April 2008

Volume 1, Issue 7

From the Principal

“Knowledge is love and light and vision” 
                               …Helen Keller
 

IMPORTANT DATES
April 15th -1PM   Early Dismissal~Annual School Election
April 16-17-18   1PM Early Dismissals-Parent Conferences
April 16-17-18   Kindergarten Registration by appointment
May 1-              Cybersmarts Workshop 7-8:30 PM

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As you may know, the school is now a polling place for the Township voting districts one and two. So, to accommodate the Annual School Election which takes place from 2-9PM, April 15th will be an Early Dismissal at 1 PM. Residents are asked to enter the school through the rear cafeteria door. Voting will take place in the gymnasium.

Report Cards will be distributed during conferences. To schedule a conference, please call the Central Office between April 7th and April 14th from 10:00 AM to 2 PM. Or, you may email Mrs. Romyns at promyns@montagueschool.org. Please remember that your children will need to bring their lunch on April 15, 16, 17 and 18. When you are here for conferences, please support the PTA’s Spring Book Fair.

Kindergarten Registration will take place during conference hours. Registration Packets are available in the front lobby. Some of the required information has changed, so please read through the packet carefully. Call Mrs. Alles, RN, our school nurse, at 973-293-7131, ext. 214 to schedule your registration appointment.

On May 1, 2008, Montague Elementary School will be hosting Cybersmarts from 7:00-8:30pm. This fun, interactive and educational workshop is open to all parents; however parents of fourth through sixth graders are encouraged to attend with their children. Children in grades 4, 5 and 6 are welcome to attend but must attend with their parent. The program will be presented by the Center for Prevention and Counseling.
 

In this current age of computer technology, many of children are finding that communication by email, text message, My Space, Facebook, and other internet sites are easy, socially acceptable, and a great way to communicate with friends and others. However, there are many safety factors that parents need to be aware of and teach their children. The website, www.wiredsafety.org., is one of the largest on internet safety, help and education. It offers much information and support about the use of the internet with tips and guidance to parents and children on how to stay safe online. Ultimately, parents should be in control over who has access to their children while out in the world of Cyberspace. Please check it out. If you have further questions or would like to talk more about this topic, feel free to call Mrs. Patricia Walker, MSW, LCSW, our school social worker, at 973-293-7131, ext. 219.

Along with this increase in cyber-communicating, there has been a noted increase in the number of students who have cell phones with them and turned on in school. While the school acknowledges that some parents may want their older children to carry cell phones for emergency use AFTER SCHOOL, cell phone use of any kind is an interruption to the school day and is not allowed. To ensure a positive learning environment for ALL students, the following procedure is now in place related to student cell phone use:
► Cell phone use of any kind is NOT permitted on school property during the school day;
► Cell phones are turned off during school hours;
► Cell phones are kept in the student’s backpack, OR;
► Cell phones may be placed in a teacher designated place in the classroom for student pick up at dismissal;
► Cell phones carried by students during school will be taken and brought to the Principal’s Office until dismissal and parents will be called.

Please speak to your children about this information and remember that if you need to get a message to your child during school, simply call the school at 973-293-7131.
 

April Events

1 - Pick up Kindergarten Registration Packets in Lobby
4 -  Student Council’s Wacky Hair Day!
7 - 14: Call or email Central Office for parent conference appointment
9 -  PTA Meeting 7PM
11 - Student Council’s Retro 60’s Day!
11 - Family Art and Entertainment Night 6:30 PM
15 - Annual School Election
          ♦ 1PM Dismissal for students
          ♦ Districts 1 & 2 vote in school gymnasium.
16-17-18:
          ♦ Parent Conferences by appointment
          ♦ PTA Book Fair
          ♦ Kindergarten Registration by appointment
18th:
          ♦ Student Council’s Pajama Day
          ♦ PTA Tricky Tray
21 through 25 SPRING RECESS
30 - Board of Education Meeting 7PM