August 2024

Dear Washington School Students and Families,

It is with great anticipation that I write to you as we begin a new school year! The start of a new school year is always an exciting time and we are eagerly looking forward to welcoming everyone to Washington School. 

Our school doors will open on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, and preparations have been in full swing. Mrs. Khalap and our dedicated office staff have been diligently preparing for our opening day. Meanwhile, our teachers have been engaged in various professional development activities, setting up their classrooms, and readying materials to ensure a smooth start to the academic year.

At Washington School, we are committed to fostering the growth of our fifth-grade students through a robust and comprehensive curriculum. This year, our academic focus remains steadfast, aiming for success through collaborative efforts. Our fifth-grade teachers will continue to employ Balanced Literacy methods, facilitating reading and writing through Reader’s and Writer’s Workshop. For mathematics, we utilize Math In Focus, which draws from the acclaimed Singapore approach, with ongoing professional development to enhance instruction.

Additionally, we are enthusiastic about integrating technology into our curriculum under the guidance of Ms. Brigid Cunningham, our Media/Technology Facilitator. Each classroom is equipped with Smart Software and an interactive panel to support interactive learning experiences. Furthermore, every fifth grader will be assigned a Chromebook, enhancing their learning opportunities throughout the school day.

We are excited about the possibilities that the new school year brings and look forward to partnering with you all for a successful and enriching year at Washington School.

As the Washington Wolves, our classes are organized in “Packs.”  The packs are as follows:

PACK                                                                                    

TEACHER

ROOM NUMBER

W

Mr. Bodmer

111

W

Mrs. Schaefer

113

O

Mrs. Button

215

O

Mr. de la Fuente

221

O

Ms. Thompson

219

L

Ms. Scharer

211

L

Mrs. Quinn

213

V

Mrs. Dias

121

V

Mrs. Lepinsky

209

V

Mrs. Van Dzura

217

E

Ms. Leone

205

E

Ms. Livingstone

203

E

Mrs. Policarpio

201

S

Mrs. Euvino

123

S

Ms. Kim

119

S

Mrs. Monaco

207

Within the Packs, language arts and math will be taught by your child’s respective homeroom teacher, while science, social studies, and BUILDER (Brainstorm, Understand  Imagine/Invent, Learn, Design, Engineer, Research) will be taught on a trimester rotation by the other teachers within their Pack.  All fifth-grade students will have Art, Music, and Spanish once a week and Physical Education twice a week. Students will have an opportunity to visit the Media Den to check out books that have been organized by genre to meet the needs of our adolescent readers.

I would like to thank The Washington School PTO for their generosity and hard work in helping us get our school equipped with a variety of programs to support our daily instruction. To start the year, the Washington School PTO has donated planners & t-shirts for our students, Leader in Me Membership, and an Author in Residence opportunity with author, Anna Crowley Redding. This year we will continue our mural in the gym with muralist Caren Olmsted in November with installation in December.  All classes are also scheduled to attend a trip to the Buehler Space Center in March. We are extremely thankful to the Washington School PTO.

All students will have leadership opportunities through our implementation of  Leader in Me. For more information, you may visit the website at (http://www.theleaderinme.org/).  Our goal is to equip our students with the skills needed to practice leadership and positive decision-making. Students will create leadership portfolios, set goals, and participate in student-led conferences in April.  

There will be many wonderful things happening at Washington School. Look for Band, Orchestra, Chorus, Newspaper, Broadcast, Student Lighthouse Teams, leadership “jobs”, and the “We Grow” Environment Club. The Washington School PTO is also planning for After School Enrichment, Trep$, Math competitions, Spelling Bee and Odyssey of the Mind.  

Meeting the Academic, Social, Emotional & Behavioral Needs of our Students

Washington School strives to meet the needs of all learners. Washington School has a full Child Study Team that supports our students with special needs. They work as a collaborative team to meet each student’s individual needs. If you have any questions regarding your child’s IEP, please contact your child’s case manager directly. 

Our school has a committee, the Intervention and Referral Services (I&RS) Team or NJTSS (New Jersey Tiered System of Support), led by Mrs. Emmanouilidis, our Instructional Supervisor, which supports the needs of children under the umbrella of regular education. The team consists of building administrators, your child’s teacher, our learning consultant, a teacher representative, our Strategies Interventionists, related service providers and other Child Study Team members. The purpose of this committee is to review the information provided by the K-4 schools, review data gathered from screeners and assessments, identify students with academic, social, emotional, or behavioral needs, and develop interventions that would provide opportunities for students to reach their full potential. 

