Dear Cadwalader Elementary School Families,
Welcome to the 2025-2026 school year at Cadwalader Elementary School! I hope this communication finds you well and that you are enjoying a summer full of fun, rest and special memories with your family.
As we prepare to open our doors once again, I want to express how excited we are to welcome our students back to school. The first day of school is Thursday, September 4th at 8:45 AM. We cannot wait to meet our new Kindergarten Cubs and new students joining us this year. It is hard to believe we are embarking on our 4th year since reopening in 2022 and our first group of cubs will be moving on after this year. I am so proud of all that we have accomplished thus far and I am filled with possibilities as to what is in store for our future.
You may have noticed billboards around the city emphasizing regular school attendance with the slogan, “Everyday, On Time”. One of our goals for this school year is to reduce the number of chronically absent students. Attending everyday on time is critical for academic achievement. At the elementary school level, when students miss school, they are missing foundational skills needed to be successful in their academic career. Poor attendance can influence whether children read proficiently by the end of third grade. Students that are absent 2 or more days per month are considered chronically absent and these absences have an adverse effect on their academic performance. We are committed to partnering with you this year to ensure that your child has outstanding attendance.
Our staff is well equipped to provide your child with a quality educational experience and help them grow as individuals with unique interests, abilities and talents. We strive to build positive relationships with students so that they feel a sense of belonging and know that we genuinely care for them. It is our hope that your child feels safe, loved and valued at Cadwalader Elementary School.
As a member of our school community, we want you to feel the same sense of belonging and know that we value you as a partner in your child’s education. We have many exciting activities planned for families to engage with us and celebrate your child’s accomplishments throughout the year. We can’t wait to see our students’ smiling faces as they walk through our doors! Thank you for being a part of our school family. Let’s make this a fantastic year-together.
With warm regards,
Alicia Costanza
Principal
A few important dates for you as we begin the new school year:
Visit our table to receive a new backpack and limited edition Cadwalader pencil pouch (while supplies last)
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Thursday, September 4th-1st day of school for students (school hours 8:45 AM-3:15 PM)
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Wednesday, September 10th-1:00 Dismissal, Staff Professional Development
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Thursday, September 16th- Back to School Night 5:30 PM-7:00 PM (1:00 dismissal)
First Day of School Procedures
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Students should bring a backpack to school daily to keep track of their belongings.
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If your child has a cell phone, it must be kept in their backpack and turned off during the school day.
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Breakfast and lunch are provided daily. Please inform your child’s teacher and the school nurse of any allergies. If you prefer, you may pack lunch for your child.
ARRIVAL
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All students report at 8:45 AM. Students are marked late after 8:45 AM.
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Students report directly to the gym. Enter through the main entrance.
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Parents can walk their child in on the 1st day only. Please let the teacher know who will be picking your child up at dismissal.
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Beginning on day 2 we will ask that you say goodbye to your child at the door and we will ensure they get to their class spot on the bleachers to wait for their teacher. Students will sit on the bleachers by class where teachers meet them daily at 8:45 AM.
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Breakfast will be served daily in the classroom.
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Uniforms are strongly encouraged. The uniform consists of a powder blue top and khaki bottoms.
DISMISSAL
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Dismissal is promptly at 3:15 PM in the gym.
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All students must be signed out daily. If you would like your child to walk home, please submit a letter to the main office.
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Cars only pick up line-No need to get out of your car. Enter through the gate in the back parking lot and follow the traffic pattern around. No car pick up is permitted on Edgewood Avenue.
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Parent walk up pick up is at the main entrance. Enter through the gym entrance and sign your child out with the teacher.
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Bus and program students will be in the gym awaiting their pickups.
Afterschool Care
The Boys and Girls Club will be on site again for the 2025-2026 school year to provide after school care. Registration is now open. Call 609-392-3191 Ext. 0 to register or go online at www.bgcmercer.org. You can also submit an application online for a scholarship if needed.
I have also listed some other providers should you need other options:
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Capitol Area YMCA: 609-599-9622
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Agape: 215-450-2222 (provides before and after school care)
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Generations: 609-638-4164
Visitors
Our first priority is educating students and keeping them safe, so appointments must be made to speak with staff when they are not working with children. We want to give you the time and attention you deserve so having a scheduled appointment ensures that we are available for you.
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Call the main office at 609-656-4900 Ext. 2005 to make an appointment.
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You must present valid identification to enter the building.
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All visitors must report directly to the security desk, present valid identification, state purpose for visit and sign in. No exceptions.
Emergency Contact Information
In the event of an emergency, we must be able to reach you. Please complete the student information packet upon receipt and return it to us the next day. If your address or phone number changes, please update this vital information by calling the main office as soon as it changes. We also send Robo Calls with important information so keep your number current so that you will receive those calls. A valid email address is required as well so that you do not miss any important information.
Important phone numbers:
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Cadwalader’s main number: 609-656-4900 Ext. 2005 Ms. Felicia Brannon, Secretary
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Extension 2027, Ms. Jessica Hammond, School Counselor
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Extension 4854, Ms. Siedah Meyers, School Nurse
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Extension 2009, Ms. Patricia Planter, Parent Liaison
Important Central Office phone numbers: Main Number: 609-656-4900
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Transportation Extensions: 4872, 4873, 4875, 4876, 4877
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Specialized Services Extensions: 5518, 5527, 5526, 5709
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Central Registration Extensions: 5733, 5734, 5736