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Principal's Message, October, 2023

 

Dear Johnson Families,

 

It is hard to believe we are through our first month of school.  We are off to a great start here at Johnson School!  Students and teachers are making strong connections and are off and running with engaging lessons and educational activities!

 

Thank you to all our parents and guardians who attended our Back to School Nights and the PTO sponsored Pizza Party!.  Making connections between home and school is key to a successful educational experience for our children.

 

Thank you to everyone who has already completed their Back to School Forms this year. If you have not yet completed your forms, please do so.  These forms include our annual notices and acknowledgement of our district policies regarding Emergency contacts, permission to photograph and acceptable use of school technology.  These forms are all available in the Parent Portal under the Forms tab. 

 

Students in the Jackson School District are fortunate to have the opportunity to take advantage of one-to-one technology.  However, with this opportunity comes added responsibility for students, parents and educators. Linked below, our technology teacher, Mr. Goldberg, has provided additional information and resources to keep our children safe while making the most of the technology our district has to offer.  Please review the Technology SpotLight Newsletter. 

 

IMPORTANT REMINDERS FOR ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL

NEW SCHOOL HOURS are 9:10 am–3:20pm

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.

 

DROP-OFF/ARRIVAL (9:00 - 9:10am):

  • 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 (3:15pm WALKERS 3:20pm Busers)

  • 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, we must have a note with the parents permission 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.

 

DISMISSAL CHANGES:

If your child is assigned a bus, but you plan on driving your child to school each day, it is important that you send a note to the teacher explaining your child will be a “walker” for the year.  If you have a dismissal change for any specific day, please send a note stating the date of the change and who will be picking your child up.



The month of October is filled with observances and fun holiday activities.  Keep these dates on your calendar and check the links below or teacher’s Google Classroom for the schedule of activities taking place.

 

School will be closed for students Monday, October 9, 2023.

 

Picture Day: October 3    CLICK HERE TO PRE-ORDER  Use Prepay Code: 4C8Q2P6

 

Week of Respect  10/2-10/6

Safe Schools Week 10/16-10/20

Red Ribbon Week  10/23- 10/27

 

Halloween Festivities

PTO Sponsored Trunk or Treat and Staff Pumpkin Contest- Thursday 10/26 6:00-8:00

We are excited to announce that we will be continuing the Johnson School Trunk or Treat on Thursday, October 26th from 6:00 - 8:00pm.  Come join us for an evening of Spooky Fun! You don't want to miss this event!  

 

Halloween Parade- Tuesday 10/31 starting promptly at 10:00AM. The parade will begin with students exiting the kindergarten wing doors and proceeding past the main entrance, around the building to the bus loop and along the sidewalk. Students will re-enter the building through the 1st/2nd  grade wing door. Cones will be set up to mark the parade route. Visitors are encouraged to stand socially distanced on either side of the cones creating a walkway for the students. A few important tips:

  • If you are coming to view the parade, you may park on the bus ramp after all buses have left for morning drop-off. After the parade, you must promptly leave.

  • Parking will be an issue so may I suggest you give yourself time in the event you have to park at Camp Joy and walk up the hill to Johnson School.

  • Unfortunately, if it rains, we will still conduct the parade indoors for students only.

 

Coming up in November:

 

Look what's coming soon to HCJ--a free outdoor mini book library where students may swap books for their reading pleasure. It will utilize an honor system and will offer many reading choices! More news will follow when it's set to go. Keep an eye out for it!

 

Parent-teacher Conferences: 

Parent-Teacher Conferences are scheduled for November 6th – 8th.  Evening conferences will be held on Monday Nov. 6 only. We will follow the shortened day schedule with a 1:40pm dismissal.  Conferences will give you an opportunity to meet with your child’s teacher to discuss their progress and how you can best support us in providing your child with the best educational experience we can offer. You can utilize the parent portal to schedule a conference with your child’s teacher at a time that works for you. 

 

School will be closed:

11/9 -11/10 for Teacher’s Convention 

11/23-11/24 for Thanksgiving

 

Early Dismissal: 

11/6-11/8 for Parent-Teacher Conferences 

11/22 for Thanksgiving

HCJ PTO News:  Please visit the PTO website for more information about up-coming events and fundraisers. 

Sincerely,

Renee Pagano-Hein

Principal, Johnson Elementary