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April Principal's Message

Dear Holman Families:

 

The nights seem longer, the flowers are beginning to bloom, the grass is growing, and the warm weather is lingering.  The end of the school year is, as usual, looking very busy.   As the weather gets warmer, students become more anxious for the start of summer break.   With that said, it is also important that students continue to work hard on their academics and continue to behave appropriately in school.  Please stress with your children, the importance of keeping their hands and feet to themselves and respecting other people’s personal space.

 

Please note that report cards will be available for parent viewing as of Thursday, April 12th.  Please continue to encourage your children to read each evening and complete his/her homework assignments to reinforce the instruction of lessons learned in school.  We have many activities during the last couple months of school.  Please be sure to stay informed by visiting our school website regularly and checking the e-Backpack. 

 

Classroom placements:  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 are the strengths of each teacher.  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.  As in the past, I will accept one non-request.   I will consider any concern or input that you have to offer, if you provide your concern in writing or via email to me before May 4th.  Concerns written after this date may not be taken into consideration.  This will allow the educational professionals sufficient time to find the most appropriate match for your child.  As always, I appreciate your understanding and support in this matter.

 

Continue to visit the district website to view the PARCC testing calendar (go to the District Resources tab and then Assessments and Grading). You can also view the approved 2018-2019 District School Calendar.

REMINDER: PARCC Testing begins on April 19th and will continue through the end of May.  NJASK Science will begin on May 31, 2018 through June 1, 2018. During the month of April and May, our students will again be taking the PARCC and NJASK Science state assessments. We encourage you to visit the district’s “Understanding Assessments and Grading’’ resource page, which has a host of information about the PARCC and other assessments – including:

The New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge Science (NJASK Science) is a state test given to students in grade 5 (new this year) throughout New Jersey.  These tests were developed to evaluate the achievement of students within the context of New Jersey’s Core Curriculum Content Standards in the area of Science.

As I’m sure you are 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!

 

The next HOPE meeting will be on April 18, 2018 at 7:00pm in the Holman the IMC (Library).   We invite all parents to attend this session.  We look forward to seeing you there!  Visit their link on the Web Page.  You can support H.O.P.E. in many ways including participation in activities, such as planning and preparing for the fifth grade Movin’ Up party, purchasing items during fundraisers, volunteering at H.O.P.E. functions, or attending a meeting, just to name a few.  Thank you for your continued support.

If you would like to be updated on upcoming HOPE events, I encourage you to register for the “HOPE News” REMIND feature for your text and/or email.  Registration is easy.  Click on this REMIND link and follow the instructions on the flyer. 

Join us on Thursday, May 3rd for our “May Madness” basketball game at 6:30 pm in the Holman gymnasium.  See the Holman staff take on some of our fifth grade students in an epic basketball game.

 

Looking and Planning Ahead:

 

Does Your Child Want to Play a Sport in Middle School or High School Next Year?

Check out the district website or our school website for information about Sports Physicals, which will be held at Jackson Liberty High School from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the following dates: Wednesday, June 6th  for students attending Jackson Liberty High School or McAuliffe Middle School; and Tuesday, June 12th  for students attending Jackson Memorial High School or Goetz Middle School.

All students will need to bring with them a COMPLETED Pre-Participation Physical Packet. These packets can be downloaded or picked up in the nurse’s office or athletic office.

 

Summer Community School Programs – Including SUMMER MUSIC PROGRAM!!

There is still room in many of our summer programs. Take a look at the end pages of the Community School Brochure for information on our varied programs including fitness classes, junior forensics, piano, SAT prep or how to get your little one ready for kindergarten or first grade.  We also have a fantastic SUMMER MUSIC PROGRAM with Beginning Band, Summer Stage Band, All Shore Summer Focus, Beginning Guitar & Drum Set Fundamentals!  Check out our Community School Spring/Summer Brochure or call our office at 732-833-4647 for more information.

 

“ONLINE REGISTRATION” is NEW this year for our Jackson Child Care Academy Summer Activity Camp” ONLY!!   Please set up your PROGRAM PARENT PORTAL to have access to the registration process.  PARTIAL PAYMENT will be due at time of registration and at this time, payment by CREDIT CARD is the only online option (*). 

ALL OTHER CAMP PROGRAMS will continue to be a paper registration application.  These other programs include the following and will include information for ALL available program weeks:

  1. Afternoon & All Day Friday Camp – intended for those students invited into district ESY program at ELMS or GOETZ schools.
  2. Afternoon & All Day Monday & Friday Camp – intended for those students invited into district SUMMER LEARNINGprogram at JOHNSON school.
  3. CAMP PAWS – tuition based program for educational support during summer months.ALL applications must be approved for acceptance based on availability of space (Pre-Sch to Gr 8).

REMINDERS!!

  1. ALL Summer 2018 programs have an ENROLLMENT CAP; a WAIT LIST will be started once cap is reached for each program.
  2. Registration Fee plus one-half full tuition cost for each registered child is due at time of registration; no exceptions due to enrollment caps.All requirements must be met.
  3. School Year child care/pre-school accounts MUST be fully up-to-date with NO outstanding tuition balance at time of FINAL summer camp payment which will be due by Friday, June 8th; no exceptions due to enrollment caps.(Final June’18 tuition is due by May 25, 2018.)All requirements must be met to secure Summer enrollment placement.

(*)   NO COMPUTER ACCESS?? – visit our OFFICE LOCATION and we will assist with ONLINE REGISTRATION (JCC “ACTIVITY CAMP” ONLY); required payment must be made at time of registration.   PAPER APPLICATIONS for all other programs will also be available in our office location of TRAILER “I” BEHIND the Goetz Middle School at 835 Patterson Road; office hours are 8am-3:30pm daily for this purpose.

 

On Tuesday, April 24th, the Board of Education Meeting will be held at 6:30 pm in the JMHS Fine Arts Auditorium.

 

Sincerely,

 

Rich Karas

Principal, Holman Elementary