February Newsletter
Dear Kuser Families,
The first few days of this month have brought to the forefront the need for us to continue to focus on enhancing the security of our campus! The safety and well-being of our students are and will continue to be my number one priority.
Understanding the anxiety and vulnerability parents may experience in situations where they fear for their child's safety, we acknowledge their trust in school officials. Please be assured that our staff is unwaveringly dedicated to ensuring the safety of our students. We engage in drills monthly, followed by thorough debriefs and reflections to refine our procedures. Our staff relied on their training and responded to the situation accordingly, ensuring the safety of all students. In response to the recent incident on Friday, we are implementing additional measures to avert similar situations.
However, we consider you an integral part of our team, and your support is crucial. We must convey the same message to our students, emphasizing the importance of adhering to our safety procedures. They should avoid opening school doors for anyone, even if they know the individual. Taking safety drills seriously, maintaining silence, and promptly following the instructions given by their teachers is paramount. This consistent message has been echoed since the commencement of the academic year.
Reason to celebrate, we have completed our iReady testing and our students are showing progress. Our attendance is also improving. We need our students present and ready to learn and grow. I invite you to join me on Thursday, February 29, 2024 at 9:00 am for Hot Chocolate & Bagels. I will share information on attendance and iReady results. Please click here to confirm your attendance.
We eagerly anticipate our ongoing collaboration as we strive to make Kuser the best possible place for all.
Sincerely,
Sra. Peake
Security & Visitor Protocols
Kuser Elementary School is a unique and beautiful building. However, due to the age of the building, we face certain safety and logistical challenges. Hence, we must adjust and revise our security and visitor protocols to ensure the safety of students and staff. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
Please be prepared to provide your license/identification upon arrival to school every time you enter the building.
All Visitors must ring the bell at the main door.
All visitors gaining entry into the building must sign in and provide license/identification.
Only visitors with an appointment or who have been requested to pick up their child will be allowed entry into the building.
All visitors walking throughout the building must wear a visitor’s badge at all times or be escorted by a staff member.
At no time should any visitors attempt to enter the building via any other door!
Dropping off items for a student:
Procedure:
Parents dropping off items for students will place items in the drop-off bin.
Fill out the form with the student's name, class, and item being dropped off.
Ring the bell to inform office staff.
Staff will retrieve the item and ensure the student receives it.
No entry is necessary.
Late Arrival: Children who arrive after the 8:55 a.m. bell will be marked late.
Procedure:
The parent/guardian will ring the bell at the main door.
The parent/guardian will be met at the door.
The parent/guardian will fill out the “Late Arrival Form.”
The student will report to the office to check in and select lunch.
The student will receive a late pass and report to class.
No entry is necessary.
Early Dismissal:
All requested early dismissals from school (doctor’s appointment, personal situation, etc.) must be submitted in writing. This note should include the student’s name, teacher’s name, date, time, and reason for the request. The child must be picked up and signed out by the parent or guardian in the office. No student will be dismissed during school hours without an adult escort, who must be listed on the child’s emergency card. Please be prepared to provide your license/identification upon arrival to school every time you enter the building.
Procedure:
The parent/guardian will ring the bell at the main door.
The parent/guardian will be met at the door.
The parent/guardian will fill out the “Early Dismissal Form.”
The parent/guardian may be required to provide a license/identification.
The student will be brought to the parent at the front door.
No entry is necessary.
Stay tuned for future additional adjustments!
Lunch & Snacks
Dear Kuser Families,
Recognizing the importance of providing our students with well-balanced, healthy meals, we've observed a pattern where many students tend to consume their snacks first, often neglecting the main portion of their meals. This can contribute to unhealthy eating habits, fatigue, and early-day hunger.
To address this, we've decided to offer ice cream exclusively on Fridays. While other snacks remain available throughout the week, students are now required to finish their lunch before indulging in snacks. For those sending meals from home, we kindly ask you to minimize the inclusion of sugary snacks. Additionally, we urge you to discuss with your students the potential dangers of sharing food, as unawareness of peers' allergies may pose risks.
Below, you'll find the menus for the month of December. Your cooperation and support are greatly appreciated!
Sincerely,
Sra. Peake
Every Day Counts!
Dear Kuser Families,
As we embark on the sixth month of the school year, there is much for us to take pride in. Our Chronic Absenteeism rate has shown a significant improvement, dropping from 17.50% in September to 11.90% in January! This reduction in chronic absenteeism has positively impacted our students' academic performance, as reflected in our ongoing progress on the Winter iReady Data.
However, our journey is far from over; it's a marathon with a five-year commitment. We are confronted with the challenge of addressing historical performance gaps in both NJSLA and Chronic Absenteeism data. There is still much ground to cover before we can declare victory and success. Yet, our positive trajectory is a result of our collective teamwork. I extend my gratitude to each of you for your commitment and support.
I have personally engaged with numerous families to discuss attendance matters and academic performance. I invite you to join me on Thursday, February 29, 2024, at 9 am to delve deeper into attendance policies and explore the impact of absenteeism on academic performance. Please click here to confirm your attendance.
By working together, we can ensure the success of our students. Our commitment remains steadfast in doing whatever it takes to secure a brighter future for our Kuser Kats!
Sincerely,
Sra. Peake & Kuser Staff
