The first day of school is Thursday, September 3rd. For in person learning please be sure that students come to school wearing a mask.

Absences - If your child will be absent or tardy, please call 201-664-8088. The office will compile a list of calls received. This list will then be checked. For further information on excused and unexcused absences, please contact the school secretary.

Access to the Nurse By A Child - Teachers will call the nurse prior to sending a student to the office. The nurse is also welcome to set up clinic hours with teachers for times students can access the nurse during the school day for meds, etc.

Attendance - Please help your child arrive at school on time each day. Students report to the front door every morning at their assigned time. According to the school policy, if your child arrives at school late she/he is tardy. An attendance note/tardy pass from the office is required before going to the classroom.

Behavior Management - Behavior management is something that I stress in class. Once the class comes up with classroom agreements and rules, we need to make sure they are implemented. As an individual, the students will be working toward 15 stickers on a monthly sticker card, also for positive behavior and a good work ethic. Also, every day the students will receive a communication card with pluses and squiggles. Again this is enforcing positive behavior. When your child brings home the card, please talk to your child about his/her marks. At the end of the day, if your child has more pluses than squiggles they will get an extra sticker for their sticker chart. If there is a problem that needs to be dealt with, I will communicate with the parents and we will try to solve the problem together.

Birthday - We will celebrate your child’s birthday by making a birthday book that will be brought home. According to the school policy, birthday treats are no longer permitted in the schools. A gentle request: please refrain from bringing birthday invitations to school - this can become a very difficult situation. Instead, mail personal invitations to home addresses that the MFFA will provide.

Book Orders - Approximately once a month, you and your family will have the opportunity to look through several book orders and choose books to purchase. Book orders are especially terrific for the classroom since bonus points are awarded to the class based on the amount of books ordered. These bonus points provide oodles of FREE books for the classroom! Please order your books online at scholatic.com/bookclubs. By ordering online there is a much larger selection of books to choose from to enhance your child's library..

Breakfast - Please make sure your child eats a healthy and big breakfast before school.

Book bags - A bookbag/backpack will be helpful in carrying papers, notes, books, etc. to and from school. Be sure your child’s name is written clearly on the bookbag/backpack.

Changes - Typically, your child has a set schedule after school. However, these plans may change. If you need to change your child’s after school plans, we need a written note about the change. Make sure you date the note as well. If emergencies occur, leave a message at the office and they will give the message to me. You can email me, but sometimes I can’t always check my email during the day.

Character - Meadowbrook Elementary will be teaching Character Education throughout the year. Every month a characteristic will be highlighted throughout the school in the classroom. The curriculum focuses on universal attributes: Courage, Loyalty, Justice, Respect, Hope, Honesty, Love, etc.

Circle Time - Each day, the students will be actively engaged in circle time which includes: a morning message, the calendar, weather, seasons, tooth chart, number of days of school, alphabet chart, etc. Many different concepts and skills will be taught through circle time; counting, data collection, graphing, problem solving, patterns, letter recognition, sound recognition, etc.

Class Agreement - We spend a large amount of time, particularly at the beginning of the year, creating our classroom agreement. This agreement is our belief system- it is a list of what we believe would make our class a safe place to come and learn. Because children work together in creating the beliefs, it becomes a very important document.

Computers - Technology is integrated into the day as much as possible. We have Google Chromebooks that can be brought into the class as well as a Smart Board. Software/Programs and websites are an important part of the math, reading, writing, social studies and science program.

Conferences - Please feel free to schedule a conference at any time during the school year, it may have to be virtual at this point in time. You can schedule a conference by sending in a note, emailing or calling the school. My door is always open!

Correspondence - A note to the teacher is required whenever a change occurs, after-school care change, different person picking up your child, address change, etc.

CRAMER- My name is Kerry Cramer. I grew up in Boston, MA and received my Bachelor's from Quinnipiac. I earned my Master's at New Jersey City University while working as a graduate assistant Athletic Trainer. I went on to teach and work as a certified Athletic Trainer at Holy Angels before I joined Hillsdale. I have been teaching for 16 years, and I love all my students as if they were my own. I am married to my wonderful husband, Jeff and have two boys who attend Pascack Valley High School. I can truly say that it takes a village, and we are all in this together.

Dismissal - At dismissal, students will be accompanied by their teacher to their assigned doors. Parents/guardians are expected to meet their children at their assigned exterior door at the end of the school day. Students will not be dismissed to any other location unless they are enrolled in the aftercare program. Completed dismissal e-forms are needed to ensure students are allowed to be released by people other than immediate family. If there is a change in dismissal procedures, parents must send a note or email into school specifying the change for the day. Any parent who is running late to pick -up, must communicate that with the office before students are dismissed. Please be aware that dogs/pets are not permitted on school property during the school day (including dismissal).

School is dismissed at 12:55. We have to dismiss hand-to-hand to a parent or guardian. I can not allow the students to meet you at the bike rack. If you have an older child in the school that you want to come and pick up your Kindergartner, that is allowed, but I need a note from you. After care staff will come pick up the students and take them down to the aftercare room. If you are picking up your child prior to 12:55, you need to send a note indicating who will be picking up the student and the time. The authorized person then needs to go to the office and sign the student out.

