Lafayette School
September 1st
New Information
To Go Lunches from Chartwells
First Couple of Days
LAF painting take two!!
Calling all volunteers, again! On Monday, September 7 at 10:30am, we are looking for 15 to 20 volunteers to help spray paint the LAF fields with markings to help guide students to maintain social distancing during morning line up. The fields are already marked up so volunteers just need to reapply paint which should take 30 minutes. Parents may bring older children.
Questions? Contact: lafptopresident@gmail.com
Click this link to volunteer: https://signup.com/go/YBjieRC
Visiting LAF - Dates & Times
Upon arrival, please look for your child's homeroom teacher's name which will be placed by a large traffic cone. Thanks to the PTO volunteers there are white marks to help the students maintain at least 3 - 4 feet apart. Please have your child line up on these spots right behind their teacher's sign. Since school is not in session, you may park in any of the spots at LAF and CHS.
September 2nd
9:00 - Door 3: Main Entrance
(Nigro, Marshall, Shulman, Burroughs, Lafferty, DiBenedetto)
9:30 - Door 4: End of Driveway Entrance
(Cleary, Mazzacano, Killea, Perinotti, McPherson)
Proceed to the end of the long driveway, door is on the right.)
10:00 - Door 5: LMC Entrance
(Emrich, Hadley)
(Proceed to end of the long driveway, turn right, door is on the right.)
September 3rd
9:00 - Door 6: Garden Entrance
(Coleman, Grobert, Condon, Odell, Elko)
(Proceed to end of the long driveway, turn right and continue around to the back of the building. Look for awning and tables, door 6 is right past these tables.)
9:30 - Door 7: Playground Entrance
(Cronin, Worden, Collett, Palladino)
(Proceed to end of the long driveway, turn right and continue around to the back of the building. Door 7 is by the basketball court.)
10:00 - Door 8: Swings Entrance
(Jackameit, B. Taylor, Bane, Dellano, Racine, Erezuma)
(Proceed to end of the long driveway, turn right and continue around to the back of the building. Door 8 is near the swings and high school band wing.)
Previously Shared Information
Daily Health Screening
There will be a daily requirement for parents to complete a health screening of their children each morning before school in the Parent Portal. Failure to complete this check will impact your child's ability to begin the day. If you forget to complete this form, your child will be pulled from line up or class, they will undergo a temperature check, and be asked to wait under the LAF front awning. They will be under the supervision of Officer Charlie while the office staff contacts parents. Please prepare to make this part of your daily school routine by adding it to your digital calendar or notifications. These procedures will ensure all children are coming to school safely and healthy. Thank you for your cooperation.
Virtual Learning Update #2
Just below this notice, are recently published websites to support our return to school and our virtual learners. As you navigate through the various links on the websites, you will notice that there are sample schedules for each grade level so it gives you a better idea of what to expect in terms of what is being taught and when. The virtual period in the afternoon will begin around 2:15ish as noted in my previous update. Before school begins, your child's teacher will provide you with a detailed schedule.
Earlier this summer, Dr. LaSusa communicated other guidelines that will be followed. These points can also be accessed via a link below this note. I am sure that more details will be provided as we begin this unique school year, so we appreciate your patience and flexibility along the way. As was the case with virtual learning in the spring, our routines and procedures continue to evolve and we will do the best we can in providing the best education for all of our students despite the unique circumstances.
Remote Learner's Curbside Pick Up ~ New Dates
We will hold a second pick up time on Friday, September 11th, from 9:30 a.m. -10:30 a.m.
If you can not make either date, you may ask a friend/neighbor to pick up the materials for you. In order to release the supplies to another family, I will require an email from you at least 48 hours before the pick-up date. You must include your child's full name and their homeroom teacher in the email.
Morning Drop Off @ 8:35 a.m.
How to Navigate the Car Lines
We use the high school circle for parent pick up and drop off. This leaves the LAF circle open for the buses and keeps the area safe for our walking and biking students.
Morning Drop Off
- Please enter the high school driveway that is across from/near Maple Street.
- Drive across the front of the high school and turn right into the large circle.
- All cars should pull up as far as possible before stopping to allow your child out of the car.
- Your child can get out of the car once you pass the Buildings and Grounds driveway and you have pulled up as far as you can.
- Please do not wait for your child to get closer to the front of the car line before getting out of the car.
- When you wait, it delays and disrupts the flow of traffic.
Afternoon Pick Up
- At the end of the day, our students use multiple exits to leave the building. All students getting picked up will assemble in front of the high school auditorium.
- Supervisors will assist parents and students during pick-up from the car line.
- Do not get out of your car and use caution when pulling away.
- You may use the high school parking lot to park beginning at 1:00 p.m.
- If you use this option, you have to get out of the car to pick up your child near the high school. Click here to view the exact location of the waiting area.
- Children will not be allowed to cross the driveway and walk through the parking lot alone. Please respect the supervisor as she enforces these safety rules.
There is a bike rack in front of the school (near the front door) and the back of the school for student bikes. Please provide your child with a lock for their bike.
Medication Drop Off
Medication and paperwork drop-off will take place on August 25th from 9am - 1pm and August 26th from 10:30am - 2:30pm.
Before you arrive
Review your paperwork and medication in advance and make sure of the following:
-Signed and stamped by the physician (if the form requires a stamp)
-Parent/guardian signature
-Emergency contacts listed
-Look at the Medication expiration date.
