MILL LAKE SCHOOL
PRINCIPAL’S NEWSLETTER
“The Monroe Public Schools, in collaboration with the members of the community,
shall ensure that all children receive an exemplary education by well trained,
committed staff, in a safe and orderly environment.”
November/December 2014
Child Sick or Absent? Call 732-251-5336 before 8:50 a.m.
(Select the option for reporting your child absent or late.)
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Our school year is in full swing and our teachers are doing an amazing job engaging your children in active, meaningful lessons that are helping their brains to grow. I have had the pleasure of observing teachers and students working in every classroom and I really like what I see. Our teachers post “learning goals,” which help children focus on exactly what their teachers are teaching them. These statements are often in the form of “I can….” such as “I can retell a story.” Be sure to ask your children to tell you what they are learning in our wonderful school!
Week of Respect
We had a very productive “Week of Respect” in which children learned how to treat others with kindness and respect during the school day. Children learned not to be unkind to others and certainly not to act like a bully does. I must say, there is a very peaceful climate at Mill Lake School, which maximizes learning as children feel happy and secure. Thank you for reinforcing respectful behavior at home as well.
Emergency Drills and Procedures
We have all participated in fire safety lessons courtesy of our wonderful Monroe Township Volunteer Fire Company #1 Firefighters and Mr. Ernie Zih, Fire Official/Fire Inspector. Our firefightersvolunteer their time annually to help our children learn about fire safety. We thank them for their time and for the free materials they donate to our students. We have participated inseveral fire drills,one “off site” evacuation drill, several lock-down drills and bus safety drills over the past two months. Additionally, our AED team has completed two simulations as part of the new “Janet’s Law.” These safety drills will continue throughout the year.
Parents/Guardians at the Bus Stop
The safety and well-being of our students is of primary importance to me. Please ensure that children are properly supervised at the bus stop in the morning and are not permitted to run around or play close to the roadway. Parents/Guardians need to be physically present; watching children from the doorway is not acceptable.
Children whose parent or guardian is not present at the bus stop at dismissal will be returned to Mill Lake School. This procedure guarantees your child’s safety, but is to be used only in a dire emergency on your part.Pleaseensure that you are at your child’s bus stop 10 minutes earlier than the expected time so you will be there to greet your child.
Child Not Coming to School Today? Call Us!
Please remember tocall the school nurse at the above number every time your child will be absent from school. This is to ensure that if he/she does not arrive, we begin an immediate search. When you fail to call, we are acting on a “false alarm,” and valuable time and resources are being wasted. We greatly appreciate your assistance.
Free Parent Newsletters
One of our teachers sent me this link where you can access free parent newsletters called “Empowering Parents: Child Behavior Help.” I am not advocating for the products available at this site, but I thought the information was too good not to share. This article discusses “Are you doing too much for your child?” I hope you find it helpful. There are many other articles on the site that you may find helpful.
Sincerely yours,
`Lynn C. Barberi, Ed. D.
Principal
WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS MONTH
Regular School Hours
8:50 a.m. – 3:19 p.m.
Pre-School – AM (half day) / 8:50 am - 11:24 amPre-School – PM (half day) / 12:45 pm - 3:19 pm
Pre-School – (full day) / 8:50 am– 2:30 pm
Kindergarten – AM / 8:50 am - 11:24 pm
Kindergarten – PM / 12:45 am - 3:19 pm
Grades 1 – 2 / 8:50 am - 3:19 pm
*Students who arrive after the 8:50 am bell will be marked late and must be signed in at the main office by the adult transporting the student.
3:19 p.m. - dismissal begins
3:24 p.m. - dismissal complete
BASC children will be dismissed to the cafeteria first. TAG students will be dismissed to their teachers last.
Early Dismissal & Delayed Opening Schedules
NO LUNCH IS SERVED ON SCHEDULED EARLY DISMISSAL DAYS
Our district’s early dismissal schedule will be as follows:
GRADE / EARLY DISMISSAL TIMESPre-School – AM / 8:50 am – 10:50 am
Pre-School – PM / 10:50 am – 12:50 am
Pre-School – Full Day / 8:50 am – 12:16 pm
Kindergarten – AM / 8:50 am - 11:24 pm
Kindergarten – PM / 10:16 am - 12:50 pm
Grades 1 – 2 / 8:50 am - 12:50 pm
Our district’s delayed opening schedule for inclement weather days will be as follows:
GRADE / DELAYED OPENING TIMESPre-School – AM / 10:50 am – 1:04 pm
Pre-School – PM / 1:05 pm – 3:19 pm
Pre-School – Full Day / 10:50 am – 2:22 pm
Kindergarten – AM / 10:50 am – 1:04 pm
Kindergarten – PM / 1:05 pm - 3:19 pm
Grades 1 – 2 / 10:50 am – 3:19 pm
American Education Week – November 16-22
On Friday, November 22, we invite parents and guardians for American Education Week to visit our school. This year’s theme is “Raise Your Hand for Student Success.”
