Dear Jefferson Families, 

Our first week back from Spring Break was filled with building expectations reviews. Classrooms have been earning BINGO for reviewing and demonstrating school and classroom expectations. Students are doing an excellent job with following expected behavior! We also implemented hall passes after spring break. This is helping us increase our time learning in the classroom. 

As a reminder, our third through fifth grade students will be taking the Wisconsin Forward Exam this week and next. Testing dates and times are listed below. It is important that your child is at school and on time so they can eat and be ready for testing with their class. If you have any questions about the Forward Exam, please reach out to your child's teacher. 

Don't forget that tonight is a PTO sponsored movie night in the gym at 5:30 pm! 

Have a wonderful weekend ahead,

~Mrs. Ashton, Principal

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conScious discipline

Jefferson staff are committed to supporting students socially and emotionally. Staff have spent the last 3 years learning about Conscious Discipline, an adult first model to best support students. Each month we are going to be sharing some tips that staff have been learning and can also be used to support students at home.

Time Machine:

At our spring family night, families had the opportunity to practice using the time machine with scenarios. Conflict is an opportunity to teach missing executive or social-emotional skills. The first step is always to help both parties regain calm. The brain cannot learn while in a state of upset. Once both parties are calm, but while the event is still fresh, coach children in using the Time Machine as follows:

Step 1: Roll back time. Have the participants roll their hands backwards signifying going back in time.

Step 2: Are you willing? Ask for willingness by saying, “Are you willing to have a do-over and solve the problem?” If willing, the victim stands on the “I don’t like it” side of the mat and the aggressor on the other side.

Step 3: Breathing star. Be a S.T.A.R. Everyone Smiles, Takes a deep breath And Relaxes.

Step 4: Tree of hearts. Wish each other well. Everyone places their hands on their hearts and offers well-wishes to each other.

Step 5: 1-2-3. Focus on the goal. The adult chants, “1-2-3,” and the participants respond, “Let’s do it,” to build unity.

Step 6: Sentence starters. Coach the children to use helpful words. Have the victim speak first using the sentence starter printed on the Time Machine. “I don’t like it when you ____. Next time, please______.” Help children reframe their thoughts to show how they want to be treated. Instead of, “Stop it,” teach phrases like, “Next time say, ‘Move please,’ instead of pushing me.”

Step 7: Hearts and globe. Connect to repair the bond and show there are no hard feelings. Participants connect with a handshake, a hug, a high-five, or another symbolic gesture. 

Feel free to try this process at home with problems that arise between siblings! Thanks for committing to support your child socially and emotionally. If you have further questions, feel free to reach out to our school behavior interventionist, Ms. Tigert, rachel.tigert@oshkosh.k12.wi.us

Get Ready for the 2025-26 School Year!

ESPAÑOL | HMOOB | KISWAHILI | عربى | اُردُو | ENGLISH

The Oshkosh Area School District’s Annual Student Update (Enrollment/Registration) for returning K-12 students and for new 4K students will take place April 1 - September 1, 2025. Students must be enrolled by September 1. While the deadline is September 1, we encourage you to complete this process as soon as possible to secure your child's spot for the next school year.

Your child’s school for the 2025-2026 school year will be listed in IC. If you have recently moved or if you were involuntarily transferred due to space limitations at your home school, please be sure to check this as it may be different from where your child is currently attending. 

This annual enrollment process is mandatory, and your student's place at their school will be reserved for the upcoming academic year. You'll update your demographic and contact information through the Infinite Campus (IC) Parent Portal.

Step-by-Step Instructions: CLICK HERE 

Complete the process on your computer, tablet, OR smartphone via the IC app: Campus Parent.

• Mobile Registration: To register on your smartphone, download the app from your device's app center (iPhone - App Store or Android - Google Play), or click these direct links. Be sure to select the "Campus Parent" option - look for this icon: 
  • Download on the App Store
  • Get it on Google Play

Online Portal Access: CLICK HERE to log in to your Infinite Campus (IC) Parent Portal and click the "Online Registration" link (located on the bottom left side of the home screen).

Note: This link will be active/available as of 8 a.m. on April 1, 2025.

Need Help? If you don't have an Infinite Campus Parent Portal account or need to reset your password, complete THIS FORM.

Contact Information: For questions or assistance during the online enrollment process, contact your child's school office or the OASD Administration Office at 920.424.0395.

In-Person Support: If you need in-person assistance, access to a device, or the internet, attend our Central Registration Day at Vel Phillips Middle School on August 6, 2025. More information will be provided in the coming months.

Your child's school will provide additional resources for the 2025-26 school year, including important dates.

Thank you for choosing the Oshkosh Area School District for your student’s educational experience. We look forward to continuing to work with your family to meet your student’s individual needs and provide them with the best education possible.

Attention all 5th Graders Taking Band or Orchestra Next Year!

Please see this flyer for an instrument fitting night for students taking band or orchestra at South Park next year.

