Principal’s Blog: May 2025
Suzanne MacDougall
May, 2025
Dear Walnut Ridge Families,
Thank you for reviewing the blog for upcoming events, updates, photos, and reminders that are posted here each month. Please check throughout the month for any updates as well. A reminder of weekly events for the upcoming week (and sometimes beyond) will be shared each Friday via email and text.
Dates to Remember:
May 16: Artstanding 5:00pm - 8:00PM at Lounsberry Hollow
May 19: Kindergarten Readiness Info session for Rising Kindergarten parents/guardians
Virtual Link HERE
May 28: Fun Day (Group 1) 10:00-11:30 Dixon, Cafferata, Bubendorf, Chupka, Vanderbeck, Ullmann, Demsak, Pecca, Weber
May 29: Fun Day (Group 2) 10:00-11:30 Barlow, Jacobs, MacDermid, Wtulich, Tobar, Talmadge, Simpson, Cox
June 11: Moving Up Day for Rising Kindergarten students and families (details to follow)
Revised 2024-2025 VTSD Calendar
Please click on the link below for a revised school calendar for this school year, which reflects a new last day of school due to snow days (June 19th), as well as revised early dismissal days at the end of the school year (now June 16th - 19th).
2023-2024 New Jersey School Performance Reports
The New Jersey Department of Education has issued the 2023-2024 NJ School Performance Reports. These reports offer comprehensive data on individual schools and districts throughout the state, serving as a valuable resource to gain deeper insights into our local schools. Click the link below to access further details.
23-24 NJ School Performance Reports Letter
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A Review of Preschool and Kindergarten Registration for CURRENT Preschool Students:
Preschool: All current students who are preschool age (meaning NOT 5 by October 1) will be automatically enrolled in the preschool with their same teacher for 2025-26. There is nothing parents need to do. Please reach out if you have any questions-email Suzanne MacDougall, Principal at smacdougall@vtsd.com or call 973-764-2801.
Kindergarten: Current preschool students going to Kindergarten will automatically be moved up to Kindergarten. No registration necessary. Please stay tuned for information on Kindergarten orientation and parent information sessions. Please note: ALL STUDENTS turning 5 on or before October 1 are eligible for Kindergarten.
A few parents have asked if children can stay an additional year in preschool after they turn 5 on or before October 1. While we would love to have your child for an extra year, the program regulations that we are to follow do not allow us to do that. Please reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns at smacdougall@vtsd.com OR call the main office.
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Preschool Events and Happenings:
Preschool works the welcome table at ARTstanding!
Mother's Day Celebrations!
Mrs. Pecca's class is enjoying some Springtime fun!
Earth Day fun with the Flat Lorax!
We had a successful bus evacuation drill!!
May 21st: We will be having our next Early Childhood Advisory Council. We will be reviewing the Family Needs Assessment Survey--thank you for completing that survey. The response was fantastic and will assist us greatly in planning meaningful activities and workshops in the upcoming year. We also will be working on gathering resources and information about activities for this summer.
May 28th and 29th: Preschool Fun Day (please see below)
It’s Preschool Fun Day!! Time: 10:00am -11:30am
May 28th- Dixon, Cafferata, Bubendorf, Chupka, Vanderbeck, Ullmann, Demsak, Pecca, Weber (GROUP 1)
May 29th -Barlow, Jacobs, MacDermid, Wtulich, Tobar, Talmadge, Simpson, Cox (GROUP 2)
Rain Date- May 30th AM- 10:00-11:30 am (Group 1) PM- 1:30-3:00 (Group 2)
Come join us for a day of fun and games!! We hope to see you there!
Please expect children to get wet today!
Fun Day Reminders:
● We will meet you OUTSIDE behind the school on the blacktop ● Bring a blanket or chair for sitting
● Please be sure that your child comes to school protected from the sun (apply sunscreen at home)
● Please send your child into school with appropriate footwear (sneakers/water shoes….NO flip flops, crocs, or sandals).
● Sign-out sheet will be available if you wish to take your child home with you
● Snack will be provided for preschool students but please pack a lunch for students
If you would like to contribute to this day, please check out the link below. Please send in all item bys May 23rd:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4EADAF2DA7FDCE9-56369277-funday
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Nurse News:
Please see Ms. Kim’s May Newsletter for important information from the Walnut Ridge Health Office. Click HERE.
Health Office Reminder: If your child has diarrhea, vomiting or a fever - there is the 24 hour rule. This means that your child must be diarrhea, vomiting or fever (without the use of medication) free for 24 hours before returning to school. Thank you for your understanding and adherence to this protocol. It truly helps in keeping students healthy!
Please see this MAY's Healthy Kids Club Newsletter for some healthy habits, snacks, and activities you can do at home.
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Important NEW Reminders:
Student Pick Up:
Please be mindful of stopping at the crosswalk--especially during dismissal as parents, students, and perhaps siblings are making their way to and from their cars. Children can be unpredictable and also hard to see. We will have a staff member available to assist as well. Thank you for your collaboration in keeping everyone safe.
