Schedules

EMERGENCY SCHOOL CLOSING (Weather-related)

Parents will receive an automated phone call and email from Toms River Schools letting them know if school will be closed due to weather conditions. Parents may also tune in to radio stations, WOBM F.M. (92.7) or A.M. (1170); WJLK F.M. (94.3) or A.M. (1310). Channel 21 on your television will also have school closing information as will our website, www.trschools.com.

Cedar Grove Elementary School institutes a 90 minute delayed opening of school due to inclement weather conditions or other emergency conditions. When school starts on a delayed opening, the morning Y-Kids program will be canceled for that day. All other students should report to bus stops 1 1/2 hours later than their regular time. Cedar Grove Elementary's start time on a delayed opening is 10:50am.

In the event of inclement weather during the school day, an early dismissal may occur. Parents and guardians will receive an automated phone call alerting them of the need to dismiss the students 90 minutes early. Parents may also tune in to radio stations, WOBM F.M. (92.7) or A.M. (1170); WJLK F.M. (94.3) or A.M. (1310). Channel 21 on your television will also have school closing information as will our website, www.trschools.com. Afternoon Y-Kids will be canceled in the event of an early dismissal. Dismissal will take place at 1:55 pm.

EMERGENCY SCHOOL CLOSING (Non-weather related)

On rare occasions, it may become necessary to implement an early dismissal of pupils from school due to emergency circumstances (i.e., prolonged power failure, lack of water services, etc.) If such an early dismissal becomes necessary, parents and guardians will receive notification by phone and email. Parents and guardians will be notified as early as possible as to the decision to dismiss schools for emergency purposes.

Whenever it becomes necessary to implement the “Early Dismissal Schedule,” the afternoon (pm) Y-Kids, and extended day activities will be canceled for that day. Related announcements about the early dismissal decision will be communicated by the district to the local media (i.e., local radio stations, newspapers), and will be aired on the Toms River Schools Public Channel 21 and on the district website, www.trschools.com.

In the eventuality that contact cannot be made with the parent or guardian about the emergency early dismissal, students will be retained at the school under supervision until such contact can be made.

PLEASE ESTABLISH EMERGENCY CLOSING, DELAYED OPENING, AND EARLY DISMISSAL PROCEDURES WITH YOUR CHILD. EACH CHILD SHOULD KNOW WHERE TO GO IN THE EVENT THAT HIS OR HER PARENT IS NOT HOME DURING AN EMERGENCY SITUATION.

Adherence to the procedures will ensure a safe, orderly and efficient arrival and dismissal for students and staff.

Important reminders:

• Between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. the Cedar Grove entrance to the school will be closed to vehicular traffic to accommodate school buses.

• Between 9:10 a.m. and 9:25 a.m., parents who drive to school will be required to drop off their children by way of the South Court Lot/Brookside Drive entrance only.

• Parents are to pull ALL THE WAY UP along the curb line where students should exit out of the right door of their car. There is no parking along the curb; the curb is “drop and go.”

• From 3:15pm through 3:45pm, the Cedar Grove Elementary entrance will be closed to vehicle traffic to accommodate school buses.

• For those parents picking students up by car, the South Court Lot/Brookside Parking lot will be closed to vehicle traffic until 3:10pm. Beginning at 3:10, parents will enter the lot and park in the ferry lanes. Parents may choose to meet their child/ren on the sidewalk and return to their cars together.

To read the full Arrival & Dismissal Procedures for Cedar Grove Elementary, please click on the following link:

22-23 Arrival & Dismissal Procedures

-Only students who are eligible will be permitted to ride the bus. No student may ride a bus that they are not assigned to. Students are required to get on and off at their assigned stop only.

-Please be sure to be at the bus stop at least 10 minutes prior to your stop time. Also, you must allow 10 minutes after your stop time for the bus in case there are any unforeseen circumstances that might cause a bus to be late, such as traffic or weather. If the bus does not arrive within a reasonable amount of time, it is recommended that you call the Transportation Department at 732.505.5645.

-Wait for your bus in a safe place, well off the roadway. Do not play or wait in the road. Respect the property of the area your stop is located at.

-Do not approach the bus until it has completely stopped and the driver has opened the door. If you must cross a roadway to get to your stop, you should cross only when the school bus arrives and stops, the red lights are flashing, the stop arm has been engaged, and the driver has signaled you to cross. ALWAYS cross in front of the bus (at a distance of 10 feet), NEVER behind.

