Belleville School #9 Newsletter

🍎Principal's Message🍏

Dear School 9 Families,

🍂 November is upon us, bringing cooler weather, shorter days, and opportunities to reflect on all we have to be thankful for. It was wonderful to see our students dressed in costumes and our families coming together for our Halloween Parade. Thank you to our teachers and staff for helping create a fun and memorable experience for our school community.

🌟 At School Number 9, we are committed to providing a safe, supportive, and engaging learning environment where every student can grow academically, socially, and emotionally. We are grateful for our caring teachers, paraprofessionals, office staff, custodians, and food service staff, whose dedication makes a difference each day. We also appreciate our supportive families and our incredible students, who bring curiosity, enthusiasm, and energy to our classrooms.

⏰ Every day matters—every minute counts! From 8:35 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., students have 400 minutes each school day for instruction, social activities, and learning. When a student misses 5 days of school, they miss 2,000 minutes of these valuable opportunities. Missing 10 days means losing 4,000 minutes. Late arrivals and early pickups also add up, reducing time for learning and connecting with classmates.

🏫 Doors open at 8:15 a.m., and students should arrive no later than 8:35 a.m., ready to learn. Please make daily attendance and punctuality a priority and avoid early pickups unless absolutely necessary. If your child will be absent, please call the School 9 Main Office by 9:00 a.m. at 973-450-3500, extension 3902. 📞

🧥 As colder weather approaches, please ensure your child comes to school dressed appropriately, including a warm coat and other seasonal clothing as needed. Please label coats, sweatshirts, and other belongings with your child’s name so misplaced items can be returned.

💙💛 Please stay connected through our school communications, website, and social media, and consider joining the School 9 HSA to help support our students and school community. Thank you for your continued partnership throughout the 2026–2027 school year. Please contact me with any questions or concerns. Our doors are always open!

Joseph Rotonda
Principal