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Mrs. Theresa Licitra
PRINCIPAL MESSAGE May 3, 2025
Good afternoon, Johnson Families:
The blooms of May are in the air as we enjoy longer days and warmer days. To celebrate Arbor Day and Earth Day, our Kindergarteners planted a tree outside our main entrance and filled the afternoon with song, books and poems as Ms. Engel, Ms. Scrofini and Ms. Barlow’s classes presented a tree planting assembly to our first and second graders.
Next week is Teacher Appreciation Week and we cannot thank our teachers, our paras, and all of our support staff in all departments for the amazing job they do each and every day. To recognize our entire staff, our PTO and I have worked to arrange special events for them each day next week, such as lunches, breakfasts, snacks and more. We had some fun ideas and suggestions, if you need, to share with you to acknowledge your teachers each day:
Monday: A poem or note - Thank you for your inspiration!
Tuesday: A flower - You make us blossom!
Wednesday: A cookie - Thanks for making us smart cookies!
Thursday: A sweet treat - For all the sweet things you do!
Friday: A card or heart - You have our heart!
Next week is also NJSLA Testing for learners in Grades 3, 4, 5 on Tuesday and Wednesday (May 6 & 7). Be sure your child gets plenty of rest and comes to school on time. Also remember our dismissal schedule and PM bus drop off times. Students who are returned to school due to a parent/guardian not being at the bus stop, or walker students who are not picked up before 3:30, will incur a fee imposed by the Child Care Department, as per district procedure.
It is also important to note that we are in allergy and pollen season, and some learners have reactions to this seasonal weather. Keep this in mind as our Field Days for Grades K-5 and Class Trips are scheduled in May and June. If your child cannot participate, please contact the classroom teacher directly.
Some important dates to calendar:
MONDAY - May 12: SHORTENED DAY - Dismissal is at 1:30
TUESDAY - June 10: Grade 5 Moves Up: 10AM
TUESDAY - June 10: Grade 4 Moves Up: 12PM
May the 4th be with you!
Enjoy Cinco de Mayo!
A happy and healthy Mother’s Day to all!
Yours in Education,
Theresa Licitra, Principal
PRINCIPAL MESSAGE May 3, 2025
Yours in Education,
Theresa Licitra, Principal
October 2024 Principal Message
Dear Johnson Families:
We can’t believe that it is almost October and subtle changes can be felt in the cool, crisp air! As we look forward to the abundance of color and fall foliage that autumn brings ~ we are excited to share that things are going wonderfully at the Johnson School! Our Back to School Nights were a huge success and we were delighted to see so many families visit our school. Copies of the presentations can be viewed on the Johnson School Web Page. Our PTO continues to support our learners and our school community: They welcomed us with such creative “SideWalk Chalk Art” on the first day of school; we had our first PTO meeting on 9/23 showcasing the Picnic with the Principal and Scholastic Book Fair Night. Thank you to all who were able to attend - the families certainly had a wonderful time breaking bread together and joining in the outdoor playground. Our PTO Bingo Night - on Friday, October 18th, is just around the corner - and we are excited to say that we are SOLD OUT! Thanks to all for your support in purchasing tickets and also in donating items for school-wide baskets - and for joining our PTO! Your involvement helps support them, our learners, and all of the things they bring and provide to our school. The welcome back ‘red folders’ are just a sample of the great things they do for our kids! Our October PTO meeting has been rescheduled to November 2024. We hope you can join us.
Please remember to discuss playground safety with your child. We have two playground areas that learners in PreK-Grade 5 use during recess. Reminding your child to be careful when using the apparatus (such as the spin around, the rock wall, and the seesaw swing) will help to prevent injuries and also make the experience positive for all.
Food allergies are monitored in the lunchroom and separate areas are designated for those students in need. It is important that you remind your child not to share their food with anyone and not to accept food from their classmates and/or friends. Children are generous and the lunchroom is a social experience; however, ensuring the safety of your child and all of our learners is our utmost priority. Please be sure to speak to your child and let them know that for their safety and the safety of others, food items of any kind cannot be shared. Thank you for your collaboration and attention to this.
