Sydnor Jennings Elementary

🌱🌸 Growing Into Our Own Beautiful Selves! 🌸🌱

After reading Mrs. Spitzer’s Garden, our scholars discussed how, just like flowers in a garden, every person is unique and special in their own way. They then used their imaginations to pretend they were tiny seeds, slowly growing as they received rain and warm rays of sunshine. ☀️🌧️

Before long, our little seeds blossomed into beautiful flowers—each one as unique and wonderful as the scholar who created it! 🌷💛

✏️ Learning, Creating & Celebrating in Kindergarten! 🎉

After learning about school expectations and reading about school experiences, the kindergarten scholars in Mrs. Cash’s class put their listening and following-directions skills to the test by creating edible pencils! ✏️🍪 They had fun following each step to bring their tasty creations to life—and, of course, eating them was the best part! 😋

What a fun and delicious way to learn! 💛

🔷 Exploring Plane Shapes with Pattern Blocks! 🔶

Our scholars had fun exploring plane shapes using pattern blocks! Through hands-on learning, they identified, combined, and created different shapes while building their understanding of shape attributes. Learning math is even more meaningful when scholars can touch, build, and explore! 📐✨

🤖📐 Learning Shapes with Ozobots! 📐🤖

Scholars in Mrs. Benson’s first grade class took their learning to the next level by using Ozobots to explore shapes and their attributes! Through hands-on coding and problem-solving, scholars identified shapes, examined their characteristics, and used technology to demonstrate their understanding.

What a fun way to combine math, coding, and creativity! 🌟💻🔷

🌟 My Future Is Bright in First Grade! 🌟

Our first grade scholars are dreaming big and discovering the power of choosing a word to guide their year! Inspired by One Word for Kids by Jon Gordon, our scholars selected a meaningful word to represent who they want to be and the goals they hope to achieve.

✨ From kindness and courage to confidence and success, these bright young minds are already thinking about the future and the person they want to become. Their futures are BRIGHT, and we can't wait to see their one word shine throughout the school year! 💛📚🌟

🌟 21st Century Shining Stars After-School Program! 🌟

We are excited to offer our scholars a FREE after-school program Tuesday–Thursday from 3:15–5:15 p.m.! The program includes hands-on STEM activities, homework support and tutoring, academic enrichment, character and social development, community guests, and fun physical activities. Dinner and transportation are also provided! 📚🚌🍽️

Parents/guardians, please complete and return the application for your child to participate in this wonderful opportunity. If you need a new application, please reach out to your child’s teacher.

We look forward to helping our scholars learn, grow, and shine! ⭐💚

Imagine a future where every career choice lights the way to purpose and prosperity. On Thursday, August 27th at 5:30 PM, join us at Halifax County High School for an exclusive screening of MULTIPLE CHOICE - a powerful film exploring the impact of career-based learning.

This isn’t just a movie night. It’s a chance to engage in a dynamic community discussion that could shape the future of career-connected education and workforce preparation in Halifax County and the greater region.

This event is FREE, but advance registration is required.

Click here to register:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pathways-to-purpose-and-prosperity-tickets-1993851743237?aff=odeccpebemailcampaigns&utm_source=eventbrite&utm_medium=ebcampaigns&utm_campaign=55724631&utm_term=ctabutton&mipa=ABIdvVu2vch0CnIuRAGzaTdG0WjgHKyPBvc5PPZUpEf1XwfowFcoBseJeLyYe-YbfdSjX3-lMbbIelgsGmTa83ZScCYtVPpAjfMQEvYJZQSR-ywruSIdLazwCxeQ9bR2crflNRna3WMrURGCruPUMKDtfK8ZjTIMxU5KQxFyHn2zi-oSYjOMna66jGji0fvheo5pAijD8bzjMyugOKOOvgARJdzyNwYfNspqzO1e3iVroQv9ziZfQn91_VlTRMImQxGE979zKKcMePbt5Vg-NNBajueDIDytsw&fbclid=IwY2xjawTxlp9wZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMThsalZjTHo1VGpTb05uM0pzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeqAwlLZymFkx9BkalsgbGTmPxvirn1BzLDpg05HKqW0K5QyEljXWe8-YSvAY_aem_gEoZ-bl1jlKMoEuJWDc8Gw

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to be part of the conversation, and feel free to share this invitation with others who are invested in the success of students and economic development in Southern Virginia. Reserve your spot today and take the first step toward unlocking new pathways for our youth.

