Dear Parents and Guardians,

First of all, I want to thank the entire Harrison community and let them know how proud I am for the money that we raised to support the non-profit, Livingston Neighbors Helping Neighbors, during our Valentine's day celebration on February 11th. The money we raised will directly impact those in our community who are in need. As we continue to teach peace to others and our community, I couldn’t be happier! Way to go Hawks!

As we are getting ready for our five-day return to school,  I wanted to further clarify information for our elementary families.
 

Important Dates:

• March 15th - Kindergarten-Grade 2 students will start in-person instruction five days a week.  Students who selected hybrid will be in school from 8:00 - 12:45.  Students who selected virtual will continue to learn remotely.  

• March 17th  - will now be a Cohort A day of school as conferences are moved and we will have a regular day. More information about conferences will be sent at a later date.

• April 5th - 3rd - 5th Grade will start in-person instruction five days a week.  Students who selected hybrid will be in school from 8:00 - 12:45.  Students who selected virtual will continue to learn remotely.  

• March 29 - April 2nd  - Closed for Spring Break.  Please note- quarantine time is 7 days with a negative test (on days 3-5 of return)  or 10 days (without a test) from a return to New Jersey. Please check with the nurse and report ANY TRAVEL before returning to school on April 5th.

 Schedule:

• Drop off begins at 8:00 am and all students are to be in the building at their desks by 8:20 am

• Dismissal begins at 12:30 pm and is staggered till 12:45 pm

The teachers and staff are excited for the return of more students and we are doing everything in our power to make the return as safe as possible. 

If you are returning for in-person learning, and have not filled out our Harrison School Dismissal Form 2020-2021, please fill it out and submit it to your teacher on or before your first day. 

At dismissal, please remember to park and pick up your child. This year, we are not using the car pick-up line. This allows us to socially distance very effectively and as we return to school with more in-person students we must continue to practice this routine. 

Looking ahead to the coming week, I am very excited for the warm weather that is on its way! March has historically been a month where the weather changes from day-to-day. One day a child might need gloves and a hat, while on other days a spring jacket will suffice. Teachers are taking students outside more and more for snack breaks.  Please make sure that your child is dressed appropriately to be outside comfortably.

Our student council is also beginning to collect pop tabs for Ronald McDonald House again. Please view the flyer here. We look forward to your support for another great charity.

Thank you all for your flexibility as we make plans to continue moving forward. Our teachers and staff at Harrison are working tremendously hard and we also appreciate your efforts. Thank you for all that you are doing to help support this transition with all of our children.

Warm regards,

Mr. Daniel Garcia

Dear Parents and Guardians,

On Thursday, February 11, the Harrison family came together to celebrate. Together, we focused on the theme to teach peace to ourselves, others and our community. In the true spirit of Valentine’s Day we explained to students that caring for others makes our community stronger. The donations we received for Livingston Neighbors Helping Neighbors will be helping many individuals. The students then were led in a school wide yoga session with the focus on taking care of our minds and bodies. Having all the students gather together as one over Zoom was truly special and I enjoyed seeing their smiles and engagement during the celebration. Thanks to all of you for your support to help teach our children these valuable lessons.  

I am very excited to be joining the Harrison community and look forward to seeing students in person and virtually in classrooms on February 22nd. Please enjoy a restful winter recess and I will see you very soon. 

Warm regards,

Mr. Daniel Garcia

Dear Harrison Community,

I hope everyone has stayed safe during the winter storm, but also found moments to play and enjoy the snow with your children. 

Looking ahead to Valentine's Day, I wanted to update the community on ways that we will be celebrating at Harrison. On Thursday, February 11th we will have our annual Pajama Day as well as a school-wide yoga activity. We will be collecting donations for an amazing cause to help others in our community. In a way, we will be celebrating the true theme of Valentine's Day with our children to show kindness and caring for others and themselves. Each participant is asked to make a donation, but this is not mandatory. As in the past, this event is highlighted in our yearbook as a Harrison tradition and this year will be no different. Please see the letter from Mrs. Milano for more details about the event. This year, due to the constraints of the pandemic, we will not be exchanging physical valentines, but teachers will find ways to celebrate the theme of the day in their classrooms in age appropriate ways. 

**Since Pajama Day is a Cohort B day, please note that Cohort A students who would like like to wear their pajamas to school are more than welcome to do so on Tuesday, February 9th.  We would like all students regardless of their cohort, to wear pajamas on February 11th.

Thank you everyone for all that you are doing to make this year special for our children. I am very excited to meet all your children very soon. 

As a reminder, tomorrow and Friday, February 4^th and 5^th, will be Cohort B days.

Sincerely,

Mr. Daniel Garcia