The Crossing
Welcome Back - 2021-2022
Brooks Crossing Elementary School
"We are Better Together!"
BC Main Campus
50 Deans Rhode Hall Road
BC Deans Campus
848 Georges Road
Welcome to BC's 2021-2022 School Year
Dear Brooks Crossing Families,
Welcome back to Brooks Crossing's 2021-2022 school year! As a school community, we have used the summer months to reflect, plan, learn and adjust. We are confident that this year will be a great one. For those new to our school, we have two campuses.
This year, our district theme is, "First, we UNIFY...then REBUILD...ultimately, we THRIVE!". Brooks Crossing's theme this year is, "We are Better Together! "
To prepare for this upcoming year, please read this Welcome Letter with important details and information to visit our campuses on September 2nd for Sneak-a-Peek and attend one of the informational sessions, held at the BC Main Campus presented by Ms. Alice Priano, our Student Assistance Counselor!
Our teachers are excited to welcome your child(ren) into their classrooms. They are energized and prepared to make a connection and provide the quality instruction that Brooks Crossing students are accustomed to. Our goal is to promote each child's individuality and get to know their interests, strengths, and areas for growth. We know that the greatest growth occurs when children are able to build confidence in their academic skills and enjoy their school experience.
Open lines of communication are important, so please do not hesitate to reach out to us by email or by calling the Main Office. We also want to ensure that you have the information that you need. Follow us on Facebook and read our Brooks Crossing's weekly Online Friday Folder to stay up to date about events, information, and also to view pictures and videos of the happenings at Brooks Crossing. We will also be sending regular newsletters as updates become available. If you have not already done so, please log into your Genesis Parent Portal and make sure that all contact information is up-to-date, and that you have chosen to receive both emergency and non-emergency notifications. This will ensure that you won't miss any school or district communication. Don't forget to allow us to send text messages to you. This is the quickest, easiest way to communicate!
Are you ready for school? Do you have:
- A working device to join classes (or have you already completed the form saying you need one)? This applies to grades 2-5 only.
- Your grade level supplies? Click here for Grades K-5 BC School Supply List
- Is your positive attitude ready to go?
If you are having any trouble with the top two items, and we can help, please do not hesitate to contact us.
We are excited to say that we have great confidence in our plans for our upcoming school year!
Enjoy the last little bit of summer- make memories, have fun, and stay safe. Don't forget to send your "Better Together" pictures to Mrs. Rogol.
Know that we will work our hardest to keep our children safe and happy. We look forward to seeing all of our students for the first day of school on Thursday, September 9th!
Sincerely,
Jaime Maccarone, Principal
Lisa Rogol, Assistant Principal
Technology Usage for the 2021-2022 School Year
Grades K & 1: The school will provide any technology needed during the school day. Please do not send technology to school with your child.
1st Grade Families: You recently received an email from Sharon Johnson regarding Chromebook devices. If your current 1st grader has a district device from last year, please return it to the school (CLEARLY LABELED and with the CHARGER). We will be collecting these on tomorrow, Thursday, August 29-Tuesday, August 31, from 8 AM -1:30 PM. If you cannot return the device at that time, please contact michelle.cima@sbschools.org to arrange a time to drop it off.
This year your child will be given iPad devices in the classroom to use.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Grades 2 - 5: Students will be expected to bring a fully charged device to school each day to use in class. Please know that you will have the option to borrow a district Chromebook for the year, if needed. Please see below for steps to follow so your child can be prepared for the first day of school.
Renewing Insurance on District Chromebooks
There is a YEARLY TECHNOLOGY INSURANCE FEE.
The yearly non-refundable $35 technology insurance fee can now be paid online using the link below! Free and reduced lunch recipients are automatically waived. Requests for non free/reduced student waivers due to financial hardship can be sent to Rachel.Kolibas@sbschools.org.
Click here to pay the annual technology insurance fee online.
If Your Child is in Need of a District Chromebook
- Click this link and pay the non-refundable $35 technology insurance fee.
