Bret Harte Elementary

Important reminders about Free and Reduced Lunch Applications: Only one application per household. List all students attending school through the 12th grade via the online application or a paper application made available at your child's school. If your family has a change of income status during the school year, you may complete an application at any time. 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 an application is not received by October 15th and your child currently receives benefits, your child's status will change to full pay breakfast and lunch. Contact Alisha Wilson at 856-429-5600 x4348 for questions.

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.

Constitution Day observance.

Patriot Day remembrance.

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

Today marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. On Patriot Day, we remember the lives that were lost and honor the bravery of the first responders, service members, and everyday citizens who helped others during this difficult time. As a school community, we reflect on the importance of kindness, courage, unity, and service to others.

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.

Thursday of Week of Respect. Wear purple for tolerance and acceptance.

Friday of Week of Respect. Wear a favorite sports team jersey or shirt.

6:00 PM

Cherry Hill High School East will host High School West for the annual East/West football game. The Philadelphia Eagles have selected this game as their designated High School Football Showdown Game. Fans will have the chance to meet former Eagles players, take photos with Swoop, and see the Eagles Cheerleaders and Drumline. Tickets can be purchased online.

4:30 PM

4:30 PM

Bret Harte PTA Trunk or Treat event featuring costumes, candy, friends, music, and community. Event includes trick-or-treating from decorated car trunks, DJ provided by PTA funds, pizza and chips available for $5, and a book drive for BookSmiles. Volunteers needed to decorate cars (goal of at least 25 cars) and candy donations encouraged. Bring new or gently used children's books. RSVP and sign up at https://forms.gle/ZWhqcLkEY94r1qqT7. Contact Lindsey Abesh at 732-754-0481 for questions.

School picture day for all students.

6:30 PM

7:00 PM

A Community Discussion with the Board of Education, Dr. Kwame Morton, and District Administration Topic: Technology (screen time, AI, and student use of internet-enabled devices)

School-wide awareness initiative focused on violence prevention and student safety.

Assembly presented by Cherry Hill Police Department on internet safety for students.

6:45 PM

5th grade students only. Event at Springdale Farm, 6:45–9:00 PM. Sign up via Google Form. Parent chaperones needed.

4:00 PM

Chipotle fundraiser benefiting Bret Harte PTA. 25% of event sales donated to the school. Location: 700 Haddonfield Berlin Rd Ste 40C, Voorhees, NJ 08043. Order online for pickup using code AEX6J33 or show flyer in restaurant. Online orders for pickup only; delivery and gift cards do not qualify. $150 minimum event sales required.

6:00 PM

PTA Meeting at Bret Harte Elementary. Food trucks arrive at 6:00 PM, meeting begins at 7:00 PM. Babysitting services provided for children 4 years old and older.