Potter News
May 2017
A Message from Ms. Cimino
We are ready for spring here at Potter School, and excited for the many fun events that will be coming up as we round out the year. I encourage you to continue to view our website and the Berkeley Township School District Facebook page in order to be aware of upcoming events.
During the week of May 1-5 we will be celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week. We are very lucky to have the amazing and dedicated staff that we do! We are thankful for the positive influence they have on our students all year long, and are looking forward to spoiling them this week!
As the warmer weather quickly approaches we have been asked by many parents about spring clothing. Warm weather clothing should be appropriate and safe for a busy day at school. Opened toed shoes and shoes without backs, such as sandals, and shoes that are not tightly secured can be unsafe on the playground, walking up and down stairs and walking down crowded hallways. Additionally, our school is air conditioned making some summer shorts and tops not warm enough for the classroom.
As always school attire is up to the discretion of the parent. Safety, order, and discipline is at the discretion of the school. Please help us keep your child safe and warm enough in school this spring.
Student Council
Jump Rope for Heart
This year at Potter we are focusing on really educating the students about why we are fundraising for the American Heart Association. Every teacher has resources they are using in the classroom to teach the students about heart healthy habits and ways to promote exercise in their daily lives. This year at our culminating event the students will spend time during the day doing jump rope activities. The other part of the day will be set aside for educational activities created by the staff.
If you want to donate towards this amazing cause and help Potter reach its school goal please visit http://www.heart.org/jump
End of Year Calendar Change
Last Day of School: Monday June 19
Four Hour Sessions: June 14, 15, 16, and 19 (Dismissal at 12:50pm)
BTES Orientation
Attention all Fourth Grade Parents!
On May 19th at 6pm, BTES will be hosting a Parent Orientation for all incoming fifth graders for the 2017-2018 school year. The students will be given the opportunity to visit the school during school hours on May 19th.
Student Council
I am Corey
MTES Jumping Dragons
Beyond Bandaids with Mrs. Olsen
Focusing on the Eyes
80% of learning takes place through our vision. This year, we had two community organizations, the NJ Commission for the Blind and the Lions Club, assist the health office with vision screenings.
The NJ Commission for the Blind performed 146 vision screens for our preschool, kindergarten and special needs classrooms. 13 students were referred for further evaluation for possible vision disorders. The Lions Club performed 144 vision screens for 1st and 2nd grade students and referred 12 students for further evaluation. That translates to approximately 10% of our student population with possible vision problems that could hinder their success in the classroom!!
Please follow up on any referrals sent home from the health office. Students who can't see can't learn!
Also a huge thank you to our PTA volunteer Mrs. Aliseo for helping out with screenings this year. We can't offer these valuable services without the help of our parent volunteers!
End of year procedures
If your child has medication in the health office, please pick it up by June 19th our last day of school. Any medicine that is not picked up by the end of the year will be discarded. Medicine will not be sent home with the student.
If medicine is needed again in school next year, new doctor's order forms must be completed and submitted to the health office. All medicine should be delivered to school by a parent or responsible adult and not sent in with the student. The medicine should be in its original container with student's name clearly marked on the container. This pertains to all prescription or over the counter medicine, even cough drops.
If there are any questions, please contact Mrs. Olsen at 732-269-5700 Ext. 5005. All district medication forms are located on the district website and are printable for your convenience.
Kindergarten Registration
If you need to register your child for kindergarten for the 2017-2018 school year, please visit the Administrative Annex at 62 Veeder Lane, just outside of H & M Potter School, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Children must be 5 years old by October 1, 2017 in order to register.
Dr. Zito's Reading Challenge
Students can keep track of their reading hours by using the Reading Log found on the Berkeley Township School District website by going to the Berkeley Township School District website (www.btboe.org) and click on PARENTS, CURRICULUM INFORMATION. There you will find all of the forms and resources you need for the Challenge. If you would like to join the challenge, students must turn in reading logs to their teachers, no later than June 1. 2017, however logs can be turned in the Main Office at any time prior to that date.
Schoolhouse Homework Help
Schoolhouse is a homework and academic skills program that is funded by the Berkeley Township School District.
Schoolhouse runs Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00-5:30 PM at
235 Magnolia Ave. South Toms River.
May Events
May 4: 3rd and 4th Grade Book Club, 6:30pm @ Berkeley Library
May 5: Spirit Day, Wear Potter Spirit Wear
May 8: PTA Meeting, 7pm APR
May 10: School Nurse Appreciation Day
May 11: Special Education Parent Advisory Group Meeting, 6:15pm Potter Library
May 12: Progress Reports posted to the Parent Portal
May 16: Jump Rope for Heart Event (Students will attend during school day)
May 19: Spirit Day, Crazy Hair Day
May 19: 4th Grade Student Orientation at BTES
May 19: 4th Grade Parent Orientation, 6pm @ BTES
May 22-26: School Wellness Week
May 23: Board of Education Meeting, 6:30pm @ BTES
May 25: Battle of the Books
May 26: Four Hour Session, 12:50 Dismissal
May 29: Memorial Day, School Closed
May 31: NJ Ask Science, 4th Grade
H & M Potter School
Kevin Waldron, Assistant Principal
Email: acimino@btboe.org
Website: www.btboe.org
Location: 60 Veeder Lane Bayville, NJ 08721
Phone: (732) 269-5700
Twitter: @berkeleypotter