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Principal's Message, September 2025

 

 

Dear Johnson Families,

 

I want to welcome you all back to Howard Johnson Elementary School for the 2025-2026 school year.  Our teachers and faculty have been working hard to prepare for a fantastic start!  Thank you to all the teachers who have volunteered their time over the summer to set up fabulous instructional spaces and plan engaging activities to welcome students!  Thank you to our secretaries who have spent countless hours helping families with concerns and registration, preparing supplies and materials, and keeping our front office running smoothly. Thank you as well to our custodial staff for their dedication to cleaning and prepping the building, making it shine like new in preparation for the arrival of our staff and students.  Last, but not least, thank you to our Parent Teacher Organization for continuing to partner with our teachers and community to support our students.  The PTO has also been busy planning for many fun events this year, and we look forward to seeing you all there. 

 

We are excited to greet our students on the first day of school on Friday, September 5, 2025.  To ensure the safe arrival and dismissal of all our students, 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.  If your child does not have their ID yet, it will be provided shortly.  Thank you!

 

Regular School Hours, Arrival, and Dismissal:  NEW SCHOOL HOURS are 8:10 am – 2:20 pm

In an effort to continuously improve the safety of students and staff, parents are reminded of the drop-off and pick-up procedures set forth in the student handbook, as well as the changes indicated below. Thank you in advance for your support in our efforts to maintain the safety and well-being of our students and staff members.

 

Please be advised that due to the new changes to the school start times, Johnson students will be arriving (8:00-8:10) and dismissing (2:15-2:20) at the same time by bus and parent pick-up/drop-off.

 

To help ensure a safe and efficient arrival and dismissal for all students, please adhere to the following changes.

 

Johnson parent drop-off/pick-up will be accessed through the Johnson driveway.  Please drive with caution. Also, be aware that cars leaving the Johnson parking lot will be stopped temporarily to allow all Johnson buses to safely exit the bus ramp at dismissal.

 

We appreciate your cooperation as we work together to make a smooth and safe arrival and dismissal.

 

DROP-OFF/ARRIVAL (8:00 - 8:10 A.M.):

  • Only students in Child Care will be admitted into the building before 8:00 A.M.

  • Please drive slowly through the parking lot. 

  • Please DO NOT enter or exit the Johnson parking lot using the Crawford access road.

  • 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.  

  • Please follow the “traffic flow” as designated by the cones. Pull up to the orange cones as far as possible to allow other cars to pull in behind you. Be aware of traffic patterns; do not move ahead or cut across the line.

  • Automobile traffic is PROHIBITED in the bus parking/standing area on the SIDE of our school.

  • Students must exit the car/vehicle from the PASSENGER/CURBSIDE ONLY.

  • If students require assistance exiting the car, please park in a designated parking space and use the crosswalk to escort your child to the front of the school.  This will allow a safe and efficient flow of traffic for all. 

  • Parents/guardians are asked to wait outside the main door during arrival.

 

LATE ARRIVALS:

  • Tardy students (arriving after 8:10 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. Students are NOT PERMITTED to walk from the parking lot into the school at this time UNLESS accompanied by an adult.

 

PICK-UP/DISMISSAL (2:15 - 2:20P.M.)

  • Please drive slowly through the parking lot. 

  • Please DO NOT enter or exit the Johnson parking lot using the Crawford access road.

  • Parents/Guardians must PARK in a designated parking space and wait in the front of the building for their students.

  • 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.  

  • Automobile traffic is PROHIBITED in the bus parking/standing area on the SIDE of our school.

  • Parents/guardians are asked to wait outside the main door during dismissal.

  • If someone other than a parent/guardian is picking up students, a written note, the Change in Dismissal form, or they must be on the EMERGENCY LIST before pick-up/dismissal to sign the child out with the receptionist. All emergency contacts listed must be 18 or older as per district policy. Proper identification is always necessary.

  • Please also be aware that cars leaving the Johnson parking lot will be stopped temporarily to allow all buses to safely exit the bus ramp at dismissal.

 

EARLY DISMISSAL:

  • If it is necessary to sign your students out before regular dismissal, please do so by 1:45 to ensure a safe and efficient dismissal for all students.

  • Please send in a note if early dismissal is needed.  In addition to the note, it is best to call ahead and also let us know that you are coming to the school.

  • If someone other than a parent/guardian is picking up students, we must have a note with the parents’ permission before pick-up/dismissal to sign the child out with the receptionist.  All emergency contacts listed must be 18 or older as per district policy.Proper identification is always necessary.

 

STUDENTS RETURNING TO SCHOOL AFTER DISMISSAL OR LATE PARENT PICK-UP:

  • Students returning to school as a result of a parent/guardian not being at the bus stop to receive them, will be placed in childcare at the walk in rate. The parent will be responsible for picking up their child from childcare.  The same policy will hold true for students that are scheduled for parent-pick up, who are not picked up on time.  Please be aware that childcare hours end at 6:00 p.m.

 

DISMISSAL CHANGES:

If your child is assigned a bus, but you plan on driving your child to school each day, it is important that you send a note to the teacher explaining your child will be a “walker” for the year.  If you have a dismissal change for any specific day, please send a note stating the date of the change and who will be picking up your child.

 

District Chromebooks

Please be reminded that Chromebooks are the Property of the Jackson Township School District and must be taken care of responsibly during the school year.  Please review the district policy regarding Chromebook use and responsibility. These devices are not intended for recreational use nor should they be used by other family members.  Chromebooks should be transported to and from school safely and not used on the school bus.  Decorative stickers are also not permitted unless on a Chromebook cover.  As per district policy, if a Chromebook or charger is damaged or lost, it is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to cover the monetary costs associated with the repair or replacement.

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

 

Food Services

Information regarding school lunch and food services can be found on the JSD webpage.  Students in Grades K-4 are reminded to bring their student ID cards for lunch/snack purchases.  You can add money to your child’s lunch account using  www.payschoolscentral.com. More information will be in the Johnson Student Handbook and on the district and school web pages.

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.

 

 

Important Dates to Remember:

9/5- First Day of School

9/17- BOE Meeting 6:30

 

 

Back to School Night

  • PreSchool–1:   Wednesday, September 10th at 5:30 PM

  • Grade 2-4:  Wednesday, September 10th at 6:30 PM

 

School is Closed:

Tuesday, September 23

Wednesday, September 24

Thursday, October 2

 

 

PTO News: The Parent Teacher Organization is a great way to get involved in your child’s education and school community. Family membership is only $10.  The first meeting will be held on Sept. 18 at 6:30. 

Be on the lookout for the following upcoming PTO sponsored fundraisers and events.

Spirit Wear Sale: 9/9-9/19

Book Fair Night: 9/18

Bingo/Gift Auction: 10/16

 

Please see the PTO website for more information about how to join and upcoming events.

 

I look forward to seeing all of you on September 5th and to an outstanding school year.

 

 

Sincerely,

Renee Pagano-Hein

Principal, Johnson Elementary