Blue Ridge Elementary

Hello JCS Families, Our staff have been working all summer to prepare our schools to welcome students next week. As always, there are unexpected problems that arise. An updated version of the West Virginia Department of Education's information system (WVEIS) that all school systems are required to use for everything from class lists to schedules is being upgraded. Some of the systems we worked hard to put in place over the summer are not usable right now because that system is not functioning correctly. We have created a web page about possible changes during the transition. We have taken steps to minimize the disruption for you and for students while the WVDE completes this work. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we begin a new year together! https://www.jcswv.org/wveis

As you wrap up your back-to-school shopping this weekend, consider including a few items for the JCS Stuff-a-Bus school supply drive! Join us August 21-27 at the Jefferson County Fair, where we'll be stuffing a bus with donations of backpacks, crayons, pens and pencils, lunch boxes, notebooks, and other necessary school supplies. Volunteers from the JCS Transportation Department will be on hand to collect donations all day Sunday, August 21, and every evening from 5-8 p.m. And while you're there, learn more about how you can become a bus operator for Jefferson County Schools. It's a great way to make your mark in our caring community of educators!

Kindergarten Orientation will be on Monday, August 22, 2022 10:00 Students with last names A-K 1:30 Students with last names L-Z *First day of school for students grade 1-5, will be Monday, August 22nd. *The first day of school for kindergarten students will be Tuesday, August 23rd.

Reminder that tomorrow night, August 18th is our Family Cookout and Meet the Teacher Night. Please note that Kindergarten Orientation/Meet the Teacher will be held on Monday, August 22nd (see below for details). 5:00-5:45 1st and 2nd grade 5:45-6:30 3rd Grade 6:30-7:15 4th Grade 7:15-8:00 5th Grade If you are unable to come to our Family Cookout/Meet the Teacher night, you may call the school office to find out who your child’s teacher will be on Friday, August 19th. Kindergarten Orientation will be on Monday, August 22, 2022 10:00 Students with last names A-K 1:30 Students with last names L-Z

Students are back on August 22! We want to make sure everyone has what they need to start the year off right, starting with the trip to school. Visit our website at www.jcswv.org/myschoolbus to get information about your student's bus this year. Everyone at Jefferson County Schools is excited to start the year with you!

Please check out the link to our website below to view a welcome back letter and grade level supply lists for the upcoming school year. https://bres.jcswv.org/o/bre/documents/our-school/2022-2023--school-supply-list/204742

Reminder: Tomorrow is the last day to RSVP for our Family Cookout on Meet the Teacher Night, August 18th. Please use the link below to let us know you plan to join us for a hotdog dinner. https://forms.office.com/r/wWyW6U3Njp

Jefferson County Schools extends our appreciation to Mr. Justin P. Brown, Sr. for his service as an interim member of the Jefferson County Board of Education. Earlier this year, Mr. Brown applied and was selected in a competitive application process to serve Jefferson County students at a critical time. His dedication, thoughtful decision-making, and calm, steady leadership have been greatly appreciated in helping move our school system forward.

Jefferson County School stands in solidarity with the families, children, educators, and communities in Uvalde, Texas, in the wake of the tragic events of May 24th, 2022. There are no words that can restore what has been taken, not only from those individuals but from all of us. Everyone at Jefferson Schools is here for the community as we support our children together. You can find a list of resources on speaking to children about this difficult topic following this link: https://bit.ly/39SwBoW. We will also have counseling staff available for any of our students or staff who need that support. Please join us as we continue our end-of-year student celebrations and honors while remaining mindful of the impacted communities and our solemn responsibility for the safety and wellbeing of our children.

Reminder that Carnival Day is tomorrow! Please see the attached flyer for more details!

Mrs. Lusby and Mrs. Ashworth look forward to welcoming our students to the Summer Experience hosted at Blue Ridge in our primary building this summer. Please see the link below to register for the JCS Summer Experience. This is for students that have completed Kindergarten-5th Grade. You will even see some of your favorite Blue Ridge teachers working with us this summer. Please see the link below for more information and to register. https://www.jcswv.org/page/jcs-summer-experience

MAY 6, 2022: Page Jackson Elementary School, the Martin Robison Delany Opportunity Learning Center (OLC), and the JCS Central Office are experiencing a power outage. The incident has not compromised student safety at any location; however, the telephones are inoperable. Students have been moved to centralized locations in an abundance of caution. Telephone services have also been disrupted at Blue Ridge Elementary School, but there is no power outage at that location. All dismissals will continue on schedule. Thank you for your patience as we maintain the safety of our students and staff.

Blue Ridge Elementary students welcomed a special guest on Friday! The West Virginia University Mountaineer, Mary Roush, stopped by to talk about her path to college and what led to her becoming WVU's mascot as a freshman - and only the third female Mountaineer in the school's history. Mountaineer Mary received an enthusiastic greeting from our BRE friends, whose celebration of women's accomplishments inspired the visit!

This week (February 7-11) has been National School Counseling Week, a time to recognize and honor the crucial work performed by school guidance counselors. Shoutout to all JCS counselors for offering our students unconditional guidance, support, and stability all day, every day. We appreciate you!

Please see information below for our 5th grade students that will be attending Harpers Ferry Middle next year as a 6th grader.

Jan. 28, 2022: Due to inclement weather anticipated for this evening, ALL after school activities are cancelled for Jefferson County Schools.

Please see flyer for picture day retake information.

UPDATE Jan. 20, 2022: After careful reevaluation by our operations team, weather conditions show that temperatures continue to fall alongside precipitation, creating unsafe road conditions during our travel times. Therefore, all Jefferson County Schools and offices will be CLOSED today. We want to thank our essential personnel as they continue working to ensure our schools will be ready to safely welcome students back on site.

UPDATE: After a careful reevaluation of road conditions and consultation with the WV Department of Highways, all Jefferson County Schools and offices will regrettably be closed today, Wednesday, January 19, 2022. Essential personnel, please report for continued ice removal. Thank you for your patience as we continue to prioritize the safety of students and staff.

All Jefferson County Schools and offices are CLOSED on Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022. After-school activities are canceled. Essential personnel, please report for snow removal.