The Mount Laurel Leaflet

Organizers of The Annual Fleetwood Fun Run set a goal of $10,000 goal. As is most always the case, our PTOs exceeded their expectations thanks to the generosity and support of parents, staff and the community!

Dr. Nate Switzer, Principal, got slimed and Ms. Grace Kaler, Physical Education Teacher, got pies to the face in celebration of this year's PTO success of raising over $13,000.

Congratulations and thank you!

Seventh grade Harrington student, Wamalli Ngula wanted to help others so, on his own, unsolicited, he decided to run a Toys For Tots Campaign. Most of us think of Toys For Tots at Christmas time, hearts are eager to reach out and help others at a time when everyone is madly buying gifts for their own family. Not Wamalli. He chose to run his campaign in the moment, during the summer when others were busy vacationing and sitting poolside!

Wamalli's motivation was simple: he wanted to put a smile on the faces of other children. He succeeded big-time!

"Thank you for the opportunity of running the Toy for Tots drive. It was a great toy drive. I am happy that I can put a smile on other kids faces. I delivered the toys to the person who gathers the toys (Ms. Gina). "

Our talented Hillside students are not just learning music—they're creating it! From composing their own songs to playing instruments and singing, our young musicians are embracing creativity and collaboration in exciting new ways.

Please take the opportunity now to nominate an outstanding Mount Laurel educator for the 2024-2025 Governor's Educator of the Year Recognition Program (GEOY.) We will be selecting one outstanding educator for each school!

Visit our District Governor's Educator of the Year webpage and nominate an outstanding educator now! In fact, you may nominate more than one educator if you would like.

The deadline for submitting nominations is Friday, November 15th.

"Nixle" is Mount Laurel Township’s primary service to notify the public in the event of an emergency or event in Mount Laurel.

There are four types of messages;

· Alerts (many would refer to this as an emergency type alert)

· Advisories (less urgent need-to-know information)

· Community Information (day-to-day neighborhood to community-level information)

· Traffic (very localized traffic information).

While Nixle is administered by Mount Laurel Township, much of the news/alerts inter-relates with school district activities. For example: if the township sends an advisory that there will be road closures due to construction or road improvements, those closures could likely affect the school district bus schedule. Receiving an advisory of a nearby road closure might be helpful for parents to alert them to potential school bus delays. The district will continue to send texts to notify parents of bus delays.

Please use the below link and follow the instructions to sign up for Mount Laurel Township Nixle.

Our Student Information System - PowerSchool - employs a single sign-on system. Simply put, what that means is that you may now create one account for the entire family, using a password of your choosing, and do not have to remember each of your student ID and Password codes every time you enter.

To set-up your family account, go to the PowerSchool log-in screen.

1. Click the "Create Account" tab
2. Enter your information
3. Enter the access ID and password for each student you wish to link (That information is in the letter you received with demographic sheets and student assignments this summer. Make sure the password is typed IN ALL CAPS!)
4. Click "enter"
5. Log into PowerSchool with your new user ID and password
6. All students are now available with a single login.
7. Click here to see the PowerSchool Parent Portal Brochure.
8. Click here for a quick start guide. PowerSchool SSO Parent Portal Walk Through

NOTE: Your email address and user ID must be unique. If you have previously logged into PowerSchool, you do not need to create an account. You only need to enter IDs and passwords for additional students you wish to link to your original account. From that point on, you will only have to remember the unique user name and password you created for your account to see the entire family. This change will allow us to enable the mobile PowerSchool app for your use. It will also record your e-mail address so that we may contact you via e-mail as well as telephone in the event of an emergency.

Mount Laurel Schools has adopted a new form of school-to-home communication called ParentSquare. This unified communications platform is designed to keep parents and guardians informed and encourage greater engagement and connection with Mount Laurel Schools. It provides a safe way for district administrators, school principals, teachers, staff, and parents to send and receive school and class information.

All district, school and grade level information will now be sent to your computer or phone via email and/or text. For even more convenience, download the ParentSquare app (available for free for iOS and Android devices).

Have questions? Click the question mark in the top right corner of the desktop version or the Help tab on the app (tap the triple bar icon at the top left) to find answers to most of your questions.

SCHOOL
Picture Day / Retake Day

📸 📸 📸

COUNTRYSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

October 28 / December 5

FLEETWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

October 24 / November 21

HILLSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

October 4 / November 4

LARCHMONT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

September 23 / November 4

PARKWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

October 18 / December 10

SPRINGVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

September 24 / October 30

MOUNT LAUREL HARTFORD SCHOOL

September 30 / November 13

THOMAS E. HARRINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOL

September 30 / November 12

Eligibility requirements and applications for free and reduced price meals are available to all households annually. Students in need of assistance will be determined by the criteria issued by the State of New Jersey and the USDA.

