Sunnymead Elementary School
55 Sunnymead Rd., Hillsborough, N.J. 08826
908.431.6600
Dr. Tammy Jenkins, Principal
August 21, 2024
Dear Sunnymead Families,
It is hard to believe how quickly the summer has whizzed by! I think this summer deserves a “speeding ticket”! More importantly, I hope that this summer has provided you with special treasured moments spent with family, rest, relaxation, and an opportunity to rejuvenate.
It is with great pleasure and anticipation that I welcome you and your family to the 2024-2025 school year! Our first day of school for students is Thursday, September 5th! We are ready and can’t wait to see our new and returning students!
We are excited to welcome the following new staff members:
Heather Hopkins - Grade 1
Serina Graaso - Grade 3
Rebecca Barajas- District G&T specialist (Mrs. Barajas will be at SME on Day 4)
Teacher assignments Class placement information for Grades 1-4 will be available in the Genesis Parent Portal at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 22, 2024. All bussing information will be posted in the Genesis Parent Portal prior to the start of school. Grade level supply lists are posted on our school website www.sme.htps.us
Please note: (ALL PARENT MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING FORMS IN THE PARENT PORTAL)
Prior to the first day of school otherwise you risk being locked out of your child’s student account.
Parents 'School Startup Form-
Contact verification (acknowledge you have updated your contacts and also provides instructions on how to opt in/opt out specific numbers/emails for district alerts.)
Media Release Form with option to opt out of public images
Emergency Dismissal Instructions for your student if we need to dismiss due to any emergencies such as but not limited to; weather ect.
Handbooks
Open House:
We will host an Open House for all students on Wednesday, September 4, 2024 from 8:30 a.m.- 9:00 a.m.
Please note Kindergarten will be broken up into two sessions If your child is in the AM session open house will be held from 8:00 a.m.- 8:30 a.m. If your child is in the PM session the open house will be held from 8:30 a.m. until 9:00 a.m.
The purpose of this day is for your child to go to their classroom and meet his/her teacher.
Our Home and School Association (HSA) will be present during the open house and selling school spirit wear in preparation for the start of school.
Back to School Night
We will hold our annual Back to School Nights on the following dates:
Grades K-2 Wednesday, September 4th 6:30 p.m.
Grades 3 and 4 Thursday, September 5th 6:30 p.m.
*Note resource room teachers ( Mrs. Desai, Ms. Cella and Mrs. Masters and Ms. Winfough will meet with their parents at 6:00 p.m. on the respective nights.
Please note: BTSNs for parents ONLY - due to limited space we ask that students/children not attend back to school nights.
Transportation
The Hillsborough Township Board of Education provides transportation for each and every Sunnymead student who lives in our sending area. Thus, your child always has a seat reserved on the bus. It is the administrative expectation that all students take the district sponsored transportation each and every day. Our campus is unable to accommodate a large number of private vehicles during arrival and dismissal, all requests for Parent Pick-up will be reviewed by the principal or designee.
Placing your child on the bus is the safest and most efficient way for your child to arrive at Sunnymead Elementary School in the morning and to return home (or to parent designated after-care) in the afternoon. Students must follow the same dismissal procedure daily. Additionally, no private vehicles are permitted in the school driveway when buses are present or expected.
Student Arrival
Grades 1- 4 and A.M. kindergarteners arrive at 8:20 a.m.
Parents who must drop their children off please use the entrance located on the north side of the building the entrance that leads to the gym door / playground area) and proceed to the parent drop off loop. There will be staff members in the loop to assist students as they exit your vehicles. Parents please do not get out of your vehicles. This is a drop off loop only. - you will be directed as to how to exit the parking lot without entering the bus drop off zone.
A.M. Kindergarteners dismiss at 11:17 a.m. Parents who are picking up may park on the north end of the building and meet your students on the walkway outside of Room 1(refer to the detailed communication from your child’s teacher).
P.M. Kindergartners arrive at 12:17 p.m. Parents who are dropping their children off please park on the north end of the building and escort your child up the walkway to the entrance for Room 1 (refer to the detailed communication from your child’s teacher).
Dismissal
Parents who must pick their child(ren) up please use the entrance located on the north side of the building (the entrance that leads to the gym door / playground area) and proceed to the parent pick up loop. Please have a sign taped on the passenger side window with your child’s First and Last Name and grade in large letters (this will assist the staff in getting your child to the car quickly and keep the traffic flowing) Note:staff may also request ID from parents/guardians who they are not familiar with.
Communication
The staff has been busy preparing for September, getting classrooms, and the entire school ready for a new school year. As you know, the Hillsborough Township Public School District has put in place some excellent means of disseminating information over the past few years and I ask that as we begin our new year, you take some time to help us help you stay informed. (Please note that many of these resources are provided through Internet connections.)
1. The Hillsborough Township and Sunnymead School Websites: www.htps.us and www.sme.htps.us Please log in to the district website periodically throughout the school year. From the district site, you can link to the Sunnymead School website and find up-to-date information about what is happening at Sunnymead. The district homepage will also link you to two very important sites as listed below, Genesis and Mealtime® food services.
2. Genesis: Genesis is the student information program utilized by Hillsborough Township. Each student has their own individual profile on Genesis which includes their school information, as well as emergency contact information, attendance, grades, and more. All report cards throughout the school year will be posted in Genesis. You may log in at any time to view your child’s school attendance and also to review and keep your emergency contact information up-to-date. Access to Genesis is by way of the email address you have provided to the school. If you have never logged into Genesis, if you have forgotten your password, or need any help connecting, please contact our secretary, Mrs. Anastashia Mayo , at (908)431-6600, ext. 2399, for assistance. It is important that every parent is linked to their student’s account and is routinely accessing their Parent Portal throughout the school year.
3. School Messenger: As in previous years, we will use the School Messenger system to disseminate important announcements. Notifications will be sent using your saved telephone and email information in your Genesis Parent Portal. Please remember to keep your contact information up-to-date.
GENERAL REMINDERS:
Start time:
School begins at 8:20 AM for students. Students who arrive after 8:30 AM are considered tardy and MUST be signed in by an adult.
Early dismissal
Students being picked up for early dismissal MUST submit the Dismissal Change Request Form This link can also be accessed via our website: https://sme.htps.us/
For your convenience, please bookmark this link on your phone and computer.
In order to ensure a safe dismissal for all of our students, please be advised that NO dismissal changes will be made after 2:45PM.
Lunch
Students may bring their lunch each day or they may purchase lunch. The costs of lunch is as follows:
$ 2.75
Our School Community
Home and School: I would like to cordially invite each and every one of you to join our Home and School Association and join us at our bi-monthly meetings. The HSA is a vital link between the school and our Sunnymead families. We invite and encourage every family to become actively engaged. There are multiple opportunities to serve i.e. committee chairperson, committee member, class parent, participating in the fundraising efforts and of course attend a meeting to stay informed about what is happening at Sunnymead. Please visit our HSA Website to stay connected!
Thank you for your on-going support !
We are looking forward to having a great year!
With gratitude and appreciation,
Tammy Jenkins, Ed.D.
Principal