Kennedy Park School #24

As the first day of school is upon us, we at Kennedy Park School #24, want to thank all of our parents and students who were able to attend our Meet the Teacher and Welcome Orientation throughout this week. We hope that the visits to our school has helped to prepare our students for their first day and put our parents at ease for the first day. Just a few reminders for the first day of school, Wednesday, September 7. Doors will open at 8:45am for our full day students and AM students. Doors will open at 12:50pm for our PM students. *Dismissal for non-bus students will begin at 3:00pm at DOOR 4 (unless specific directions have been given by the classroom teacher) Arrival: *Non-bus students will be meeting their classroom teacher on the blacktop right next to DOOR 4. This is only for the first day of school, Wednesday, September 7. Signs will be outside for drop off and pick- up every day. If your child’s teacher has told you specific pickup locations, please follow them. *On Thursday, September 8, non-bus students will be coming in through DOOR 4. If your child’s teacher has told you a different drop off directions, please follow those directions. *Bus Students will come off the bus with assigned staff to that particular bus and be taken to their assigned classroom. Specialized programs will have staff meet the students at their buses and go to their classroom. Breakfast/Lunch: *Beginning, Wednesday, September 7, ALL full day students can receive breakfast and/or lunch. Please make sure to fill out the lunch application for free or reduced lunch in the Genesis Parent Portal. Otherwise, parents can go online to set up a prepayment for breakfast and/or lunch https://www.payschoolscentral.com/ *All students will need a snack, water bottle (reusable or disposable), and lunch (if they are not getting lunch provided from Pomptonian; full day students only) every day. Please make sure your child’s snack(s) are nut/peanut free to eat in the classroom. *Please make sure all students have extra clothes packed for the first day to keep in their classroom cubby. *Please make sure all forms in Genesis Parent Portal are completed. *If you are picking up child up from school prior to the regular dismissal time, you must go to the Main office and have ID. NO STUDENT WILL BE RELEASED TO A PERSON WHO IS NOT IN OUR GENESIS SYSTEM AND DOES NOT HAVE ID. *Please make sure all students have their belongings labeled with their first and last name. Transportation: *If you are changing your child’s transportation on any given school day, please make sure to notify our main office (732-568-5680) and classroom teacher by 10am or ASAP. *Please be have patience as our WTSD bus drivers are picking up and dropping off our students to their designated locations. *A parent/guardian MUST be at the bus stop location to get their child. No one child will be released off of the bus. *Students who are in specialized programs will receive a phone call from their bus driver regarding the pickup time and location. Please reach out if you should have any questions or concerns. We are looking forward to an exciting first day with our students and school year!

September 2022 Dear Kennedy Park School #24 Families, Welcome to Kennedy Park School #24! I am truly honored and excited to welcome all of you and your child(ren) to our new kindergarten school family. We are all excited about our kindergarten/primary school that will be filled with learning adventures. I am Pamela Kaminsky, building principal of Kennedy Park School #24. I am proud and humbled to serve as an administrator for one of the largest and best districts in New Jersey. Throughout the school year, it is important that our School 24 community of students, parents and staff continue to meet the expectations for the school through modeling positive behavior, working to our fullest potential, and showing respect. The safety and security of every student in the building is, of course, a number one priority. Therefore, be ready to show appropriate ID whenever you visit the school following the security rules that will be posted outside the front door. If you are bringing to your child(ren) and/or picking up at dismissal, please use DOOR 4 (side entrance of building). My mission for our school is that every child has the potential to learn and that all learning should be authentic and real for each child to progress throughout the school year. The administration, faculty, and staff want your child to feel valued within our school community. It is also important that we all demonstrate respect and responsibility to help build a strong positive attitude that reaches everyone in our school community. Our school webpage will be continuously updating information for you and your child. Please make sure to visit the site for information often during the school year. If you have just registered your child(s) for Kindergarten, you will also be receiving information to finalize your Genesis account and complete forms via Genesis. Transportation Bus Stop information can be found using the link “Find My Child’s Bus Route” on our Kennedy Park School #24 webpage in the late month of August. Please also make sure to sign up for WTSD Thrillshare to receive any important information on school delays, cancellations, delayed opening, and/or upcoming WTSD events/happenings. For any additional information you can visit the WTSD main website and/or email pamela.kaminsky@woodbridge.k12.nj.us with any questions and/or concerns. On behalf of the faculty and staff of Kennedy Park School #24, we welcome you and your child to our school community. Together, teachers, staff, students, and parents can make a stronger school community! Have a wonderful school year! Best Regards, Pamela Kaminsky Principal, Kennedy Park School #2

