Message from Principal:

Dear JDES Families,

As we head into Thanksgiving week, we are excited for several special events planned for our students. On Monday and Tuesday, classes will be participating in Field Day and our annual “Balloons Over Broadway” celebration.  These two joyful traditions bring our school community together through creativity, teamwork, and fun. On Tuesday, we’ll wrap up the day with a schoolwide celebration as our fundraiser winners take part in the silly string Mr. Saeva and pie-in-the-face Miss Godwin activities. It’s always a favorite moment for students and a wonderful way to head into the break with lots of laughter and joy.

This season always reminds us how grateful we are for our JDES families. Thank you for your partnership, your support, and the trust you place in us each day. It is truly an honor to serve this community and to walk alongside your children as they grow, learn, and discover their potential.

A quick reminder that next week is a short week: school will be in session Monday and Tuesday only, and will be closed Wednesday–Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday.

We hope the upcoming break brings your family rest, joy, and meaningful time together. From all of us at JDES, we wish you a warm, safe, and very Happy Thanksgiving!

With appreciation during this season of gratitude,
Caroline Godwin, Principal

Upcoming Events:

🏅 Field Days

• K–2 Field Day – Monday, Nov. 24

• 3–5 Field Day – Tuesday, Nov. 25
  These are exciting, activity-filled days for our students to enjoy games, teamwork, and outdoor fun.

🎈 Balloons Over Broadway Book Study Celebration – Tuesday, Nov. 25 ~ 9:30am ~ Bus Loop
Our K students will celebrate their book study with a special “Balloons Over Broadway” event. It’s a wonderful way to highlight reading, creativity, and student engagement! 

This is a fun and festive outdoor event inspired by the famous Thanksgiving Day parade! 

🔹 Parents/guardians will not be entering the building.

🔹 Parents will be standing outside around the bus loop.

🔹 The Heritage Pep band will be on campus supporting us at the picnic tables playing  
      for the event. 

🦃 Thanksgiving Holidays – Wednesday–Friday, Nov. 26–28
There will be no school in observance of Thanksgiving. We wish all our families a safe and joyful Thanksgiving holiday!

Angel Tree Update:

Thank you so much for your support. Our Angel Tree sign up is full thanks to many of our generous contributors!  Many, Many Thanks!  Please bring your labeled wrapped gifts back on or before December 5th and thank you in advance for your support!

November resources are in for the P2 Project.  We are excited that Jones Dairy Elementary students and staff will be integrating The Positivity Project (P2) into our daily activities this school year!  Please look at this letter, if you have not already, to learn more about the project and to see resources.  We will send out resources monthly so that you can partner with us at home.  Please see the November Resources at this link.

Please take a moment to read the PTA November Newsletter linked here.

*FREE EVENT opportunity on December 4th organized by the WCPSS Family Academy*

5:00pm -7:30pm
Neuse River Middle School at
2700 Old Milburnie Rd, Raleigh NC 27604

• All are welcome.

• Registration is suggested to help with dinner planning

• Open to high school, middle school, and elementary

• students.

• Parents and guardians welcome.

• Access to resources and mental health experts.

• Dinner is included.

• Families from all across Wake County are welcome.

• Sessions will be held in English and Spanish.

FIELD DAY UPDATE:

See parent information regarding Field Day events.  If you have questions, please reach out directly to Mrs. Pennington.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xGRcjDsdBfA-HIPzYV631587VVgnVvbLug8d9uSZlTs/edit?usp=sharing

On your field day, if students buy a school lunch it will be a bag lunch.  

Reminders:

• If your child is not going to ride an outside provider bus home, please make sure the provider and the teacher are aware to ensure safety and avoid miscommunication with transportation.  This includes YMCA, Kids Ed, and Big Blue Marble.

• Volunteer applications with WCPSS must have been updated by October 31, 2025.  If your application was not updated, you will be required to complete a new application.  See this link for more information.

• Cold and flu season is upon us. If your student is not feeling well, please email the attendance email and keep them home until they are fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medicine.  This will help all students stay healthy!

• If you know of a family member or friend with a rising kindergartener, the registration window is now open.  Tell your friends and families to complete the online application.  Registration has begun for the 2026-2027 school year!

• Please consider following Jones Dairy on our social media sites.  Click on this link for QR codes to our Facebook and Instagram accounts.

• When submitting an absence to the attendance email, attendance453@wcpss.net, please include in the subject line your student's full name, track and teacher.  Remember to include the reason for the absence and/or attach your doctor's note for documentation.

• Exciting news!  2025-2026 Yearbooks are for sale!  Don't miss out on the early bird special!  More information to order your child's yearbook is at the following link:  https://tinyurl.com/bdhp7z8y