Dear Edgewater School Community,

As we welcome the spring season, I would like to take a moment to share a brief update on the many positive things happening across our district.

Spring is always a time of growth, renewal, and reflection in our schools. Our students continue to demonstrate dedication and resilience in their academic work, and I am proud of the efforts of our staff in providing engaging and meaningful learning experiences each day. Classrooms are filled with energy as students prepare for upcoming assessments, performances, and end-of-year projects.

We are also excited about the many events and activities that take place during this time of year. From concerts to field days, and community events, spring offers wonderful opportunities to celebrate our students’ talents and achievements both inside and outside the classroom.

As we move into the final months of the school year, we remain focused on supporting every student’s success while continuing to foster a positive, inclusive, and safe learning environment. I encourage all families to stay connected with their child’s school and to participate in the many events that bring our community together.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. I wish all of our students, staff, and families a successful and enjoyable spring season.

Warm regards,

Billy Cunningham
Superintendent of Schools
Edgewater School District

April is recognized as Autism Acceptance Month, a time dedicated to fostering understanding, inclusion, and acceptance of individuals with autism. Throughout our district, we are proud to celebrate the unique strengths, perspectives, and contributions of our students and staff on the autism spectrum.

Autism Acceptance Month encourages us to move beyond awareness and toward meaningful inclusion—ensuring that every student feels valued, supported, and empowered to succeed. Our schools remain committed to creating learning environments where differences are respected and all individuals have the opportunity to thrive.

This month, our classrooms and schools will engage in activities that promote kindness, empathy, and a deeper understanding of neurodiversity. We invite our families and community members to join us in reinforcing these values both in and out of school.

Together, let us continue to build a community rooted in respect, acceptance, and belonging for all. 💙

Every April, New Jersey schools join in school-wide and community activities to celebrate Autism Acceptance Month.

The New Jersey Department of Education’s (NJDOE) Office of Special Education (OSE) proudly supports this effort by promoting awareness, understanding, and acceptance of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and by creating meaningful opportunities for educators, students, and families to recognize and uplift learners on the spectrum.

The OSE has curated more than 370 original artworks from students with autism and their allies from over 65 districts across New Jersey for the Third Annual Autism Acceptance Virtual Art Expo.

This year’s theme, “Autism in Action,” highlights and celebrates our students across the State. The NJDOE OSE invites you to celebrate our students on the spectrum by visiting the virtual art expo throughout April.

Accessing the Virtual Art Expo Access the virtual art expo by visiting the Autism in Action gallery. The art show is interactive, and visitors are encouraged to walk through the exhibit and click on each piece to read about it.

Contact Information Please direct questions to the Office of Special Education at OSEinfo@doe.nj.gov.

https://www.artsteps.com/view/698df5f10a19f54fc642f59b

📅 Caregiver Academy - Thank you to everyone who joined us for our second Caregiver Academy, Helping Your Child Through Big Emotions – Understanding Stress, Anxiety & Behavior Changes at Home on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. We are incredibly grateful to Dr. Jennifer Hughes for sharing her expertise and for her thoughtful collaboration. A heartfelt thank you as well to all the participants who attended and submitted such important questions. Your engagement and partnership truly make a difference. We appreciate your continued support and look forward to providing ongoing resources and opportunities to strengthen and uplift our school community.

🔎 Board Policy and Regulation Search Engine - I am pleased to share that the Board Policy and Regulation Strauss-Esmay Search Engine is now live on our district website. The link is included below and can also be accessed from the Board of Education dropdown menu on our homepage under “BOE Policies and Regulations.” This was a significant undertaking, and I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Ms. Valdez-Drexler for her efforts, as well as to the Board for their continued support throughout this process. Edgewater Board Policy & Regulation Search Engine

📱 Stay Connected! - Follow our official Instagram page, @edgewatersd, to stay updated on district news, student highlights, upcoming events, and special celebrations throughout the year.

🧑‍🏫✨ Staff Technology Survey - Results of the survey were discussed at the Education committee meeting. We are also in the process of gathering data to look at the platform usage across the schools and classrooms to get a better sense of screen time during the school day 📊📅.

