Woods Road School Paw Pride
June 2020 - Volume 7 - Issue 10
Special Points of Interest
- June 12, 2020: Spirit Day - Wear Spirit Wear or Red & Blue School Colors
- June 12, 2020: Parent Pick Up - Student belongings & Medication Grades 4, 3, and 2 only
- June 14, 2020: Flag Day
- June 15, 2020: Parent Pick Up - Student belongings & Medication Grades 1, K, and Pre-K only
- June 16, 2020: Last Day of School for All Students
- June 17, 2020: NO SCHOOL - Due to unused Snow Day #1 - Staff In-service
- June 18, 2020: NO SCHOOL - Due to unused Snow Day #2
- June 19, 2020: NO SCHOOL - Due to unused Snow Day #3
- June 21, 2020: Happy Father's Day!
- June 22, 2020: NO SCHOOL - Due to unused Snow Day #4
Principal's Message
Dear Woods Road School Community:
It is hard to believe that we are in the last five days of the school year. It has surely been quite a ride the last several months. We know it has been challenging for parents and guardians as you navigated the pandemic while managing your own jobs, staying healthy, childcare, and the overall safety of your family. We could not be more proud of our staff, community, and our parents for helping our students finish out this very unique school year.
The staff and I are so very proud of our students as they took on the remote learning challenge with such perseverance and resilience. Always remember our motto, "Show character each day, it's the Wildcat Way."
I also wanted to thank our energetic and very supportive HSA. WRSHA provides so many events throughout the school year and we are forever grateful for all that WRSHA does and will continue to do. Thank you!
I know you probably have a ton of questions regarding next school year. To be honest, at this time, no one is certain what school will look like in the fall. However, please note that we will be working diligently to create a plan for our school community. We will look for guidance from the CDC, Governor Murphy, and NJDOE. The administrative team will create a plan that meets the challenges in the safest way possible. Thank you for your patience.
If your family is moving out of the district, to any other address within the district, or if your child will not be returning to Hillsborough Township Public Schools next year, please notify Mrs. Jeannie Demetrio, in the main office, as soon as you have finalized your plans. You can send her an email at jdemetrio@htps.us.
Keep up with the latest happenings at Woods Road School by following us on Twitter! https://twitter.com/WildcatsWrs is our handle and we’re excited to share all of the outstanding activities, events, and teaching and learning that is going on in our school with the community!
I have truly enjoyed my time as principal of this extraordinary school and district. Woods Road School will always hold a special place in my heart. Our success is the result of the amazing partnerships we have cultivated over the years. It is these very relationships that will continue to support our students and staff success. It is my hope that the amazing work of our staff, dedicated parents, and guardians will continue and will be the voice of change that is needed in today's world.
Have a safe and healthy summer! I will miss you all!
Sincerely,
Jodi L. Howe
Principal
Important Reminder / Recordatorio Importante
Nutritional Services/Servicios Nutricionales
We were recently informed that during the COVID-19 pandemic, students may receive meals free of charge even if the eligibility criteria for free and/or reduced lunch is not met, as long as we are able to affirm enrollment status in our schools. As explained previously, while it is not necessary for children to accompany their parents, it is important to have their POS numbers readily available.
Additionally, if your employment situation has recently changed as a result of COVID-19 and you believe your child(ren) may be eligible for free and/or reduced lunch, please complete the food service application and do not hesitate to reach out to the Business Office at tklein@htps.us with questions or concerns. If you are unable to drive to the grab & go location at the high school, please reach out to your school nurse or building administrator for assistance.
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Además, nos informaron recientemente que durante la pandemia de COVID-19, los estudiantes pueden recibir comidas de forma gratuita, incluso si no se cumplen los criterios de elegibilidad para el almuerzo gratis o reducido, siempre que podamos afirmar el estado de inscripción en nuestras escuelas . Como se explicó anteriormente, aunque no es necesario que los niños acompañen a sus padres, es importante tener sus números de ID disponibles.
Además si su situación laboral ha cambiado recientemente como resultado de COVID-19 y cree que su (s) hijo (s) pueden ser elegibles para almuerzo gratis o reducido, complete la solicitud de servicio de alimentos y no dude en comunicarse con la Oficina Comercial en tklein@htps.us con preguntas o inquietudes. Si no tiene transporte para llegar a la escuela secundaria, comuníquese con la enfermera de la escuela o el administrador del edificio para obtener ayuda.
