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Principal's Message, August 2023

 

 

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 2023-2024 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 Wednesday, 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!

 

Any incoming Preschool, Kindergarten and newly registered students are invited to come to Johnson Elementary School beginning the week of August 7, 2023 through August 18, 2022 to have their picture taken for their ID card if they didn’t already do so at registration.  (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

Preschool Students

Parents of incoming Preschool students are invited to come to Johnson’s Preschool Orientation.  Parents will learn about the Preschool 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 Preschool students and their parents/guardians on Wednesday, 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 Wednesday, 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. 8, 2023.  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 or for any time prior to Oct. 2nd -  you MUST register your child for Child Care no later than August 3, 2023. Placement is not guaranteed as spots are granted upon a first come / first serve basis and we have limited spots available.  Registration form, registration fee, first month tuition and any past due balance is required to count your registration as complete.

 

In order to make sure we have our placements finalized and our Child Care rosters in place for the first day of school, you must register no later than August 3rd.

 

If any spots are remaining, we will reopen registration on August 28th - but your child will not be able to begin Child Care services until October 2nd or later.

Previous registration or waitlist do not carry over from year to year. You must register for the 2023-2024 school year if you need services. 

 

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 Thursday, August 24, 2023.

  • Bus Passes for all students will be available on the Parent Portal after 9 a.m. on Tuesday, August 29, 2023.

  • 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 Preschool, 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, August 31st 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.  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.

 

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. 13, 2023 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. 13, 2023.

 

 

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 this school year.  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:   Monday - September 18th at 5:30 PM

  • Grade K-2:   Monday - September 18th at 7:00 PM

  • Grades 3-5:  Tuesday - September 19th at 7:00 PM 

 

Regular School Hours, Arrival, and Dismissal:  NEW SCHOOL HOURS are 9:10 am – 3:20 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 as well as the changes indicated below. Thank you in advance for your support in our efforts to improve the safety and well being of our students and staff members.

 

Please be advised that due to the new changes to the school start times, Crawford and Johnson students will be arriving (9:00-9:10) and dismissing(3:20) at the same time by bus and parent pick-up/drop-off.

 

To help ensure a safe and efficient arrival and dismissal for all students, please adhere to the following changes.

 

Johnson parent drop-off/pick-up will only be accessed through the Johnson drive way.  Johnson's parents are asked not to cut through the Crawford/Camp Joy access road.  Please also be aware that cars leaving the Johnson parking lot will be stopped temporarily to allow all Johnson and Crawford buses to safely exit the bus ramp at dismissal.

Crawford parent drop-off/pick-up will only be accessed through the Camp Joy access road.  Crawford’s parents are asked not to cut through the Johnson parking lot or bus ramp.

 

We appreciate your cooperation as we work together to make a smooth transition to these changes.

 

DROP-OFF/ARRIVAL (9:00 - 9:10 A.M.):

  • Only students in Child Care will be admitted into the building prior to 9:00 A.M.

  • Please drive slowly through the parking lot. 

  • Please DO NOT enter or exit the Johnson parking lot using the Crawford access road.

  • 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 patterns; 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 9:10 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. Students are NOT PERMITTED to walk from the parking lot into the school at this time UNLESS accompanied by an adult.

 

PICK-UP/DISMISSAL (3:20P.M.)

  • Please drive slowly through the parking lot. 

  • Please DO NOT enter or exit the Johnson parking lot using the Crawford access road.

  • 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. All emergency contacts listed must be 18 or older as per district policy. Proper identification is always necessary.

  • Please also be aware that cars leaving the Johnson parking lot will be stopped temporarily to allow all buses to safely exit the bus ramp at dismissal.

 

EARLY DISMISSAL:

  • If it is necessary to sign your students out prior to regular dismissal, please do so by 2:45 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.  All emergency contacts listed must be 18 or older as per district policy.Proper identification is always necessary.

 

STUDENTS RETURNING TO SCHOOL AFTER DISMISSAL OR LATE PARENT PICK-UP:

  • Students returning to school as a result of a parent/guardian not being at the bus stop to receive them, will be placed in childcare at the walk in rate. The parent will be responsible for picking up their child from childcare.  The same policy will hold true for students that are scheduled for parent-pick up, who are not picked up on time.  Please be aware that childcare hours end at 6:00 p.m.

 

Important Dates to Remember:

8/16-BOE Meeting 6:00

8/30-Orientation for Preschool, Kindergarten, & New Students (see website for schedules)

8/30- BOE Meeting 6:00

9/6- First Day of School

9/20- BOE Meeting 6:30

 

     Back to School Nights

9/18- PreSchool:   5:30 PM

9/18- Grade K-2:  7:00 PM

9/19- Grades 3-5: 7:00 PM 

 

     School is closed

Monday, September 4

Monday, September 25

Monday, October 9

 

PTO News: The Parent Teacher Organization is a great way to get involved in your child’s education and school community. Family membership is only $10.  The first meeting will be held on Sept. 26 at 6:00. 

Be on the lookout for the following upcoming PTO sponsored fundraisers and events.

Back to School Cookie Gram Sale: 9/6-9/12

Spirit Wear Sale: 9/6-9/22

Back to School Pizza Party: 9/26

 

Please see the PTO website for more information about how to join and upcoming events.

 

I look forward to seeing all of you on September 6th and to an outstanding school year.

 

Sincerely,

Renee Pagano-Hein

Principal, Johnson Elementary