Rainbow Read Aloud (K-4) https://sites.google.com/wtsdnj.com/wtsdlibrarymediaprogram/rainbow-read-aloud?authuser=0 Join our LIVE Google Meet weekly for a Read Aloud with me, Mrs. Timinski, the Library Media Specialist for the Woodbridge Township School District. Together, we will read and discuss stories about people from around our country and the world. Rainbow Read Aloud is geared towards children in grades K-4 but anyone can log on and listen. Simply join my Google Classroom using the summer code - ltbazv7. Looking forward to sharing stories that matter with you!!

Kennedy Park #24 Field Day Thursday, May 19, 2022 Rain date: Wednesday, May 25 Field day is a day of outdoor & (some) indoor fun, engaging Station- to-station activities! Students will need water bottles disposable or reusable to use and refill during the day! A water Station will be for provided for refilling. Students should be dressed for outdoor play: comfortable clothing (weather appropriate), sneakers, hat and/or sunglasses (if it’s a sunny day), sunscreen (can be applied before coming to school, if needed) Students should be on time for school so they can enjoy the whole day

Kennedy Park Cubs Mother’s Day Plant Sale Thursday, May 5 and Friday, May 6 Prices: $0.50 – $10.00 Hanging Baskets: $15.00 CASH ONLY! Classes will shop on Thursday, 5/5 OR Friday, 5/6 Please send a shoe box, small box, or bag for your child to carry their plants home in. ALL STUDENTS will receive 1 FREE FLOWER! Pre-Ordered Plants can be picked up after 3:00pm between A Pod and B Pod (by side parking lot)

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO THE WOODBRIDGE TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT’S 2022 DIVERSITY, EQUITY,AND INCLUSION SHOWCASE JUNE 2, 2022 5:30 P.M. – 8:30 P.M. WOODBRIDGE TOWNSHIP COMMUNITY CENTER 600 MAIN STREET, WOODBRIDGE, NJ 07095 Please join us for the inaugural District DEI Showcase. The students of Woodbridge Township have worked hard all year on projects that embody multicultural education. This event is an opportunity for students to showcase their work and for the Woodbridge community to support all that our schools have done to create an inclusive environment for students. Along with sharing artifacts created in the spirit of multicultural education, each school will present a research project aimed at making their community a better place. Light refreshments will be served. We hope to see you there!

Dear Kennedy Park Parents/Guardians: We hope this letter finds you all well! As an update from the last letter sent out regarding stomach virus and issues, we are still seeing signs of the stomach virus present within our school community. Please be assured all illnesses are being tracked accordingly within the nurse’s office, as well as regular classroom disinfecting and sanitizing is taking place. Please also remind your children to be diligent in handwashing as they are continuing handwashing a multitude of times through the course of the school day. If your child is complaining of stomachaches, has a loss of appetite, has vomited and/or has 2 or more episodes of diarrhea, please keep them home. Your child needs to remain home for at least 24 hours if they have vomited or had episodes of diarrhea and remain home until symptoms have resolved. If you have any questions or concerns on whether to send your child to school, please call me 732-568-5675 or use the Nurse REMIND to contact me directly. I will try my best to call if your child has been out 2 days or more to see how they are and if you need anything. Please continue to call the school’s attendance line and provide the reason for the absence as well as symptoms your child is experiencing. We, thank you for being proactive in helping us keep Kennedy Park a healthy place to learn and grow. Sincerely, Kristine Rapczynski, MEd.,BSN, RN Kennedy Park School Nurse

