Dear KRS families,
Every January for the last 19 years, I have traveled to Disney to participate in the Disney Marathon Weekend. It began as a fun way to share my love of running with my children and then it became a quest to maintain my "Perfect Goofy" status. (There are only 52 of us remaining.) One of the highlights of this year's challenge was knowing that former KRS student Emily Sanderson was also participating in the marathon. Her very first marathon ever! Congratulations to Emily for her completion of the marathon! It is such a privilege to be part of the Madison community and a joy to celebrate a member's accomplishments. Have a fantastic weekend!
Sincerely,
Dr. Kathy Koop
Important Dates
January 15, 2024 - Kindergarten and New First Grade Registration Opened
January 23, 2024 - Enrichment Classes Begin
January 24, 2024 - Magic in You Assembly
February 1, 2024 - March 1, 2024 - Black History Month
February 19, 2024 - Presidents' Day - Schools Closed
February 20, 2024 - In-Service - Staff Only
March 13, 2024 - STEAM Fair 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM KRS Multi-Purpose Room
March 21, 2024 - 4Th Grade Talent Show - KRS Multi-Purpose Room - Time: TBD
March 29, 2024 - Good Friday - Schools Closed
April 1 - 5, 2024 - Spring Break, Schools Closed
April 24, 2024 - Art Show/Reading Night - Art Show 6:00 PM Reading Night - 6:30 - 7:30 PM
Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day is coming soon and we are super excited to begin planning for such a fun day for your children. Valentine’s Day will be celebrated in all three elementary schools on Wednesday, February 14, 2024. There will be classroom parties and Valentine’s Day cards.
Valentine’s Day Cards - We request that you adhere to the following guidelines:
No candy of any kind may be distributed with the cards.
The cards must be brought to school no later than Monday, February 12, 2024. This will allow for the cards to be distributed before the special day.
If you elect to participate in the Valentine’s Day Card exchange, it is expected that your child gives a card to every classmate.
As Valentine’s Day approaches, it is necessary to remind parents of the potentially life threatening danger of food allergies to certain students in our school.
The issue of food allergies can be incredibly serious for many students. Peanut and tree nut products are particularly problematic, but other foods such as dairy, eggs and wheat can also cause students health problems. The extreme end of the spectrum in terms of a health risk is anaphylaxis, when the bodily systems experience a shut down due to exposure to the substance in question.
This danger is particularly acute during holiday celebrations, when consuming goodies is the order of the day. If you are a child whose safety depends upon never consuming the wrong food, a party is a true obstacle course. With certain children, even bodily contact with the wrong substance can be disastrous.
As we approach Valentine’s Day and the holiday parties, please keep the following in mind:
Please refer to the elementary food allergy guidelines for additional information.
Nut products are forbidden in “nut-free classrooms”. Please carefully adhere to classroom guidelines.
Students must consume all goodies within the class during the party. Goody bags and other treats designed to leave the class with the students are forbidden.
Crafts and activities involving nut products are forbidden.
All products should be packaged with the ingredients listed.
If you have any questions pertaining to holiday celebrations, please consult your child’s teacher or the school nurse.
Star Assessments
The second administration of the Star assessments (Grades 1-5) and the Star Curriculum-Based Measurement (CBM) (kindergarten) assessments will occur during the month of January. Families will receive the scores in late January/early February. For more information about the Star assessments, please refer to this webpage - https://www.renaissance.com/family-resources-star-assessments/.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Black History Month
As part of our celebration of Martin Luther King Jr, students and teachers will engage in classroom discussions about inclusivity, tolerance, peace, and how we may make the world a better place. Media specialist Mr. Locke is providing books in the library for students and teachers to read during the classroom discussions. Students will write their ideas about peacefulness and how to make the world a better place on peace signs. The peace signs will be displayed in our school as a large mural in honor of Dr. King.
Morning Announcements - Fifth graders will read about Dr. King during the morning announcements beginning today and all next week.
Classes - Students and teachers will engage in additional activities in their classes, which will include:
Kindergarten: Kindergarten will read LET'S FIND OUT (Scholastic News) as an introduction to MLK and what JUSTICE means. Students will also explore other african american historical figures: Ruby Bridges, George Washington Carver, and Jackie Robinson
First Grade: First graders will learn about influential people both in the past and present. They will explore PebbleGo and Epic to pick a famous person to learn about. Students will write why this person was/is famous and create a poster to present teaching their class about this person. Posters will be displayed in the hallway during the month of February.
Second Grade: Person of the Day- Students will be learning about a person each day for the month of February. People that are not only historical figures but also who are relevant to the current day. Like the person who created the Super Soaker!!
