Dear Godwin Families,
Welcome to the 2023-24 school year at the Godwin School! The staff and I eagerly await your arrival on Wednesday, September 6, 2023. Below you will find your child’s homeroom teacher and room number as well as other opening day information. As you might imagine, I have been busy making preparations for the upcoming school year. Part of those preparations involve our personnel assignments.
Main Office:
Merangie Munoz is our new school secretary. She is ready to assist you with all of your school needs in English and Spanish.
Kindergarten:
Katy Hildebrand joins our kindergarten team in room 110 with Mrs. Mahoney as her aide. Ms. Hildebrand has experience teaching kindergarten and 1st grade.
1st Grade
Akiko Matsumoto joins the 1st grade team as the HIP small group teacher. Ms. Matasumoto’s class will partner with Mrs. Martinez’s class for specials and parties.
2nd Grade:
Riley Murray joins the 2nd grade team as a classroom teacher in room 200. Ms. Murray just finished a year leave replacement in 2nd grade.
Jennifer Amoroso joins the 2nd grade team as a collaborative special education teacher with Mrs. Hook in room 211.
Faith Hrdy moves to 2nd grade to teach the HIP small group class. She will partner with Ms. Murray’s class for specials and parties.
PE/Health:
Sean Gang is our new PE/Health teacher. Mr. DeCarlo moved over to Highland School to work with our older students.
Art:
Jaimie Synnott joins the special’s team as the K-6 art teacher. Her classroom is located in the Highland School and the classes visit it once a week.
Enrichment:
Lisa O’Connor joins the special’s team as the K-6 enrichment teacher. The kindergarten curriculum focuses on thinking skills and problem solving. The 1st and 2nd grade lessons alternate between social studies and science.
Spanish/ESL:
Samantha Severance is also a new specialist, teaching 2nd grade Spanish and K-6 ESL.
Parent Portal:
Every year, parents must sign all electronic forms and update information in Power School. This is our main source of student information and therefore MUST be updated with accurate PHONE NUMBERS and EMERGENCY CONTACTS. Parents will receive an email on Friday, August 18th with directions on how to complete this process. This must be done by September 1, 2023.
Morning Line-up grades K-2
Student drop-off will start at 8:00am and parents may use the car line or walk their child to the school building. Parents may not drop off students prior to 8:00am, there is no supervision. Parents will not be permitted in the school. Building aides will be present to supervise our students. The car line does tend to get very long, please plan ahead to make this a smooth process. Homeroom is from 8:20-8:27 am, after 8:27am, students are marked late and must be walked to the Main Office.
K- 2nd students may enter through Door # 3 near the crosswalk and line up in the All Purpose Room.
Line-up Pre-K
· Mrs. Spartz’s Class – 8:30am entrance at Door # 3, parents must wait with their child.
· Mrs. Ragone’s Class – 8:30am entrance at Door # 2, parents must wait with their child.
Lunch
Students will eat lunch in the cafeteria while being supervised by our building aides. Lunch may be purchased in the cafeteria through our food service provider, Pomptonian. Parents are encouraged to set up a lunch account instead of sending in cash. (Cash is accepted but it is easier with an account.). Use this website www.payschoolscentral.com to set up an account and contact Terri Hansen at [email protected] with questions. This is the easiest way for your child to purchase lunch. Regular lunch is $4.00; Featured Favorite Lunch (deli sandwich) is $4.50.
September 6th hot lunch: Pasta with Meatballs, deli: Italian hero
However, I highly recommend that kindergartners bring their own lunch for the first few months. It is a lot for a new student to navigate the cafeteria, purchase lunch, and eat in the allotted 20-minute time slot. Plus, you know what your child likes to eat.
Recess
Students will participate in outdoor recess as often as possible. On inclement days, students will have recess in their classrooms under the supervision of a building aide.
Dismissal
Our dismissal procedures vary from the morning drop off procedures. Parents may NOT drive up to the front of the school to pick up their child. HIP will have buses/vans/cars lining the street in front of the school. Parents/guardians must walk to the front of the school to pick up their child. The parent must make eye contact with the teacher prior to the child being released. Dismissal times are strictly enforced to keep the sidewalk clear.
2:40pm – Kindergarten
Belthoff – Door # 3
Fino – Door # 4
Hildebrand – Door # 2
Nemiroff/Palmieri – Door # 3
2:45pm – Pre-K
Spartz – Door # 3
Ragone – Door # 2
2:50pm – 1st grade
Gambutti – Door # 3
Frangipane/Ricci – Door # 2
Martinez – Door # 2
Swanson – Door # 3
2:50pm - 2nd grade
Holmes/Materia – Door # 2
Hook/Amoroso – Door # 3
Murray – Door # 3
Neville/Sheriff – Door # 2
Dismissal Changes
If your child’s typical pickup procedure is going to change, i.e., a different caregiver is picking up, a playdate, early pick up, late arrival, etc, please contact the Classroom Teacher via note or email. The classroom teacher is the most important person to have this information as they are with your child all day and at dismissal. If the dismissal procedure changes last minute, contact the Main Office. My secretary will contact the classroom teacher. As you can imagine, the end of the day is quite busy in the Main Office, please anticipate your needs as early as possible and notify the correct personnel.
Specials
Students will attend special classes throughout the week in Godwin and Highland Schools. Students walk across to the Highland School for Library, Art, Music and (*Technology only grades 1 and 2). Students walk in cold weather, rain and snow. Please check the weather and dress them appropriately.
Before Care and After Care
Before and After Care are housed in Godwin School. Students may be dropped off as early as 7:00 am and will be supervised by a member of the Continuing Education Staff in the All-Purpose Room. After Care will take place in two locations: All-Purpose Room and Kindergarten Room. The kindergarten students are separated from the 1st – 6th graders from 2:40 pm to 4:30 pm. Extensive information about the After Care program, procedures, pick up, snacks, electronics, etc. are outlined in their handbook. Contact Beth Kasbarian at [email protected] or
201-44-2330 ext 209 for more details.
District Website
Please utilize the district website at www.mpsnj.org for information: From this website you can access Godwin School’s webpage which will give you information on school supplies, teacher webpages, staff contacts, and will also allow you to find information on school procedures, important dates, code of conduct, attendance regulations, etc.
Instagram
Godwin School is on social media at @godwinschoolmp.
Thank you very much for reading this document to the end. I realize this a lot of information, but knowledge is power and I want to keep you informed. Please contact me with questions and I look forward to seeing you on the first day, Wednesday, September 6, 2023.
Sincerely,
Ms. Danielle Bache
Principal
Godwin School