Clayton Early Childhood Center

What an amazing night! Home and School's Trunk or Treat event was a huge success! Our preschool team was "out of this world" 🪐🌎🎃

CLAYTON CLIPPERS COMMUNITY ONLINE STORE is now open until 10/30/24 Shop Now: https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/9mUoDSzpWa

Tomorrow is the big day – the HSA have almost 500 trick-or-treaters ready to join us for our Trunk or Treat event, and our Candy Monster is super hungry! 🕷️ To make sure we can keep the fun going, we're asking for your help with candy donations. Candy Drop-off Times: Today: Anytime before 4 PM Tomorrow: Starting at 8 AM Look for the Candy Monster bin in front of the school, and let's feed that sweet tooth! Thanks for your support – together, we'll make this the best Trunk or Treat yet! 🎃👻

CLAYTON ATHLETICS & ACTIVITIES PRESENTS: “FRIGHT NIGHT!” Come join us for a fun night of Trick or Treating (indoors) and a Haunted Trail! Date & Time: October 30th 6:00 PM - 7:30 pm Location: Clayton High School COME DRESSED IN COSTUME! All children ages 12 and under are welcome to come and trick or treat. Note: Entrance will be at the set of doors adjacent to gymnasium parking lot. Everyone will exit from the Performing Arts Center. Haunted Trail at PAC! No charge for the event. Please bring any canned good donations to the door to assist us with our local food drive!!!

Congratulations to the Herma Simmons Elementary School Clippers of the Month for September! Keep up the fantastic work and continue to shine as bright as you do! We are proud of you! Back Row: Carmela Jo Ascolese (2nd Grade), Tyler Scott (5th Grade), Gabrielle McCants (4th Grade), Cecily Harrison (1st Grade), Tegan Corwonski (3rd Grade) Front Row: Braxton Ragan (Preschool), Colin Hassan (Preschool), Zia Muhammad (Kindergarten)

HERMA SIMMONS students and staff are wearing PINK TODAY in support of the fighters, survivors, and those affected by breast cancer.

Italian American Heritage Month is celebrated every year to honor and recognize the centuries of achievements, successes, and valuable contributions of Italian immigrants and Italian Americans. It occurs in October to overlap with the federal holiday of Columbus Day, which is celebrated on the second Monday of each October. Italian American Heritage Month was first celebrated in 1989 by a special proclamation of both Congress and President George H. W. Bush.  Over 5 million Italians immigrated to the United States between 1820 and 2000. Currently, there are over 26 million Americans of Italian descent residing in the United States. This makes Italian-Americans the fifth largest ethnic group in our nation. Each year Italians around the country take time to celebrate their heritage, history, and culture with festivals and parades. (Order Sons and Daughters of Italy In America (https://www.osdia.org/commission-for-social-justice/italian-heritage-month/)

A note from the Herma Simmons Elementary School Principal: Mrs. Alicia Fragoso.

Preschool families come out for a day of healthy fun at the Clayton Borough Community Health Fair on Oct. 19!

HELP US REACH 100% COMPLIANCE! This year, the State has new guidelines requiring all families to submit an application for the Free and Reduced lunch program. SUBMIT YOUR FORM ONLINE TODAY! https://mealapp.lunchtimesoftware.net/ Note: If you do not wish to be considered for reduced meals, you are still required by the State to return your signed form with the option of “checking the box” that indicates you do not wish to be considered. Please have your form completed by 10/13/24.

Preschool October Lunch Menu

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month- Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. Schedule your screening now- Early detection saves lives!

Clayton, NJ -- Yesterday, Assemblyman Dave Bailey Jr. announced that he had successfully procured $250,000 in additional funding for the Clayton Model Pilot Program in the FY 2025 state budget. The Assemblyman joined administrators, teachers, and students from throughout Gloucester County in celebrating the occasion at Herma Simmons Elementary School in Clayton. The Clayton Model is a trauma-informed social-emotional learning program that was developed by the Clayton Public School District. The program focuses on early intervention for students struggling with mental and behavioral health issues, and provides them with emotional support and learning strategies to help them succeed. “One of the first local meetings I held after joining the legislature was at the Child Connection Center at the Herma Simmons Elementary School,” said Assemblyman Bailey. “When the district staff presented me with the data supported by the Walter Rand Institute for Public Policy and showed me the testimony from teachers and parents, I knew this was a program I needed to support. I have spent my professional career working with youth who have experienced trauma and struggle with mental health, and early intervention is so crucial in helping these young people succeed. I want to thank Senator John Burzichelli and Assemblywoman Heather Simmons for joining me in support of this resolution.” “I’m proud of the work that our teachers and administrators have done to build a social emotional learning program that is inclusive, agile, and most importantly, empowers our staff, students and families,” said Clayton Public Schools Superintendent Nick Koutsogiannis, “I am grateful that our legislative partners recognize the importance of supporting educational models that meet the social and emotional needs of students.” “Educators, parents and communities are seeing how our children are in need of mental health services more than ever,” said Clayton Model Program Coordinator Kate Hallinan. “It is through state funding that not only are we able to sustain the work we have been doing the last 12-plus years throughout Gloucester County, but we are able to expand.” The Clayton Model began at Herma Simmons Elementary School in 2009, and is now used in ten elementary schools throughout Gloucester County. Legislation passed in 2021 by then-State Senate President Steve Sweeney created the Clayton Model Pilot Program with the intention of expanding the program into public schools throughout New Jersey.

Tonight's Football Game, Friday 9/20/24, is postponed to Monday 9/23/24 at 6pm, Haupt Field.

Please join us for Herma Simmons Annual Back to School Night! Wednesday, September 25th 6:30-7:45 Grades PreK3, PreK4, K, 1st, 2nd, and Computers, Phys Ed, & Library Thursday, September 26th 6:30-7:45 Grades 3rd, 4th, and 5th, and Music, Art, & Health Details of the evening schedule are in letter below. Please Note: You are also invited to attend the Simmons Home & School Association Meeting which will be held at 5:30 pm on both Wednesday and Thursday in the Simmons Library.

CLAYTON FIRE DEPARTMENT is hosting a Fire Prevention Night! Monday, October 7th, 6:30-9:00. Clayton High School 55 Pop Kramer Blvd. Clayton, NJ Learn about fire safety, meet local firefighters & first responders and visit the fire truck display. JeffSTAT Helicopter will be onsite from 6:30-8:30. Parking by the Clayton High School gymnasium and on Howard Street.

It was great seeing all the preschool families today at Meet and Greets!! Let the countdown to Monday begin!⏰

Things are looking ready for our preschool students! See everyone on Monday, Sept. 9!

Healthy and delicious breakfast & lunch options are available at your child's school! Menus are available here (listed individually by school.)

We are ready to meet our Little Clippers!