Return to Headlines

Summer Principal's Message 2022

Summer 2022

 

Dear Holman Families,

 

I hope the summer finds you rested, relaxed, and enjoying all of the wonderful things that summer brings.  As you continue to enjoy the warmer days of the season, I would like to welcome all of you to the 2022-2023 school year at Lucy N. Holman Elementary School.  The first day of school for all students will be Tuesday, September 6th.   It is important for ALL students to wear their STUDENT ID everyday, including the first day of school.  Please make sure that your child(ren) has their student ID card with them.  Thank you!

All incoming Kindergarten and newly registered students are invited to come to Holman Elementary School during the week of August 1, 2022 to have their picture taken for their ID card.  (August 1, 2, 3, and 4; please note that the building is closed on Friday August 5, 2022)  NO APPOINTMENT IS NECESSARY.  Students and parents/guardians may come to the main lobby of Holman Elementary between the hours of 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM.  Mrs. Lynn Goldblatt will be assisting with this process.

 

Building Substitutes

Holman Elementary School has building substitute positions available for the 2022-2023 school year.  The Jackson School District is directly hiring substitute teachers and paraprofessionals who work in our district (vs. using a substitute placement service).  Great Pay, Flexible Hours - AND You Will be Making a Difference in Your Community!

For information about requirements, the application process, and pay rates, please visit our Substitute Page

If you have any other questions regarding substituting, please contact (732-833-4620) or email Mrs. Claudia Johnson in the main office at cjohnson@jacksonsd.org.

 

Does your child need to be bused to or from a caregiver either before or after school?

If so, please remember that you need to submit a caregiver transportation request form.  Even if you filled out a form last year, you need to submit a new form every year.  Forms are available for pickup at any school and must be returned to the school. FYI: These forms are done in triplicate and must be signed by the parent and the caregiver, so they are not available as a digital form.  In order for the arrangements to be in place for the first day of school, the forms need to be received by us by Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022.  Forms are available for pickup at any school and must be returned to the school.

 

District Chromebooks

All students returning to school in September kept their district-issued Chromebook for the summer.  This will be the same Chromebook your child will use next school year.  Any students who will not be returning to Jackson in September should return their Chromebook and charger to the Holman Elementary School main office.   Please note that you may return the Chromebook and charger during the summer to the main office Monday through Thursday between the hours of 9:30am and 2:00pm.

Please understand that the Chromebooks are the property of the Jackson Township School District and must be taken care of during the summer.  These devices are not intended for recreational use nor should they be used by other family members. 

Information and additional questions about the devices can be found on our district technology webpage:  https://www.jacksonsd.org/domain/2623

 

Schedules and Bus Pass Release Dates

  • Elementary Teacher Assignments will be available on the Parent Portal after 9 a.m. on Wednesday, August 24, 2022.
  • Bus Passes for all students will be available on the Parent Portal after 9 a.m. on Wednesday, August 31, 2022.
  • Please assist your child in learning their bus number (route number) and have them bring their bus pass to school for the first few weeks.  Children in Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and First Grade should wear their bus pass for the first few weeks of school as well.
  • As usual, the district is offering to print bus passes out for families who need them in the Administration Building on Thursday, Sept. 1 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

 

Continue to monitor the Portal Information Page for important dates and instructions on how to view and print your schedule and bus pass.  NOTE: If your Portal login does not work, please try the "Forgot My Password' link on the Portal Login page BEFORE contacting support. Please note that the "Forgot Password'' link will work only with parents who have an email as their login ID.

  • For questions or problems with your login IDs or password (or if you do not have them), please send an email to portalsupport@jacksonsd.org.
  • Please include your name and phone number, as well as your child's name, school, grade, student ID number and the problem you are experiencing. 

 

Are you moving?

Whether it’s down the block, across town in Jackson, or to a completely different state, if you are moving, please make sure that you contact the main office to update your records or have your files transferred.  You may contact the office at (732) 833-4620 and speak with Mrs. Lynn Goldblatt, the main office secretary.

