
Cougar Connection - BACK TO SCHOOL!
WASHINGTON AVENUE SCHOOL NEWS - August 2019
Washington Avenue School
Website: http://www.chatham-nj.org/was
Location: 102 Washington Avenue, Chatham, NJ, United States
Phone: (973)457-2510
FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK
Below I have included important information such as school hours, our September Calendar of Events, car line procedures, Movie Night, and our new fall ASE offerings.
Thank you in advance for the gift of your children for this school year - we will continue with the promise I made last year - to keep them safe and to grow as learners!
Mrs. Dudlo
Principal, WAS
WAS School Hours 2019-2020 School Hours
Washington Avenue School 2019-2020
School Hours:
Kindergarten (Full Day) and Grades 1-3: 8:35 a.m. – 3:05 p.m.
Kindergarten (Half Day): AM Session 8:35 – 11:25 a.m.
PM Session 12:15 – 3:05 p.m.
Scheduled Delayed Openings:
Kindergarten (Full Day) and Grades 1, 2, 3
Scheduled Delayed Opening Hours: 10:35 a.m. - 3:05 p.m.
April 13, 2019
May 26, 2019
Kindergarten (Half Day) Scheduled Delayed Openings
April 13, 2020 – AM KINDERGARTEN ONLY (10:35 a.m. – 1:25 p.m.)
There will be no PM Kindergarten session this day.
May 26, 2020 – PM KINDERGARTEN ONLY (12:15 – 3:05 p.m.)
There will be no AM Kindergarten session on this day.
Scheduled Early Dismissal Days:
Kindergarten (Full Day) and Grades 1, 2, 3
Scheduled Early Dismissal Hours: 8:35 a.m. to 12:35 p.m.
Kindergarten (Half Day) Scheduled Early Dismissal Hours:
AM Kindergarten (8:35 a.m. – 10:35 p.m.)
PM Kindergarten (10:35 – 12:35 p.m.)
November 6, 27
December 3, 4, & 5
February 14
March 13
June 17, 18
WAS - SEPTEMBER 2019 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Tuesday, September 3rd School Opens - 8:35am, Grades K-3
Tuesday, September 3rd New Family Coffee - 8:20am on playground
Wednesday, September 4th Room Parent Meeting - 8:50, MPR
Monday, September 9th Fall ASE Registration Opens
Wednesday, September 11th Back to School Night
Friday, September 13th New Family Picnic - 5:30pm - 7:00, WAS front blacktop
Monday, September 16th ASE Classes Begin
Tuesday, September 17th PTO Meeting - 9:00am, MPR
Monday, September 23rd Picture Day
Friday, September 27th WAS Family Movie Night - 7:00pm, WAS field
Monday, September 30th NO SCHOOL - Rosh Hashanah
New Changes to the Main Entrance for Drop Off and Pick Up!
Washington Avenue School Arrival and Dismissal Routes: Car Line Drop Off and Pick Up Procedures
For the safety of our children, please adhere to the following guidelines from
8:20 – 8:45 and 2:55 – 3:15
Your help is needed in minimizing traffic problems on Washington Avenue. Please remember to abide by the following:
Utilize Inwood Road, Lafayette Avenue, Cherry Lane, Washington Avenue, and Fairmount Avenue in order to access the entrance of WAS. Travel down Lafayette-make a right onto Cherry Lane (one past Chatham Street)-then make a right onto Washington Avenue.
Please avoid using Chatham Street, Oliver Street and Orchard Road whenever possible.
Handicap parking is always available. Spaces marked for visitors should NOT be utilized during drop off and pick up, but may be used at other times throughout the day if you are volunteering, attending a meeting, etc.
When pulling into the driveway, utilize the right side only as we have a parking lot that staff members will need to access. Buses will also be using this entrance and will need to pull up to the front of the school for students to exit and board.
Please wait before the lined crosswalk in front of the right hand lower lot to allow staff members to enter and exit during arrival and dismissal. When space in front of these lines is available, you may pull up.
