Family Newsletter
Parent Teacher Conferences
All Cherry Hill elementary and middle schools will follow an Early Dismissal Schedule (1:00pm dismissal for Elementary) from December 8th-December 11th.
Elementary Conference Schedule:
Mon, 12/8: 2:20-4:00
Tues, 12/9: 6:00-8:00
Wed, 12/10: 2:20-4:00
Thurs, 12/11: 6:00-8:00
Scheduling through the Genesis Parent Portal will be available to parents/guardians 11/17/25– 12/5/25.
Conferences with special area teachers and related services can be arranged with the staff member. Encore teachers will be available on a limited basis in each of the schools they serve. A schedule for encore teachers will be posted at a later date.
New Jersey School Climate Improvement (NJ SCI) Survey
Woodcrest will be participating in survey data collection using the New Jersey School Climate Improvement (NJ SCI) Survey, which was developed, and is administered, by Rutgers University in order to help schools obtain multiple perspectives on aspects of school climate. Collecting data is important for understanding strengths and needs in our school and how it feels to be a member of the school community.
Your voice is important to us, and your opinions will help us to address current priorities. The survey is anonymous and it is voluntary. The results will be used to help create a plan to address school climate needs and make improvements to the school. You may submit a separate survey per child in the school building if you feel their experiences are different, but you do not have to.
Click here to take the survey and enter the password: parent
We appreciate your ongoing support and look forward to exploring new ways to continue working together to create the most supportive and engaging learning environment for your child.
Sincerely,
Alison McCartney
Cherry Hill Special Education Parent Advisory Group
Dear Families,
My name is Katie Dodd, and I am the Special Education Parent Advisory Group (SEPAG) representative for Woodcrest Elementary School. My role is to support families of students who have an IEP or 504 here at Woodcrest, to bring your questions, concerns, and ideas forward to SEPAG. The SEPAG serves as a parent/caregiver advisory organization to the Cherry Hill Public School District.
We would like to invite you to an upcoming virtual “Learn About SEPAG” meeting on November 19th at 7:30 PM. This session will provide an overview of what SEPAG is, how it supports families, and ways you can get involved. Zoom Link: https://temple.zoom.us/j/6270674950
We are also developing our goals and priorities as a SEPAG, and we want to hear from you! Your feedback helps guide SEPAG priorities and planning: Family Input Questionnaire
If you have any questions or would like to share feedback directly, please feel free to reach out to me at Katiemdodd123@gmail.com or cherryhillsepag@gmail.com.
We look forward to connecting with you and working together to support all learners in our district.
No Place for Hate Service Learning Project
For our second No Place for Hate Project, we will be supporting families in need by collecting and making plastic cutlery bags for families served by Cathedral Kitchen. This aligns with our Core Value focus on Citizenship. Students will meet in Shark Squads on Monday, 12/1, to put the bags together.
If you are interested in donating to the service project, please send any of the following in with by Monday, 12/1:
plastic forks, spoons, and knives
napkins
salt and pepper packets
individually packaged hand wipes
small sandwich bags
NexTrex Recycling Challenge - Grade Level Challenge!
From October 27 to November 26, we will have a special challenge to see which grade level bands (K& 1, 2&3 and 4&5) can bring in the most plastic to recycle! The winners earn extra recess the first week of December.
Current Standings:
1st Place: 2nd & 3rd
2nd Place: 4th & 5th
3rd Place: Kinder & 1st
Take a look at the Recycling Challenge Slideshow for more information about what can (and cannot be recycled).
Elementary Enrollment Balancing
Cherry Hill Public Schools is undertaking an elementary enrollment balancing effort to ensure every student has access to the best possible learning environment. As we examine elementary enrollment distribution to address potential overcrowding across our elementary schools, we will be hosting three meetings to gather input from the public.
11/20/2025: Virtual Zoom meeting at 7:00 p.m.
Here is the information to join the virtual Elementary Enrollment Balancing meeting:
Join from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85762330743
Webinar ID: 857 6233 0743
By achieving more balanced enrollment, we will ensure all students have access to resources, maintain optimal class sizes, and support the academic and social-emotional needs of all our young learners. This thoughtful and necessary adjustment will strengthen our schools and community for years to come.
Click here to watch the "Discussions with Dr. Morton" episode to hear from the Board of Education's Enrollment Rebalancing Committee, who discuss the timeline, goals, and factors related to the enrollment balancing effort.
Chronic Absenteeism
Chronic absenteeism in New Jersey, as defined by the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE), occurs when a student is absent for 10% or more of the school year, regardless of whether the absences are excused or unexcused. In a typical 180-day school year, this means that a student who misses 18 or more days is considered chronically absent.
Chronic absenteeism is closely monitored because it can negatively affect student achievement and long-term success. The NJDOE includes chronic absenteeism as a key metric in school performance reports and school accountability. Schools and districts are encouraged to implement strategies to reduce absenteeism and engage students to improve attendance rates.
Parents will receive letters from the school at 4, 7, and 10 days of student absences. School personnel will also be in contact with families of students who have excessive absences to offer support and discuss any underlying issues. If needed, a formal meeting with the principal can be scheduled to further address concerns and explore solutions for improving attendance.
November 19: Make-Up Picture Day
November 21: Last Day of PTA Food Drive
November 26: Early Dismissal, 1:00pm (NO PM SACC)
November 27-28: No School, Thanksgiving
December 1: Shark Squad Day! Wear Woodcrest Spirit wear or blue
December 1-8: Secret Shop
December 8-12: 1pm Dismissal for Parent/Teacher Conferences
December 17: Winter Concert: 4th & 5th Grades
December 23: 1pm Dismissal
December 24-January 4: Winter Break
An updated District Calendar is available on the district website.
Mental Health Concerns for the Community
CHPS has partnered with Care Solace to provide free Mental Health Supports to our students, staff, and families. The Care Solace team can quickly connect you to verified providers in our community. Click Here to connect with a care provider or contact your school counselor for more information.
