Family Knightline

ARK Family,

I am so excited for your children and for you as we prepare to return to school on Wednesday, September 2nd! The eight day countdown is officially on!

I hope you’ve had a wonderful summer and are able to enjoy this final week before we get back into the swing of things here at Russell Knight. I have truly missed your children, and our staff is excited and eager to welcome them back.

We are confident that this is going to be an incredible school year. It is another opportunity for us to pour into your children, help them discover their strengths, and watch them grow physically, emotionally, socially, and intellectually.

Most importantly, we get to partner with you in helping your children grow into kind, confident, capable human beings who make a positive difference in the lives of others.

Please remember that Wednesday, September 2nd is a 1:00 p.m. dismissal. Thursday, September 3rd will be our first full day of school.

Enjoy these final days of summer. We can’t wait to see your children on September 2nd!

Warm Regards,

Mr. Gene Park

Principal, A. Russell Knight Elementary

Click here for School Supply Lists.

One of the greatest gifts we can give children as they transition back to school is predictability. Children feel more secure and confident when they know what to expect. After the more relaxed pace of summer, gradually reestablishing routines can make those first days of school much easier.

A few ways to help your child get school-ready:

• Reset sleep schedules. Begin moving bedtime and wake-up time closer to the school-year schedule. A well-rested child is better prepared to learn and manage emotions.
• Practice the morning routine. Talk through and practice what mornings will look like: waking up, getting dressed, eating breakfast, packing up, and heading out the door.
• Create an evening routine. Choose a consistent place for backpacks, shoes, lunchboxes, and school materials. Preparing items the night before can make mornings calmer for everyone.
• Talk about what to expect. Review how your child will get to school, where they will go when they arrive, and what their school day might look like. Predictability helps reduce uncertainty.
• Make space for feelings. Excitement, nervousness, and even a little sadness about summer ending are all normal. Encourage your child to talk about what they are looking forward to and anything that may be worrying them.
• Build in healthy habits. Regular meals, plenty of water, physical activity, and adequate sleep help children have the energy and focus they need for a full school day.
• Keep routines simple and consistent. Children don't need a perfectly scheduled day. A few dependable routines—especially around mornings, meals, homework, and bedtime—can provide the structure they need to feel safe and successful.

The start of a new school year is a transition for the whole family, and it doesn't have to be perfect on Day One. With patience, encouragement, and predictable routines, children quickly settle into their new rhythm. Thank you for being our partners and for all you do to help our students begin the year feeling safe, confident, prepared, and excited to learn!

Due to the state's mandate of policies for the 2026-2027 school year, and subsequent timing of the release of guidance from the state, District paperwork will be sent out electronically on August 26 by 9:00 AM. Families whose paperwork is complete will be able to access teacher assignments, bus information, and schedules (at the secondary level), beginning August 28 by 9:00 AM.

Door Open to Students at 8:45 am. Please do not leave students unsupervised until 8:45 am when staff are available.

Students are dismissed at 3:30 pm.

Morning Arrival Procedures: ONLY for the First Day of School, September 2.

For the first day of school, Wednesday, September 2nd, we will use special arrival procedures to help students who may not yet know their teacher or classroom.

Beginning on the second day of school, Thursday, September 3rd, we will transition to our regular arrival procedures for the remainder of the school year.

For the first day, all students will gather on the blacktop located to the right of the building when facing the school.

• Bus riders: Staff will direct students to the blacktop.
• Walkers: Students should head directly to the blacktop.
• Parent drop-off: See image below.

• GUIDELINES FOR PARENT CAR DROP OFF
• Drivers will stay in the vehicle
• Students will exit the vehicle on the sidewalk side (not the middle of the road)
• Say goodbye quickly, and pull out so other vehicles can move in

We will have plenty of staff outside to welcome students and help them find their teachers and classrooms.

Again, these procedures are for the first day only. Beginning on second day (September 3rd), we will follow our regular arrival procedures.

