Central Elementary

Welcome to October! I don't know if it's just me, but September flew by! October is one of the busiest months in Central School. If you don't believe me, just take a look at your October Checklist! All it means is that there is a tremendous amount of fun to be had this month. Our Week of Respect starts October 7th. Try to emulate the themes of each day of the week by wearing the special clothes that symbolize each day! We are also initializing our cereal box donation challenge! Let's try and get as many boxes as possible, to not only donate to families in need, but also to put on a huge domino display for the whole school! If a teacher of educational service professional has touched your family's life with their dedication, please consider nominating them for GEOY. Nomination forms are below! It was such a pleasure seeing you all at Back to School Night. I am looking forward to seeing you all again soon at the Halloween parade! Also, a HUGE shoutout to Girl Scout Troop 1867 for their fantastic addition to our school, our very own Book Borrower Library! Take a book, Give a book! Looking forward to seeing it in use!

Please Note: This Newsletter contains important information, please read carefully.

Do you know a classroom teacher or educational services professional who is dedicated, inspiring, and making a difference? If so, please take the time to recommend this person for the Governor’s Educator of the Year Program.

Central Elementary School boasts a strong PTO organization called CAPE (Central Association of Parents and Educators). If you are looking for ways to get involved with your school, this is a great place to start. Please click below for links to CAPE's website and Facebook pages.

Our Little Knights are working in pairs!

Learning to greet, connect, and read with each other! 🤝

Central Elementary hosted 'Sweet Treat' at Willows Community Center, where staff read to students who enjoyed cookies and left with 3 books of their own! Big thanks to Ms. Crepeau, Ms. Panzera, Ms. Ormsbee, and Ms. Surgent for helping to organize this event!

We will kick off the new year focusing on the mindset, EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE. Join us for our first Mindset Showcase on September 17th during the Board of Education meeting at 7:00 PM at Wall Intermediate School.

Dear Parent/Guardian:

Children need healthy meals to learn. The Wall Township Board of Education offers healthy meals every school day at the prices listed on the WTPS website. Your children may qualify for free or reduced price meals and Summer EBT benefits.

The printable packet includes an application for free or reduced price meal benefits/ and a set of detailed instructions. For a convenient way to fill out the meal application go to https://www.payschoolscentral.com. WTPS utilizes PaySchools as an online lunch account for children to use to purchase lunch on a daily basis.

If your child received federal free or reduced price school meals during the 23-24 school year, please remember you need to complete a new application for the 24-25 school year prior to October 15, 2024.

If you choose to opt out from completing the meal application, you may fill out the linked Google Form.

If your children receive federal free or reduced price school meals, they may also be able to receive free or low-cost health insurance through Medicaid or NJ FamilyCare. Children with health insurance are more likely to get regular health care and are less likely to miss school because of sickness.

Because health insurance is so important to children's well-being, the law allows us to tell Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare that your children are eligible for free or reduced price meals, unless you tell us not to. Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare only use the information to identify children who may be eligible for their programs. Program officials may contact you to offer to enroll your children. Filling out the School Meals and Summer EBT Application does not automatically enroll your children in health insurance.

If you do not want us to share your information with Medicaid or NJ FamilyCare, you will have the option if submitting the meal application online via PaySchools or you may fill out the printable form and send in (Sending in this form will not change whether your children get free or reduced price meals).

Thank you for your cooperation.

-WTPS Food Services Department

Questions? Please contact Joe Piddington at jpiddington@wallpublicschools.org or 732.556.2602

Mr. Knight, Mr. Farrell, & Mr. LaFerlita would like to remind all that they should bring their jackets to gym until Thanksgiving. Maximizing outside time is a priority before the cold winter months.

We know that changes happen. We also know that they can happen last minute. However, please know that we dismiss over 500 students a day in many different ways. We can accommodate changes as they come, but do ask that calls to the office for transportation changes come in no later than 2:45pm. Please help us ensure the safety and secure dismissal of all our students.

Please be advised that during arrival and dismissal the south parking lot (across from the church) is not accessible to parent pick up or drop off. Our buses must have a safe area to depart from and we cannot have additional traffic in this area. Please refrain from entering this parking lot during arrival and dismissal times. Please utilize the private transportation line for that purpose.

Private Transportation operates at peak efficiency after a few weeks of school have passed. When parents/cars are recognized as regulars, the line moves much quicker. Thank you for your patience as we get acquainted with your vehicle/pickup person. Please note that the Private Transportation line moves much faster when the driver remains in the vehicle. If your child is capable of opening/closing their car door, sitting in their seat, and buckling in, please encourage them to do so. In this way, we can keep the line moving!

Please remember to check the transportation status sheet on the website to know if there are any buses running late. In the event of a change that takes place close to arrival or dismissal, I will send out a notification.

Our first through fifth grade students are so fortunate to have 1:1 Chromebooks at school. These devices are assigned to every child and will advance with the learner each year. Since students will have these devices for five years, we are encouraging our students to take care of their technology! In case a Chrome book is intentionally damaged, families will have to pay for repairs.

From time to time, teachers, mainly 4th and 5th grade, may assign homework assignments that require device access. In case your child needs a Chrome book at home, please contact our School Family Liaison Counselor Ms. Crepeau (screpeau@wallpublicschools.org/732-556-2556) or myself (emonafis@wallpublicschools.org).

Our Technology teacher will ensure that your child gets a device to borrow for the 2023-2024 school year. The borrowed device must be returned by May 31st.

• Shoes must be worn at all times. Shoes must have a back or support strap - NO FLIP FLOPS!

• The length of shorts, skirts, or dresses must be no shorter than mid-thigh.

• Athletic uniforms (padding, helmets, footwear) and bathing trunks are inappropriate attire. Boxer shorts, spandex shorts, or cutoffs are not permissible. All garments must be hemmed. Team jerseys are OK.

• Students may not wear tube, tank, halter, spaghetti-straps, or see-through tops. Off-the-shoulder tops and backless dresses may not be worn to school. Sleeveless tops will be permitted as long as the top of the shoulder is covered. Midriffs must always be covered.

• Clothing with large holes and tears in it may not be worn to school.

• Headgear may not be worn indoors. Hats will be confiscated.

• Words or pictures that are not appropriate for the school environment may not appear on clothing.

• Chains, choker studs, or any other similar adornments are prohibited.

• Students are to refrain from wearing sunglasses or tinted glasses of any type in school without a written doctor’s recommendation on file with the school nurse.