We also understand that our fifth graders have unique social and emotional needs. Our Guidance Counselor, Mrs. Bonnie Loew,  will be a wonderful resource for our students and families during this transitional year and offer her expertise and guidance. 

A Message From the School Nurse, Mrs. O’Gorman

A warm welcome to Washington School from Mrs. O'Gorman, School Nurse.

I am here to help in any way I can so please make sure to inform me of any chronic or acute illnesses or injuries your child experiences while at Washington School. 

Medications:

If your child needs to take medication while at school, including over-the-counter medication you must submit the appropriate documentation. It is much easier to have this set up in advance. Please note, that we cannot distribute any medication, prescription or OTC, without medical authorization forms signed by you and your child’s physician.

All medication must be given to me in the original prescription packaging with the child's name on it.

Illness:

• Do not send your child to school sick. A student must be fever-free for 24 hours without medication before returning to school and 24 hours without GI symptoms before returning to school.

• Please provide your correct contact information in PowerSchool.

• Your emergency contacts in PowerSchool must be individuals who are available to come pick up your child if we cannot get hold of you. Ideally, the emergency contact is within 20 minutes of the school. 

• Notify me of any illnesses or injuries, especially those that require a student to be absent, receive medication, or need assistance.

• Your child must stay home for 5 days if diagnosed with COVID-19 and may return on day 6 wearing a well-fitted mask through day 10.

Additional COVID guidelines are available on the District Website and are aligned with the New Jersey Department of Health COVID guidelines.

Family Life: 

In 5th grade, our health curriculum includes family life which focuses on puberty and the changes the student can expect physically and emotionally. We focus on the physical, emotional, and social aspects of puberty. This is not a class in sexual education.

Attached are the videos your student(s) will watch–the boys with Mr. Hogan (our physical education and health teacher) and the girls with me. We follow the videos with Q&A time. You will be informed when this is going to be taught.

Girls Puberty Educational Video

Boys Puberty Educational Video

Immunizations:

Please provide me with documentation of any vaccinations your student receives while at Washington School. This includes the COVID-19 vaccine and any boosters. TDaP and Meningococcal vaccines are required for all 11-year-olds and should be submitted at the time of receipt.

Students New to District:

New students must submit a health physical and an updated copy of their immunization records, as soon as possible. Students moving from certain countries to the US are required to receive a TB test.

Voluntary Student Accident Insurance and Dental Insurance:

Please see the informational flyers for accident insurance and voluntary dental insurance for your student.

Don't hesitate to contact me if you would like to meet to discuss your child's health concerns.

Patricia (Trish) O'Gorman R.N., M.S., C.S.N.

Lead Nurse Millburn School District 

Tel 973-218-7500 ext. 39008

Fax 973-314-499

Washington School Code of Conduct & Positive Behavior System

We will provide students with proactive ways to socialize,  as well as appropriate ways to handle conflicts. We recognize and reward our students’ positive behaviors and leadership skills through HOWL Awards. Each month culminates with a whole-school Den Rally where students and staff are celebrated.

Code of Conduct:

1. Respect people and property. 

2. Keep hands, feet, & objects to yourself.  

3. Use appropriate language.  

4. Be courteous; speak kindly.  

Washington School belongs to all of us. All students have the right to learn and feel safe. We must take good care of each other and our building and grounds to maintain a pleasant and safe learning environment for all of us.

Expectations for Behavior at Washington School:

Be kind, and safe, and show respect to other people and property inside and outside the building at all times. Kindness, safety, and respect will be discussed and reviewed within the classrooms and within the school all year long. Please continue these conversations at home.

The following steps will be taken when expectations are not met:

1. The teacher or administrator confers with the student. 

2. Parents/guardians will be informed through phone calls, conferences, or written notes when expectations are repeatedly not met or if the severity of a single incident requires immediate parental involvement/notification. 

3. Different privileges may be revoked when appropriate. This may include loss of recess or other school activities. 

4. An after-school detention period may be appropriate in some cases. The individual teacher or the principal will supervise this detention period. 

5. In-school or out-of-school suspension may be assigned by the building principal in instances where behavior is severely inappropriate. Parents will be immediately notified by the principal of any suspension. 

6. In the event of a potential hate crime, bias incident, serious physical altercation, cyberbullying, or another serious offense, the police will be notified and any information the school has gathered will be shared with them.

