Welcome Back

Dear Clara Barton Families,

Welcome to the 2025–2026 school year at Clara Barton Elementary!

I hope your summer was filled with rest, joy, and special moments with loved ones. We are so excited to open our doors once again and welcome both familiar faces and new families who are joining the Barton community for the first time.

This year our theme is We Are Resilient, a celebration of strength, perseverance, and the ability to rise through challenges with purpose and heart. Our youngest Little Eagles will be joining the nest with wide-eyed excitement, while our fifth-grade peer leaders prepare to spread their wings in their final year at Barton. Together, they remind us that every stage of the journey is important, and that each student has a role in shaping the heart of our school.

What makes Clara Barton truly unique is the positive climate and culture we build together. From Family Days to community events, our “We Are” character values come to life in classrooms, hallways, and playgrounds, making Barton a place where every child feels safe, supported, and inspired to grow.

Every friday we celebrate our Barton Pride with our CBE colors!

Thank you for your partnership and support as we begin another year of learning, connection, and joy.

Together we will continue learning, growing, and giving back as one CBE family.

Go Eagles! We Are Clara Barton!

Warmly,

Dr. Idalis Kizee

Clara Barton Principal

ikizee@chclc.org

If you have not already done so, please log into the parent portal at https://parents.chclc.org to fill out essential forms. This will enable you to see classroom assignments and review transportation information if your child is assigned transportation. Please note you can locate your child's student ID number in the parent portal.

*Class assignments have posted!

On the FIRST day of school our teachers and staff will be on the blacktop, ready to greet students. Teachers will hold signs with their names, helping students find their class lines. Staff with class lists will assist in guiding students to their classroom teachers. This process will ensure a smooth start.

Parking Reminder: Please avoid parking in the bus lane and be sure not to block residential driveways. If you're looking for parking options, refer to the map below for designated areas.

PLEASE DO NOT BLOCK THE CROSSWALKS WHEN PARKING

Student arrival time is set at 8:45 am. For safety reasons, please don't drop off your child before this time. *Especially for students walking to school - there is no supervision prior to 8:45 am

Let's kick off the school year positively and safely!

Please make it a priority to review the traffic plan and arrival and dismissal procedures. Last year, we had to involve CHPD due to blocked crosswalks, which created serious safety concerns. We must all do our part—be considerate of others and remain vigilant. Our goal is clear: to keep EVERYONE safe.

Here are the important arrival procedures to keep in mind:

Student Arrival Time:

Student arrival begins promptly at 8:45 am. To ensure a smooth start to the day, we kindly request that no students are dropped off prior to this time. Please note that supervision is not available before 8:45 am.

Late Arrival:

Students arriving after 9:00 am are considered late and must be accompanied by an adult to sign in at the front door. This ensures both safety and accurate attendance records.

Drop-Off by Car:

For parents dropping off students by car, we've established a single-file lane that runs alongside the buses. To maintain a seamless flow, we ask that you wait your turn and use the designated drop-off point at the A Wing entrance (refer to the provided diagram).

Efficient Exit:

When dropping off your child, please have them ready to exit on the curb side of the vehicle. This ensures their safety. After drop-off, we kindly request that parents remain in a single file as you exit the school property. Our staff traffic supervisors will be on hand to guide and assist.

We believe that a well-organized dismissal process is essential for the safety of our students. Here's a breakdown of our dismissal procedures to ensure a seamless transition at the end of each school day:

Dismissal Time:

Dismissal will commence at 3:30 pm, organized into four distinct waves for different groups of students.

First Wave:

- Students enrolled in SACC (School-Age Child Care) will gather in the APR (All-Purpose Room).

-Parents picking up Kindergarten students will find them waiting at the front Kindergarten classroom doors for a secure parent pick-up.

- Parents picking up First Grade students will find them waiting at the front First grade classroom doors for a secure parent pick-up.

Second Wave:

- Grade 2-5 walkers will exit through the B Wing.

- Parents planning to meet their child during this wave should park their vehicles and proceed to the B Wing pick-up location.

Third Wave:

- Kindergarten bus riders will board their respective buses.

Fourth Wave:

- Grade 1-5 bus riders will board their designated buses.

- Students using the bus service must ensure they report to their assigned buses on time. In case a student misses their designated bus, they should promptly proceed to the main office to contact a parent for pick-up arrangements.

Please note that breakfast and lunch are not free unless your family has filled out a Free/Reduced Lunch Form and been approved.

Breakfast is available to all students and cost $1.75. Lunch is available for $3.25.

Breakfast and Lunch information and menus can be found at www.chclc.org/lunch. We will continue to use paychools for online meal accounts - https://payschoolscentral.com/.

All parents are reminded to please submit their application for free and reduced price meals for the 2025-2026 school year. The application period opened on August 1, 2025 and is ongoing. You may apply online at www.chclc.org/lunch or by submitting paper forms.

