Weekly Newsletter

Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15th to October 15th, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402.

The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30-day period.

Jaime Alfonso Escalante Gutiérrez was a Bolivian-American educator celebrated for transforming mathematics education at Garfield High School in East Los Angeles. After teaching in Bolivia, he immigrated to the U.S. in the 1960s, overcoming language barriers and recertifying as a teacher. Starting in 1974, he built an AP Calculus program in a struggling, largely Latino school, leading to exceptional pass rates and national acclaim, documented in the film Stand and Deliver. Despite administrative conflicts and accusations of cheating by testing authorities, many students went on to college and careers in STEM. Escalante received numerous honors, including the Presidential Medal for Excellence and induction into the National Teachers Hall of Fame

Starting school or returning to school can be such a great experience and fun time for our youngest learners. For others, it can be scary as they adjust to their new routine. Ensuring our students attend school daily and on time assists them in their transition to school and provides them with the best learning opportunity possible. By our students attending school daily and on time, they are exposed to the entirety of the curriculum for the day as well as social opportunities with their peers and can establish their new daily routine.

As part of the NJDOE's efforts to combat chronic absenteeism, all student absences will be tracked. NJDOE defines chronic absenteeism as being absent for more than 10% of the school year. In accordance with the Cherry Hill Attendance Policy, attendance letters will be sent home at intervals of 4, 7, and 10 consecutive days absent from the program.

Please be reminded any preschool students absent for 10 or more consecutive days will be at risk of losing their spot in the preschool program.

Please click the button below to view the NJDOE guidelines for chronic absenteeism.

We understand importance of capturing the achievements and special moments of your children via photograph or video and memorializing the special event on social media or sharing with other loved ones and encourage you to do so as you see fit for your child.

We would like to stress the importance of ensuring if you are posting a photo or video of your child outside of school, at the bus stop or a school event that there are no other students in the photo or video that is being shared publicly. This is a major privacy concern for our students and their families who have not expressed their approval for a photo or video of their child to be publicly shared.

All Cherry Hill Public Preschool locations are completely nut free.

Nut products such as peanut butter, cashew butter, almond butter, hazelnut spread (Nutella), and whole nuts are not permitted.

Please do not send your child to school with nut products as it poses health and safety risks for students and staff and they will not be permitted to be consumed while at school.

Make sure you sign up for your pre-k pass today!! All children age 2 through age 5 are eligible for a free pass!

Click the button below to be taken directly to the website.

The PTA wants to thank everyone who came out to the Ice Cream Social last night. It was wonderful seeing so many families come together and watching the kids play with friends outside of the classroom, laughing and smiling with ice cream covered faces! We hope you all were able to meet Lauren and Cat at the Social Workers table while enjoying the playground.

Thank you to all the parent, teacher and staff volunteers who helped make this event possible. We want to give a special thanks to Principal Edwards, Colleen Thompson, the grounds staff and all the support staff who helped us pivot to the outdoor space.

Finally, we want to thank you to Sabrina Blake for organizing this event and Sophia for assisting her with the process!

We can't wait to see everyone at the next event!

IMPORTANT FLU SHOT INFORMATION!

The State of New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services has mandated that all children in childcare and all preschool students must receive a flu vaccine by November 30, 2026. Please schedule an appointment with your doctor early so that they will still have the vaccine.

AFTER YOUR CHILD RECEIVES THE IMMUNIZATION, PLEASE SEND IN A DOCTOR’S NOTE WITH THE DATE YOUR CHILD RECEIVED THE FLU SHOT TO SCHOOL NURSE.

STUDENTS WHO DO NOT HAVE AN IMMUNIZATION CANNOT COME TO SCHOOL BEGINNING December 1, 2026.

The Department of Health will not grant extensions.

MALBERG NURSE-Heidi Setchel Hsetchel@chclc.org

PROVIDER SITES NURSE-Sheryle Mulcahy smulcahy@chclc.org

DISTRICT NURSE-Barbara Kase-Avner bkaseavner@chclc.org

Hello Families!

Our teachers and staff have been so hard at work since the beginning of the school year and this is just a small way to acknowledge all they do. This form will be available throughout the year so please feel free to submit this anytime and as many times as you would like.

Each completed form will be printed out and given to the identified teacher/staff member.

Please click the button below to access the form.