We have a building safety team that will investigate and report on all incidents regarding Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB). Mrs. Emmanouilidis is our Building Specialist and can be contacted with any issues related to HIB.

We encourage all students to stay off social media. We want to teach them appropriate digital citizenship skills. We will be working closely this school year with our DARE team of Millburn Police Officers.  Our message is for our students to be internet and technology responsible, utilizing all forms of media in an appropriate manner. Our fifth-graders will learn to be proactive and develop habits to help them navigate situations involving social media.  Thank you for your support!  

• Cell Phone Usage:  Washington School will not be responsible for the loss or damage of any student cell phone. Students must turn them off and keep them away during the school day. After school, students may use their devices to communicate with a parent or guardian only. Students may not use their cell phones while traveling on the school bus. Please know that we discourage picture-taking and videotaping on school grounds. Parents/guardians should refrain from sending their child messages during school hours. 

Arrival  

The school day begins at 8:55 a.m., with arrival beginning at 8:45.  Supervision begins at 8:45 so please do not drop off your child(ren) before 8:45 a.m.

Doors that will be open during arrival: Main Office entrance, Spring Street entrance, and bus loop entrance. 

Walkers: Students walking to school may enter through any of the entrances. 

Late arrival: All doors will be locked at 9:00 AM. Any student arriving after this time must enter through the main office doors and be signed in by a parent or guardian.  Any student arriving after 9:00 will be marked “tardy.”  

Crossing Guard Locations:  (may be subject to change) 

1. 2 crossing guards at the intersection of Spring and Willow right in front of the school

2. 1 crossing guard at Ridgewood and Main

3. 1 crossing guard at Meeker and Willow

4. 1 Crossing guard at Spring and Rector

Car drop-off:  Begins at 8:45 AM.  Parents dropping off their children can do so on Spring Street.  We will have the drop-off zone marked and a staff member will be present.  All students who are dropped off will enter through the Spring Street side door.  The staff member will direct students when they arrive. Cars may NOT enter the loop or the staff parking lot during drop-off.  Students are to proceed into the building through this entrance and report to their classroom.

Bussers:  All students arriving by bus will enter through the loop entrance as this is where buses will park. Bus students will exit the bus and proceed into the building to line up by their classrooms.   

Before School Activities: Students participating in any activities before school, including orchestra, band, clubs, etc. may enter the building through the main entrance or the bus loop.

Safety: We need to keep a continuous flow of traffic during this busy time period.  Everyone’s help is greatly appreciated during this time. For the safety of our children, please be certain that children use the designated crosswalk areas and do not cross the street directly from their parked car. Please do not park in the “Drop Off Zone” along Spring Street.   

Late arrival: All doors will be locked at 9:00 AM. Any student arriving after this time must enter through the main office doors and be signed in by a parent or guardian.  Any student arriving after 9:00 will be marked “tardy.”  

Absences: Please email all absences and late arrivals to Attendance.Washington@Millburn.org. Please include your child’s full name, homeroom and the reason for the absence/ delay by 9am each day to enable us to update our records as mandated by the Department of Education.

Dismissal

Students will be dismissed following the procedures listed below:

Walkers:

They will be dismissed at 3:20 by their teachers.  This includes any student who has been given permission by a parent to leave school unescorted by an adult, those walking to the car line, going home with a friend, or walking to a designated nearby location for pick up. Please note the proper permissions need to be in place in PowerSchool to allow the student to have a dismissal plan that includes any of these scenarios.

If you wish for your child to have the option to leave unescorted at dismissal to walk to the car line,  go home with a friend, or be met in a designated pick-up location, please be sure you have chosen “YES” in your answer to the question below in your PowerSchool parent portal. The section in PowerSchool reads as follows:

My child has permission to leave school unescorted at dismissal. This includes walking to the car line, to a designated pick-up location, or leaving with a friend

Yes  No 

Students who do not have these permissions in place to leave unescorted and are getting picked up will be dismissed by their teacher as follows:

Teachers will bring the student to the field side doors behind the school for dismissal.  Once a teacher identifies a person who has been authorized to pick up,  students will be dismissed.  If an authorized person is not present at the field door at dismissal, the student will be brought to the main office where a contact person will be called. 

Please DO NOT use the staff parking lot for student pick-up. Please use street parking and walk to the field side exit at dismissal.

Please note this does not apply to students who are taking the bus home.  

Bus students:

They will report to their designated place, either by the loop or in the building, to meet their bus leaders.  They will line up for attendance by their assigned bus number.  Please make sure your child is aware of their bus number.

