PARENT INFORMATION SESSION

New Bridge Center/Cherry Hill SchoolRiver Edge, NJ

Important People

● Dr. Tova Ben-Dov - Superintendent● Mrs. Denise Heitman - Principal● Mr. Eric James - Assistant Principal● Mrs. Rosemary Kuruc - Supervisor of Special Services● Ms. Christine Moran - Supervisor of Curriculum & Instruction● Mrs. Joyce Kelleher - NBC Secretary● Mrs. Audrey Traynor - Secretary / District Registrar● Mrs. Maritza Vega - NBC Nurse● Mrs. Janel Blake - CHS/NBC Pupil Assistance Counselor● Mrs. Susan Miele - Technology Coach

All forms are online

Please check that all of your information is accurate: ◦ Email Addresses◦ Home Address◦ Parent/Guardian Phone Numbers◦ Emergency Contact Numbers (3 other than the parents)

Student and Parent Information

Safety and Security We have a comprehensive security plan in place that was developed together with the River Edge Police Department. This security plan includes:● Long-standing safety protocols at each of our buildings ● Ongoing training of staff● Cameras● Locked entries with visitor vestibules at the main entrance to all three

buildings● All visitors, including parents, must have an appointment or be on a list of

expected guests to be allowed entry to the school Safety drills are conducted with our students to exercise our procedures. As mandated by the state of New Jersey, each month every school conducts at least one fire drill and one school safety drill. The drills address possible threats inside or outside of the building. These include Lockdowns and Evacuations, These are very often done in tandem with the Police Department. There is police presence at the start of school, lunch-time, dismissal, and major events at both schools. We are truly appreciative for the support of the River Edge Police Department.

● An extra custodian will be on site during the school day for cleaning

● Hand sanitizer stations are available outside of every bathroom, the main office, and main entrance

● Parent attestation (via Parent Portal) and daily symptoms check will occur before each session

Health and Safety Highlights

● Socially distanced decals line each hallway

● Daily disinfecting and deep cleaning of classrooms will occur between AM and PM sessions

● Regular hand washing is part of the master schedule

Health and Safety Highlights

Nurse Friendly Reminders

● Students cannot start school unless their immunizations records and physicals for the year 2020 are handed in to the NBC school nurse office.

● Please notify the NBC nurse if student has been diagnosed recently with any allergies, asthma, etc.

● All medical forms must be completed by parent and medical professional. All forms must be signed by parent and medical professional. All forms must be stamped by doctors. office.

● Please click on the link below if you need to print any medical forms for the nurse. https://sites.google.com/riveredgeschools.org/river-edge-school-health-offic/home

Attendance/Travel

❖ All absences must be communicated to the attendance line AND the school nurse no later than 8:15 AM

❖ Parents/guardians are required to complete the Daily Covid Questionnaire in Genesis located in the Parent Portal. This should be done by 8 AM

❖ All travel to states that are currently on the Travel Advisory List needs to be reported to the school nurse both in advance and on return

❖ The school nurse will work collaboratively with the local health department on a possible re-entry protocol

Nurse Friendly Reminder - Illness Policy

● If your child is not feeling well, please do not medicate them and send them to school. Your child will tell on you and it only puts the other students and staff at risk.

● Fever of 100.0 or higher (needs to be fever free for 72 hours)

● Diarrhea/vomiting (symptom free for at least 24 hours)Strep throat/Pink eye/Other communicable diseases - diagnosis needs to be confirmed by an MD and communicated to the school nurse. A medical clearance note must be faxed or emailed to the school and reviewed prior to the student returning to the building.

Nurse Friendly Reminders

● Please make sure that you update all emergency phone numbers and emails. I will be reaching out to parents via phone and email

● Make sure you review our school Covid-19 guidelines before school starts

https://sites.google.com/riveredgeschools.org/recurriculum/20-21-district-updates-information/river-edge-reopening-plan?authuser=0

● If the student is sick please do not send student to school

● I can’t wait to see everyone in September. I will be working hard with teachers and parents to keep our students safe and healthy. Please call me or email me with any concerns.

What is SEL?

● SEL is the process of developing and using the knowledge, attitudes, and skills that help youth and adults to:○ Understand and manage emotions○ Set and achieve positive goals○ Feel and show empathy for others○ Make responsible decisions

CASEL 2019

Why is SEL important for all students?

