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Principal's Message, Summer 2025

 

 

Dear Johnson Families,        

 

I hope you are all having a relaxing summer and enjoying all of the wonderful things that summer brings.  Johnson Elementary is a phenomenal community and I am excited to be returning to my Johnson families, students, and staff. As you continue to enjoy the warmer days of the season, we are eagerly preparing for the new 2025-2026 school year and getting ready to welcome everyone back in September.

 

Rainy days in the summer are a great time to help your child maintain their learning from the school year and sharpen their skills for the fall.  Information about summer assignments is listed below.

 

Summer Reading

This summer, the elementary division of the Jackson Township School District is proud to continue our Summer Reading initiative for students entering grades one through five in September. We are excited to bring parents and children together in our mission to promote literacy through reading.  Please click on the links below for more information. 

 

Summer Reading Slideshow

Summer Reading Parent Letter- English

Summer Reading Parent Letter- Spanish

Suggested Reading List

Digital Reading Log

Print Copy of Summer Reading Log

Ocean County Library Activity Schedule

Ocean County Library Summer Info

 

Summer Math

There are many ways families can support their children’s growth and development in mathematics both over the summer and throughout the school year. Please read the letter below for suggestions and ideas to help prevent the "Summer Slide" in math skills. All assignments below are OPTIONAL. 

Elementary Summer Math Letter with instructions on what to do and how to log in to IXL

Overview of IXL Program for Parents - English

Overview of IXL Program for Parents - Spanish

Link to IXL Platform (Available Through July)

 

Please also review these important reminders.

 

Moving During the Summer?

If you are moving during the summer and will be transferring your child(ren), please contact the Central Registration Office Monday through Thursday between the hours of 7:30 AM and 3:00 PM. If you are moving within the Jackson School District, you will need to provide four proofs of your new residency before your child’s records can be transferred.  If you are moving out of the Jackson School District, you will need to sign a Student Transfer Verification Form.  A transfer card and a copy of your child(ren)’s health records(s) will be provided to register at a new school. The following information is needed to complete the transfer card:  new home address, new school name, and the new school address.

 

Important Chromebook Information

Students took their Chromebooks, Chargers and Student ID’s home for the summer.  Please keep these items in a safe place so they are ready to return with our students on September 5th.  By the middle of August, please check to make sure your Chromebook is working.  If not, contact the main office at Johnson to schedule an appointment for the Chromebook to be repaired.

 

Dates to Remember: District Calendar for 2025-2026

  • 8/28 Elementary Teacher Assignments Available on Portal

  • 8/28 Bus Passes Available on Portal

  • 9/4 Preschool & Kindergarten Orientation

  • 9/5 First Day of School for Students

 

The first day of school for all students will be Friday, September 5th.   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!

 

Preschool and Kindergarten Orientation

Pre-School Students

Parents of incoming Pre-Kindergarten students are invited to come to Johnson’s Pre-Kindergarten Orientation on Thursday, September 4, 2025 at 1:30.  Parents will learn about the Pre-Kindergarten day, our wonderful school, and the curriculum.  Students will meet their teacher and participate in a brief activity. The program will last approximately 30 mins. 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. 

 

Kindergarten Students

Parents of incoming Kindergarten students are invited to come to Johnson’s Kindergarten Orientation on Thursday, September 4 at 11:30.  Parents will learn about the Kindergarten day and the curriculum.  Students will meet their teacher, and participate in a brief activity.  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.   

 

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.

Childcare Program 

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

 

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. 1st.  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

 

Schedules and Bus Pass Release Dates

  • Elementary Teacher Assignments will be available on the Parent Portal after 9 a.m. on Thursday, August 28, 2025.

  • Bus Passes for all students will be available on the Parent Portal after 9 a.m. on Thursday, August 28, 2025.

  • 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, Aug. 28 and 29 between 9 a.m. and 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. 

  

REMINDER: Immunization Updates Required for Parents of Students in Preschool, Kindergarten and 6th Grade

State law requires students in preschool, kindergarten or 6th grade (or who will be 11 years old) to have certain immunizations depending on their grade for the 2025-2026 school year. (Note: This has nothing to do with any COVID vaccines.)

ALL STUDENTS DESCRIBED ABOVE ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THESE UPDATED IMMUNIZATIONS BY THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL - AND MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF THESE REQUIRED VACCINATIONS TO YOUR SCHOOL NURSE’S OFFICE by Oct. 10, 2025. If we do not receive it by then, your child will not be allowed to attend school as of Oct. 14, 2025. (NOTE:  Preschoolers have until Dec. 31 to receive the influenza immunization.)

Below is a link to a letter explaining this requirement - which includes an Immunization Update Form you can bring with you to your doctor to fill out and stamp.

This update form can be returned to your school nurse (even in summer months). 

 

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-Grade 1:   Thursday, September 10th at 5:30 PM

  • Grade 2-4:  Thursday, September 10th at 6:30 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-4 - 8:10 am – 2:20 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.  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 (8:00 - 8:10 A.M.):

  • Only students in Child Care will be admitted into the building prior to 8:10 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 patterns; 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 8:10 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 (2:15 P.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.  Students will only be released to adults 18 and older and Proper identification is always necessary.

 

EARLY DISMISSAL:

  • If it is necessary to sign your students out prior to regular dismissal, please do so by 1:45 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. Students will only be released to adults 18 and older and Proper identification is always necessary.

 

 

School is Closed

As a reminder, school will be CLOSED on Tuesday, September 23rd and Wednesday, September 24th.  Schools will also be CLOSED on Thursday, October 2nd.

 

I am looking forward to seeing all of you again on September 5th and to an outstanding school year!

 

Sincerely,

Renee Pagano-Hein

Principal, Johnson Elementary