Important Information to NOTE and CALENDAR
Schools will be CLOSED for all students on:
Thursday, October 3
Friday, October 4
Monday, October 14
October 7 is Respect Week and October 21 is Safe Schools Week! Our Guidance Department has many things planned in order to engage our learners and continue to foster strong ties within our school and its community. Visit our school website for information about school wide initiatives. Our Staff and Students are excited and looking forward to these activities, school spirit days, and PTO sponsored events. Thanks to all of your support for our first BINGO NIGHT which will be on Friday, October 18th. The time, dedication, perserverance, and generosity of our Johnson families, students, staff and PTO made this all possible - a great fundraising event for all!! Thanks from all of us! Just a reminder: Our October PTO has been canceled. The PTO will meet again in November as scheduled. Halloween is on Thursday, October 31st. We plan to have the annual Johnson School Halloween Day Parade (weather permitting) - from 10am to 10:30am for grades PreK to Grade 5. The PTO “Trunk or Treat” event is on THURSDAY - OCTOBER 24th. Check out the PTO page on our website for more information. Please plan to join us ~ the PTO supports our school in so many ways. Come and get involved in any way you can - together we make a difference.
Info regarding the Johnson School’s annual METAvivor fund drive will be shared next week.
Picture Day is Thursday, October 10th.
Back to School Annual Forms - are due.
Parents/Guardians will NOT be able to access the Portal, schedule a conference, and/or review report cards or attendance if these forms are not completed. Please log onto your Parent Portal Today! Call us if you need assistance.
Parent / Teacher conferences will be held beginning November 4.
Additional information from your child’s teacher will be coming in the next few weeks in order to assist you to sign up for an in person or virtual conference.
November 4th will be the EVENING Parent Conference Night.
Remember that there are shortened days on November 4, 5 and 6th.
Lunch will be served.
Dismissal and all parent picks up are at/or before 1:40pm. Please keep in mind the district policy for students who are not in after care or are brought back by transportation. There is a fee - see Student Handbook for information regarding this district procedure. Please be sure to mark your calendars and make arrangements, if needed, for your students for this shortened day’s dismissal.
School will be CLOSED for all students on:
Thursday, November 7
Friday, November 8
A happy month to all!
Yours in teaching and learning,
Theresa Licitra
Principal
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Estimadas amilias de Johnson :
Es difícil de creer que ya se está llegando el mes de Octubre, ya se pueden sentir ligeros cambios en el aire fresco. Mientras esperamos la abundancia de colores en el follage que nos trae el otoño. Estamos muy contentos de contarles que las cosas están yendo maravillosamente bien en la escuela de Johnson ! Nuestras Noches de Regreso a Clase fueron un éxito y estamos encantados de ver que tantas familias visitaron nuestra escuela, copias de las presentaciones pueden ser encontradas en la página escolar de Johnson (Johnson school web page). Nuestra PTO continúa ayudando a nuestra comunidad, nos recibieron con una creativa pieza de arte pintada en el piso el primer día de clases. Nuestra primera junta de PTO fue el 23 de Septiembre donde se llevó a cabo el día de campo con la Principal y la venta de libros ( Book Fair Night) gracias a todos los que asistieron- las familias la pasaron maravillosamente compartiendo juntos y jugando al aire libre.. Nuestra Noche de Bingo de la PTO será el 18 de Octubre- está a la vuelta de la esquina y estamos muy contentos de contarles que ya casi lo hemos vendido completamente ! Gracias a todos quienes ayudaron comprando tickets y también donando artículos para nuestras canastas escolares y por unirse a nuestra PTO y ser parte de la ayuda que mantiene a nuestros estudiantes y todos los artículos que le proveen a nuestra escuela. Los folders rojos de bienvenida son una muestra de las grandes cosas que hacen por nuestros niños !Visítenos en nuestra próxima reunión de PTO por el día a las 9:30 am el 21 de Octubre en el IMC. Recuerde hablar con sus hijos sobre cómo tener cuidado a la hora del receso cuando usan los juegos para prevenir accidentes. Las alergias de comida son monitoreadas a la hora del lonche pero es importante que le recuerde a sus hijos que no acepten comida de sus compañeros para asegurar el bienestar de todos los estudiantes. Gracias por su colaboración y atención .
