Potter News
December 2019
A Message From Ms. Cimino and Mrs. Gallagher
We hope that everyone had a great November and Thanksgiving with their families. Although it was a short month, we did pack in a lot of learning and fun! We are looking forward to a great December and Holiday Season.
Recently, attendance letters have gone home to students who have missed more that 10% of the school year at this point (5 days). Each year I get several questions about this practice. These letters go home so that we are all on the same page regarding your child's attendance. Attendance is one of the top predictors of student success, and we encourage our students to be here as much as possible. With that being said, we do understand that children get sick and we would never want your child to attend school while sick. Please continue to monitor your child's attendance so that absences do not become excessive. As always, our students are most successful when we all work together!
The staff of the H & M Potter School wishes all of our families a happy and healthy holiday season.
Fun with Santa
Beyond Band Aids with Mrs. Olsen
Lets talk FLU SHOTS
Notices have been sent home with all of our preschool students if they are missing their required flu shot. Please remember that students will not be able to return to school in January unless we receive documentation that they have received their flu shot or we have received an appropriate exemption.
The Centers for Disease Control recommends anyone over 6 months receive their seasonal flu shot. Children are mostly likely to get sick from flu, even more so than adults aged 65 or older. In fact, children 18 years or younger are twice as likely to develop a flu infection than older adults.
People with flu can spread it to others up to 6 feet away. It is most commonly spread through droplets inhaled when people cough or sneeze or even talk. Symptoms can begin about 2 days later, so it is possible to pass the flu to another person without knowing you are sick! If your child does get sick with the flu, please see their pediatrician. They are typically out of school for at least 3 to 4 days.
VISION
If your child wears glasses, please make sure they have their glasses everyday in school. Students learn through vision about 80% of the time. Also, there are some vision problems in young children that can be corrected through regularly wearing their glasses as prescribed by their physician.
At Potter, the Lions Club is scheduled to screen our preschool, kindergarten, 2nd and 4th grade students in January 2020. You may always request a vision screen from the nurse at any time during the school year if you have concerns about your child's vision. It is estimated that about 25% of students require glasses.
If there is a financial need that is preventing your child from getting an eye exam and a pair of glasses, please contact Mrs. Olsen at ext. 5005. There is no reason why they should be without a pair of glasses!
The Giving Tree
Winter Weather Reminders
With the cold weather approaching we have a few reminders:
- Students will continue to go outside for recess and gym as weather permits, so please make sure that they are dressing appropriately for the cold.
- If you are dropping your children off at the Deal Avenue entrance, please make sure you arrive at 9:05AM or later. 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 you have been all year. We will have an increased number of drop offs on cold days, and moving quickly will ensure that all students get to school on time.
- For school delay or closing information please make sure that all phone numbers are updated in the Parent Portal. You can also check the district Facebook page or website at www.btboe.org.
Schoolhouse Homework Help
Schoolhouse is a homework and academic skills program that is funded by the Berkeley Township School District. December dates: 2, 3, 5, 9, 10, 12, 16, and 17.
Schoolhouse runs Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00-5:30 PM at
235 Magnolia Ave. South Toms River.
December Calendar
December 3: Board of Education Meeting, 7pm at BTES
December 5: Honor Roll Breakfast, 8:30am APR
December 6: Fun with Santa, 6-8:30pm
December 9: PTA Meeting, 7pm APR
December 12: Preschool Literacy Night (See Flyer for Details)
December 13: Spirit Day, Wear Potter Spirit Wear
December 17: Kindergarten Holiday Show, 10am APR
December 19: Chorus Holiday Show, 6pm APR
December 20: Spirit Day, Wear Your Tacky Holiday Sweater
School is closed December 23-January 3. We will reopen on January 6, 2020. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!
H & M Potter School
Melissa Gallagher, Assistant Principal
Email: acimino@btboe.org
Website: www.btboe.org
Location: 60 Veeder Lane Bayville, NJ 08721
Phone: (732) 269-5700
Twitter: @berkeleypotter