Autism Awareness Spirit Week Friday, April 1 – Friday, April 8 Friday, April 1: Light it up Blue- Wear blue Monday, April 4: Celebrate the beauty of the diverse spectrum- Wear Rainbow colors and/or tie dye. Tuesday, April 5 Be Unique! Wear your favorite outfit. Wednesday, April 6 Shade out Autism- Wear your favorite hat or sunglasses. Thursday, April 7 Celebrate our Differences- Wear a mismatched outfit. Friday, April 8 Sensory Friendly Friday- Individuals with Autism often have a variety of sensory sensitivities. Dress in your most comfy clothes.

Kennedy Park School #24 READ ACROSS AMERICA SPIRIT DRESS WEEK Monday, February 28 - Friday, March 4 Monday, February 28: : “There’s Only One YOU” Wear something that makes you, YOU! (favorite clothing, favorite shoes, favorite hat, special clothing, etc) Tuesday, March 1: “A Color of His Own” Wear your favorite color clothing Wednesday, March 2: “Thesaurus Has A Secret” Words are Everywhere! Wear clothing with appropriate words (or letters). Thursday, March 3: “Giraffes Can’t Dance” A Great Book has Strong Characters! Dress as Your Favorite Story Book Character, Superhero, Character, or Famous Person! Friday, March 4: “Zero” “One” We accept everyone! We have mindfulness! Top off the week by wearing your favorite hat

April is Autism Awareness Month! Order your shirt today! Kennedy Park #24 Autism Awareness Shirts on Sale! Orders for t-shirts being accepted until Friday, March 4!

Dear Kennedy Park Families: We hope this letter finds you all healthy and well. As we are currently in the second half of the school year and approaching the 100th day of school the majority of our students will soon be getting ready to “step up” into the next grade level for either Kindergarten or 1st Grade. All of our current kindergarten students will attend his/her home school for the 2022-2023 school year and continuing elementary school years. Kindergarten students and preschool students who will be moving onto the next grade level and are currently attending Kennedy Park School #24 will not have to be re-registered. Students’ information will roll over within the Genesis system on July 1, 2022, as well as any medical files will be sent to the designated (home) school. Please keep in mind, if your child is currently in a specialized program, the next school will be determined based upon program location and services needed. All students who are moving onto the next grade level will be placed in a WTSD school before exiting out of the current grade/program. Preschool ESL students will be assessed at the end of the school year to decide whether the student(s) will exit the ESL program or not. PreK ESL students who do not exit out of the ESL program will attend a WTSD school that provides ESL services. PreK ESL student(s) who may exit out of the program will attend his or her home school. For Preschool students in another specialized preschool program, the next attending school will be determined based upon program location and services needed. If you should have any questions, please feel free to contact us at 732-568-5680.

Kennedy Park School #24 Accepted the Woodbridge Township “Have a Heart “214” Challenge!” KP #24 has “Soup”er Star Pre-K and Kindergarteners! Help us collect soup (box or canned) and other non-perishable items (pasta, sauce, pancake mix, cereal, rice, canned vegetables, etc.) for our local Food Banks! Collection begins on January 18 and ends on Friday, February 18!

Please review the attached letter from Dr. Massimino regarding remote(virtual learning from home) for ALL students starting Monday, Jan. 10 through and including Jan 14. In-person classes will resume on Tuesday, Jan. 18. https://5il.co/140r5

