Welcome Back, Constable!
Constable's Home/School Connection Newsletter
August 2023
Greetings, Constable Families!
We hope you are enjoying the remaining days of summer and are looking forward to all the excitement that a new school year brings! If you are new to Constable, our team is ready to welcome you and your Constable Cub to our school family! If you are returning to Constable, welcome back - we've missed you!
Closer to the start of school, you'll receive a welcome email from your child's teacher as you begin your home/school partnership together. Our teachers are amazing, and are dedicated to each child's academic, social, and emotional growth. We know that you and your child will love your child's teacher(s) as much as we do!
As part of your back to school routine, please review this newsletter. It is full of important information, dates, and links. Be sure to check your email often for updates throughout the year, and also take some time to review the district's website and our school's Facebook and Twitter accounts to stay updated and informed.
When reading this newsletter, you'll notice a lot of logistical information regarding arrival and dismissal. We apologize for the abundance of information, but with limited space and over 525 students, arrival and dismissal have always been challenging times of day for us and we need your help to make things run smoothly. It is important to note that with pre-school students joining our school community this year, we expect added traffic in and out of the pre-K and kindergarten drop-off area, which has always been a congested area. Please read this section carefully to help make arrival and dismissal as safe and smooth as possible. It will take several days/weeks for everyone to settle into the routine, and we will need your help! We thank you in advance for your patience and support.
We look forward to an exciting, productive, and enriching year for your child(ren). A strong and collaborative home/school partnership is incredibly important, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to any of us here at Constable to make your child’s school year the best it can be. We thank you, in advance, for partnering with us along the way!
Best wishes for a happy and healthy end to your summer vacation, and on behalf of the entire Constable staff, welcome to the 2023-2024 school year! We know it will be a great one!
Best wishes,
Mrs. Cristina V-C, Principal
Ms. Sarah Lombardi, Assistant Principal
Important Upcoming Dates
9/4: Schools Closed (Labor Day)
9/5 & 9/6: First Days of School for STAFF ONLY
9/6: Optional Sneak-a-Peek (3:30 - 5:00 p.m.)
Our building will be open for ALL families (pre-kindergarten through 5th grade) to take an optional, self-guided tour on Wednesday, September 6th to help ease 1st day jitters! This is an opportunity for students to walk the halls, locate their classroom, and maybe bump into a classmate or two. Some students, for example, may benefit from a practice walk from the bus loop to their classroom location to make the first morning of the year a bit smoother. If you think this would be a beneficial opportunity for your child, we look forward to seeing you then! Please note that while the school will be open, classrooms will not, as teachers will likely not be present. Teachers look forward to seeing your child(ren) on the first day (September 7th), and to meeting you at Back to School Night (October 5th).
9/6: PTO Popsicles on the Playground (3:30 - 5:00 p.m.)
During our school's Sneak-a-Peek, our PTO will be hosting a casual "Popsicles on the Playground" event on the back playground. Free popsicles will be provided to students while the PTO's supply lasts. Families are invited to swing by and catch up with friends before the school year begins the following morning!
9/7: First Day of School for STUDENTS
9/25: No School (Yom Kippur)
10/5: Back-to-School Night for Parents/Guardians (details to follow)
Our staff looks forward to sharing more about our school at our annual Back-to-School Night. We will be in touch with additional details closer to the event. In the meantime, be on the lookout for a welcome letter from your child’s teacher, and be sure to check email often in the weeks ahead as we’ll look to partner with you to make the first days as smooth as possible for our cubs!
*** All dates subject to change by the School or the Board of Education. For an updated school calendar, please refer to the calendar documents on the District's website.***
Genesis Forms & Class Placement
Each year, families are required to fill out a series of forms in Genesis. Please be sure to complete these forms as soon as possible to ensure we have everything we need before the school year starts. At this time, we ask that EVERY family check their emergency contacts. Please make sure that you have at least one, preferably two, emergency contacts listed in Genesis, and that their contact information is up to date.
