The Crossing
October 2022 Edition
Brooks Crossing Elementary
"We Grow Through What We Go Through"
BC Main Campus
50 Deans Rhode Hall Road
Monmouth Junction, NJ
(732) 821-7478 x3700
BC Deans Campus
848 Georges Road
Monmouth Junction, NJ
(732) 821-7478 x3777
Principal's Message
Dear Brooks Crossing Families,
What a fantastic start to our school year! We are so excited to be back to normal and as a result of this normalcy, our kids are thriving. They are coming to school with a smile on their face, have settled in well, and are ready to learn each day.
Now that we are into the routines of the year, we are looking forward to our first whole school meeting. These are something that our entire Brooks Crossing community enjoys. This year, our school theme is "We Grow Through What We Go Through." This will be the focus of our whole school meeting. I invite you to work with us as we focus on growing the grit of our students. The best learning happens when we are uncomfortable as a result of making mistakes, trying things over and over, and looking at problems from a different angle. Our instinct is often to swoop in and assist, but children are better off when they are given the space to figure things out. This will be our first full school gathering in YEARS!
I am so proud of this community and our students and staff. I would like to thank you for the support you've provided.
I wish you a peaceful fall.
Sincerely,
Jaime Maccarone, Principal
October is Dyslexia Awareness Month
October is Dyslexia Awareness Month. South Brunswick is committed to being a “dyslexia friendly district” with the ability to embrace and support the strengths and talents of our students with dyslexia.
1 in 5 people may have indicators of dyslexia. On October 14th, you may see educators wearing red shirts to bring attention to the 1 in 5 statistic.
Some history:
In September of 2014, NJ passed three laws related to dyslexia. In short, the law requires two hours of mandated training related to dyslexia for appropriate school personnel; screening for any child who shows indicators of dyslexia or other reading disabilities early - by the end of the first semester of second grade with further comprehensive assessment and interventions to follow; and finally, dyslexia is now identified in the New Jersey Special Education Code of Law under the classification category of Specific Learning Disability.
Currently, research shows that approximately 1 in 5 students may struggle in reading and writing. Early intervention can greatly increase success for such students.
Those who are dyslexic may experience difficulty with: learning letters and their sounds, decoding words, reading comprehension, written expression, grammar/mechanics, spelling, and rapid word retrieval.
Strengths for these students may include: verbal communication, visual arts, computer science, design, drama, electronics, mathematics, mechanics, music and/or sports.
If dyslexia runs in your family or you have concerns about dyslexia and your child, reach out to your child’s teacher or administrator.
Our district is very proud of our commitment to being a dyslexia friendly district. A few years ago, our teachers created this video to showcase our commitment to supporting students with dyslexia and other learning differences. You can see the video here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_Cpni_wZZynNkp2R0RUVTBSWGM/view?usp=sharing
In addition, our district was featured in New Jersey Family magazine (August 2017) in an article entitled, “Help! My Child Has Dyslexia” http://www.njfamily.com/Help-My-Child-Has-Dyslexia/
If you are looking for some resources about Dyslexia for yourself or your child, here are some good places to start:
Overcoming Dyslexia by Sally Shaywitz (Book)
The Gift of Dyslexia by Ronald Davis
On Social Media follow:
Decoding Dyslexia NJ
Dyslexia Advantage
International Dyslexia Association
Made By Dyslexia
Bright Solutions for Dyslexia
Helpful Websites:
Brooks Crossing's School Spirit Day Friday, Oct. 21
Together we love to celebrate Brooks Crossing School Spirit with fun, themed days! Friday, October 21st is Bring the Sunshine School Spirit Day! Dress in bright colors, rainbow or tie dye, to show your Brooks Crossing school spirit!
Stay tuned for more of our themed school spirit days that we will announce in our Online Friday Folders! Every Friday that we do not have a theme is school spirit day too! Wear your Brooks Crossing spirit wear or school colors (Navy Blue & Hunter Green).
Trunk or Treat 10/28 for Brooks Crossing Families (Use the QR code to register.)
Important Upcoming Dates
10/20-11/01 - Thanksgiving Food Drive, Click here for food items needed. Sponsored by BC Student Congress
Fri. 10/21 - Bring the Sunshine School Spirit Day! Wear bright colors, rainbow or tie dye!
Fri. 10/21 - ALL K-5 students START their day at the BC Main Campus for our BC's Whole School Meeting/Buddy Class Day. [DE students will return to the DE campus at 10:15am.]
