Dear E.C.S. Families,

With spring in full swing, here are a few upcoming events and reminders for our school community.

📌 Important Reminders:

• No Dogs on School Property:
  For the safety of our staff and students, dogs are not permitted on school grounds during pick-up and drop-off. Thank you for your cooperation.

• No After-School Tutoring During NJSLA Testing Week:
  There will be no after-school tutoring from May 12th to May 16th due to NJSLA testing.
  The final day of all after-school tutoring will be Wednesday, May 29th.

🎶 Spring Concert/ Art Show Dates – Mark Your Calendar!

• June 3rd: Chorus Gr. 2-5 and Band Gr. 4-5

• June 4th: Middle School Bands and Choirs
• June 3rd and 4th: Art Show

📝 NJSLA Testing Week:
Testing will take place May 12th–16th for students in grades 3–8. Please ensure your child is well-rested and arrives on time each day.

Thank you for your continued support!

As we head into the final stretch of the school year, every day in school truly counts! When students attend consistently, they stay connected, keep up with learning, and build habits that lead to long term success. We want every student to finish the year strong and reach their full potential, and that starts with attending school each day.

Regular attendance is also part of state requirements. When students miss too many days, schools are required to take steps to provide support and address the concern. Our focus is always on working with families early to prevent attendance issues from becoming larger obstacles.

If you’re experiencing challenges getting your child to school, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help, because when students attend, they succeed and excel.

On Wednesday, April 16th, seven of our Middle School Band students participated in the Western Burlington County Honors Band Concert. The students worked hard, preparing challenging music that they played for a packed house at Moorestown High School.

Aubrey Mejia, Clarinet

Sabella Williams, Clarinet

Keyddy Chavarria, Clarinet

Ellie Cox, Clarinet

Liam McLaughlin, French Horn

Landen Schwab, Bass Guitar

Cassidy Apgar, Percussion

Bravo!!

Our Roots and Rec class has been hard at work in the garden! They've been busy pulling weeds, planting flowers, assembling our newly purchased benches, and creating beautiful window art to help our garden grow. Their dedication and teamwork have truly made a difference—great job to all!

As part of their Honor Society service project, Leah Thalwitzer and Keyddy Chavarria Castillo collaborated with Mr. Moore’s and Ms. Corn’s kindergarten classes. Together, they read a spring-themed book and created a vibrant spring mural, which is now proudly displayed in the kindergarten hallway.

5/7- PTA Flower Sale Pick-Up

5/8- 7th & 8th Grade Band and Chorus NYC Trip

5/9- Preschool Goodies with Gals - For Mothers and Special Ladies

5/9- PTA Ladies Night Out

5/9- Field Trip shirt orders due

5/12-5/16- NJSLA Testing Week (make-ups: 5/19-5/30)

5/13- Board of Education Meeting

5/16- Progress Reports Online

5/20- PTA Meeting- 6:30pm

5/22- Last Day of Drop In Tutoring

5/22- 8th Grade Trip to Pocono Valley

5/23- Early Dismissal (staff inservice)

5/26- No School- Memorial Day

5/27-5/30- Summer Reading BOGO Fair

5/27- Preschool Meet and Greet 2:45-4:00pm

5/29- Last Day of all after school tutoring

5/29- Preschool Safe Kids NJ Presentation for Families (1:30-2:15pm)

5/30- Gr. 6-8 Field Day

6/2- Preschool Kindergarten Transition Meeting - VIRTUAL (3:30pm)

6/3- Band Gr 4&5/ Chorus Gr. 2-5 Concert 6:30pm

6/6- Field Day K-5

6/6- 8th Gr. Dinner Dance

6/10- Board of Education Meeting

6/13- Preschool Breakfast with Buddies - For Dads and Special Friends (8:15-9:00am)

6/16- Summer Reading Kick-Off 4-6pm

6/18- 8th Gr. Graduation/ Early Dismissal

6/19-Early Dismissal/ LAST DAY/ Report Cards

6/20- No School/ Juneteenth Recognition

Congratulations to Ms. Kraml's class for reaching their class goal of 400 lessons at 100% on iReady! Great job!

Preschoolers received a visit from Insectroplis through their Bugs-on-the-Go program. They enjoyed learning about various types of insects. They even had an opportunity to touch Rosie the tarantula and Spike the Madagascar hissing cockroach!

