Welcome!
JHES
New Student Orientation
Today’s Agenda
To provide every student with the highest quality 21st century education in a safe, secure, and positive environment that is conducive to high levels of teaching, learning and student engagement.
John Hydock Vision for 2026-2027
Over 20 years of experience
Most in grades PreK-2
Kindergarten teacher:
Port Monmouth Road School- Keansburg, NJ
New Egypt Primary School- New Egypt, NJ
Second grade teacher: (regular ed and inclusion)
Port Monmouth Road School- Keansburg, NJ
Preschool Principal- Infants-Kindergarten:
Chesterbrook Academy-Moorestown, NJ
Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction: PreK-6
Mansfield Township- Columbus, NJ
My Family
John Hydock Elementary School
The school is named after John Hydock, who was a principal and superintendent in the Mansfield Township School District for 27 years. His dedication to the students set an example for the entire school community.
PRESCHOOL- 2ND GRADE
MASCOT- THE COUGAR!
ABOUT 240 STUDENTS
Preschool Hours:
9:20AM-3:35PM
9:20AM-11:50AM- Early Dismissal (3 year olds)
K-2
8:45AM to 3:35PM- Regular Day
8:45AM-1:00PM- Early Dismissal
First Day for Students:
Thursday, September 3, 2026
EARLY DISMISSAL for Sept 3rd and 4th
Basic School Information
District Website: www.mansfieldschool.com
Doors open at 8:45 (K-2)
Buses will pull up to front driveway
Students will be led off the bus and walked up the sidewalk
Preschool
Teachers will be waiting at the front doors for students at 9:20.
Arrival- Bus Students
Doors open at 8:45 (K-2)
Parent should only park in the Parent Parking Lot (located across from the school.) Do not drive past the orange street dividers.
Parents should turn off vehicles and walk students across the street to the sidewalk.
Parents should follow the arrows while driving in to the parking lot- One way in and one way out.
Parents are not permitted into the building.
Students will walk to their classrooms with the assistance of our fantastic staff.
Preschool
Teachers will be waiting at the front doors for students at 9:20.
Arrival- Parent Drop Off
Bus students will hear their bus called over the announcements
Staff will be available to assist students getting to their buses
Staff will be at the school bus and verify that the student is getting on the correct bus
All buses are called using an animal name: Please review this information with your child prior to the first day of school.
Please note: If you do not complete the Dismissal Form that is sent prior to the start of the school year, your student will be sent home on the BUS until we hear otherwise
Preschool
Any preschool student who rides a bus will be walked to their bus by a staff member.
Dismissal-Bus students
Students will be seated in the gym (preschool in the art room with their teachers).
Staff will be available to supervise and assist students.
Parents will park their vehicles in the Parent Parking Lot only and follow the sidewalk in front of the building that will lead them to the side of the building.
Once all of the students are checked in, a staff member will open the door and begin calling students.
Please always have your ID with you.
Please remain patient.
Dismissal-Parent Pick-Up
General Reminders
Please choose a consistent routine for your children.
Notify Mrs. Patton of any changes to dismissal routine prior to 2:00pm or 11:30 on early dismissal days.
Be sure to complete the Dismissal Form that will be shared with you to inform us of your child’s dismissal routine.
James Knipper, Superintendent
Glenn Kershner, Principal of MTES (3rd-6th)
Nicole Riviello, Director of Curriculum
Karen Omiatek, Director of Special Services
Joe Occhiuzzo, Director of Facilities
District Employees
Preschool:
Wendy Bennett, Charissa Burger
Kindergarten:
Megan Gallagher, Katherine Anderson,
Rhonda Marcantonio, Taylor Reeder
First Grade:
Shannon Feeley, Debra Hart, Hillary Levanduski, Jennifer Roth
Second Grade:
Kristina Papero, Cheryl Mastowski, Kristen Spieler, Jackie Cuccia
Special Education:
Sara Giunta (Preschool)
Tracy Schwartzberg (K-2nd Grade)
Elizabeth Alexander
Jamie Quarino
Caring and Dedicated Staff
Caring and Dedicated Staff
Additional Specialists:
Janet Strusz- Basic Skills
Christine Carney- Basic Skills/ESL
Danielle Rose-Grisham- Basic Skills
Johanna Sobon- Guidance Counselor-JHES
School Nurse
Tara Kowalczyk, School Nurse
609-298-0308 ext. 1227
tkowalczyk@mansfieldschool.com
Art with Mrs. Rudek
PE/Health with Mr. B
Media Center with Mrs. Phan
Music with Mrs. Janney
World Language with Mrs. Rodriguez
Special Areas
Kristine Patton
609-298-0308 ext. 1221
kpatton@mansfieldschool.com
School Secretary
Karen Omiatek, Director of Special Services
609-298-0308 ext. 1225
komiatek@mansfieldschool.com
Christa Edolo, Social Worker
609-298-0308 ext. 1251
cedolo@mansfieldschool.com
Carol Lawrence, CST Secretary
609-298-2037 ext. 2200
clawrence@mansfieldschool.com
Child Study Team- Special Education
Dayna Bezila, Speech and Language Therapist
dbezila@mansfieldschool.com
609-298-0308 x1122
Speech Services
Megan Patterson, Transportation Specialist
609-298-2037 ext.
Transportation information is available in Oncourse.
You will receive a busing assignment even if you choose to pick up and/or drop off your child at the school every day.
Transportation
After School Program- MVP
Arrival
Morning Meeting
Special
AM Snack
Read Aloud
Large Group Activity
Small Group Activity
Free Choice
Lunch-in classroom
Quiet Time
Recess-Outdoor - weather perm
PM Snack
Read Aloud, Review Activity, Closing Circle
Dismissal
Sample Schedule-Preschool
Unpack/Morning Meeting
Fundations (Phonics, Phonemic Awareness, Letter/Sound Relationships)
Brain Break
RTI Time
Reading
Literacy Centers and Guided Reading
Recess/Lunch
Math (Includes small group instruction)
SPECIAL
Writing
Brain Break
Science/Social Studies
Closing Circle/Pack Up/Dismissal
Sample Schedule-K-2
Additional School Information
Breakfast will available for students as a Grab and Go option.
$2.50
Additional School Information
Responsive Classroom
Responsive Classroom is an approach to teaching based on the belief that integrating academic and social-emotional skills creates an environment where students can do their best learning. The Responsive Classroom approach consists of a set of practices and strategies that build academic and social-emotional competencies.
Logical Consequences and Restorative Discipline
Learning is Fun at JHES
Learning is Fun at JHES
Whole School
Morning
Meeting
Board of Education
School Staff
And……………
Families
Pieces of
Puzzle
the
Teachers
Students
Community
Members
THANK YOU FOR COMING!