Principal's Message


Welcome to Washington School!

Dear Washington School Students and Families,

This year marks the beginning of an exciting journey for all of us at Washington School. As your principal, I am filled with anticipation and optimism for the academic year ahead. My commitment is to foster a vibrant and supportive learning community where every student feels seen, valued, and inspired to reach their full potential. By working together we can create an environment that challenges our students academically and nurtures their creativity, curiosity, hearts and character. I look forward to partnering with you and am confident that together, we will make this an unforgettable and successful year for our Washington Wolves. 

We are all busy planning for the start of what promises to be an incredible “adventure in learning” for ourselves and our students.

We are excited about the possibilities this new school year brings and look forward to partnering with you for a successful and enriching year.

Arrival and Dismissal

Arrival

  • The school day begins at 8:55 a.m., with supervision starting at 8:45 a.m. Please do not drop off your child before this time.

  • Doors: The Main Office, Spring Street, and bus loop entrances will be open.

  • Late Arrivals: All doors lock at 9:00 a.m. Any student arriving after this time must enter through the main office and be signed in by a parent or guardian. They will be marked as "tardy."

  • Car Drop-off: Begins at 8:45 a.m. on Spring Street in the designated drop-off zone. A staff member will be present to direct students. Cars are not permitted in the bus loop or staff parking lot.  There is 2-hour parking on Meeker, Rector and Willow Streets.  Ensure students cross only at crossing guard locations.

  • Bussers: Students arriving by bus will enter through the bus loop entrance.

  • Absences: Please email all absences and late arrivals and early dismissals to Attendance.Washington@Millburn.org by 9 a.m. each day.

Dismissal

  • Walkers: Dismissal is at 3:20 p.m. This includes any student with parent permission to leave unescorted as denoted in PowerSchool. In 5-8 grades DISTRICT POLICY states that students are dismissed without supervision at the end of the day, unless otherwise indicated.

  • Car Pick-up: You can pick up your child in the carpool line on Spring Street.  The bus loop will be closed during dismissal.  On their website, the 5th grade PTO has some excellent guidance on completing these permissions in PowerSchool. 

  • Authorized Pick-up: If your child does not have permission to leave unescorted, they will be dismissed to an authorized person at the field side doors behind the school. Please use street parking and walk to this exit. 

  • Bus Students: Students will report to their designated area to meet their bus leaders and line up by bus number.

  • Dismissal Changes: We are unable to interrupt instruction for dismissal changes. If an unexpected situation occurs, please email both the office (attendance.washington@millburn.org) and your child’s teacher. For emergencies after 12 noon, please email and call the office.

  • After-School Activities: Students will report to the appropriate individuals for the activity and must be picked up promptly at 4:20 p.m. A nurse will not be present.

General Information

  • Snack and Lunch: Students will have a snack time each morning. Lunch is from 12:25 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. We will also be using the Art Room for a special Leadership Lunch. You can order student lunches through our partner, Lunch Mommy, via the PTO website.

  • Safety and Security: When visiting, you must sign in. If you are dropping off a lunch, instrument, or other items, please mark it with your child’s name and drop it on the blue cart outside the main entrance. Our office staff will ensure your child receives it.

  • Powerschool: Complete the annual Back to School Update in order to confirm and update family data and emergency contact information for returning students. After logging into the PowerSchool Parent Portal and click on the “Forms” link on the left.  

Our Academic Program

At Washington School, we are committed to fostering the growth of our fifth-grade students through a robust curriculum.

  • Literacy: Our fifth-grade teachers will continue to use Balanced Literacy methods, facilitating reading and writing through Reader’s and Writer’s Workshops.

  • Mathematics: We use Math In Focus, which is based on the acclaimed Singapore approach, and our teachers receive ongoing professional development to enhance their instruction.

  • Technology: We are also 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. Additionally, every fifth-grader will be assigned a Chromebook to enhance their learning throughout the school day.  Chromebook Insurance: The district provides a required insurance program for school-issued student devices. 

Washington Wolves "Packs"

As the Washington Wolves, our fifth-grade classes are organized into "Packs." Within your child's Pack, their homeroom teacher will be responsible for language arts and math. Science, social studies, and BUILDER (Brainstorm, Understand, Imagine/Invent, Learn, Design, Engineer, Research) will be taught on a trimester rotation by the other teachers in their Pack.

All fifth-grade students will have Art, Music, and Spanish once a week and Physical Education twice a week. Students will also be able to visit the Media Den to check out books.

School Activities and Resources

There are many wonderful things happening at Washington School this year. We want to thank The Washington School PTO for their generosity and hard work in helping us provide a variety of enriching programs. To start the year, the PTO has donated planners and t-shirts for our students and a Leader in Me Membership.

