Change is in the Air, Jansen Ave. to Close
As winter dissipates and spring emerges, we all prepare for a new season in life. Following months of study, the Board of Education voted unanimously on March 26 to close the Jansen Avenue Elementary School building at the end of the 2008-09 school year. And so we begin preparations for a new season in the Johnstown school community.

Each year, our students say good-bye to one grade level and move on to another. Our pre-kindergarteners say good-bye to their classroom at Warren Street School and move on to new classes and perhaps to new buildings; our sixth graders say good-bye to their elementary building and move on to Knox Junior High; our eighth graders say good-bye to Knox and move on to Johnstown High School; our seniors say good-bye to high school and move on to college or to work. Almost every year, some member of our staff says good-bye and moves on to retirement. Change is an inevitable and ongoing part of life.

At the close of the 2008-09 school year, our Jansen students and staff will say good-bye to their building and relocate to other schools in the district. While it will bring a touch of sadness, it also brings the opportunity for new adventure, with new classroom space to set up, new hallways to traverse and new friendships to be forged.

Over the next several weeks, the Board of Education and school administrators will work to establish new attendance boundaries in the district. While all of Jansen’s population will find themselves in new surroundings at the start of the 2009-10 school year, some students from other buildings may be relocated as well. For many children, change is exciting; it is a chance to learn and grow. For some, change can bring a touch of apprehension. Be sure to communicate with your children and attempt to ease their minds. If you think your child is having a problem accepting the idea of change, please speak to his or her teacher.

We encourage all students, parents, staff and community members to look for positive ways to embrace this transition. If we come together, share together and work together, we will succeed together.

Restructuring: Educational Impact Statement Filed
The 15-member Citizens Advisory Restructuring Committee, formed in accordance with Education Law Section 402-a to investigate the impact of closing a building in the Greater Johnstown School District, filed its Educational Impact Statement with the Board of Education on March 6, 2009. The full report may be viewed online by clicking the link provided above (note: this is a large file which may take some time to download). Photocopies are also available at all school buildings in the district.

Physical Education Student Leader Awards
In a ceremony at Hudson Valley Community College on May 4, 24 Greater Johnstown School District students were recognized by the Capital Zone of the New York State Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance with the Sandy Morley Physical Education Leadership Award. Click here to read more.
 

PTA Carnival Brings Big Smiles
The Jansen Avenue PTA graciously hosted our annual school carnival on March 6. It was a fun-filled night of play, face painting, friendship and treats! Many families came out to try their hand at a variety of games of skill and chance. Boys and girls went home with great prizes and big smiles on their faces. A great time was had by all! Click here to enjoy carnival photos.


 

Visitors Travel the Globe during Art Show & Basket Auction
Happy families strolled through world themed exhibits to admire student art work at the Jansen Avenue Art Show & Basket Auction on March 25. Upon arrival at each continent, visitors were greeted by a customs official who stamped their passports. Guests were also treated to trays of hors d'oeuvres served by student ambassadors.

As part of the event, boys and girls were also able to create delicious and edible artwork using frosting and various delectable candies at a decorate your own cookie station.

In preparation for the Basket Auction portion of the evening, each class voted on and created a basket for the auction. The clever and eye-catching themes included coffee, Italian food specialties and camping, just to name a few. One lucky winner even took home a basket containing a money tree! Without a doubt, the baskets were all big hits and a great time was had by all! Click here to see art show photos.

Sixth Graders Make "Paws-itive" Impact
The sixth graders at Jansen Avenue recently collected money, dog food, cat food, toys and cleaning supplies for the James A. Brennan Humane Society. Exercising values from the Six Pillars of Character, the students demonstrated caring and citizenship by taking the time to get involved and showing compassion for furry friends in need!

Kindergarteners Construct New Housing for Holidays
As part of their holiday festivities, Mrs. Miller's kindergarten students recently enjoyed building a gingerbread house. Click here to see photos of the smiling students next to the finished and frosted candy-covered abode, which can comfortably accommodate several gingerbread family members!

Jansen Avenue Elementary School Selected to Receive National Honor
U.S. Department of Education Secretary Margaret Spellings announced on September 9 that the Greater Johnstown School District’s Jansen Avenue Elementary School has been named a 2008 No child Left Behind-Blue Ribbon School. Only 320 schools from 45 states are receiving the honor, which recognizes public and private K-12 schools that either score in the top 10 percent on state assessments, or make dramatic gains in student performance on state assessments when at least 40 percent of the students are from disadvantaged backgrounds. Jansen Avenue has been selected as a school in the top 10 percent of New York State with at least 40 percent of its students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Read More

Jansen Selected as One of the Top 19 Schools in New York State to Make Significant Academic Progress
What does this mean? The U.S. Department of Education has established the “No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon Schools Program” to honor schools that are academically superior or make dramatic gains in student achievement. “Dramatically improving schools improved the performance of all students to high levels in reading (language arts or English) and mathematics on state assessments.” The Department of Education decides how many schools each state may nominate. For 2008, only 19 New York State schools have been selected to apply for this honor – and the Greater Johnstown School District’s Jansen Avenue Elementary is one of them! Read More

Jansen Gets a New Look
	Jansen's Student Council voted to make our entrance a little more friendly.
Using a design created by the JACD, the students, together with advisor Mr. Westman and co-advisors, Mrs. Sitts & Ms. Vazal, did an outstanding job!