Family Newsletter 9/25/26

September 25, 2026

Dear Whiton Families,

As we are settling in to the new school year, I wanted to take some time to revisit the importance of regular school attendance. Regular attendance in elementary school is an important part of helping students build strong academic, social, and emotional foundations. Each school day provides opportunities for students to learn new skills, practice what they have learned, build relationships with teachers and classmates, and develop routines that support their success. When students are frequently absent, they can miss important instruction and experiences that can be difficult to make up. Being at school consistently helps students stay connected to their learning, feel part of the school community, and develop the habits and confidence they need to be successful.

Every day matters, and it is so important that our students are here! Please keep in mind that, in order for a student to be marked “present,” they must be in school for at least four hours. The four hours do not have to be consecutive. If your student needs to leave school for an appointment, please make every effort to bring them back to school afterward so they can continue their learning.

Whenever possible, please consider scheduling appointments first thing in the morning or toward the end of the school day. Every day matters, and every minute of learning counts!

As we look ahead, the next few weeks bring many exciting events for our students!

Next week, we will be practicing our annual fall bus evacuation drill. There is nothing that families need to do, as students will be learning and practicing what to do in case of an emergency while riding a bus or van. This drill is for all students, including those who ride the bus and those who are dropped off by a parent/guardian. We want all of our students to know what to do and feel prepared in the event of an emergency.

The Book Fair, sponsored by the PTO, will run from October 14–21. Each class will have an opportunity to visit the Book Fair during their regularly scheduled library time. The Book Fair will also be open for families on Tuesday, October 20, from 4:00–6:00p.m. for anyone who would like to shop together. If you are picking your student up from dismissal that afternoon, please wait until after the buses have left before coming to the front entrance to enter the Book Fair. If you will be doing parent pick up that day, please remember to email the office and your student's teacher before 2:00 p.m. so they are on the pick up list.

We will also be celebrating Halloween this year, with our parade beginning at 9:20a.m. Please use this link to find all of the information regarding our Halloween celebrations at Whiton.

All parents/guardians are required to use Genesis to report student tardy/absences. More information is in our handbook (In the Genesis Parent Portal → Attendance → Notify Office → Fill out the attendance code, date, and leave a reason for the tardy/absence in the comment area).  If your student will be absent due to illness or a family trip, you will need to mark your student as absent.

All visitors must sign in using our iPad located in the entryway. Please bring your driver’s license for scanning. After signing in, you will be buzzed into the main office to receive your visitor badge. 

We can only accommodate a limited number of people in the entryway at one time. You may need to wait outside the main door while we clear the lobby of visitors. Please plan accordingly and allow extra time to complete the sign-in process and visit our building. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Please use the "visitor" spaces in our main parking lot to park when dropping off or picking up students. At no time can you park in the bus lanes.

Please wait to arrive for afternoon pick-up until 3:40. The pick-up area is blocked off until that time because our classes may still be using the equipment and playground. When families arrive earlier than 3:40, it is causing a backup onto Whiton Road and preventing cars and buses from safely passing through the road. For everyone's safety, please do not enter the pick-up area before 3:40. At 3:40, the cones will be removed and we will begin preparing for dismissal. Thank you for your help and cooperation with this important safety measure.

Please make sure to email the office wesoffice@branchburg.k12.nj.us and your student's teacher(s) should there be a change in your student's dismissal. Please advise our office by 2:00 p.m. of these changes. Please note that parent pick up does not carry over each year, you must let the office and the teacher know every year if your student will be parent pick up. If your student's dismissal will be changing and they normally attend Jointure after care, please make sure to include Mr. Diana on the email advising of dismissal changes as well. 

NOTE: Parent pick up cannot be entered into Genesis, only tardy/absence/early dismissal. If your student needs to be on the parent pick up list you must email the office and the teacher to be on the list. If you do not notify the office, your student will not be on the list. 

Please see our Guidance Newsletter from Ms. Stewart here. 

Please review the Health Services information here for guidelines regarding when your student should stay home from school. As a reminder, please do not send your student to school with a fever. Students should also not come to school if they have been given fever-reducing medication before school in order to lower their temperature.

If you have any questions about whether your child should attend school, please contact our school nurse, Nicole Bonaduce, at nbonaduce@branchburg.k12.nj.us.

Preschool Families: Please remember that flu shot verification paperwork is due to the school nurse by December 1.

In the near future, Ms. Sam Gale, our school librarian, will be sharing information for volunteer opportunities in the library.  Please find her newsletter here. 

Please remember to label all of your students’ belongings. This will make it much easier to identify and return items quickly if they are lost or misplaced.

PTO Membership information can be found here. 

If you are interested in volunteering in the lunchroom, please click here. Be sure to read the information at the top of the link. 

Please find information on the BEF here. 

If you are interested in Whiton spirit wear, please click here. Orders will be delivered to the school and sent home. Please make sure to select Whiton and include your student's name and teacher at checkout!