- Print and sign the agreement form, here: Chromebook Agreement Form - you will not be able to fill the form out digitally
***NOTE: The Chromebook Asset Number and Serial Number will be added once the
device is assigned to your child.
Email your Shopsite receipt AND the completed Chromebook Agreement form to Michelle.Cima@sbschools.org. Once she receives it, she will arrange for a Chromebook to be distributed to your child during the first days of school.
Bus Transportation
The first day of school for students is Thursday, September 9th and it will be a full day for all students. We strongly recommend that your child arrive by bus if they have a bus assignment. Riding the bus from the very first day will help the bus driver get to know your child and begin to associate your child with their bus stop and family members who have permission to receive them. Riding the bus also helps us to ensure that we have smooth arrival and dismissal procedures at school.
Our Transportation Department does not mail bus passes home. You will be able to obtain the bus # assignment, pickup/drop-off location, and time through the Genesis Parent Portal. Paper bus passes will not be used to board buses as the drivers will have rosters for attendance. Know your child's bus number should you need to call for assistance! The bus number is what you will need to communicate with Transportation.
The bus number is NOT the number painted on the bus, it will be on a sign, to the left of the entry bus door. Confirm with the driver that it is the correct bus prior to boarding your child.
The bus stop is the location where your child will be picked up and dropped off each day; please take note of this section as 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 please be ready and waiting.
Questions or concerns regarding bus transportation should be directed to:
Email: Transportation@sbschools.org or Call (732) 297-7800 Extension 5108
Transportation Supervisor, Jill.Ottignon@sbschools.org
Assistant Supervisor, Erin.Zippo@sbschools.org
OFFICIAL START / END TIMES
IMPORTANT NOTE: Each day Deans Campus starts and ends 5 minutes earlier than the Brooks Crossing Main Campus. This allows parents time should they need to travel between the two campuses. Students arriving AFTER the official start time will be recorded as tardy.
BROOKS CROSSING DEANS CAMPUS
REGULAR DAY OF SCHOOL
7:00 AM Before School Program begins at the BC Main Campus
8:05 AM Students may enter Deans
8:15 AM Start Time – Students should be in class
2:40 PM Ending time for Deans
6:00 PM After School Program concludes at the BC Main Campus
EARLY RELEASE DAY OF SCHOOL
12:45 PM Ending Time
DELAYED OPENING (90 Minute Delay)
8:30 AM Before School Program Begins at the BC Main Campus
9:35 AM Students may enter Brooks Crossing
9:45 AM Start Time - Students should be in class
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BROOKS CROSSING MAIN CAMPUS
REGULAR DAY OF SCHOOL
7:00 AM Before School Program begins
8:10 AM Students may enter Brooks Crossing
8:20 AM Start Time – Students should be in class
2:45 PM Ending time for Brooks
6:00 PM After School Program concludes
EARLY RELEASE DAY OF SCHOOL
12:50 PM Ending Time
DELAYED OPENING (90 Minute Delay)
8:30 AM Before School Program Begins
9:40 AM Students may enter Brooks Crossing
ARRIVAL PROCEDURES
For the safety and security of your child(ren), no student should ever be dropped off and left unattended without an adult present, who you know will accept responsibility for your child’s safe entrance into school.
BEFORE SCHOOL STUDENTS - Champions Before School Program is held at the Brooks Crossing Main Campus. Please walk your child to the entrance to the right of the gym (left of main entrance) and ring the bell. You will be expected to stop at the table and complete a health screening before your child enters. Before school begins, Deans Campus students will be transported to Deans Campus by bus.
WALKERS: Parents walking their children to school can bring them to the main entrance: Starting at 8:10 a.m. at Brooks Crossing Main Campus. Children in grades 2-5 who are not assigned to ride a school bus may ride their bicycles or scooters to Brooks Crossing and should follow arrival procedures for walkers. We ask that you review bicycle safety rules with your child and ensure that your child wears a safety helmet. Students must walk their bicycles on the walking path. Bicycles and scooters must be parked in the bicycle rack located on the front left side of the school near the walkers’ path. Each student is responsible for his or her own bicycle or scooter and should secure it with a durable lock. Rollerblades, Heelys, and skateboards are not permitted on school grounds.
