I hope that you are enjoying this beautiful fall season.\u00a0 We had a wonderful transition into the new school year in September and are looking forward to the many activities planned for October and November.\u00a0 Please read on to learn more about school procedures and to be informed about upcoming school events.<\/p>\n
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Sincerely,<\/p>\n
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Bill Mulcahy<\/p>\n
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Week of Respect\/School Violence Awareness Week:\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0October 7-11 is designated as a Week of Respect in New Jersey schools.\u00a0 At Washington School, students and staff will focus on a different area of respect each day including respect for others, self, diversity, school, and the environment.\u00a0 During School Violence Awareness Week, scheduled for October 16-20, we will focus on positive social behaviors and self-esteem. Students create projects celebrating their own unique backgrounds, personalities, and interests.\u00a0 On October 11, our students will be treated to a presentation of , an assembly program with an anti-bullying message that ties into these two important weeks.<\/p>\n \n Parent Academy<\/strong><\/p>\n You should have received the district newsletter\/trifold announcing the many workshops that are being offered for parents throughout the district in 2019-2020.\u00a0 In addition, we are also sending additional information about the workshops being offered through our\u00a0Second Cup of Coffee<\/u>\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>series at Washington School. Upcoming dates include:<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 October 23\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What is a DRA?<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 December 4\u00a0 DEveloping Resiliency and Independence in K-3 Children<\/p>\n \n Halloween Events:\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>The PTA sponsored Halloween Social for all students in grade 1-3 will be held on Friday, October 25. \u00a0 Each child must be signed in and out by a parent\/guardian.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>Our Halloween Parade will take place on Thursday, October 31 at 1:30 p.m. More information, with guidelines for both events, will be sent home shortly.<\/p>\n \n School Closings\/Early Dismissals<\/strong>:\u00a0 School will be closed on Monday, October 14 for Columbus Day.\u00a0 Our staff will be involved in Professional Development that day.\u00a0 School will also be closed on Tuesday, November 5 for Election Day and on Thursday and Friday, November 7 and 8, for the NJEA Teacher\u2019s Convention.\u00a0 A one-session day is scheduled on Wednesday, November 27 to begin our Thanksgiving Recess.\u00a0 Students in the Full-day Pre-K class and grades 1-3 report to school at 8:30 a.m. and are dismissed at 12:30 p.m. Pre-K 3 students attend school from 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.\u00a0 Pre-K 4 students attend school from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.<\/p>\n \n Parent Visitation Day:<\/strong>\u00a0 The National Education Association (NEA) has designated November 11 – 15 as American Education Week.\u00a0 As part of this celebration of quality public education, Washington School will be hosting our annual Parent Visitation Day on Tuesday, November 12.\u00a0 Parents are invited to partake in an interactive lesson with their child\/children.\u00a0 Specific times will be arranged for each grade level to best accommodate families with more than one child in our school and to fit into our normal school day.\u00a0 Please return the flyer that will be sent home with your child.\u00a0\u00a0No siblings are permitted.\u00a0 Picture taking of any kind is prohibited.\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n \n Thanksgiving Parade:<\/strong>\u00a0 All parents and guardians are invited to attend our annual Thanksgiving Parade scheduled for Wednesday, November 27 beginning at 8:35 a.m.\u00a0 Visitors should gather outside of the school along the fence and sidewalks, similar to Halloween.\u00a0 After the parade is over and all students have made their way into the multipurpose room, parents and guardians may sit in the bleachers to enjoy our Thanksgiving assembly.\u00a0\u00a0We ask that each family bring one non-perishable food item for our donation to the local food pantry.\u00a0\u00a0<\/em>In the event of inclement weather, the entire program will be held inside.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \n Absences:<\/strong>\u00a0 If your child is going to be absent from school, it is important that you provide us with notice ASAP.\u00a0\u00a0Please call the office at 201-438-7675, ext. 5333.\u00a0 If you would like to request homework, you may do so at that time.<\/strong>\u00a0 All homework will be in the office and should be picked up after dismissal (3:05 p.m.).<\/p>\n \n Tardiness:<\/strong>\u00a0 Students are to be present in the building by 8:30 a.m.\u00a0 Student tardiness presents a distraction in the school.\u00a0 Please plan accordingly to arrive with your child in advance of 8:30 a.m.\u00a0 Our triple doors will close at that time.\u00a0\u00a0Do not drop your child if you arrive late.<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Students arriving late must be signed in at the main office by a parent or guardian<\/u>.<\/p>\n \n YMCA Aftercare:<\/strong>\u00a0 If your child attends aftercare, but will not be attending on a particular day,\u00a0please notify the<\/strong>\u00a0aftercare director\u00a0<\/strong>in addition to notifying the classroom teacher and school office.<\/p>\n \n Lost & Found:\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>We maintain a lost & found box for items that have gone missing.\u00a0 One way to insure that your child\u2019s belongings are returned to their proper owner is to label items with their name (lunch boxes, jackets, sweaters, hats, etc.).<\/p>\n \n Morning Drop-Off:<\/strong>\u00a0 Thank you for your continued cooperation during morning drop-off.\u00a0 We have cones to define the drop-off area.\u00a0 In order to improve our efficiency, please wait to drop off your child until you are one of the first 3 cars in line.\u00a0 The Drop Off Only signs will define this area.\u00a0 Please be patient, and refrain from dropping your child until you have reached this zone.\u00a0 Be reminded that this is a stop, drop and go zone.\u00a0 Parents should not get out of their cars.\u00a0 This impedes the flow of traffic.\u00a0 Please be very careful leaving the drop-off zone.<\/p>\n \n