We are excited for the start of the school year. The custodians have again made this school look amazing! We have seen some staff members in over the last few days, and all staff return for a few days next week. Here are some reminders of what is coming up!

- Email to parents about Bus Routes, Homerooms, and more- Wednesday, August 19

- Sneak Peek for new or anxious students- Thursday, August 27, 4:30-5:30 PM

This is a chance for students/families to come in and see JRB prior to the start of school. There will be tours available from some of our 5th grade students and the PTA will have a table welcoming everyone. Teachers are not usually present, but the administrators will be around to answer and questions.

- First Day of 1-5: Monday, August 31
- Kindergarten Orientation: Thursday, Sept 3, 9 AM

Students will meet the staff and visit rooms, while parents hear about the expectations of Kindergarten from our lovely teachers. The kids also get a quick ride on a big yellow bus (for about 5 minutes).

- Preschool Open House: Thursday, Sept 3

9am-9:30am for students entering the 2 day morning program at J.R. Briggs 

9:30am-10am for students entering the 3 day morning program at J.R. Briggs 

10am – 10:30am for students entering the 4 day afternoon program at J.R. Briggs 

- No School: Friday, Sept 4 or Monday, Sept 7

- First Day of Kindergarten and Preschool: Tuesday, Sept 8 

- Early Release: Wednesday, Sept 16- 11:55 AM dismissal start
- Open House: Thursday, Sept 24 (5:30-6:30 PM)

Come see how the year has started for your child/children. This informal night is guided by your student. Visit their classroom, the specials teachers, and meet with other members of the school community. 

- School Picture Day- Tuesday, Sept 22

If you will be dropping off your student(s), we open the doors at 8:20. You will enter JRB as usual, then take the right to go around the back of the building. Please do not pass any cars while on this road, as students are often near these cars. Once you get to the drop-off circle, enter with your driver's side near the sidewalk. Please pull up to the furthest area open in order to fit as many cars as possible (usually 7). Students can then get out of the car, walk straight to the sidewalk, and enter the building through the open glass doors. Only proceed when the car in front of you has also moved forward to exit the circle turning left. Please consult the map below for a visual of this process. Students who arrive after 8:30 are considered late and should check in with the office.

While we know it is an exciting time for kids, please stay in your vehicle (unless your student is not able to unbuckle). If you need a staff member to help your child out, we are happy to do so.

We usually end our drop-off at 8:30. If you arrive out back and there are no staff members, please drive around to the main entrance.

Finally, we ask for your patience throughout the first few weeks as parents new to this process might take some practice and extra time. September 8th will be extra busy as it is the first day for K students.

Much like parent drop-off, pick-up will again send you around the rear of the school. Students start leaving the building at 2:50 PM. IF YOU SEE CONES BLOCKING THE WAY BEHIND THE SCHOOL, PLEASE WAIT FOR A STAFF MEMBER TO MOVE THEM BEFORE PROCEEDING. You will be asked by a staff member who you are picking up (plus you will be offered a nameplate to hang or post for ease of taking names). When you pull into the circle, please pull up all the way as we try to fit 7 cars in at a time. We don't anticipate needing two lines behind the school, so please stay in the right lane while waiting to move forward. Finally, please do not pass any cars during pick-up. Students sometimes get in the car on the outside, so we ask that you are extra cautious.

Please let the school know your 'usual plan' for your child at the end of the day. Sending in a note that states if you will be going to parent pick-up, bus, or extended day on a regular basis will be very helpful. You can also email jrboffice@awrsd.org with this information as well.

Attendance is taken promptly each morning. Please call JRB (978) 827-5750 or email jrboffice@awrsd.org when your child will be absent or late for school. Please state your name(first and last name), your child’s name, teacher, and the reason for absence. If you must speak to someone, please call after 7:45 AM. If we do not hear from you, we will contact you at home or work. This system is to ensure the safety of your child.

Our first and second grade students will enjoy all of the specials during the school year, however we have the ability to make an extra group in order to best serve our students in the specials classes. The Specials teachers have worked hard to create a fourth group of kids to attend Specials and your classroom teacher will let you know if your student is in that group. The only difference for these students is that they will have a slightly different order in which they attend Specials classes than some other classmates. For example, a student in Mrs. Galeota's class might have PE on the first day of school. However, a student in Group D might have Tech. By the end of the year, everyone will still have the same number of times that they have visited the Specials. More on this to come.