Principal Garcia's Newsletter

• September 2, 2024 - No School, Labor Day
• September 3, 2024 - First Day of School @ 8:30 AM
• September 6, 2024 - TJS Spirit Wear Day
• September 13, 2024 - MEF Adult Social
• September 17, 2024 - MPS BOE Meeting
• September 24, 2024 - Back to School Night @ 7:00 PM
• September 26, 2024 - Picture Day!
• October 3, 2024 - School Closed - Rosh Hashanah

We've officially begun the 2024-2025 school year! We are looking forward to a wonderful school year together as our staff is dedicated to providing all children with meaningful learning experiences. Stay informed this year by reading the weekly Friday Principal Newsletters and PTO communications. A reminder that on the first day of school all teachers will greet the students outdoors beginning at 8:30 AM. Please look for cones and signage by your child's indicated entrance door (grade K-1 door, 2-3 door, and 4-5 door). Parents/guardians of students in grades 1-5 are encouraged to "kiss and drop" as our drop-off area becomes rather congested. Kindergarten parents may stay with their child until the teacher is ready to bring the class inside. Enjoy the long holiday weekend!

School begins promptly at 8:30 AM each day. The doors will remain open for a five-minute drop off window from 8:30 - 8:35 AM. Morning announcements will begin promptly at 8:35 AM to maximize instructional minutes in our school day. Students dropped off after 8:35 AM will be marked tardy and will need to be signed in by an adult in the main office. Please ensure your child arrives to school on time each day.

Torey J. and the Board of Education Office have very small parking lots with little room for cars to pass once the parking spaces are full. Parking spaces are for staff members only. Parents/guardians should not be parking in the TJS or BOE lots at any time before, during, or after the school day. If you are driving your child to school, we kindly ask that you park your car on a side street and walk your student to the door or path. If you need to “kiss and drop” in the morning, please drop your child off on Woodland Road in front of the Board of Education Office where your child can follow the sidewalk directly to the school. In an effort to help with the dismissal congestion, parents/guardians are asked not to stand in close proximity to the doors, but rather a location further back in eyesight of the exit doors. It is helpful to determine a mutual "meeting spot" with your child and to leave the property immediately once you have all of your children.

Torey J. families are reminded for the safety of their children to please utilize sidewalks at all times when escorting their child to and from school. It is important to note that Glenwild Circle is an open road and both TJS and BOE have active parking lots for staff members. Parents/guardians are asked to communicate with caretakers who assist with student arrival and dismissal that the use of the sidewalk along the fence should be utilized to walk toward Glenwild Road as well as avoid walking across the parking lots during drop-off and dismissal. Thank you for your cooperation to ensure the safety of our students and families.

The elementary schools operate on a 6-day (A to F day) schedule. The letter day schedule has many benefits, such as consistent grade level schedules, teacher planning time, and a dedicated intervention period for each grade. All families should take note of the 2024-2025 Elementary Letter Day Schedule that maps out all the letter days for the entire school year.

The TJS Family Handbook contains general information about our school and operating procedures. Families must review this document as there is important information regarding notification of absences, the student code of conduct, the Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying Law, student support services, student safety, health and nutrition guidelines, and so much more. Our electronic device policy was also updated to reflect an “off and away” model where students will be instructed to keep cellphones and smartwatches off and in their backpacks during the instructional school day.

Parents/guardians should review and follow the TJS Communication Protocol to determine who to contact in different situations. This will ensure your communication is addressed in a timely and appropriate manner. When emailing staff, please recognize they may need about 24 hours to respond.

You've officially been dealt a winning invitation to MEF’s 2024 "Vintage Vegas" Fall Gala on Friday, September 13th at The Mansion at FDU. Bring your luck to this swanky, adult-only casino night for a great cause… funding enrichment grants in our public schools. Join us for a fun night of casino games, silent auction, wine pull, food and drinks, and live entertainment. Bring your luck and we'll take care of the rest! Are you all in? Learn more about the Gala here, and purchase your tickets here.

Don't forget to follow Torey J. on Instagram @toreyjsabatini to see all of the wonderful things happening in our school community.