August 19, 2024
Dear Parents/Guardians and Families,
It is with great excitement and pleasure that I welcome all students, new and returning, to the 2024-2025 school year. I hope that you all have been enjoying your summer with friends and family. As we prepare for the beginning of the new school year, I am happy to share Superintendent Leon’s theme for the new school year, “This is the Moment”. All staff members are excited to see the students once again and they are working hard to ensure all is in place to meet the educational and emotional needs of all of our students.
Our number one focus is always to ensure our students receive the highest quality education they are deserving of in a safe and nurturing learning environment. You will continue to receive information regarding the first day of school via social media platforms and ongoing communication via email and Blackboard announcements. I also encourage you to visit our school website at https://www.nps.k12.nj.us/olv/for updated information.
Please take note of the following important information.
The first day of school for students is Tuesday, September 3rd and the new school hours are 8:15am-3:00pm for students. On the first day of school, all rising 1st to 8th grade students will report to their 23-24 school year homeroom line-up location on the playground. Rising Kindergarten students and all new students to Oliver Street School will enter through the Green door 9 to the MultiPurpose Room. Every parent must ensure that their child arrives at the school playground by 8:10am on a daily basis. (The playground gates will open at 8:05am.)
-Student classroom placements have been made by teachers and administrators based upon the needs of individual students. Parents were notified of their teacher placement on the final report card this past June. Summer assignments are due no later than September 6.
–The first day of the EXCEL after school program is September 3, 2024. The application form was made available as part of the re-enrollment process for all students. Parents of the selected students will be notified via email or telephone call by August 30, 2024.
-Mandatory School Uniform Colors-Top: Collared Navy Blue Shirt Bottom: Khaki Pants/Skirt. Please note that all students must wear a school uniform and must wear closed toe shoes. -Shoes: No open heel or toes permitted. Shoes must be securely fastened. Clogs, flip-flops, bedroom slippers and Crocs are not permitted. Mandatory Physical Education Attire: Bottom: Navy Blue and Top: Yellow
-The date for this year’s Back to School Night is Thursday, September 19, 2024 between the hours of 6-8pm. Back to School Night will be in person at the school. As you may know, during this time you have the opportunity to meet your child’s teachers, administrative staff and school support staff. You will also receive valuable information about the 2024-2025 school year. More information will be forthcoming.
-A Monthly calendar will be shared with you communicating school news, events and activities.
-It is very important that you complete a lunch application for your child as soon as you can. Completing the application will help the school receive extra funding that can be used for various resources that will support the learning process. It must be completed online but if you need assistance you can contact school if needed. A link will be shared with you in the upcoming days.
-I encourage all parents to work collaboratively and to actively join the Oliver Street School PTO. Our school will continue to grow if we all stand united and show our children that we are active and committed to making their educational experience the best one possible. You may do so by contacting our PTO at oliverstreetschoolpto@nullgmail.com. Ensure that your contact information (email, telephone, address, emergency contacts) is updated on SchoolMint/Newark Enrolls website. https://newarkenrolls.schoolmint.net/signin You can contact our main office if you need assistance in updating your contact information.
-On the first day of school your child will receive a school-to-home packet with important information. Please ensure that you take the time to review it carefully and promptly return any documents requiring your signature. Individual classroom’s supply lists will be provided to you by your child’s teacher.
-In the event that a parent/guardian needs to pick up their child, we ask that you contact the school ahead of time so that we can facilitate getting the student to the door, where a staff member will greet you and have you sign out the student at the door. Please keep in mind that no student will be released to anyone not listed on the Emergency Contact Form, that must be completed and updated on SchoolMint (see link above). Parents/guardians must also bring a valid ID in order to pick up their child. All parents/guardians must meet these expectations in order for students to be released, as this is a protocol to protect the safety of all students.
-All staff members at Oliver Street School are committed to ensure that your child receives the high quality education they deserve and in an environment where students know they are safe and always feel supported as they are challenged to achieve their academic goals at the highest level. Further, it is the goal of every staff member to ensure that all students are challenged every day to become inquisitive learners and learn to become model citizens in our ever-changing society. Your support in this effort is needed by ensuring you are sending your child to school on time every day, encouraging your child to read at least 20 minutes every night, monitoring homework and academic progress, and consistently communicating with the teacher. I am excited to begin a new school year and I know that it will be a very successful year for staff, students and families.
Sincerely,
Luis Henriques
Principal