9/1: School Closed (Labor Day)

9/2: 1st Day for Students (1pm Dismissal for Students)

9/3: Full Day of School

9/10: Back to School Night (6:15pm doors open)

9/11: Patriot Day

9/15: Hispanic Heritage Month Begins

9/17: Welcome Back Water Ice Night 6:30

9/23: School Closed (Rosh Hashanah)

9/24: School Closed (Rosh Hashanah)

9/29: PTA General Membership Meeting

Dear Barton Community,

It is with mixed emotions that I write this letter to you all. I will be transitioning to Kilmer Elementary for the 25-26 school year. Thank you, Barton Community, for welcoming me 7 years ago and working alongside me to support all of our students. Walking into Barton is “like walking into a warm hug” as so many have shared and it's truly how I felt coming into work every day. The support that I have received from this community has been so rewarding, and I will miss being a part of Barton every day. I will always have a special place in my heart for my Eagles.

Have a great year Eagles!

Jackie McComb

School Counselor

Joyce Kilmer Elementary

jmccomb@chclc.org

WE hope you'll join us for an open house to preview our new All Purpose Room additions at six of our elementary schools. This major construction project was part of the $363 million bond referendum voters passed in 2022 to help improve our schools.

The open house will be on Monday, August 25th from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Visit any of the new APRs at Clara Barton, James Johnson, Kingston, A. Russell Knight, Horace Mann, or Joseph D. Sharp Elementary Schools!

Rubber sole shoes only

NO HIGH HEELS,

NO FOOD, DRINKS or SNACKS.

NO Sharp objects.

There are no bleachers in the APR

Meet Mrs. Jennifer Murphy, the newest member of our Educational Assistant Team! A lifelong Eagles and Phillies fan, Mrs. Murphy enjoys time with her family—especially her two beautiful granddaughters. This summer she loved reading and spending time at the beach, but she is most excited to meet her new CBE family and officially join the Eagles’ Nest!

Our new APR is beautiful, and we can't wait for students to enjoy it this fall. From high-energy games to schoolwide events, it will be a space filled with joy and movement. Our new playground is also coming together, with finishing touches happening now. It's looking amazing and we are so excited for all the fun and adventures ahead!

Family Day at Clara Barton Elementary is a cherished school-wide tradition where classes pair across grade levels to build community and foster meaningful connections. Together, students engage in activities that focus on social-emotional learning, character development through our “We Are” words, and teamwork through games and reflection. It’s a time for students to strengthen peer relationships, celebrate school spirit by wearing their CBE gear, and take pride in being part of the CBE family.

Dear Clara Barton Elementary School Community,

This summer I celebrated an exciting accomplishment. I successfully passed my dissertation defense and am completing my Doctorate in Educational Leadership. This achievement represents years of study, perseverance, and growth, and it has strengthened my commitment to creating meaningful learning experiences for every child at Barton.

With that same sense of pride and purpose, I welcome you to the 2025–2026 school year. I am honored to begin my fourth year as Principal of Clara Barton Elementary and to continue the journey we have been building together. Reflecting on my time with the Cherry Hill Public School family, I am filled with gratitude for the relationships we have built and the successes we have shared, and I am eager to welcome both new and returning families into our community.

My path in education has always been guided by a love of learning and a belief in every child’s potential. I began my career in the Waterford Township School District, where I taught both 2nd and 5th grade. My passion for literacy led me back to Rowan University to earn a Master’s in Reading along with a Reading Specialist Certification, which deepened my commitment to ensuring all children have the skills to thrive. I also remain connected to higher education as an Adjunct Professor at Rowan, teaching courses in reading and literacy development.

From there, my journey into leadership began. I earned a Master’s in School Administration, which paved the way for my role as Assistant Principal at Voorhees Middle School. Those experiences prepared me for the honor of leading at Barton, where I continue to grow alongside our dedicated staff and remarkable students. Each step, from teaching in the classroom to mentoring teachers and now guiding a school community, has shaped my approach as a leader and strengthened my belief in safe, inclusive, student-centered schools.

On a personal note, I am also a proud mom. This year I am sending Kingston off to 3rd grade, Arianna off to 9th grade, and Aja into her junior year at Howard University where she is studying Biology and Chemistry. Just like many of you, I share the excitement, nerves, and pride that come with watching my own children grow and step into new chapters of their educational journeys.

At Barton, every year brings new beginnings filled with excitement, growth, and possibility. From our youngest Little Eagles just starting their school journey to our fifth-grade leaders preparing for their next chapter, each student contributes to the energy and promise of our community. As principal, I am inspired daily by the joy of watching our students learn, grow, and discover who they are becoming.

I look forward to working closely with families and staff as true partners in this important work.

Together we will celebrate accomplishments, overcome challenges, and ensure that every child leaves Barton with confidence, curiosity, and a love of learning that lasts well beyond elementary school.

Please know that my door is always open. I welcome your ideas, your feedback, and your support as we begin another memorable year together.

Enjoy the rest of your summer, and I can’t wait to see you soon.

Warm regards,
Dr. Kizee
Principal, Clara Barton Elementary School