Jefferson Elementary School

While the skies may have been a little gloomy and the blacktop a little wet, Parents & Pastries still went off as planned and saw dozens of students with their grown-ups, enjoying donuts and time together before the start of the school day on Friday. Specials thanks goes to our amazing PTO, volunteers from Winona Lake Grace Church, and to Rise'n Roll. ​ #WarsawINSPIRES

Would you consider donating to help our Jefferson PTO provide grade-level grants, STEM resources, and teacher appreciation? If you're not connected to a current student, you can use this link: https://my.raisecraze.com/give/aqgxyaw/ Thank you! We appreciate our community!

Invite your friends! Monday is Jefferson Night at Arby's on Detroit Street/15.

Remember that next Tuesday, September 10th, is Picture Day! Please do not wear green per the photographer. Thanks!

Jefferson has cool stuff going on inside and OUTSIDE! We've mentioned our beehives, but did you know that we also have a vegetable garden?! Mr. McClintock (retired) continues to tend to our garden, along with the help of 5th grade. The crop of the day was potatoes. As you can see, it was a plentiful harvest! ​ #WarsawINSPIRES

We have begun our one and only fundraiser for the year! Maybe you no longer have a student at Jefferson but still feel a connection. Or maybe you're a community member who wants to show tangible support. During our fundraiser, we’ll be paying your generosity forward by completing Acts of Kindness for others. If you are interested in donating to help with grade-level grants, STEM resources, and teacher appreciation, here is the link for you! https://my.raisecraze.com/give/aqgxyaw/ Thank you for loving on Jefferson in this way. #WarsawINSPIRES

Parents & Pastries is this Friday from 8:00am–8:45am. Please park at Winona Lake Grace Church across the street. #WarsawINSPIRES

Family Groups are a big part of school life at Jefferson. Students get to know, have fun with, and learn to problem-solve with other Spartans across all grade levels. These Family Groups stay together for various activities throughout the entire school year. ​ Last week we had our first Family Group gathering of the new school year. Activities revolved around learning names, getting to know one another, and working together on several fun challenges that helped build unity. Our new 6th graders were the leaders, and they did a fantastic job, despite some initial nervousness! ​ Here's to another terrific year of Jefferson Family Groups! ​ #WarsawINSPIRES

Thank you, thank you to Dunkin Donuts for the epic Spartan donuts this morning! Dunkin is partnering with Jefferson this year to provide donuts to Citizens of the Month and brought these school-colored "works of art" over for staff to enjoy. ​ We live in a great community! Thanks, Dunkin! ​ #WarsawINSPIRES

On Tuesday, August 20th, Jefferson 6th graders, their teachers, and five community partners from Legrand participated in the Grassy Creek Rafting Expedition, provided by the Kosciusko County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD). Students learned about water quality, invasive species, wildlife, plants, wetlands, stream ecosystems, and more. ​ Activities involved rafting from Grassy Creek to the dock, where everyone loaded onto pontoon boats, which then transported the group to Camp Crosley. Before heading there, students stopped to do a water clarity test. Community members from Tippecanoe Lake donated their boats and time to take everyone on a tour of the lake. At Camp Crosley, students enjoyed lunch and then completed a watershed activity. From Mrs. Long, 6th-grade teacher: "Thank you to the volunteers that joined us. They were amazing with the students. We appreciate our partnership with Legrand and look forward to continued opportunities in the future." #WarsawINSPIRES

