the original wooden lockers that were in the classrooms. The little classroom lockers were not large enough to hold all books and supplies, so many students never used them and carried 15-20 pounds around all day. We also had a few rooms with termite issues due to the old wooden lockers. The new lockers were installed over the summer and are great. They are large enough to accommodate everything. We want the students to use these lockers and not bring big backpacks to class, which are in the way. Therefore, the policy of no backpacks in class. Students are allowed to carry a small drawstring type bag for pencils, pens, calculator, etc.
We did recognize that when all students are at their lockers at the same time that more time is needed. The leadership team met last Monday and decided to add 3 minutes to the passing time between 4th block and study hall. Study hall has been reduced to 47minutes and the students have 7 minutes to get everything they need from their locker.
OPEN HOUSE is this Thursday, September 8th from 6pm to 7:45pm. We will start the evening in homeroom to distribute parent assistant log-on information and will then travel a silver and black day schedule visiting each class for 10minutes. We are encouraging parents to car pool as much as possible. We will have the back doors open, so please park in the back bus loop, parking lot and road to Hickory before parking on Greenbriar. Cross Creek Church has also approved us using their parking lot. There are "no parking" signs posted on the opposite side of Greenbriar Road, so please be aware that you could be ticketed.
For those parents who would like to avoid traffic issues and come early to shop the book fair, it will be open at 5pm in the multipurpose room.
There will be a meeting at 5:30pm in the auditorium for parents with students in 6th grade homerooms Anagnostou and Jaxon, 7th grade Miller and 8th grade Rizzuto.
There will be a meeting after Open House at 7:50pm in the auditorium for all parents with a student taking Algebra 1 Honors or Geometry Honors.
Jaguar Tickets
Winn Dixie gives the schools Jaguar tickets every year to use for student recognition. We received 6 sets of 4 tickets for the Titans game on Sept 11th. We have decided to draw names from students who are members of PTSO. If you are not a member yet, please send in your membership application by Tuesday, September 6th. The cost is only $20 per family and you get a member directory. The drawing for the Jaguar tickets will take place on Tuesday morning.
Gifted referral timeline
Deadline to request gifted screening (submitted to counselor) 10/21/2011
Deadline for submission of private evaluations to guidance counselor 1/13/2012
If you have any questions about the gifted process, please contact your school guidance counselor or Tina Kennon, ESE Coordinator, kennont@stjohns.k12.fl.us
UGobbleUp
We have partnered with a locally-owned online fundraising program that will benefit our school, local businesses and our community. Register your email at www.ugobbleup.com and you will begin receiving daily coupon deals, exclusive to UGobbleUp.com. 25% of your purchase price will be donated to your school. No sales pitch, no volunteer hours, just savings for you and funding for your school.
Simply register your email address at ttp://www.ugobbleup.com.
PLEASE mark your calendars now with important dates. PLEASE try and schedule trips or appointments around exam times.
Sep 20 & 21 - Fall portraits through social studies classes
Oct 18 - 21: District Quarter Exams in all core subjects
Jan 9-11: Semester Exams - 20% of semester grade
Feb 28 - FCAT Writing - all 8th graders
March 19-22: District Quarter Exam in all core subjects
Week of April 16 - FCAT: Reading & Math - all grades
Apr 24 - FCAT Science - all 8th graders
Week of April 23 - State End of Course Exam for Geometry Honors - 30% of overall course grade
Week of May 7 - State End of Course Exam for Algebra I Honors - 30% of overall course grade
May 29-31: Semester Exams - 20% of semester grade
Language Exploration Enrichment LEE
Spanish class begins on Sept. 6th on T/TH after school.
Pam Burton, trained middle school LEE Instructor will teach classes. Learn a Language, Share a Culture, Change the World.
For more information, please contact LEE at:
LEEStJohns@aol.com or 904 657-1918 voice mail
Check out our website:
http://leestjohns.pbworks.com/
Be our friend on facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Jacksonville-FL/LEE-Language-Exploration-Enrichment/106795721624
Office Koweski has started an anonymous tip line for our students to report anything they feel school administration should know to keep our school safe. The number is 904-335-8609. | 