An exciting new chapter is about to begin! 🌟 We are thrilled to welcome our newest learners as they take their first steps into a world of discovery, growth, and endless possibilities. 📚🍎

🗓 Registration opens April 1st on our district website.
Please be sure to carefully follow and complete all required steps prior to scheduling your registration appointment with Ms. Felicia Cammarano.

🌈 Pre-K 4

🎂 Children must be 4 years old by October 1, 2026.

🎟 Placement is determined through a lottery system, and selections are made at random.

📬 Notification letters will be sent by May 15, 2026.

💲 $1,400 monthly tuition
💵 A $1,400 deposit (applied to your June 2027 payment)
✔ Deposit due upon acceptance

🍎 Kindergarten

🎂 Children must be 5 years old by October 1, 2026.

📝 Enrollment is rolling and will continue through the summer months.

🌟 Why register early?

Kindergarten families who complete registration early will ensure their child’s participation in our special June Orientation — a wonderful opportunity to meet teachers, explore George Washington School, and begin building comfort and confidence for the year ahead. 🏫💛

We cannot wait to partner with you in your child’s educational journey! 🤝✨

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact:

📞 Ms. Felicia Cammarano

201-886-3480 x1200
📧 FCammarano@edgewaterschools.org

📚 On March 18, the district held a dynamic, staff-led professional development day designed to highlight internal expertise, promote collaboration, and strengthen instructional practices across all grade levels and content areas

🔤 Hand to Mind – Advancing Phonics Word Work focused on strengthening foundational literacy skills through hands-on strategies to support phonics development

🧸 Effective Classroom Management in the Early Childhood Classroom provided practical techniques for creating structured, engaging, and supportive learning environments for our youngest learners

🌅 Morning Meeting: The Power of the First 15 Minutes! emphasized the importance of intentional daily routines to build classroom community and set a positive tone for learning

➕ Strategies for Improving the Elementary Math Block highlighted approaches to increase student engagement, differentiation, and conceptual understanding in mathematics

🧮 Math Workshop Basics introduced or reinforced the workshop model, focusing on small group instruction, student independence, and targeted skill development

🔬 Inquiry-Based Learning in the Science Classroom explored student-centered approaches that encourage curiosity, questioning, and deeper scientific thinking

💻 Tech Innovations in the Modern Writing Classroom showcased digital tools and strategies to enhance writing instruction and student creativity

🤖 AI in the Classroom introduced emerging tools and practical applications of artificial intelligence to support teaching, learning, and productivity

🧠 Regulation Before Rigor focused on the importance of supporting students’ social-emotional needs as a foundation for academic success

🌍 ESL Essentials: Foundations for First Year Educators provided key strategies and insights to support multilingual learners and ensure equitable access to instruction

✨ Overall, the day reflected a strong commitment to leveraging in-district expertise, building capacity, and fostering a culture of continuous professional growth

Our students enjoyed a magical and educational experience that brought environmental learning to life! 🎩🌱

This one-of-a-kind assembly blended the excitement of a magic show with the energy of a quiz show, creating an interactive experience where every student had the chance to participate 🙌✨

As students helped perform the magic, they also learned practical, age-appropriate ways to care for our planet—making the lesson both fun and unforgettable 🌍💚

Note: This calendar was approved by the Board of Education at the January 29, 2026 meeting.

April 1, 2026 - Registration Opens

April 3, 2026 - April 12, 2026 - Spring Recess

April 13, 2026 - Marking Period 3 Ends

April 17, 2026 - Coffee with the Superintendent

In January, Governor Phil Murphy officially signed "bell-to-bell" legislation requiring all New Jersey public schools to adopt policies restricting student cell phone use during the school day. Designed to improve student focus and mental health, the law takes full effect for the 2026–2027 school year. The NJDOE emphasizes that while students remain phone-free to limit digital distractions, schools must maintain clear channels for emergency communication and accommodate students with documented medical or educational needs.

