Dear Catena & Donovan Families,
It's been a swift start to the school year on Burlington Road! We were honored to connect with so many families at BTSN last week. Teachers and students alike were proud to have you visit classrooms, take a peek into your child's day, and maybe even take a walk in their shoes. We know that sometimes the best way to learn about others is to put ourselves in their shoes. What did you like most? Visiting your child's classroom and learning more about their day can support your connections at home, too. Keep walking in their shoes by asking questions that elicit more than a one word response. Here are some questions parents might consider when chatting about students' days. Try to to ask about things that are specific, but still open-ended. Move beyond "fine" and "nothing" by asking kids to describe what it was like to walk in their shoes that day. It's also great to start the conversation with an anecdote from your own day. Try one of these conversation-starters:
- Did you help anyone at school today? If so, what did you help with? If not, what is something that you could have done to help today?
- What are three things you can do to help someone at school tomorrow?
- Who did you thank today and why?
- How were you respectful in the lunchroom today?
- What is something kind you can do for someone today (or tomorrow)?
- Tell me what you're working on in writing workshop.
- Did you get a green light on Reflex today?
- Tell me about the best part of your day.
- What was the hardest thing you had to do today?
- What is something funny/kind that your classmate(s) did today?
- Tell me about what you read in class.
- Who did you play with today? What did you play?
- 7. What's the biggest difference between this year and last year?
- What rules are different at school than our rules at home? Do you think they're fair?
- Who did you sit with at lunch?
- Show me something you learned (or did) today?
BTSN was just the first of many opportunities families will have this year to connect with others in our school community. We are grateful for everyone's participation and hope you each made at least one positive and/or new connection on your visit to Catena.
We're a Positive Behavior Support School
We believe we are all connected and together we will foster our PBS core values. Catena Colts will learn what it means to be respectful, responsible, safe, and kind in all areas of the building, playground, and on the bus. As a Positive Behavior Support (PBS) school we focus on establishing the behavioral supports and social culture needed for all students to achieve social, emotional, and academic success. Students meeting learned expectations will be recognized and rewarded throughout the school year in a myriad of ways. Along with our PBS Coaches, teachers will share more information about expectations, reward systems, and our common PBS language when school starts in just a couple of weeks. At home, families can help to prepare students by reviewing our PBS Expectation Matrix and support them throughout the year by using our common language when talking about the school day.
Another way parents might support our PBS program is by helping us to stock our PBS school store. Students have the opportunity to visit the PBS School Store to “cash” in their Colts Cash for both tangible items and for experiences with staff.
Attention 5th Graders--Don't Miss Your Chance to Join the Band!
Free & Reduced Lunch Applications
Available on the district webpage no later than August 26, 2024.
Paper applications can be found on the district webpage as of August 26, 2024. This folder contains all of the information regarding applying for Free/Reduced Lunch. If you can not print it, please contact your child's school and they will send a paper copy home for you. Please note, families will need the child's school ID Number to complete the application. School ID Numbers can be found in Genesis Parent Portal.
Please send any paper applications to:
Ali McKee
Freehold Township Schools
Benefits Coordinator
384 W. Main Street
Freehold, NJ 07728
You may also send by email or fax:
Fax: (732) 462-5939
Phone: (732) 462-8400 ext.8809
Paying for meals
Payments may be made with student's MealTime account. Any cash or checks brought to school for meals will be applied to your student's mealtime account. No change can be given in the cafeteria.
Please check out the program we'll be using to share our menus and nutritional information with you. Nutrislice will be updated any time we have a menu change and will have menus prepared weeks in advance. You can even add the app to your phone for up to date information. Click here to learn how to filter your menus!
To add funds to your student's MealTime account so they may purchase items in the school cafeteria, please click here (white box) or send cash or a check written out to Freehold Township Schools in with your student. All funds submitted in the cafeteria will be deposited into your student's Mealtime account. No change will be available in the cafeteria. For more information about Mealtime, please click here.
Breakfast is now available for Preschool & Elementary School Students
Breakfast will now be available daily in our cafeteria. Students may go to the cafeteria when they arrive to school to purchase their meal. Doors will open at 8:30am for students who are walkers or who are dropped off each day. Staff will monitor Door # 28 near the parent drop-off/pick-up to welcome students. Those students riding the bus to school will grab breakfast once buses unload (8:45am) and eat in their classroom. The cost for each breakfast is $2.05. Menus will be posted on Nutrislice.
For more information or to contact our Sodexo Food Services Department, visit our district webpage linked here.
Counselor's Corner: Connect with Mrs. Senna!
Visit the website. Make a membership toolkit account. Support our school community. Email for information: jjcpto@gmail.com