The District encourages all families who may qualify for free and reduced meals to fill out and return the application as soon as possible to receive free or reduced lunch.

NEW! Applications can now be submitted ONLINE:

Forms may also be printed and sent to the Business Office at 330 Mount Laurel Road, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054 or emailed to: rwachter@mtlaurelschools.org

Extended Day Care will be closed on October 3, 2024, and October 14, 2024.

Please review the district calendar.

All information regarding our Extended Day Care (EDC) Program is available in our handbook. If you haven't done so already, kindly review the handbook at your earliest convenience.

⭐Please be aware that parents and students do not have access to the main office, classrooms or teachers during EDC hours. Parents and students only have access to EDC-approved areas and EDC staff.

All communication regarding EDC updates and news is digital. You will receive communication by email and the district newsletter regarding any updates. This includes any scheduling cut-off days for half-days. Please update your email in the Daycareworks system or email the office (emails below). Emails are delivered from no-reply1@procaresoftware.com. Please check your spam email and add the exchange to your important emails. The Mount Laurel Leaflet is available every Friday.

PHONE: 856-231-5891 (Please use extensions below)

Chris Sherf- csherf@mtlaurelschools.org (PRIMARY EDC EXT. 21004)

Yvette Gonzalez -yvgonzalez@mtlaurelschools.org (SCHEDULING EXT. 21001)

Pam Witts-pwitts@mtlaurelschools.org (Site Coordinator EXT. 21009)

Suzy Haftman- shaftman@mtlaurelschools.org (Director of Community Education & EDC EXT. 21002)

We recognize the critical need to address the challenges of suicidal ideation among our youth. The impact of this issue extends throughout our community, and affects us all.

The first step toward intervention and support is awareness of suicidal warning signs, which include the following changes:

• Behavioral: Withdrawing from friends and activities, giving away personal belongings, self-destructive behaviors, increased substance use, sudden mood improvement after depression.
• Verbal: Expressing feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, or being a burden. Talking about death, dying, or wanting to die, making statements like "I can't take it anymore" or "I wish I weren't here," mentioning specific plans or methods for suicide.
• Emotional: Drastic and sudden mood swings, overwhelming sadness, despair, emptiness, loss of interest in once-enjoyed activities, intense irritability or anger.
• Situational: Recent loss of a loved one, a breakup, significant life changes, bullying or harassment, academic or work-related stress, financial difficulties, or other significant personal crises.
• Physical: Changes in sleep patterns (insomnia or excessive sleeping), changes in appetite or weight loss/gain, decreased personal hygiene and self-care.
• Social: Increasing social isolation and withdrawal from relationships, losing interest in social interactions or activities, feeling disconnected from friends, family, and self.
• Cognitive: Difficulty concentrating or making decisions, preoccupation with death, dying, or the afterlife, intense guilt or shame.
• 
  

When you notice these warning signs, you should:

• Initiate a conversation about suicide.
• Provide active listening and non-judgmental support.
• Encourage professional help through therapists, counselors, and helplines.
• Involve trusted adults, such as parents/guardians, coaches, teachers, and mentors.
• Create a safety plan in collaboration with the individual.
• 
  

If you or someone you know is experiencing hopelessness and suicidal thoughts, please seek help with these resources:

• The Trevor Project: A 24/7 resource network for LGBTQ youth ages 13-24, including a free call/text crisis line.
• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: A nationwide lifeline network operating 24/7 to provide free and confidential crisis services.
• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): Offers support groups and chapters throughout the United States.
• 
  

For those needing professional support, consider contacting Care Solace, a complimentary and confidential service provided by Mount Laurel Township School District. They can help you find a mental health or substance use provider.

• Call 888-515-0595. Multilingual support is available 24/7/365.
• Visit caresolace.com/mtlaurelschools and either search on your own or click "Book Appointment" for assistance via video chat, email, or phone.
• 
  

Unified — and with support and compassion — we can make a difference in our community's well-being. Let us stand together to raise awareness, provide assistance, and foster hope for a brighter future.

3

Rosh Hashanah

Schools Closed

14

Columbus Day - Teacher In-Service

Schools Closed for Students

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Website: http://www.mtlaurelschools.org
Location: 330 Mount Laurel Road, Mount Laurel Township, NJ, USA
Phone: 856-235-3387
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mlschools/
Twitter: @MTL_Super