Leader in Me: This program will provide students with leadership opportunities. Our goal is to equip students with the skills needed for leadership and positive decision-making. Students will create leadership portfolios, set goals, and participate in student-led conferences in April. You can learn more at theleaderinme.org.

  • Clubs and Organizations: Look for Band, Orchestra, Chorus, Newspaper, Broadcast, Student Lighthouse Teams, leadership "jobs," and the "We Grow" Environment Club.

  • PTO Events: The PTO is also planning After School Enrichment, Trep$, math competitions, a Spelling Bee, and Odyssey of the Mind.

  • Field Trip: All fifth-grade classes are scheduled to attend a trip to the Buehler Space Center in March.

  • Mural Project: We will continue our mural in the gym with muralist Caren Olmsted in November, with installation in December.

  • Author-in-Residence: Anna Crowley Redding, award-winning author and Emmy-award winning journalist will work with our school as an author in residence.  Her expertise in everything from picture books to young adult nonfiction will ignite the creative spark in our student authors.

Meeting Student Needs

Washington School is committed to meeting the academic, social, emotional, and behavioral needs of all learners.

  • Child Study Team: Our full Child Study Team supports students with special needs and works collaboratively to meet each student's individual needs. If you have questions about your child's IEP, please contact their case manager directly.

  • Intervention and Referral Services (I&RS) Team: Led by Mrs. Baldassari, our Assistant Principal, this team supports students in regular education. They review information and data to identify students with academic, social, emotional, or behavioral needs and develop interventions to help them reach their full potential.

  • Guidance Counselor: We understand the unique social and emotional needs of our fifth graders. Our Guidance Counselor, Mrs. Bonnie Loew, is a wonderful resource for both students and families during this transitional year.

  • Security Officer:  Ron Guensch is our full-time security officer, and we look forward to partnering with him to enhance safety and security in our school.

Health and Safety

A Message from Our School Nurse, Mrs. O’Gorman

I am here to help in any way I can, so please keep me informed of any chronic or acute illnesses or injuries your child experiences.

  • Medication: If your child needs to take medication at school, including over-the-counter medication, you must submit the appropriate medical authorization forms signed by you and your child's physician. All medication must be in its original prescription packaging with the child's name.

  • Illness: Please do not send your child to school sick. A student must be fever-free for 24 hours (without medication) and 24 hours without gastrointestinal symptoms before returning to school.

  • Contact Information: Please ensure your contact information and emergency contacts in PowerSchool are up to date. Emergency contacts should be able to pick up your child within 20 minutes if needed.

  • Immunizations: Please provide me with documentation of any vaccinations your student receives. TDaP and Meningococcal vaccines are required for all 11-year-olds. New students must also submit a health physical and updated immunization records as soon as possible.

  • Family Life: In fifth grade, our health curriculum includes family life, which focuses on puberty. This is not a sexual education class. You will be informed when this is going to be taught and can view the educational videos for both boys and girls attached to the original letter.

  • Accident and Dental Insurance: Please see the informational flyers for voluntary student accident and dental insurance.

Please don't hesitate to contact me with any health concerns-Patricia (Trish) O'Gorman R.N., M.S., C.S.N. Lead Nurse, Tel: 973-218-7500 ext. 39008

Code of Conduct and Behavior

At Washington School, we provide students with proactive ways to socialize and handle conflicts. We recognize positive behavior and leadership skills through HOWL Awards and a monthly Den Rally.

Our Code of Conduct is simple:

  1. Respect people and property.

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

  3. Use appropriate language.

  4. Be courteous; speak kindly.

  • Expectations: Students are expected to be kind, safe, and respectful to others and property at all times. We will discuss these expectations in the classrooms and throughout the year, and we encourage you to continue these conversations at home.

  • Bullying: Mrs. Baldassari is our HIB specialist for all incidents regarding Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB). We have a building safety team that will investigate and report on all incidents.

  • Social Media: We encourage all students to stay off social media and will be working with our DARE team of Millburn Police Officers to teach appropriate digital citizenship skills.

  • Cell Phones: Students must turn off their cell phones/smartwatches and keep them away during the school day.  Students may not take pictures, videos or capture audio on the school bus. We are not responsible for any lost or damaged devices.  We do wish to remind parents not to text students during school hours and to reserve emergency communications for official channels (attendance.washington@millburn.org) or reach out to administration. 

The Washington School teachers and staff join me in wishing you a wonderful 2025–2026 school year.

Our Mission Statement:

We, the

Open-minded

Leaders & learners of Washington School

Value kindness & differences

Embrace innovation &

Strive for Excellence

All the Best,

Anne Richardson, Ed. D.

Principal, Washington School