Children should only be let out of cars or picked up in the designated areas in front of the school. For their safety, students should be seated in the back seat on the passenger side of the car to avoid them having to cross in front or in back of other cars.
To help expedite the pick up and drop off process, please make sure your child is ready to exit the car as you approach the dropoff area.
Avoid approaching WAS from Watchung Avenue – there are no left turns into the WAS driveway.
Do not use Chatham Street during drop off or pick up – this will help to eliminate the backup of traffic.
Do not cross over Washington Avenue from Oliver Street or Orchard.
NEVER leave your car unattended in the line. All drivers must stay in their cars. Staff members and parent volunteers will be available to assist students when necessary.
For your child’s safety, do not drop off/pick up along the way once in the lot. We do not want children walking between cars or walking in the parking lot.
Do not drop children off on Orchard Road or Lincoln Avenue behind the school. This entrance is to be utilized by students walking to school only.
On inclement weather days, there are no exceptions to these guidelines.
Please share these guidelines with anyone in your household or family that may be using the car line.
The upper lot is only to be utilized by staff for parking - parking here for drop off and pick up is not permitted.
Everyone using the car line should be using the front driveway of the school on Washington Avenue.
Thank you in advance for all of your patience, help, and understanding in maintaining safety around the school!
Welcome Back to After School Enrichment (ASE)!
Washington Avenue School After School Enrichment Program
Fall 2019
Registration is from 8pm Monday, September 9th – Wednesday, September 11th
ASE Classes Begin Monday, September 16th
Washington Avenue School PTO is proud to offer the catalog for the Fall Session of our After School Enrichment Program. Once again, we are joined by amazing teachers and community members sharing their talents with our children. Please read through the entire catalog for course descriptions, class dates and costs. The class descriptions are compiled in alphabetical order by name. Classes will run MONDAY - THURSDAY.
POLICIES:
All classes will run from 3:10 to 4:10 pm except for Model Rocketry being a 6 week course ending @ 4:25. Please pick your child up promptly in the front of the building. There will be no crossing guards on duty.
Attendance is taken everyday, and parents are notified of absences. Please call the office or send a note to your child’s homeroom teacher if your child is attending school, but will not be attending his/her enrichment program for that day.
Any classes held in the gym will be dismissed from the gym doors. All other classes will be dismissed from the main school entrance.
If school is closed for any reason (Early Closing/Dismissal), ASE classes for that day will also be cancelled.
A refund may be requested by Monday, September 23rd and you will receive a refund via check within a few weeks. Supplies are purchased in advance and cannot be refunded. There will be no makeup or refund for missed classes. A $10 processing fee will be applied to all withdrawals.
If classes are cancelled due to inclement weather, every attempt will be made to make-up the class. However, there is no guarantee. Refunds will not be given.
All class registrations must be completed on Community Pass within the specified registration period. If a class has not reached a minimum registration it may be cancelled at the discretion of the ASE committee and the teacher.
Students attending ASE are dismissed to the gym for Birthday Parties. ASE classes end at 4:10. No supervision is provided prior to Mr. A Birthday Parties that start later in the afternoon.
PLEASE NOTE: Last minute cancellations and changes may occur throughout the session. You will be contacted via email and/or phone if this happens. PLEASE read your emails from WAS Enrichment so you and your children are informed of any schedule changes and we may direct your child appropriately at the end of the school day.
FOR ALL COOKING CLASSES AND CLASSES WHERE FOOD IS SERVED AS A SNACK: Cooking classes use a variety of food ingredients; therefore, ALL food allergies (no matter how minor) must be disclosed at the time of registration. In addition, for any classes where food is served as a snack, ALL allergies (no matter how minor) must be disclosed at the time of registration. Peanut and tree nut ingredients are prohibited in all classes. If any allergy-related information is not disclosed to the ASE staff, the child will be removed from the class and a refund will not be issued.
REGISTRATION ON COMMUNITY PASS:
You may access the detailed brochure and register for classes by typing:
https://register.communitypass.net/chatham
or typing “community pass chatham” into your browser. Once you have reached the Community Pass welcome screen you can access our catalog by using the same name and password that you used for the last Enrichment session.
