Folsom School News
October 2021
Dear Folsom School Community Members:
I hope this newsletter finds all of our school families off to a fantastic first month of school! We are preparing for a number of fun and engaging activities for our students in the month of October! The events kick off with Week of Respect and concludes with the Annual Fall Festival Parade.
In New Jersey, the first Monday in October of each school year is designated as “Week of Respect.” This week is intended to create further awareness of character development within the school community.
During the week of respect, we ask for students and staff to get in the SPIRIT below:
Monday, October 4th is Kickin' It Old School - Wear your favorite "KICKS (sneakers)"
Tuesday, October 5th is Team up against Bullying - wear your favorite team’s jersey/shirt
Wednesday, October 6th is Being a good friend makes you a Hero - Superhero Day!
Thursday, October 7th is School Spirit Day - wear your Folsom Falcon attire
Fall Festival Parade
Next, we will continue with our annual Fall Festival Parade. Parent/Guardians of PK-4th grade students are invited to Folsom Elementary School for the Annual Fall Festival Parade on Friday, October 29th. The Fall Festival Parade starts at 1:00 pm.
This year, the students (Grades Pre-K to 4th) will parade around on the blacktop near the ball fields. Parking will be available for parents/guardians in the front of the school and down the right side of the driveway.
Students in grades 5-8 will enjoy a “spirited” activity courtesy of our Positive Behavior Supports in Schools (PBSIS) committee in the afternoon.
Costumes
Fall Festival Day is an exciting time for elementary students to dress up as popular characters, celebrities, or role models. Please promote the positive and fun aspects of this season and avoid the scary and/or violent costumes. Costumes which include toy guns and/or knives will not be permitted.
Students are to WEAR their costumes to school, therefore, please make sure it is comfortable and does not hinder their ability to learn throughout the day.
Fall Treats
The school will supply students with treats for the day! Teachers will coordinate with families if additional treats and/or seasonal crafts are requested for the class.
Dismissal Procedures
Students will be dismissed to their parents/guardians once the parade is over by following our normal student pick-up procedures. Please fill out the dismissal form below for each child you are picking-up.
https://forms.gle/GQYEZAtxPFB888A76
Students listed on the dismissal form will be ready for pick-up behind the school. Parents are to drive around back of the school for student pick-up as on a normal school day.
Please contact the main office and/or your child’s teacher with any questions or need of clarification.
Respectfully,
Matthew Mazzoni, Ed.D.
date to remember
Kickin' It Old School-Wear your favorite "KICKS"
5th
Team Up Against Bullying-Wear your Favorite Team Jersey/Shirt
6th
Superhero Day! Being a Good Friend makes you a Hero
7th
School Spirit Day! Wear your Folsom Gear
Hammonton High School 8th Grade Visit 2:20 pm
8th
School Closed-Teacher In-Service
11th
School Closed-Columbus Day
13th
Picture Retake Day!
FEF Kids Paint Event 3:30-4:30 pm (grades 2-5)*registration required
14th
8th Grade High School Fair 2:20 pm
15th
Home and School Cookie Fundraiser Orders Due
20th
7th Grade YMCA Trip
FEF Kids Paint Event 3:30-4:30 pm (grades 2-5)*registration required
21st
7th Grade YMCA Trip
22nd
7th Grade YMCA Trip
Progress Reports available on Parent Portal
Home and School sponsored Trunk or Treat 5:30-6:30 pm
29th
Fall Festival Festivities *information coming soon*
School Choice
The Choice Application Process for the 2022-2023 school year is happening NOW!
If you currently have a Choice Student enrolled at Folsom School and would like to apply for a sibling in grades K-8 to attend Folsom School in the 2022-2023 school year, now is the time. The application Deadline is December 1, 2021.
Applications can be found on our website: www.folsomschool.org
Free Breakfast and Lunch Program
We would like to encourage ALL students to take advantage of the free breakfast and lunch being offered at the school now through June 2022.
Again, all meals are free to ALL students through June 2022 and we encourage ALL families to take advantage of this benefit.
If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Debbie DeCicco at 609-561-8666 ext 119 or ddecicco@folsomschool.org.
nurses notes
Reminders:
- No medication of any kind including over the counter drugs can be dispensed at the school without a Dr.'s prescription. All medication must be brought to school by a parent. Parents must sign a permission form before medicine can be dispensed.
- Any new/changed health related information, especially medications should be reported to the Nurse.
- Forward all updated vaccination records and/or physicals ASAP to Nurse Smith.
- Please keep your child home if they are not feeling well or are not themselves. Contact the Nurse if you are unsure if your child should come to school.
- When calling out your child sick, please state their symptoms on the message.
- Email Nurse Smith Lsmith@folsomschool.org with any illness questions or reporting rather than leaving a message on her voicemail.
Watch for Symptoms:
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
*Any sibling of a student who is ill and being COVID-19 tested MUST stay home until the COVID test comes back. PLEASE email Nurse Smith at any time of day or night to ask any questions.