Cafeteria Reminders:
If you would like your child to have a school breakfast or lunch, it must be ordered for each day in order for the cafeteria to prepare and deliver it. We always have a few extras on hand, but ordering on the google form truly helps the cafeteria prepare for student lunch time. At the change of the months, the new menu order form is available the afternoon before the first day of the month.
Maschio's Food Allergy Management Program
Please review the link below for information from Maschio's Food Service regarding protective measures for students with life-threatening food allergies, Celiac disease, dysphagia, diabetes, or other medical conditions.
Maschio's Food Allergy Program - English
Maschio's Food Allergy Program - Spanish
Superintendent Search
Your input is needed! The Vernon Township School District is gathering information from community members regarding the search for a new Superintendent. Please click here to share your thoughts on the top issues facing the district and crucial expertise necessary for success.
Important “Always Posted” Reminders and Links:
Please review emergency contact information listed in Genesis to ensure that there is another person to call in case we cannot reach you. There is also a box to check in Genesis if the emergency contact can pick up your child. This needs to be indicated in order to release your child to someone else other than a listed guardian. For temporary pick up changes, please continue to indicate that in Genesis when you note there is a change in how your child goes home.
Attendance: We understand that sometimes children need to stay home due to illness or family emergencies, and we completely support that. However, whenever possible, we encourage regular attendance, as it plays a key role in your child’s academic growth and helps them develop important skills for the future. Establishing good attendance habits in preschool sets a strong foundation for lifelong learning and success! Please do not hesitate to reach out to the school with any special circumstances. We will assist in any way we can. You may get a “check-in” call from Mrs. Polhemus if your child is out frequently.
Please label your child’s lunch box, backpack, and outdoor clothing items--writing your child’s name on the inside will help. At times, one of these items is left on the bus, and this will help us get it back to your child quickly.
Our classrooms are Peanut/Tree Nut Responsible. To ensure the safety of all students, please send a pre-packaged snack or a snack with a clearly labeled list of ingredients for your child. Snacks must not contain peanuts or tree nuts. Thank you for helping us maintain a safe environment!
Reminder for student pick up:
Student Drop Off/Arrival: 9:25AM
Student Pick Up: by 3:20PM students will be in the all purpose room and calling for parent pick up begins
Big Buses: 9:25 arrival; 3:25 Departure
**We kindly ask parents to avoid picking up their child early unless it is absolutely necessary. Early pickups can shorten student learning time and disrupt the classroom’s end-of-day routine, which includes packing up, lining up, and transitioning to the all-purpose room. Please keep in mind that most classrooms have only one aide, and maintaining consistency is important for a smooth dismissal process.
Unlike many schools, our preschool students are personally walked down to their parents at the end of the day, ensuring a safe and secure handoff. Your cooperation helps us provide the best experience for all children. Thank you for your understanding and support!**
Thank you for logging into the Genesis system if you are picking your child up instead of him/her taking the bus AND/OR someone else is picking your child up. For a step-by-step guide, watch this instructional video. After 12:00pm, please call the main office: 973-764-2801
Breakfast/Lunch Updates and Reminders:
All students who would like to have a school breakfast or lunch must use the google form to order each day. The google order forms are updated monthly and can be found on the WRPS webpage--scroll down just under the picture of the school and you will see a row of links. Parents can order for a month,week, or day week at a time. Please note, orders must be received by 8:00am.
If your child is absent, please email abarnable@vtsd.com so you don’t get charged for your child’s meal.
If you are interested in checking to see if you are eligible for free or reduced lunch, forms can be found on Genesis. If you would more information please reach out to Sherry Polhemus at spolhemus@vtsd.com or 973-764-6570
To sign up for purchasing lunch, go to mymealtime.com to set up and account and/or manage account funds.
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SCA News:
To learn more about Vernon’s School and Community Association (SCA) please visit their website to explore all of the wonderful things they do. Click HERE
Thank you WR-CM SCA for making our Teacher Appreciation Week extra-special for the teachers at Walnut Ridge!
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Community Events, Links, and Information:
5K Run & Walk
Vernon PAL and Vernon Recreation are sponsoring a 5K Run and Walk, with proceeds to benefit Benny Torres, a Vernon 8-year-old boy battling brain cancer for the second time in his life. Please click on the link below for information.
Vernon PAL & Vernon Recreation 5K
Miner’s Reading Club Newsletter
If you are participating in this incentive program, please see the below information for VTSD’s day on June 25th:
Wednesday, June 25 vs. NJ Jackals
These tickets have been sent to parents. Look for a message from delivery@emails.vivenu.com. If you don't see your tickets, check your spam folder.
May 18th Miners Club Newsletter There is information in this newsletter about tickets.
Vernon Township Recreation
Please click on the links below for the many upcoming events sponsored by Vernon Recreation!
Vernon Twp Recreation May Newsletter
Chalk Art Festival & Art in the Park
Family Promise of Sussex County
The mission of Family Promise of Sussex County is to secure housing stability and sustainability for those in crisis, because everyone deserves a home. Please click on the link below for their May newsletter.
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Wishing you all a wonderful month ahead. As always, feel free to reach out with any questions—we’re here to help!
Sincerely,
Suzanne MacDougall