I grew up in Hamilton Square, New Jersey, and lived there my whole life until recently. I currently reside in Mount Laurel, New Jersey. From a young age, I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in teaching. When I was in high school, I did an internship that allowed me to leave school early during my senior year to observe and help in a 2nd grade classroom. From there, I attended Stockton University to pursue a Psychology degree with a concentration in Elementary Education.

While in college, I developed an interest in Forensic Psychology and ended up switching my concentration, later graduating with a degree in Forensic Psychology. While I have a passion for forensics, I decided shortly after graduating that my true passion was teaching. From there, I worked as a substitute in Hamilton Township before going back to school to earn my Master’s in Teaching. While I was in graduate school, I worked as a paraprofessional to gain even more experience. I graduated from Rider University with my Master’s, and shortly after that, I came to Eastampton to teach 2nd grade!

Outside of the classroom, I enjoy reading, spending time with my friends and family, shopping, and traveling. I also love attending hockey games and watching the Eagles—Go Birds! A fun fact I like to share is that I have a twin brother! The most common question I get when I mention that I'm a twin is whether we look or act alike. Although we are twins, my brother and I are nothing alike! We have very different interests and personalities, but that’s what makes our time together so fun.

Each year that I teach, I feel like I finish with more incredible stories and experiences. I love watching the students learn and grow throughout the year. It’s amazing to see them enhance their skills in what seems like such a short amount of time! I am grateful to be able to teach such amazing students.

Measles Prevention in School

• Follow NJ School Immunization requirements. Getting vaccinated is the best protection against measles.

• All staff and students should be current on all routine immunizations, including the MMR. It is especially important to review immunizations prior to travel and be vigilant for illnesses upon return.

• Anyone traveling internationally should be fully vaccinated before traveling. Infants 6–11 months old should get one dose of the MMR vaccine before travel. Then they should get two more doses after their first birthday.

• Implement healthy habits in the school:

• Frequent hand washing. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub that contains at least 60% alcohol.

• Encourage habits such as covering mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing, and not sharing utensils, water bottles or other items.

• Clean/disinfect surfaces or objects, especially frequently touched surfaces.

• Students and staff should stay home when they are sick.

Measles Transmission

• The virus spreads easily through the air when someone coughs or sneezes.

• The virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves the area.

• People can also get sick when they come in contact with mucus or saliva from an infected person.

• Individuals at risk include those who have not been fully vaccinated or have not had measles in the past.

Measles Symptoms

Measles symptoms include:

• a high fever

• cough

• runny nose

• watery red eyes

• and a rash that usually appears between three and five days after symptoms begin.

*The rash usually begins as flat red spots that appear on the face at the hairline and spread downward to the neck, torso, arms, legs, and feet.

Additional Measles Resources

• Department of Health | Communicable Disease Service | Measles

• NJDOH Factsheet on Measles Exposure

• NJDOH MMR Vaccine Information

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Measles Information

• Measles Cases and Outbreaks | Measles (Rubeola) | CDC

• CDC MMR Vaccine Information

Please stay up to date on your child's grades by checking PowerSchool. See the links below for the student/ parent sign in and Frequently Asked Questions.

Reach out to Kari Thalwitzer with information about your login: 609-267-9172

Early Pick-Up

If you are going to be picking your child up early from school, please email or call kthalwitzer@etsdnj.us at least one hour before picking up your child. Also, please complete early pick-ups by 2:00pm. The end of the school day is extremely busy in the main office, so ample notice is appreciated.

Volunteer Announcement

To ensure smooth arrival and dismissal, volunteers are welcome in the building only between 8:40 AM and 2:30 PM.

Attendance Reminder

Unexcused lateness and early pickups affect your child’s attendance record. Please limit missed school time whenever possible to keep them on track academically. Preschool arrival is 8:15am at the preschool doors. For kindergarten through 8th grade, school doors open at 8:15am, and students are expected in homeroom by 8:30am. Preschool dismissal is at 2:15 PM, and K-8 dismissal is at 3:00 PM.

Parking Lot Reminders

Please remember to slow down when dropping off or picking up your children. The safety of our students, staff, and families is our top priority.

Also, be sure to park only in lined parking spots—not on the grass.

Please click HERE to register your child for the after school tutoring program.

**If you have already completed registration and your child is attending tutoring, please fill out THIS FORM by 9:00am the day they are attending.

If the form is not completed by 9:00am, your child will be dismissed at 3:00pm.**