**When registering, please ensure that your child’s personal information (i.e. teacher name, grade, dismissal procedure and medical information) are updated.**
If you are new to the system you will need to create a profile. Again, type “community pass chatham” then simply follow the links at the top left of the screen. Creation of a profile is required to be able to register for classes.
QUESTIONS: wasenrichment@hotmail.com
ASE Class Descriptions
CLASS DESCRIPTIONS – FALL 2019
ART A LA CARTE: NEW!
Kids love to create! By practicing the basics of art making, they experience a whole new way of seeing the world and expressing themselves. They will learn about different kinds of art through time, then they will draw, paint, collage & sculpt, and create beaded and handmade projects with results they would be proud to show off. Class is limited to 12 students.
Class Dates: 9/18, 9/25, 10/2, 10/23, 10/30, 11/13, 11/20, 12/11
Offered: Wednesday
Grades: K-3
Instructor: Artsy Smartsy
Fee: $165
BASIC SEWING: Learn to sew wonderful things to play with, use, and give as gifts! Children will strengthen hand-eye coordination as they take pride in the practical and artistic aspects of learning to sew. Creative use of textiles, colors and design. Sewing Skills to be learned are: sewing safety, threading a needle, straight stitch, whipstitch, needlepoint, sewing on buttons, casings, and stuffing a project. Projects include small pillow, stuffed animal, and, if time, needlepoint item. Class is limited to 8 students.
Class Dates: 9/18, 9/25, 10/2, 10/23, 10/30, 11/13, 11/20, 12/11
Offered: Wednesday
Grades: 2-3
Instructor: Sarah Fechtner, SBS Teacher
Fee: $150
BEGINNING CODING: Throughout this course students will be introduced to the basics of computer science and will learn how to make their own art, stories, and games using drag and drop coding. This course is recommended for beginners and is available for all levels of readers. Class is limited to 12 students.
Class Dates: 9/19, 9/26, 10/3, 10/10, 10/24, 11/14, 11/21, 12/12
Offered: Thursday
Grades: 1-2
Instructor: Mrs. Moll, WAS Teacher
Fee: $130
CAMP GAMES: NEW! Let the summer live on! Play games you would at summer camp in the fall! They include kickball, gaga, soccer, capture the flag, tug of war and other fun games. Class is limited to 15 students.
Class Dates: 9/18, 9/25, 10/2, 10/23, 10/30, 11/13, 11/20, 12/11
Offered: Wednesday
Grades: K-2
Instructor: Sports Universe
Fee: $135
CODING, UNPLUGGED: NEW! Students will experience coding like they never thought possible...without the use of a computer! Through unplugged activities, students will learn the fundamentals of computer science. They will partake in a design challenge where they will learn that failure is an important step toward success, they will make bracelets for classmates based on a given algorithm, and more! Class is limited to 12 students.
Class Dates: 9/17, 9/24, 10/8, 10/15, 10/22, 10/29, 11/5, 11/12
Offered: Tuesday
Grades: 2-3
Instructor: Mrs. Moll, WAS Teacher
Fee: $130
CREATIVITY RE-IMAGINED: NEW! Bring your creativity and ingenuity! Each week, students will be given a different set of materials and a design or artistic challenge inspired by Museum of Early Trades and Crafts's historic collection and building. From making a building out of everyday objects to painting without a paintbrush this program will engage participants' hands and minds in a different way each week. Class is limited to 10 students.
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Class Dates: 9/16, 9/23, 10/7, 10/21, 10/28, 11/4, 11/11, 11/18
Offered: Monday
Grades: K-2
Instructor: Hilary May, Curator of Education, Museum of Early Trades and Crafts
Fee: $150
DANCE PARTY: Dance along as you learn the moves to party favorites such as The Electric Slide and Cotton Eyed Joe, as well as some international dances like Merengue, Cha Cha and Mambo. You will also get a feel for classics such as the Twist, Limbo, Bunny Hop, Disco, Square Dancing and Irish Dance. Class is limited to12 students.
