The Wildcat Weekly
Volume 4 Issue 2
Sept 6, 2024
Calendar of Events
*Please note that additional events may be added each week.*
Wednesday, Sept 11 PiE Meeting 7pm @ Performing Arts Room or Zoom
Saturday, Sept 14 Township Community Day & Fireworks (rescheduled date) 4pm-10pm
Monday, Sept 16 SEPAG Mtg 6pm @ Performing Arts Room
Tuesday, Sept 17 BOE Meeting 7pm @ Performing Arts Room
Thu, Sept 19-Fri, Sept 20 School Picture Days (see info below)
Thursday, Sept 26 Elementary & Middle School Back to School Night (more info to follow)
Friday, Sept 27 PiE Family Movie Night
Thur, Oct 3 No School: Rosh Hashanah
Wednesday, Oct 9 PiE Meeting 7pm @ Performing Arts Room or Zoom
Tuesday, Oct 15 BOE Meeting 7pm @ Performing Arts Room
Dear Parents and Guardians,
What a wonderful 1st week of school! It was so nice to see the excitement of the students and their teachers seeing each other again! The students have done a fantastic job learning their new routines, meeting new friends, and settling into their new environments. Of course, if your child comes home and shares any anxieties or fears, please don't hesitate to reach out to our school counselors or administration for assistance.
While our first day (week) of school was such a success, we still have to acknowledge that events around the world unfortunately have to make us pause to reflect on our current practices and procedures and question whether we are doing everything we can to ensure the safety of our students, staff and community. I've spoken with our School Officers and local PD about the most recent school violence in Georgia, and we are all on the same page. As our district's School Safety Specialist, I had originally planned on gathering a committee of staff and parents to review our arrival/dismissal procedures and a potential full evacuation drill later this Fall. Now, given this latest incident, we will also review our security protocols in the event of an emergency.
With all of that being said, your children are in a safe school environment. We want them to come to DTS to learn, be social with friends, and become active participants in the society around them. While we remain vigilant, we will do what we do best: focus on the students' achievements and successes while fostering growth and curiosity.
Thank you all again for your trust and confidence in me, the staff, and in our school. We look forward to a successful school year filled with collaboration and learning!
Sincerely,
Scott Lipson
Biking to School
Students in Grades 4-8 who live within two miles of the school may be granted permission to ride their bicycles to school. The attached permission slip must be completed and electronically signed by a parent/guardian. All bicycles must be secured and parked in the bike rack by the middle school entrance. Students must walk their bike on school property. The New Jersey Bicycle Helmet Law requires that all children under the age of 17 must wear a properly fitted and fastened helmet when they ride a bicycle in New Jersey.
Roller blades and skateboards are not permitted on school property at any time, and are not to be brought into school under any circumstances.
Athletic Participation (gr 5-8)
All Fall Athletes should have already submitted their physical forms to be cleared by the school Physician for participation in Fall athletics. Any physical forms submitted from this point forward may not guarantee clearance by the start of the Fall season.
To check your status, please refer to the Genesis Parent Portal under "Athletics".
Playground update
Our playground renovation project will begin.....tomorrow!!! Over the weekend, demolition of our existing playground will begin, and a new playground will begin to be installed. The anticipated completion date of the new playground will be towards the beginning of October. Don't worry-we'll share photos along the way! Thank you all for your input as we complete this major project at DTS!
Carline/Middle School Parking Lot
Many families elect to drive their children to and from school, instead of having them ride the bus. While we are happy with whatever decision you make, more cars mean longer car lines in our parking lot.
To help with the flow of traffic, and to ensure the safety of all of our students, we ask that you adhere to the following:
If you plan on parking your vehicle in the Middle School parking lot to walk your younger child to the main entrance, please park in the spaces closest to County Road 604 or closest to our fields. The middle parking spaces will be reserved for DTS faculty and staff only. This will decrease the number of families walking through the middle of our parking lot.
If you are using our carline, please drive as far up the carline as possible, making sure students exit out the passenger door to ensure their safety.
Thank you all for your continued cooperation and understanding as we place an emphasis on the students' safety.
AHERA Notification
The Asbestos Emergency Response Act (AHERA) requires that all school buildings be visually inspected by accredited inspectors to identify all asbestos-containing building materials (ACBM) that may be present in the school environment. As required under AHERA, Delaware Township School must maintain an Asbestos Management Plan (AMP) and keep the AMP on file at the school, and the School Administrative Unit Office. In addition, an annual notification letter is on our district website, under Buildings & Grounds.