CAR DROP OFF: Once you’ve entered the Deans Campus parking lot, drive around the back side of the school. When you reach the stop sign, and Mrs. Delacruz signals, you can let your child out of the car. DO NOT let a child out of the car until you see this signal.
Please have your child quickly exit the car on the driver’s side and continue driving out of the parking lot.
Under no circumstances may a parent go around another car if they are ready before the car in front of them. Parents will wait until they can safely exit to drive out of the parking lot.
Parents are not able to park and walk their child into school this year. All drop off will be through the dropoff line.
LATE DROP OFF PROCEDURE - Parents dropping off their children after the bell must:
- Park the car and escort your child to the main office.
- Sign the student in and give the reason for the tardiness.
DEPARTURE PROCEDURES
BC DEANS CAMPUS
Walkers
A staff member will escort students who are walkers to our crossing guard. The crossing guard will assist our walkers who need to cross Georges Road to meet their parents/guardians.
Car Pickup
Park in the rear of the building and wait for your child to be dismissed from the rear door. Please do not park against the building.
BC MAIN CAMPUS
Children walking home by themselves from school (3rd Grade and older) must have written permission given to the school.
Parents picking up students will pull into the front lane of the Main Parking lot (closest to the school building), and be directed to a parking spot by one of our staff members. Parents will be asked to hold up a sign with their child’s name and teacher.
Once parked, parents will stay in their car and wait for their child to be brought to their car. As soon as your child is buckled safely in your car, please drive away by pulling forward, turning right, and exiting the parking lot. Please do this as quickly as possible to allow another parent to receive their child.
You may be directed to wait for a spot to open up. Please pay attention to the staff members directing traffic.
Parents will not be able to park and walk to retrieve their child. All pickup will be through the pickup line.
AFTER SCHOOL STUDENTS (Main Campus and Deans Campus Students)- Registered students will be sent to the Champions program on every reserved day, unless the classroom teacher is notified otherwise, preferably using the Parent Note to School/Dismissal Change Form. Students must be signed out at pickup.
NOTE: BC DEANS CAMPUS students will board a bus that will take them to the Brooks Crossing Main Campus. Upon arriving at the BC Main Campus, staff will greet the bus and escort the children to the After School Program.
Welcome New Staff Members
Ms. Danielle Gentile - Kindergarten
Ms. Jennifer Spencer - Third Grade
Ms. Lindsey DuBois - Fourth Grade
Ms. Tynetta Simmons - Fifth Grade
Ms. Andrea Hutchison - Instructional Support
Ms. Annapurna Gadepalli - Paraprofessional
Mr. Daniel Pereira - Physical Education
Ms. Sucheta Oleta - Paraprofessional
Ms. Patrice Garrison - Behaviorist
Brooks Crossing School Organization
Preschool (Deans Campus):
Bryn Keck
Kindergarten (Deans Campus):
Lauren Bierman
Danielle Gentile
Caroline Gonzalez
Natasha Lisojo
Jennifer Nash
First Grade:
Liza Geddis (Deans Campus)
Jessica Hart (Deans Campus)
Lisa Mullarkey (Main Campus)
Alanna O'Shea (Main Campus)
Erin Patschke (Main Campus)
Second Grade:
Jane Atkinson
Christie Hardy
Kimberly Martin-Jones
Vanessa Nepomuceno
Third Grade:
Jacqueline Bigelow
Shannon Iaffaldano
Melissa Johnsen
Khadija Safi
Jennifer Spencer
Fourth Grade:
Christopher Calderone
Beth Carute
Lindsey DuBois
Jennifer Klein
Fifth Grade:
Barbara Capasso
Andrea Kapinos
Lauren Sierotowicz
Tynetta Simmons
TBA shortly
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".
2021-2022 School Closing Calendar & Reporting Attendance
THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL WILL BE THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9th! Are you already making travel plans & appointments for the 2021-2022 school year? If so, please first refer to the 2021-2022 SB School Closing Calendar.