-If antihistamine is required please provide a small 4oz bottle
**If your child no longer requires medication to be kept at school please have the doctor write a prescription which states that and I will update their school file.**
When you arrive
Please come around the left side of the building through the parking lot and look for the sign to the Health Office window. This will allow us to review the medication, paperwork, and have you sign consents. Parents and students are not allowed in the building at this time.
(Please remember to wear a face covering and bring your own pen if you are more comfortable using it.)
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to email me at sally.kelly@chatham-nj.org.
Thank you,
Sally W Kelly
Chromebooks & Chatham Email
All students in 4th and 5th grade will also have access to a Chatham email account to increase the teacher to student communication of assignments and learning expectations.
Masks
The only type of face covering that will not be allowed is the one-way valve masks. As part of our dress code now, all mask sayings and graphics must be school appropriate.
Snacks, Water Bottles, Umbrellas, Etc.
There will be time for a small snack during the day. It is our hope to hold this snack outside as much as possible as this will also serve as a mask break for all. Please include a small umbrella in your child's backpack on days when the forecast calls for a little rain.
We will also not be using our closets or locker spaces, all students will keep their backpacks on their chairs or under their desks.
Attendance via Parent Portal
Please use the Parent Portal to record your child's absences. Any students' absence that is not recorded by you in the Parent Portal will be marked unverified. If your child is unverified, an automated call will be placed to confirm your child's whereabouts.
Directions:
- Log into the Parent Portal
- Select the Attendance Tab
- Select Notify the Attendance Office Tab
- Use the drop-down selection to mark your child absent
- Enter date
- Choose student name
- State reason for the absence
- Click green submit button to post attendance
Virtual Theater Arts
Lafayette will continue to offer Theater Arts as a virtual class on E and F days at 2:40 PM. The Theater Class will virtually performing activities and exercises which are fun, challenging, and rewarding. Students will explore creative drama, mime, movement, and storytelling. We will be holding a lottery to develop the classes for Theater Arts. If you are interested in having your child placed in the lottery, please click on the link below and fill in the form by August 30th. Once the entries have been received, we will pick 75 students from each grade level. These 75 students will be divided into three classes per grade level. Please click here to register for the Theater Arts Lottery. You will need your child's homeroom teacher's name to register.
Interested in being a Room Parent
Lafayette PTO General Fund
Dear New and Returning Lafayette School Parents:
I hope this letter finds you and your families safe and healthy during these highly unusual times. I am writing on behalf of the PTO to request your support for the Lafayette General Fund. This year will be costly for Lafayette as we implement new safety measures, enhance virtual learning and strive to provide the cultural/social events and community projects that students typically enjoy as part of their school experience.
Each year the PTO works to ensure your donations are put to the best possible use. Last year, the PTO sponsored a new bike rack, a new entrance awning and most importantly the renovation of the school courtyard. Given the pandemic, the courtyard will have a much greater impact than was anticipated at the time. Teachers can reserve the courtyard for use as an outdoor classroom and students can enjoy this new socially distant, outdoor space throughout the day.
The PTO’s top priority is supporting the safety and education of our students. Currently, we are evaluating social distancing solutions, PPE and safety/cleaning supplies for the start of school. In addition, we are working with the Lafayette administration to help enhance the educational experience of our distance learners. As the year goes on, our goal is to have the resources available to respond to Lafayette’s changing needs as new challenges arise.
We understand that the uncertainty of what schools will look like may be influencing your donation. I would like to assure you that the PTO will carefully evaluate our investments to support both in school and online learners and make meaningful contributions. I speak for Mrs. Russo, the teachers and staff when I thank you in advance for any support you can provide as it is particularly needed this year.
The suggested donation for this year is $100 per family but donations of any size are appreciated. Donations received by August 15th will be particularly helpful to purchase supplies needed for school reopening. Please donate by clicking the link or mailing a check to the address below.
· Online: Via Square: https://lafpto.square.site/
· Mail: Mail your check with the attached form to;
Lafayette PTO General Fund
C/O Lafayette School
221 Lafayette Avenue
Chatham, NJ 07928
Thank you for your continued support of the Lafayette community.
Andrea Caserta
Lafayette PTO President 2020-21
✂———————————————————————————————-----------------------------------————————
_________ Yes! We want to support “The Fund for LAF!
Enclosed is our check written out to “LAF PTO” in the amount of: $______________________
Family Name: ________________________________________________________
Student Name(s):_____________________________________________________
Matching Gift Information
Legal Name of Organization: PTO of the Chathams, Inc.
Address: PO Box 104, Chatham, NJ 07928
Tax ID: 20-8695766
Contact Info: PTO District Cabinet Treasurer
Contact Email: sdocpto@gmail.com
The LAF PTO is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization. Your donation is tax-deductible and can be matched by your employer.
Families New to Chatham
Welcome to Chatham! Please join us on Wednesday, September 9th at 9:15 am for a Virtual Welcome Breakfast. We will be available to chat with you, share important school and community information, and answer any questions you may have.
School Supplies
If you ordered a school supply kit this past spring it will be available to your child on the first day of school. We are unable to order more kits at this time. Please use the links below to view school supply lists if you are still in need of supplies.