If you have filled out of the required Back-to School forms, class placements for the 2023-2024 school year will be visible in Genesis beginning on Tuesday, August 22nd (1st - 5th grades) and Thursday, August 24th (kindergarten). When placing each student, we balance many factors and consider the input of the classroom teacher, specialist teachers, and any input you may have provided us on the optional Parent Input Form provided last spring. Placement is an involved and thoughtful process that takes many weeks to finish. Together, our staff has thoughtfully created balanced classroom communities and we appreciate your confidence in your child's placement. Stay tuned for a welcome letter from your child’s teacher! Teachers are hard at work preparing for September and are very much looking forward to working and learning alongside you and your child.
1st Day of School
Time: 9:00 AM - 3:35 p.m. (8:50 a.m. only for preschool students being dropped off by car)
Please be sure that your child and your child's teacher know your child's dismissal plan prior to the first day. We STRONGLY encourage you to have your child use the bus if one is available to you. This helps to make the dismissal process faster, smoother, and safer.
Students benefit from routine. If your child is going to ride the bus all year, we encourage you to build that routine from day one. Changing the routine can cause confusion for students and staff, so whenever possible, consistency is best!
Finally, remember that dismissal takes longer for the first few weeks as students, teachers, and families adjust to new routines. Dismissing over 500 students all at once is a large task, and safety is our primary concern. Over time, the process will shorten, but we kindly ask for your patience and support.
Bell Schedule
Full Day Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 3:35 p.m.
Early Release Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 1:40 p.m.
2 Hour Delayed Opening Hours: 11:00 a.m. - 3:35 p.m.
Our first bell will ring at 9:00 a.m. This is the time when students may enter the building. Due to supervision and safety concerns, we ask that you do not bring your child to school any earlier than 8:55 a.m. (unless they are enrolled in the Before School program), and that you not leave them until staff members are posted at their arrival duty locations.
The second bell (our late bell) will ring at 9:10 a.m., signaling the start of the academic day. Any child not arriving in his/her class by 9:10 a.m. will be marked tardy by the classroom teacher and will need to sign in at the main office. If you arrive on campus after 9:10 a.m., please park your car and walk your child to the front door to sign them in.
REPORTING AN ABSENCE
If your child is going to be absent, the school must be notified. The easiest way is to report the absence directly through the Genesis Parent Portal. Alternatively, you may call the main office (you can leave a voicemail before the school day starts) or you can send an email to the secretaries in the main office by emailing Constable@sbschools.org.
State Law requires that a reason for each absence be given (sick, travel, etc.), and mandates a call to each parent who does not call to report their child absent. Please remember to notify us when your child is out!
Morning Arrival
With the exception of preK car drop offs and walkers (see chart above), doors open at 9:00 a.m. Parents and students are expected to wait outside until 9:00 a.m. unless students are in the Champions Before School Program. Please do not leave children unattended before 9:00 a.m.
The late bell will ring at 9:10 a.m. All students are expected to arrive on time so that instruction can begin promptly. Late arrivals must be accompanied to the office by a parent/guardian to be signed in.
Please familiarize yourself with the following practices:
BEFORE SCHOOL PROGRAM (BSP):
The District partners with a program called Champions for our before and after school programming. Information to register for Champions can be found on the District’s website. Families are required to sign their child into the BSP each day. Please park in the side parking lot and enter the building through the side doors by the gymnasium. Do not use the bus loop or main entrance. As per our security policy, you will need to be “buzzed in” by the Champions staff each morning.
BUS STUDENTS:
All buses arrive in the bus loop (horseshoe on Constable Road in front of the building). Students then enter the building through the front doors.
2nd, 4th & 5th graders to the left of the main entrance,
1st & 3rd graders through the main entrance, and
preK & kindergarten students to the right of the main entrance by the pole barn
School staff will be on site to assist students as they enter the building.
WALKERS:
Students walking to school are expected to cross only when a crossing guard is present. Please help your child to time their walk carefully, as students cannot enter the building until 9:00 a.m.
