School Letter to Parents 2012 - South Brunswick Public Schools

MONMOUTH JUNCTION SCHOOL
630 Ridge Road
Monmouth Junction, New Jersey 08852
(Phone) 732-329-6981
Dr. Maribeth Edmunds, Principal
Carol Piza, Assistant Principal
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Welcome Back Letter!
Dear Monmouth Junction Families:
August 10, 2012
During the month of July, our school building was closed as a cost containment measure for the district.
While we were displaced, I interviewed scores of candidates for openings that arose due to staffing
changes and retirements. Later in this letter I will introduce our new staff members to you. This
information will help families better understand the placement letters that accompanied this ‘Welcome
Back’ letter.
As a result of these changes, our school will look different in the fall with many bright, smiling faces
filling our hallways – adults and children alike! I am sure you will join me in welcoming new staff as
they prepare for your children. To do so, we will host an Open House on Wednesday, September 5 th from
2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. for families that wish to visit their new teachers in advance of the first day.
Electronic Messages—Please read your email from the school!
At the end of this letter, you will find important details such as arrival and dismissal procedures as well
as critical information for parents of kindergarten students. As I have done in the past, I will email you
weekly over the course of the year with news from the school, the district and PTO. Please read these
emails carefully to stay informed. This ‘Welcome Back’ letter will also be posted on Monmouth
Junction’s Web site for easy reference throughout the year.
Welcome New and Returning Staff Members
Classroom Teachers: Let me begin by welcoming back Kerri Oswick. Mrs. Oswick will continue in place
of Mrs. Spinner who extended her leave of absence. Mrs. Oswick will partner with Mrs. Schuhl as the
kindergarten team. I am confident your students will enjoy working with these enthusiastic teachers.
Several changes have also taken place in first grade. First, Ms. Beth Caruso has taken a district position as
a tech educator. In her place, we have hired Kaitlin Drew. Kaitlin holds a master’s degree from The
College of New Jersey and has taught at the Lake School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Mountain
Lakes. Joining Kaitlin is Leah Sachs who will replace Mrs. Sciortino during her family leave. Ms. Sachs is
a graduate of Montclair State University and has taught first grade in Dunellen. Ms. Drew and Ms. Sachs
will work together with Mrs. Sciortino and Mrs. Miller in order to launch the year in September.
“ Success is a choice.”
Monmouth Junction Mission Statement
Our mission at Monmouth Junction Elementary School is to promote an optimal educational experience and provide an
environment where students feel safe, respected, nurtured and supported.

Returning to second grade from her family leave is Alison Frame. We are glad to have this fine teacher
back with us as she returns to the second grade team with Ms. Wales and Mrs. Hair.
Third grade will remain the same with Mrs. Zeeman, Mrs. Monasch and Mrs. Nieves as the team.
Earlier this summer, Peter Rattien was appointed assistant principal of Constable and Cambridge
Schools. As a result of this change, Mrs. Katz will move to fifth grade. She will make an outstanding
addition to the team that includes Mrs. Stadler and Mrs. Buonocore. Mrs. Andrea Brunner, who
previously taught third and fifth grades, returns to Monmouth Junction to join Mrs. Daley and Ms.
Walker in fourth grade. In addition, Mrs. Amy Gazaleh, our school librarian, will take on the role of
technology coordinator vacated by Mr. Rattien.
Other Departments:
Our music department has two new teachers. Milena Dawidowicz, who taught here years ago, will return
to Monmouth Junction two days a week to teach strings. Also, Jared Judge will begin in September to
teach general music classes and instrument lessons. Mr. Judge, a recent graduate from Penn State, brings
an impressive resume with him as well as many musical talents.
Mr. Hunt, who taught physical education to several of the younger grades, has moved to a position at
South Brunswick High School. In his place, we have hired Heidi Carlson. Ms. Carlson holds degrees
from Rutgers and Kean Universities, is an advocate of Responsive Classroom and has experience teaching
in Linden. She will collaborate with Mr. Robert Henning teaching physical education.
As you may recall, we had several retirements this past year in special services. Joining Dr. Heather
Hamed, school psychologist on the Child Study Team, is Kim Hans, social worker. Mrs. Hans has many
years of experience at South Brunswick High School in school social work. She brings particular
expertise in family counseling. Also joining the school as the speech teacher is Ashley Keates. A
graduate of La Salle University with a master’s degree, Ms. Keates brings experience teaching speech at
Scotch Plains and Franklin.