Lisa Smith RN/CSN
School Nurse
Curriculum
This year Folsom School students in grades 4-8 will participate in the Start Strong Assessment.
Fall 2021 Start Strong Assessment is intended to produce information that should be used as a standards-based complement to the resources used by educators in their classrooms to evaluate the needs of students. They will be administered quickly and provide immediate results and meet federal flexibility for the 2020-2021 school year associated with the administration of general English language arts (ELA)/mathematics/science assessment. Student results will be sent home once they are received by the school district. The Individual Student Reports will give parents a sense of their child’s understanding in the tested content areas; a description of the major concepts that were tested and a starting point for discussions with their child and teachers.
Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns.
Mrs. Michele L. Hetzel
Director of Curriculum and Instruction
counselor’s corner
Red Ribbon Week:
Theme: Drug Free looks like ME!
Red Ribbon Week is an alcohol, tobacco, and other drug and violence prevention awareness campaign observed annually in October in the United States. It began as a tribute to fallen DEA special agent E. Camerena in 1985. According to the United States DEA, Red Ribbon Week is the nation’s largest and longest-running drug awareness and prevention program.
Red Ribbon Week is held this year October 25th-29th
WEAR RED ON OCTOBER 25th!
School Violence Week:
N.J.S.A. 18A:36-5.1 requires that the week beginning with the third Monday in October of each year be designated as School Violence Awareness Week in New Jersey. The New Jersey Department of Education has developed Guidance for School Violence Awareness Week to help school districts, charter schools, renaissance school projects and approved private schools for students with disabilities comply with the requirements. While the New Jersey Legislature has set aside both weeks to highlight these very important issues, it is a school district’s clear, consistent message throughout the school year about positive school climate and student behavioral expectations that will help reduce violence and create safe and supportive learning environments for all students and staff.
Physical Education Department
“Two Things You Are In Total Control In Life Are
ATTITUDE & EFFORT”
I am excited and looking forward to a great year at Folsom School.
So far, the students have enjoyed several games and activities that we have participated in in gym; and the fun is just beginning!
A key element that contributes to student success and well-being is safety. While in PE class, students need to wear appropriate clothing and footwear. Clothing should be conducive to movement. Our recommendation is for students to wear athletic shoes, It is also important that shoes have a back that goes over their heels and rubber soles are essential.
Thank you for all of your support. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions, concerns, or comments throughout the school year.
Coach DeSordi
Athletic Department
Cross Country
Cross Country is on their way and has started their season. The team has been working hard and hopes to bring back some record-breaking times. Please come out and support our Cross Country team at the following meets.
October 5th Home vs. Estell Manor
October 13th Away vs. St. Joseph
October 19th Away vs. Estell Manor
October 25th Home vs. Assumption
October 26th Away vs. Assumption
Cheerleading
Cheerleading is just around the corner. It is going to be a new and exciting year for the Folsom Falcon Cheerleading squad. Permission slips will be handed out mid-October with the dates for the upcoming workshops and try-outs. Keep on the lookout for upcoming information!
Home and School Fundraiser
Fundraiser Orders are due by Friday, October 15th!
- go to www.misschocolate.com and click on "online store"
- click on student/seller dashboard organization ID is 605161
Contact Michele Hetzel at mhetzel@folsomschool.org with any questions.
Technology Tip
The Portal is where you will find progress report, report cards, attendance records and make payments to your lunch or S.A.C.C. accounts.
Please remember to log into the Parent Portal for important Back to School information and to make sure your students emergency contact information is up to date and correct.
If you are having trouble logging into the parent portal or need any assistance with the portal please contact Mr. Ward.
Click link for technology tips and tricks: https://www.smore.com/f2p50
School Age Child Care (SACC)
SACC is Folsom's before school and after school child care program.
Should you wish to enroll your children in the Folsom's SACC program please complete the Folsom SACC Program Parent Agreement and the Monthly Reservation Calendar.
The monthly reservation calendar is due by the 15th of the previous month.
Be sure to return the forms to the Folsom Main office to confirm SACC days for your child’s before and after school care.
SACC begins on the first day of school and ends on the last day of the school year.
There is NO REGISTRATION FEE.
Any family eligible for free or reduced lunch may have their SACC Program fees paid by NJ Kid Care Program.
Please see the links below for more information:
Click here for the: Folsom SACC Program Parent Agreement & Pricing Plan
folsom school apparel
The School Store is currently open now and will close November 19. Orders will then be fulfilled and sent to school (or delivered if that option was chosen)
https://verticalprintdesign.printavo.com/merch/folsom-elementary-spirit-wear
Store Window Dates:
· Now until November 19
· December 1 – February 18
· March 1 – May 13
Any questions please reach out to Jesseca Smith (jsmith@folsomschool.org)
Folsom Elementary School
Website: https://www.folsomschool.org
Location: 1357 Mays Landing Road, Hammonton, NJ, USA
Phone: 609-561-8666
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FolsomSchoolDistrictNJ/