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Dear KDM Community,

I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the hard work and dedication shown by both students and staff throughout this past week. I continue to be inspired by our KDM teachers who work every day to balance developmentally appropriate instruction with high expectations for student performance. The students, with the guidance of their teachers, are fostering a collaborative, positive, and enriching learning environment. Kudos to all!

On a separate note, the weather is getting cooler, but we are still playing outdoors at recess. Please ensure that your student comes to school with warm clothes and jackets so they can enjoy their well-deserved break!

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

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

• Water Update: Our school's water pump has experienced damage, and as a precautionary measure, we will temporarily shut down the drinking water supply. This will be done to ensure the quality and safety of the water that our students and staff rely on. While water will still be available in the lavatories, it will not be available for consumption during this time. To address this situation, we will provide bottled water for both students and staff. We also encourage families to send their children with bottled water from home if they prefer. I will keep you updated as more information becomes available.

• Leaf Your Mark, Stuff the Turkey with H.E.A.R.T.!: The Student Council, in partnership with the KDM PTA, is collecting non-perishable food items for the local food pantry. All donations are due by Tuesday, November 26th. Additionally, students are invited to decorate the front lobby by coloring a leaf and bringing it to their homeroom teacher to display by the Turkey that will hold food pantry donations.

• School pictures are ready! To order, log in to your account on mylifetouch.com or create an account using your student's student ID number. All families can also log on and order a FREE Digital SmileSafe card. More about the Smilesafe program here. Lifetouch is offering discounts on school photography!
  • 50% off a purchase of $50+ with code USNOV50
  • 40% off a purchase of $40+ with code USNOV40
  • 30% off a purchase of $30+ with code USNOV30

• 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

Every so often, we get a visit from Sadie, a therapy dog, courtesy of Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs. She's the absolute best doggo!

"The 50th day of school was this week. To celebrate, third grade traveled back in time to the 1950s! Students dressed up, learned about what life was like, and even visited a 1950s diner! The classes solved word problems using a menu with prices from the 1950s. Kids also had a blast dancing the hand jive!" - Third Grade Team

Phyllis Alpaugh of The Rotary Club of the Rockaways generously donated dictionaries to all of our 3rd Grade students and teachers. We are grateful to be the recipients of this wonderful contribution.

These students have been selected as leaders and advocates for their peers. We look forward to seeing great things from this group!

Thank you to Preston S. and his family for securing 1,000 lbs of food for the Rockaway Food Closet. Way to go!

A special thank you to the Student Council, KDM PTA, and our generous KDM Community for all the donations that will go to the Rockaway Food Closet.

From Left to Right: Janaka Fraysier (PTA), Lauren Crispino (Student Council Teacher), Linda Kirby, Jeri Hurley, Linda Bell (Rockaway Food Closet), Brian Rawlins (Principal)

• December PTA Meeting- Wednesday, December 4 @ 7pm
• Cafeteria @ KDM (babysitting available and raffle prizes for in person attendees!) Can't make it, but want to be involved?? Join us virtually!
• https://meet.google.com/rpo-axfg-oen
• We look forward to having you there in whichever way works for you!!
  
  
• KDM Giving Tree: It's that time of year again when we ask for gifts to help local families in need celebrate the joy of the holidays. The PTA works with the Rockaway Holiday Wishes organization which fundraises for Rockaway families in need through the Rockaway Borough PBA. This is a wonderful opportunity to teach our children the importance of helping our community through the spirit of giving. Each child on the list has requested 3 clothing items and 3 toy items (valued between $20 and $25).

• Interested in donating to those less fortunate this holiday season? CLICK HERE for their wish lists!
  

• KDM Holiday Boutique- Friday, December 6th: Flyers will come home this week with more information. All money will be converted to tickets and due back to school no later than Monday, December 2nd.
  
  
• Still Need a Red KDM T-Shirt ?? Fill out this form and pay online!

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

• November 27th (Wednesday): Early Dismissal
• November 28th (Thursday) - November 29th (Friday): Schools Closed for Thanksgiving