Olga Hugelmeyer
Superintendent of Schools

Jocelyn Rodriguez
Principal

Health and Safety Protocols

Providing 24/7 protection against Covid-19 and the Delta Variant for students, teachers, and in the classroom is a top priority.

• Masks will be required for all students and staff members.
• We have provided every classroom with air purifiers that have a HEPA filter.
• We have ensured adequate supplies to support healthy hygiene behaviors, including soap, tissues, face coverings, and hand sanitizers (with at least 60 percent ethyl alcohol) for students and staff members who can safely use hand sanitizers.
• We have provided electrostatic sprayers in every school. The sprayers will enable custodial staff to more efficiently disinfect our schools. Detailed attention is
  given to high-touch areas such as door handles, desktops, sink handles, handrails and
  restrooms throughout the day.
• We have posted signage in high visibility areas to remind students and staff members of proper techniques for handwashing, the covering of coughs and sneezes, and other prevention measures.

EPS School Calendar

To review the EPS School Calendar for the 2021 – 2022 school year, please visit the following link: https://links.epsnj.org/calendar

First Day of School/Arrival and Dismissal Procedures

The 2021 – 2022 school year will begin on Thursday, September 9^th, 2021. In-person instruction will be conducted during the hours of 8:20 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

In order to help facilitate both a smooth and orderly mode of transition during the times of arrival and dismissal, please adhere to the following safety procedures:

Please arrive by 8:20 a.m. At that time, we will open the doors for the parents to drop off the students. In order for the students to adjust as quickly as possible, the teachers need to commence the routine immediately; therefore, please make your drop off as brief as possible.  (Please complete the covid-19 survey before arriving to school.)

Dismissal time begins at 2:50 p.m.  Please have the proper identification with picture when picking up or dropping off the students. The doors will immediately close at 3:02 p.m. Please be on time to prevent the student from being marked late for drop off and/or pick up, as this will affect their attendance.

Parents will be dropping off and picking up the students from the designated side doors. The doors have been assigned according to the classrooms of the students: 

                 Rooms:                                     Arrival & Dismissal (Entrance & Exit):

• 124, 125, 128:                                 Door #6 (Through Pennsylvania Ave.)
• 131, 135, 139:                              Door #3 (Through North Broad Street)
• 146, 147, 151:                               Door #4 (Through North Broad Street)
• 117, 118, 119, 123:                         Door #11 (Through Pennsylvania Ave.)
• 122, 141, 145:                                Door #10 (Through Pennsylvania Ave.)
• 129, 148, 152:                            Large Courtyard (Through Pennsylvania Ave.)
• 134, 138, 142:                            Small Courtyard (Through North Broad Street)

Attached to this letter you will find a map indicating each of the entrances and exits the students will utilize depending on their classrooms. If you have any questions regarding this or any other matter, please do not hesitate to contact us. 

PowerSchool Parent Portal Instructions

NEW AND RETURNING PARENTS TO EPS

To obtain instructions on how to navigate the PowerSchool Parent Portal please visit the EPS Website at https://www.epsnj.org/PowerSchoolInstructions.

If you experience technical difficulties with accessing your child's PowerSchool information, please contact your child’s school or visit the EPS website at Student Services / New Student Registration (PreK-12) (epsnj.org). From there, please click on the “PowerSchool Parent Portal Help” tab. Please scroll down and click on the school that your child currently attends. You will then be directed to complete an online contact form. After clicking the Save and Done buttons at the bottom, your request will be submitted and someone from the school will be in contact with you as soon as possible.

PowerSchool
Student Portal
Instructions

To obtain instructions on how to navigate the PowerSchool Student Portal, please visit the EPS website at https://www.epsnj.org/PowerSchoolInstructions

Pk: (Three-Year Old) – Three-Year-Old children placed at a Private Provider will receive a separate communication with information regarding their preschool teacher, etc.

Uniform
Policy

Dress Code Guidelines are established to promote a standard of appearance that enhances the learning environment as well as allows for the reasonable comfort of all students.

Uniforms are expected to be worn on a daily basis.

The uniform and dress code requirements for your child’s school are provided on the EPS website at https://www.epsnj.org/backtoschool. Please refer to the “Uniform Policy” tile and follow the instructions provided.

Parents, we are asking for both your cooperation as well as your support in regards to your child’s adherence to the uniform policy. Students who do not adhere to the school uniform policy will not be permitted to enter the building on Thursday, September 9^th or any school day thereafter. Please do not hesitate to contact the main office if you should have any questions with respect to the uniform policy.

Electronic Devices

For the past few years, our school has operated as a 1:1 technology school; and as a result, all students will continue to utilize a laptop computer for their daily classroom instruction. Students should make every effort to take excellent care of their laptops throughout the school year, as this is a very special privilege. Our 1:1 technology implementation will continue to ensure that our students attain the competitive standards that are needed to foster both college and career readiness. All students are required to bring their charged laptops and power cords to school daily.

NEW ENTRANTS

All new students to the district will receive their iPad/laptop during the first week of school.

Stay
Connected

NEW AND EXISTING PARENT INSTRUCTIONS

It is extremely important that we have the most updated home address and/or phone numbers so that we may contact you in the event of an emergency or to discuss your child’s progress. Please be sure to update your contact information by logging into your PowerSchool Parent Portal and filling out the Emergency Information form found under the Forms link throughout the course of the school year should there be a change in either your home address and/or phone number. Open communication between the home and the school is expected and is one of the more pertinent keys to academic success in school.

Our Notification system enables staff members to contact parents through email, text, and through verbal messages recorded on the phone. Through this system, parents are immediately alerted of urgent information, major events, and/or upcoming dates. To ensure that this system will continue to operate in its highly effective manner, it is very important that we have the most current and accurate information on file for each and every student.

To obtain information on how to keep your contact information up-to-date, please visit the EPS website at https://www.epsnj.org/backtoschool. Please refer to the “Stay Connected” tile and follow the instructions provided and follow the instructions provided on how to update your information on PowerSchool.

District/School Information

Please ensure that all of the required documents listed below are reviewed and completed by the first day of school and that all personal information is updated regularly:

·         Emergency Information Form

·         Notice Regarding Physicals

·         Media Release Form

·         Student Internet & Network Permission Form with Elizabeth Internet Use Policy

·         Acceptable Use for Technology – Electronic Mobile Device Form

·         Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF)

·         Lunch Application

In order to obtain access to the required documents that are indicated above, please visit the EPS website at https://www.epsnj.org/backtoschool. Please refer to the “Forms and Applications” tile and follow the instructions provided.

Immunization Requirements

Please be advised that the State of New Jersey, Department of Health Services, has changed several immunization requirements. All children attending licensed childcare centers and preschools are required to receive an annual flu vaccination.

If you currently do not have medical insurance, you may qualify for services at the free immunization clinics throughout the city. For your convenience, attached is a fact sheet that addresses flu vaccination information.

According to state mandates, students attending school must provide the following:

1. Proof of the vaccine

Please provide proof of your child’s required immunization as soon as possible and no later than December 20th, 2021. Students who do not have the required documentation will be excluded from school as of January 3rd, 2022.

Transportation

Transportation will be available for the following students:

• Elementary students who live more than 2.0 miles from their school
• High school students who live more than 2.5 miles from their school
• Students whose IEP include transportation services

All students will be socially distanced while being transported to and from school.

Back-to-School Night

September 28^th, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.