Friday, January 20, 2017

January 20, 2017

District News:
  • The next regular Board of Education meeting will be on Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at 5:30 pm in the Ridgway Library.  The Board will receiving certification training at 5:30 pm.  Regular business will begin at 6:30 pm.  Click HERE to see the agenda.
  • The Board of Education welcomes new members Mr. Mark McCann and Mr. Craig Cleveland, who were sworn in on January 3rd.  Also, congratulations to Mrs. Colleen Torres and Mr. Robert Lynch for beginning new terms on the Board.  
  • Click HERE for information for free dental care for children.
Magowan School News:
  • Magowan School is proud to offer our Non English speaking families a fun evening of academic games and social time.  There will be stations set up with a variety of activities for students AND parents.  If your child is in the ELL program, please call to reserve your spot!  The event will take place on Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at 6:30.  
  • Congratulations to Mrs. Kennedy!  After a long, successful career with the Edgewater Park School District, Mrs. Kennedy is now officially retired!  She looks forward to spending more time with family and friends.  A big WELCOME to Ms. Kaminski!  Ms. Kaminski worked successfully as a Title 1 teacher and now joins the fourth grade teaching team.  
  • Our Breakfast Club continues to grow.  Everyone is invited to go to Breakfast Club on any morning.  Children do not have to come every day and reservations are not necessary!  All we ask is for you to have your child here at 8:15.  Bus students go in as soon as their bus arrives.  If you drive your child(ren), you are asked to drop off between 8:15 - 8:30. This will give time to eat AND get to class on time.  Thank you for your cooperation.  
  • Please keep reading at home.  Children should have time dedicated to relaxed reading each evening.  The book should be an appropriate level for your child and something they CHOOSE to read.  When children pick out their own book, they are very likely to read and enjoy the activity.  This is a simple routine that can make a big difference in your child’s academic growth!
Ridgway School News:
  • January 30th report cards issued.  
  • The boys basketball team is currently 11-3.  
  • 8th grade parents please make sure you turn in your diploma forms no later than January 23, 2017.  
  • BCIT is now accepting applications, apply online at www.BCIT.CC.
  • Please come out to support the RMS Drama Club.  This year they are featuring the play “ANNIE.”    The play is February 7th and the 9th @ 7p.m.
  • Time to order Ridgway Yearbooks - Yearbooks are $15 and MUST be pre-ordered by completing and returning the order form OR ordering online at Balfour.com No LATER THAN Jan. 27, 2017 (8th graders will all receive a yearbook courtesy of the PTO).  Click HERE for more information.
Corner of Curriculum & Instruction:
Cyber Safety - What Every Parent Needs to Know About Snapchat
What is Snapchat:  A “disappearing”  messaging app. Photos or videos are sent with short messages that can be viewed for 1-10 seconds.


  • Snapchat is the fastest growing social media app that has become more popular with teens than INSTAGRAM which was previously #1 used app by teens.
  • Due to how it operates, Snapchat has become a place for cyberbullying that is difficult to track or prove due to the evidence “disappearing.”


How it works:
  • A snapchat user “snaps” a photo or video using their phone’s camera and then can add text, clipart, or filters to alter the photo/video.
  • The user chooses how long they want the message to appear (1-10 seconds) and who they would like to send it to. It can be sent to individual people or added to their “story” which is public to anyone they have accepted to be their friend. Messages on their story are available for 24 hours.
  • Messages sent to individual are deleted after the set time that was chosen.


If a student receives an inappropriate “Snap”:
  • Although a user can “screenshot” (take a picture of the screen), most choose not to because the person that sent it would be notified.
  • Another phone may be used to take a picture of inappropriate snaps or videos that need to be documented and reported for cyberbullying.


Biggest Snapchat Concerns:
  • Although children under 13 years of age cannot register, it is possible to lie.
  • Students are aware the app is hard for parents to monitor due to no record of the messages/photos/videos after they disappear.
  • Strangers can easily connect to students, begin to “follow” them, and use student pictures for whatever they chose.
Suggestions:
  • Ask your students if they have Snapchat and warn them of the dangers and consequences.
  • Remind students that irresponsible use of social media can disrupt their future.


More information about snapchat can be found at:  https://www.teensafe.com/blog/everything-a-parent-needs-to-know-about-snapchat/  
Or Call Mrs. McKone, School Counselor at 609-871-3434 Ext. 2005.
PTO News:
  • Thank you to those that volunteered for our Holiday Shop.  The kids really enjoyed it!!
  • Our next PTO Meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 8th at 6:30 in the Ridgway Media Center
  • There are board positions available for the 2017-18 School Year!  If you are interested in running for a position or would like to get involved in any way please come to our meeting or email us.  We would love to hear from you and are always interested in new ideas and feedback.  
  • The deadline to send in your Box Tops will be 2/20/17.  If you are interested in helping count them please email us at edgewaterparkpto@gmail.com  Any help you can offer is greatly appreciated.  Class with the highest amount from each school will receive a pizza or ice cream party (class choice).

Happenings in the District:


On Saturday, 10 of our finest staff worked with Habitat For Humanity to paint two houses in Cinnaminson. It was a great display of teamwork and charity for those in need. Thank you all for your dedication to a great cause. From left to right: Michele Cox, Pam DeSanto, June Farley, Cheryl Kaufman, Beth Peak, Alissa Glock, Karen Daly, Kelly Stellwag, Nicole Mapp, Patti Iwanicki.


Congratulations to new and reappointed Board of Education members sworn in at tonight's meetings. From left to right: Mr. Rob Lynch, Mrs. Colleen Torres, Mr. Craig Cleveland, and Mr. Mark McCann.





At the December meeting, the Board of education said goodbye to two long-time Board members. We thank Dr. Gares and Mr. Jacobs for their many years of service and dedication to the district.




Ridgway students Brooke Del Tori, Maudie Morgan, and Kim Erickson presented to the Ridgway staff on the Growth Mindset initiative.


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We are proud to announce that Magowan School is the top School in the Jump Into Reading challenge. Schools from all over Burlington County participated and Magowan School leads them all! Congratulations to all readers. Our first-fourth grade students can be very proud of reading a total of 3,217 books during the two month contest. Way to go everyone!
Students:  Jayden Santos, Daija Parker, Peyton Corrington, Diego Rosado, Thalia Warren, Brayden Santos, and Mariah Abele.  Also pictured are Assemblyman Troy Singleton,  XXXX, Principal Betsy Miles.



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Ridgway basketball teams are enjoying an exciting season.  We are proud of all of our athletes for their commitment to the team and school.  Back Row: Naudia Morgan, Rasheen Johnson, Mikaia Creamer, Blake Yetter, Arianna Ritman, William Moore
Middle: Kennedy Butts, Octavia Williams, Steven Shaffer, Myniah Johnson , Najere Walker, Aniya Tucker Smith
Front: Josh Hoffman, Alnahshon Silvera, Joseph Wieland, Donshae Joyner