● Social and emotional competencies help all students:○ Deeply engage with academic

content○ Recognize and build on their

strengths/assets○ Participate in respectful dialogue○ Resolve conflict peacefully○ Advocate for themselves, their

families, and their communities

New Jersey’s Five Core Social & Emotional Competencies

•Self-Awareness: ability to recognize one’s emotions and know one’s strengths and limitations

•Self-Management: ability to regulate and control one’s emotions and behaviors, particularly in

stressful situations

•Social Awareness: ability to take the perspective of others, demonstrate empathy, acknowledge and

appreciate similarities and differences, and understand how one’s actions influence and are influenced

by others

•Relationship Skills: refers to one’s ability to demonstrate prosocial skills and behaviors in order to

develop meaningful relationships and resolve interpersonal conflicts

•Responsible Decision-Making: refers to the ability to use multiple pieces of information to make ethical

and responsible decisions

Morning Meeting/Community Time

● Responsive Classroom is a social emotional program that is implemented in Grades K-3

● This program…○ Allows time for daily community meetings with students○ Engages students in positively greeting each other everyday○ Promotes curiosity, wonder, and interest through fun, challenging,

and interactive activities○ Builds a sense of community and connectivity○ Creates a level of deeper understanding through shared

experiences and the discovery of commonalities Overall, being part of something bigger than themselves gives

students a sense of BELONGING

COUNSELING PROGRAMS

● Kid's Turn - changing family support group (divorce,

death, or illness)

● Social Club - social skills lunch group

● Primary Project - Kindergarten/1st Grade play therapy

program

● Zippy - a kindergarten program designed to foster

social and emotional development

COUNSELING SERVICES

● INDIVIDUAL & GROUP COUNSELING - Social and emotional support for students

● I&RS INTERVENTION - Intervention For Academic and Behavioral Challenges

● SECTION 504 ACCOMMODATION - Accommodations for students with medical diagnosis that significantly impact their learning

● PARENTING RESOURCES - Support with behavior issues and developmental Changes

● LINKS TO COMMUNITY SERVICES - Supportive services for students outside of school

Two and a half hours of instruction for students will take place during their AM or PM session. Additional instruction will take place outside of their AM or PM session.

● Students are assigned to either an AM session from 8:25-11:00 or a PM session from 12:25-3:00 with their classroom teacher Monday through Friday, (in-person or virtually)

● Sessions for Related Arts (30 minutes) will take place via Zoom outside of the Kindergarten sessions

● Additional activities and materials will be provided for suggested work outside of the AM or PM Kindergarten sessions

Schedule - Kindergarten

Instruction in all Content Areas and Related Arts will follow a structured model to allow for:

Time for Students to Participate in LIVE, INTERACTIVE Instruction

� Mini-Lesson: Teacher introduces and models skill

Time for Students to Independently Complete Assignments

� Teacher will work with students individually or in small groups� Students can ask questions for support or clarification

Time for Students to Reflect on their Learning

� Check For Understanding: Exit Ticket or Closing/Share Activity

Instruction - VIRTUAL & HYBRID Model

Managing the HYBRID Classroom

● Webcam will only stream the Smartboard and Teacher as it is facing forward, except during Related Arts

● The Teacher is able to mute students at his/her discretion (i.e. behavioral support)

● Remote students are able to ask questions via chat, “Raise Hand” feature, or microphone if enabled

● Students are able to work remotely and receive additional support when needed during teacher Office Hours

● Lessons are being formatted for this instructional model

Typical Classroom Layout

★ NBC and CHS Parking is prohibited unless authorized

★ Parking on Wayne Avenue is available until 9:00 AM and after 2:00 PM

★ Allow sufficient time to find a spot when you visit New Bridge Center/Cherry Hill School

★ During school hours for meetings there are limited visitor parking spots at Cherry Hill School and New Bridge Center

★ Please do not park in reserved spots-they are reserved for personnel only

Parking and School Lots

● Drop Off for Kindergarten is directly to the student’s teacher by the

Project Room doors (Students will be lined up according to their teachers name)

■ AM Session: 8:25 AM■ PM Session: 12:25 PM

● Students are late after 8:35 AM or 12:35 PM○ Students arriving late must be brought to the main office and

signed in○ Parking lots at NBC and CHS are NOT to be used for drop off or

any parent parking

Drop Off

11:00 AM or 3:00 PM● All students will be dismissed to a parent/guardian

at 11:00 AM or 3:00 PM by the Project Room doors (same door as drop off)

● Students not picked up by 11:00 AM or 3:00 PM will be waiting in the main office and must be signed out

● Parking lots are NOT to be used for pick up

Pick Up

Pack a healthy in a separate bag labeled “snack”.

