Dear PLD Families,
Did you know that if your child has missed 4 days so far this school year, they are in danger of being chronically absent? Attendance is crucial to their academic success, and if a student has missed more than 10% of the school year to date, they may be required to follow an attendance plan. Regular attendance helps students build essential habits and skills that will support them not only this school year but for the rest of their lives. We are here to help ensure that every student has a successful, enriching school experience.
Parent-teacher conferences are this month (if you haven't already, you can sign up on Genesis), and it is a great time to initiate a productive conversation with your child's teacher. During your conference, you can ask the following questions to help you gain a deeper understanding of your child's overall experiences in the classroom:
What are my child's strengths and areas that need improvement?
How can I reinforce the learning at home and support my child's progress?
What resources can you recommend for further enrichment or support my child?
Our teachers genuinely care for the well-being and growth of your child. By engaging in open communication, we can collectively create a positive and supportive learning environment for our children.
Please remember that next week, there is no school due to Diwali, Election Day, & NJEA Convention. All students have an early dismissal (1:25 pm) on Tuesday, November 12 & Thursday, November 21st for conferences. There is also an early dismissal on Wednesday, November 27th, for Thanksgiving, and there is no school on November 28th & November 29th.
With Drew Pride,
Jazmyn Allen
Principal
November 4th - SCHOOL CLOSED (Diwali)
November 4th - PTO Family Photo Fundraiser (off-site)
November 5TH - SCHOOL CLOSED - ELECTION DAY
November 5th - PTO Family Photo Fundraiser (off-site) RAIN DATE
November 6th - SCHOOL CLOSED
November 7th - SCHOOL CLOSED (NJEA Convention)
November 8th - SCHOOL CLOSED (NJEA Convention)
November 12th - EARLY DISMISSAL (Teacher Conferences)
November 15th - Student Council Spirit Day: Career Day - Dress Like What You Want to Be When You Grow Up
November 15th - Teacher of the Year Nomination Due
November 21st - EARLY DISMISSAL (Teacher Conferences)
November 22nd - Student Council Spirit Day: Disney Day - Dress Like Your Favorite Disney Character
November 22nd - School Store (5th Grade Committee)
November 26th - Student Picture Re-takes
November 25th - Philly Pretzel Sale (5th Grade Committee)
November 27th - Early Dismissal (Thanksgiving Break)
November 28th & 29th - SCHOOL CLOSED (Thanksgiving Break)
Yearbook sales have started! Orders are taken on-line only! Please see the instructions in the attached letter below:
Parents please be sure to log in to the parent portal in order to update your child's photo release status. Students can only be photographed and put in the yearbook if you give your permission!
https://parents.ewrsd.k12.nj.us/genesis/sis/view?gohome=true
If you have had a positive experience with a teacher, educational assistant, or service provider at Perry L. Drew Elementary School, who has made a significant impact on your child's learning journey, we encourage you to submit a nomination for them. Whether they have demonstrated exceptional teaching methods, displayed a genuine passion for their subject, or have shown unwavering dedication to their students' development, we would love to hear about it.
All nominations must be submitted by Friday, November 15 to be considered for the Governor's Educator of the Year Program by clicking here for the digital form or completing the paper nomination form and returning it to me at jnallen@ewrsd.k12.nj.us. Following the nomination process, a carefully selected committee will review all submissions, evaluate each candidate, and make the final decision based on the rubric provided by the NJ Department of Education.
PLD Arrival & Dismissal Times
Please be advised that school starts at 8:45 am and dismissal is at 3:30. While we understand illnesses and circumstances occurring beyond your control. We encourage students to be on time. Missing precious instruction time is a loss that cannot be recovered.
Early dismissal from PLD is at 1:25
Delayed Opening arrival time for PLD is 10:15 am
The complete schedule can be found here: https://www.ewrsd.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1561786&type=d&pREC_ID=1688531
Carpool Lane & Walker Pickups
As we move through this first month of a new school year, I would like to remind everyone about the carpool lane and walker/pickups at the end of the day. To keep the front of the building clear for carpool students, if you are picking up a student as a walker, please meet your child at the BREEZEWAY. Walkers ARE NOT dismissed at the front of the building as this area is kept open for carpool students. Regarding the carpool area, I do ask that we all work together as a community. Staff will only engage with the traffic on campus but I ask that you be courteous and mindful when entering the carpool lane. Please do not block the entry of the driveway due to the buses. Buses are unable to enter the driveway safely if it is blocked. Your support with this matter is appreciated.
Outdoor Recess
Recess is a crucial part of the day, so by all means we will continue to provide this outdoor experience daily. Please be reminded to have your child properly dress for cooler weather. Coats, jackets, and hats may be needed. Checking the weather prior to the start of school would help in making sure proper attire is on daily.
Band & Orchestra - Mr. Berkuta, Ms. Rojas & Mr. Korey
Band and orchestra lessons are running smoothly and morning rehearsals are off to a great start! To our 4th and 5th grade instrumentalists, thank you for being present, prepared, and diligent at all of our lessons and rehearsals, keep up the great effort!
During the month of November, we will continue to have our morning rehearsals. These will be happening Tuesday - Friday. If you are not sure what day your child has practice, please contact your music teacher.
Phys Ed - Mrs. Rupp, Mr. Katzman & Mr. Vella
In Physical Education, the students completed our district fitness assessments. That consists of the PACER, burpees, butterfly sit ups, and lastly, the sit and reach. From there, we will move into our overhand throwing unit which finishes with team handball. Students are encouraged to improve their fitness goals at home, see below.
*Improve sit and reach: hamstring stretch single leg and both extended.
*Improve butterfly sit ups: Put feet under the couch to anchor yourself and try doing sit ups that way to assist your core.
*Improve burpees: time yourself for 30 seconds and every month increase your timer by 15 seconds. You can jump or walk your feet out as you start to feel fatigue.
*Improve PACER: Go for a walk/run with your family and be more active.
Family Challenge: Students teach the parents! Who can complete more burpees or butterfly sit ups in a minute?
Parents-please update the nurse on any medical changes for your child. If your child is on any medication, please have your child's physician fill out a medication order form which can be found on the PLD web site under Health Office. If your child has asthma, a food allergy, diabetes, or seizure disorder, the doctor must also complete an action plan.
If your child is ill, please keep home and call the school attendance line and let us know he/she will not be in. If your child has a fever or is vomiting, they must stay home and not come to school until a day has passed without symptoms.
Weather is going to start getting colder, please remember to send in a jacket for your child.
Congratulations to the Student Council Fall Representatives!
3rd Grade - Aiden S., Lucia V., shivaan D., Alex A., Yadira M., Ava B., Elizabeth Q., Mateo A. & Nina L.
4th Grade - Leah N., Vicky E., Jade C., Christian P., Katie C., Mikaelah M., Violeta B., Mia B., Camila L. & Zil P.
5th Grade - Padmaja P., Anvit A., Jeremy M., McKenzie C., Jayme B., Conor B., Faith C., Troy W., Jackie M., Martina C., Stephanie J. & Gonzalo G.
Address: 70 Twin Rivers Drive North, East Windsor, NJ 08520
Contact: Kathleen Donohue, 609-4436-7820 X3000 - kdonohue@ewrsd.k12.nj.us OR
Evelin Surita (Habla Espanol), 609-443-7820 X3005 - esurita@ewrsd.k12.nj.us