If escorting your child on foot, the parents of 1st - 5th grade students should say "goodbyes" by the crosswalk/waiting tree area near the "drop and go" zone on Constable Road. The parents/guardians of pre-K and kindergarten students can continue walking along Constable Road and can turn by the front parking lot to follow the sidewalk up towards the pole barn (to the right of the main entrance).
PARENT DROP-OFF BY CAR
Pre-K ONLY ~~ 8:50 a.m.
*Please note that pre-K car drop-off is 10 minutes earlier than K-5 car drop-off*
Pre-K students who are dropped off by car must be dropped off promptly at 8:50 a.m. Note that this is 10 minutes prior to the start time for all other grade levels. Due to congestion in the back side parking lot (near the gym), we recommend that you arrive between 8:40 - 8:45 a.m. to have enough time to park and walk your child to the blacktop waiting area by the large barn (to the right of the front door when facing Constable). A pre-K staff member will be there to meet you at 8:50 a.m. At that time, we ask that you safely but expeditiously exit the parking lot to make room for the kindergarten families who will arrive just minutes behind you.
PLEASE be on alert and hold your child's hand when escorting them through the parking lot and while waiting on the blacktop before school.
PARENT DROP-OFF BY CAR
KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS:
Kindergarten students who are dropped off by car must be dropped off between 9:00 and 9:10 a.m. Due to congestion in the back side parking lot (near the gym), we recommend that you arrive close to 9:00 a.m. to have enough time to park and walk your child to the blacktop waiting area by the large barn (to the right of the front door when facing Constable). A staff member will be there to meet you at 9:00 a.m. At that time, we ask that you safely but expeditiously exit the parking lot to make room for other families who have to enter. Please note that the kindergarten entrance will be locked at 9:10 a.m., so students who arrive after that time will have to walk around to the front entrance to be signed in tardy.
PLEASE be on alert and hold your child's hand when escorting them through the parking lot and while waiting on the blacktop before school.
PARENT DROP OFF BY CAR
1st - 5th GRADE STUDENTS:
Students must be dropped off curbside (along Constable Road) on the school side of the street only. After your child has exited your vehicle, please move along to allow other parents to drop children off in the designated “drop and go”/no parking zone. Please be sure to have your child exit on the passenger side while you remain in your vehicle. This helps to ensure a safe and efficient arrival for all.
Drop off can begin as soon as a staff member is present, which is usually around 8:55 a.m. (though students will wait outside the main doors until the bell rings at 9:00 a.m.). The arrival window spans from 9:00 - 9:10 a.m. When approaching the building, students should enter through the same doors listed above in the “Bus Students” section according to their grade level.
Car drivers must obey all traffic laws, signals, and posted signs.
Please keep in mind that being a small, neighborhood school has many perks… but large bus loops and ample parking are not among them! The area around Constable gets very congested during arrival and dismissal. Our dismissal will be safe and efficient if everyone is patient and respectful of one another and our established safety procedures.
We thank you, in advance, for your cooperation.
AFTERNOON DISMISSAL
*Important* For safety reasons, Constable’s main office requires that dismissal changes be sent in writing. When known before the school day starts, please write a detailed note and send it in with your child in the morning. For changes after the school day has started, please email Constable@sbschools.org.
For emergencies ONLY, you can call the main office to notify the office staff of a dismissal change. Please do this by 2:00 p.m. to ensure your message is received with enough time to be communicated to all parties. Please do not email this information to teachers during the school day. Teachers are instructing students and may not have access to email in time to make note of the change. Dismissal changes reported to our school later than 2:00 p.m. make the end of the day hectic and can be detrimental to the safety of all of our students during dismissal time. Thank you for your anticipated support!
Dismissal will occur by 3:35 p.m. Please familiarize yourself with the following practices:
AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM (ASP):
Students will be dismissed to the ASP, and attendance will be taken. Please communicate any changes to your child's plan to BOTH the school and to Champions (the ASP provider). When picking up your child after hours, please park in the back, buzz-in, and sign your child out with the Champions staff.
