At Switlik, T.E.A.M. means, “Together Everyone Achieves More.” ~circa 2013
Dear Switlik Families,
Welcome Spring! In the upcoming weeks, the weather will be getting warmer and children will be out on the playground everyday as the weather permits. With warm weather upon us, for some, that means allergies. Please make sure our nurse, Mrs. Schnaak, knows of any allergies your child may suffer from. We also keep an eye on asthma concerns since the children will spend more time outdoors running and playing hard. Please review the dress code policy in our Student Handbook.
Student Dress Code
As stated above, it is time to review dress codes with students especially the excerpt regarding NO FLIP-FLOPS or OPEN TOED Shoes. Please see the excerpt from the student handbook below. If you have any questions please contact the Main Office.
Restrictions on freedom of students’ dress will be imposed whenever the code of dress in question is unsafe either for the student or for those around him/her or whenever it is disruptive to school operations and the educational process in general. Specifically:
- Students will not wear hats, caps, or other head coverings in the building.
- No clothing, jewelry, or item that promotes violence, bigotry, profanity or use of a restricted substance, and/or otherwise deemed inappropriate, or interferes with the instructional setting.
- Jewelry and clothing should not restrict movement, be distracting or cause a safety hazard to oneself or others.
- No micro-mini shorts or skirts will be permitted. Skirts/shorts must be no shorter than mid-thigh in length.
- No boxers, spandex shorts or cutoff shorts will be worn.
- No torn or tattered clothing.
- All students must wear shoes at all times for safety and health reasons. No flip-flops or open-toed footwear are allowed.
- Students should not wear outer clothing in the building.
- All shirts should cover students’ shoulders, backs and come down to the waistline.
- Tank tops and backless shirts are not permitted.
Teacher Appreciation Week ~ May 2nd – May 6th
Did you know in 1953, Eleanor Roosevelt persuaded the 81st Congress to proclaim National Teachers’ Day? Congress declared March 7, 1980, as National Teacher Day. The National Education Association continued to observe Teacher Day on the first Tuesday in March until 1985 when the National PTA established Teacher Appreciation Week as the first full week of May. While we often thank our teachers every day, it’s during Teacher Appreciation Week when we like to pause and really show our love for the teachers in our lives.
Switlik Staff never ceases to amazing me, more than ever, I am extremely impressed by our teachers and staff's ingenuity, resilience, passion, and strength, as they have continued to navigate challenges of the 2021-2022 school year. 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 as we will celebrate Teacher Appreciation Day on Tuesday, May 3rd.
Classroom Placement for 2022-2023: At this time of the 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 6th. In conclusion, your input as a parent will be considered if you send it to me in writing before Friday, May 6th. This will allow the educational professionals sufficient time to find the most appropriate match for your child.
NJSLA Testing: We encourage you to visit the district’s “Understanding Assessments and Grading” resource page, which has a host of information about the testing including the full testing calendar for each school. As I’m sure you’re aware, a child will perform more successfully on a test if he/she has proper rest, good nutrition and arrives to school on time. Your special attention to these areas will help ensure your child has his or her best chance for success!
Students must make sure that their Chromebook is fully charged for testing EVERY DAY. Also, note that cell phones and smart watches are prohibited during state testing. All cell phones and smart watches must be silenced and stored in backpacks.
NJSLA Testing Dates will be as follows:
Grades 3-5 Literacy: May 9-10 (Make-Ups May 11-13)
Grades 3-5 Math: May 16-18 (Make-Ups May 19-20)
Grade 5 Science: May 23rd (Make-Ups May 24-25)
Kindergarten Registration: Registration packets are available online and in all elementary schools. We encourage all parents (this INCLUDES students already enrolled in the pre-K program) to pre-register online to save time and streamline the registration process at the time of your appointment. It is incredibly important that parents register during this period so we can plan ahead for the next school year. If you are a parent of a kindergarten student (regardless if they are already in the pre-K program), we kindly ask that you make every effort to register your child during the month of March. All information is available on the Registration Page on the district website.
Please call (732) 833-4650 ext 136 and speak to Mrs. Noreen Lagano to schedule an appointment to register your child for Kindergarten.
