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Dear KDM Community,

Students continued to learn and grow this week, even with the snow day! The fifth graders took a trip to Raritan Valley Community College's planetarium where they learned about the constellations while participating in some fun and engaging activities. Kudos to the KDM PTA for supporting this trip.

Next Wednesday is an early dismissal day for students. Teachers and staff will have a professional development day to continue excelling in our craft.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Warm Regards,

Brian Rawlins

Principal

"Success is not about being better than the other person. Success is about being a better person than I was the day before." --Anonymous

• Special Education Parent Advisory Committee Meeting (SEPAC), Tuesday, February 11th: We are pleased to invite you to our February SEPAC meeting at Copeland Middle School Library. The meeting will take place on February 11th from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM, with a committee meeting at 5:30 PM, which everyone is welcome to join. This month, our topic will be an Overview of Special Education Programs in Rockaway Township as well as an opportunity to Meet the New Student Services Administrative Team. Our new Assistant Director of Student Services, Rebecca Garcia, will be in attendance and is eager to become an active member of SEPAC.

  Your presence and active participation in this meeting will not only benefit you as a parent but will also provide valuable information to our Special Education Department on how we can better support the community. We look forward to welcoming you on February 11th at Copeland Middle School with cookies and coffee!

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

• TREP$ Marketplace, March 7th: Don't miss this exciting event as our student entrepreneurs open their businesses to the public for the first time! Come support our young business moguls!

• Square 1 Art Fundraiser: Your students will be creating masterpieces for purchase on unique gifts and keepsakes. Stay tuned for more details!

• Tardy Students: If your student is arriving to school late, please have them stop by the front office, so we are aware of their arrival and can mark them present.

• Cafeteria Online Orders: Maschio's Food Services would like to remind parents that ordering at least 24 hours ahead ensures that your child will receive the lunch of their choice. When online orders come in the day of, availability is not guaranteed. Here's a link to review how to place orders.

• Safety Alert: If you are dropping off your child in the morning, please do not drop them off in the parking lot and send them unescorted into the building. Either escort your child all the way to the building or follow the procedures of driving through the parent drop-off lane. Please help us keep your children safe.
  
  
• Late Arrivals to School: If your child is late to school due to a medical appointment, please provide a doctor's note so it will be considered an "excused tardy."
  
  

• Parent Pick-Up Procedures: On the days that parents pick their child up from school, we ask that they email their child's teacher and our attendance secretary, Christina Markowitch (cmarkowitch@rocktwp.net) or Jude Wallin (jwallin@rocktwp.net) by 12pm. This ensures that your child is in the appropriate place for dismissal and eliminates confusion. Please use the visitor's spots in the front lot or the parking lot across the street.
  
  

• Genesis Parent Portal: HERE you will find vital information regarding your child’s schedule, teacher’s name, and bus assignments.
  
  

• Communication Framework: Click HERE. In order to ensure that all communications are directed to the right person, please use this framework with regard to all school-related inquiries

"This week was National School Counseling Week. I wanted to take this opportunity to remind you of my role at KDM! My goal is to be actively engaged in helping students examine their abilities, strengths, interests and talents. In addition, I work in a partnership with parents, teachers and administration to focus on positive ways to enhance students’ academic, career and social/emotional developmental needs. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions regarding services or support that I can provide!" --Mrs. Bodnar, KDM School Guidance Counselor

"5th graders visited the Raritan Valley Community College Planetarium to watch the show "Earth, Moon, Sun, and Coyote" and view some constellations in the night sky. Thanks to the PTA for supporting our trip."-- Ms. Beck

The Student Council and KDM PTA led a successful Coat Drive! Over 150 coats will go to our neighbors in need! The Student Council played an important role in creating signs, collecting coats, and inventorying the donations by sizes. Special thanks to Nickie Ferrucci, Janaka Fraysier, and Lauren Crispino for coordinating this generous initiative!

KDM Teachers and Staff are cooking up something awesome for the KDM Rodeo Show on March 21st. Get excited!

February PTA Meeting- Wednesday, February 12 @ 7pm

VIRTUAL ONLY

Hope you can join us virtually! https://meet.google.com/rpo-axfg-oen

Save these future dates:

February 12 - PTA Meeting - VIRTUAL ONLY

March 6 - Family Reading Night

March 12- PTA Meeting

March 18-20 - Spring Scholastic Book Fair

March 21 - KDM Rodeo Show (Talent Show)

Print and Save for your reference! February KDM PTA Calendar--This calendar reflects PTA events and activities. Please refer to the "Upcoming Dates" section below for the full listing of school events.

• February 11th (Tuesday): SEPAC Meeting at CMS at 6 pm.
• February 12th (Wednesday): Early Dismissal - Staff In-Service
• February 12th (Wednesday): Duck Donuts pick up at KDM from 3 - 5 pm
• February 12th (Wednesday): PTA Meeting - Virtual Only at 7 pm
• February 17th (Monday): District Closed in Honor of President's Day
• March 6th (Thursday): Family Reading Night
• March 7th (Friday): TREP$ Market Place
• March 11th (Tuesday): End of Trimester 2
• March 12th (Wednesday): PTA Meeting
• March 18th (Tuesday) - March 20th (Thursday): Spring Scholastic Book Fair
• March 21st (Friday): KDM PTA Rodeo Show