Class Dates: 9/16, 9/23, 10/7, 10/21, 10/28, 11/4, 11/11, 11/18
Offered: Monday
Grades: K-3
Instructor: Miss Carol, Inner Grace Dance Instructor
Fee: $130
FAIRYTALE ENGINEERING: NEW! Join us as we put our problem solving skills to the test while designing and building innovative solutions to problems in popular fairy tales. We will be designing ways for Rapunzel to escape the tower, figuring out how to build a bed suitable for Goldilocks, and more! Class is limited to 12 students.
Class Dates: 9/18, 9/25, 10/2, 10/23, 10/30, 11/13, 11/20, 12/11
Offered: Wednesday
Grades: 2-3
Instructor: Mrs. Moll, WAS Teacher
Fee: $130
FALL BAKING: NEW! Whisking, mixing, measuring and stirring, we will be busy creating scrumptious foods that are sure to impress all while learning fundamental cooking and baking skills. Each week the students will take home their creations to enjoy at home. A complete collection of all the recipes will be provided to each student at the end of all the classes. ALL FOOD ALLERGIES (no matter how minor) MUST BE DISCLOSED. Class is limited to 10 students.
Class Dates: 9/16, 9/23, 10/7, 10/21, 10/28, 11/4, 11/11, 11/18
Offered: Monday
Grades: 1-3
Instructors: Deb Torrioni and Ami Zinser, LAF Paraprofessionals
Fee: $165
FRIENDSHIP CRAFTS: Do you want to learn how to make lanyards such as the box, cobra, and zipper? How about scrapbooking a page of pictures for your friends and family or making them rainbow loom bracelets? If you answered “YES!”, this is the class for you. Join me each week to get your creative and crafty juices flowing. Make and take crafts of all kinds to share with your friends or keep for yourself. Class is Limited to 12 students.
Class Dates: 9/17, 9/24, 10/8, 10/15, 10/22, 10/29, 11/5, 11/12
Offered: Tuesday
Grades: 1-3
Instructor: Mrs. Gutierrez, WAS Teacher
Fee: $130
GAMES! GAMES! GAMES!: NEW! Clue Jr., Connect Four, Operation Trouble, Uno and more! This class will provide students with an opportunity to play some of the most beloved board and card games. We will introduce a few new games each week and if there is time, students will be able to create their own games! Students will be able to develop important skills like following directions and being a good sport, all while having fun! Class is limited to 10 students.
Class Dates: 9/16, 9/23, 10/7, 10/21, 10/28, 11/4, 11/11, 11/18
Offered: Monday
Grades: 2-3
Instructor: Mrs. Cody, WAS Paraprofessional
Fee: $130
IT’S COUGAR COOL TO BE KIND: NEW! Join us in being Cougar Cool with Kind projects that benefit the WAS community and beyond! Activities will be student driven ideas of random acts of kindness. Class is limited to 12 students.
Class Dates: 9/19, 9/26, 10/3, 10/10, 10/24, 11/14, 11/21, 12/12
Offered: Thursday
Grades: K-2
Instructor: Mrs. Trivelli, WAS Paraprofessional
Fee: $130
LEGO MANIA: NEW! Have fun building awesome projects! Letting their imaginations and curiosity go wild, students will create impressive LEGO models. We will build open-ended projects to promote risk taking and also in teams to foster group communication, leadership dynamics, patience and problem solving. Class is limited to 10 students.
Class Dates: 9/16, 9/23, 10/7, 10/21, 10/28, 11/4, 11/11, 11/18
Offered: Monday
Grades: 1-3
Instructor: Mrs. Trivelli, WAS Paraprofessional
Fee: $130
LET’S PLAY A TUNE!: MusicStart® is a patented progressive music learning system that balances fun and development of skills. Using familiar songs, it teaches all the necessary basics to get started playing music. The MusicStart® Keyboard is especially designed for learning. MusicStart® is preparation for (or supplement to) playing any instrument and teaches step-by-step problem solving. Both new and repeat students are welcome and will be appropriately challenged. All materials are provided. Class is limited to 12 students.
