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Olga Hugelmeyer		Howard Teitelbaum
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 Dr. Orlando Edreira Academy School No. 26, are honored and delighted to share this celebration with you as we welcome back 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.

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. 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:

 

Instructional Session Times:

• School hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for students in Grades Kindergarten - 8.
• School hours are from 8:20 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for students in Pre-K.
• The doors will open for students in Grades Kindergarten – 8 at 7:00 a.m.

 

Arrival:

• Students in Grades Pre-K - 3 will enter through the Main Entrance.
• Students in Grades 4 - 8 will enter through the Side Entrance.

 

Dismissal:

• Students in Pre-K and Kindergarten will exit through the Main Entrance.
• Students in Grades 1 - 3 will exit through the Cafeteria.
• Students in Grades 4 – 8 will exit through the Side Entrance.

 

If you are eligible for busing, the Transportation department will notify you.

 

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.

 

 

NEW AND RETURNING PARENTS TO EPS

 

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

 

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 laptop 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

 

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 a 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/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

 

The state of New Jersey has mandated that all children born after January 1^st, 1997 and enrolled in Grade Six, will be required to receive a booster dose of the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine (Tdap) as well as one dose of meningococcal vaccine.

Documentation that your child has received the required sixth grade immunizations must be turned into the school nurse no later than September 9, 2022.

 

Students entering 6^th grade with birthdays on or after September 9, 2022 must provide written confirmation from your child’s healthcare provider of the vaccination appointment. This appointment should be within two weeks of your child turning 11 years of age. The immunization record must be submitted immediately following the appointment. The Elizabeth Public School District is compelled by law to ensure that all students receive their required immunizations.

 

Children who do not meet immunization requirements or do not have documentation of a scheduled appointment within two weeks of turning 11 years of age will be excluded from school beginning the first school day.

 

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

 

 

 

BACK-TO-SCHOOL NIGHT

 

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

 

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 those 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,

 

 

Howard Teitelbaum

Principal