H&M Potter News
February 2016 Edition
WELCOME TO FEBRUARY! We wish you all a warm and comfortable month.
A Special Message from Dr. Zito
Happy February!
We have many exciting events coming up for this school year. We have the Gift Auction in March, the district event in June (more information to follow), and many other school wide fundraisers and assemblies. We look forward to an awesome rest of the year!
Now that the cold is here, please remember to dress appropriately when coming to school. We ask that coats are worn to school each day with proper warm clothing. Although we do have heat in every classroom, it would be a good idea to have a sweatshirt in your bookbags each day, just in case you need it.
Please remember that if school needs to close for inclement weather notifications will immediately go out via phone, text and/or email. Please make sure that your contact information is up to date in the Parent Portal. If your phone number changes, please update the Parent Portal immediately.
Please note that closings or delays will also be posted on our district Facebook page, and on our website at www.btboe.org.
H&M Potter Gift Auction
If you are a class parent and you received the folder of businesses to solicit donations, please try to send that information back into the school as soon as possible.
Student council members are working towards donating a school supplies basket. Students will be bringing in items to the next meeting.
Thank you again for your support and we look forward to another successful gift auction!
Jersey Mikes Family Night
Barnes & Noble Book Fair
If you want to shop online between the dates of 2/19 -2/24 you may enter this code as your Book Fair ID Number: 11747425. This will allow Potter to get credit for the online purchases.
In the store, shoppers just have to tell the cashier that they are from H&M Potter. The in-store promotion is only good for 2/19.
Anyone can say they are supporting Potter school on that day for us to get credit. Please let any grandparents, aunts, uncles, or family know they can help!
Beyond Bandaids
EYE SCREENINGS detect early vision problems and prevent learning difficulties:
The NJ Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired performed over 130 vision screenings on Potter kindergartners, preschoolers and other students on January 11. About 1-2 students in each class were referred to their own doctors for potential vision problems. It is estimated that 76% of vision problems in children are identified in school screenings!
Thank you to Mrs. Caravano, Mrs. Kaminsky and Mrs. Miller for helping out at the screenings.
If you received a vision referral from the Commission or from a routine health office screening, please follow up with a doctor of your choice. If you have no vision insurance but need to take your child for an eye exam, please contact Mrs. Olsen at 732-269-5700 ext 5005.
MOBILE DENTIST keeping students smiling and healthy:
The Mobile Dentist Smiles Program saw 36 students on January 14th. All participating students received a toothbrush, a cleaning, fluoride rinse and dental exam. Some students even received sealants to protect teeth from further decay.
Thank you to our PTA members Mrs. Kangas and Mrs. Aliseo for volunteering their time and energy to this program. A big thank you also to our Potter administration and teachers for recognizing the importance of keeping our children healthy and ready to learn!
The next scheduled Mobile Dentist visit is October 16, 2016.
Looking forward to February….
February is Dental Health Month and the health office will focus on the importance of a healthy diet and good dental hygiene to avoid cavities and tooth pain.
Also American Heart Association Wear Red Day is in February. Let’s focus on teaching our children to form heart-healthy habits now! Check out the American Heart Association’s website for healthy living ideas for children and families.
A reminder….Please send in an extra change of clothing for your child.
At the most recent Student Council Meeting, the students discussed their events for the upcoming months. They will be hosting the Jersey Mike's Family Night in February, selling candy grams for Valentine's Day, and started planning for the end of the year trip. Some great ideas were tossed around and the students brought a lot to the table. One new change is that starting now, the suggestion box will be upstairs in Mrs. Melanson's room. It is often confused downstairs with the Trivia Box. Any new updates will be shared with everyone soon!
Potter School Dance - Elementary Bounce
Book Club
BTSD EdCamp
Students also joined in on the fun and presented some awesome things they are already doing in class like using Osmos, Spheros, 3D printers, Makey-Makey, Soda Can Robots, and so much more. This was a great day for everyone and it will help make Berkeley education the best it can be.
Recycle Rally - RG3 Recycle Rally Crew
Please continue to bring in your bottles and cans to contribute to our Recycle Rally. We are in the running again for another $25,000! Thank you in advance for all of your help and consideration!
Start looking for some amazing Spring Clubs starting next month. Healthy Paws, Drama, and others are looking to return for another year.
Winter Weather Reminders
With the cold weather here, we ask that if you are dropping your children off at the Deal Avenue entrance, you arrive at 8:40AM. The doors will not be opening each day until that time, therefore the students will be outside unsupervised if they come earlier. We also ask that you please drop and go quickly, as we have been all year. We will have an increased number of drop offs on these days, and moving quickly will ensure that all students get to school on time.
Please remember that there will be no parking allowed down the left side of Deal Ave. in the morning OR in the afternoon.
Potter Student Section
Celebrating Presidents
Jokes of the Month
A: Pencil-vania!
Q: Why do bananas put on sun screen before they go to the beach?
A: Because they might peel!
February Events
February 1 - PTA Meeting
February 2 - Marking Period Assemblies
February 5 - Spirit Day - Favorite Football Jersey
February 8 - 4 Hour Session for Students
February 9 - Jersey Mikes Fundraiser (3-8pm @ Bayville Location)
February 15 - School Closed
February 17 - Book Club (6:30 @ Berkeley Library)
February 19 - Barnes and Noble Book Fair (6-8pm)
February 23 - Board of Education Meeting
H&M Potter School
Website: www.btboe.org
Location: 60 Veeder Lane, NJ, United States
Phone: 732-269-5700
Twitter: @berkeleypotter