Back to School Newsletter Sept 2024
Welcome Back to School!
Welcome Back Panthers!
Welcome back to school! We are excited to begin this new academic year with all of you. Whether you are returning or joining us for the first time, we are ready to support your growth and learning. Together, we will create a positive and welcoming environment where everyone can succeed. Let’s work hard, stay curious, and make this school year one to remember. Welcome back, and here’s to a fantastic year ahead!
PRCA is the school of the Arts in the New Brunswick Public Schools. We believe that art education is essential for the life-long development of the whole child. The Arts have inherent value as a unique vehicle to communicate emotions as well as ideas.
A Message from our Principal
As we open the 2024-2025 academic year, I'm thrilled to begin my 22nd year in education and 6th year as Principal at Paul Robeson Community School for the Arts. It's a privilege to continue serving our exceptional community, and I'm eager for another year of growth and collaboration.
Our focus remains on building strong relationships with students and families - the foundation of a nurturing environment where students flourish. This year's theme is "Be A Change Agent." We'll engage our entire school community in activities promoting positive change.
I urge parents and guardians to stay involved in their child's education by regularly checking the Oncourse Connect Parent Portal for updates on progress, attendance, and important notices. If you need help accessing the portal, please contact me at (732) 745-5300 ext. 7200.
Join us for Back to School Night on Thursday, September 26th at 6pm. I look forward to meeting you there.
With your engagement and our staff's dedication, I'm confident we'll have an outstanding year. Let's collaborate to make 2024-2025 a time of achievement and growth for all our students.
WE ARE PANTHERS!
Mrs. Laura Croker
Vice Principal
Mr. Robert J. Hamm
Vice-Principal
Our children are more successful when their families are actively involved in our school community. We encourage all families to be involved in our school!
Our Parent Teacher Organization is looking for new parent members! Please see the form below to get involved!
All Parents & Guardians are encouraged to join us for our first Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) Meeting on Thursday September 26 at 5:30 pm.
Welcome aboard to Mr. Marlon Osuna, our new Family Liaison.
We encourage our families to reach out and connect with Mr. Osuna.
732-745-5300, x7251
Our Student Support Team is here to help our students with their social emotional needs. Click on their name to contact them.
Ms. Jeanette Torres, Schoolwide Social Worker
Ms. Ivonne Gallego, Child Study Team Social Worker
Ms. Mindy McDermott, Learning Consultant
Ms. Shuquawana Hall, School Psychologist
Mrs. Heather Gartenberg, Guidance Counselor K-4
Mrs. Heather Gartenberg
Grades Kindergarten through Fourth
Ms. Isabel Caicedo
Grades Fifth through Eighth
This past Spring, PRCA completed the process to advance from Bronze Level to Silver Level Certified, by Sustainable Jersey. Over the summer we obtained Silver Certification!
Sustainable Jersey’s certified schools are national leaders in implementing solutions to key sustainability challenges while proactively providing the next generation with the tools they need to help their communities be more resilient and better able to adapt to a changing environment.
From efforts to improve health, integrate sustainability into student learning, boost recycling efforts, cut greenhouse gas emissions, improve digital learning and progress toward an equitable society, the actions completed by participating schools and school districts have made a significant contribution.
Each year, thousands of schools and youth organizations nationwide participate in Start With Hello Week, a national call-to-action week dedicated to making new social connections and creating a sense of belonging among youth. PRCA is proud to participate in this wonderful program, during the week of September 16.
Lead by our Save Promise Club students, under the guidance of Mr. Novod, our students participated in a week of themed days and activities. These included a Day of Peace, Trusted Adult Tuesday, and a "Green Out" to show unity and solidarity as a school community.
Save Promise Club, and Start With Hello Week are programs of Sandy Hook Promise: A National Organization that envisions a future where children are free from shootings and acts of violence in their schools, homes, and communities.
"Half of life is just showing up."
School attendance is a critical measure of success for any student. Starting in preschool and kindergarten, too many absences can cause children to fall behind in school.
- Missing 10%, or about 2 days each month over the course of a school year, can make it harder to learn to read. Students should miss no more than 9 days of school each year to stay engaged, successful and on track to graduation.
- Students can still fall behind if they miss just one or two days every few weeks.
- Being late to school may lead to poor attendance.
- Absences and tardiness can affect the whole classroom if the teacher has to slow down learning to help children catch up.
- Frequent absences can be a sign that a student is losing interest in school, struggling with school work, dealing with a bully or facing some other difficulty.
- By 6th grade, absenteeism is one of three signs that a student may drop out of high school.
Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school—and themselves. Start building this habit in preschool so they learn right away that going to school on time, every day is important. Eventually good attendance will be a skill that will help them succeed in high school and college.
Getting into the habit of daily attendance is more important than ever. It helps to:
- reduce stress
- make it easier to connect with friends and teachers
- support learning
- Please contact our Attendance Officer Mr. Agosto if you need help with attendance.
We are working to make our school environment a place where everyone can be safe, healthy and learning. We will do our best to listen and partner with you so that our children have a successful year. Do not hesitate to reach out to me with questions or concerns.
