March Newsletter
Dear Kuser Families,
March is upon us; as the saying goes, it comes in like a lion! The weather during this month can be unpredictable, with one day reaching 60 degrees and the next dropping below freezing. Please ensure your child dresses appropriately each day, allowing us to maximize outdoor activities.
Regardless of March's unpredictable nature, Spring signifies a new beginning, bringing change and vibrant blooms. As we approach the end of our first year together, it's gratifying to reflect on our achievements:
Improved attendance
Enhanced iReady scores
Strengthened overall security measures
Thriving parent-led PTA
Increased parent engagement
We are looking forward to the next academic year. For families with incoming Kindergarten and Pre-School students, please prioritize timely registration using the provided links for Kindergarten Registration Information, Pre-School Registration Information (available in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole), and the New Student registration link. We will host a session to support families with the registration process, and details will be shared soon.
Additionally, Middle School parent orientations are scheduled as follows:
Crockett MS: February 29th at 6:30 PM
Grice MS: March 7th at 6:30 PM
Reynolds MS: March 21st at 6:30 PM
A heartfelt thank you to those who attended the Title I Stakeholders Meeting in February and the recent Hot Chocolate and Bagels session. I presented information on our academic progress, demonstrated on the iReady Assessment, attendance, and discipline data. Your support and participation are invaluable. Our next Title I Stakeholder meeting is on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. Please join us as we delve into discussions and plans for the 2024-2025 school year.
Your continued commitment to our school community is deeply appreciated. The journey has just begun, and I eagerly anticipate our ongoing success and collaboration.
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!
Parking Lot Safety
Ensuring the safety of our students and families during arrival and dismissal in the parking lot area is of utmost importance. We kindly request that you refrain from walking through the parking lot and instead use the sidewalk to maintain a secure environment for everyone.
To enhance safety, please adhere to the following suggestions:
- Keep students close to you when walking on the sidewalk.
- If you are on a bicycle, kindly walk your bicycle.
- In the event that you need to traverse the parking lot, ensure that students are kept close or hold their hands.
Your cooperation in following these guidelines is greatly appreciated for the well-being of all. Thank you for your commitment to our collective safety.
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
March Important Dates
Be sure to review the February Important Date
3/1/24- 4/5/24 ~ Read A Thon
3/4/24- 3/8/24 ~ Read Across America
3/7/24 ~ Red Robin & Barnes & Noble Night
3/12/24 ~ PTA Meeting
3/15/24 ~ No School for Students ~ Teacher PD
3/29/24 ~ No School ~ Beginning of Spring Recess
4/1/24 - 4/8/24 ~ No School Spring Recess
