Return to Headlines

Summer Principal's Message 2023

Dear parents and guardians,

 

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 2023-2024 school year at Lucy N. Holman Elementary School.  The first day of school for all students will be Wednesday, September 6th.   Please note that the NEW SCHOOL HOURS for Grades PK-5 are as follows - 9:00am - 3:20pm.  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 July 31, 2023 to have their picture taken for their ID card.  (July 31, August 1, 2, and 3; please note that the building is closed on Friday August 4, 2023)  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.

 

The teachers of Holman and I have created something for students to work on during the summer to prevent a “slide” in the fall.  The teachers worked very hard to create review work for students to exercise their brain during the lazy days of summer.  Your child was invited to subscribe to the Summer Google Classroom for the grade that they just completed.  Your child may sign up and look at the work that is available to them to complete and the resources for them to log into to practice various topics in literacy and math.  Our librarian, Mrs. Schadl, has also added resources for students to continue reading over the summer.  Your child has been added to their current grade level classroom.  The invitation was sent to their school email address.  Remember to have your child log into the grade level that they just completed.  Please note that there are no deadlines, grades, comments, or notifications.  This is strictly for you and your child to review topics that they have covered throughout the school year.  In addition, teachers will not be accessing these classrooms during the summer and will not be able to assist with assignments.  Every little bit helps students prepare for the next school year.  I encourage you to have your child log into these informative classrooms and complete the review work that teachers have created for them.

 

 

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.

 

 

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.  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 the first week in August.  Forms are available for pickup at any school and must be returned to the child’s home school that they will be attending.

 

 

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 in late August prior to the start of school.

  • Bus Passes for all students will be available on the Parent Portal in late August prior to the start of school..

  • 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 will be offering to print bus passes out for families who need them in the Administration Building prior to the start of school.  

 

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 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 last year’s  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 mid October 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 mid October..

 

 

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 Wednesday, 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 Wednesday, August 30th at 10:30 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. 3, 2023.  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. 4th.  On August 28th, 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 October 2nd.   For Registration, Child Care Rates, or More Information, call 732-833-4677 or see Child Care Academy WebsiteIf your child(ren) is attending the Jackson Child Care Program, please send in clear instructions on dismissal directions the first three (3) 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:  TBD

  • Grade K-2:  TBD

  • Grades 3-5:  TBD

 

 

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 20th at 6:30 pm in the Fine Arts Building of Memorial High School.

 

 

Regular School Hours, Arrival, and Dismissal:  

Please note that the NEW SCHOOL HOURS for Grades PK-5 are as follows - 9:00am - 3:20pm.

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 1) take the bus, 2) be picked up at the walker dismissal site, or 3) 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 (except on September 6, 7, and 8….parents may pick up their child(ren) in the front lobby).  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 (9:00 - 9:10 A.M.):

  • Please follow the traffic flow (as listed on the map) to allow other people the ability to travel on Manhattan Street.

  • Only students in Child Care will be admitted into the building prior to 9:00 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 6th at the side entrance of the school. (P.M. Carline does not begin until September 11th)

  • 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 8:40 and 9:25 A.M.; and between 2:50 and 3:40 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 9:10 A.M.

  • Tardy students (arriving after 9:10 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. (NOTE: Carline entrance is locked at 9:10 A.M. daily….please DO NOT drop your child off at the side entrance after 9:10 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:

  • Prior to 2:50 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.   (Parent/guardian must come by 2:50 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 9/11/2023 until the end of the year are as follows:

    • P.M. Carline Students are dismissed at 3:20 P.M.

    • Parents/Guardian should not leave their cars for carline pickup and must have their PARENT PICK UP tag visible.

    • 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 9:00 A.M. and 3:20 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 25th.  Schools will be closed for students only on Monday, October 9th, as this is a professional day for all staff.

 

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

 

Enjoy the rest of the summer!

 

Sincerely,

Rich Karas

Principal, Holman Elementary