Guests will enjoy a complimentary reception with light hors d’oeuvres and beverages prepared by HCHS culinary arts students.

Watch the trailer below for a sneak preview!
https://youtu.be/wroL0kvYJLs

🍳☕ Breakfast for Our Amazing Staff! 💙🐯

We kicked off the new school year by celebrating the incredible staff members who make Sydnor Jennings Elementary School such a special place! A delicious breakfast was provided to help fuel our team as we prepare for another year of learning, growing, and inspiring our scholars.

A special THANK YOU to our Sydnor Jennings PTO for providing breakfast and helping us start the school year with full hearts and full stomachs! Your kindness and support mean so much to our staff and school community. 💙

We appreciate you, PTO, for all you do to support our Tigers! 🐯✨

📚✨ Welcome Back, Sydnor Jennings Scholars! ✨📚

The halls of Sydnor Jennings are once again filled with smiles, excitement, and the energy of a brand-new school year! 🐯💙 We are so excited to welcome our scholars back and look forward to a year filled with learning, growth, friendship, and unforgettable moments.

Here’s to a fantastic new school year, Tigers! Let’s make it our best one yet! 🎉📚🐯

We are excited to announce a new, easy way for families to report student absences using the Infinite Campus parent portal.

Parents and guardians can use the Absence Request tool to submit a request that informs the office in advance when their student is not going to be in school. After the request is processed, Campus creates an attendance record for the student.

1. On the Campus Portal, click on the main menu icon (3 lines)
2. Click on More and then Absence Request
3. Mark the student for whom you are submitting the absence request.
4. Select the reason the student will be absent from the Excuse dropdown list.
5. Select the Absence Type.
6. Enter the date(s) for the absence.
7. Upload any optional/required documents. Only one document is allowed per request and it will be attached to every student in the request.
8. Enter Comments about the absence reason.


Click on the link for directions with screenshots

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vgJE_yjPCvXLnldZ2X4CajNEpRYsBdc4/view?usp=sharing

🚌 BACK TO SCHOOL SAFETY ALERT 🚌

School will be back in session on Wednesday! With more buses, walking students, and excited drivers on Halifax County roads, let’s all do our part to keep our kids and community safe.

Here are a few quick safety reminders for your morning and afternoon commute:

🛑 Stop for school buses
Yellow lights flashing: Slow down and prepare to stop.

Red lights & stop arm extended: Traffic in BOTH directions must come to a complete stop until the arm is retracted.

Railroad crossings: Buses are required by law to stop at all railroad tracks—give them plenty of room!

🚗 Watch for new teen drivers: High school routes will have newly licensed student drivers on the road. Be patient, avoid tailgating, and allow extra space around school entrances.

🚸 Slow down in school zones: Obey posted speed limits, watch for crossing guards, and NEVER pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk.

📱 Put the phone away: Distracted driving is dangerous driving. Keep your eyes on the road, especially around neighborhoods and bus stops.

⏰ Plan ahead: Add 10–15 extra minutes to your morning drive to account for bus routes and school traffic.

Let’s keep Halifax County safe this school year!

Help with Parent Portal

🍎 August 🍎

Back to School

Set Up for Success

Tip:
🍎Before school starts, set clear screen time limits and create a simple daily routine: homework first, then limited screen use. Keep devices in shared spaces during school nights and avoid screens during meals and before bed.