Please take note of the following bus-related items:  

Students can only ride the bus they are assigned to and students who are not bussers are not permitted on any bus.  Bus students may not be dropped off at a stop other than their designated stop.  All students riding the bus must remain seated and are required to wear seat belts.  Large instruments are NOT allowed to be transported on the bus.  Cell phones are to be used for emergencies only.  

Carpool Line Pickup:

Students may be picked up in the carpool line at dismissal.  Please note, however, that your child’s permissions in PowerSchool must allow for him/her to leave school unescorted in order for them to walk to the carpool line. All cars should pull up to the yellow cones located outside of the Spring Street side doors.  Students that are getting picked up should wait in this area.  Please pick up your child and keep the line moving.  

The bus loop will be closed during dismissal to allow buses to safely board students.  Once all buses have left the loop, cars may use this area for pickup as needed.  

Parking:  

• 2-hour parking is available on Meeker, Rector, Willow, and Spring Street.  

• Please do not enter the Staff parking lot during either AM or PM drop off or pick up.

• Loop area  - No Parking!

Students and parents/guardians must be aware of the student’s dismissal plan prior to the start of the school day. We are unable to interrupt instruction for dismissal changes. If an unexpected situation occurs during the school day that necessitates a change in dismissal plans, please contact both the office and your child’s teacher by email. The email address for office staff is amruta.khalap@millburn.org. In case of a genuine emergency that warrants a change occurring after 12 noon, please email and call the office.

After-School Activities - Students will report to the appropriate individuals responsible for the activity and be dismissed either to their parents/guardians or on their own depending on the permissions submitted to the PTO. This is separate from their school dismissal permissions. Please also be aware that students being picked up from ASC must be picked up promptly at 4:20 PM.

• Please know that a nurse will not be present or available during after-school activities. 

Extended Single Session Days - Please be sure to mark your calendars for extended single session dates (dismissal at 1:05 PM) to ensure your child’s appropriate supervision on these early dismissal days.  A copy of our District calendar can be found on our website (millburn.org/About Us/District Calendars).

Snack Time - Fifth graders will have the opportunity to have a snack each morning.  Your child’s teacher will share the time and details with you. 

Lunch -  Lunch is between 12:25 and 1:15 every day.  Students eat lunch in the gym with their class or eat outside in the lunch area, weather permitting.  Outdoor lunches follow a rotating schedule based on packs. 

We will also be using the Art Room for each class to have a special Leadership Lunch following a rotating schedule.  

Washington School families will have the opportunity to order student lunches through our partner Lunch Mommy. Lunch will be available on all full days and delayed opening. Lunch will NOT be provided on early dismissal days.

If you would like to purchase lunch, please sign up on the PTO website.  If you have allergy concerns,  please contact our school nurse, Mrs. Trish O’Gorman at patricia.ogorman@millburn.org.  

Communication and Parent-Teacher Conferences:  We encourage communication and will be available by phone, email, or for a personal meeting (during a mutually agreed upon day & time).  There are two dates for Parent-Teacher Conferences.  In November (4, 5, 6)  with the parent and teacher, and in April (8,9,10) we will have our Student-Led Conferences with students present during those times. 

Safety and Security:  Safety is a top priority for all of our students. When visiting during the school day you must sign in. Please make every effort to ensure that your child has what they need for their school day before they leave home in the morning. If you are dropping off a lunch, instrument, etc., we ask that you mark it with your child’s name and drop it off on the blue cart outside the main entrance. Mrs. Khalap will make sure that all belongings get to your children.  

Additionally, Officer Ron Guensch is our full-time security officer. We look forward to another year of partnering with him to enhance the safety and security in our school.  

This Week

We will have an Open House for all 5th-grade students and their parents on Wednesday, August 28th, and Thursday, August 29th between 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm.  This is an opportunity for students and parents to locate their classroom and become familiar with the building. Our PTO has arranged for students to enjoy a frozen treat and receive a Washington School tee shirt outside on our field during each Open House.

Wednesday, August 28, 2024, between 3:00 - 4:00: Packs WOV

Thursday, August 29, 2024, between 3:00 - 4:00: Packs LES 

We hope you will join us for Back to School Night on Tuesday, September 17 at 6:15pm.   

The Washington School teachers and staff join me in wishing you a wonderful 2024 – 2025 school year. We are very excited to welcome everyone on the first day of school on Tuesday, September 3rd. 

Yours truly,

Peter Mercurio

Washington School Principal