Welcome to Garfield Public
Preschool Annex 1 (GPPA1)
May 2026
Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s),
As we enter the last couple of months in the 25-26 school year, we have many fun days ahead to celebrate the end of our school year. Beginning May 4th we celebrate our dedicated staff during teacher appreciation week. On May 8th we will host our final "Fun Friday Event" for the school year. You are invited for a family planting event. On the week of May 18th students will dress for a different theme each day leading up to Memorial Day weekend. Schools will be closed on Monday, May 26th in observance of Memorial Day. On Friday, May 29th GPPA1 will hold its annual Field Day.
As we approach Mother’s Day on May 10th, I would like to take a moment to extend my warmest wishes to all the mothers and mother figures in our school community.
Motherhood is a remarkable journey filled with care, strength, patience, and unwavering love. Every day, we see the impact you have on your children—instilling values, encouraging growth, and supporting their dreams. Your dedication plays a vital role not only in your child’s success, but also in shaping the compassionate and resilient community we are proud to be a part of.
On this special occasion, we celebrate and honor everything you do—often behind the scenes—to nurture, guide, and inspire. Thank you for your partnership, your trust, and your commitment to your children’s education.
I wish you a joyful and well-deserved Mother’s Day filled with appreciation, love, and special moments with your families.
Daily Reminders:
Please be reminded that outdoor lineup begins at 8:05am, and students will be marked late after 8:20am. Dismissal is 2:25pm. Any visitors to the building must enter by our security officer Mr. Bob, and provide identification.
Drop off/Pick up :
- Please park in lined spaces throughout the lot. Do not park along curbs or in front of any cones/barriers. If you do so we will ask you to move your car to a designated space.
- Please do not move any cones or barriers, they are there for a reason !
- Please maintain a safe speed when driving in the lot.
- If possible we suggest backing into the spaces, so when you are leaving you have a better view in front of you as others are walking in the lot.
- Make sure to hold you child's hand in the parking and/or keep them close by.
- Speak to and remind your child about parking lot safety.
- Please make every effort to arrive on time. Children are marked late after 8:20.
- Make sure to contact the school if your child will be absent for any reason. Be reminded that a doctor's note is required if sick and absent 3 or more consecutive days.
I thank you all for your continued cooperation and partnership to make this a great school year. As always please feel free to reach out with any questions or comments.
Sincerely,
David Nelke
Principal, GPPA1
[email protected]
973-253-6600 x1515
EDUCATIONAL PHILOSPHY
The Garfield School District shall strive to offer the highest quality of education, designed to provide a level of excellence that will enable all students to realize their intellectual and personal goals. This process shall entail the search for truth and a respect for scholarship and learning. The district shall offer an environment that values cultural diversity and respects individual differences with no tolerance for bigotry. The district is committed to the development of a partnership in education; integrating the interests of students, parents, staff and community leaders. This educational process shall develop responsible young people who are capable of effective and meaningful career decisions.
MISSION STATEMENT
The educational community of Garfield believes that the ultimate goal of each school is to provide intellectual experiences within the context of a multi-cultural setting. This environment will enable each student to achieve their maximum potential. Each school shall seek to assist every student in the development of social skills and moral attitudes needed to successfully meet the challenges of a complex, dynamic, and everchanging world. Each school shall continue to cultivate an appreciation of cultural and aesthetic values so that each student can make choices indicative of a knowledgeable and contributing member of a democratic society. To fulfill this role, the district is committed to creating a flexible educational environment addressing the individualities and potentialities of each student. The staff will endeavor to complete the development of a thinking, tolerant person, well prepared to meet the challenges of school and the life they choose to encounter.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Young children learn best when provided with
developmentally appropriate practices that are both individualized and age
appropriate. Within this philosophy, equal attention is given to all four areas
of development (social, emotional, physical, and intellectual). Children are provided with a wide variety of
materials and activities within a print-rich classroom. The early childhood teachers provide
leadership in developing a child-centered classroom and facilitate cooperation
and communication between family, school, and community, so that each child
will learn and develop to his/her full potential. We believe that parents are the first and
primary teachers of their children and are viewed as equal partners in their
child’s education. We also believe that
parents will join us in a partnership and take responsibility for preparing and
developing their children to be receptive and active learners.
OUR MISSION
The mission of the Garfield Public Preschool is to develop
an environment which fosters the growth of all children in becoming creative
thinkers, problem-solvers, and responsible members of our community; to instill in them a sense of self-worth;
compassion for others and assist them in developing in all educational domains-academic, cognitive, social
–emotional and physical.
Garfield Early Childhood Advisory Council (ECAC)
Mission Statement:
The Early Childhood Advisory Council is to provide an opportunity for local stakeholders in the education and welfare of pre-school age students to participate in community wide planning as conducted by the school district. In addition, the council is to review progress towards full implementation of high-quality programs, regardless of venue, and to consider and propose resolution of issues that arise during implementation.
When families, schools, and community institutions collectively agree upon their goals and decide how to reach them everyone will benefit. By all of us working together the schools, families, and communities can prepare for a more promising future.
Goals and Visions:
Identify with the council members what each stakeholder can bring to the Garfield Preschool Program. Continue to increase family involvement in the preschool program. Assess the needs of families with preschool children with and without special needs and develop workshops and activities for families and students. Conduct periodical reviews of our outreach program to ensure all eligible 3- and 4-year-olds are being served by our preschool program. Identify and assess what the Garfield Preschool Program has accomplished in relation to the DOE guidelines and in relation to the SAVS. Continue to infuse a multicultural program throughout the preschool program. Work in collaboration with the transition committee to ensure a smooth transition for students. (2025-2026 School Year – updated)
PARENT SURVEY: McKinney Vento (Links Below)
The Regional McKinney-Vento Director and Monarch Housing Associates are working to better support and understand the needs of families with children experiencing homelessness or housing instability in our communities.
We kindly ask you to complete the 10-minute survey below regarding your experience with housing instability or knowing who to reach out to if you were to experience housing instability in the future. All families are asked to complete the survey, regardless of whether you have previously experienced homelessness. We welcome and value a multitude of perspectives and will be carefully reviewing all feedback. Please note that survey responses will be kept completely confidential; however, you may choose to share your contact information if you are interested in participating in a future focus group.
English Survey – https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MVRegion1Family
Spanish Survey - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MVRegion1FSpanish
The data from this survey will be used to identify barriers faced by families experiencing housing instability and to develop strategies to improve both the school and homeless service systems to best serve these families. The survey will remain open until June 12, 2026.
For more information about McKinney-Vento, please click here:
English: https://youtu.be/Owwwztok2pQ?si=43TSPQO0ytcDEjZT.
Spanish: https://youtu.be/c2vr8gJiAGo?si=wDKiOi7-g5lusa7G
GPPA1 May Calendar
Safety Reminders:
Please try to get your child here on time in the morning at 8:05. Always walk with your child in the parking lot during both drop off and pick up. At indoor drop off, please be sure you see an adult to take your child safely to his/her class. Students will be marked late after 8:20 am.
Registration for new incoming students is on-going. You must be a Garfield resident, and your child must turn 3 years old by October 1st. Please click on this link for pre-registration for 2025-2026 school year:
https://www.gboe.org/district/student_pre-_registration