Please see this flyer for incoming 6th grade students that are taking orchestra for an opportunity to attend a camp.

Recess with Relatives

After School Dismissal and Parking:This is a friendly reminder to please follow the parking zones around Jefferson Elementary to ensure a safe and streamlined drop-off and pick-up process for all students. Attached is a map outlining the designated parking areas. Minnesota Street is not designated for parking and leaving your vehicle. This is a loading zone only.

Thank you for your attention to this matter!

Reminder: Dressing for the Weather - Outdoor Recess Requirements 

Please help our students remember to come to school appropriate clothing for outdoor recess. Students go outside for two recesses during the day and one before school, unless it is raining, storming, or the temperature drops below 10 degrees.

Here are the guidelines for outdoor attire based on the temperature:

• Below 50 degrees: A coat is required.
• Between 50-60 degrees: Long sleeves are needed.
• 61 degrees and above: Students may choose what they wear (shorts are allowed).

Please ensure your child still has weather appropriate clothing for the cooler spring temperatures. We may not always have cold weather gear available for them to use. 

Jefferson PTOOur next meeting is on April 7th at 5:30 PM in the media center. Please see here for Monday's agenda. Stay up to date on upcoming PTO events on their Facebook page here. 

The PTO plays a vital role in supporting our students through various events and activities, including field trips and school events. We’d love to see you there and share how you can help make a difference!

Field Trips

Your student's "Walking Field Trip" form is now available to be signed in the School Store in Infinite Campus. 

The permission slip will be completed on your parent portal under school store. If you don't have access to your parent portal, please reach out to the office directly. The walking field trip form is needed so that we can complete our ALICE training to our evacuation site, 5th Grade Field Trip to South Park Middle School, all school field trip to South Park, etc. 

Please have this permission field trip signed no later than 

Instructions : Field Trip Sign-Up

A Note from the Office:

Attendance:

All reports of a student absence must go through the office. If your child(ren) are sick multiple days, please let us know each day they are absent.   All communication regarding your student's attendance (appointments, late arrival, early departure, etc.) must go to the office. You can copy in your child's teacher in the email or the office will then pass this information on to the classroom teacher.  Our school secretary's email is: katie.ascher@oshkosh.k12.wi.us and the school phone number is 920.424.0165. Thank you for your help with this important communication.

Free Meals for All Jefferson Students:

Jefferson Elementary is qualified as a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school. What does that mean? Every student at Jefferson can receive a free breakfast and a free lunch each school day, regardless of your family's free/reduced application status! 

For families who qualify, or think they may qualify, we encourage you to still complete the application! Snack milk (served in the classroom) is not part of the CEP program, so if you don't have an approved application on file, your child's snack milk will still be charged. You can apply in the Parent Portal, or contact the office for a paper copy! 

Complete the 2024-2025 Application Online!

• Log into the parent portal to complete the application.
• Instructions on how to fill out the application-English   Spanish   Hmong
• Frequently Asked Questions-English   Spanish    Hmong

Please note that milk taken with cold lunch is charged for all students, regardless of their family's free/reduced status. 

After School Dismissal and Parking:

Please avoid crowding the concrete area right next to door 1, as this can create congestion and make it difficult for all students to exit safely. To ensure a smooth and safe dismissal process for all students, we kindly ask that you wait on the blacktop area for your child after school. Teachers will confirm with your student once they see you and will dismiss them to you directly from there. Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated and helps us maintain a safe environment for everyone.

This is a general reminder about our parking zones around Jefferson Elementary to ensure a safe and streamlined drop-off and pick-up process for all students. Attached is a map outlining the designated parking areas.

• Green Area: You may park in these zones and leave your vehicle to drop off or pick up your student.
• Blue Area: Please refrain from parking here. This area is reserved exclusively for bus loading.
• Yellow Area: This zone is designated for loading only. It should be used briefly for dropping off students. To keep the process efficient, please do not park and wait in this area.

For students who bike to school, a bicycle rack is available. Please make sure your child has a lock to keep their bicycle secure.

Upcoming Jefferson Events

April

• 4/7 - PTO Meeting 5:30 pm in the Media Center
• 4/23 - Recess with Relatives!

May

• 5/7 - Bike to School Day
• 5/5-5/8 - Teacher Appreciation Week

June 

• 6/4 - 5th Grade Promotion

Volunteer Reminders

As a reminder, if you are interested in volunteering by helping in your child's classroom or chaperoning a field trip, you must have a pre-approved volunteer application on file before the volunteering event. Applications are good for 3 years, and are effective for all OASD schools. You can find the application HERE.

Important!: Once you have completed your application, let the office know so that we can request that the application be processed; this does not happen automatically, and can take up to 48 hours, so please plan accordingly! 

Important Information

2024-2025 Jefferson Family Handbook

Pre-Planned Absence Form

2024-2025 Jefferson School Supply List

2024-2025 OASD School Calendar