Principal Queiruga's Weekly Update

Happy Friday! This week we continued to recognize Women's History Month. The penny wars have begun and students are permitted to participate during homeroom time each morning. We are also getting closer to the end of marking period 3. Please continue to check Genesis on a regular basis and contact your child's teachers or counselor if you have any questions.

Please click here for this week's Panther TV Episode: Episode 23

As we look towards next week, there are only 2 weeks left of the marking period. Our 7th grade trip is also scheduled for March 27th. We will also celebrate World Down Syndrome Day on Monday with a crazy sock spirit day.

As always, please review the reminders below:

March 21st is World Down Syndrome Day—a day to raise awareness and celebrate individuals with Down syndrome, a genetic condition caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21. The date, 3/21, represents this extra third copy of the 21st chromosome.

MONDAY to show our support, join our spirit day by wearing crazy, mismatched socks and blue and yellow. Let’s celebrate our differences and show that everyone belongs!

Attendance Matters: As we enter the second half of the school year, a reminder that student attendance is crucial and has a direct impact on learning and student achievement now and in the future. For example, when a student misses 2 days of school a month, they miss 10% of the school year. This adds up to missing 30 hours of math and language arts in a year!

Item Drop Offs & Visitors: As a reminder from our student handbook, no deliveries are permitted throughout the day. This includes dropping off items such as lunch, water, clothing, laptops, money, cell phones, or forgotten academic items such as books, homework, or projects. Visitors are required to have a scheduled appointment in advance. No entry will be allowed without prior appointment.

Drinks: As a reminder, students are only permitted to carry water with them throughout the day. Please ensure your child only brings water to drink during the school day.

Guidance Counselor Update: Ms. Geremakis is currently on maternity leave. During this time, for students with last names starting with A-L, please contact Ms. Moore at amoorepak@rpsd.org or Ms. Alija at salija@rpsd.org.

8th Grade Committee: Please click on the picture for information about a clothing drive.

Penny Wars: Please click on the picture for more information.

RPMS Clubs: Please click on the link for the club calendar: 25-26 RPMS Club Calendar. For anyone joining a club or sport, there is a pay to play fee of $25. This will cover any clubs/sports for your child. The form is available in the main office.

Student IDs: Students are required to have their IDs at all times during the school day. This includes during lunch periods.

Food Items: Please note that due to food allergies, any food items being brought for celebrations must be approved in advance.

Please click on the attachment below for an update from Nurse Pereira.

Bike Safety: I would like to reiterate the importance of bike safety as many students ride bikes to school on a daily basis. Daily announcements are also made as reminders, as it has been reported that students have been seen riding bikes through the middle of the parking lot. This poses a safety concern. Please speak to your child regarding safety when riding a bike.

Laptops: Please remind students that laptops must remain in their cases at all times to reduce probability of damage. Laptops should also be charged each night to bring them prepared for the following day. Damage to laptops will be strictly monitored.

Attendance: Please carefully review the attendance procedures, as explained in the Student Handbook: Attendance Procedures If you have any questions about attendance, please email Ms. Paterno at mpaterno@rpsd.org. A gentle reminder that students must be in their homerooms by 8:06 to be marked present and not tardy. Anyone arriving to homeroom after 8:06 will be marked tardy.

Student Dress Code: Please carefully review the student dress code, as explained in the Student Handbook: Student Dress Code A few gentle reminders as we start the year: Crocs must be in sport mode (with the straps up). No slide style shoes are permitted. Midriffs should not be visible and spaghetti strap tops can be worn only with another shirt over them.

Student Code of Conduct: Please carefully review the student code of conduct, as explained in the Student Handbook: Student Code of Conduct

Allergy and Diet Friendly Menus: Pomptonian is committed to providing allergy and diet safe menus for students with food restrictions. If your child requires a specialized diet, please complete the appropriate google form on the Pomptonian Page on our website also linked here. If the specific diet your child requires is not listed, please fill out the form stating "other" and someone from Pomptonian will work with your family to meet your child's requirements.

Pomptonian se compromete a ofrecer menús aptos para alergias y dietas para estudiantes con restricciones alimentarias. Si su hijo/a requiere una dieta especializada, complete el formulario de Google correspondiente en la página de Pomptonian en nuestro sitio web también disponible aquí Si la dieta específica que su hijo/a requiere no aparece en la lista, complete el formulario indicando "otra" y un miembro de Pomptonian trabajará con su familia para satisfacer sus necesidades.

PTA: The PTA is looking for parents to join this year. Children of parents who attend meetings will receive a homework pass to use in school. Please consider joining in order to support our school community. The PTA sponsors many events throughout the year and also fundraises for end of year activities such as our schoolwide picnic. Please click on the picture to open up the PTA Flyer.

Please use the following link to join the PTA: https://rpmspta1.givebacks.com/shop/items/781556

The next PTA meeting is scheduled for April 1, 2026.

The next SEPAG meeting is scheduled for March 23rd.

Please join us for our next meeting on Monday, March 23, 2026, at 6:30. Julia Fox of the Hinkle, Prior, Fischer & Oberweis law firm will present “What You Should Know About Special Education: Rights and Responsibilities.”

This workshop will focus on providing an understanding of the fundamental rights in special education, including stay-put, education in the least restrictive environment, and independent evaluations.

We look forward to seeing you!

Date: Monday, March 23, 2026
Time: 6:30 PM
Location / Zoom:
In-person watch party at

Anthony Signorello Youth Center, 2nd floor
234 Chestnut St
Roselle Park, NJ 07204

Light refreshments will be served.

If you would like to join virtually, registration is required. Please follow this link or scan the QR code below:

https://hinkle1.zoom.us/meeting/register/bdk6j4osQpesgLl235xnjw

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

If you need assistance, please contact your child's guidance counselor.

Ms. Alija at salija@rpsd.org or Ms. Moore at amoorepak@rpsd.org (last name A-L)

Ms. Jackson at djackson@rpsd.org (last name M-Z)

Ms. Murphy at cmurphy@rpsd.org

March 20: Shortened Session for Students- Dismissal at 12:20, No Lunch Served

March 21: World Down Syndrome Day

March 23: SEPAG Meeting

March 27: 7th Grade Trip

Dr. Seuss

Address: 57 W Grant Avenue

Roselle Park, NJ 07204

Website: https://ms.rpsd.org/