Donovan Family Digest
June 13, 2021
A Summer Farewell
It is here...the last official Donovan Digest of the school year. Please hold back the tears as I know your inbox may seem bare without all of the weekly updates, reminders, celebrations, and shout outs. Fear not! New and exciting things are already being planned for our reopening in September 2021. As much as summer is so needed right now, just seeing "September 2021" in writing is getting me excited. The thought about the new year ahead is invigorating and promising. Our Back to School Night is scheduled for Monday, September 13th at 6:30PM (see...already planning!). Our new PTO board has begun the process of meeting and planning as well. We have our 5th grade picnic scheduled. An assembly is in the works already for the fall! We even have Pawlie our mascot raring to go for all of the schoolwide events! We are truly enthusiastic about new beginnings this fall.
To say that this past school year was a challenge is stating the obvious and also truly an understatement for the experiences. This year has changed all of us; educators, parents and children, in so many ways. It was a year filled with frustrations, emotions, highs and lows, uncertainty, fears, and disappointments. The unexpected was expected. However, here we are at the end of the tunnel. The light is brighter than ever and the saying "Don't look back, we're not going that way!" that hangs in my office has more meaning now than ever. Looking forward to the days ahead brings a renewed hope of promise for our school community. We are looking forward to continued partnerships, endless opportunities for our children, and life. Life that can only be ignited with the spark from ALL of us coming together to create a roaring fire of love for learning, relationships and the feeling of community once again.
We are so unbelievably proud of all of our Tiger Cubs. Every child demonstrated what it means to be resilient and to overcome every obstacle that came their way this past year. While it was not typical, every hallway and classroom was filled with engaged students learning and collaborating. Their laughter and voices still permeated the building every day. They danced to the music on Move it Mondays. They cheered during the assemblies/house meetings and special events. They found the joy in every opportunity that presented itself! As we have bringing the year to a close, teachers are relishing and celebrating all of the ways that their students have grown over the past year. The academic and social growth of our students during such a trying time is something to certainly acknowledge. Go Tiger Cubs!
We cannot thank you enough for everything you have done to make this school year a success for your child(ren). The support given at home, in conjunction with the dedicated teachers who went above and beyond to teach in a way that has never been done before, was astounding. The endless training to bring new tools and techniques into the classrooms, while balancing exceptional pedagogy, supporting every child's unique situation and needs while keeping everyone "connected" and learning was monumental. However, we cannot be more proud of the work that was done under the circumstances given. We could not have done that work without YOU! Thank you for every ounce of energy and patience given this year. You are appreciated! It goes to show how resilient and Donovan Strong our school community can be under even the most difficult circumstances.
Laura Donovan has always had a reputation for being a neighborhood school that makes you feel "at home". It is a place that exudes camaraderie, home-school partnerships, while children are immersed in opportunities to learn from the finest teachers. This, coupled with the endless opportunities provided by our PTO, made it a place that every parent would want their child to experience, learn and grow. When we refer to our Donovan Strong Family and our Tiger cubs, it is due to the fact that the reciprocated dedication, love and respect we have for each other has always been the core of our school. We look forward to continuing to model just what makes LDS so special, as well as growing the "heart" of our school even bigger during this upcoming year. Thank you for all that you do every single day and for supporting us every step of the way. We are so honored to be entrusted to teach, love, and nurture your most prized treasure.
We hope each of you take the time to enjoy the simplest pleasures of life this summer with your families. Cherish every memory making day you are afforded, as they seem to go by so quickly. May this summer provide you and your family the opportunity to replenish, renew and revive. Best wishes for a joyous summer! We will see you in September! For those of our families leaving us for middle school, best wishes as your educational journey continues. You will always have your original home here at Laura Donovan School.
Much love,
Mrs. Benbrook
Chromebook Return
The end of the school year is just around the corner. It is time to return all district owned devices. We kindly ask for your child(ren) to bring their Chromebook and charger to school on Wednesday, June 16th for collection. If you have a district owned jetpack, we ask for this to be returned as well. Our technology department will be in to collect and inspect all devices. Please everything is present and in tact ready for inspection.
Students will not have access to Chromebook on Thursday, June 17th and Friday, June 18th.
For Our Virtual Students
All virtual students will receive a letter with information regarding your drop off day and procedures. Virtual students will have access to all their devices through the end of school.
Summer Spark Students
If your child is attending Extended School Year or the Summer Spark Program, you will be keeping your Chromebook. Please DO NOT return to your homeroom teacher on Wednesday. Chromebooks will be collected in the final days of the summer program.