Why it matters:
🍎Too much unstructured screen time can impact focus, behavior, and learning habits—especially at the start of the school year when routines are forming. Excessive screen use can also lead to decreased attention span, difficulty transitioning to tasks, and disrupted sleep.

Pro Tip:
🍎Start small and stay consistent. Even simple routines like “no screens before school” or “devices off 1 hour before bed” can make a big difference in your child’s focus and mood.

Try This at Home:
🍎Create a simple family tech routine chart (morning, after school, bedtime) and post it on the fridge so expectations are clear and consistent.

🦅 Building Digital Independence 🦅
Summer is the perfect time for kids to spread their wings — both outdoors and online! Help your child build digital independence by teaching simple, confidence-boosting tech skills they can use safely on their own.

✨ Tech Tip:
Show your child how to handle small tech challenges before asking for help. Practice things like:

Restarting a frozen device or app

Connecting to Wi-Fi

Downloading updates safely

Using search tools to find answers responsibly

These moments empower them to problem-solve and think critically, while you still keep a caring, watchful eye.

💡 Pro Tip:
Praise effort over perfection! When your child figures something out independently — even a small task — celebrate it. Building confidence with technology prepares them for school, work, and life.

🌐 Helpful Website/App:
Code.org – www.code.org
Engage your child in fun, free coding games that strengthen logic, creativity, and problem-solving skills.

💬 Remember:
Just like learning to ride a bike, digital independence takes practice, patience, and guidance. The goal isn’t to remove support — it’s to raise safe, capable, and confident digital citizens! 🦅

**Shaping the Future One Masterpiece at a Time** 🎨✨

Sydnor Jennings Elementary scholars had the opportunity to present at the school board meeting and share highlights from an incredible year of learning and growth. Through personal stories and reflections on their favorite school experiences, students showcased the achievements, memories, and opportunities that helped shape their futures. Their presentations were a wonderful example of how Sydnor Jennings is truly *Shaping the Future One Masterpiece at a Time*.

Scholars in Mrs. Cash's Kindergarten class at Sydnor Jennings enjoyed making their own bubble wands and used them to blow bubbles after reading the magical story, "Bubble, Bubble" by Mercer Mayer. Special thanks to Mrs. Benson for sharing the fun unit with us!

Stop by and pick up a brick from the old high school on Thursday, June 4, 2026 from 9:00 AM- 4:00 PM.

🏖️ June🏖️ Tech-Tip
Shore’ Up Your Security on Vacation!

The Tip:
🌞Your child may ask to connect their phone or tablet to “free Wi-Fi” while traveling—but not all networks are safe. Public Wi-Fi at beaches, hotels, or restaurants can sometimes be fake or unsecured. When possible, use your family’s hotspot or wait until you’re on a trusted network.

Why it matters:
🌞Hackers can use public Wi-Fi to see activity on a device or trick users into joining look-alike networks. This can put personal information, logins, and accounts at risk—especially for kids who may not recognize the warning signs.

Pro Tip:
🌞Turn off “Auto-Join Wi-Fi” so devices don’t automatically connect to unknown networks. Also remind your child not to enter passwords or personal information while on public Wi-Fi.

Parent Connection:
🌞Before traveling, talk through a simple rule: “We only connect to Wi-Fi we trust.” Show your child how to check network names carefully—some fake networks are designed to look like real ones.

Helpful Resource for Families:
👉 https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/using-public-wi-fi-networks-safely

This guide explains how public Wi-Fi works and simple steps families can take to stay safe while traveling.

Try This at Home:

Check your child’s device settings and turn off auto-join Wi-Fi
Practice identifying a “safe” vs. “suspicious” network name
Set up and test your mobile hotspot before your trip
Create a family rule for when and how devices can connect
Conversation Starter:
“If you saw two Wi-Fi networks that looked almost the same, how would you decide which one is safe?”

Please click on the link to view the summer school bus routes.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zyyp-uias8wsDsI4y1d0Su7jpRBydsXY/view?usp=sharing