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March, 2018

 March 1, 2018

Dear Switlik Families,

As always, safety is paramount at Switlik Elementary School.  In an effort to maintain the safety and security of our students and staff, please be aware of the following procedures.

ENTRANCE PROCEDURES:

We ask that you wait 20 minutes after student arrival to approach the building to be signed in for your visit. (An exception would be made for a scheduled appointment approved by your child’s principal/teacher/counselor).

  • All visitors will notify the receptionist using the buzzer by the visiting doors (main entrance).
  • At the buzzer, it is expected that all visitors will state their name, the purpose of their visit and/or specify with whom they have an appointment and present identification.
  • If the appointment is verified, the visitor will be buzzed in and must present themselves to the receptionist immediately upon entry.
  • Visitors will be required to show valid photo identification and sign in to obtain a visitor’s pass. The visitors’ ID will be held until visitor will receive a guest badge. This procedure helps us to know that the visitor as departed by ensuring they leave the same way they arrived.
  • Please limit “dropped off” items to only those items your student truly needs during the school day (e.g., necessary clothing changes, important school work or lunch/items that must be received that day.
  • In an effort to keep our building secure, students/parents cannot come back into the building to retrieve forgotten assignments/books, etc. The doors remain locked after student dismissal.
  • Please do not hold door open for other visitors. All visitors must follow the above procedures

 The month of March is a time of transitioning from the many winter activities into the anticipation of spring.  As we hope for warmer weather, we want to keep our students focused on continuing to strive to do their best.  I appreciate all of the effort you put in at home to ensure this carries over into their school day, as it impacts their academic standing.   Thank you to all of our students, staff, families, and PTN for your participation and continuous support.  

Ocean County Health Department:  The OCHD has kicked off their multi-week Health Education series to our second and third grade classrooms.  Each week, for the next 6-8 weeks, presenter(s) will discuss the topic of substance abuse prevention and positive decision making through Footprints for Life - Grade 2 and Unique You - Grade 3 curriculum.

Yoga Calm:  In the coming weeks, students in grades Kindergarten through 5 will participate in an amazing mindfulness program that has already helped children all over the country with stress reduction, increasing academic focus and assist with behavior.  The program also decreases stress, shows improvement in student attention & on-task behavior and causes improvement in students’ behavior in both the classroom and outside of school.  Yoga Calm’s research suggests that yoga and mindfulness have a number of benefits for psychological and physical health.  Switlik School is dedicated to providing our students with tools to enhance their well-being.

Jackson School District Special Education Department:  Please join us on Monday, March 12th from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Jackson Liberty High School (IMC) for an informative session on Therapeutic Needs and Co-Parenting Strategies presented by Rachel M. Perlman MA, LPC, ACS, NCC, NCEE, NCPC, Cooperative Counseling Services.

Kindergarten Registration:  will take place during the week of March 19th-March 23rd  between the hours of 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. each day.  Please be sure to bring in all necessary documents (original birth certificate and required proof of residency, listed in the packet), as well as your incoming kindergarten student the day of registration.  Entrance for registration is through the gym lobby doors.  There will not be any access through the main entrance.  Signs will be posted to guide you in the right direction.  Details, as well as the registration packet, can be found on our website. 

Young Author’s Gallery/Switlik Enrichment Living Wax Museum- On Wednesday, March 21st, the Switlik Elementary School, with support from the Jackson Rotary Club and the Jackson Education Association, will present our Young Author’s Gallery.  All are welcome to enjoy this event from the hours of 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. (The Wax Museum ends at 7:00 p.m.) Published pieces from our very own Switlik Authors of every age will be on display in the hallways for you to read, enjoy and compliment!  Come prepared with pen in hand to jot a note of support to your favorite authors.  Additionally, that evening, many historical figures, performers, and athletes be brought to life as the Switlik School Enrichment Program hosts its first Living Wax Museum.  Switlik will come alive with students dressed as famous people, both past and present. A Living Wax Museum is very similar to a real wax museum in that visitors can come and learn about a variety of famous people.  The main difference is that the students will be standing in as the statues. Students choose and then researched the figure they wanted to emulate.  Students will then dress as their famous person and recite their speech to interested visitors.  Head on over to Switlik to see figures from Selena Gomez, Amelia Earhart, Leonardo da Vinci, Bill Gates and many others in between. 