Información Importante de Calendario
Las escuelas estarán cerradas para todos los estudiantes : Jueves 3 de Octubre Viernes 4 de Octubre
Lunes 14 de OCtubre
Octubre 7 es semana de Respeto y Octubre 21 es semana Escolar Segura Nuestro departamento de Guía y Consejería tiene muchas cosas planeadas para atraer y enganchar a nuestros estudiantes y continuar fomentando lazos fuertes en nuestra escuela y su comunidad. Visite nuestra página escolar para información de iniciativas a nivel escolar. Nuestro personal y estudiantes están muy contentos en espera de estas actividades, Días de Espíritu Escolar y eventos patrocinados por la PTO .Halloween es el Jueves 31 de Octubre. Planeamos tener nuestro Desfile de Halloween de cada año ( si el clima coopera) más información será comunicada conforme nos vamos acercando a la fecha.. El evento de “ Trunk or Treat ” de PTO será el Viernes 25 de Octubre hagan lo posible por asistir, unidos hacemos una gran diferencia..
Dia de Fotografias sera el Jueves 10 de Octubre
Los formularios anuales deben ser completados .Los padres no tendrán acceso al Portal de Padres para agendar cita para la junta de Padres/ Maestros si no han completado los formularios.. ¡Favor de entrar al Portal de Padres hoy ! Si necesita ayuda puede llamar a la escuela..
Conferencias de Padres/Maestros Información adicional será mandada por los maestros de sus hijos en las próximas semanas. Para que usted pueda asistir a las conferencias, usted debe apuntarse para escoger si desea asistir en persona o virtualmente..
Noviembre 4 sera la noche de Conferencias de Padres/Maestros Recuerde que Noviembre 4,5 y 6 serán días Cortos. Los alumnos si recibirán desayuno. La hora de salida será a la 1:40pm . Tenga en mente que las reglas del distrito para los estudiantes que no pertenecen a la guardería serán regresados a la escuela. Asegúrese de hacer los arreglos necesarios para estas fechas y márquelo en su calendario..
La Escuela estará cerrada para todos los estudiantes en:
Jueves 7 de Noviembre Viernes 8 de Noviembre
¡Les deseo un Feliz Mes para Todos !
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September 2024
Dear Johnson Elementary School Families,
My name is Theresa Licitra and I am the proud newly appointed Principal of the Johnson Elementary School. I will be working alongside the Johnson Staff, with my assistants Ms. McHale, Ms. Marotta, and Ms. Previte, and the Johnson PTO leadership to assist in making this transition a continued success.
Learners in the Johnson School Community think in terms of possibilities. Young at heart, vibrant and open to new ideas, they value working collaboratively and understand the importance of ongoing development. The staff of our school, organized into professional learning communities, is focused exclusively on the development of character, the growth of student achievement, and the enrichment of the total school experience. As an educational leader, I am focused on the whole child and the importance of a caring and professional learning environment. Working together, we will foster a culture that encourages students to become life-long learners as we provide them with a quality education that is both academically and socially rewarding.
Let me tell you a little bit about myself. I have worked in Jackson for almost twenty years - as an Administrator, as a Reading Specialist, and as a teacher. I have opened both the Crawford-Rodriguez School in 2001; and the Elms Elementary School in 2003. I am a Jackson resident and both of my children are fine products of the Jackson School District. My daughter is a Fourth Grade Teacher in Monmouth County, my son is a CPA in New Jersey, and my husband is an Insurance Appraiser. We are proud and fortunate to reside in this wonderful township.
With dedication and passion, I look forward to working in partnership with you as we prepare learners for their future. Look for my first “Principal’s Message” for more information about the opening of school on September 5 along with Orientations on August 29th for PreSchool (8:30am), Kindergarten (11:30am), and New Students (1:30pm) taking place in the Johnson Elementary APR. Copies of these orientations are on the school web pages for your continued perusal and reference.
BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHTS
September 16 - PreK @ 5:30pm; Grades K, 1, 2 @ 7:00PM
September 17 - Grades 3, 4, 5 @ 7:00PM
If you have a question or concern, please do not hesitate to call the school directly. Wishing all of you a safe and joyful fall season!
Yours In Education,
Theresa Licitra
Principal
2025 INFORMATION REGARDING NJSLA NJDOE ASSESSMENT SCHEDULE WINDOWS
