Frog Pond Elementary School 305 Frog Pond Road Little Egg Harbor, N.J. 08087 Phone: 609-296-1719 Fax: 609-296-4156 January/February 2015 Volume 2 Issue 2 The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing. Walt Disney Dear Frog Pond School Families, I hope everyone had restful and enjoyable holiday break with friends and family. As we enter 2015 many people set goals for themselves of things they want to accomplish throughout the year. This is also a perfect time for your child to set their own New Year's resolution. Encourage them to take time to write them down and post it on the refrigerator. It is so important to teach our children the importance of self-reflection and working towards social, emotional, behavioral and academic goals. Students need to know that goals should be measurable and not unreasonable. For instance, you might have those that want to make a goal of "earn 100% in reading for the rest of the year." That might not be a good choice. We would never expect students to set such a high bar (we should remind them that learning is life long and that trying their very best is what’s most important). Take some time to work through exemplary goals. Here are some suggestions from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Children between the ages 5-12  I'll drink milk and water and limit soda and fruit drinks.  I'll put on sunscreen, stay in the shade when I can and wear a brimmed hat and sunglasses – especially playing sports.  I'll try to find a team or individual sport that gets me moving (like soccer or karate) or activity (playing tag, dancing, riding my bike) I like and do it at least three times a week.  I'll wear a helmet when I'm on my bike, scooter or skateboard.  I'll wear my seatbelt every time I'm in a car – or, until I'm tall enough to use a lap/shoulder belt, I'll sit in the back seat and use a booster seat.  I'll be nice to other kids and friendly to kids who are shy, different or new at school.  I'll never give out personal information online, like my name, home address, school name or phone  number – and never send a picture of myself to anyone I chat with on the computer without my mom or dad's permission. Some additional goals that your child can set for themselves related to school are:  Prepare for school before you go to bed. Make sure homework and clothes are set out so you are not scrambling around in the morning.  Set an alarm early enough to give yourself time to get ready, eat a healthy breakfast (if you don't eat at school) and get to school ON-TIME.  Make sure you are reading at least 2 steps at home and 2 steps at school. If you free time, read additional steps that you can bank for a day when something come up and you can't read.  Be helpful to others whenever you have the opportunity, something as simple as holding the door for the person behind you or picking up a dropped pencil can make an important difference in someone’s day.  Try your best every day to set a positive example, to treat everyone the way you would like to be treated. Encourage others to try their best, and be supportive. Remember that no one is perfect, including yourself. I believe the most important piece to taking the time to set a goal is making a conscience, concerted effort to achieve it. Otherwise, it just becomes words on a page! I look forward to starting the school year with your child and I hope all your New Year wishes come true!! Mr. Troy A. Henderson, M.Ed., Principal Frog Pond Elementary School Little Egg Harbor, N.J. 08087 609-296-1719 Principal’s Message Dates to Remember School Happenings Nurses Notes 1 2 3 4 Board Members John V. Bellone, President August Daleo, Vice President Carmine J. Cimino Gina M. Frasca Matthew G. Maleski Martha “June” Palan Lorraine M. Perrino Dr. Maryann Banks Interim Superintendent of Schools Ms. Jann Cohen Business Administrator Carol Saker Director of Special Services Jacqueline Truzzolino Director of Curriculum/ Instructional Services Paul Nazarok Elementary Supervisor Chrissy Cummings Elementary Supervisor Doris McCarrick Transportation Liaison Mike Simoncini Food Service Manager FROG POND SCHOOL SCHEDULE School Begins — 7:50 AM School Dismissed — 2:35 PM Early Closings — 12:20 PM One Hour Delayed Opening — 8:55 AM CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE: www.lehsd.k12.nj.us Email: (use the first letter of the first name then last name in full) @lehsd.k12.nj.us Joseph McDermott Educational Facilities Manager Please Note: For safety reasons, children will not be permitted to enter the main lobby until 7:50am. Mark Your Calendar! January 19 —School Closed—Martin Luther King January 30—Early Dismissal for Students ATTENTION If you are a parent that drops your child February 2—Groundhog Day February 13 & 16 —School Closed—Presidents Weekend February 18—PTO Meeting 7:00pm—MPR February 20—PTO Candy Bar Bingo 6:00pm—MPR off in the morning for school, please remember there is a stop sign after the drop off zone! We want to keep everyone safe! Also, please do not park in the fire zone when picking up or dropping off your child. Thank you! If you have comments and/or suggestions about this newsletter, please submit them to: [email protected] Let Us Know If there is a change in your child’s normal dismissal procedure, please send a note with your child or call the main office before 2:00pm. Keeping us informed allows for a smooth and timely dismissal. Be Prepared ! Weather permitting, children will go outside every day for recess. Please be sure to send your child to school with a warm coat, hat, and gloves or mittens. Book Fair Scholastic Book Fair will be held beginning January 30 and running through February 6, 2015. Evening hours will be held on February 3, from 5:30—7:30pm. P.I.E. Program The P.I.E. program allows volunteers to come into the school to lend a hand where needed. It may be assisting in a classroom or library, helping during lunch/recess or with special programs offered by the school. If you are interested in volunteering an hour or more of your time, please contact the Frog Pond School main office for more information. Reading Buddies Once a week Mrs. Sailer and Mrs. Morio's 6th grade class visit with Mr. McAdam's kindergarten class to buddy read. The sixth grade students read the stem of the story for the kindergarten students, and then the kindergarteners continue reading the story to their partners. All of the students thoroughly enjoyed their reading experience!