Dear Bellmawr Community Families,

Welcome to an exciting new school year at Ethel M. Burke Elementary! We're absolutely thrilled to have you join our school family for the 2025-2026 school year. 

At Ethel M. Burke, we strive to create a nurturing, inclusive, and engaging environment where every single child, from our littlest learners to our nearly-middle-schoolers, can truly shine. Our incredible staff is dedicated to making sure your child feels safe, happy, and challenged to grow academically, socially, and emotionally every day. 

This year, we're excited to continue our special Penguin PRIDE program! This is how we teach our students important values like Perseverance (never giving up!), Responsibility (doing what's right!), Inclusivity (including everyone!), Determination (working hard to reach goals!), and Engagement (being an active learner!). It's all part of our Positive Behavior Support In Schools (PBSIS) approach, helping kids develop those essential skills for success in school and beyond. Ask the students about new improvements and surprises to this fantastic program! 

We're also delighted to share a few important updates about what your child will be learning. We're continuing to use the Wit and Wisdom K-8 language arts curriculum, which is a fantastic program designed to build strong reading, writing, and communication skills and is aligned with the "Science of Reading." Our rigorous Eureka mathematics curriculum will also continue to challenge and grow your child's math understanding. These programs work together to ensure your child makes great progress! 

Every Day Matters, Every Student Matters: A Note on Attendance

This year, one of our key goals is to improve attendance, and we need your partnership to succeed. Research shows that missing just two days a month can significantly impact your child's academic progress. When students are in school, they get the direct instruction, peer collaboration, and momentum needed to thrive. We encourage you to prioritize daily attendance, schedule appointments outside of school hours, and always feel comfortable communicating with us if your family is facing any challenges. Let's work together to make sure every student is present and ready to learn!

We truly believe that education is a team effort, and you, as parents and guardians, are our most important partners! Your involvement and support make a huge difference in your child's success. We encourage you to be an active part of our school community. There will be many opportunities to get involved, whether it's volunteering in the classroom, joining our wonderful Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO), volunteering and attending school events, joining school committees, or simply staying in touch with your child's teacher about their progress. Every bit of participation helps! 

Thank you for trusting us with your child’s education. My door is always open, and I welcome your questions, feedback, and involvement as we strive to make this a truly remarkable year.

With warmest regards,

Matthew Maguire
Principal
Ethel M. Burke Elementary School
856.931.6362