In Edgewater, we have been taking a proactive approach to student cell phone usage for some time. While we successfully updated our district policies and handbooks in August 2025, we will continue to evaluate and strengthen our practices to ensure full alignment with these new state mandates. To learn more about the recommendations from the New Jersey Commission on the Effects of Social Media Usage on Adolescents, we encourage you to visit the Growing Up Online report here.

Transparency and community engagement are cornerstones of the Edgewater Public Schools. As we adapt to the changing landscape of local media, we want to share an important update regarding how we communicate official district business, such as Board of Education meetings and bid solicitations.

Under the Public Notice Publication Reform (SB 4654), New Jersey is modernizing how public entities share legal notices. As local print newsrooms shift to paid models or reduce frequency, the state is transitioning legal notice requirements from traditional print publications to official government websites, effective March 1, 2026.

Edgewater has officially implemented these changes, by launching a dedicated Legal Notices page on our district website, which can be easily accessed from our District Homepage.

We want all of our students to be in school every day, learning, growing, and connecting with their peers. Regular attendance plays a critical role in student success, and we are committed to working in partnership with families to ensure every child reaches their full potential. 🌟

🤝 We’re Here to Support You

Strong family–school partnerships are essential for student success. We understand that there are many reasons why a student may miss school, and our goal is not to place blame—but to support you and your family in overcoming challenges and building strong attendance habits.

If your family is experiencing difficulties that impact attendance, please reach out. You are not alone, and help is available.

🎓 Why Attendance Matters

Research consistently shows that students who attend school regularly are more likely to:

Earn higher grades

Graduate on time

Build strong social and emotional skills

Missing just two days of school per month—even when absences are excused—adds up to nearly 10% of the school year, which can place students at risk of falling behind academically.

National data also shows that students who are chronically absent (missing 10% or more of school):

Are less likely to read proficiently by third grade 📖

Face increased challenges with coursework in middle and high school

Are at greater risk of not meeting graduation requirements

🏡 How Families Can Help

While occasional absences due to illness or emergencies are unavoidable, families play a key role in promoting consistent attendance. You can help by:

⏰ Establishing regular bedtime and morning routines

🗓️ Scheduling appointments and family trips outside of school hours whenever possible

💬 Communicating with your child’s teacher, counselor, or principal if challenges arise

💙 Reinforcing the message that every day matters and that showing up helps students feel confident, connected, and successful

📌 New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE)

Official state education site with resources on curriculum, assessments, special education, school performance reports, and parent guidance.
🔗 https://www.nj.gov/education

📘 Parent & Family Resources — NJDOE

Guides on supporting student learning, transitions (elementary → middle → high school), and student wellness.
🔗 https://www.nj.gov/education/parents

🧠 Special Education in NJ

Information for families with children in special education or with 504 plans, including procedural safeguards and support contacts.
🔗 https://www.nj.gov/education/specialed

🩺 NJ FamilyCare (Health Insurance)

Low-cost or free health coverage (Medicaid/CHIP) for eligible children and adults.
🔗 https://www.njfamilycare.org

🍎 NJ Department of Health — Parent Resources

Immunization schedules, adolescent health, nutrition, and child safety guidelines.
🔗 https://www.nj.gov/health/fhs

👪 NJ 2-1-1

Free, confidential service connecting families to local supports (food, housing help, healthcare, crisis services).
📞 Dial 2-1-1
🔗 https://www.nj211.org

💼 NJ Family Support Services Directory

Comprehensive portal for community programs, childcare resources, early childhood services, and parent education workshops.
🔗 https://www.nj.gov/dcf/families

🚗 Safe Routes to School (NJT)

Tools and tips for safer walking/biking to school and community engagement opportunities.
🔗 https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/community/srts

📱 NJ Cyber Safety & Digital Wellness

Resources to support safe internet use, bullying prevention, and healthy online habits.
🔗 https://cyber.nj.gov

🔒 NJ Office of the Child Advocate

Statewide advocacy and resources for child welfare, student rights, and safe environments.
🔗 https://www.nj.gov/oag/childadvocate