This special visit is reserved for parents and guardians only, and no other adults or children will be admitted.This will allow us to maintain the educational integrity and safety of our students. All visitors are being asked to pre-register for this event. Please look for a registration form to home shortly. We ask that you park either on the street or across the street at the Monroe Township Community Center. A special schedule will be coming home shortly letting you know when your child’s class will be having their visit time on November 22.
Toys For Tots
Mill Lake School will be collecting new unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots November 17 - December 18. The toys will be brought to the Red Bank Drop-Off Center run by GySgt. Jack Santelli. Last year, our school collected over 594 toys items to benefit Toys for Tots.
Please make sure all items are labeled with your child’s name and his/her teacher’s name. Pre-K/Kindergarten, please specify AM or PM.
The class who brings in the most toys will receive a pizza party in January.
Your kindness and generosity is greatly appreciated.
Jump Rope for Heart
Our first and second grade students will be participating in Jump Rope for Heart on December 12, 2014. Collection envelopes will be sent home with students. Please check your child’s backpack for more information.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Notes or E-mails to Teacher
Please do not e-mail dismissal changes or other emergency information as teachers cannot always access their e-mail while they are teaching. If you require an immediate response, please call the office. Dismissal changes should be sent via paper note to the teacher through your child’s folder. Substitute teachers can’t access e-mail either. Our policy is that teachers will respond to e-mails within 24 hours.
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Parent-Teacher Conferences, an integral component of the school’s reporting system of pupil progress, are scheduled for Wednesday, December 3rd and Thursday, December 4th. The evening of Thursday, December 4th has been set aside for conferences with parents who cannot possibly attend an afternoon conference. In addition to the dates listed above, Kindergarten teachers will be conducting conferences all day on Tuesday, December 2nd. Notices will be sent home with your child soon.
Release of Students
If you anticipate that you will be picking your child up from school before the end of the school day, please send a note to the teacher in the morning. Please do not send the teacher an email. If the teacher is outthat day there is no way to retrieve the email. If an unexpected emergency occurs, please try to call the office before 3:00 p.m. so our office staff can verify the arrangements before dismissal. If it is necessary to have your child released to someone who is not a parent or an emergency contact, you must provide the school with a signed note identifying the individual who is picking up your child. Please remind that individual that he/she must show photo identification before the child is released. Thank you for your assistance in ensuring the safety of all our students.
Recess in Cold Weather
Whenever possible, students will be going outside for recess. Please ensure that your child is dressed appropriately for outdoor recess, and whenever possible, please label coats, hats, etc. with your child’s name on the inside.
Bus Reminders
- No Food on Buses – Please remind children that they cannot eat or drink on any school buses. This is to avoid choking and to protect our students with food allergies.
- Seatbelts – Please remind children that they must remain sitting, with their seatbelts on, for the entire bus ride.
Safety Concerns at Mill Lake
Please follow our safety guidelines for the Parent Drop-Off Zone to keep it safe at Mill Lake School.
In the morning:
-Please arrive between 8:45 and 8:50 a.m.
-Pull forward as far as possible, and then discharge your passengers.
-Please do not stop your car on top of the yellow pedestrian crosswalk. If you cannot move forward then stop just before the yellow paint.
-Do not allow students to exit your car on the left side; students must exit cars on the right side only.
-Students must be told to walk next to the grass, away from the roadway.
-Please do not park in numbered spaces in the parking lot. If you park your car on the street, please escort your children across the road in the middle area over the yellow lines. Be aware of the traffic and the direction of our staff before crossing.
-Please do notdouble park when dropping off students in the morning.
-When the latebell rings at 8:55 a.m., you must park your car and sign in your child at the office.
-If the front doors of the school are closed and you do not see a Mill Lake Staff member present, your child is late.
In the afternoon:
-You must remain in your car if you are in the waiting zone; cars cannot be parked along the curb as they must be ready to move when given the direction to do so; parking your car is also a violation of the fire safety regulations.
-Please move your car as far forward as possible before stopping to allow the maximum number of cars along the curb.
-No cars may be parked on the left side of the roadway; we do not want children walking between parked cars at any time.
-Please be aware of the directions of our staff; if you are signaled to stop, please do so immediately.
-Please do not block staff cars by double parking in parking lot at dismissal while waiting for students to be dismissed.