Letter from Ms. R., Kennedy Park #24 School Nurse Dear Parents/Guardians: I want to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy and Healthy New Year! This is a much deserved break that we all need. Just a few important reminders for when we return in the New Year on Monday, January 3rd. As per the CDC, local health department, and Woodbridge Township School District, students and staff are still mandated to wear masks in school and on the bus. Please make sure you are providing your children with one mask to wear and an extra in their backpack. We do have extra masks available at school if one is forgotten. However, within the month we have been using an unusually large amount of masks for students. We kindly ask you to be diligent in reminding your child to wear their mask and to provide an extra one in their backpack. Please make sure your child has an extra set of clothes they can keep in their backpack (especially underwear) just in case an unforeseen accident occurs. We are still following CDC guidelines regarding quarantining. If getting your child tested we only accept PCR tests no rapid tests are accepted. If your child is exposed to a COVID positive individual your child would need to quarantine from school for 10 days without a PCR test being conducted/ OR if you choose to have your child PCR tested (needs to be done between 5-7 days) they can return to school after the 7th day if their test comes back negative. If your child tests COVID Positive they need to stay out of school for 10 days and can only return after 10 days if symptoms are no longer present. Unfortunately we have also had a few cases of lice in the building. Please be aware if your child is scratching at their head. After a long break it’s always good to check your child’s head before they return to school. The weather is now getting colder and some days warmer, please dress your child appropriately for the weather changes. If your child is out of school sick please call the school and let us know the reason your child is out. Please include any symptoms they are having. Thank you for being proactive and helping me keep our school a healthy place to learn. As always if you have any questions or concerns please reach out to me at 732-568-5675. Thank you, Mrs. Rapczynski, School Nurse

Kennedy Park #24 Monday, December 20 – Thursday, December 23 Join in the Holiday Fun… Monday, December 20: Merry “Grinch”mas. Wear a Grinch, “Who” shirt, or green. OR Dress like the Grinch or a character from Whoville Tuesday, December 21: The Busiest Time of the Year: Dress like one of Santa’s helpers-elf, reindeer, Rudolph, etc. Wednesday, December 22: Holiday Headwear & “Ugly”/Holiday Sweater. Wear your favorite holiday headwear or hat and your favorite holiday or “ugly” holiday sweater. OR wear red and green Thursday, December 23: All Aboard…Polar Express Pajama Day. Wear “school appropriate” pajamas or your coziest clothes. No slippers.

Kennedy Park participates in AMERICAN EDUCATION SPIRIT WEEK: Monday, Nov. 15 - Friday, Nov. 19 Monday, November 15: From the beginning of the educational career. Wear Kennedy Park School Spirit-wear or colors Tuesday, November 16: As we grow, we learn letters and words are very important. Wear clothing with print (letters, words, sayings-please be school appropriate) Wednesday, November 17: “We have many jobs within a school and school district!” In school, I want to be like…” Dress like your favorite role model or job in school (Superintendent, teacher, principal, nurse, custodians, bus drivers, lunch server, security officer, etc.) Thursday, November 18: Hometown High School Spirit-wear or Colors. Wear your future High School colors or spirit-wear (Woodbridge-Red & Black; Colonia- Blue & Gold; JFK- Green & White) Friday, November 19: And in the end...When I grow up, I want to be...! Dress up as your future career (job).

Sewa Diwali Food Collection: Kennedy Park is accepting food donations for We FEED Woodbridge to help supply our local food banks. Please consider donating a non-perishable item(s): pasta, soup, canned vegetables, cereal, etc. Food drive ends: Friday, November 19

The WHS Choirs will be hosting our annual Halloween event this year on Wed 10/27 and Thurs 10/28, including games, costume contests, and an outdoor movie (The Nightmare before Christmas) https://5il.co/10qxg

Kennedy Park School #24 Week of RESPECT October 4-8 Monday, October 4: “Blue Up” Wear BLUE to join the youth of America in celebrating National Bullying Prevention Day. Tuesday, October 5: “Put a Cap on Conflict” Wear your favorite hat to school. Wednesday, October 6: “Show Your Character” Wear the clothing with your favorite character. Thursday, October 7: “Team Up Against Bullying” Wear your favorite sports team’s shirt or jersey. Friday, October 8: “United We Stand” Show solidarity by wearing your Kennedy Park School #24 shirt OR blue and yellow.

Go Pink! for Breast Cancer Awareness Join us on Friday, October 1 By wearing PINK in support of breast cancer. Donate $1.00 in support of breast cancer! All proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer! Hosted: Kennedy Park School #24 K Crew