Harmony Elementary Harmony Elementary School 2013-2014School 2013-2014

Back to School NightBack to School Night

Grades 3-5Grades 3-5

Welcome ParentsWelcome Parents Erik M. Paulson – PrincipalErik M. Paulson – Principal

PaulsonE@middletownk12.orgPaulsonE@middletownk12.org

Position Executive Board Members

Co-Presidents Vita Gardiner /  Kristin Valinotti

Co-Vice-Presidents Jen Baker / Veronica Mullarney

Treasurer  Maria Breen

Co-Secretary Lisa Walker / Rosa Perry

Y-Clubs and Y-CareY-Clubs and Y-Care

Hayley Nelson – Y-ClubsHayley Nelson – Y-Clubs Y-Care – Information packet onlineY-Care – Information packet online

KWelcome Back to School!Looking forward to a great school year filled with fun !

“Parent involvement in education is like the frosting on a cupcake, it makes it complete

and oh so sweet.”

Who are we?Co- Presidents: Vita Gardiner and Kristin ValinottiCo- Vice Presidents: Veronica Mullarney and Jenn BakerCo-Secretaries- Rosa Perry and Lisa WalkerTreasurer: Maria Breen

The Harmony PTO works with the cooperation of our school community to make Harmony a fun-filled school where learning takes place and kids feel safe and cared for.

◦ We work hard to facilitate fund raisers that have raised money for technology and gym equipment as well as charity for our neighbors who suffered loss during Hurricane Sandy.

◦ As our funds allow, we support the programs of our school that directly affect the students. As in the past our fund raising goal for the 2013-2014 school year is to provide busing for each grade level for one class trip during the school year and to provide various enrichment programs during the course of the school year as well.

◦ We lead or facilitate various committees that work to hard to make Harmony a fun filled school. These events provide memories for our children that will last a lifetime.

HARMONY TEACHERS ARE THE BEST! YOU ARE ONE SMART COOKIE!

The largest and most fun fundraiser of the year will be held October 11th. Profits from our auction last year allowed us to purchase 25 chrome books and 7 additional Smart Boards. We are proud to announce that there is a smart board in every classroom in Harmony school.

Families from all schools in Middletown run or walk to raise money for their school. Profits from the Great Race were donated to Sandy victims in our school and Port Monmouth school which allowed us to help those in need in our community.

Holiday Fair

This year students will participate in the First Harmony Halloween Fest! Festivities will begin at 1:00 with a costume parade, then class parties and then a Trunk or Treat from 5:00 to 6:00 PM.

PTO funds purchase enrichment programs that provide entertainment and learning to students throughout the year.

The title speaks for itself! Parents run this day for students to make it the best day of the year. It is filled with fun, games, snacks, and a DJ for dancing.

Students are encouraged to showcase their talents every year in Harmony’s Variety Show. Last year Mr. Paulson and the teachers even participated in the show!

It’s your child’s last year! Help to make sure it’s the best one yet! Help to raise funds for 5th grade events such as:DancesTripsEnd of year party

Please see the flyer in your folder and join the PTO Please attend PTO meetings. All meetings are

listed on a flyer located in your information packet and on the school calendar.

Volunteer to help when you can. Join a committee! Take an active role in your school.

Email PTOharmony@gmail.com Join our facebook page: Harmony Parents Talk to us about any ideas you have

Let’s work together to make our school a great place for our kids.

Information about your principal Information about your principal

• Middletown Public SchoolsMiddletown Public Schools• CollegeCollege

• Undergraduate – Elon UniversityUndergraduate – Elon University• BA – Elementary EducationBA – Elementary Education• Substitute Teacher – Middletown Public SchoolsSubstitute Teacher – Middletown Public Schools

• Graduate – Georgian Court UniversityGraduate – Georgian Court University• MA – Administration, Supervision, & Curriculum Planning and ManagementMA – Administration, Supervision, & Curriculum Planning and Management

• Student CenteredStudent Centered• Open Door PolicyOpen Door Policy

• Chain of CommandChain of Command

• Be the parent first and they will be your friend laterBe the parent first and they will be your friend later

The Harmony FamilyThe Harmony Family

Your Child, Addison (4) , Kadence (2 on 10/2/13), and Tara (My Wife)

Your Child!

What to expect this evening…What to expect this evening… CurriculumCurriculum

Online resources (store those passwords)Online resources (store those passwords) Classroom process and proceduresClassroom process and procedures HandoutsHandouts

Emergency Forms & PTOEmergency Forms & PTO Individual student questions will not be Individual student questions will not be

addressed…please email your child’s teacheraddressed…please email your child’s teacher

Student / Parent HandbookStudent / Parent Handbook Emergency DrillsEmergency Drills

One Fire DrillOne Fire Drill One Emergency Drill (followed by letter each month)One Emergency Drill (followed by letter each month)

Class Parent(s) and VolunteersClass Parent(s) and Volunteers Mandatory Policy Training @ the PTO meetings Mandatory Policy Training @ the PTO meetings

this monththis month Birthday PolicyBirthday Policy

Special recognition twice a monthSpecial recognition twice a month Birthday BagBirthday Bag

Student / Parent HandbookStudent / Parent Handbook AbsencesAbsences

Email, texting, and virtual communication is Email, texting, and virtual communication is NOTNOT an an acceptable form of communication to inform the school acceptable form of communication to inform the school of an absence.of an absence.

Handwritten and/or typed noteHandwritten and/or typed note All doctors notes must be submitted within 3 days of All doctors notes must be submitted within 3 days of

absence.absence. Change of Demographics or Emergency ContactsChange of Demographics or Emergency Contacts

Notify the teacher and main office in writingNotify the teacher and main office in writing Stop by the main officeStop by the main office

Student / Parent HandbookStudent / Parent Handbook Cell Phones and BYODCell Phones and BYOD

They are permitted and should remain in the off position They are permitted and should remain in the off position in your child’s book bagin your child’s book bag

Class CelebrationsClass Celebrations Schedule determined by the teacherSchedule determined by the teacher Sign-up online for big event daysSign-up online for big event days Food Policy – FOMNV (sugar is first ingredient)Food Policy – FOMNV (sugar is first ingredient)

LunchLunch Lunch in Lunch in The Hawk’s The Hawk’s

NestNest Grades 2 and 4 eat togetherGrades 2 and 4 eat together Grades 3 and 5 eat togetherGrades 3 and 5 eat together K and 1K and 1stst grades eat in grades eat in

classroomsclassrooms

Disposal of garbageDisposal of garbage Food (Age appropriate)Food (Age appropriate)

Be sure to send your child with items that they can

open independently.

School Calendar & Phone/Text BlastsSchool Calendar & Phone/Text Blasts

Connecting your Smart device and email Connecting your Smart device and email calendarcalendar

Text the number 563-60 with the message “Join”Text the number 563-60 with the message “Join” You will receive text messages with updatesYou will receive text messages with updates

Phone BlastsPhone Blasts EmergenciesEmergencies RemindersReminders Calendar UpdatesCalendar Updates

Email BlastsEmail Blasts Same as aboveSame as above

Parent Information NightsParent Information Nights Held throughout the school yearHeld throughout the school year

Curricular basedCurricular based BullyingBullying State of the School (data review)State of the School (data review) District OpportunitiesDistrict Opportunities

Every PTO meeting has a principal Every PTO meeting has a principal reportreport