Welcome to the 2006-2007 school year!

I encourage you to familiarize yourself with our website and the information contained therein. In addition to the calendar of activities and important contact information, there are critical policies and procedures for which you and your child should be aware. Enjoy reading through the 2005-2006 Awards and Accomplishments of our students and staff. We can all take great pride in their achievements. By becoming informed, you have taken the first step in becoming involved in your child's education.

Thirty years of research confirms that parental involvement is a powerful influence on school achievement. When parents are involved in their child's education, he/she will earn higher grades, receive higher scores on tests, attend school more regularly, complete more homework, demonstrate more positive attitudes and behaviors, graduate from high school at higher rates, and more likely to enroll in higher education than those with less involved parents. It is important that you:

• Get to know your child's teachers and work in partnership with them to assure a successful school experience.

• Engage your child in conversations about school, extracurricular interests and friends.

• Make sure that your child is well rested; encourage healthy eating and physical activity. A healthy body leads to a healthy active mind. A multi-year district objective is to develop a program that includes objectives for nutrition education, physical activity and other school based activities designed to promote student wellness.

• Let your child know that you think homework is important. Find a regular time for homework. It will help him/her finish assignments. The best schedule is one that works for your child and your family.

Getting to know some of your child's classmates and their parents not only shows that you are interested but it also provides a network of support. The following are some of the ways that you can develop such a network while at the same time supporting our schools:

• Join the PTA. The PTAs at each of our eleven schools and SEPTA (Special Education PTA) welcome all parent/guardians as members. At the secondary level booster clubs support extracurricular activities such as the marching band, drama club and athletic teams.

• Volunteer to participate on a Board o Education committee. The Student Services, Policy, T&E (curriculum) and Technology Committees welcome community involvement.

• Be a Key Communicator and receive up-to-date school information about our schools via e-mail. Key Communicators relay the information that they receive to their friends and neighbors in the community. Sign up online!

• Support the East Brunswick Education Foundation by becoming a trustee or by participating in their fundraisers. The Foundation awards grants for instructional projects designed to have a positive impact on learning in the district. Visit the Foundation's website for information.

Parental involvement is key to both your child's success in school and to the continued excellence of this school district. By working together we can be sure that your child will be guided both at home and in the classroom and will emerge the winner. In fact, we will all be winners.

If you would like more information or would like to volunteer in come capacity please call (732) 613-6706, or e-mail us.

Yours truly,

Jo Ann Magistro, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools