Lloyd Road School Newsletter
September 2017
Welcome Home to Lloyd Road!
Welcome to Lloyd Road for the 2017-18 school year!
Our opening week was a smooth one overall considering how much construction we had this summer with the entire lower floor receiving new heating and air conditioning. Our auditorium space is currently being completed. The next and final phase we are in is tying in all HVAC systems to one central control system.
It was great to see so many parents attend our Back to School Night and so many support organizations set up in our front hallway. We have another exciting year planned for our students and welcome you to join us on the journey.
Each month our newsletter will include very helpful updates and information including a list of upcoming important dates and events.
We look forward to a great year!
Mr. Jerabek & Mrs. Olsen
Principal & Assistant Principal
LR Parent Portal
The Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District’s Parent Portal will be open to all district parents once again. The Parent Portal provides a school/home connection by providing electronic communication and information opportunities via our district webpage. Of course, student report cards are accessible through the Portal, but we have also started to use the Portal for parent/teacher conference sign up. We will continue to have formal conferences one time per year and those dates are January 22-25.
If you are not set up for the Parent Portal you will need to contact one of our secretaries in our main office for it to be activated for you. This feature is both secure and easy to use. If you forget your password you can reset it on the portal site and a new password will be emailed to you. Also, you may update your contact information in the Parent Portal. Most school district communication will be delivered through your contact phone number and email from the Parent Portal. This includes flyers/notices, snow closings, delayed openings, and early dismissals, so it is very important any contact numbers and emails are kept updated in the Parent Portal. Please check that you have an email address entered in the Portal, and that it is correct.
In Search of Responsible September Students of the Month
After school activities:
Homework hour is an hour after school in which students in Grades 4 and 5 can stay after school on the chosen days to complete any homework they may have. There will be a teacher supervising the program, and the teacher can assist with questions when possible, but it is important to note that this is not a tutoring program. Homework hour will be available 3:20-4:20 Monday through Thursday. An application for participation will be sent home the week of September 18. The program will begin on Monday, October 2.
After school clubs:
The after school club interest form will be sent home the week of October 2.
New Language Arts Program Begins in 2017-2018
During the 2016-2017 school year, a committee of teacher representatives reviewed and piloted several literacy programs and frameworks, and Literacy by Design was selected for grades 4 and 5. Literacy by Design was formally approved by the Board of Education at the June 19, 2017 BOE meeting.
Literacy by Design (LBD) is a research-based reading and writing framework which utilizes whole class, small group and independent reading to meet the needs of all students. Literacy skills in LBD are linked to science and social studies content which are aligned to the NJ Student Learning Standards. This integrated approach helps students make connections and foster deeper levels of understanding.
Literacy by Design Reading instruction includes the five elements of reading - phonemic awareness, phonics (word study) vocabulary, fluency and comprehension which are delivered through an integrated approach to support student learning. Teachers will continue to provide small group guided reading instruction, and students will continue to engage in daily literacy centers as they always have.
The writing aspect of Literacy by Design includes the core elements of writing instruction, including writing forms, organizational patterns, writing traits and the writing process. Direct writing instruction, mentor texts and sustained daily writing are all implemented to spark an appreciation for writing. Writing instruction will continue to follow a workshop model.
Vocabulary instruction in LBD is integrated through a six-step process. Vocabulary words include content-based words and general academic words. Students are given varied, interactive means in which to explore the words each week.
Literacy by Design provides differentiated resources to support English Language Learners and Special Education students, allowing teachers to target and address the needs of all learners. It is important to note that LBD is one of many instructional resources that teachers will utilize throughout the school year to meet the individual learning goals of their students, including materials and technology available at each of our schools to support your child’s academic success.
Social Studies for 2017-18
The Literacy by Design texts have Social Studies content integrated within the Literacy by Design literature this year similar to how it was integrated in our past Language Arts curriculum. However, a formal Social Studies grade will only be given on the report card this year in marking periods 2,3 and 4.
Fall is in the Air
Decorate your outdoors for Fall with the help of our Mums Sale. Huge, beautiful mums in 8” pots for only $6!! You have to pre-order to participate. Deadline to order is Wednesday, September 20th. Submit order form and payment in an envelope labeled Mums Sale. Pick up will be Friday, September 29th at Lloyd Road School from 2:45-4pm. Contact Dara Simon at treefroggie99@yahoo.com or Deb Gries at deb.gries@gmail.com for more information.
We Need your Shoes!
Ways to Save for Our School!
Box Tops for Education and shopping at Stop and Shop are great ways to raise money for our school and reward our children. Stop and Shop registration begins September 11th and the program starts October 6th. Start clipping those Box Tops! Our 1st Box Tops Drive will begin the first week in October. Let's beat last year's total of $374!! Contact Lauren McMullan at lpmcmullan@gmail.com for more info.
Nurse's Corner:
Please be sure to make the nurse aware of any health concerns your child might have, as well as updating her on any changes that have occurred since the last time she has seen your child. Updates can be emailed to Mrs. Pruess, or written and submitted to the nurses office. Any new concerns should be called in to her.
MOST Program: FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES 2 - 8
Registration will be held at Matawan Aberdeen Middle School Tuesday, October 17th and Wednesday, October 18th 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Online Registration Also Available: http://bit.ly/MARSDMOST
M.O.S.T. will be held on the dates below from 4:00pm to 6:00pm:
NOVEMBER 1, 7, 14, 15, 21, 28, 29
JANUARY 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 31
FEBRUARY 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28
MARCH 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21
APRIL 10, 11, 17, 18
MAY 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22
TUTORING, MENTORING & RECREATION
For additional information please call the Matawan-Aberdeen Middle School at (732) 705-5400, during school hours, from 8:00am - 4:00pm, Monday - Friday, or Daphne Ramcheran at (732) 567-0036.
PTO Membership
Save! Save! Save!
Neighbors for Education Cards give you discounts at participating local businesses. Enjoy savings from your favorite places. Spend $10 on the card and make money back in just a few visits while supporting our local businesses and students at the same time! Order forms can be submitted in an envelope labeled Neighbors for Education Cards. Contact Raegan Cole for more info at raevern26@optonline.net.
Mark your Calendars
Our first PTO Meeting will be Wednesday, September 20th at 7pm in the school library. Come join us, we look forward to meeting you and making this a great school year!
PTO information and events can be found in your PTO Packet or on the school's webpage. Also, lots of information can be found on our private Facebook page Lloyd Road Parents. Be sure to check them all out!
Show us your School Spirit!!
Get your Lloyd Road Spirit Wear...show your school spirit! New this year, Soffee Shorts have been added to our line. Deadline to get orders in is Friday, September 29th. Submit form and payment in an envelope marked Spirit Wear. Allow 3-4 weeks for delivery to student's homeroom. Contact Dawn Complitano at dcomplitano@gmail.com or Jessica Kennedy at jkennedy530@live.com for more info. Our first School Spirit Day is Friday, October 6th. If your Spirit Wear hasn't arrived, no worries wear maroon and grey to show your Lloyd Pride!
Lloyd Road Welcomes New Counselors
This year we were able to grow our guidance team to two counselors. We welcome Mrs. Rachel Alvarez as our new Grade 4 Guidance Counselor and Ms. Kristen Kinsella as our Grade 5 Guidance Counselor. Both counselors are in the process of introducing themselves to the students and planning out counseling sessions and lessons. You can look forward to updates from our counselors in future newsletters. Their contact information is on our website in the Our School tab and Guidance section.
Grade 4 Guidance Counselor Rachel Alvarez
Grade 5 Guidance Counselor Kristen Kinsella
Counselor News:
As we begin the start of the school year, it is important that we speak to our children about the importance of being respectful to all those around us, as well as to show kindness, compassion, and understanding of each other's differences.
Not everyone will learn the same way we learn, look the same way we look, behave in the same way we behave, have the same type of family dynamic we have, enjoy the same hobbies or activities we enjoy, or practice the same beliefs or religions we practice. However, those differences should not be seen as negatives or faults, but yet seen as beautiful and unique parts of ourselves that we can all learn, grow from, and celebrate. What a boring world it would be if we were all exact replicas of each other!
"Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them, and they bless you, the giver." - Barbara de Angelis
New Fax Number!
Please note that Lloyd Road has a new fax number!
The new number is as follows: (732) 705-5765
Upcoming Events:
You can find detailed information on these events in our Lloyd Road School Virtual Backpack.
- 9/11-9/20: Reading and Math STAR test administration
- 9/14: PTO Back to School Night; 6:30 (4th Grade), 7:40 (5th Grade)
- 9/20: PTO MUM orders are due
- 9/20: PTO Meeting, (7 p.m., Library)
- 9/21-9/22: No School for Rosh Hashanah
Upcoming October Dates:
- 10/2 - 10/6: PTO Box Tops for Education Drive
- 10/5-10/6: PTO School Store (during lunch periods)
- 10/6: PTO School Spirit Day
- 10/9: Schools Closed (Teacher In-Service Day)
- 10/11- 10/13: PTO Scholastic Book Fair
- 10/19: PTO Meeting (7 p.m., Library)
- 10/27: Shoe Drive Deadline
- 10/27: PTO Halloween Dance (7 - 8:30 p.m.)
- 10/31: Halloween Parade (1:40 p.m. - weather permitting)