From the Principal

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
If you have a child who will be entering kindergarten in September, or know of a child who will be entering kindergarten in September, they must be registered as soon as possible. Actual registration must be completed in person by the child’s parent or guardian. The following is the schedule for kindergarten registration:
➢ Registration packets are available in the office now.
➢ Actual registration will take place in the office beginning February 1 and is on-going.
➢ Screening dates (to be assigned by the office) – April 1 or April 3.
➢ Parent Orientation – Friday, February 29 at 9:00 a.m.

NEW STUDENT REGISTRATION GRADES 1-4
If you have a child entering grades 1 through 4 at Coles School in September, please follow the above registration procedures.

JUMP START PRE-KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM
The Jump Start Pre-Kindergarten Program is now accepting preliminary applications for the 2008-2009 school year. A child would be eligible the year before kindergarten entrance and must be four years old on or before October 1, 2008. All participants must reside in Scotch Plains or Fanwood.

Morning and afternoon classes are scheduled five days a week.

The Jump Start Pre-Kindergarten program develops readiness skills, preparing students for kindergarten entrance. Currently there are four classes in the district. Included in the classes are children who would benefit from instructional support before kindergarten, children from low-income families, and children with disabilities. Preliminary applications are available in every elementary school, or by calling the State and Federal Program Office at (908) 889-0559. April 30, 2008 is the last day for submitting your application.

LONG WEEKEND – PRESIDENT’S DAY
Please remember school will be closed February 18 in honor of President’s Day.

COLES 2007 NJASK TEST SCORES
We are pleased with the continued improvement in the Coles NJASK scores. I hope you had a chance to read the letter, which was sent home in your children’s backpacks, dated January 31, 2007.

HEALTH MESSAGE FROM OUR SCHOOL NURSE
Children should not be sent to school when there are symptoms of illness. Please keep your child home until an elevated temperature has returned to normal for at least 24 hours WITHOUT the need for fever-reducing medications. Children returning too soon often appear in the Nurse's Office, they are unable to function in the classroom, and expose others to illness.

Early Dismissal
Parents are requested NOT to ask that children be excused early except when an emergency makes early dismissal unavoidable. Early dismissal should be arranged through the principal’s office in writing. Students will be called to the office AFTER the parent/guardian arrives and signs their child out of school.