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 '21-'22 calendar. Read the District Attendance Policy for more information on what the State of NJ requires. All absences and late arrivals are recorded.
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All absences and late arrivals for all students should be entered promptly in the Genesis Parent Portal. These can be entered in advance, 24 hours a day, but no later than 7:45am. Go to https://parents.sbschools.org
IF YOUR CHILD WILL BE LATE TO CLASS, enter this in the Genesis Parent Portal, making note the reason they will be late in the comments. Attendance will be adjusted when your child arrives/attends class and the teacher informs the office.
NOTE: # of tardy & absences will be noted on the report card because attendance matters!
Important Upcoming Dates
To stay informed and not miss an opportunity you or your child may be interested in, please read our weekly Online Friday Folder for news and events that may not be included in our monthly newsletter.
Thurs. Sept. 2 - Click here for BC's Sneak-A-Peek at both campuses & Information Sessions presented by Ms. Priano, our student assistance counselor. Please read for full details.
Thurs. Sept. 9 - First day of school for students. This is a regular full day.
Thurs. Sept. 9 - Board of Education Meeting
Thurs. Sept. 16 - Schools Closed. Yom Kippur
Wed. Sept. 22 - Back to School Night. Evening program for parents only. Details to follow.
Thurs. Sept. 23 - Board of Education Meeting
Tues. Sept. 28 - Early Release Day. DE Campus dismisses 12:55, Main Campus dismisses 1:00
Chartwells Breakfast and Lunch Program
Lunch is FREE for ALL students in the 2021-2022 school year! Students have lunch everyday, even on early dismissal days. All students should bring a healthy snack daily and a full water bottle. Please label lunch bags and water bottles with your child's name.
Qualifying for free or reduced-price meals may provide your family with additional benefits such as P-EBT funding, reduced rates for sports, free college applications, etc so please be sure to fill out a free and reduced application when applicable. Applications will open on September 1st, and posted on the district website.
Click here for Chartwells '21-'22 Breakfast/Lunch Program, where you will find details and also the link to daily menus.
Champions Before/After School Childcare Program
Will you need childcare before and/or after school when we return September 2021? If so, please register today! Champions South Brunswick Before/After School Childcare Program
As you know, the Champions company is now providing aftercare for our district. In the fall, they will offer both before and aftercare at each of our elementary schools. Please see the Champions South Brunswick '21-'22 Enrollment for Before and After School Childcare.
If you have any questions, please contact Area Manager, Thea Pace tpace@discoverchampions.com or call Champions Customer Care: 1-800-246-2154.
MESSAGE FROM THE BC HEALTH OFFICE
If you have medication/treatment requests, or activity restrictions that are a change to your child’s daily participation in school, you must speak with the nurse directly. For your child’s safety and well-being, do not email this information. Any change to your child’s daily participation in recess or gym must be reported directly to the nurse. A child may be excused from physical activity for three consecutive days with a note from a parent/guardian. If the restriction is beyond three days, a note from the family physician is required.
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.
Medications/Treatment Requests
The school MD has given standing orders for basic medications that can be given at the discretion of the nurse, unless otherwise stated by parents. These include, but are not exclusive of, Tums, Visine, Chloraseptic Spray, Orajel, Cough Drops, Benadryl Cream, and Hydrocortisone Cream. Children are not allowed to carry ANY type of medicine with them throughout the day unless special permission has been granted by the Health Office.
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.
The School Nurse may administer any form of medication that is accompanied by the District’s Medication Form completed and signed by the child’s doctor and parent/guardian. Forms can be obtained by visiting the District’s website at www.sbschools.org, or contact the nurse in the health office at (732) 821-7478 ext. 3782 or 3709.
Questions may be directed to our school nurses at:
Susan Kneis, R.N. - BC Main Campus (732) 821-7478 ext. 3709 Susan.Kneis@sbschools.org
Katie Brady, R.N. - BC Deans Campus (732) 821-7478 ext. 3782 Kathleen.Brady@sbschools.org