Spelling Bee:  Our school level spelling bee was held on Friday, January 12th.    Congratulations to Rahil Patel, in Mr. Mathews’ class for winning the spelling bee with the correct spelling of the word strenuous.  Rahil and four additional students, Jeff Roldan, Raymond Eldridge, Marlowe Donato and Sarah Cooper will participate in the District Spelling Bee to be held on April 12th at 6:00 p.m. at Jackson Liberty High School.  All students participating must sign in at 5:30 p.m.

Attention 5th Grade Parents:  Your child will soon be making a very significant transition as they enter middle school.  To help you prepare your child for this experience, the staff of Carl W. Goetz Middle School would like to invite you to a special orientation program specifically designed for parents of their incoming sixth grade students.  The program will be held on March 21st at 6:00 p.m. at Goetz Middle School IMC.

Providence House:  The Switlik Elementary School is participating in its second community wide "FUN"raising event for the Providence House of Ocean County.  This non-profit, charitable organization is dedicated to helping families of domestic abuse throughout our county.  The items collected will be put into various baskets and auctioned off at the organization’s Annual Gift Auction on June 8th at Georgian Court University.  All proceeds from this event will directly benefit the free and confidential services they provide to survivors of domestic abuse and their children.  We are asking that the items listed below be donated to your child’s classroom between the dates of March 12th-26th.  

On Wednesday, March 28th, students will have an opportunity to showcase their skills in a grade level appropriate obstacle course.  (Class times will be posted on school website and class pages).  At the end of this activity, each student will receive a “Cupcake for Kindness” as well as sign and color a daffodil donation card that will be displayed in the gym foyer.  

PTN EVENTS:

PTN News:  There are many ways you can get involved at school – check out our awesome PTN.  They do so much to support our school programs with your continuous generosity.  Please join us on March 15th at 10:00 a.m. for our next PTN Meeting. 

Yearbooks – Last day to purchase a yearbook is March 15th.  The cost is $20.00 per yearbook, and pre-order is required.  No extra copies will be available.  Order information and form is on PTN website.

Fifth Grade T-Shirts – 5th Grade Parents Only – Please complete the shirt size form that was sent home with the PTN newsletter and return to your child’s teacher by March 8th.  These sizes will be used for Game Day Shirts as well, so you do not need to complete the game day shirt form.  If you do not return the form by Thursday, March 8th, a size will be selected for your child.

Free Game Day T-Shirts – Every student will receive a FREE Game Day t-shirt.  Please complete the shirt size form that was sent home with the PTN newsletter and return to your child’s teacher by March 8th.  If you do not return the form by Thursday, March 8th, a size will be selected for your child

Spirit Wear Sale – Our Spring Spirit Wear Sale runs from March 1-9.  Get all of your Switlik gear for the spring!

McDonald’s Night – Join us at McDonald’s on County Line Road by Shoprite on Tuesday, March 6th.  Please bring the flyer that was sent home with the PTN newsletter, or print off of the PTN website.

Yankee Candle Spring Sale – Sale will run March 13-27 and orders will be in before Mother’s Day.  Questions – contact Kim Nelson at knelson0705@optimum.net

“NEW” SCHOOL STORE PROCEDURES!! – The school store will now be open for students to shop for supplies once a month during their lunch period in the cafeteria. Students can shop this month on Wednesday, March 14th.         

Easter Bunny Breakfast – Reserve your spot now for Breakfast with the Easter Bunny!  Saturday, March 24th from 9:00-11:00 a.m. in the Switlik APR.

         

Looking Ahead:

March 1st:  Read Across America and Family Book Fair Night/6:00 p.m.

March 7th:  TIME Workshop/6:00 p.m. – IMC

March 16th :  School Spirit Day – Wear Bucket Filling/Fluorescent Shirts

March 19th-23rd:  Kindergarten Registration

March 21st:  Young Author & Wax Museum Night/6:30 p.m.

March 21st:  Grade 5 Parent Orientation/6:00 p.m. – Goetz Middle School IMC

March 28th:  Obstacle Course

There will be a shortened day of school on Thursday, March 29th, as we begin our Spring Break.  School will be closed March 30th-April 8th.  Returning to school on Monday, April 9th.  

Enjoy your holiday with family and friends!

Sincerely,

Kathleen McKiernan