 

Are You the Parent of a Child Entering 6th GRADE or Preschool this September?

State law requires students in these grades to have certain immunizations (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (Tdap) and Meningococcal, depending on grade). Please see the links below for a letter explaining this requirement, and a form you can bring with you to your doctor. Please note that the school must receive proof of your child's updated immunization record by Oct. 14, 2022 or your child will not be allowed to attend school after that date. This update form can be returned to your school nurse anytime this summer, or prior to Oct. 14, 2022.

 

Pre-K Students

Parents of incoming Pre-Kindergarten students are invited to come to Holman’s Pre-Kindergarten Orientation.  Parents will learn about the Pre-Kindergarten day, our wonderful school, and the curriculum.  Students will meet their teacher, participate in a brief activity and tour the school and a bus.  The program will last approximately one (1) hour.  We look forward to seeing all new Pre-Kindergarten students and their parents/guardians on Tuesday, August 30th at 9:00 am.   

 

Kindergarten Students

Parents of incoming Kindergarten students will be receiving a letter with various school information and a color-coded tag with the teacher assignment.  This color-coded tag will help our staff to assist with the arrival and dismissal of our precious newcomers.  Parents of incoming Kindergarten students are invited to come to Holman’s Kindergarten Orientation.  Parents will learn about the Kindergarten day, our wonderful school, and the curriculum.  Students will meet their teacher, participate in a brief activity and tour the school and a bus.  The program will last approximately one (1) hour.  We look forward to seeing all new Kindergarten students and their parents/guardians on Tuesday, August 30th at 10:00 am.   

 

Childcare Program 

If you need your child to have child care for the first day of school, you MUST register your child for Child Care no later than Aug. 4, 2022.

Registrations will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis.  In order to make sure we have our placements finalized and our child care rosters in place for the coming school year, please know no new registrations will be processed after Aug. 5th.  On August 30th, we will re-open registration and offer any remaining available spots - but your child will not be able to begin those child care services until Sept. 20th or later. 

For Registration, Child Care Rates, or More Information, call 732-833-4677 or see Child Care Academy Website.

 

If your child(ren) is attending the Jackson Child Care Program, please send in clear instructions on dismissal directions the first four (4) days of school to your child’s teacher to avoid potential confusion.

 

Food Services

Information regarding school lunch and food services can be found on the JSD webpage.  Students in Grades K-5 are reminded to bring their student ID cards for lunch/snack purchases.  More information will be in the Holman Student Handbook and on the district and school web page.

Please complete and return the Free and Reduced Lunch forms, if applicable.  Submitting this form provides opportunities for other reduced or free opportunities for our families.  These forms are posted on our school website.  Please click this link to the Jackson Food Service Department to complete your Free and Reduced Lunch forms and to set up a student account to purchase items from the cafeteria.

 

Back to School Night

  • Grade PK:  Tuesday - September 13th at 5:30 PM
  • Grade K-2:  Tuesday - September 13th at 7:00 PM
  • Grades 3-5:  Wednesday - September 14th at 7:00 PM 

 

Parent Organization (Holman’s Organization of Parent and Educators)

Be on the lookout for the date of our first HOPE meeting which will be held in September.  We look forward to seeing you there!

 

Board of Education Meeting

Wednesday, September 21st at 6:30 pm in the Fine Arts Building of Memorial High School.

 

Regular School Hours, Arrival, and Dismissal:  

Please note that school hours are Grades PK-5 - 8:45 am – 2:55 pm.

In an effort to continuously improve the safety of students and staff, parents may not pick up their child(ren) at the end of the day in the main lobby on a consistent basisDismissal in the main lobby will only be reserved for parents who need to occasionally pick up their child due to a doctor’s appointment, an illness, or some other reason prior to the end of the day.  

There will be three choices for end of the day student dismissal.  Students may take the bus, be picked up at the walker dismissal site, or be picked up in the car line.  Parents choosing the car line dismissal must fill out paperwork (see Carline Dismissal Form below) and pick up their child(ren) everyday on the car line.

