Bret Harte Elementary

The 2026-2027 PTA executive board and committee chairs have been announced. Executive board: President Christine Graham, Treasurer Ginger Lederman, Secretary Laura Gal, Communications Amanda Levy & Brandi White, Arts in Education Neeli Straiges, Ways & Means Chrissy Blizzard-Wrobel, Family Programming Ivette Gordon Farrell, Membership GianCarlo Brugnolo. Committee chairs: 5th Grade Darcy Newton & Jackie DeRisi, Book Fair Jillian Cawley, Trunk or Treat Lindsey Abesh, Spirit Wear Michelle Harris, Color Run Laura Gal, Teacher Lounge Snacks Julie Kleger, Teacher Appreciation Week Elizabeth Foster, Bulldog Ball Amy Dolin, Talent Show Tina Schofield, Basket Raffle Michelle Harris, Field Day Jackie Gordon, Science Fair Ilaina Moyer.

Flu vaccine is due every year for children six months and older by November 30.

NJ requires children in child care centers and preschools to meet minimum immunization requirements based on the AAP childhood schedule. Doses required by 3 months: 1 DTaP, 1 IPV/OPV, 1 Hib, 1 PCV. By 5 months: 2 DTaP, 2 IPV/OPV, 2 Hib, 2 PCV. By 7 months: 3 DTaP, 2 IPV/OPV, 2-3 Hib, 3 PCV, 1 Flu. By 16 months: 3 DTaP, 2 IPV/OPV, 3-4 Hib, 4 PCV, 1 Flu, 1 MMR, 1 VAR. By 19 months: 4 DTaP, 3 IPV, 3-4 Hib, 4 PCV, 1 Flu, 1 MMR, 1 VAR. Children must show proof of at least one dose of each required vaccine before entry (provisional admission). Medical and religious exemptions are detailed in the Immunization of Children in Child Care Centers and Schools regulations (nj.gov/health/cd/imm_requirements/acode). Resources: NJ Immunization Requirements FAQ at nj.gov/health/cd/imm_requirements.

All school playgrounds are closed to the public during School/Student-Age Child Care (SACC) hours, 7 am-6 pm, Monday-Friday. Please do not bring or send children to play on school grounds during these hours.

Halloween celebration day.

This month, we are focusing on creating a healthy home environment, an important aspect highlighted in our Family Guide to Supporting Student Success. A healthy home environment provides children with the structure, routines, and positive supports they need to thrive both academically and socially. One important part of this is encouraging students to unplug from electronic devices. Research shows that when students regularly step away from screens, they experience better sleep, improved focus, reduced stress, and stronger relationships with family and peers. Time spent away from devices also allows children to engage in reading, physical activity, and meaningful conversations—all of which support healthy brain development and academic growth.

During morning drop-off, students should remain on the sidewalk and walk toward the crossing guard before crossing. Students should not cross at the intersection or cut through the parking lot to reach student entrances. Staff members are not stationed at the parking lot exit during arrival, and school buses are actively entering and exiting the lot at that time.

Educational guidance for families on supporting student learning through effort and practice. Families can support learning at home by noticing specific effort, asking about the process, making time for short regular practice, and sharing their own challenges. Research shows that praising children's effort and strategies and helping them see setbacks as chances to try a different approach is effective.

Parents and guardians should notify both their child's teacher and the main office whenever their child will be absent. To report an absence to the main office, email Evelyn Ortiz at eacevedoortiz@chclc.org AND Janet Sippel at jsippel@chclc.org.

Cherry Hill SEPAG invites parents to view their Welcome Back video for the 2026-2027 school year.

Rosh Hashanah celebrates the Jewish New Year and is a time for reflection, hope, and new beginnings. Families may attend religious services, enjoy special meals, and eat apples dipped in honey to represent wishes for a sweet new year. Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, is a time for prayer, reflection, and forgiveness. The school community wishes all members who observe these holidays a happy Rosh Hashanah and a meaningful Yom Kippur.

Bullying is unfair, one-sided, and involves an imbalance of power (social, intellectual, physical, etc.) where one person intentionally hurts another emotionally or physically. Normal conflict is mutual, involves disagreements and arguments, and has no power imbalance. About 99% of mean behavior results from normal conflict, not bullying. Under N.J. anti-bullying law, negative actions (harassment, intimidation, bullying) based on protected characteristics (race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, etc.) are prohibited if they cause substantial disruption to school operations. Parents should describe specific behaviors rather than characterize them when reporting concerns. Contact the classroom teacher, principal, or school counselor with concerns.

Only one application per household. List all students attending school through 12th grade via online or paper application. Applications can be completed at any time if family income status changes. If your child received free or reduced meals last school year, an application must be filled out every year if your child still qualifies. If no application is received by October 15th and your child currently receives benefits, status will change to full pay. Contact Alisha Wilson at 856-429-5600 x4348 with questions.

All students eat lunch in the APR except on early dismissal days. Grades K-2: Lunch 12:00-12:25, Recess 12:25-12:50. Grades 3-5: Recess 12:00-12:25, Lunch 12:25-12:50. Lunch is available for purchase. There are two lunch periods.

Starting the first day, parents can purchase breakfast and lunch or send lunch with their child. Only students who qualified for free or reduced meals last school year will be eligible at the beginning of this school year. Information about applying for the district's free and reduced lunch program and Pay Schools Central (for adding money to student accounts) is available online.

Parents are asked to label all of their child's belongings (coats, jackets, sweaters, water bottles, lunch bags) with their name to help return lost items from the Lost and Found.

Nation's oldest and largest drug prevention awareness program. Families encouraged to discuss drug-free living and make ideas like tying red ribbons around trees or scheduling family dinners.

Tours of recent bond referendum improvements at Rosa Middle School. Tour times: 6:00 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7:00 p.m., and 7:30 p.m. Sign-ups are required to attend.

4:30 PM

Trunk or Treat event at Bret Harte Parking Lot. Free event with candy donations encouraged. DJ and crafts provided. Sign up to bring a decorated car or donate candy.

6:00 PM

Tours of recently completed bond referendum improvements at Rosa Middle School. Four tour sessions available: 6:00 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7:00 p.m., and 7:30 p.m. Tours start on the hour and half hour and end promptly 25 minutes later. Sign-ups are required to attend.

6:00 PM

Join us to see the recent bond referendum improvements made at Giacamo S. Rosa Middle School! The community is invited to tour updated hallways and classrooms, the music suite, the cafeteria/auditorium area, and more.Construction Project Tours will be hosted on Monday, October 26th. There will be four groups of tours at varying times: 6 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7 p.m., and 7:30 p.m.Sign-ups are required to attend. Please sign up online: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4AAFAC22A3F9C34-66465035-community

7:30 PM

Monthly SEPAG meeting via Zoom with a presentation on 504 plans by Mr. George Zografos, Cherry Hill Supervisor of School Counseling, followed by SEPAG updates. RSVP to receive the meeting link.

Wear sweats or workout clothes to show a commitment to healthy choices.

6:30 PM

Wear Bret Harte spirit wear or favorite sports team gear.

Wear white or a fall-themed shirt.

6:00 PM

2:00 PM

School-wide Halloween celebrations and parade event.