August 1, 2025                                                                                                                                                                                          Spanish translation click here

Dear Thirteenth Avenue School Families,

Welcome to the 2025–2026 academic year! I am Principal Brownridge-Smith, the proud principal of Thirteenth Avenue School. As we begin this new chapter, our faculty and staff are excited to welcome your child(ren) back to school. We are committed to a thriving, student-centered community grounded in academic excellence and a relentless belief in each student’s potential.

Our schoolwide theme this year is:

From Promise to Power: Igniting Potential, Driving Results!

This theme reflects our unwavering belief in the brilliance of every student and our responsibility to help them thrive.

At Thirteenth Avenue School, our core beliefs - Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Productive, Be Courageous, and DREAM BIG - serve as the foundation for everything we do. I am looking forward to witnessing the incredible progress our students will make and the meaningful experiences we will create together. Your partnership is essential to our school’s success, and I sincerely thank you for your continued support.

Below you will find important dates and information to help you prepare for the 2025-2026 school year:

Important Dates

• Tuesday, August 26, 2025: Meet your childr(ren)’s Teacher(s) and find out classroom assignments  (1:30 - 2:30 p.m.)
• Tuesday, September 2, 2025: First Day of School, including After School Programs
• Thursday, September 11, 2025: Back to School Night (6:00 - 8:00 p.m.)
• Friday, October 3, 2025: Perfect Attendance Celebration
• Monday, October 6, 2025: Title I Parent Meeting

Important Information

• Arrival and Dismissal Locations

PreK: Front Yard (13th Ave.)

Grades K-4: Playground (8th Street Gate Entrance)

Grades 5-8: 8th Street (Exit 3)

NBOE Transportation: 9th Street

• School Hours (8:15 a.m.- 3:05 p.m.): Late arrivals and early pickups disrupt your child’s learning and should be avoided unless absolutely necessary.
• SchoolMint: Please re-enroll and confirm that all your contact information is updated in SchoolMint to facilitate accurate communication.
• Lunch Applications: Our goal is to have 100% of students with lunch applications on file prior to the first day of school. Lunch application completion is important as this process helps fund our school and district.
• Uniform Policy: School uniforms, with the school logo, are available at Kids Place (311 Ferry St.). PreK-8th Grade students must wear khaki pants and black shirts. Gym uniforms are optional. Please note that all footwear with exposed heels are not permissible. 
• Summer Reading Assignments: Students are expected to submit summer reading assignments during the first week of school.

• Supply Lists: The supply lists ensure that students are prepared with the necessary materials for the school year.

• 2025-2026 Calendar: Every day of school matters. We strongly encourage families to schedule appointments and travel outside of school hours and during scheduled breaks, as outlined in the district calendar.

Please regularly visit our school website for important updates and information.  If you need support with completing any of the required documents or have questions, please call the Main Office at 973-733-7045.  Thank you for your continued support.  Stay safe and healthy.

Best,

Thalia Brownridge-Smith, Principal