Thank you for your patience and support as we help everyone get the school year off to a smooth start!

See image and video below for additional clarity on morning arrival logistics.

Here are our arrival procedures, beginning the second day of school, September 3rd and continuing for the rest of the year:

• Bus Riders: Buses will unload on the blacktop. Students will go directly to classrooms, guided by staff.

• Walkers: Enter through the main entrance at the front of the building and go directly to classrooms.

• Parent Drop-Off:

  • Rule of Thumb: Only drop off students when you are directly in front of the school building.

  1. Use the designated drop-off zones.
  2. Do NOT drop off before the bus drop off driveway (your child should not have to walk across the driveway entrance to enter the building) or on the crosswalk. This also blocks traffic.

• Pull forward as far as possible in the drop off zone, have your child ready to exit quickly, and move on so traffic flows smoothly.

• Please avoid stopping to chat or watching your child walk inside—this causes delays.

• If you wish to walk your child up to the entrance, park outside of the Drop Off Zone.

Thank you for helping us keep arrival safe and efficient!

Click the link below to watch a short video version of the arrival procedures.

Dismissal procedures, which begin on Day 1 and will remain in place for the rest of the school year.

• Bus riders will be called and dismissed to the blacktop, where they will board their buses.

• Walkers and parent pick-up students have two options:

  1. Parents may park away from the front of the building. For safety, please do not park anywhere directly in front of the school—from the staff parking lot across the front grounds—as this area is busy with foot and vehicle traffic.

  2. Parents and students may also arrange a designated meeting spot, such as a side street near the parking lot or along Old Iron Master Road. Students can walk there to meet their parent.

If you see a child you are familiar with at dismissal and they are not with a guardian, it's very thoughtful of you to check in on the child and think the right thing to do is to take them to their home.

Please do NOT do that.

Watch the video for the explanation.

Coming Soon.

Looking for activities, programs, events, and resources for your family? The Cherry Hill Public School District is pleased to share community information and opportunities with our families through the Community Bulletin Board on the district website.

The Community Bulletin Board is a great place to discover youth programs, family events, enrichment activities, local resources, and other opportunities available throughout Cherry Hill and the surrounding community. Be sure to check back often—new information is added regularly!

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD

August

8/26: parent forms to be completed in Genesis Parent Portal (Access to HR & Bus Info.)

8/31: Kindergarten Open House at 2:15 pm

8/31: LLD Classroom Open House at 2:15 pm

September

Hispanic Heritage Month

9/1: School Closed (Teacher In-Service)

9/2: 1st Day for Students (1pm Dismissal for Students)

9/3: Full Day of School

9/3: Ice Cream Social from 5:30 - 7 pm on the blacktop to the right of building

9/7: School Closed (Labor Day)

9/9: Back to School Night 6 - 8 pm --> detailed schedule forthcoming

9/11: Patriot Day

9/11: Rosh Hashanah Begins

9/14: PTA meeting in the Cafeteria at 7 pm

9/15: Hispanic Heritage Month Begins

9/17: Constitution Day

9/21: School Closed (Yom Kippur)

October

10/1: Glow Dance from 6:30 to 8:00 pm in the Gym (rear of building)

The supply lists for all classes can be located on the Knight website under the "Parent Information" tab.

Click here for supply lists.

District Broadcast Messages:

All parents/guardians should be receiving the broadcast messages from our Central Admin Team including CHPS Weekly, periodic district notices and reminders, and the CHPS Summer Postcard. If you are not receiving the emails from the sender, Public Information - publicinfo@chclc.org, please check your spam/junk folder and add this email to your Safe Senders List.

Email: epark@chclc.org
Website: www.knight.chclc.org
Location: 140 Old Carriage Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034
Phone: 856-428-0830
ARK PTA Facebook and Instagram

Knight's vision is to create a community where every member wakes up inspired and goes home fulfilled.

ARK Knights strive to live out the following core values: respect, responsibility, empathy, service, perseverance, effort, citizenship, and teamwork.