H & M Potter School News
October 2015
Ms. Andrea Cimino, Assistant Principal
A Message from Dr. Zito
We are off to a wonderful start. Our month was jam packed with fun activities and lots of learning and getting to know each other. I was so happy to see the parents on Back to School Night, we had a record breaking turnout!
This year, during the morning announcements in addition to discussing Potter School's Core Values we will be learning our new school pledge! This pledge will become a large part of the Potter School community this year.
We are up and running with out Box Tops for Education, My Coke Rewards, Shoparoo and Recycle Rally. Last year Potter School raised over four thousand dollars for the school simply by sending in Box Tops for Education. Thank you parents for all of your help.
As always, if you have any concerns please call my office at (732) 269-5700 or email me at jzito@btboe.org. Good communication makes problems much easier to solve!
Week of Respect
The week of October 5-9 is the Week of Respect. Mrs. Melanson has many wonderful activities planned for that week including a school wide assembly. Please see the list below for spirit days that will be taking place that week.
Monday October 5, 2015 “Be a Good Sport Day” - Wear your favorite “team” attire
Today we will focus on being a good sport, teamwork, playing fair, building confidence, and following school rules.
Tuesday October 6, 2015 “Show Your Character Day”- Wear your favorite cartoon or Disney character attire
Today we will focus on character education; respecting yourself and examining one’s values, respecting others, and respecting the community.
Wednesday October 7, 2015 “Work it Out Wednesday”- Wear workout or gym attire
Today we will focus on conflict resolution and peacemaking activities.
Thursday October 8, 2015 “Mix-Matched Day” - Wear mix matched socks or clothes
Today we will focus on diversity and respecting differences
Friday October 9, 2015 “School Spirit Day”- Wear your school colors or Potter attire
Culmination of Respect Building Activities
Terror in the Halls October 16 & 17!
Terror in the Halls- Lights on Tour October 17
Do you want to see how our school is amazingly transformed but do not want to be scared? Do you want to see if your youngster can handle the Haunted House?
If so, you can now come to the school for $2.00 per person to take a tour of the entire haunted house with the lights on and no actors.
Please return the form that was sent home with your child.
Bus Conduct
The main purpose of the school bus driver is to get children to school safely and quickly. Children need to follow bus safety rules including remaining in their assigned seats, and listening to their bus driver. If there is a problem with a student not listening and/or following the bus driver’s directions, a discipline slip will be used to document the infraction. A copy of the discipline slip will always be mailed home. Depending on the severity of the incident, a bus discipline form could result in after school detention or bus suspension. If the problem continues, or the incident jeopardizes the child’s safety, the students can be removed from the bus and the parent would have to transport. This is an important topic to discuss with your child.
Intervention and Referral Services
There are times when students are not progressing as they should in the classroom. Areas of concern may be with academics, behavior or attendance. Your child’s teacher will contact you and let you know that your child will be discussed with a variety of professionals at a special meeting. You are welcome to attend and meet with the teacher, guidance counselor, reading specialist, child study team member, and principal. Suggestions and recommendations will then be given.
Walkers
Just a reminder that the school hours for students are 8:50 AM to 3:15 PM. Students should not be dropped off at the school before 8:45 AM. Teachers will be waiting for the students in the morning to let them out of the cars safely. If you are late in the morning and there are no teachers waiting outside for your child, please bring them to the front office.
Please remember, during school hours Deal Ave. is a "one way" street. Please no parking on the left side of Deal Ave. At dismissal, Kindergarten parents may pull as far forward toward Veeder Lane as possible. Students will be released from door number 5. When the students are released, please remember to stay in your car and pull as far forward as you can.
This has greatly improved our timing and we appreciate your support!
Reporting an Absence
In accordance with the Child Safe Program, parents must call in an absence to our automated phone system. This voicemail is available 24/7. You will receive a call home to inform you when your child is not in school for the day, even if you have left a voicemail. A child needs to be fever or symptom free for 24 hours before returning to school. Please remember that a note is always required when a child returns to school, even if the office was previously notified.
