March 2015

by James Botts

www.jessamine.kyschools.us

East JEssaminE middlE school: Inspire, Believe and Achieve Greatness

Jaguar Pawsthe

It’s time for March Madness once again. time to think about basketball brackets, wearing green on March 17 and Spring! March is a busy month here at eJMS, as well. Our attendance has been improving (maybe we are over all of the illnesses that wintertime brings). Please continue to send in doctor’s and parent notes when your child has been absent. You have five days to turn those in after the absence and the doctor’s note must be the original copy. March 2 – 6 is Count Me In Week. On February 27, Miss Kentucky 2014, Ramsey Carpenter, was at eJMS to kick off Count Me In Week. She reminded our students about the importance of attendance, being prepared and pursuing their goals and dreams. I’m very pleased to inform you that over 10 eJMS students’ entries won 1st place in the state of Kentucky Daughters of the American Revolution Junior American Citizen contests! We are very proud of them. We also have over 60 EJMS students who qualified to present their National history Day projects at the Region 5 competition at eKU on March 14! Just a reminder that our school’s Youth Service Center collects Box tops for education. Send the Box Tops to either Ms. Lindle or to the EJMS office.

Important Dates:March 2 – 6: Count Me In WeekMarch 6: end of Grading PeriodMarch 14: National history Day Region 5 Competition

at eKUMarch 16: SBDM Meeting, 6 PM in the eJMS Library.March 18: Report Cards Go homeMarch 24: Leadership LuncheonMarch 26: KONA IceMarch 30 – April 3: Spring BreakMay 11 – 15: KPReP testing

pto news:

March 16 – PtO Meeting at 7 PM in the eJMS library

April 25 – 2nd Annual eJMS Matball tournament (for current eJMS students only)

Follow EJMS on Twitter at: EJMS@ejmsjaguarville

To sign-up for text message announcements:

Spring’s Almost Here

Look around at the sky and treesenjoy the sensation of the breezethe wind and rain will be over soonSpend time watching each flower bloom.

Signs of spring are all aroundDon’t let the cold get you downListen to the birds that singChirping out the sounds of spring.

~Connie Webb

We expect that all EJMS students read independently outside of school for at least 30 minutes daily. The experts tell us that those daily 30 minutes or so of reading will put most students in the top 90% of readers. Look at how many words per year that is on average!

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by Kathy T. Fields

Imagine a world without literature, music, theatre, dance or photography. Art enriches our lives, adding meaning, depth and joy. As children, most of us paint, draw and sing with abandon, but as we grow older, many of us become more self-conscious and inhibited about expressing ourselves artistically. As educators, our goal is to continue to foster the natural curiosity and creative expression that children are born with---and we can do this through encouraging their continued participation in the arts, whether through visual art, music, dance or theatre.

the month of March has been designated to highlight the arts in our schools and we will embark on a celebration of the creative endeavors taking place in our district, showcasing our tremendous student artists and those who teach them. Watch for a schedule of arts events and please join us! Study after study has shown that the arts make a difference in education, not just in drawing or drama, but in math, language arts and other core subjects. how do our students benefit from art education?

Art helps students succeed in school. Art education teaches creative problem-solving and critical thinking skills and offers multiple pathways to understanding for different learners. Art also increases cultural awareness for students, forming connections and engagement between teachers, students, and the community that surrounds them. Studies have shown that participation in art education even increases school attendance!

the arts prepare students for success in work. Art education develops creativity, one of the top five skills employers prize for the 21st Century. Participation in artistic endeavors also builds collaboration and communication skills as students learn to share their intentions, receive and offer constructive criticism, and

listen actively to others’ ideas. the arts have been shown to increase students’ capacity for leadership; those who participate in the arts strengthen decision-making, strategy building, planning and reflection skills.

the arts prepare students for success in life. Research shows that participation in the arts develops students’ capacity to persist in the face of a challenge. Arts programs also foster a sense of community among participants that supports their personal, artistic, civic and social development. equally necessary to prepare students for life in an increasingly global and culturally diverse world, arts experiences promote pro-social behaviors and social tolerance. Few experiences other than art allow for individual self-expression, and at the

same time, celebrate multiple perspectives.

the arts are such a central component of a complete education that we have recently established additional positions dedicated to furthering the arts in our schools. earlier this year, Jessica Greene and tim Johnson were named as District Arts and humanities

Co-Coordinators. these outstanding educators will work directly with our K-12 arts and humanities faculty to provide support to teachers and programs with the goals of further developing student talents, maximizing exposure to student performances, developing career pathways in the arts and improving our overall arts and humanities programs.

I would like to take this opportunity to recognize and celebrate all of our outstanding arts and humanities teachers. Our teachers work diligently every day to cultivate an appreciation for and love of the arts in our students, providing benefits that will last a lifetime. Please join us as we salute these devoted professionals and celebrate the many amazing talents of our students.

Art Education

“If you hear a voice within you say, ‘You cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.” ~Vincent Van Gogh

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