Mon. 10/24 - Schools Closed Diwali
Thurs. 10/27 - Board of Education Meeting
Fri. 10/28 - BC's Trunk or Treat for BC families. Click here & use the QR code to register to attend.
Mon. 10/31 - BC's HALLOWEEN/FALL ACTIVITIES CELEBRATED TODAY! SEE BELOW FOR CRITERIA THAT MUST BE FOLLOWED IF YOUR CHILD IS BRINGING/WEARING A COSTUME.
Sun. 11/6 - Daylight Saving Time Ends. Set clocks BACK 1 hour.
Mon. 11/7- Parent Teacher Conferences - No school for students. Details to follow in Online Friday Folder and teachers will email parents to sign up.
Tues. 11/8 - No school for students - Staff Only Professional Development Day
Wed. 11/9 - No school for students - Staff Only Professional Development Day
Thurs. 11/10 - Fri. 11/11 - Schools Closed/NJEA
Fri. 11/18 - PICTURE RETAKE DAY. NEW STUDENTS OR THOSE ABSENT ON 9/19 should plan to have their picture taken. Also for those who need a retake. Look for procedures to follow if retaking your child's photo.
Halloween & Fall Activities at Brooks Crossing
As the temperature begins to drop and the leaves begin to change, students know it’s time to CELEBRATE!
On Monday, October 31st, our elementary students will enjoy class parties full of fall fun, autumn activities, tasty treats, and more!
Here is what you need to know:
DATE: All of our class parties will take place on Monday, October 31st. Parties will take place in homerooms, so please stay tuned for additional details from your child’s teacher.
PARTY DETAILS: Class parties will include games, activities, or crafts that are planned by homeroom parents in coordination with homeroom teachers. Everything will be fall themed and the focus will be on community building and fun!
COSTUMES: As always, costumes are optional! If your child chooses to wear their costume at school, please note the following:
Your child’s teacher will communicate whether costumes should be worn to school or put on at school.
When choosing whether or not to wear a costume and/or how much of the costume to wear, please remember that students will eat during snack, lunch, and the party, and will have to be able to play safely during gym class and outside recess. Students are responsible for keeping costumes/accessories safe, ensuring that all components make it home, etc.
Please note that costumes worn at school CANNOT include FULL FACE MASKS OR WEAPONS (no swords, guns, spears, etc.). These items are not allowed at school and should be saved for evening use.
PARENT HELPERS: Class parents will assist with the classroom parties. All class parents must bring ID to the Main Office to sign in before the party. Please leave enough time to do so as there will be many parents on site that day.
TREATS: Class parents will coordinate snacks/treats for the party and will let you know if donations are needed. Your child’s teacher and/or the school’s nurse will reach out if they have questions/concerns about what your child can consume at school. To be extra safe, if your child has food allergies, you are encouraged to send a special treat for your child that is allergy safe.
BC Student Congress Food Drive
Please send in the following food items. We will be accepting donations at both campuses between October 20th and November 1st.
Canned Cranberry Sauce, Stuffing, Turkey Gravy, Canned Yams, Canned Green Beans, Canned Corn, Boxed Cornbread Mix, Boxed Mashed Potatoes
Parent Teacher Conferences Monday, Nov. 7th
PTO News & Events
Stay tuned for Brooks Crossing PTO's Boosterthon Fundraising Event that we will hold as a school-wide student/staff event in November!! Information will be shared in an upcoming Friday Folder for how you and your family can support this worthwhile fundraising campaign!
Click here for the PTO Membership ONLINE FORM Please join today to show your support for your child's Parent Teacher Organization! Only $11 per family!
Bus Transportation
All transportation questions should be directed to the SBSD Transportation Department.
For non-urgent concerns/messages for the transportation department, email: Transportation@sbschools.org.
FOR TIME-SENSITIVE ISSUES - Do not delay! Immediately call the Transportation Department at: (732) 297-7800 Extension 5108.
Do NOT call the school as this will delay assisting you. Have your child's BUS ROUTE # available for someone in transportation to promptly assist you. This can be found in the Genesis Parent Portal.
MESSAGE FROM THE BC HEALTH OFFICE
Please help us keep our schools open, by adhering to proper guidelines for when to keep your child home from school. KEEP YOUR CHILD HOME IF THEY ARE SICK!