One Book, One School: This Spring, the students and families of Switlik Elementary will be participating in the Great Lemonade Campaign as part of the One-Book One-School Reading Initiative. Our One Book One School initiative is a community wide event that connects school and family through a shared love of reading. To kick off the initiative, students will receive a copy of the book, The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davis to read throughout this initiative with their families. Each night, all students and their families will read a chapter from the book that goes along with our initiative reading schedule. After reading the designated chapter each night with their families, students from every grade level will have the opportunity to answer daily trivia questions, and participants will be entered into a daily trivia raffle.
Along with reading the book, The Lemonade War, Switlik Elementary School will be part of the Great Lemonade Campaign with the charity, Alex’s Lemonade Stand. The goal of this partnership is for students and staff to spread awareness and help make a change to support families impacted by childhood cancer. Throughout the initiative, Switlik Elementary School will have school spirit days and a coin collection fundraiser to help change the lives of children with cancer.
Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) is changing the lives of children with cancer by funding impactful research, raising awareness, supporting families and empowering everyone to help cure childhood cancer. - Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation
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.
Game Days: Our Game Days are quickly approaching. Your child(ren) should bring a towel, cold drinks (no soda, please), healthy snacks, a hat…and be sure to put sunscreen on at home, as teachers are not permitted to do so on your behalf. We are requesting that students do not wear or bring sunglasses to Game Day, as they get lost or broken since they cannot wear them to play. Please be sure your child wears sneakers and keep all jewelry at home on Game Days! There are two breaks for the children broken up in the day for them to eat their snacks and hydrate. We are looking forward to action packed days! Please see the schedule:
Kindergarten: Wednesday, June 1st
Grade 1: Thursday, June 2nd
Grade 2: Thursday, June 9th
Grade 3: Monday, June 6th
Grade 4: Tuesday, June 7th
Grade 5: Wednesday, June 8th
The PTN hopes that his adds to the fun and excitement of the Game Day Experience by providing each student with a COMPLIMENTARY GAME DAY SHIRT. Please have your child(ren) wear his/her shirt on their grade level’s Game Day
Switlik Night at Jersey Shore Blue Claws- June 1st: Take your family out to the ballgame and hang out with Switlik friends and staff members. Orders must be placed online by 5/26/22. Please see the PTN Newsletter for more details. Fifth Grade students will be singing the National Anthem before the game.
Fifth Grade Chorus Concert: The Fifth Grade Chorus Concert will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 9th in the Switlik School Gymnasium. Students must arrive promptly at 6:30 p.m. Similar to the Moving Up Ceremony, parents/guardians will be invited to attend this special program; however, space is limited to only two (2) guests per students. Tickets will be forthcoming. Please note that all Switlik students will have the opportunity to preview the concert during the school day. Thank you for your cooperation.
Moving Up Ceremony: The day is quickly approaching where our 5th Grade Students will celebrate their moving up to Middle School. The celebration will begin promptly at 9:20 a.m. on Tuesday, June 14th Parents/Guardians will be invited to attend this special program; however, space is limited to only two (2) guests per students. For safety concerns, we will not be able to accommodate younger or older siblings within the district. Younger siblings will not be pulled out of their classroom to attend the ceremony. . Please adhere to the following guidelines to ensure that the day runs smoothly:
- Please make sure your child arrives to school on time.
- Please make sure your child/children adhere to the district dress code policy for this special day.
- Please bring the two designated tickets with you to the ceremony. Each ticket holder must have a valid picture identification to enter the building. No exceptions.
- Parents/Guardians will not be allowed in the building before 9:00 a.m.
- Please enter and exit the school through the gym lobby doors.
- If you wish to sign your 5th grade student out after the ceremony, it may be done in your child’s classroom.
Switlik PTN Please join us on Wednesday, May 4th at 7:00 p.m. for our next PTN Meeting. Please click on the following link for our PTN Newsletter highlighting all of our upcoming events: https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:2c7e672c-2ff0-30b3-a2c6-8615befde04c
Please click on the following link for Game Day T-Shirt information: https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:cff184d1-d169-3784-90a0-1700cd22d99b
As we reflect on Memorial Day Weekend, please remember all our veterans and military heroes who continue to make sacrifices for our nation’s freedom! Enjoy your three day weekend with family and friends. Safe travels! There will be a shortened day of school on Friday, May 27th and school will be closed on Monday, May 30th in observance of Memorial Day.
Stay safe, stay well!
Sincerely,
Kathleen McKiernan
Principal