Finally, in the resource room, we welcome Debra Armento. Mrs. Armento has worked with children in
the resource room for many years at Cambridge School. She joins Mrs. Foley in this department.
Monmouth Junction PTO – “It takes a village.”
Annually, our PTO provides the school community with an array of initiatives from fun nights for
families to technology for teachers in classrooms. I want to thank Eric S. Schlesinger, our PTO President,
and our executive board members, who take great pride in the support they provide to the school.
On behalf of the PTO I invite you to join our monthly meetings held on the third Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. in
the media center. (Free babysitting is provided.) As its first event of the year, the PTO will sponsor an ice
cream social on Friday, September 7 th to welcome families back to school. (6:30 p.m. Rain or Shine!)
Student Council and Student Leadership
The Student Council, under the direction of Ms. Keri Nieves, will continue the Random Acts of Kindness
Program, spirit days and philanthropic projects this coming year. In addition, we will continue student
leadership opportunities to help improve behavior in all areas of the school. Last year, our Leadership
Corps, under the direction of Mr. Robert Henning and Mrs. Carol Piza, received a grant to study
leadership in a program entitled “The Leader in Me.” We will continue to build on this concept in the
coming year and promote student leadership so that all children build the important skills of
collaboration and cooperation.
“ Success is a choice.”
Monmouth Junction Mission Statement
Our mission at Monmouth Junction Elementary School is to promote an optimal educational experience and provide an
environment where students feel safe, respected, nurtured and supported.

In other school news – Student Parent Handbook and HIB (Anti-Bullying)
Handbook: On the first day of school, you will receive a packet with important information. One item
will be a new Student-Parent Handbook. Please sign the return slip and read this critical information in
the Student-Parent Handbook regarding school and District policies and procedures.
Bullying, Harassment and Intimidation: Please read the information about Bullying, Harassment and
Intimidation in the student handbook. Monmouth Junction’s School Climate Team will meet four times
this year to eliminate acts of bullying. Mrs. Lynne Weinstein, student assistance counselor, will serve the
school as the anti-bullying specialist.
School Climate Team/ Lunch and Recess: Our School Climate Team is developing a motivating, character
education plan for lunch and recess where we will emphasize our CARES core values with students --
(CARES = cooperation, assertion, responsibility, empathy and self-control). Our theme for lunch and
recess is “We take care of each other at Monmouth Junction.” The intention of this initiative is to work
with all children so that they play cooperatively with their peers during this time of day.
Student Support Team: Each school is required to create a Student Support Team for the purpose of
helping teachers meet the needs of struggling learners. In all cases, parents of students brought to the
Student Support Team are notified of our concerns and invited to meetings to work on the child’s behalf.
School Lunch: The price of a school lunch is $2.10. The price of milk remains unchanged at 55 cents.
The First Few Weeks of School
Dates to remember:
Open House: Wednesday, September 5 th from 2:00 -3:00 p.m.
First Day of School: Thursday, September 6 th – Remember, this is a full day of school.
PTO Ice Cream Social: September 7th – Rain or Shine. 6:30 p.m. (Monmouth Junction
playground. Bring your lawn chairs.)
PTO Meeting: September 11, 2012 (7:00 p.m. in the Media Center – Free Babysitting Provided.)
Picture Day: September 13 th .
Back to School Night: September 20 th . (7:00 p.m. Parking and shuttles from SBHS.)
Schools Closed: September 17 th , September 18 th and September 26 th .
Early Release and School Planning Meeting: October 3, 2012.
Summertime can be a relaxing time ‘when the living is easy.’ However, it seems that August is
disappearing quickly. Soon, we welcome children to the new school year and to the wonders of learning. Our
faculty and staff are energized, ready to start the year and prepared to move forward. As always, we are grateful for
the support of our parents. Monmouth Junction students are successful because of your choice to support education
at Monmouth Junction School. Parents and faculty working together will make for an outstanding year ahead. We
look forward to seeing you in September!
Regards,
Maribeth Edmunds, Ed.D.
Principal
“ Success is a choice.”
Monmouth Junction Mission Statement
Our mission at Monmouth Junction Elementary School is to promote an optimal educational experience and provide an
environment where students feel safe, respected, nurtured and supported.

2012-2013
ARRIVAL / DISMISSAL ROUTINES & SCHOOL GUIDELINES
Please read this information carefully!
These procedures are designed to protect the safety of all students. Staff members will be assigned to supervise
students during arrival and dismissal times in order to enforce the procedures listed in this memo. Please be
courteous to our staff members and treat them with respect since they are simply trying to safely facilitate the
movement of over 400 students in and out of the building.