The Jefferson Library has once again received an aquarium on loan from Lilly Center for Lakes and Streams at Grace College. Melia and Blake took great care in making sure that every rock and piece of greenery and driftwood was just right before introducing the new fish to what will be their home for the next nine months. Our fish start out young, and therefore small, in order to give them plenty of room to grow over the course of the school year. Tankmates include a perch, redear sunfish, largemouth bass, and channel catfish. These four have actually been living together for several weeks at Lilly Center prior to their relocation to Jefferson, just to make sure they will get along! Mrs. Propp, Jefferson's Digital Learning Specialist/Librarian, is thrilled for the return of the aquarium. "I've come to love having this experience in our library, not only for our students, but also for myself. There's something very calming and beautiful about a fish tank. Being able to learn about and observe native species right in our own library makes it even more meaningful. Students become invested and look forward to seeing the fish every week when they come to specials—especially the catfish, who is the undisputed star of the aquarium!" During the week before fall break, Lilly Center educators will come in to teach each class a grade-appropriate "Lake in the Library" lesson. This is a time for students to learn more in-depth aspects about our local lakes and streams and their populations and why it's important to be good stewards of these valuable resources. We are grateful to Lilly Center for Lakes and Streams for sharing this remarkable learning experience with our Jefferson students. #WarsawINSPIRES

We can't wait to see you! #WarsawINSPIRES

In the "happy news department," Miss Kohler (Kindergarten) got married this past weekend! Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Giek! Jefferson was well-represented at the joyous event. (Photos provided by the bride.)

I am Ms. Heckaman (maternity-leave sub for Mrs. Jankowski), and I will be teaching Kindergarten. I am extremely passionate about teaching and providing hands-on experiences for my students. I obtained my Bachelor of Education in elementary education from IU in 2022. While at IU, I also had the opportunity to teach Saturday Science. Last year, I worked as the WIN ("What I Need") teacher, which was an amazing experience. My younger brother currently attends Washington as a 4th grader, and he is my main inspiration for teaching.

Legrand Better Communities partnered with their Operations Excellence Team, consisting of Renee Fuentes, Carmen Chapman, Devyn Clabaugh, Kim Hopson, Faith Gonzalez, and Amanda Graf to create 48 stocked, back-to-school backpacks for Jefferson kindergarten (24) and 1st grade (24) students. Legrand Better Communities and the Kris Barone Memorial Fund were able to provide the funds needed to purchase the supplies. Mark Sproles, the lead committee chair for the Better Communities Initiative within Legrand, coordinated the purchase of the supplies, while Renee Fuentes led her team in the assembly of the backpacks. These were delivered to Jefferson by Wendy Cox. Legrand Better Communities and their Operations Excellence Team are proud to be partners with Jefferson Elementary and to be able to help students succeed and to give back to the local community. Thank you, Legrand Better Communities/Operation Excellence Team! #WarsawInspires

Hello, my name is Isaac Merida! I am a first-year 6th grade teacher that just graduated from Grace College with my Elementary Education degree. I grew up in the small town of Martinsville, IN with my parents and younger brother. I graduated from a small private school with a class of nine to graduating with one of the biggest classes at Grace. This is the fourth job that I have had so far with the previous three being a clerk at a small bookstore, paraprofessional, and tutor. I got married to my beautiful wife, Charlene, on July 1st, 2023, and we recently moved to the Larwill, IN area. I’m so excited for the school year! #WarsawInspires

Hello! My name is Mallory Hiatt, and I am from Rochester, Indiana. I graduated from Grace College, where I got my degree in Elementary and Special Education and a licensure in Intense Intervention. I come from a family of teachers and have had many teachers who have had an impact on my life, and I hope to do the same for my students. I enjoy running, painting my nails, and spending time with my friends and family. I am so excited to join the Jefferson family and be a 3rd grade teacher! I look forward to this school year and to helping students grow as learners and reach their goals! Student relationships are the most rewarding part of teaching, and I am so excited to meet my students! Go, Spartans! (Photo provided.) #WarsawInspires

We want to help your student(s) start the new school year prepared! #InspireWCS

Mr. Wall (our principal) and Mr. JR (our head custodian) checked on our Jefferson bees this morning, making sure the hive is still healthy and producing. ​Photos provided by Mrs. Terpstra. ​ #InspireWCS #WCSJeffersonSTEM

Just a reminder that "Popsicles on the Playground" with Mr. Wall is TOMORROW, Friday the 26th from 10:00–11:00am. Please park on the back side of Jefferson and enter the playground through the double gate.