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Olga Hugelmeyer		Jocelyn Rodriguez
Superintendent of Schools		Principal

 

 

 

August 2022

 

Dear Parents/Guardians and Students,

This school year marks the beginning of a triumphant celebration – one that will recreate the academic traditions that have defined and cultivated our school community in the past and one that will lay the foundation for establishing both innovative and unparalleled beginnings for the future.

We, the entire staff here at Donald Stewart School No. 51, are honored and delighted to share this celebration with you as we welcome all of our students and family members to the 2022-2023 school year beginning on Friday, September 9^th! Our promise is to provide an innovative and personalized learning environment that ensures that every child achieves excellence. Within a safe, rigorous, and welcoming environment, we believe that every student can and will learn at his optimal level in order to reach his highest educational potential.

Every year we strive to build a stronger partnership between both the home and the school community. By attending a coffee chat or, possibly, joining the PTO, these are just a few of the ways in which family members can become more engaged in our learning community and stay connected.

Please take the time to visit our district website and the Back to School link at https://www.epsnj.org/Page/4374 for additional information on returning to school. Many of the important topics addressed in detail on the district website are also provided below for your immediate review:

 

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL / ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL PROCEDURES

 

The 2022–2023 school year will begin on Friday, September 9^th, 2022. Instruction will be conducted during the hours of 8:20 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

 

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. 

 

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

 

 

EPS SCHOOL CALENDAR

 

We ask that you guide and support your child’s learning by ensuring that he/she attends school daily, arrives on time, and is ready for the day’s learning experience.

 

To review the EPS School Calendar for the 2022–2023 school year, please visit the following link: SchoolCalendarfor2022-2023SchoolYear.pdf (epsnj.org).

 

POWERSCHOOL PARENT PORTAL INSTRUCTIONS

 

PowerSchool is an electronic management system that is utilized by the Elizabeth Public Schools in order to collect, store, and maintain pertinent student data and records. The application provides parents with real-time access to information that pertains to a student’s schedule, attendance, grades, and academic progress; it also offers a convenient and accommodating way for both parents and teachers to communicate as needed. Therefore, everyone stays connected. Schedules for the upcoming 2022-2023 school year will be available to view on PowerSchool on Monday, August 22^nd.

 

To access the PowerSchool Parent Portal, please visit the EPS website at  Student and Parent Sign In (powerschool.com).

 

If you experience technical difficulties while accessing your child's PowerSchool information, please contact your child’s school or visit the EPS website at  Student Support Services / 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 www.epsnj.org/PowerSchoolInstructions .

 

 

UNIFORM POLICY

 

The intended purpose for the EPS dress code is to promote a positive self-image and to enhance school pride amongst our students. Health, safety, and educational well-being are the primary objectives for the dress code with the goal of fostering an environment that is conducive to discipline as well as to education. School 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/Page/4374. Please refer to the “Uniform Policy” tile and follow the instructions provided.

 

 

 

ELECTRONIC DEVICES

 

The implementation of iPads into the preschool classrooms provides an opportunity for our youngest students to extend their learning through developmentally appropriate active-learning experiences. While the iPad can serve as a tool to help reinforce skills in the areas of reading, writing and mathematics, it can also provide opportunities for preschool students to investigate, explore, and create within the early childhood setting. 

 

The implementation of the iPad is integrated seamlessly into the preschool curriculum during center time. iPads enhance student learning by providing opportunities for students to retell and create their own stories, investigate and explore exciting new places and diverse cultures, capture their learning through student created portfolios, and reinforce skills through books and learning applications.

 

NEW ENTRANTS

 

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

 

STAY CONNECTED

 

Receive School Reminders/Updates via Text Message!

Sign up to receive messages from your child’s school and the Elizabeth Public Schools

 

To obtain information on how to keep your contact information up-to-date, please visit the EPS website at https://www.epsnj.org/Page/4374. Please refer to the “Stay Connected” tile 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/Page/4374. 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.

 

Please provide proof of your child’s required immunization as soon as possible and no later than December 23^rd, 2022. Students who do not have the required documentation will be excluded from school as of January 3^rd, 2023.

 

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

 

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

 

On the first day of school, please send your child with the following items:

• One crib sheet and one blanket (for rest time) 
• Two family pictures to display on our family trees in our classrooms (this helps the child feel “at home” in a new environment) 
• Two sets of clothes – pants, shirt, underwear, socks (in case of accidents) 
• Please be sure to write your child’s name on any of his or her belongings. 
• Toys from home are NOT permitted in school. 

 

 

BACK-TO-SCHOOL NIGHT

 

We look forward to meeting parents/guardians at our Back-to-School Night on

September 22, 2022 at 6:00 p.m.

 

SOCIAL - EMOTIONAL LEARNING

 

Now more than ever, today’s generation of young adults are contending with many unimaginable challenges due to the aftermath of our most recent unprecedented times. In order to ensure that the continuance of positive school climates as well as the healthy development of the whole child progresses, the Elizabeth Public Schools recognize how critically essential social-emotional learning skills are for our students and their successful performance in school, in work, as well as in life; as a result, we will continue to foster social-emotional skills as a daily practice in the classrooms. Creating a safe learning environment where students are able to engage in the core competencies of self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making will help to provide students with the skills required to navigate through complex challenges in life.

 

We hope that you will all continue to enjoy the remainder of the summer. Let’s continue on our shared mission to reaffirm equity, reestablish expectations, and reclaim excellence! We look forward to starting another journey together on Friday, September 9^th.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Jocelyn Rodriguez

Principal