BUS STUDENTS:
All students will exit through the bus loop doors to meet their bus, which will be waiting in the designated horseshoe shaped bus loop in front of the building.
PARENT PICK-UP BY CAR
Pre-K ONLY ~~ 3:25 - 3:35 p.m.
*Please note that Pre-K car pick-up is 10 minutes earlier than K-5 student car pick-up*
Instead of joining the "pick-up and go" car line along Constable Road with the 1st - 5th graders, pre-K parents park in the back/side lot near the gym and make their way to the blacktop area near the pole barn to the right of the school's front door (please do not use the front parking lot as it is used for bus dismissal at that time). Pre-K students will be brought to that blacktop area to be matched with a parent/guardian, after which time the parent/guardian will be responsible for safely walking their child back to the car. Parents will need to arrive early in order to avoid getting stuck in the 1st - 5th grade pick-up line, so please plan accordingly.
Note: If your pre-K student has a sibling in 1st through 5th grade who also needs to be picked up by car, please let the older sibling's teacher know to send the older sibling to the pre-K/kindergarten blacktop area (instead of the waiting tree area for the "grab and go" car line) during dismissal at the beginning of the year. This will allow you to pick up all of your children in the same location. As the year goes on, if your older child is able to pick your pre-K student up and escort them to the "grab and go" line, simply communicate that to each teacher and the accommodation can be arranged.
PARENT PICK-UP BY CAR
Kindergarten:
Instead of joining the "pick-up and go" car line along Constable Road with the 1st - 5th graders, kindergarten parents park in the back/side lot near the gym and make their way to the blacktop area near the pole barn to the right of the school's front door (please do not use the front parking lot as it is used for bus dismissal at that time). Kindergarten students will be brought to that blacktop area to be matched with a parent/guardian, after which time the parent/guardian will be responsible for safely walking their child back to the car. Parents will need to arrive early in order to avoid getting stuck in the 1st - 5th grade pick-up line, so please plan accordingly.
Note: If your kindergarten student has a sibling in 1st through 5th grade who also needs to be picked up by car, please let the older sibling's teacher know to send the older sibling to the pre-K/kindergarten blacktop area (instead of the waiting tree area for the "grab and go" car line) during dismissal at the beginning of the year. This will allow you to pick up all of your children in the same location. As the year goes on, if your older child is able to pick your kindergartener up and escort them to the "grab and go" line, simply communicate that to each teacher and the accommodation can be arranged.
PARENT PICK-UP BY CAR
1st - 5th Grade Students:
Students will exit the building and make their way toward the crosswalk on Constable Road. Curbside pick-up works just like arrival as the “drop and go” zone becomes the “pick-up and go” zone. Please obey all posted traffic signs (you may park before and after the posted No Parking signs but not in the drop-off/pick-up zone) and be sure to have your school-provided dismissal sign in your passenger window to help us match students to cars (signs will be sent home with your child on the first day). Please note that pick-up lines can get long, especially in the beginning of the year. Please be patient, and if your child is assigned to a bus, bus transportation is strongly encouraged to ease congestion and improve the safety for all.
WALKERS
If you plan to have your child walk home on their own, please make sure you have notified the school in writing. You can do so by emailing both Constable@sbschools.org and your child’s teacher. Walkers will be brought down to the sidewalk area with the 1st-5th grade students being picked up by car, and will be dismissed from there. Students walking home from school are expected to cross only when a crossing guard is present.
If you plan to meet your child on site to walk home with them, please wait on the far side of the “pick up and go” zone to ensure that staff can load cards with clear sight lines. While waiting for your child, please be cognizant of the private property that borders our school.
Please keep in mind that being a small, neighborhood school has many perks… but large bus loops and ample parking are not among them! The area around Constable gets very congested during arrival and dismissal. Our dismissal will be safe and efficient if everyone is patient and respectful of one another and our established safety procedures.