Cell Phones/Smartwatches
Students of all ages are still permitted to wear their smart watches, but they are not to be used as a communication device or gaming platform. If students are found using their smart watches to play games or communicate with others, discipline will be handled similar to using a cell phone.
Parents and guardians, we need your support in reinforcing these guidelines. Please do not text or message your child during school hours. If an emergency comes up, and you need to speak with your child, please call the school and we will pass the information along or send the student down. In addition, if your child is feeling ill, they MUST go see the school nurse. Parents and guardians should not pick up a child unless Mrs. Verma, our school nurse, confirms that this is the right course of action.
Thank you all ahead of time for your support and cooperation with this matter.
Preschool Expansion
We'd like to welcome all of our new preschool parents to Delaware Township School! We've had full-day preschool in our district for many years, but this past year, we were granted funding to provide FREE preschool for all eligible families! We are so excited to be adding a 3rd section of PK this year, with the hopes that we continue to expand and offer universal preschool to as many families as possible in the future.
If you have any questions about our Preschool program,
please reach out to our Assistant Principal, Ms. Valerie Wheatley vwheatley@dtsk8nj.org
Transportation
You should have received transportation information from Hunterdon Central. They provide bussing for all of our students. Please keep in mind that:
- buses normally run late in the afternoon for the first few days until drivers and students become familiar with each other.
in accordance with Delaware Township school policy, students who need parents present to be dropped off will be returned to school if a parent is not at the bus stop.
- Click this link for more information about the Transportation department, including our Transportation handbook.
24-25 District Calendar
School Picture Day
Help Wanted!
Middle School Reading Specialist/Interventionist
DTS is hoping to fill this vacancy to provide additional academic support to our Middle School students. If you know of anyone who is interested,
please direct them to our employment page to complete the application.
DTS Athletics
Delaware Township School is proud to offer many athletic opportunities
for students in Grades 5-8.
Click here for a quick reference guide to the Athletics Department.
About PiE
DTS Partners is Education was formed in 2010, when the DTS PTA and the DT Community Education Foundation merged to become a single group. It is an all-volunteer organization supporting the School's students. Learn more by visiting our website - www.dtspie.com. As a member of the PiE community, you will be part of our listserv and get these monthly newsletters as well as periodic emails reminding you of upcoming meetings and opportunities to volunteer for different activities. We look forward to a great year!
Monthly Meetings
- Our first meeting will be Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, at 7 p.m. in the Performing Arts Room at the School or via Zoom (https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89539638778?pwd=0w8OZHXRM8DJV4c467qy4ieHgbHksQ.1). We will be discussing and voting on the proposed budget for the 2024-25 school year.
Upcoming Events
- Friday, September 27 6:30-9pm Family Movie Night. Join us to watch INSIDE OUT 2 under the stars (outside of the middle school - in case of rain we will watch it in the gym). Movie to begin around sunset (6:45 pm). Bring your own blankets and snacks to enjoy
- Book Fair will be October 21st to October 25th. Family night will be Thursday 10/24 from 5-7pm.
Reminders
9/10 - Sponsorship Form Due
9/16 - Directory Listing updates/opt-out and program fee due
Interested in becoming a homeroom partner? Please email Kristen Schlesier at kristenschlesier@gmail.com to be considered ASAP
Volunteer
- Book Fair (10/21-10/25) https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084EAFA92AA3F85-50875077-2024
- Holiday Shoppe (12/9-12/13) https://wwTow.signupgenius.com/go/10C084EAFA92AA3F85-50875101-2024
SEPAG
To learn more about DTS SEPAG, click here.
Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
Click here for a list of books that recognize and celebrate Hispanic Americans.
Before/After Care
What's Happening Around Town?
2024 Fall Harbinger
Learn more at artseedstudio.com
Scouts
Delaware Township Rec Commission
Follow us on Instagram @dt_recreation
DTAA
Hunterdon Athletics
Follow us on Twitter!
Follow us on Facebook!
Follow PiE on Instagram!
Newsletter Submission
The Wildcat Weekly is published every Friday.
In cases where it is a shortened week, the publication date may be adjusted.
If you would like something published in the newsletter, please email your submission to slipson@dtsk8nj.org by each Tuesday at 3:30pm. Please include the length of time you'd like your information to be in the newsletter.
All submissions must be approved by the school administration
before being included in the newsletter.