Dragons' Dish

Dear Allenwood Elementary School Families,

What a wonderful start to the school year! Thank you to all of the families who joined us for Back to School Night and our first PTG meeting. Your involvement and support make such a positive difference in our school community.

If you have not already done so, I encourage every family to consider joining the PTG and volunteering for one or more events throughout the year. Our volunteers are what make so many of the fun and memorable experiences possible for our students. From special events to celebrations, these activities simply cannot happen without the time and support of our families. We would love to have you be part of the team!

Please take a moment to nominate an Allenwood educator for the Governor's Educator of the Year Award using the link below. This is an opportunity to recognize a teacher or staff member who has made a meaningful difference in the lives of our students.

With cooler weather upon us, please remember to write your child's name inside coats, jackets, sweatshirts, hats, and other clothing items. If something is accidentally left outside or misplaced, having a name inside makes it much easier for us to return it to its owner.

All students have now completed their iReady and DIBELS assessments. These assessments provide our teachers with valuable information about each student's current academic needs and strengths. Our teachers are using this information to better understand where students are academically and to plan instruction, support, and enrichment to help every Dragon grow.

Halloween will be here before we know it! As you begin selecting a costume for your child, please keep the following guidelines in mind:

• Simplicity: Costumes should be simple enough for students to sit comfortably and follow all school safety protocols throughout the day.
• Visibility and Breathing: Masks should not obstruct your child's vision or breathing.
• Mobility: Costumes must allow students to safely navigate stairs and move throughout the building.
• Inflatable Costumes: Inflatable costumes are not permitted at school for safety reasons.
• Safety and Respect: Allenwood values a respectful and non-violent school environment. Costumes featuring dripping blood, toy weapons, or items resembling weapons are not permitted.
• Classroom Party Volunteers: If a parent/guardian is volunteering to assist with a classroom party, siblings, including infants, may not attend the classroom party.

Thank you for helping us make Halloween a fun, safe, and enjoyable experience for all of our Dragons!

Upcoming Events

October 2 – Picture Day
October 5–9 – Week of Respect & Book Fair (see flyer below)

October 8 - PTG Meeting, 6:00 PM
October 13 – Board of Education Meeting, 7:00 PM
October 14 – Dragons' Den during Lunch/Recess

Thank you, as always, for your continued partnership and support of our Allenwood community. Together, we make Allenwood a special place for our Dragons to learn, grow, and thrive.

With Dragon Pride,

James Sterenczak
Principal

Thank you Mrs. Cimino and the tireless PTG Board for a year full of enriching and

fun experiences. Please consider being an active member of the Allenwood PTG.

Whether your child is entering elementary, middle, or high school, the start of a new school year brings a mix of excitement, anticipation, and sometimes a little uncertainty. While each stage of development presents unique experiences, there are a few universal strategies that can help students of all ages feel prepared, connected, and confident.

1. Get Back into a Routine
A week or two before school starts, begin returning to school-year routines. Younger children can practice bedtime and morning routines, while older students can reset sleep schedules and organize school materials.

2. Build a Sense of Belonging
Connecting with familiar peers can make returning to school feel easier. Plan a playdate for younger children or encourage older students to connect with friends before the first day.

3. Get Familiar with the School Routine
Help your child know what to expect. Younger children can practice drop-off, while older students can review schedules, transportation, locker combinations, or classroom locations.

4. Encourage Voice and Agency
Help your child practice speaking up, asking for help, and solving everyday problems. Talk through situations such as forgetting lunch, getting lost, missing the bus, or needing help. Older students can practice emailing a teacher or asking a question on their own.

5. Talk About Their Feelings
Make time to talk about excitement, worry, or uncertainty. Help your child make a simple plan, such as talking to a Trusted Adult, reaching out to a friend, or asking a teacher for help.

Building on our September Ready, Set, Belong: ALL Means ALL kickoff, Wall Township Public Schools will continue our focus on belonging, respect, safety, and healthy choices throughout October.

We will celebrate Week of Respect, October 5–9, with activities promoting kindness, positive relationships, respect, and belonging. Our schools will also participate in New Jersey Goes Gold & Blue, reinforcing our commitment to respect and bullying prevention.

During Unity Week (School Violence Awareness Week), October 19–23, our school community will focus on unity, trusted adults, positive relationships, and school safety.

Red Ribbon Week, October 23–30, will be celebrated with students at the secondary level, promoting healthy, drug-free choices through engaging, age-appropriate activities.

Throughout the month, ALL Means ALL reminds us that we each play a role in creating a school community where everyone feels connected, valued, safe, and supported.

Below are some of the activities scheduled for Week of Respect. Be on the lookout for information from your school about additional activities planned for Unity Week and Red Ribbon Week.

Monmouth ACTS ResourceConnect
Monmouth ACTS ResourceConnect offers Monmouth County residents a simple way to connect with a wide range of local services and supports. ResourceConnect can help connect families with food, housing assistance, medical care, employment programs, mental health services, child care, and more. For additional assistance or help connecting with resources, please contact your child’s school counselor.

Lack of Permanent Housing
If your family is experiencing economic hardship or does not have permanent housing, please visit the McKinney-Vento webpage for important information about your rights and available resources.

District Homeless Education Liaison
Tiffany Steiner
tsteiner@wallpublicschools.org
732.556.2657