Dear Catena Families,

Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year! We are excited to connect with your family and invite you as important partners in your child's learning and school experience at Joseph J. Catena School. There’s power in connections. A strong home-school connection benefits our students as they learn, grow, and become their best selves.

This year we welcome some new staff members!

• Mrs. Bianca Boysen, Special Education Teacher

• Mrs. Carola Fernandez, Spanish Teacher

• Miss MaryKate McNamara, Special Education Teacher

• Ms. Leanne Mercadante, LDTC (LDS & JJCS)

• Mrs. Darille Rapisarda, Elementary Teacher LOA position

• Miss Kerry Rushnak, Special Education Teacher

• Miss Emily Streeter, Elementary Teacher LOA position

• Mrs. Claire Talarico, School Psychologist

• Mrs. Angela Bernstein, Teacher Assistant

• Miss Julia Buffa, Teacher Assistant

• Mrs. Michele Caruso, Teacher Assistant

• Ms. Kristen Chomicki, Teacher Assistant

• Ms. Jessica Forte, Teacher Assistant

• Mrs. Tara Gardiner, Teacher Assistant

• Mrs. Deboshri Ghosh, Teacher Assistant

• Mrs. Michele Perricone, Teacher Assistant

• Mrs. Brielle Richardson, Teacher Assistant

• Mrs. Silvana Verzolini, Teacher Assistant

Respect is at the heart of our school community. We are fortunate to have a diverse school community and strive to make Catena an inclusive educational setting that prepares students for their next steps in life. We celebrate all that makes each of us unique. Students, and families, are always encouraged to appreciate the diversity and uniqueness of each person they encounter, understanding that everyone has something valuable to contribute–we are individually unique, together complete. Responsibility is another key value at Catena. Together we can guide students in taking ownership of their actions and choices, understanding that being responsible leads to personal growth and success. Safety is also paramount. Our staff is committed to ensuring that our school is a place where children feel secure, both physically and emotionally. We will work together to maintain a positive and supportive environment where everyone feels protected. Kindness will be woven into our daily interactions. We believe that small acts of kindness can have a big impact, and we will encourage students to approach each day with empathy and compassion towards others. Each student, family, and staff member brings something special to our community. By fostering strong relationships we aim to create a sense of belonging where everyone in our school community feels seen, heard, and valued.

Let's prioritize the importance of connection! Families are invited to embrace opportunities to participate in our school community. There will be many this year including: Family Literacy, STEAM, & Wellness Nights, PTO activities & events, classroom & building volunteers, and, this year’s We Are All Artists Mural Residency Project.

Twice a month (the 15th & 30th), we will share this newsletter, Catena Colts Connected, which will highlight important information and special events for families. Is there something specific we should be adding to this in the 2024-25 school year? Please reach out to let us know what might be helpful. Thank you for partnering with us; by staying connected, we can make our school community the best it can be!

We believe we are all connected and together we will foster our PBS core values. Catena Colts will learn what it means to be respectful, responsible, safe, and kind in all areas of the building, playground, and on the bus. As a Positive Behavior Support (PBS) school we focus on establishing the behavioral supports and social culture needed for all students to achieve social, emotional, and academic success. Students meeting learned expectations will be recognized and rewarded throughout the school year in a myriad of ways. Along with our PBS Coaches, teachers will share more information about expectations, reward systems, and our common PBS language when school starts in just a couple of weeks. At home, families can help to prepare students by reviewing our PBS Expectation Matrix and support them throughout the year by using our common language when talking about the school day.

Another way parents might support our PBS program is by helping us to stock our PBS school store. Students have the opportunity to visit the PBS School Store to “cash” in their Colts Cash for both tangible items and for experiences with staff.

Please review the items below in preparation for the beginning of the year:

• Genesis Parent Portal

• Classroom assignments are available on Monday, August 26, 2024. Student placements cannot be changed at this time. Our staff works through a comprehensive process, taking much into consideration while building classes. Thank you for your understanding. We are confident all students will have a successful year.

