Kennedy Park School #24

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

Kennedy Park School #24 Open House Come visit and learn about the happening and what’s to come within your child(ren)’s classroom(s). Wednesday, September 15 A Pod and C Pod! (A1, A2, A3, A4, C2, C3, C4) Time: 6:00 - 7:00pm Location: All-Purpose Room Thursday, September 16 B Pod, Class C1 & D/E Wing! (B1, B2, B3, B4, C1, D0, D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, E1) Time: 6:00 - 7:00pm Location: All-Purpose Room This evening is dedicated to the parent(s)/guardian(s) learning about your child(ren)’s daily classroom instruction and activities, please refrain from bringing children. Please also remember masks must be worn in the building!

Tuesday, August 31 is Meet the Teacher Orientations. Please make sure to attend the session that your child's classroom is hosted. B Pod, D/E Wing, & Class C2 will have Meet the Teacher at 11:00 - 12:00pm at Kennedy Park School #24. Preschool ESL AM & PM will have Meet the Teacher at 11:45 am - 12:35pm at Kennedy Park School #24 A Pod & C Pod will have Meet the Teacher and Parent Orientation at 1:30 - 3:00pm at Kennedy Park School #24. **Please refrain from bringing siblings and other family members. Parent(s) and Kennedy Park student(s) should be attending due to limited space.** Please remember masks must be worn in school during the orientations. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. We look forward to seeing our students and you on Tuesday, August 31

September 2021 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. 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

In-Person Field Day Information: Tomorrow, Thursday, May 20 will be our Field Day for in-person students. This is a day for the students to be outdoors engaging with fun activities. Students will be outdoors the majority of the school day. In-person students will have the opportunity to hydrate, come in for snack and lunch, and have mask breaks outdoors. REMINDERS *Students should be wearing sneakers for outdoor play activities *Dress your child in comfortable, light clothing for outdoor play *Please feel free to send your child with a hat (or sunglasses) to wear outside *Please put sunscreen on your child before coming to school *If desired, please send your child will water bottle(s). Please label any water bottles sent in from home with your child’s name. *Water bottles (disposable)–individual water bottles will be available for all in-person students to drink from activity to activity. **PreK Half Day AM Students in Ms. Cornacchia’s and Mrs. Schneider’s Classes will have Field Day on Wednesday, May 26. Virtual Field Day Information: Virtual students will be able to participate with online activities at his/her own pace through the course of the day. Please see the attached documents for virtual Field Day https://5il.co/swp4 https://5il.co/swp5 https://5il.co/swp6 We are looking forward to a beautiful, fun-filled day outdoors! If you should have any questions, please reach out.

Kennedy Park Families: Please make sure to read our May Letter and check out the calendar for events/happenings and such! https://5il.co/s57f May Calendar: https://5il.co/s57g

Beginning Monday, April 19- Friday, April 23, Join Kennedy Park in Celebrating Autism Acceptance & Awareness with Spirit Week. Please see attached flyer for dress days "Philly Hot" "Light It Up Blue" Pretzel Sale will also be delivered on Friday, April 23. Pre-orders only https://5il.co/rg9m https://5il.co/rg9r

Tomorrow, Friday, April 2 is National Autism Awareness Day! Join KP #24 in wearing BLUE in support of Autism Awareness.

Traveling during Spring Break? If you're traveling outside of NJ...no quarantine is needed for DE, PA, NY, or CT. If you're traveling to other states or locations outside of NJ, quarantine is required. -7 day quarantine with negative COVID test (Recommended to wait 3-5 days prior to testing) prior to returning to school. -10 day quarantine, no test, no symptoms prior to returning to school.