We thank you, in advance, for your cooperation.
Bus Information
If your child will be riding a bus this year, please have them practice buckling a seatbelt. Practicing with them will help us move dismissal along while ensuring the safety of each child!
Please note that our District's Transportation Department does not mail bus passes home. You will be able to obtain the bus route and bus stop times through the Genesis Parent Portal.
Paper bus passes will not be used to board buses as the drivers will have rosters for attendance. The bus stop is the location where your child will be picked up and dropped off each day. It is important to note that in an effort to improve service to the community, some stops may have been moved or consolidated. Our system updates daily and with additional summer registrations expected, you will need to check the night before school starts to make sure the times or routes have not been adjusted.
Bus times may fluctuate by up to ten minutes for arrivals and departures, so please plan accordingly and be ready and waiting at the stop.
All transportation related questions should be directed to the Department of Transportation. You can contact Transportation@sbschools.org or 732-297-7800, extension 5108 if in need of additional information.
Breakfast & Lunch
BREAKFAST:
Students wishing to buy breakfast at school can pick one up on their way to class in the morning. All others should eat breakfast at home prior to coming to school. With many new encounters for pre-K and kindergarten students, we encourage them to eat breakfast at home for the first few days of the school year as they acclimate to school routines.
LUNCH:
Students can bring lunch from home or can purchase lunch at school. With many new encounters for pre-K and kindergarten students, we encourage them to bring lunch from home for the first few days of the school year as they acclimate to the school routine. Of course if this isn’t possible, we will help your youngster with the process of buying lunch at school.
LUNCH INFORMATION FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN BUYING:
Please click here to read a letter from Chartwells, our Food Service Provider.
For quick reference, 23-24 elementary lunch prices are as follows:
- Breakfast will cost $2.55
- Lunch will cost $3.40
Our monthly lunch menu is located here: Constable Lunch Menu
The South Brunswick School District provides parents with a convenient prepayment service to deposit money into your child’s school meal account at any time. This service also provides parents the ability to view your child’s account balance here: Lunch Account Info. You may access or create your account using the link above. Please login using your email address and password.
FREE OR REDUCED LUNCH APPLICATIONS
Free or reduced-price meals are available again this year to students who qualify for these benefits. Information about free/reduced lunch can be found on the District website, or you call the Main Office. For additional information on this from Chartwells, click here.
Snack
Please send your child to school with a snack from home each day. We encourage healthy snacks, and ask parents to be mindful of their child’s independence when selecting a snack. Snacks should be quick and easy so that students can maximize their learning time!
Please note that while students can buy breakfast and/or lunch from school, snacks are not available for purchase during the school day.
Quick Reference Guide for Frequently Asked Questions
Our amazing secretaries, Mrs. Vicidomini and Ms. Edwards, created the following quick reference page for parents. It covers many of the frequently asked questions that parents have when they contact the main office - including what to do if you need to change your child's dismissal plan, drop off or pick up early, etc.
Click here to access their FAQ document. You may wish to keep this on hand to reference throughout the school year, and as always, are welcome to call the main office with any questions (732-297-2488).
School Supply Lists
School supply lists can be found here: 2023-2024 School Supply Lists.
If you have questions about any items on the supply list, please reach out to your child's teacher directly.
If you need assistance with acquiring the supplies, please reach out to the main office directly.
Technology
ELEMENTARY STUDENTS GRADES K - 1
Students in Grades K-1 do not need Chromebooks or other devices for learning. Any devices needed will be provided in the classroom.
ELEMENTARY STUDENTS GRADES 2 - 5
Your child will need to bring a Chromebook or laptop each day to use in class when they return to school in September. Please know you will have the option to borrow a district Chromebook for the school year, if needed.
If your child has a district-issued device already:
- Your child will need to turn on the Chromebook and sign in using the student email and password prior to the first day of school to allow for automatic installation of updates. The updates may take up to a half an hour.
- Your child's password is located in Genesis.
