Principal's Corner

Welcome from the Principal

 

Dear Cadwalader Elementary School Families,


It is my pleasure to welcome you to a new school year at Cadwalader Elementary. We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of your children as we embark on our educational journey together.  We cannot wait to meet our new Kindergarten Cubs and new students joining us this year. Welcome back to all returning students and families. A new year is full of new opportunities and we will work diligently to provide your child with the best experience possible. 

 

As a newly reopened school last year, we are proud of the accomplishments we have made and look forward to all of the amazing things we will do together this year. Our primary goal is to reduce the number of students who are chronically absent from school. Attending school daily is critically important to a child’s success especially at the elementary level when students are learning foundational reading and math skills. Students that are absent 2 or more days per month are considered chronically absent and these absences have an adverse effect on their  academic performance. Poor attendance can influence whether children read proficiently by the end of third grade. We are committed to partnering with you this year to ensure that your child has outstanding attendance.  


Our staff is well equipped to  provide your child with a quality educational experience and help them grow as individuals with unique interests, abilities and talents. We strive to build positive relationships with students so that they feel a sense of belonging and know that we genuinely care for them. It is our hope that your child feels safe, loved and valued at Cadwalader Elementary School.  


As a member of our school community, we want you to feel the same sense of belonging and know that we value you as a partner in your child’s education. We have many exciting activities planned for families to engage with us and celebrate your child’s accomplishments throughout the year. We all stand at the ready to serve you so please do not hesitate to reach out.  


Sincerely, 



Alicia Costanza

Principal

 

A few important dates for you as we begin the new school year:

  • Friday, Aug. 25: Back to School Extravaganza 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Trenton BOE
  • Wednesday, Aug. 30: Kindergarten Orientation at 10 a.m. & 6 p.m. at Cadwalader
  • Thursday, Aug. 31: New and Returning Student Orientation 12 p.m.
  • Thursday, Sept. 7: 1st Day of School for Students (School Hours 8:45 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.)
  • Monday, Sept. 19: Back to School Night 5:30-7 p.m. (1 p.m. dismissal)

First Day of School Procedures (The first day of school is a full day):

  • Students in grades 1st, 2nd and 3rd report at 8:45
  • Kindergarten students report at 9:15 a.m. (for the 1st day only)
  • Arrival will be in the gym.  Enter through the main entrance.
  • Students will sit on the bleachers by class.
  • Breakfast will be served daily in the classroom
  • Dismissal is promptly at 3:15 p.m.
  • All students must be signed out daily.
  • If you want your child to walk home, please submit a letter to the main office. 
  • Uniforms are strongly encouraged.
  • The uniform consists of a powder blue top and khaki bottoms.

Visitors

Our first priority is educating students and keeping them safe, so appointments must be made to speak with staff when they are not supervising students.

Call the main office at 609-656-4900 Ext. 2005 to make an appointment. You must present valid identification to enter the building.

All visitors must report directly to the security desk, present valid identification, state purpose for visit and sign in. No exceptions.

Emergency Contact Information

In the event of an emergency, we must be able to reach you. Please complete the student information packet upon receipt and return it to us the next day. If your address or phone number changes, please update this vital information by calling the main office as soon as it changes. We also send Robo Calls with important information so keep your number current so that you will receive those calls.

Afterschool Care

I am pleased to announce that we will have the Boys and Girls Club on site for the 2023-2024 school year to provide after school care. Registration is now open. Call 609-392-3191 Ext. 0 to register or go online at www.bgcmercer.org. You can also submit an application online for a scholarship if needed.

I have also listed some other providers should you need other options:

  • Capitol Area YMCA: 609-599-9622
  • Agape: 215-450-2222 (provides before and after school care)
  • Generations: 609-638-4164

Important phone numbers:

  • Cadwalader’s Main Office - Ms. Felicia Brannon, Secretary, 609-656-4900, Ext. 2005
  • Ms. Jessica Hammond, School Counselor, 609-656-4900, Ext. 2027
  • School Nurse, 609-656-4900, Ext. 4854
  • Ms. Patricia Planter, Parent Liaison, 609-656-4900, Ext. 2009

PickUp Patrol

In order to have a safe and orderly dismissal we have purchased a program called PickUp Patrol to help us keep track of your child’s dismissal routine and make it easier for you to make plan changes as things come up. You will receive an email with a link to sign up. PickUp Patrol allows you do do the following:

  • Submit changes to your child’s dismissal plan for the day in mere seconds from your smartphone or computer—anytime, anywhere.
  • PickUp Patrol allows you to make plan changes days, weeks, or even months in advance.
  • You will receive a confirmation email whenever you make a change to your child’s dismissal plan.
  • The PickUp Patrol app is free with our school’s annual subscription.
  • You no longer have to write notes or get a busy signal when calling the school.

Make sure you provide us with a current email address. This will be used to sign up for PickUp Patrol and send you confirmation emails regarding changes you have made.

Pick up options are explained below and there is a diagram for your convenience on the next page.

Zipline is a cars only pick up line. If you choose this option, you will receive a car tag so when you pull up the card tag reader calls for your child. No need to get out of your car. Enter through the gate in the back parking lot and follow the traffic pattern around. No car pick up is permitted on Edgewood Avenue.

Parent walk up pick up is at the main entrance. Enter through the gym entrance and sign your child out with the teacher.


Bus and program students will be in the gym awaiting their pickups.