Welcome back to an exciting 2015-2016 school year! School opens for all students on Tuesday, September 8th. Throughout the summer many teachers came to school and prepared their classrooms to make them exciting and welcoming. Our maintenance and custodial staff worked diligently to get our school organized and clean. The first day of school will certainly be a very positive event for the children. Please review the information below which explains the procedures for the opening of school.
FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD GRADES LOCATED AT LINCOLN SCHOOL
Students will enter through the gym door facing Vreeland Avenue or through the side door, which faces West Pierrepont Avenue between 8:10 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. The drop off lane will be available on Vreeland Ave. and Montross. Please note this new drop off lane as recommended by the RPD. Parents are encouraged to use the drop off lane on Vreeland Ave. Remember parents cannot park or watch children walk into the building in the drop off lane. If parents want to walk their child to the door, watch their child enter the building, or give one last hug, then use street parking. Children exiting via the drop-off lane must be able to independently open and close the car door. Please make every effort to have children report before the 8:30 a.m. bell.
Dismissal time is at 3:05 p.m. Grade three students are dismissed from the front door on Montross Avenue. Students in grades one are dismissed from the gym/ stage doors facing Vreeland Avenue and students in grade two are dismissed from the side door that faces West Pierrepont.
LUNCH
All students in grades one, two, and three will eat lunch in school. Lunch will take place during three separate periods. Students are encouraged to have a healthy lunch. Soda is not permitted in school. Lunches should be sent in the morning with your child.
Hot lunches must be pre-ordered through myschoolmeals.com. This lunch portal will open August 25-September 3rd until 8 a.m. Parents must pre-order their lunch to get a lunch delivered on the first day of school. A notice about the lunch program is included in this letter.
The PTA will be selling pizza on Fridays and Mondays beginning September 21st. Blimpie lunches will begin until September 23rd. Students ordering pizza or the Blimpie program must pre-order. Blimbie sandwiches are ordered on-line.
BULLDOG FOLDER INFORMATION
During the first week of school each student will receive a Bulldog Folder containing important information. Please read this information and return all necessary forms by Fridday, September 11th. Please pay careful attention to the Emergency Contact Form, which ensures we have your latest information.
OPEN HOUSE FOR NEW STUDENTS in GRADES 1-3 (K Center Students Participated in this in June and need not attend)
There is a scheduled NEW STUDENT tour for Friday, September 4th at 9:00 a.m. for all parents and students who are new to Lincoln School in grades 1-3. Please note that students enrolled in the Rutherford K program last year had this new student orientation experience and do not need to attend this event unless a parent feels their child needs some extra support adjusting to a new school. Though teachers will not be present, you and your child may tour the building. Please join us! Back to School Night is on September 30th at 7 p.m.
PROCEDURAL REMINDERS
Students should arrive at school on time. This allows students to begin their day with their peers and to not disturb the learning of others by entering the classroom during instruction time. Students are marked tardy if they arrive after 8:30 a.m. Since emergencies arise, students will receive 5 tardy passes for the year. This system reduces stress for the student and the parents. However, if a child is late more than 5 times, detention will be assigned. As always, extenuating circumstances will be taken into account. This initiative is in place to reduce distractions and allow for the continuation of instruction for the students that are in school ready to learn.
In order to keep children safe, absences must be reported by 9 a.m. If the main office staff does not receive a call, they will call the student’s home. If we still have not reached a parent to confirm a child is safe, we will contact the Rutherford Police Department. Please remember to call the main office if your child is absent. Classroom teachers do not handle attendance confirmation. I request that absences not be emailed as a teacher/staff member may be out ill.
Parents and students should finalize dismissal and lunch arrangements before departing in the morning. If a student has a change in pick-up, please send a written note in the morning. Every effort is made not to disturb classrooms when learning is taking place. Please send students to school with their lunch, snack, and any other materials or information needed for the day. Again, this allows the continuation of instructions for those engaged in the learning process.
In our efforts to reduce paper and improve communications we have placed information on the website, www.rutherfordschools.org. Parents can find lunch menus and order forms, new birthday celebrations procedures, supply lists, calendars, email addresses, letters, HomeworkNow and the Lincoln Student Handbook on the website. The Google Calendar is updated daily and already has some important dates listed. Parents can also access PTA information and sign up to receive email notifications.
I am looking forward to 2015-2016 school year with the children. Another year at Lincoln is another year to grow, learn new information, make new friends, and create new memories that will stay with the children forever!