Helpful Hints
Some Helpful Hints for the First Days of School...
First Day Jitters...
- Opening Day Jitters are normal! Remember that ALL of our 5th graders are new to the school. We will assist you in finding your way to your first period class and help you with your locker on the first day and throughout the first week or so of school. Your teachers and staff members will help you find your way around the school. Our staff is looking forward to meeting our new students!
- If you have a combination lock at home, allow your child to practice with it. This will familiarize them with the necessity to turn the lock right and left and help to make them more comfortable using a locker at school.
Remember that your locker combination is a secret. If you are having a problem with a locker, we encourage you to ask a teacher in the hallways for help. Please don't share your combination with your friends or other students near your locker.
- Backpacks on wheels are NOT PERMITTED at Hammarskjold because they present a safety hazard in our halls and on our school grounds.
- Breakfast and Lunch are served every day at HUES. Students consistently rave about the quality of the food and the offerings.
- A number of teachers will hand out course requirements and expectations on your first day. When your child returns home from school, ask to see all papers and handouts.
- Our Lost & Found is located in the Cafeteria and at the Security Desk. Items are kept for about 4 months. If they are not claimed in that time, they are donated to a local shelter. Students are strongly encouraged to check the Lost & Found whenever they feel that they are missing items.
- Be as involved throughout the school year with your child's day as you are during the first days. Think about joining the PTA.
Transportation...
- Please remember that during the first few days of school, your child's bus may be as much as 30 minutes early or 30 minutes late for pick up or drop off. It generally takes about a week before the school buses fall into a regular pattern. Please be sure that the student is at the bus stop at least 30 minutes early to avoid missing the bus. If you are picking up your child at the bus stop after school, please allow ample time for your student's bus to arrive. During the first week or two, it may take extra time for your child to arrive home.
- If you are picking up your child from school or dropping them off in the morning, please arrange to drop off or pick up your child on the Rues Lane side of the building at our "Walkers Entrance/Exit". Enter the parking lot and line up on the Rues Lane side. Do not drop/pick up in other areas of the parking lot or on Rues Lane to ensure the safety of all of our students and staff members.
- Questions specific to your child's transportation should be directed to the District Transportation Department at (732) 613-6740.
Security...
- Students will be issued a student ID during the first full week of school. To ensure their safety and security, all students are required to keep their ID in good condition and to wear it upon arrival to school and throughout the day. Students who arrive at school without an ID will be directed to the school store to purchase one.
- If you are picking up your child during the school day, you will be asked to provide a photo ID (preferably a valid driver's license). Please have it handy when you walk into school. If you have designated a person to pick up your child, the Attendance Office must be notified and they, too, will be asked for photo ID.
Stay Up to Date....
- Check the website for important announcements, dates, the virtual backpack, etc. Please go to the East Brunswick Public Schools main site (www.ebnet.org) and select Hammarskjold Upper Elementary School.
- In order to reduce the number of announcements you receive, the Hammarskjold Happenings is emailed every two weeks. Please read it thoroughly.
- Become familiar with Parent Access. All progress reports and report cards are visible only on Parent Access. We do not issue hard copies. If your child is still in elementary school, and you are unsure if your account is set up, you may contact your school's main office secretary to assist you. If your child is currently enrolled at Hammarskjold, you should e-mail Mrs. Gudzak at lgudzak@ebnet.org. You must provide her with an e-mail account that should be associated with Parent Access, as well as your child's full name.
To download the Parent Access Manual, click here. You will be able to see the manual by looking in your "Downloads" folder.
- Become familiar with Community Pass. Community Pass is the payment system used for club payments, before and after care payments and all payments for 6th grade trips. You may access Community Pass by clicking here.
Our procedure for dropping items off for your child:
Please only drop off items that are ABSOLUTELY necessary, we do not call into classrooms and disrupt instruction at Hammarskjold. Students will be called during lunch to pick up their items It is your child's responsibility to pick up the items.
Thanks for working with us to make Hammarskjold as disruption free to your child's learning as possible.
Get involved in a club or activity. Information will be given during the first few weeks of school. Clubs/Activities enrich your child's experience!
Contacting the School...
- If your child will be out for the day, please call the Attendance Office. They may be reached directly at (732) 613-6610. For an absence to be excused, you must call and follow up with a note. Click here to go to the Attendance Page.
- Questions and concerns about class schedules should be brought to the attention of the Student Services Counselors. Click on the "Student Services" icon on the banner above this section, or you may call their office at (732) 613-6663.
- If you would like to speak with a teacher, you may do so at any time during the school year. The best way for you to contact your child's teacher is through e-mail. Please see the green banner above this section and click on "Staff Directory". You will be able to access all of Hammarskjold's staff members through that link.
- If you feel that you need to address an issue regarding a staff member, please address it with the staff member first. If you are not satisfied, you may then contact either your child's counselor or the grade level administrator.