• Transportation information including bus numbers, approximate pick-up times, & bus stop locations will also be accessible in the portal.

• Support for Genesis Parent Portal is found under the log-in dialog box.

• Arrival & Dismissal procedures for 2024-25 school year are linked here. All families should review these procedures and adhere to them to help us ensure the safety of our students, staff, and families.

• School hours are 8:55 am-3:30 pm. Doors open at 8:45am. Students arriving in their classrooms after 8:55 am are considered tardy.

• Fridays will always be Catena Spirit Days (one per month will be a PBS Meeting Day). Students are encouraged to wear their Catena Spirit wear and/or PBS shirts on Fridays to show their Catena pride!

• The JJC PTO has a Spiritwear Sale that will open soon! Visit the PTO website for more information!

• After the portal opens on 8/26, please complete this form for each child to select their 2024-25 Catena PBS T-shirt.

• Free & Reduced Lunch Applications for the 2024-2025 School Year will be available on the district website as of August 26th.

• Fifth Grade Chromebook Insurance letter was sent to 5th grade families. All 5th graders must submit insurance before a device will be issued. Please bring the fee by September 6th. Letter attached here.

• New Family Orientation (1st-5th graders only) is Wednesday, August 28th at 9:30am. Information was sent separately.
  

• Kindergarten Meet & Greet is Wednesday, September 4th at 9:00am. Information was sent separately.

• First Day of School is Thursday, September 5th

• PTO Back to School Bash is Saturday, September 7th. See PTO website for information!

• Back to School Night is Thursday, September 12th beginning at 6:30pm

• Picture Day is September 18th. Visit this link to order!

Free & Reduced Lunch Applications

Available on the district webpage no later than August 26, 2024.

Paper applications can be found on the district webpage as of August 26, 2024. This folder contains all of the information regarding applying for Free/Reduced Lunch. If you can not print it, please contact your child's school and they will send a paper copy home for you. Please note, families will need the child's school ID Number to complete the application. School ID Numbers can be found in Genesis Parent Portal.

Please send any paper applications to:

Ali McKee

Freehold Township Schools

Benefits Coordinator

384 W. Main Street

Freehold, NJ 07728

You may also send by email or fax:

amckee@freeholdtwp.k12.nj.us

Fax: (732) 462-5939

Phone: (732) 462-8400 ext.8809

Paying for meals

Payments may be made with student's MealTime account. Any cash or checks brought to school for meals will be applied to your student's mealtime account. No change can be given in the cafeteria.

Nutrislice

Please check out the program we'll be using to share our menus and nutritional information with you. Nutrislice will be updated any time we have a menu change and will have menus prepared weeks in advance. You can even add the app to your phone for up to date information. Click here to learn how to filter your menus!

MealTime Information

To add funds to your student's MealTime account so they may purchase items in the school cafeteria, please click here (white box) or send cash or a check written out to Freehold Township Schools in with your student. All funds submitted in the cafeteria will be deposited into your student's Mealtime account. No change will be available in the cafeteria. For more information about Mealtime, please click here.

Breakfast is now available for Preschool & Elementary School Students

Breakfast will now be available daily in our cafeteria. Students may go to the cafeteria when they arrive to school to purchase their meal. Doors will open at 8:30am for students who are walkers or who are dropped off each day. Staff will monitor Door # 28 near the parent drop-off/pick-up to welcome students. Those students riding the bus to school will grab breakfast once buses unload (8:45am) and eat in their classroom. The cost for each breakfast is $2.05. Menus will be posted on Nutrislice.

For more information or to contact our Sodexo Food Services Department, visit our district webpage linked here.

Click here for Menus

Meet Mrs. Hazard

FTS District Webpage Health Information

Resources from NJ Department of Human Services

Resources for Financial Assistance

Visit the website. Make a membership toolkit account. Support our school community. Email for information: jjcpto@gmail.com