Classroom News and Updates, August 31
Family Reminder: Elementary Student Dismissal Forms Required
To help keep all students safe, DCPS requires families of elementary students to complete an Elementary Student Dismissal Authorization Form each year. This form identifies the adults who are authorized to pick up your child and/or indicates whether your child has permission to self-dismiss.
Self-dismissal means a student leaves school grounds at the end of the day without an adult, either by traveling home alone or being dismissed to an older authorized student, such as a sibling.
Important: Beginning in School Year 2026-2027, EVERY elementary student (PK-5) must have a completed dismissal form on file by the first day of school. Families must submit a separate form for each child.
Forms can be completed electronically and submitted to the school, or families may pick up a paper copy in the main office. Electronic submission should be sent to paula.kirby@k12.dc.gov.
The subject should say - Dismissal Form - Grade XX (XX should indicate your child's grade). This will aid us with form organization.
DCPS Student Dismissal Website
School Operation Hours:
School hours are 8:45 AM to 3:23 PM, Monday through Friday. Instruction will begin promptly at 8:45 AM, so please ensure students arrive on time and ready to learn. Family pick up will begin at 3: 20 pm.
Early Dismissal: Please notify the main office if your child is dismissed early (e.g., before 3:15 p.m.). Parents/guardians will need to sign your child out upon dismissal.
Student Arrival and Entry:
To ensure a safe and orderly start to each day, please follow the designated arrival locations and times for your child’s grade level: Elementary (Grades K–5): Students will enter through the East Entrance near the School’s Café/24th Street front entrance. Doors open at 8:30 AM.
Attendance Policy:
Your child’s regular prompt attendance at school is crucial to their success. Please send your child to school daily and ensure they are on time. A written note must be provided if your child is out for an excusable reason. A written note may be submitted via email. All written notices must be dated, include the reason for absence, and specify the dates your child was or will be out of school. Please submit documentation to the SWWFS Attendance Point of Contact, Dawn Vest (dawn.vest@k12.dc.gov), and Ms. Watson (rahshita.lowe-watson@k12.dc.gov
Home and School Association Membership (HSA)
Please consider supporting the Home and School Association (HSA) and participating in school-wide functions sponsored by our parent/family board and faculty. Please see our HSA website for more information.
Home and School Association (HSA) Room Parent(s):
As we prepare for the new school year, we are looking for parents/guardians who are interested in serving as Room Parents and helping us strengthen communication and support within our school community. We are seeking two Room Parents per classroom.
Room Parents will serve as liaisons between teachers/school staff and other parents and guardians. They may assist with communicating classroom or grade-level needs and coordinating parent support for supplies, donations, field trips, special activities, celebrations, and other needs throughout the school year.
Room Parent Interest Form: Room Parent Sign up Here
DCPS Volunteer Clearance
Here is the link to the DCPS clearance process. If interested in supporting our class through volunteering or chaperoning this school year, please be sure to complete the requirements!
JFEC Community Handbook
Our 2026-2027 community handbook can be found Here and on our school's website at https://www.johnfrancisec.org/. Important school information and expectations are conveniently available in this digital book for your access.
JFEC 2026 Back to School Night Event:
Back to School Night for grades K-5 will take place on Wednesday, September 9th at 5:30pm.
Please see this flyer for more information.
Beginning-of-Year (BOY) Assessments:
Data will be shared upon grade-level completion.
More information about kindergarten testing can be found on the Home page of our digital newsletter.
iReady ELA Assessment—On September 2nd, Students will complete the beginning-of-year iReady ELA assessment. This adaptive (online) assessment identifies students' phonological awareness, vocabulary, and reading comprehension skills.
iReady Math Assessment—Students will complete the beginning-of-year iReady math assessment on September 10th. This adaptive (online) assessment determines students' current understanding of Kindergarten math topics and will be used to plan and adjust instruction based on individual student's needs.
DIBELS Assessment, ongoing throughout September—DIBELS is a quick assessment that determines students' foundational reading skills, such as phonemic awareness, alphabetic principle, accuracy, and fluency. It will take place over the next four weeks.
Uniforms:
Pre-K—5th graders should wear a black polo shirt, khaki bottoms (e.g., pants, skirts, shorts), khaki jumper dresses, and closed-toe shoes. Children should always wear closed-toe dress shoes or sneakers for safety, and sneakers should be worn on Physical Education days. Our Physical Education days this semester are Monday and Tuesday each week.
Wonders Before & After School Care:
Please visit our school's website, www.swwfs.org, under the "For Parents" tab, for Wonder's before and after-care services. Care programming includes supervised activities, instructional homework help, arts and crafts, and tons of other fun and play opportunities. Program Director: Stephanie Dyson Phone: (240) 274-0508 Email: johnfrancis@wonderslearning.org
Classroom Newsletter:
Our digital classroom newsletter will be sent bi-weekly. The newsletter will include learning goals,
curriculum information, online learning details, our class schedule, classroom activities, updates, reminders,
upcoming dates, field trip information, pictures of your child engaged in school lessons, and more. Our
newsletter will be shared on Monday unless it falls on a holiday or a no-school day, in which case it will be
shared on the next business day.
Kindergarten Homework:
Homework will begin the end of September, after beginning of year testing . Students will receive (1) math practice and (2) a reading log. Homework will be sent home on Monday. Please return homework assignments by the following Monday. If Monday is a Non-School Day, homework will be sent on the next school day. Homework aims to review, reinforce, and practice skills presented in class. It helps children learn self-discipline and allows them to take responsibility for their learning. Homework allows you to see what is being learned in school.
Take-Home Folders:
Each child received a Blue Take-Home Folder. This folder will include items such as homework, assessments, school notices, and important reminders. Please be sure to go through your child’s Take-Home Folder every day after school and return it with any required forms or notices as soon as possible.
Student Celebrations & Birthdays:
At JFEC, we love celebrating special milestones with our students! To ensure a safe, enjoyable, and
well-organized experience for everyone, please review the following guidelines for classroom
celebrations:
Celebration Time
Celebrations may take place after 2:30 p.m. only.
Approved Treats
Store-bought, pre-packaged snacks or bakery items from commercial establishments are permitted.
Homemade food items are not permitted due to food safety considerations.
All snacks must be nut-free, including peanuts, tree nuts, and products with potential cross-contamination.
Please keep portions modest. A small treat to share is more than enough!
Advance Notification Required
Parents/guardians must notify their child's teacher(s) at least one week in advance of any planned celebration.
I will then coordinate with school leadership and security to ensure all safety procedures are followed.
Thank you for helping us create memorable celebrations while maintaining a safe and welcoming learning environment for all students! JFEC Administration
Classroom Rules and Expectations:
Here at JFEC, we strive to promote academic excellence as well as stellar behavior. School
rules include the 5 R’s, which will be reiterated to students daily. Please talk with your child
about our school’s expectations.
5 R’s:
1. Respect for Self.
2. Respect for Others.
3. Respect for Property.
4. Respect the Rights of Others to Learn.
5. Respect for Racial Differences.
We also live by the 7 Habits of Happy Kids
*Habit 1, Be Proactive – (You’re in Charge of Your Actions, Attitudes, and Moods)
*Habit 2, Begin with the End in Mind – (Have a Plan and Set Goals)
*Habit 3, Put First Things First – (Work First, Then Play)
*Habit 4, Think Win-Win – (It’s Not Just About You, Everyone Can Win)
*Habit 5, Seek First to Understand, then to be Understood – (Listen Before You Talk)
*Habit 6, Synergize – (Working Together is Better)
*Habit 7, Sharpen the Saw – (Balance Feels Best)