Central Elementary Newsletter
October 2, 2026
Mission Statement
We, in the East Brunswick Public Schools, continually challenge ourselves to cultivate curious, compassionate, and confident learners who think deeply, act responsibly, and contribute purposefully to their communities and beyond, so they may lead lives of meaning, service, and positive impact.
Our House
Important Dates to Remember
10/1: Walk to School (meet at EBHS at 8:15-8:25, take picture, walk to Central)
10/5: Fire Prevention Assembly Gr 1,2-1:20-2pm , Gr 3,4-2:15-3pm
10/5-10/8: Theatre Week Practices in cafe 3:45-5:30
10/5-10/9: Respect Week
10/8 at 3:00 PM Conference Scheduling Opens
10/9: Theatre Week Performance at 7:00 PM
10/12: Picture Day
It's Respect Week, let's celebrate with Spirit Days!
Central kicked off the Walk to School event.
- This was the most well attended walk to school in 4 years! There were well over a hundred parents, staff and students. Keep shining and walking!
School's Out trip for Election Day!
Theater Week is back!
Theater week participants who are signed up should stay after school for rehearsal on Monday October 5th. Further information to follow by email.
Volunteer Sign Up Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050E4DA4AC23A5F49-65057265-theater
Late Arrival and Early Pick up Procedures:
- A few important reminders regarding our arrival and dismissal routines to ensure the safety and smooth operation of our school day.
- Late Arrival Guidelines
- Due to updated district security procedures, any student arriving at school after 9:05 AM must be signed in at the security vestibule by a parent or guardian, and the late sign-in form must be completed fully at the time of drop-off.
- Early Pick-Up and Dismissal Reminders
- If you need to pick your child up early from school, please notify us in advance whenever possible. Additionally, please ensure that early pick-ups occur by 3:00 PM. Picking up students after this time interferes with our afternoon dismissal procedures and safety protocols.
- Thank you in advance for your cooperation and support in keeping our routines running efficiently for everyone.
New Cell Phone Policy:
- In line with new state legislation and District Policy 5516, we ask for your help in reminding students that personal devices—like cell phones and smartwatches—must remain turned off and tucked away during the school day, on the bus, and in before/after-care. If a device is seen or heard during school zone times, it will be kept safely in the main office until a parent or guardian can come retrieve it.
- Thank you so much for partnering with us to keep our learning environment safe and focused, and remember that you can always reach your child during the day by calling our main office!
Job Opportunities:
- Do you have a few hours available while your children are at school? We currently have School Aide – Lunch/Recess positions available in our elementary schools!
- These are 2-hour positions, Monday–Friday, during the school day, making them a great option for parents who are looking to work while their children are in school.
- The School Aide helps support students during lunch and recess. A full job description can be found online at [ebnet.org/jobs]ebnet.org/jobs. If you or someone you know may be interested, please consider applying!
- We also have other part-time opportunities available, including Food Services, Instructional Assistants, Early Morning Program, and After School Program Activity Assistants. Visit https://jobs.redroverk12.com/org/EBPS to view current openings.
Contact Information at Central Elementary School:
Central Elementary School
371 Cranbury Road
East Brunswick, NJ 08816
(732) 613-6820 | Fax: (732) 734-0870
Dr. Michael Gaskell, Principal
Alexis Steeber, Administrative Assistant 732-613-6822
Main Office
Kim Goodger, Secretary 732-613-6823
Attendance/Dismissal Line 732-613-6820
Nurse
Lisa Carney, (732) 613-6824
Student Assistant Counselor
Sara Enis 732-613-6618
Arrival Procedures (8:55-9:00 AM)
Walkers/Drivers
- Door 2 Left Front Side of Building
- Drivers are asked to stay in line until child enters the building
- Please DO NOT exit your vehicle
Students riding bus
- For Transportation Information: Please check Parent Access under bus tab
- Arrive at bus stop 10-15 minutes early for both drop off and pick up
- Bus riders enter and exit the building through the Gym Lobby doors.
Changes to transportation
- Notify the main office ASAP. (deadline 2:30 PM)- using this form
- Arriving after 9:05 AM Students must brought in through security and signed in at the Main Office
Dismissal Procedures
ASK students and Bus students will be released first (just prior to 3:35)
Walkers/Car Riders:
All K-4 students will exit from Door 2; Pre-K exit from Door 3
K Parents/Guardians will wait outside Door 2. Pre-K student pick up is at door #3 where the orange cones are). All other grades please wait on the sidewalk until a staff member releases the student to you.
Parking and Traffic Safety are a priority
Please be patient as we get to know our new families ☺
Change in Dismissal Notification:
Contact the school if your child’s dismissal procedure is changing for
the day (i.e., not taking the bus home) NO LATER THAN 2:30 pm, by
emailing the form linked here
Kindergarten and Grade 1 students MUST have an adult at the bus stop to
receive them
When will my child eat lunch every day?
Full-Day Pre-K: Lunch 11:15
Kindergarten: Recess 11:15-11:45/ Lunch 11:45-12:15
Grade 1: Lunch 11:15-11:45/ Recess 11:45-12:15
Grade 2: Recess 11:50-12:20 Lunch 12:20-12:50
Grade 3 Lunch 11:50-12:20/ Recess 12:35-1:05
Grade 4 Lunch 12:15-:12:45/ Recess 12:45-1:15
Students will gather/be given their lunch tickets prior to going to lunch. Students will use these tickets to buy lunch and/or snack.
Students will be escorted to the lunchroom and sit in their assigned seat locations, the teacher on duty will call students by class or table to go to the lunch line.
Those families who are eligible for free and reduced lunch (you have to apply on the parent portal) use this barcode to get their lunch. Those parents who add money to their child's account also use the ticket to keep track of the child's balance. More information about school lunches can be found here.
Students are encouraged to buy snack at the same time that they purchase their lunch.