Helpful Hints:❏ Something the student can eat in 10 minutes-provide hand-wipes❏ Provide easy opening snacks that your child can open themselves❏ There are no microwaves available to heat anything up❏ Provide a drink with your child’s snack

Visit the school website for a list of suggestions

Snack

Genesis is our Student Information System❖ The Parent Portal enables parents to check attendance, report cards, view

scheduled conference times and receive important letters❖ Your child’s placement letter can be accessed via the parent portal❖ You will be asked to login in to our Parent Portal in mid-Aug❖ Steps to login:➢ You will receive an email from with clear instructions➢ This will be followed by an email from Genesis - with your username and

temporary password➢ One account is set up per family:

“Guardian 1” is the email address used. The link to general instructions for accessing the portal:

❖ English❖ Spanish❖ Korean

Genesis Parent Portal

Class Placement

● Class Placement letters were shared on the Genesis Parent Portal

● “You are the Expert” forms should be filled out and returned to the Kindergarten teacher by the first day of school

● School Supply List (on website)

● Important Dates:○ Meet your Kindergarten Teacher (TBA)○ First Day of School - Tuesday, September 8, 2020

Clothing

➢ Please label all jackets, fleeces, sweatshirts, etc.

An effective instructional program requires an orderly school environment and is, in part, reflected in the behavior of students. Students are expected to conduct themselves in keeping with their level of maturity, with a proper regard for the rights and welfare of other students, for school personnel, for the educational purpose underlying all school activities, and for the care of school facilities and equipment.

The Board of Education has an approved code of student conduct. This policy establishes standards and procedures for positive student development and student behavioral expectations on school grounds, including on a school bus or at school sponsored functions, and as appropriate, conduct away from school grounds. The board has directed development of detailed regulations suited to the age level of the pupils and the physical facilities of the individual schools.

For the full Student Code of Conduct, please click on a link below:■ Student Code of Conduct - English■ Student Code of Conduct - Spanish■ Student Code of Conduct - Korean

Student Behavior/Discipline

HIB District Policy

The River Edge School District has a policy to keep all students safe from Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying. It is listed on the Board of Education page on the district website.

You can access the full document by clicking on the following link:

5131.1 HIB POLICY

The goal of all policies, programs, and supports is for students to understand their misconduct, take responsibility for their actions, and engage in a restorative activity. Most issues are are resolved by the teacher, Pupil Assistance Counselor, or Principal with parental notification when appropriate.

Conflict is a mutually competitive or opposing action or engagement, including a disagreement or an argument which is a normal part of human development.

Bullying is one-sided, where one or more students are victims of one or more person's aggression, which is intended to physically or emotionally hurt the victim(s).

There is a separate policy for Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying.

Conflict vs Bullying

HIB Coordinator and Specialists

ALL INCIDENCES OF HIB MUST BE REPORTED TO THE BUILDING PRINCIPAL

● District Anti-Bullying Coordinator: Mr. Eric James, Assistant Principal

● Cherry Hill School Anti-Bullying Specialist: Mrs. Janel Blake, Pupil Assistant Counselor (PAC)

● Roosevelt School Anti-Bullying Specialist: Mr. Alrick Douglas, Pupil Assistant Counselor (PAC)

Technology in Kindergarten ● In past years, the K-2 Instructional Technology coach, would begin going

into Kindergarten classrooms in December/January to support and coach the Kindergarten teachers and students with the integration of technology into the Kindergarten curriculum. Tech support for teachers has been ongoing and will continue.

● This year, this tech support for Kindergarten students and their families will start before the school year even begins with the first Kindergarten Parent Academy Session being offered Wednesday, 9/2 or Thursday, 9/3 virtually through Zoom from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. More sign-up information will be sent to you.

● As an introduction, a short 7 minute video, which will be sent to you sometime before next week’s Parent Academy, showing the student login process from a school-issued chromebook, troubleshooting internet connections and navigating to Google Classroom through Classlink, our single sign-in platform

Technology in Kindergarten ● Each student will be assigned a chromebook that they can bring home for

hybrid/virtual learning. The Kindergarten and grade 1 chromebooks are specifically configured to use an easy-to-use QR Code login card, individualized for each student. These login cards will be provided to you by the school. This QR code card will make it much easier for students to log into their chromebooks.

● If for some reason you choose not to use a school-issued chromebook and prefer to use a personal device, you can contact me (mieles@riveredgeschools.org) and I can help you with the username and password for the login process from a personal device.

● Each Kindergarten teacher will use Google Classroom, which will be the central hub for students to find Zoom links, assignments, class schedules, communications from their teacher, and resources.

Questions, Comments, Concerns?

❏ Please do not hesitate to email jamese@riveredgeschools.org or call 201-261-5620 ext. 2326 with any comments, questions or concerns

❏ No matter is too small – it is easier to share correct information and resolve issues when we maintain open and direct communications

❏ Let’s work together for a successful school experience!