Class Dates: 9/19, 9/26, 10/3, 10/10, 10/24, 11/14, 11/21, 12/12
Offered: Thursday
Grades: K-3
Instructor: MusicStart
Fee: $165
MODEL ROCKETRY: Build, paint and launch model rockets. Rockets can soar up to 1,500 ft! Class is limited to 20 students.
PLEASE NOTE: This is a 6 week course and DISMISSAL is 4:25
Class Dates: 9/18, 9/25, 10/2, 10/23, 10/30, 11/13
Offered: Wednesday
Grade: 1-3
Instructor: Mr. A & Mr. Hasegawa, WAS Teachers
Fee: $135
PLAYDOUGH TO PLATO: Kids love finding out how things work through fun, hands-on activities. Join us for a different STEM exploration each week. Some of these creative projects include designing and building simple machines, writing our names in Binary Code, creating Origami sculptures and constructing mazes. Class is limited to 14 students.
Class Dates: 9/17, 9/24, 10/8, 10/15, 10/22, 10/29, 11/5, 11/12
Offered: Tuesday
Grade: 1-3
Instructor: Mrs. Trivelli, WAS Paraprofessional
Fee: $130
READERS THEATER: Lights, Camera, Action! Actors don’t memorize their lines here, and they only use vocal expression to help tell the story. Join us for a different performance every week, having fun while promoting fluency, building confidence and practicing to read aloud with expression! Class is limited to 10 students.
Class Dates: 9/18, 9/25, 10/2, 10/23, 10/30, 11/13, 11/20, 12/11
Offered: Wednesday
Grade: 2-3
Instructor: Mrs. Trivelli, WAS Paraprofessional
Fee: $130
SCHOOLHOUSE CHESS: Schoolhouse Chess brings chess pieces to life using creative and animated personalities that enable students to learn the game in a fun and exciting way. Students become fascinated with imaginative chess characters that accelerate the learning process. All materials are supplied and rules and strategies are practiced. Class is limited to 10 students.
Class Dates: 9/19, 9/26, 10/3, 10/10, 10/24, 11/14, 11/21, 12/12
Offered: Thursday
Grade: 2-3
Instructor: Mad Science
Fee: $165
SCIENCE IN BUBBLES: Through the fun of making bubbles, students are introduced to concepts of cohesion, molecular structure, surface area, volume, shapes, angles, surface tension, minimum surface and air pressure. Each class features different experiments or hands-on activities that are fun or engaging for kids! Class is limited to 10 students.
Class Dates: 9/17, 9/24, 10/8, 10/15, 10/22, 10/29, 11/5, 11/12
Offered: Tuesday
Grade: K-1
Instructor: Horizons in Learning
Fee: $150
SCULPTING WITH FIBER ART: In this fun, free spirited class we will use wool, water, gentle soap and our hands to create colorful, one-of-a-kind accessories and works of art. This will include felted soap, flower, bracelet, wall art and other projects. We will also embellish some of the work with beads and buttons. This class will surely bring out the kids creative imagination and guaranteed to have lots of fun. No wool allergies, please. Class is limited to 8 students.
Class Dates: 9/18, 9/25, 10/2, 10/23, 10/30, 11/13, 11/20, 12/11
Offered: Wednesday
Grades: 1-3
Instructor: Josie Dakers-Brathwaite, Josie’s Colourful Journey
Fee: $150
SPANISH: Your child will have fun learning conversational Spanish through songs, crafts, games, and snacks. They will learn greetings, numbers, days of the week, parts of the body and so much more! ALL FOOD ALLERGIES (no matter how minor) MUST BE DISCLOSED. Class is limited to 10 students.
Class Dates: 9/19, 9/26, 10/3, 10/10, 10/24, 11/14, 11/21, 12/12
Offered: Thursday
Grade: 1-3
Instructor: Carolyn Dempsey, Former WAS Mom
Fee: $135
SPORTS AND GAMES: Join an active group of students as they play organized games and activities with our treasured gym teacher, Mr. A. Learn to play with others and challenge the limits of physical activity with friends after school! This class is limited to 25 students.