ARRIVAL PROCEDURES
The building doors will open at 8:55 a.m. to admit students to the building. Students and parents are expected to
wait outside until 8:55 a.m. unless the students are in the Before-School Program. The late bell rings at 9:05
a.m. All students are expected to arrive prior to 9:05 a.m. so instruction can begin promptly. Never leave children
unattended in the playground or parking lot prior to 8:55 am.
Before School Program
You are required to sign your child into the before-school program. All grade level programs will be in the
cafeteria. You are to park in the back parking lot and enter the building through the back doors of the new wing. No
drop-off or parking is permitted on the bus loop. Please park your car in designated spaces, shut it off, and walk
children to the back door. Please use caution in this area at all times.
Bus Students
All buses serving our school park either in the horseshoe or along the curb immediately past the horseshoe on
Monmouth Drive. Bus students will enter the building through the door on the bus loop.
Walkers
Students walking to school are expected to cross Ridge Road or Monmouth Drive at the locations that have crossing
guards. All Ridge Road walkers will enter through the bus loop door. All other walkers will enter through the back
of the new wing. Walkers are not permitted to enter the building until 8:55 a.m.; therefore, they should time their
arrival accordingly.
Parent Drop-Off
Parking is extremely limited! We recommend that you do not plan to park, but use the Drop-Off Zone. The
Drop-Off Zone will be at the rear of the parking lot. Enter the parking lot, and pull as far forward as possible in the
Drop-Off Zone. There is no parking permitted in this zone. Please do not block driveways or park in any area
marked by “No Parking” signs or yellow curbs.
A. Cones will be placed at the end of the staff parking area at approximately 8:45 am and 3:15 pm. Please do
not drive into the staff parking area during arrival or dismissal time since many children are walking in this area to
meet parents.
B. Do not park your car and then leave it idling while meeting your children.
C. Please use caution when driving in this area because children may dart out into the lot.
D. Do not use the handicapped parking space without a proper permit.
Late Arrivals
Any student arriving after 9:05 a.m. bell must be accompanied by a parent to the Main Office to be signed in.
Students are not permitted to sign themselves in, nor are they permitted into class without a late pass.
Absence
If your child is going to be absent, the school must be notified. You may call the voice mail at any time or call
the office after 8:00 a.m. to report your child absent. Please do not use the email to report your child absent.
According to District policy, ‘un-notified’ absence will result in a call from the school. A letter that outlines
specific details of the District’s attendance policy will go home in the opening day packet.
“ Success is a choice.”
Monmouth Junction Mission Statement
Our mission at Monmouth Junction Elementary School is to promote an optimal educational experience and provide an
environment where students feel safe, respected, nurtured and supported.

DISMISSAL PROCEDURES
After-School Program
Students will be dismissed to their ASP program, and attendance will be taken before other all other students are
dismissed.
Walkers and Parent Pick-Up
The location of the waiting area is on the blacktop at the rear of the building. We begin dismissing these students at
approximately 3:25 p.m. (1:30 on early dismissal days). Teachers will walk students to the waiting area and
supervise their pick up.
Children will not be permitted to cross the parking lot or Monmouth Drive without being accompanied by a parent.
Please meet your child at the waiting area. Students walking home will exit the building with the students being
picked up by parents.
Dogs at Dismissal: Some of our students are very afraid of animals, specifically dogs. Please do not bring your
dogs to the waiting area. Stay at the sidewalk with your pet if you bring one. Thank you for helping our children
exit the building calmly.
Bus Students
All bus students will exit through the bus loop doors to meet their buses. The buses will be parked either in the loop
or along the curb immediately past the bus loop.
Changes in Dismissal
If you need to make a change in your child’s dismissal, please write a note to the teacher. Changes in dismissal are
noted on the daily attendance report that is given to teachers. This guarantees that teachers and after-school
personnel are informed of any changes. Also, you can call the main office to notify the staff of any dismissal
changes. Please do not email changes to the teachers.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
• Dropping a child off in the front of the school during morning arrival is not permitted. This area is
not supervised by any staff and the front door is locked. The only morning drop-off location is on
Monmouth Drive in the rear parking lot. Do not allow children to play on the playground unsupervised.
• There are limited visitor parking spaces in the front parking lot. These are for 15 minute parking only. If
you are planning on being in the building for a longer period of time, you must park in the back parking lot.