END OF SCHOOL YEAR
PARENT CHECKLIST
❏ If you are planning to move during the summer, please contact
Mrs. Donna Rusterholz via email drusterholz@freeholdtwp.k12.nj.us. Change of residency MUST be verified in order to update Genesis and attend the Freehold Township School District.
● Remaining in the Laura Donovan district and moving to a new address, please provide two proofs of residency.
● Renewed leases and affidavits are required to be updated for the 2021-2022 school year.
● Remaining in the Freehold Township District, please provide two new proofs of residency and we will in-district transfer your child.
● Moving out of the district, we will prepare a transfer packet for you.
❏ Please check your Genesis Parent Portal to see if there are any unexcused absences
❏ Please check your Genesis Parent Portal to see if there are any fines on your account. Fines on any account will prevent you from seeing your child’s report card and their placement in the fall. Make sure all library books are returned to avoid any fines.
❏ When your child’s final report card becomes available on the Genesis Parent Portal, please view and print immediately. The Genesis Parent Portal closes on July 1, 2021.
REMEMBER THE DATE
6/14-6/18 No afternoon instruction
6/14 5th Grade Moving Up - Capone/9 a.m. - Creech/D'Angelo10:30 a.m.
6/15 5th Grade Moving Up - Deutsch/9 a.m. - Monahan/10:30 a.m.
6/16 5th Grade Social Luau
6/18 Report Cards
6/18 Early Dismissal ( Last Day)
Welcome to the LDS Summer Series
This week, we are excited to share some tips to engage students in writing over the summer.
SUMMER SERIES
TIGER CUB BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
A very Happy Birthday to all of our Tiger Cubs! We hope your special day is as amazing as YOU!
July 1
Valeria Figueroa-Campuzano
Kate Nesci
Ben Pollard
Sonia Sanghani
July 2
Nelson Ruiz Manzano
July 3
Kale Beliore
Kenneth Steinitz
July 4
Kaitlyn Haberstroh
July 5
Julia Chen
Olivia Ramirez
July 6
James Morera
Cole Ziccardi
July 7
Machenzie Convey
Marlene Morales-Fierro
Christopher Puccio
July 9
Camryn Platt
Mrs. Campfield
July 10
Michael Baldini
NIcholas Baldini
Donna Briggs
Lindsay Forte
Mrs. Kablaoui
July 11
Mrs. Hanlon
July 13
Jarvin Gonzales Alvarado
July 16
Sofia Hayes
July 17
Molly Fine
Raegen Valentine
Mrs. Deutsch
July 19
Ian Reyes
July 20
Jason DeProssimo
Luca Petito
Ryan Valentine
July 22
Thomas Belmonte
July 23
Juan Angeles Diaz
Mrs. Woetko
July 24
Mia Lauro
Vincent Maliszewski
Mr. Cantelli
July 26
Frank Calandrino
Liana Spatola
Mrs. Wagner
July 27
Abdiel Miraballes
Mrs. Borgatti
July 28
Jason Williams
July 29
Joseph Landolfi
Summer Varela
July 30
Shaun Coe
Dawson Kozak
Austin Medley
July 31
Mrs. Elman
Aug 2
Jace Horowitz
Sasha Vu
Aug 4
Mr. Spicuzza
Aug 5
Ethan Elliott
Aug 6
Mrs. Capone
Mrs. Woods
Aug 7
Karina Amin
Natalie Michail
Aug 8
Alexa Shain
Aug 10
Mariam Abdelsayed
Aug 11
Lucas Mohr
Mrs. Natoli
Aug 13
Patrick Dempsey
Ty Levine
Luna Silva
Chloe Williams
Aug 14
Emme Mendez
Krisha Patel
Christopher Ramirez Sanchez
Emma Schachel
Aug 16
Jonathan Geiger
Mrs. Lawlor
Aug 17
Ella DelPrete
Aug 19
Brynn Goldwyn
Aug 20
Jacob Giannone
Mrs. Benbrook
Aug 21
Francis Diaz Rodriguez
Aug 22
Alexander Healey
Aug 25
Denise Hidalgo
Gabrielle Schuler
Karina Stanko
Aug 27
Katia Perez Salinas
Jacob Ramos
Ryan White
Aug 28
Michael Rodman
Aug 29
Alyssa Goldwater
Peter Karaman
Isabella Nangano
Addison Quartarone
Aug 30
Mrs. Fernandez