Inclement Weather
Families who have access to the internet can check school delays and closings at or at and select Monroe Township, NJ. We do intend to use the Alert Now System to notify all families of school closings. Parents can also check on school closings and delayed openings due to inclement weather by listening to WCTC 1450 AM, WMGQ 98.3 FM or NJ 101.5 FM on the radio and News 12 New Jersey on the television.
Snowballs
Since this is the season for snow, this is a friendly reminder that children are not permitted to throw snowballs on the school grounds or at the bus stops. Kindly discuss this with your child(ren). We want to insure the safety of all of our students. Thank you in advance for your cooperation!
Character Corner: from Mrs. Clark
December: Season of Caring
Now that children have adjusted to a new school year, the holidays will be upon us before you know it. The holidays are a fun and joyous time, but also a very busy one, and holiday stress and anxiety in children (and adults) is a common occurrence. Here are 4 ways to help you and your child during this busy time.
- Set a calm example: The most important way parents can help ease anxiety in children during the holidays is by trying to keep things relaxed as much as possible. As with so many situations, the way parents handle an issue can set the tone for how their kids will behave. If you let holiday stress get to you, your kids will definitely pick up on it, and child anxiety is more likely to be a problem in your home.
- Set up conditions for good behavior. Avoid taking your child to places such as the mall or holiday gatherings when he is hungry or tired. It’s hard even for grown-ups to deal with noise and lots of stimulation when they’re not feeling their best; kids get hungry more often and become tired more easily, and may understandably have a tough time being on their best behavior.
- Remember the importance of routines. The holidays can throw a big wrench into household routines, and that can play a role in anxiety in children. To minimize holiday stress in your kids, try to get routines back on track once an event or party is over. For instance, if a school holiday concert or a family gathering goes past your child’s bedtime, try to stick to quiet, calm activities the next day and get your child to bed on time the next night.
- Avoid overscheduling. As tempting as it may be to accept every invitation from friends and family, try to limit your holiday parties and activities so that you and your child are not overwhelmed. A couple of events a week may be fine, but having an obligation every day can lead to holiday stress and anxiety in children.
Nurse’s Notes, From Mrs. Weiler
NOVEMBER is: Epilepsy Awareness Month
American Diabetes Month or
Flu Awareness Month
The influenza virus causes the flu, which usually occurs in the winter. It is contagious and is spread from direct person-to-person contact. Typical symptoms are fever, cough, chills, headache, sore throat, and muscle aches that last from three to seven days. A high fever is common but is usually gone by the third day. Gastrointestinal symptoms such as upset stomach or vomiting are sometimes seen in children but rarely in adults. Feelings of tiredness may last from days to weeks. If your child has flu symptoms they should stay home until they are feeling better and they must be fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medicine before returning to school. Your health care provider can recommend treatment for flu symptoms as necessary. To stay healthy children should be encouraged to:
Wash their hands with soap and water frequently and use hand sanitizer as necessary.
Sneeze or cough into their elbow or shoulder.
Avoid touching their face or mouth with their hands.
Children in preschool and daycare are required to receive a seasonal flu vaccine annually by December 31. It is also recommended that children receive the flu vaccine every year especially those with a chronic illness.
Holiday Food and Gifts
Again this year, we will put together food and gifts for the holidays for families who may
be experiencing difficult times. Any parent who would like to contribute to this project by donating gift cards, non-perishable food, or provide gifts for a child of a specific age (names are confidential), should call me as soon as possible at 732-251-5336 X8402.
When Should I Keep my Child Home From School?
If your child has any of the following symptoms they should stay home and rest until their symptoms
subside: vomiting, diarrhea, persistent headache, rash, productive cough, lack of energy, ear pain, sore throat or discomfort swallowing, stomachache, loss of appetite for more than one day, runny nose (especially if the mucus is not clear or white), fever (temperature 100 degrees or higher). Staying home can make a big difference in helping them feel better and keeping their classmates healthy. If you are concerned about your child’s symptoms, trust your instincts and call your health care provider.
LOST AND FOUND
The Lost and Found containers outside the Health Office are almost full. We will have tables set up in the Main lobby during conferences to display items that have been found. Please check for any items your child may have left at school.
National Hand Washing Awareness Week December 7-13, 2014
Statistics from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that young children
have a higher incidence of respiratory infections, including the common cold. Research from the CDC shows those students miss 22 million school days a year due to the common cold. “The most important thing that you can do to keep from getting sick is to wash your hands” according to the CDC. This is also good advice during this flu season. Hands should be washed frequently with warm soapy water for at least 20 seconds.