| WALNUT RIDGE SCHOOL P.O. Box 190/625 Route 517, Vernon, NJ 07462 Phone: 973-764-2801 Web: www.vtsd.com |
Suzanne MacDougall, Principal |
August 17, 2026
Dear Walnut Ridge School parents and guardians,
As September draws near, I am excited to welcome all of our Walnut Ridge preschool families to the 2026-2027 school year! We can't wait to open our doors and see all our students on Thursday, September 3, 2026. Please read on for important information and reminders for a successful start of the new school year.
Walnut Ridge will hold an Open House on Wednesday, August 26 from 10:00am until 12:00pm and Thursday, August 27 from 1:00pm until 3:00pm. Please bring your child, walk the hallways, locate the classroom, and visit the playground. Our new playground behind the school next to the blacktop is open as well. During the Open House, we will be holding a bus orientation for students taking the bus to/from school. This will include bus safety information, seatbelt practice, and a short bus ride as well. I will also be available to say hello and meet you and your child. Please note teachers will not be present at this time.
The Genesis Parent Portal is open. At this time, you can log in to complete online school forms. On August 19, you will see your child’s teacher, your child’s bus number, bus stop, and time of morning pick up. If you need to change your child’s bus stop please fill out the form at https://www.vtsd.com/o/vtsd/page/bus-stop-change-request. If you feel the bus stop or bus number is incorrect, please contact Mrs. Marisa Broesder, Transportation Coordinator, at mbroesder@vtsd.com. If you have questions about free/reduced lunch please email frl@vtsd.com. If you are having difficulty getting into your Genesis portal, please contact Michele Reilly at 973-764-2801 between 8:00AM-4:00PM or Jennifer Shirhall at jshirhall@vtsd.com after 4:00PM.
It is also important to note the following: If your child’s third birthday is after the first day of school, yet on or before October 1, 2026, as required by the program, your child can start school on September 3.
The School and Community Association (SCA) will be supporting our students and families again this year with events, fundraisers, and more throughout the year. The first SCA meeting of the year will take place on Wednesday, September 16 at 9:45am in the All Purpose Room. Come meet other SCA parents and our new officers to learn how the SCA enhances every student’s experience and how you can get involved in your child’s school. Meetings will be generally held on the third Wednesday of the month at Walnut in the all purpose room and via Zoom. Look for more information to follow and please stop by their table at Back to School Night.
Back to School Night will be held on Tuesday, September 1. This event is for BOTH parents AND preschool students. This will be a time for you and your child to meet the teacher and fellow classmates. You can also bring your child’s supplies--click here for the supply list. In addition to receiving important information, please be sure to confirm your child’s transportation to/from school and take your child’s color-coded class tag before leaving the classroom. This tag goes on your child’s backpack and is essential to arrival and dismissal during the first weeks of school and beyond. The evening will conclude with a visit to the all-purpose room where we will have more resources and information to share with you. The schedule will be as follows:
Session 1: 4:30pm - 5:15pm
Teachers | Session 1 Schedule |
Bassani, Bubendorf, Chupka, Demsak, Simpson, Stoll, Tobar, Ullmann, Weber, Wtulich | 4:30pm: Meet and Greet with your child’s teacher in the classroom 5:00: All Purpose Room for resource tables 5:15pm: Session 1 Ends |
Session 2: 5:30pm-6:15pm
Teachers | Session 2 Schedule |
Barlow, Cafferata, Clements, DiCarlo, Jacobs, MacDermid, Mentone, Pecca, Talmadge, Vanderbeck | 5:30pm: Meet and Greet with your child’s teacher in the classroom 6:00pm: All Purpose Room for resource tables 6:15pm: Session 2 Ends |
INFORMATION ON PARKING AND DROP OFF AT WALNUT RIDGE PRESCHOOL
Walnut Ridge Preschool’s drop off/pick up procedure: Parents that drop off and pick up their child(ren) will be required to park in an available spot in the Walnut Ridge parking lot which is at the end of the building next to the playgrounds. Please escort your child to the waiting area outside of the All-Purpose room doors. A line will form along the building. Please be aware Walnut Ridge Preschool does not have the personnel to supervise students who are dropped off early; therefore, students will only be permitted to enter the building at 9:20 AM when the All-Purpose room doors open, and students are dismissed from the bus with aide supervision. If you are picking up your child at the end of the school day, students will be dismissed from the All-Purpose room at 3:20 pm. You must present proper ID to the office staff who will bring your child(ren) to you. Starting at 3:05, our door monitor will be outside ready to greet you, check identification, and sign your child out. Thank you in advance for your patience as we get to know new students and families. Expect additional time for arrival and dismissal during the first few days of school.
Our district will continue to use the Raptor Visitor Management System for those parents, guardians, or other family members who are entering the building. All guests will be required to sign in and show his or her driver’s license upon entering the building at the welcome window where they will be greeted by our friendly office staff. Every visitor will be issued a visitor’s pass, will be requested to wear the pass in a visible place on clothing, and will be required to turn in the pass before leaving the building.
Please visit Walnut Ridge website , Parent Handbook, and the seasonal Principal’s Blog for important school information and updates. Be on the lookout for weekly Friday updates via text and/or email as well. Please contact the main office if you do not receive these announcements at 973-764-2801.
I am looking forward to a wonderful year with your child and your family!
Sincerely,
Suzanne MacDougall
Principal