Reminder- School Visitors
All visitors to the H & M Potter School must check in at the Main Office before going anywhere in the school building. All visitors to the school must obtain a visitor’s pass from the secretaries in the Main Office. The visitor’s pass must remain visible the entire visit to the school. Any visitor who is not wearing a visitor's pass will be directed to report back to the Main office. Thank you for your cooperation.
Halloween Parade and Parties
The Potter School Halloween Parade will take place on Friday October 30, 2015 at 2:15 pm. Students will dress in costumes for the parade. Only the two class parents will be allowed into the building on this day.
Please make sure costumes are safe for students to walk around and easy for them to put on. Children are not to wear their costumes to school. Weapons are not allowed with costumes, please keep them home.
All costumes should be put in a bag clearly marked with the student’s name. Detailed information will be sent home later in October. Safety of the children is always our number one concern.
Beyond Band Aids with Mrs. Olsen
Flu season is here!!
Flu usually causes symptoms that make someone feel worse than symptoms associated with a common cold, it's not always easy to tell the difference between the two.
Symptoms Guide
The answers to these questions can help determine whether a child is fighting the flu or combating a cold:
Flu vs. Colds: A Guide to Symptoms
If most of your answers fell into the first category, chances are that your child has the flu. If your answers were usually in the second category, it's most likely a cold.
But don't be too quick to brush off your child's illness as just another cold. The important thing to remember is that flu symptoms can vary from child to child (and they can change as the illness progresses), so if you suspect the flu, call the doctor. Even doctors often need a test to tell them for sure if a person has the flu or not since the symptoms can be so similar!
Some bacterial diseases, like strep throat or pneumonia, also can look like the flu or a cold. It's important to get medical attention immediately if your child seems to be getting worse, is having any trouble breathing, has a high fever, has a bad headache, has a sore throat, or seems confused.
While even healthy kids can have complications of the flu, kids with certain medical conditions are at more of a risk. If you think your kid might have the flu, contact your doctor.
Treatment
Some kids with chronic medical conditions may become sicker with the flu and need to be hospitalized, and flu in an infant also can be dangerous. For severely ill kids or those with other special circumstances, doctors may prescribe an antiviral medicine that can ease flu symptoms, but only if it's given within 48 hours of the onset of the flu.
Most of the time, you can care for your child by offering plenty of fluids, rest, and extra comfort.
And if the doctor says it's not the flu? Ask whether your child should get a flu vaccine.
Student Council
New 4th Grade Safeties Inducted
Save the Dinosaur!
- October 5-9: Week of Respect
- October 5: Dr. Zito's Comic Book Club
- October 6: Board of Education Meeting 5:30 PM @ BTES
- October 7: Going to Bat Fundraiser 5:00 PM @ Berkeley Little League Field M2
- October 9: Progress Reports posted to Parent Portal
- October 9: Global Cardboard Challenge Grades 2-4 5:30 PM @ Potter APR
- October 12: School Closed- Teacher Inservice
- October 14: Ms. Cimino's Book Club 6:30 PM @ Berkeley Library
- October 15: School Pictures
- October 16-17: Terror in the Halls 7-10 PM, Admission $10
- October 17: Terror in the Halls Lights on Tour 5-6 PM, Admission $2
- October 19-23: School Bus Safety Week
- October 19: Dr. Zito's Comic Book Club
- October 19: PTA Meeting 7PM All Purpose Room
- October 21: Pumpkin Patch for PS and K
- October 30: Halloween Parade and Parties
Contact Us
Website: www.btboe.org
Location: 60 Veeder Lane, Bayville, NJ, United States
Phone: (732) 269-5700
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Berkeley-Township-School-District-180358508765847/timeline/
Twitter: @berkeleypotter