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Principal's Message, August 2022

 

 

 

Dear Johnson Families,

 

I hope you are all having a relaxing summer and enjoying all of the wonderful things that summer brings.  As you continue to enjoy the warmer days of the season, we are eagerly preparing for the new 2022-2023 school year and getting ready to welcome our students to Howard C. Johnson Elementary School.  

 

The first day of school for all students will be Tuesday, September 6th.   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 Johnson Elementary School beginning the week of August 1, 2022 through August 11, 2022 to have their picture taken for their ID card.  (please note that the building is closed on Fridays)  APPOINTMENTS ARE ENCOURAGED BUT NOT NECESSARY.  Students and parents/guardians may come to the main entrance of Johnson Elementary between the hours of 8:00 AM-12:00 and 1:00-2:30.  Ms. McHale will be assisting with this process.

 

Preschool and Kindergarten Orientation

Pre-K Students

Parents of incoming Pre-Kindergarten students are invited to come to Johnson’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. Please bring a change of clothes along with a sheet and blanket for nap time to orientation.  All items should be labeled with your child’s name. We look forward to seeing all new Pre-Kindergarten students and their parents/guardians on Tuesday, August 30th at 11:00 am.   

 

Kindergarten Students

Parents of incoming Kindergarten students are invited to come to Johnson’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. Please bring a change of clothes labeled with your child’s name to orientation. We look forward to seeing all new Kindergarten students and their parents/guardians on Tuesday, August 30th at 9:00 am.   

 

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.  Forms are available for pickup at any school and must be returned to the school. 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 Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022.  Forms are available for pickup at any school and must be returned to the school.

 

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. 4, 2022.

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. 5th.  On August 30th, 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 Sept. 20th or later. 

For Registration, Child Care Rates, or More Information call 732-833-4677 or see Child Care Academy Website

 

If your child(ren) are attending the Jackson Child Care Program, please send in clear instructions on dismissal directions the first four (4) days of school for your child’s teacher to avoid potential confusion.

 

Schedules and Bus Pass Release Dates

  • Elementary Teacher Assignments will be available on the Parent Portal after 9 a.m. on Wednesday, August 24, 2022.

  • Bus Passes for all students will be available on the Parent Portal after 9 a.m. on Wednesday, August 31, 2022.

  • 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 is offering to print bus passes out for families who need them in the Administration Building on Thursday, Sept. 1 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

 

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 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) 833-4640 and speak with Ms. McHale, the main office secretary.

 

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 a 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 Oct. 14, 2022 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 to Oct. 14, 2022.

 

 

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 Johnson 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 8:00am and 2:30pm.

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

 

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 Johnson 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

  • PreSchool:   Thursday - September 15th at 5:30 PM

  • Grade K-2:   Thursday - September 15th at 7:00 PM

  • Grades 3-5:  Tuesday - September 20th at 7:00 PM 

 

Parent Teacher Organization Be on the lookout for the date of our first PTO meeting which will be held in September.  We look forward to seeing you there!

 

Regular School Hours, Arrival, and Dismissal:  

Please note that school hours are Grades PK-5 - 9:25 am – 3:35 pm.

 

In an effort to continuously improve the safety of students and staff, parents are reminded of the drop-off and pick-up procedures set forth in the student handbook.  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 (9:10 - 9:25 A.M.):

  • Only students in Child Care will be admitted into the building prior to 9:10 A.M.

  • Please drive slowly through the parking lot. 

  • 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.  

  • Please follow the “traffic flow” as designated by the cones. Pull up to the orange cones as far as possible to allow other cars to pull in behind you. Be aware of traffic pattern; please do not move ahead or cut across the line.

  • Automobile traffic is PROHIBITED in the bus parking/standing area on the SIDE of our school.

  • Students must exit the car/vehicle from the PASSENGER/CURBSIDE ONLY.

  • If students require assistance exiting the car, please park in a designated parking space and use the crosswalk to escort your child to the front of the school.  This will allow a safe and efficient flow of traffic for all. 

  • Parents/guardians are asked to wait outside the main door during arrival.

 

LATE ARRIVALS:

  • Tardy students (arriving after 9:25 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. Students are NOT PERMITTED to walk from the parking lot into the school at this time UNLESS accompanied by an adult.

 

PICK-UP/DISMISSAL (3:35P.M.)

  • Please drive slowly through the parking lot. 

  • Parents/Guardians must PARK in a designated parking space and wait in the front of the building for their students.

  • 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.  

  • Automobile traffic is PROHIBITED in the bus parking/standing area on the SIDE of our school.

  • Parents/guardians are asked to wait outside the main door during dismissal.

  • If someone other than a parent/guardian is picking up students, a written note, the Change in Dismissal form, or they must be on the EMERGENCY LIST prior to pick-up/dismissal in order to sign the child out with the receptionist.  Proper identification is always necessary.

 

EARLY DISMISSAL:

  • If it is necessary to sign your students out prior to regular dismissal, please do so by 3:10 to ensure a safe and efficient dismissal for all students.

  • Please send in a note if early dismissal is needed.  In addition to the note, it is best to call ahead and also let us know that you are coming to the school.

  • If someone other than a parent/guardian is picking up students, a written note, the Change in Dismissal form, or they must be on the EMERGENCY LIST prior to pick-up/dismissal in order to sign the child out with the receptionist.  Proper identification is always necessary.

 

School is closed

As a reminder, school WILL NOT be in session on Monday, September 26th and Tuesday, September 27th.  Schools will also be closed on Wednesday, October 5th.

 

Building Substitutes

The Jackson School District has building substitute positions available for the 2022-2023 school year.  The district is directly hiring substitute teachers and paraprofessionals who work in our district (vs. using a substitute placement service).  Great Pay, Flexible Hours - AND You Will be Making a Difference in Your Community!

For information about requirements, the application process, and pay rates, please visit our Substitute Page - www.jacksonsd.org/substitutes

If you have any other questions regarding substituting, please contact (732-833-4640) or email Mrs. Cheryl Newman in the main office at cnewman@jacksonsd.org.

 

Board of Education Meeting

Wednesday, September 21st at 6:30 pm in the Fine Arts Building of Memorial High School.

 

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

 

Sincerely,

Renee Pagano-Hein

Principal, Johnson Elementary