District and School Forms - All forms will be available online this summer and will not be sent home. The Parent Portal is now open to acknowledging and completing district forms for this school year.

Dress - The school day, your child will be busy with a number of materials. Allow your child to wear clothes that may get dirty from the daily activities. In order to prevent lost or unclaimed clothes, please write your child’s name on any jackets/coats/sweaters, etc.

Drop-off - Cars slowly enter the driveway and proceed to the front entrance. All students must have on masks upon exiting their vehicles. Students will stand on the markers on the sidewalk that form the line to have their temperature checked. Designated faculty and staff will be present to make sure students are socially distant while waiting on line to enter the building. Temperatures will be taken in the main entrance hallway adjacent to the Principal’s office. If a student has a temperature of 100.4 or above, he/she will be taken to the isolation room and a parent/guardian will be called for pick up. Once students are cleared for their temperatures, they will proceed directly to their classrooms. Teachers will supervise students as they unpack and sit at their desks.

Dropping off forgotten Items - Any parent, family member, or friend needing to drop off a forgotten item can place it in the labeled container outside the main entrance. Items to be dropped in this container include snacks, notebooks, sneakers, or other non-valuables. If you have a valuable item, medicine, or something emergent please ring the entrance bell to communicate with someone in the main office.

Early Dismissal - Be prepared! In the event school closes early due to inclement weather, your child should know what to do. Have a prearranged plan and discuss this with your child. Be sure to fill out the school forms indicating your plan and return it to school ASAP. Teachers will NOT be able to call families! We will go by the plan that you have indicated.

Email - Email is a very important tool of communication. I like to use e-mail, although it is hard for me to check all day long. I try to check it at least twice a day, once for sure. Please be patient if I do not get back to you right away, I will! In an emergency, contact the office. My email is jlavitol@hillsdaleschools.com

Emergency Contact Information- Please update any emergency contact information by going to www.hillsdaleschools.com/meadowbrook and click on the Parent Portal icon. The main office can assist you with logging in for the first time. Also, please remember to check off the best ways to contact you if the school district needs to send an email or text message out.

Extra Clothing - Please send in a shoe box filled with extra clothes in case your child has an accident, gets dirty, etc. Please send in an extra shirt, pants, underwear, socks, etc. As the weather changes and your child grows please be sure that the clothes are appropriate.

Face Coverings - All staff and students will be required to be wearing a cloth face covering. We will be asking all individuals unless medically excused in our building to arrive with and wear a cloth face covering daily. For the time being this is part of our daily attire similar to the manner in which we come to work/school wearing shoes, shirts and pants. While extremely thankful for the PTA/FFA purchase of neck gaiters, we will not be distributing those at this time. We will only allow the cloth face covering/mask and not a neck gaiter at this time.

Folders - Please send in a folder that has pockets on each side and is clearly labeled with your child’s name on it. The students complete work during the day and it is important for them to share it with you. Please check and empty the folder every day and review your child’s work with him/her..

Growth - From September to June, the amount of growth and progress the students make, will amaze you!!

Handwriting - The Hillsdale School District has adopted Fundations at the Kindergarten level. This is a structured phonics program that has a hands-on handwriting program included. We use this program every day.

Independence - Students will be able to develop their independence and I will address their individual learning styles.

Journey - J is the journey that we are beginning. My door is always open!

Kinesthetic - Kinesthetic learners are children who learn best when they are on the move. Students are most successful when they can practice or do what they are learning. I use fine/gross motor skills, brain gym activities, sensory intervention, and kid yoga to aid my instruction.

LAVITOL - My name is Jessica Lavitol. I was born and raised in Hillsdale, New Jersey! I am lucky enough to be teaching at the very elementary school I attended. I graduated from Monmouth University with a double major in Education and History with endorsements in both Early Childhood Education and Special Education. I am currently working to complete my Masters Degree in Education from Walden University. I can assure you that all of my students will feel safe, supported, and loved in my classroom. I love parents who are willing to work as a team player with me to give their child the best school experience. I feel it is extremely important to make the first year of school the most exciting and memorable.

Literacy - Reader's Workshop incorporates reading aloud, shared reading, guided reading literacy groups, and writing as integral components in creating a balanced literacy program.

Lost and Found - If an item is not found in the classroom, the Lost and Found table is located in the gym right across from Miss Carr’s Office. Be sure to check the area on several occasions- sometimes articles appear days or weeks later.

Math - During our daily scheduled math time, your child will be involved in a number of whole group and individual math activities.

Medicine - If it becomes necessary for any student to take ANY form of medication (prescription OR over-the-counter) at school, we must have a form signed by the parent and physician and must be administered by the school nurse. See the school nurse if you have any questions.

MFFA - We encourage you to join the Meadowbrook Elementary MFFA and attend meetings. There are monthly meetings scheduled. You will be notified through fliers. The MFFA contributes significantly to the school both financially and personally through volunteer programs. Support the MFFA, it supports you!

