Bragg Parent Newsletter Summer 2025

August 2025

Dear Bragg School Students and Families,

As we gear up for the upcoming school year, I am thrilled to address you all with great anticipation! The start of a new school year is always an exciting time, and we at Bragg School are eagerly looking forward to welcoming everyone back. The beginning of a new year always brings a sense of possibility, and our entire team is committed to making it a year filled with growth, achievement, and connection.

Our doors will open on Thursday, September 4, 2025, and preparations have been in full swing. Mrs. Angulo and our dedicated office staff have been working diligently to ensure everything is ready for a smooth opening day. Meanwhile, our teachers are engaged in professional development, setting up their classrooms, and preparing materials to create a warm and productive learning environment.

We are also excited to welcome several new members to our Bragg School family: Mrs. Haggerty (CAAP Teacher), Ms. Cassels (4th-grade teacher), and Mrs. Balzano, our new assistant in the main office. They bring fresh energy, talent, and dedication to our school community, and we are delighted to have them join us.

At Bragg School, we are committed to supporting the growth and development of every student. This year, we will place a special emphasis on helping our students become confident leaders while continuing to strengthen the collaborative partnership among parents, students, and staff. Together, we will create a safe, nurturing environment where all students can thrive both academically and socially.

Mark Your Calendar:
Our Open House will be held on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, from 2:30–3:30 p.m. This is a wonderful opportunity for students and parents to explore the building, locate classrooms, and become familiar with key locations. You will also have the chance to meet the teachers and staff who will be working with your children this year.

Arrival & Drop-Off Reminders:
The school day arrival time begins at 8:30 a.m., with the drop-off window ending at 8:45 a.m. Any student arriving after that time must be walked inside by a parent and signed in using our Ident-A-Kid system.

We look forward to an amazing year ahead and cannot wait to see our students on the first day of school.

Sincerely yours,

Peter Mercurio

Principal of Bragg School

• Prior to the first day of school, please log-in and confirm that the Pick-Up Patrol "Default Plan" is accurate. As was the case last school year, your child(ren) must have a default plan in Pick-Up Patrol to ensure they are sent to the correct location at dismissal.
• During the school year please utilize Pick-Up Patrol to report absences and dismissal information.
• Regardless of the pick-up option you have chosen, please include the name of the person picking up your child. If your default option is to pick-up your child but there are different people picking up your child on certain days, please include their names in the appropriate note section. The specific days are not necessary, just permission to dismiss to them.
• Pick-Up Patrol does not accept plan changes after 2:30pm daily. After that time, you must call Bragg School to update your child(ren)'s dismissal plan for the day.

General Arrival Information

• Drop-off begins at 8:30 am. There is no supervision prior to 8:30 am.

• School begins at 8:45 am. Students who arrive after 8:45 am are considered tardy. You must park and walk your child inside. Students should not sign themselves into school.

Drop-Off Line Logistics

• Safety is our top priority and is everyone's responsibility.

• The Bragg School drop-off is in the lot between Dickerson & Bragg.

• Please wait until you pass the crosswalk to release your child(ren) (unless a staff member provides other directions). Do not block the crosswalk.

• Please wait in line to exit; do not pass other cars, as it poses a danger to anyone walking in the parking lot.

• Students should exit on the CURBSIDE ONLY unless it is unavoidable.

• Drop off is “kiss and go”; drivers should remain in the vehicle.

• If you would like to walk your child to the door or if drop-off requires the driver to exit the vehicle, please park in the lot.

• Please input your alternate pick-up information into Pick-Up Patrol.
• Upon arrival, please sign your child out via the Ident-A-Kid system found in our vestibule. This system is separate from Pick-Up Patrol and is connected to our formal attendance records.
• If you are picking your child up during the school day, please arrive before 3:15pm. After that time (save for emergency situations) you must wait for dismissal to begin to pick-up your child(ren).

General Dismissal Information

• Dismissal begins at 3:20 PM.

• Please keep your pick-up information accurate in Pick-Up Patrol. We use the information to make sure your child(ren) are dismissed to the appropriate location and the appropriate adult.

