Dear Switlik Families,
Happy National Teacher Day and Teacher Appreciation Week!
Monday, May 3 through Friday, May 7.
More than ever, I am extremely impressed by our teachers and staff's ingenuity, resilience, passion, and strength, as they have navigated unprecedented challenges this past year. Now more than ever, I am proud to be the Principal of the Switlik Elementary School and grateful to have such wonderful educators, colleagues, and individuals.
I am captivated by the amount of time and energy, the teachers and staff at Switlik put into making sure all children at Switlik are successful! They are an incredible group of teachers and staff who want nothing but the best for our children and Switlik families.
I want to thank our teachers and staff, many of whom, like yourselves, have their children or who have extended family members to take care of as they adapt and balance their personal and professional needs.
Please take a moment and have your child write a special message or draw a picture to recognize their teacher.
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION REMNDER:
Kindergarten Registration continues to take place. If you have not already done so, please make an appointment to register now. It is very important that we process your registration as soon as possible so we can place your child for next year. Please fill out our online Pre-Registration Form, then the supplemental forms and call right away to make your appointment for February and March. Visit our Kindergarten Registration page at www.jacksonsd.org/kindergarten for more info. Forms may also be picked up at our elementary schools.
Please call the Switlik Elementary School as soon as possible to schedule a day and time for new kindergartener’s registration. 732-833-4650 ext. 4136
Classroom Placements for 2021-2022: At this time of year, many parents call or write to the school regarding their child’s class placement for next year. Class placement is a complex process that involves the input of many educational professionals and considers many factors. The ultimate goal of the placement process is to find the best possible match between what is best for the student and what the strengths of each teacher are. I realize and appreciate your concern, but I will not honor parent requests for particular teachers. I do, however value your input and individual concerns for your child. I will accept one non-request. I will consider any concern or input that you have to offer, if you provide your concern via e-mail to me at kmckiernan@jacksonsd.org before May 3rd . In conclusion, your input as a parent will be considered if you send it to me in writing, before Monday, May 3, 2021. This will allow the educational professionals sufficient time to find the most appropriate match for your child.
Moving:
If you are moving during the summer and will be transferring your child(ren), please contact the main office Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM. If you are moving within the Jackson School District, you will need to sign an Internal Transfer Form and provide proof of your new residency before your child’s records can be transferred. If you are moving out of the Jackson School District, you will need to sign a Student Transfer Verification Form. A transfer card and a copy of your child(ren)’s health records(s) will be provided to register at the new school. The following information is needed to complete the transfer card: new home address, new school name, and the new school address.
Daily Health Screening: We have been successful in receiving a Daily COVID Screening from a majority of our parents. Please continue to complete your child’s Daily Health Screening. For those that require a reminder, place a post it note by the coffee pot, refrigerator or set the alarm on your cell phone. We cannot stress enough the importance of parents filling out this form on the Parent Portal each morning that their child attends school in person. It must be filled out 30 minutes prior to your child’s arrival at school. Completing the Daily Health Screening will eliminate your child visiting the nurse’s office in the morning.
- Please read the questions carefully!
- The first question is asking if your child has been FEVER-FREE for 24 hours without the help of fever-reducing medication. So the answer to this question if your child is healthy is YES.
- If you answer incorrectly, when your child gets sent to the nurse and we call you, we can reset the form for you to answer it correctly.
Parent Pick Up via Carline Dismissal:
Switlik has an average of over 90 families picking up their children each day. We thank you for your flexibility and patience as we adjusted our pick up procedures
Designated Pick Up Area- There will be two car lines (1. K-2 & 2. 3-5)for parent pick up at the end of the day
- Families with students in K-2 and 3-5 will follow signs for the carline for K-2.
- Additional security will be on hand for the increase in the Carline dismissal
- Teachers on duty will be outside greeting each car
- Children will be dismissed to their parent/guardian via rolling car line.
- ID will be checked Duty Teacher to initial on parents’ behalf.
- Child will be called to come out via walkie talkie communication to Gym (Holding Area)
- Students must wear face coverings at all times.
- Face coverings required of all parents in cars while waiting for students.
- Students should try to practice social distancing when exiting the building
To assist us, PLEASE
- Continue to have your Photo ID visible for staff
- Have your last name sign visible to staff on the right side of your dashboard
All parents/guardians are required to wear a mask in the car when picking up their child.
PTN News:
The PTN would like to remind everyone that board elections are coming up. If you or someone you know is interested in participating with planning our events for next year, please send an email to gravlax@optonline.net by 5/14/21. If you are interested, but have any questions, please email Samantha Marley: PTN.Switlik@gmail.com. All board positions are open, the nominees will be posted to vote on 5/24-5/25 (11 pm). Results will be announced at our PTN Zoom meeting on 5/26 7:00 pm. Please see the linked Signup Genius list of tentative ideas for events for next year: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090b4ea5ad2fa3fe3-activities1
We will have 2 additional after hours Book Fair shopping events: 5/4 (3:00 - 4:30pm) and 5/5 (6:00 - 7:30pm). Bill Baker Photography will be onsite on 5/5 to take yearbook portraits for any student who has not had one done yet; cost is $15. He is also available for mini-sessions (15 minutes/ $40) for multiple children / poses). https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090b4ea5ad2fa3fe3-yearbook
Please visit Cicconi Farms until May 15th for all your gardening needs. They are donating 10% from your purchases to your school. Please use the linked flyer or mention that you are shopping for Switlik Elementary School. https://www.jacksonsd.org/domain/1679
Please don't forget to show love to your teachers next week for Teacher Appreciation Week. The PTN is hosting a lunch for our staff on 5/7/21. If anyone is able to contribute to the Appreciation Lunch fund, the PTN would greatly appreciate it. We are accepting donations by cash, check (payable to Switlik PTN), or by Venmo (@Switlik-PTN).
The next virtual meeting and final meeting of the year will be on May 26, 2021 at 7:00 pm. All are welcome to attend. The PTN will be discussing upcoming events for the remainder of the year.
Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
Monthly: https://zoom.us/meeting/tJEsdOCgrT4oEtWKL5qOwRJZgYvu0hnzkzaB/ics?icsToken=98tyKuCtrzgjEteQshGGRowMBYjCXfzztiVBj7dqtzOwEg9EUCnMMdtUJ-J3HsLb
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/95139835281?pwd=OC9XMnNyeHo2K3d0VkM3NDR4N1dLQT09
Meeting ID: 951 3983 5281
Passcode: UV6YkS
join: https://zoom.us/j/97594456943?pwd=TVRjK2g1T0VmandZTzY2QUthZGdzZz09 / Passcode: Wf4FkR
Please see our linked SignUp Genius for volunteer information for the upcoming school year 2021-2022. Our events are only tentative ideas and will not be finalized until we have a new board in place. We need your help!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090B4EA5AD2FA3FE3-activities1
Book Fair:
Attention Switlik families, the PTN will be hosting an in-person Scholastic book fair from April 26 - May 7th. We will be sending flyers home after spring break. Please look out for information from your teachers with shopping times, we will have afternoon and evening hours for our remote families. The PTN will also be collecting coins for the "All For Books" fund. Your spare change can help put books in the hands of the Switlik students. More information will be sent home the week of 4/12/21.
Please note that school will be closed Monday, May 31st in observance of Memorial Day.
Sincerely,
Kathleen McKiernan
Principal