• The only entrance that will be unlocked before 8:55 a.m. or after 3:30 p.m. is the bus loop entrance. During
the school day, all entrances are locked. All visitors to the building must be admitted through the front
door and go to the Main Office for a visitor’s badge. Visitors must display the badge while in the building.
• Do not park in the fire zone. Cars parked illegally are subject to ticketing by the township police.
A SPECIAL NOTE FOR KINDERGARTEN PARENTS
To help ease everyone’s anxiety on the first days of school, all kindergarten students – walkers, riders, and bus
students – come directly to the Cafeteria to meet their teachers. When everyone in a class has arrived, teachers will
walk the entire kindergarten class to the classroom.
We will follow this procedure on Thursday, September 6 th and Friday, September 7 th. On Monday, September 10 th ,
kindergarten students will go directly to their classrooms in the morning. Staff members in the hallway will assist
them.
BIRTHDAY RECOGNITION*
If you would like to have a short class birthday acknowledgement for your child, please speak with your child’s
teacher in advance. Parents should be mindful of the district’s nutritional policy as well as the dietary restrictions of
students in the classroom. These birthday recognitions are short (ten minutes) and limited to the classroom
“ Success is a choice.”
Monmouth Junction Mission Statement
Our mission at Monmouth Junction Elementary School is to promote an optimal educational experience and provide an
environment where students feel safe, respected, nurtured and supported.

community. Parents are asked to drop off the treats in the main office, and these treats will be delivered to the
classroom.
Goody bags are not allowed. The school will not permit bouquets of balloons and other celebratory decorations to
be sent to the classrooms. These can be distracting to students’ learning. Birthday party invitations are not to be
distributed at school. Please use your PTO Class Directory in order to send such invitations via the U.S. Mail
system. The directory will be distributed in October.
DRESS CODE*
The wearing of clothing bearing obscene writing or promoting indecent or unacceptable behavior, whether stated or
implied, will not be permitted. In all such cases, students wearing inappropriate items will be asked to remove or
replace them. When it is determined that students are in violation of these guidelines, they will be sent to the nurse’s
office and provided with temporary clothing for the remainder of the school day.
No student is permitted to wear a hat or any other head covering in school, unless required to do so by religious
custom or medical condition. Since students at the elementary level have recess every day, it is recommended that
the students wear sneakers or other safe footwear (no flip-flops) to school daily. In addition, students should dress
for the weather as recess occurs throughout all seasons of the school year.
SCHOOL SAFETY PROCEDURES
School Safety
All district schools conduct drills and have plans in place to keep students, staff, and visitors secure. Among such
safeguards are (a) Bus Evacuation Drills, (b) Fire Drills, and (c) Lockdown and other drills as needed.
School Security
All district schools have cameras and buzzer entry systems that restrict visitors’ access to the buildings. To ensure
the safety of our students, staff, and community, the district also has an identification (ID) card system for all district
staff. Visitors are issued temporary ID badges upon signing in at the main office.
PERSONAL ITEMS*
Students are expected to bring to school only those supplies, books and other materials, required for learning. The
school provides students with recreational supplies and equipment for use during recess and/or Physical Education.
TECHNOLOGY/ELECTRONIC DEVICES
We recognize that more students have electronic devices today, such as e-readers and iPads. Although these may
be useful for educational purposes, at this time, we are not permitting them to be used in school for safety and
security reasons.
NUTRITION*
South Brunswick School District contracts its school dining services through Chartwells Dining Service which
provides school lunch options in compliance with the State-mandated Nutrition Policy. Due to the growing number
of students who have been diagnosed with peanut allergies, which can be fatal to some, Chartwells School Dining
Services no longer serves items that are peanut-based or use foods prepared with peanut-based products in any of
our cafeterias. While this change does not impact “packed” lunches or snacks, we ask that you be mindful of the
existence of food allergies among children and discourage sharing of snacks.
Student-Parent Handbook and DISTRICT WEB SITE*
Our recently revised Student-Parent Handbook will be distributed on the first day of school in September. Critical
information regarding our Elementary Code of Student Conduct, including a recently approved Harassment,
Intimidation, and Bullying Policy (HIB), is included. You will be asked to sign for the receipt of this handbook and
read this information carefully. The Student-Parent Handbook will also be available for review on our Web Site.
Further information pertaining to the school district and Board meetings can also be found on our school district’s
Web site at http://www.sbschools.org
“ Success is a choice.”
Monmouth Junction Mission Statement
Our mission at Monmouth Junction Elementary School is to promote an optimal educational experience and provide an
environment where students feel safe, respected, nurtured and supported.