Money - Please place all money in a sealed envelope with your child’s name and teacher’s name on the front. Please indicate on the envelope the purpose of the money.

Monthly Newsletter - Monthly Newsletters will be put on my web page at the beginning of each month. This is another way to communicate and explain what is going on in the classroom and what to expect during the month.

Nurse - Our school nurse is in every day. Please try to emphasize to your child that we only go to the nurse if there is an emergency. For some reason, Kindergarten students love going to the nurse!

Opportunity - To learn, grow, make friends and establish the foundation as a lifelong learner.

Parent Visitors in the Building- As a reminder, due to COVID restrictions, we will have no visitors in the building. Please call the main office if there is an emergency situation. All appointments must be made in advance for “in-person meetings” if scheduled.

Practice - Please, please, please practice and review with your children at home. It is amazing to see this difference when students work with their parents at home. Please review and look over work that is completed during the day.

Question - Please let me know when you have questions.

Read - READ, READ, READ!!! The more you read to your child, the better reader they become! It is so important to read to your child every day. Please, Please, Please!

School/Home Communication- Please read our school newsletter, called “The Meadowbrook Minute” that is posted on our school website every Friday under the section Friday Folders. Attached to our newsletter are important letters and notices. Our Friday newsletter is an important way for us to keep the lines of communication open. Information regarding programs and events will always be included on the web page. Also, please visit the MFFA website to join our family and faculty association. The MFFA is a major financial supporter of our academic, social and emotional programs in school. Go to: https://www.meadowbrookffa.org/

School Hours- Early Dismissal Schedule: Homeroom begins at 8:55 a.m. with our first-period class beginning at 9:00 a.m. Students will be dismissed at 12:55 p.m. during our early dismissal scheduled days. Students will also be able to take advantage of small group instruction or enrichment opportunities virtually from 1:50 pm - 2:40 pm daily.

School Lunch Information- All students will be eligible to receive a “grab and go” brown bag lunch. Lunch bags will be delivered to classrooms prior to 1 p.m. dismissal on assigned days.

Schedule - A copy of our daily schedule will be on my web page, including times of our special classes. This will be on my web page.

Show and Tell - Throughout the day, the children will have numerous opportunities to share their ideas, work and outcomes with each other. However, it is also important for children to share themselves with others using things from home and will have an opportunity to do so during show and tell time. A Show and Tell calendar will be sent home at the beginning of the month, this will start in October.

Snack - Students are permitted to bring a peanut/tree nut free snack to school as well as a water bottle. Students will be permitted to eat snacks outside weather permitting. While outside, students will remain socially distant and in their cohorts. If we have inclement weather, students will eat snack at their desks with their safety screens up. Students will wash their hands before and after eating.

The children will have an opportunity for a morning snack. Please send a snack for your child daily and make sure they can open it. Be sure the snack is nutritious and healthy (no candy). Please follow the school policy on safe snacks. Contact the school nurse with any questions. If a snack needs a spoon or fork, please send that in also.

Star of the Week- Each student will have an opportunity to be the Star of the Week. A notice will be sent home explaining the week. Please make sure you fill out the sheet and return it ASAP. This will begin in October and continue throughout the year.

Student Entry into the building- We are staggering the morning entry into the school building. Students will enter the building at the following times according to last name:

8:40 a.m. A - F

8:50 a.m. G - M

9:00 a.m. N - Z

9:10am Preschool students A.M.

11:30am Preschool students P.M.

Student Supplies - Any parent who ordered student supplies from the MFFA will be having them delivered before school begins. Any student who did not order supplies from the MFFA will be receiving them from the school. Any grade specific item not ordered, but needed, will be communicated by your child’s teacher on the first few days of school.

Student Technology - Students who were assigned Chromebooks are expected to bring their charged devices with them on the first day of school. Students in the second grade will be given Chromebooks. If your child is coming to school for in-person instruction, their devices will be going with them to and from school. Please be sure that their devices are charged at home each evening. Students in grades K and 1 will have access to Chromebooks in their classrooms. We will arrange a day for all remote learners who need access to a Chromebook in grades K - 4 to pick one up from school along with text books and supplies.

Teamwork - Home and school working cooperatively throughout the year.

Umbrellas - Umbrellas are a no, no. Please do not send an umbrella with your child, a raincoat and hat will do the trick!

Visitors - All visitors, parents and others are to check in at the office if ever entering the school.

Web page - Please check our class web page at https://www.hillsdaleschools.com

Weekly Readers - Each Kindergarten will have a subscription to this newspaper/magazine for young children. Several times a month, your child will receive his/her own copy of the publication. It is a great resource that will be used in the classroom as an additional type of literacy material and will be integrated throughout the subjects.

Writing - Your child will write everyday in Writers Workshop. Every child moves through several stages as writers (scribbling, random letters, invented spelling, conventional spelling), and all stages are recognized and celebrated. The writing process will become an important part of our writing program, as we begin to look at basic conventions of writing and the development of story.

X - “Xcitement!!”

Y - Yankees, Go Yanks!

Z - Zipper, snap, button and tie. Practice this at home!