Welcome Back to School!

Dear Clara Barton Parents and Guardians,

Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year! As we embark on this new journey together, I am filled with excitement and pride, knowing that our school will soon be buzzing with the energy and enthusiasm of our students. This year, our theme is "We Are Proud," and it represents more than just words. It reflects our deep commitment to nurturing every aspect of our students’ growth and development.

"We Are Proud" is about:

• Celebrating Achievements: Recognizing and taking pride in the accomplishments, both big and small, that our students achieve throughout the year.
• Embracing Challenges: Encouraging our students to view challenges as opportunities for growth and learning, and supporting them as they navigate these experiences.
• Inspiring Our Children: Modeling genuine pride for our students, so they can confidently say, "I am proud of who I am, I am proud of what I accomplished, I am proud to be CBE."

Our school is more than just a place of learning; it is a community where each child is valued and supported. We are here to guide them, celebrate their successes, and help them grow into confident, capable individuals.

As we begin this new school year, I want to express how grateful I am to be part of this wonderful community. Together, we will make this a year of celebration and pride for our children.

Here’s to a fantastic year ahead!

Warm regards,

Ms. Kizee

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!

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 will post on or around 8/22/24

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 2024-2025 school year. The application period opened on August 1, 2024 and is ongoing. You may apply online at www.chclc.org/lunch or by submitting paper forms.

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.

Family Days at Clara Barton Elementary are a cherished monthly tradition where students and staff gather to celebrate togetherness. Through carefully paired grade level classes, these special days create a supportive environment that fosters friendships, collaborative learning, and the cultivation of core values. These gatherings nurture a sense of belonging and shared purpose within our school community.

Dear Clara Barton Elementary School Community,

It is with great pleasure that I introduce myself as the Principal of Clara Barton Elementary School! As we prepare to embark on the 2024-2025 school year, I am thrilled to begin my third year at Barton and continue the journey we’ve been building together.

I hope this message finds you enjoying a wonderful summer with your loved ones. Reflecting on the past two years with the Cherry Hill Public School family, I am filled with gratitude and excitement as we look ahead. The preparations for the upcoming school year are well underway, and I am eager to meet new students, parents, and community members as we build on our shared commitment to excellence.

As an advocate for lifelong learning, I am always seeking opportunities to grow professionally. My educational journey began with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and Writing from Rowan University, followed by teaching roles in both 2nd and 5th grades in Waterford Township School District. My passion for literacy led me back to Rowan for a Master’s in Reading and a Reading Specialist Certification. I also serve as an Adjunct Professor at Rowan, where I teach courses in reading and literacy development. My journey into Educational Leadership culminated in a Master’s in School Administration, which paved the way for my role as Assistant Principal at Voorhees Middle School. These experiences have profoundly shaped my approach as a leader, and I am committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and student-centered environment at Barton Elementary.

I am also excited to share that I am now in the dissertation phase of my Doctorate in Educational Leadership. This phase represents a critical milestone in my commitment to educational excellence, and I look forward to applying what I am learning to further enhance our school community. My passion lies in advocating for student achievement and instructional excellence. As educators, we have the privilege and responsibility to build relationships that inspire our students to believe in themselves and reach their full potential. I firmly believe that all children can learn and grow, and I am dedicated to working collaboratively with families, the community, and our dedicated staff to provide our students with a safe, innovative, and enriching educational experience.

Communication is a cornerstone of my leadership, and I want you to know that my door is always open. I look forward to continuing to build strong relationships with parents, guardians, and the entire Barton community as we work together to create the best possible learning environment for our students.

Please feel free to reach out to me at (856) 667-3303 or via email at ikizee@chclc.org.

Enjoy the remainder of your summer, and I look forward to seeing you soon!

Warm regards,

Idalis Kizee

Principal, Clara Barton Elementary School