-Enter the bus in an orderly manner, take your seat, buckle your seat belt and remain seated. Keep your head and arms inside the bus at all times. Keep the aisles clear of feet, legs, arms, backpacks, etc.

-Keep the noise level at a minimum for the safest driving conditions. There should be no screaming or hollering.

-Follow the instructions of your bus driver. The driver has the authority to assign or change seats whenever necessary. Behave appropriately and be respectful to the driver and your fellow passengers. Students must remain in their assigned seats.

-Students are required to maintain classroom-like behavior. Keep your hands to yourself. Pushing, grabbing, and reaching over seats is not permitted. Vandalism to any part of the bus will not be tolerated and will be treated with appropriate discipline. Treat the bus as you would your own car, minivan or SUV.

-*No gum, food or drinks are permitted.

-*Cell phones are not permitted to be in use on the bus. They should remain in a bookbag and at no time should a child be surfing the internet, streaming video/music, and/or taking photos/videos. Students violating this rule will have their cell phones kept in the main office until a parent or guardian can attend a meeting with the principal regarding cell phone use.

-Oversized objects (except band instruments) are not permitted on the bus to school or home from school.

-Be on time at the end of the school day. Once the driver closes the door and the bus begins to move, he/she is not permitted to open the door for anyone else under any circumstances.

**Our buses are equipped with video surveillance for the safety of all passengers.

Students are specifically requested not to bring to school large sums of money, expensive jewelry, or toys. The school can assume no responsibility in the event of their loss, damage or theft. TRADING CARDS, ELECTRONIC GAMES, TABLETS, SMART WATCHES AND CELL PHONES often interfere with the school’s ability to educate, and they are not permitted out while on school grounds unless approved by the classroom teacher.

While the staff understands there are times that students need to be absent from school, and when ill, students must stay home. However, it is important that every effort be made for our children to attend school on a daily basis.

An automated call will be made to your primary contact number to notify you that your child is absent from school. If illness or other emergency prevents a student from attending school, please present a written excuse on the day of return. An excuse should state the date(s) absent, the reason for the absence, and the parent or guardian's signature. The state of New Jersey recognizes religious holidays and “Bring Your Child to Work Day” as excused absences. Any other absence will be recorded as unexcused. However, medical and parent notes will be documented on the child’s attendance record.

If you anticipate your child being absent for more than three days, or if the illness is of a contagious nature (ie., Covid, Strep Throat, Pink Eye), the nurse's office should be notified immediately.

Depending on the amount of time your child will be absent, you may want to make arrangements with the classroom teacher to obtain schoolwork. If you should request daily assignments, please notify the school before 11:00 A.M. Work will be available for pick-up at the end of the school day. We ask that you call the Main Office to make sure the homework is on the counter for pick up. Whether work is requested during absence or assigned upon the child's return, your child is responsible for making up the missed work.

Along with regular attendance, it is expected that every child be prepared to arrive at school on time. The child's tardiness will be noted and a pass issued to be presented to the classroom teacher.

Doors open to welcome students at 9:10 am. All students should be in their classrooms by 9:25 am.

Visitors may only gain access to the school after first ringing the outside bell and presenting themselves for video identification. Once identification has been made, office personnel will “buzz” the visitor in through the main entrance.

ALL PARENTS, GUARDIANS, AND VISITORS, UPON ENTERING THE BUILDING FOR ANY REASON, MUST IMMEDIATELY REPORT TO THE MAIN OFFICE.

Our personnel will be available to assist you. For student safety and uninterrupted class routine, unauthorized visitors are not permitted to go through the building to classrooms. Should the need arise for something to be brought in for a student, please bring it to the Main Office where your child will be called to receive it. Please have each item labeled with the student's name and room number. Money should be in a sealed envelope.

Parent, guardians, or other visitors to the building who will be walking within the building for an established purpose (i.e., meeting, PTO event, etc.) will be signed in and screened using "Raptor." "Raptor" is an integrated school safety software that enables all Toms River Regional Schools to screen visitors.

We ask that parent minimize early "pick-ups." It is highly recommended that eye, dental, and medical appointments be scheduled after school hours. Realizing however, that this is not always possible and that emergencies may arise. Please know that pursuant to New Jersey law, students must attend school for four (4) hours in order to be counted as present. Any students that require an early dismissal (i.e., doctor's appointment) need to be picked up by 3:15 p.m. Any parents arriving after 3:15 p.m. will need to park in the Brookside Lot and wait for dismissal.

IDENTIFICATION (i.e., Driver's license) WILL BE NECESSARY when picking up a student or to sign into the building using "Raptor."