Traditional Literature Reading Unit - Within our reading unit on traditional literature, second graders are reading stories from around the globe. One such story is an African folk tale called, “A Story, A Story”
Third Grade: Third graders will read the book “I Am Martin”. Each student will get a quote from the book, and will have to illustrate that quote based on their understanding of the concept. With that, students will learn about various influential African American heroes.
Fourth Grade: Fourth graders will read the book “Martin’s Big Words” and discuss important vocabulary. Fourth graders will research influential African American heroes and present important details about the person they chose.
Fifth Grade: Fifth Graders will be introduced to the achievements of historical African Americans through Scholastic News, Readworks, etc. Students will participate in class discussions and reflection activities. Students will watch “Our Friend Martin” and discuss achievements made by Dr. King. Students will also interpret and illustrate quotes by MLK.
Special Area Subjects - Related activities will also be conducted in the areas of art, music, library, and STEAM.
Smartwatches
Please see the important information below which is also included in the KRS Students and Parents Handbook.
In recent years many students have come to school wearing smart watches. While many watches are useful for students and track steps or sleep, they can also become distracting during the school day. Watches used in inappropriate ways (playing games, recording, taking pictures, alarms going off, texting, making phone calls, etc.) will be confiscated for the day and will require a parent/guardian to pick it up in the main office. Please have a conversation with your child if you allow them to wear a smart watch on the appropriate use of it during the school day.
Parents are also asked to refrain from texting/calling their child on the smart watch during the school day but rather to call the main office if you need to contact your child. In a change of plans dismissal scenario, students will not be dismissed without notice from the parent/guardian to the teacher and/or school office.
Important Reminders - Dismissal, Early Pick-Up, Visitors/Drop-Off Items, Attendance, Tardiness
Please see below for friendly reminders from the KRS Students and Parents Handbook.
Dismissal Procedures
The students will be dismissed at 3:15 PM on regular school days directly from their classrooms to the car line, to walk home, or to meet an adult. Once the adult maintains contact with the child, it is imperative that they leave the school property immediately to avoid the congestion that usually occurs with dismissal. If you are waiting for a student(s) in the car line, please do not leave your
car in the pick-up line. Staff will be available to ensure that your child enters your vehicle
safely. Student walkers should also leave the school property immediately and not congregate at
the bottom of the hill.
Early Pick-Up Procedures
We realize that in some extenuating circumstances, you may need to pick-up your child early
from school. Please provide the school with as much advance notice as possible. In the event of
an early pick-up, notify your child’s teacher AND school secretary Mrs. Guzewicz. Students
must be picked up in the school office by a parent/guardian or a person previously authorized to
pick up your child. Proper identification will be required. A student will not be released to any
individual without notice and parental consent.
Visitors/Drop-Off Items
If you have to pick up your child for an appointment or have to change arrival/dismissal you will
need to contact the main office. Any drop-off items should be placed in the container outside the
front entrance of the school.
Attendance
Due to the importance of school attendance related to the overall success of the students, school
attendance is carefully monitored by the district, the school, and New Jersey Department of
Education. It is extremely important that your child attends school regularly. (District Policy
5200). Please communicate any student absences to the office as soon as possible.
All students are required to be in their homerooms, no later than 8:40 AM. Parents/guardians are
required to notify a student’s absence as soon as possible. Please email your child’s teacher, Mrs.
Guzewicz at guzewicza@madisonnjps.org and Nurse Moran at morang@madisonnjps.org. If
needed, you may also call the attendance line at (973) 593-3178 and press 1. Please contact your
child’s teacher for missed schoolwork.
Tardiness
It is extremely important that your child reports to school on time. However, we realize that there
may be circumstances that warrant a late arrival. Please notify the school of your child’s
tardiness as soon as possible. Students who arrive later than 8:40 AM must be escorted to the
main office by a parent/guardian.
Outdoor Recess
The KRS students will have outdoor recess during the cold weather months. Indoor recess will be held only if the temperature is exceptionally low and/or the weather conditions are unsafe for the students. Please send your child to school with labeled outdoor wear (coats, gloves, mittens, hats, etc...) suitable for cold weather outdoor recess time. Thank you!
Student Attendance
Student school attendance is critical for the overall school success of your child. Madison Public Schools District Regulation 5200 - Student Attendance, outlines the many aspects of student attendance including the possible actions for unexcused student absences. In the case of 4 or more cumulative unexcused absences, the school is required to notify the parents. If you need assistance with your child attending school, please contact your child's teacher or the KRS school counselor Mr. Levine.