Symptoms of COVID-19 and/or other illness are:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Congestion or runny nose
- Sore throat
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- Nausea or Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- A loss of taste or smell
If you have questions, contact our school nurses:
Mrs. Kneis, R.N. Susan.Kneis@sbschools.org - Brooks Crossing MAIN Campus
Mrs. Tang, R.N. Yuen.Tang@sbschools.org - Brooks Crossing DEANS Campus
REMINDERS ~
- Unless notified otherwise, it is anticipated that your child will be able to participate in gym, recess and physical activities coordinated by their teacher daily. Due to this fact, sneakers or rubber soled shoes with closed toes should be worn daily. For your child’s safety, no open toed shoes should be worn to school.
- Whenever a student requires medication at school, the medication must be brought in by the parent directly to the nurse at the beginning of the day. Only medication in its original pharmacy container will be accepted. Prescription medication also requires written permission from the parent. If your child suffers from asthma or allergies that require medications to be kept in school, please contact the health office for further instructions.
- ALL preschoolers must have a flu shot by December 31st to continue attending. Submit proof of vaccination to Susan.Kneis@sbschools.org.
- COVID Positive Student Reporting Form - complete this form if your child tests positive
- SBSD COVID Guidance - Please read to understand the Covid guidelines as of 9/6/22 and parental responsibilities.
Chartwells Breakfast and Lunch
Click here for the SBSD monthly menus. Select Deans, or Brooks Crossing for the BC Main Campus menu. Menus are subject to change. Discuss with your child the menu item choices they will have on any given day. Students have lunch every day, including early dismissal days.
Reminder ~ All students should bring a healthy snack daily and a full water bottle. Please label lunch boxes and water bottles with your child's name.
Lunch from home Must be inside a Lunch Box
EVERY student that brings a lunch to school, must have a lunch box to carry all of their food & drink containers in. If you have yet to do so, please purchase a lunch box for your child as soon as possible if you plan to send in lunch from home. Be sure to label your child's lunch box & thermos/water bottles with their full name, so we can reunite your child with their items if they are misplaced at school or on the school bus.
NOTE: Many of our young students have struggled to open and/or close their lunch containers. Please practice at home! Your child should be able to open and close all of their containers without assistance.
Reporting Attendance/Late Arrivals in Genesis Parent Portal
ALL absences AND late arrivals should be entered promptly in the Genesis Parent Portal. Go to https://parents.sbschools.org. Be sure to enter the reason, including specific symptoms, as to why your child is absent. These can be entered in advance, 24 hours a day. Daily absences should be entered by 8:30am.
The system will lock by 9:30am and not allow parents to enter same day absences.
PRESCHOOL P.M. PARENTS ~ If realizing late morning your child is sick and will not attend, you must call the school before the P.M. session begins and report your child's absence.
NOTE: # of tardy & absences will be noted on the report card because attendance matters!
Please refer to the 2022-2023 SBSD School Closing Calendar when making travel plans & appointments for the school year and try to schedule when school is not in session.
Daily attendance is important for your child's academic growth. We understand emergencies arise, but we strongly encourage you to plan travel during school breaks and holidays listed on the SBSD '22-'23 calendar. Read the District Attendance Policy for more information on what the State of NJ requires. All absences and late arrivals are recorded.
Champions Before/After School Program
Do you need childcare before and/or after school? If so, please contact Champions South Brunswick Before/After School Childcare Program If you have any questions, please contact Champions Area Manager, Paula Vargas paula.vargas@discoverchampions.com or call Champions Customer Care: 1-800-246-2154.
How to Stay Connected & Informed
Please continue to monitor your email accounts that are in the Genesis Parent Portal for important news and information sent by Principal Maccarone, Superintendent Feder and your child's teacher, that are sent throughout the school year to keep you informed!
Please read our weekly Online Friday Folder and monthly school newsletter, The Crossing.
Brooks Crossing Elementary weekly Online Friday Folder https://bcde.sbschools.org/school_information/school_information/friday_folders (The Crossing monthly school newsletter will be sent via SchoolMessenger and also posted in the Online Friday Folder.)
Brooks Crossing Elementary Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/SBSDBC/
Brooks Crossing Elementary School Website: https://bcde.sbschools.org/
SB School District Website: https://www.sbschools.org/
Set up your phone numbers and email accounts for notifications. Monitor you email account for SchoolMessenger announcements that we send periodically. CLICK HERE for Steps to follow to update your notifications in the Genesis Parent Portal.
SCHOOL MESSENGER TEXT MESSAGES - Our school utilizes SchoolMessenger system to deliver text messages with important information about events, school closings, safety alerts and more. Sign up by opting in from your mobile phone. Just SEND A TEXT MESSAGE OF "Y" or "YES" to 67587. You may opt out at anytime by replying to one of our messages with "Stop".