End of Day Pick-Up Information

• Parents picking up children at dismissal must park their vehicles and line up outside the Bragg School main entrance. (A map is included below).

• Please form one line to the left of the main entrance. After you tell Mr. Jala your pick-up information, please stand on the right side of the main entrance.

• Students will exit from both of the main entrance doors. The staff members stationed at the doors will ask students to identify the adult picking them up before the student exits the school. If the person present is not on your pick-up list or in PowerSchool as an emergency contact, we will let you know for clarification.

• In the case that the person listed in the default plan is not picking up your child(ren) on a given date, please update the system.

• Available parking locations include: the lot between Bragg & Dickerson schools, the lot in front of Dickerson, and the lower lot to the side of Bragg(closed during the end of day dismissal).
  
• There is NO PARKING in the fire lane at any time of the day.
• Handicapped designation is required to park in the reserved parking space.

ALLERGIES and our NUT FREE Policy

We have 320+ fabulous children in our school, each of them precious to us. In order to keep them all safe, we ask that you are familiar with and follow the Board Policies about Allergies. You can click below for the Regulation and the Policy.

We will have a time for snacks during the day. Please ensure that the food eaten in the classrooms does not contain peanuts/tree nuts, and refrain from sharing.

Please help us keep everyone safe.

https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1720730168/chesternjorg/v4dm2yvzqrtiwbstdpwj/foodallergypolicy23.pdf

https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1720730169/chesternjorg/dwj0zrpkdeec4zqydqdi/regulation23foodallergies.pdf

The Application for Free and Reduced-Price School Meals is available to families who wish to apply. Please contact Darnell Angulo at 908-879-5324, and an application will be mailed to you.

YOU MUST APPLY AGAIN EVERY YEAR!

El Distrito Escolar de Chester participa en el Programa Nacional de Almuerzos.

La Solicitud de comidas escolares gratuitas y de precio reducido está disponible para las familias que deseen presentar una solicitud.

Comuníquese con Darnell Angulo al 908-879-5324 y se le enviará una solicitud por correo.

¡DEBE APLICAR DE NUEVO CADA AÑO!

As per Dr. Kochis and Mr. Fracella's letters about the lunch program update: "Chester School District’s brand-new Chef Program has been officially approved and will launch this school year! Fresh, scratch-made meals will be prepared each day by a trained chef and feature whole foods with fresh fruits and vegetables. Every meal will continue to include fresh fruits and vegetables from the farm stand, milk, and a variety of entrée options, including vegetarian meals and fresh salads. In addition, we will offer both a Traditional Menu and a Chef’s Menu daily, giving students the opportunity to choose between familiar favorites and innovative, chef-prepared dishes. This exciting shift means our students will enjoy meals they not only need but also want to eat. More information about how to access meals and pricing information will be provided prior to the start of school. "

Bragg School Open House: 9/3/25 from 2:30 - 3:30.

School Begins: 9/4/25

Back to School Night: 9/16 at 6:30

Bragg School Pictures: Thursday, September 18, 2025

Bragg & Dickerson Ice Cream Social @ Dickerson School: 9/19 at 4:00

Please go directly to www.chesterpto.com and renew your PTO membership

The Chester PTO is gearing up for another great school year! The Chester PTO is a vital part of our school community that funds many of the programs, clubs, and activities that our children enjoy throughout the school year. Before the year begins, we wanted to remind you that by joining and supporting the PTO, all of the funds that are raised throughout the year go directly back into our schools and your child’s classroom.

The foundation is a New Jersey not-for-profit corporation. Its mission is to enhance the quality and breadth of education in the schools by obtaining funds from a variety of sources to provide opportunities to develop and maintain innovative programs that will enrich the learning experiences of all Chester students.

For more information, visit the website: www.chesteredf.org

I encourage everyone to learn about our school and the Chester School District by visiting http://www.chester-nj.org. Click on Our School and drop down to Bragg to see the up-to-date Google calendar. You can also find the parent handbook and other helpful items.

Mr. Peter Mercurio, Principal

Email: mailto:Peter.Mercurio@Chester-nj.org
Website: https://www.chester-nj.org/bragg
Location: 250 Route 24, Chester, NJ 07930, USA
Phone: (908) 879-5324