New School Counselor
My name is Danielle Santoro, and I am looking forward to filling the role of School Counselor at Woods Road Elementary School. My experience spans Pre-K through 12th grade and includes both public and private schools. I received my Bachelors degree in Applied Psychology from Bryant University in 2014 and took some time to explore my career interests before deciding that school counseling was right for me. I attended Rider University in the fall of 2016 and received my Masters degree in Counseling Services in December of 2018. I started s a Counseling Intern at Montgomery High School while completing my Masters. After graduating, I was hired for a leave replacement 6th grade School Counselor position at Montgomery Lower Middle School. After my time at Montgomery was finished, I was hired for another leave replacement position at Princeton Day School. At Princeton Day School, I served as the School Counselor for both the Lower (Pre-K - 4th grade) and Middle (5th - 8th grade) schools. I currently hold my NJ Student Assistance Coordinator certificate, and I am also certified by the National Board of Certified Counselors, in addition to my NJBOE state certification.
Outside of school, I love to stay active both physically and mentally. I am currently working on obtaining certification to teach Plyojam (a cardio dance fitness program based in plyometrics). I also enjoy yoga, reading, cooking new recipes, spending time with friends and family, including my dog, Diego.
I'm really looking forward to being a part of the Woods Road community! The community at Woods Road cares deeply about collaborative efforts to help students become the best they can be, and that is one of the many reasons I became a school counselor. Being able to help a student navigate a tricky peer conflict or take the first steps towards self-advocacy is what makes me most proud to be a school counselor. I cannot wait to meet everyone in the Woods Road community! Should you need to reach me, my email address is dsantoro@htps.us.
My very best to all of you,
Danielle Santoro
Nurse's Corner
by Kimberly Paulhus
Medication Pick Up: Due to our current situation with school being closed, please follow the separate medication pick up procedure that was sent out via School Messenger Alert on June 8, 2020.
Over the summer: Please make appointments with your child’s doctor in order to have paperwork filled out for any medication that will be needed for next school year. No medication can be given without a doctor’s order. If any new vaccines are received over the summer, please send a copy to the nurse. If your child develops any new medical conditions or concerns over the summer, please contact the nurse to discuss prior to school beginning in September.
Medication drop-off for next school year: All medication must be given directly to the nurse along with prior forms filled out by the child’s doctor. Specific dates and times will be made available for parents to come to the school prior to the first day to drop off any medications and forms.
The summer is a wonderful time for families and children. It is a time for a more relaxed schedule allowing children more time to explore and try new activities and experiences. This summer may look different than in the past, but try to spend quality time with family and experience new things (while social distancing of course). With all of the excitement comes different types of risks for everyone, especially children. Here are some tips to keep everyone safe and healthy over the summer months;
Remember to drink plenty of fluids, try to stay in the shade, and take more frequent breaks to avoid dehydration.
Applying sunscreen is very important anytime you are outside to avoid sun damage.
Remember to wear a helmet with the use of bikes, scooters, or any other activity that has a risk for injury to the head.
Apply bug spray during outdoor activities to avoid bug bites and diseases that different types of bugs can carry.
Children should always be supervised when in the presence of fireworks.
All children should be supervised anytime they are around water. Having children comfortable around water and exposed to basic water safety will help to prevent drownings.
For more information on summer safety please visit the website for the National Safety Council at https://www.nsc.org/home-safety/tools-resources/seasonal-safety/summer.
Have a safe and healthy summer and I look forward to seeing everyone again soon!
Library
by Dina Stoff, Media Specialist
We’ve come to the end of what has been a very memorable year. I have missed seeing all of the students in person, getting to read to them, and working on fun projects with them. I am looking forward to seeing everyone (except our 4th graders, good luck at ARIS) in the fall. Summer Break is almost here and it is important to keep reading all summer long! Studies show that if students don’t keep reading over the summer, their reading growth will stall or decline. There are some great summer reading programs available. The Hillsborough Library will be putting together a summer program, and when I get that information, I will share it on my Google Classroom with your children. Barnes and Noble also has a summer reading program where students can earn free books, what is better than that? Maybe some cash? TD Bank will give your child $10 for reading 10 books! Scholastic has a summer reading program where students can log their reading time and earn books for those in need. I hope that everyone has a wonderful summer and keeps reading! Follow the library on Instagram @wrslibrary
Woods Road Elementary School
Website: www.htps.us
Location: 401 South Woods Road, Hillsborough, NJ 08844
Phone: (908) 431-6600
Twitter: @WildcatsWRS