Folsom School News

Dear Folsom School Community Members:

I hope this newsletter finds all of our school families off to a fantastic first month of school! We are preparing for a number of fun and engaging activities for our students in the month of October! The events kick off with Week of Respect and concludes with the Annual Fall Festival Parade.

In New Jersey, the first Monday in October of each school year is designated as “Week of Respect.” This week is intended to create further awareness of character development within the school community. In observance of New Jersey's Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act, we will have special activities during the Week of Respect to heighten awareness and focus on the prevention of harassment, intimidation, and bullying.

Sincerely,

Kevin Fricke

Superintendent

During the week of respect, we ask for students and staff to get in the SPIRIT below:

Next, we will continue with our annual Fall Festival Parade. Parent/Guardians of PK-4th grade students are invited to Folsom Elementary School for the Annual Fall Festival Parade on Thursday, October 31st. The Fall Festival Parade starts at 2:00 pm.

Students (Grades Pre-K to 4th) will parade around on the blacktop on the side of the school. Parking will be available for parents/guardians in the front of the school and down the right side of the driveway.

Students in grades 5-8 will enjoy a “spirited” activity courtesy of our Positive Behavior Supports in Schools (PBSIS) committee in the afternoon.

Teachers will coordinate with families for treats and/or seasonal crafts to be enjoyed prior to the parade.

Students will return to their classroom after the parade. At the conclusion of the parade ONE parent per student will be permitted into the classrooms to sign their students out. Parents will enter the building after the parade via the main entrance.

Fall Festival Day is an exciting time for elementary students to dress up as popular characters, celebrities, or role models. Please promote the positive and fun aspects of this season and avoid the scary and/or violent costumes. Costumes which include toy guns and/or knives will not be permitted.

Students are to WEAR their costumes to school, therefore, please make sure it is comfortable and does not hinder their ability to learn throughout the day.

2024-2025 Free and reduced applications for school lunch will be expiring soon. If you have not already done so, please submit a new application on Realtime Parent Portal to see if you qualify for meals. You can also apply anytime during the school year if your situation has changed.

Any questions can be directed to Debbie DeCicco email:DDeCicco@folsomschool.org.

The Choice Application Process for the 2025-2026 school year is happening NOW!

If you currently have a Choice Student enrolled at Folsom School and would like to apply for a sibling in grades K-8 to attend Folsom School in the 2025-2026 school year, now is the time. The application Deadline is November 25, 2024.

Applications can be found on our website: www.folsomschool.org

1

Fire Prevention Day (grades PK thru 4)

10

7th grade field trip

8th grade HS fair

Picture make-up day

Box out Bullying assembly (grades K thru 4)

11

School Closed-Teacher In-Service Day

14

School Closed-Columbus Day

15

Assembly grades 5 thru 8 guest speaker Mykee Fowler

Board of Education Meeting 6:00 pm library

16

Home & School Meeting 6:30 pm library

18

Trunk or Treat 6:00-8:00 pm

25

Fall Fest Middle School Dance (grades 5-8) Costumes optional 6:30-8:30 pm

31

Fall Festival Parade 2:00 pm

Click on the link to find more information about Home & School's October Events.

https://secure.smore.com/n/ubk6w

Replace soda and sugary drinks with water. You can add fruit or lemon to flavor it to your liking. Other great choices can be seltzer or flavored waters. This small change can save over 50,000 calories a year! Instead of chips or cookies, choose your favorite fruit or vegetable and pair it with a dip, saving about 25,000 calories! Replacing screen time with fun outdoor activities can burn about 40,000 calories per year! Reducing calorie intake and exercising can help prevent heart disease and other preventable diseases improving quality of life over time.

• No medication of any kind including over the counter drugs can be dispensed at the school without a Dr.'s prescription. All medication must be brought to school by a parent. Parents must sign a permission form before medicine can be dispensed.

• Any new/changed health related information, especially medications should be reported to the Nurse.

• Forward all updated vaccination records and/or physicals ASAP to Nurse.

• Please keep your child home if they are not feeling well or are not themselves.

• Email Nurse Scarpelli nscarpelli@folsomschool.org with any questions.

Theme: Celebrate Life! Live Drug Free!

Red Ribbon Week is an alcohol, tobacco, and other drug and violence prevention awareness campaign observed annually in October in the United States. It began as a tribute to fallen DEA special agent E. Camerena in 1985. According to the United States DEA, Red Ribbon Week is the nation’s largest and longest-running drug awareness and prevention program.

Red Ribbon Week is held this year October 23rd-31st

WEAR RED ON OCTOBER 23rd!

The Portal is where you will find progress reports, report cards, attendance records and make payments to your lunch or S.A.C.C. accounts.

Please remember to log into the Parent Portal for important Back to School information and to make sure your students emergency contact information is up to date and correct.

If you are having trouble logging into the parent portal or need any assistance with the portal please contact Mr. Ward.

Click link for technology tips and tricks: https://www.smore.com/f2p50

Our 6th Graders at the YMCA of the Pines for their annual trip. Check out the students taking part in team building activities!

The friends of 2L brought their best CHEESEY smiles for picture day!

6th Grade students went to "Starbooks" this week to "taste" different novels for upcoming Realistic Fiction book clubs. Students previewed different novels and chose their book club novel!

Folsom Safety Patrol had their first meeting today, in which they went over their responsibilities and flag etiquette. At the end of their meeting, patrollers went outside and rehung our flag at half-mast in remembrance of those that lost their lives on 9/11/01. They paid their respects with a moment of silence.

Wow what a wonderful time we are having in Ms. Dirkes' 1st Grade class. So far, we have read, First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg, discussed our feelings, blew some magic bubbles, and reviewed the rules. We started working on building stamina when reading to ourselves, and tried out our fundation kits. We also practiced logging in to our chromebook and had a dance party!!!

On Friday, 7th and 8th Grade students did some team building activities in science class!

The 1st two days of PreK-3 were a big success! Lots of smiles and giggles down our way! The students are moving and grooving!

Students in Grades 5-8 participated in One Book/Summer Reading sessions today. They rotated between three sessions where they created STEM sports, created a new team logo, tested their sports trivia knowledge, and more. The students were engaged and had a great day! Thank you to the Middle School Team for organizing this for our students and connecting their one book to engaging activities for our students.

3rd Grade students had a fun 2nd day of school! Students were read "would you rather" statements and moved around the room according to their preference. Students also had the opportunity to get to know each other better as they participated in a "skittle riddle."

2nd grade held their first Falcon Friday!!

Website: https://www.folsomschool.org
Location: 1357 Mays Landing Road, Hammonton, NJ, USA
Phone: 609-561-8666
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FolsomSchoolDistrictNJ/