- The yearly insurance fee is $40 and due by September 29, 2023. This can be paid online through MySchoolBucks. This fee is waived for those receiving free or reduced lunch.
- If your Chromebook is damaged or not working properly at any time during the school year, please complete this form.
- If you have lost the charger, you’ll need to purchase a replacement through MySchoolBucks.
If your 2nd - 5th grade student needs a device:
- Please complete this GOOGLE FORM and pay insurance fee (The yearly insurance fee is $40 and due by September 29, 2023. This can be paid online through MySchoolBucks. This fee is waived for those receiving free or reduced lunch.)
Attention Kindergarten Families!
Congratulations! Few things are more exciting than a child’s first day of kindergarten. As both parents and former kindergarten teachers, we feel your excitement, pride, and anxiety!
Our kindergarten teachers will be in touch with you soon to set up your Hopes and Dreams conference - an opportunity for each family to meet with their child’s teacher prior to the start of school or shortly after it commences. Our teachers will provide you with additional information and will answer any questions you may have at that time as well.
An important kindergarten-specific detail: We will be mailing stickers with your child’s name and grade level to your home address. Please ensure that your child wears one sticker per day for the first few days, and be sure to place it on a prominent spot on your child’s shirt. The sticker includes a line that says “Dismissal Plan_________.” On that line, please write the means by which your child will go home that day. For example, you might write “parent pick-up” or “bus #7.” These stickers will serve as an added layer of support to our staff as we acclimate our youngest students to our school routines.
***If for any reason you do not receive our mailing or have misplaced the stickers, creating your own is fine! Simply write your child’s name, grade level (kindergarten), and dismissal plan on the replacement that you create.***
Helpful Links on the District Website
Our District's website includes links to important information for our families.
Be sure to take a peek at our District's closing calendar and mark your family's calendar accordingly! On occasion, adjustments to the calendar have to be made during the school year, so be sure to read school communications carefully and check the website for the most updated version.
The elementary parent/student handbook is also available on the website.
Champions (Before and After Programming)
If you need childcare prior to the start of the school day, or after dismissal, you can enroll your students in our Before and After School Program. Our district partners with Champions, an outside company that specializes in this type of programming. To learn more about the Champions program and/or to register your child, please contact them directly by visiting their website at www.discoverchampions.com. Details can also be found on our District's website. Please click here for information.
Constable's PTO Welcomes You Back!
During the school year, the PTO will send regular updates via a PTO Newsletter. The PTO will also post about events on the PTO's Facebook page and on the PTO page of Constable's website. Please be sure to read PTO communications so that you don't miss out on important community-building events and fundraisers that support our students!
Throughout the year, the PTO can be reached at: constableschoolpto@gmail.com.
Our Executive Board Members are as follows:
Cheryl Crick - President
Juthi Tasnuvajuthi - VP of Fundraising
Vannessa Garay - VP of Home Room Parents
Kate Pitches - Recording Secretary
Pratibha Joshi Vyas - Treasurer
We look forward to seeing you on September 6th (3:30 - 5:00 p.m.) for Popsicles on the Playground during Constable's Sneak-a-Peek!
Staying Connected to Constable
Here are some ways to stay connected to our school:
1) District web page: www.sbschools.org and school webpage (this will have a link to our school supplies, school hours, phone information, calendar and more!).
2) You are reading Constable's Newsletter via S'more. This contains valuable information to help you prepare your child for this school year and plan for upcoming important events. This newsletter is sent via School Messenger, so check email often!
3) Follow us at facebook.com/sbsdco and Twitter @sbsdco.
4) Look for information from your child’s teacher about how they will best communicate with you. Many have websites, Google Classrooms, Twitter/Instagram pages, and more!
Constable Elementary School
Website: https://co.sbschools.org/
Location: Constable Elementary School, Constable Road, Kendall Park, NJ, USA
Phone: 732 2972488
Facebook: facebook.com/sbsdco
Twitter: @sbsdco