Parents who ignore this new procedure and try to pick up their child(ren) in the main lobby at the end of the day on a consistent basis will kindly be asked to choose an alternative dismissal option.

Thank you in advance for your support in our efforts to improve the safety and well-being of our students and staff members.

 

DROP-OFF/ARRIVAL (8:35 - 8:45 A.M.):

  • Only students in Child Care will be admitted into the building prior to 8:35 A.M.
  • Please DO NOT PARK in front of our building by blocking the fire lane.  Ample parking spaces, visitor slots, and handicapped parking are available directly in front of our building.  
  • A.M. Carline Arrival begins on September 9th at the side entrance of the school. (P.M. Carline does not begin until September 12th)
  • Please follow the “traffic flow” as designated by the cones.  Automobile traffic is PROHIBITED in the bus parking/standing area in the FRONT and on the SIDES of our school  daily between 8:15 and 9:00 A.M.; and between 2:30 and 3:15 P.M..
  • Students must exit the car/vehicle from the PASSENGER/CURBSIDE ONLY
  • Staff on duty will supervise students during this time.
  • Be aware of traffic pattern; please do not move ahead or cut across the line
  • Please note:  Side entrance closes at 8:45 A.M.
  • Tardy students (arriving after 8:45 A.M.) must enter through the main entrance with a parent/guardian and will need to be signed in by a parent/guardian with the receptionist. (NOTE: Carline entrance is locked at 8:45 A.M. daily….please DO NOT drop your child off at the side entrance after 8:45 A.M.)
  • Late students must be escorted by an adult and signed in via the front entrance. Students are NOT PERMITTED to walk from the parking lot into the school at this time UNLESS accompanied by an adult.

 

PICK-UP/DISMISSAL:

Carline procedures from 9/12/2022 until the end of the year are as follows:

  • Prior to 2:30 P.M.: Early pick-up ONLY in the lobby with a note.  In addition to the note, it is best to call ahead and also let us know that you are coming to the school.   (must come by 2:30 P.M. in the main reception area to ensure safety at dismissal)
  • Parents/Guardians need to come inside and sign the child out with the receptionist.  Others need a written note, the Change in Dismissal form, or must be on the EMERGENCY CARD to sign the child out with the receptionist.  Proper identification is always necessary.
  • Carline procedures from 9/12/2022 until the end of the year are as follows:
    • P.M. Carline Students are dismissed between 2:55 P.M. and 3:10 P.M.
    • Parents/Guardians should not leave their cars for carline pickup
    • Staff on duty will monitor and escort students TO CARS as they pull up, one at a time.
    • Please be ready for your child(ren) to enter via the PASSENGER side only; it is not safe for them to walk around the car to enter
    • Be mindful of traffic patterns and traffic flow; do not pull out of the line or cut the line; this will ensure the safety for all of our learners.
  • If you are interested in picking your child up from the P.M. CARLINE (only), please remember to complete the “Carline Dismissal Form”. If you choose the PM Carline option, students must be picked up on the carline for the entire school year.

 

WALKERS:

Students walking to school will enter the school in the morning and exit at dismissal using the rear gymnasium doors in the back of the building. Duty Teachers will be posted to assist and monitor students at 8:35 A.M. and 2:55 P.M.   Walkers will be dismissed from the rear gymnasium doors at the end of the day.

 

DAILY/REGULAR DISMISSAL PROCEDURES CHANGE: 

  • Parents/Guardians MUST use the " Change in Dismissal Form" – Which is distributed on the first day of school and has detailed instructions on the back of the form.  NOTE: Additional forms are available in Holman's E-Backpack. REMINDER: Students WILL NOT be dismissed to any adult that is NOT listed on their EMERGENCY FORM or NOT listed as an EMERGENCY CONTACT.  

 

School is closed

As a reminder, school WILL NOT be in session on Monday, September 26th and Tuesday, September 27th.  Schools will also be closed on Wednesday, October 5th.

 

I can’t wait to see all of you on September 6th and look forward to an outstanding school year.

 

Sincerely,

Rich Karas

Principal, Holman Elementary