*Class dismissal will be from the gym doors*
Grades K-3
Offered: Tuesday
Class Dates: 9/17, 9/24, 10/8, 10/15, 10/22, 10/29, 11/5, 11/12
Grades 1-3
Offered: Thursday
Class Dates: 9/19, 9/26, 10/3, 10/10, 10/24, 11/14, 11/21, 12/12
Instructor: Mr. A., WAS Teacher
Fee: $120
SPORTS OF ALL SORTS: The basics to various sports will be taught and game play will follow. Sports will include baseball, basketball, football, lacrosse, hockey, soccer and tennis. This is a great opportunity to learn something new or hone your skills in a sport you are familiar with! Class is limited to 15 students.
Class Dates: 9/16, 9/23, 10/7, 10/21, 10/28, 11/4, 11/11, 11/18
Offered: Monday
Grades: K-2
Instructor: Sports Universe
Fee: $135
WALL PAINTERS: Students will work alongside Mr. Hasegawa to create a large scale mural right on the hallway walls of Washington Avenue School. Students will learn to collaborate with peers to produce a lasting piece of artwork! Class is limited to 15 students.
Class Dates: 9/17, 9/24, 10/8, 10/15, 10/22, 10/29, 11/5, 11/12
Offered: Tuesdays
Grade: 1-3
Instructor: Mr. Hasegawa, WAS Teacher
Fee: $130
COMMUNITY CORNER
Please visit: http://www.chathampto.org/dc-community-corner for more information on Community Events.
PTO WELCOME
FROM THE PTO
Welcome back WAS families! We hope you all enjoyed the summer and are looking forward to a fun and exciting school year! As many of you are already aware, the WAS PTO is responsible for running many activities, experiences, and school improvements that help enrich and enhance our children's school experiences. To name just a few...Field Trips, Movie Night, Book Fair, Field Day, 'Give Back, Give Thanks', Holiday Boutique, New Family Welcome, Picture Day, Pizza Parlor Day, Teacher Appreciation, and more. Throughout this upcoming school year, there will be many opportunities for you to get involved with PTO activities, please keep an eye out for parent volunteer sign-ups. There are volunteer roles at school as well as behind the scenes at home. We are always looking to get parents involved and welcome your time and energy. The PTO has completed some large projects at the school over the summer that we can’t wait to share with everyone on Back to School Night on September 11th!
GENERAL FUND
Please also remember that in order to continue with our efforts, the PTO needs to raise the funds to cover associated costs. Therefore, we will have a General Fund again this year in lieu of multiple, small fundraisers throughout the year. Please consider donating to the General Fund so that we are able to continue our tradition of providing our school/students with opportunities/items that enhance their educational experience. You will receive a flyer and information on how to donate in your child's backpack the first day of school or you can donate right now online at:
https://squareup.com/store/washington-avenue-school-pto
The Washington Avenue School PTO is a non profit organization with a charitable and educational focus funding student activities and facility improvements.
squareup.com
Our Room Parents can also collect PTO Dues and General Fund donations at Back to School Night. Thank you in advance for your generous support.
PTO MEETING
Please mark your calendars for our first PTO meeting held on Tuesday, September 17th at 9am in the Multi-Purpose Room. We hope to see you there!
CAR LINE
Student safety is one of our most important concerns at WAS. Although our car line is a popular, convenient way to get many students to/from school, it doesn't function on its own. We are in need of parent volunteers to help keep the car line running smoothly and safely. The students and staff appreciate your help, especially in reminding parents to remain in their vehicle, having the children use the passenger side for exiting, etc. Please use the link below to sign-up for morning or afternoon car line shirts whenever possible. We know it's not a glamorous job but our students' safety is worth your time!
MOVIE NIGHT!
Movie Night: Don’t miss WAS’s annual outdoor movie night featuring “The Secret Life of Pets 2" on Friday, September 27th at 7pm. Bring your friends and family.. Please note this is not a drop off event.
WAS Family Movie Night
Rated PG
Friday, Sep 27, 2019, 07:00 PM
WAS Field
RSVPs are enabled for this event.