Potter News
September 2022
From the Desk of Ms. Cimino
We will be sending out important information via Remind in our H & M Potter group. Please join by texting @hmpparents to the number 81010.
We again thank you for your cooperation, and wish everyone a wonderful school year.
Andrea Cimino, Principal
Welcome New Teachers!
Ms. Farley, Preschool
Hello HMP Family!
My name is Caitlin Farley. I’m a new preschool teacher here at Potter. This is my third year in Berkeley Township. I’m coming from CBW where I was one of the Preschool Gross Motor/Relief teachers. I’ve been teaching for nine years in different settings including public schools and private special education schools from Kindergarten to Middle school aged students with a variety of abilities. I have a B.A. in Early Childhood Education and my TOSD cert. Last summer, I completed my Masters of Science in Education with a specialization in Special Ed. I grew up in Monmouth County but have been in Ocean county for two years and I am loving it! I’m very excited to be joining the Potter family and get back into a classroom. I look forward to getting to know you all and having the best year ever!
Ms. Balton, World Language
¡Hola Potter Family!
My name is Melisa Balton. I am thrilled to be teaching Spanish at H&M Potter school.
I am a native Spanish speaker. I have a BA in Elementary Education from Lima, Peru, and continued my education at The State University of New Jersey - Rutgers.
I have been working in elementary education for 6 years as a teacher’s aide, substitute teacher, paraprofessional, playground aide, and this is my 4th year teaching Spanish. I had the pleasure to teach Spanish to general education and special education students from Pre-k through sixth grade. I look forward to a successful and happy school year!
Mrs. Orovio, Preschool Gross Motor
Hello Potter Panthers! My name is Jenna Orovio and I am the long-term substitute for the Pre-School Gross Motor class this school year.
I am the proud mama of a 3-year-old son named Sebastian who is also starting pre-school this year in our hometown. I love going to the beach, running, and going for walks with my husband, son, and our rescue pitbull, Anchor.
Lets get out and move, Potter Panthers! Here’s to great 2022-2023 school year!
Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
Arrival:
Due to parking restrictions we will no longer be able to allow student drop off in the front parking lot during arrival. All cars will be redirected to Deal Ave. This is the best way to ensure a safe arrival for all of our students. For those of you who are not new to the school, the procedures outlined below are the same procedures that were in place last school year. Drop off cannot take place before 9:10am as there will be no staff members available to supervise the children prior to that time.
Students in grades K-4:
We strive to have a steady flow of traffic during arrival. Please remain in your vehicle and pull up to the unloading zone (near Door 8). Students should be seated on the passenger side of the vehicle for quick exit.
Students in Preschool:
Please pull up past the unloading zone for K-4. Park on the right side of the street and escort your child to Door 5 where they will be met by their classroom aide. Please be patient, and do not park on the left side of the street.
If you receive a bus but plan on driving your child to the school each day, please make sure that you complete the transportation waiver and opt out of busing.
Dismissal:
When picking up your child from Deal Avenue at dismissal please stay to the right, pull as far forward as possible in the loading zone, and remain in your vehicle. Your child will be escorted out by a staff member. During the first week of school you will receive a placard to display in your car window with your child's name. Please make sure that whoever will be picking your child up has a placard to expedite the dismissal process. Please remain in your vehicle and refrain from parking in the back parking lot or on the left side of the street.
If your child needs assistance buckling or getting into a car seat we ask that you pull forward past the loading zone and park on the right side of the street temporarily.
Please note that even parents only picking students up occasionally at dismissal time must use Deal Ave. Please call the Main Office or notify the teacher prior to 2:30 on the day of pick up so that your child will be directed to the Walker Door where you will follow the procedures outlined above.
School Breakfast and Lunch Program
If your child does not plan to purchase lunch, please send a packed lunch daily along with a classroom snack.
Back to School Night
PTA Corner
Check out the graphic below for information about FREE ways to fundraise!
Our first PTA Meeting will be held in the APR on September 19 at 7pm, all are welcome!
To reach the PTA please follow their Facebook page by searching H & M Potter PTA, or email them at hmppta@gmail.com.
Recycle Rally!
Chalk the Walk
Global Cardboard Challenge
We will be sending out a flyer in mid-September for those who are interested in signing up to attend. In the meantime, we will be taking donations of cardboard starting Monday September 12- October 4. Please bring any donations to the Main Office. We could especially use any larger pieces of cardboard that you may have available. Thank you!
September Calendar
September 6: First Day of School!
September 9: Spirit Day, Wear Red, White and Blue for Patriot's Day
September 16: Spirit Day: Wear Gold for Emiliana's Day and Childhood Cancer Awareness
September 16: Lemonade Sale During Lunch for the Emiliana's Hope Foundation, $1
September 19-23: Book Fair, Students Will Attend During Gym
September 19: Book Fair Family Night, 5-7pm in the Gym
September 19: PTA Meeting, 7pm in the APR
September 20: Back to School Night (Times Vary, See Schedule Above)
September 27: Board of Education Meeting, 7pm at BTES
September 30: Global Cardboard Challenge
H & M Potter School
Keith McShaffrey, Assistant Principal
Email: acimino@btboe.org
Website: www.btboe.org
Location: 60 Veeder Lane Bayville, NJ 08721
Phone: (732) 269-5700
Twitter: @berkeleypotter