Student Information
Elysian's Nutrition Policy
This year, the State of New Jersey required all schools in the School Nutrition Program to have a Board Approved Nutrition Policy. More attention is being paid to both the nutritional and physical activities of our children, due to the alarming increase of obesity and diabetes in our young people. We started the year with information for parents, such as suggested snack lists, which our parents have been following and generously donating to their child's classrooms.
This is an on-going challenge, so if any one is interested in being on the Wellness Committee for Elysian, please contact Susan Gilbertson at 201-9795-4692. Thanks for your interest!
Dress Code
We ask that Elysian families follow an appropriate dress code and that they help us in following the school’s dress code in fairness to all of our students. We support individuality at Elysian. We also engage in a variety of activities—recess, gym, movement, and several dance residencies. Our students work with many different materials including paint, clay, science materials, and blocks. It is important that everyone wears comfortable clothes so they can participate in all of our exciting activities. We also think that it is important to wear suitable clothes that will not distract each other from learning. We expect children to come in to school with clean and neat clothing.
Weather: Clothing appropriate for the weather and outdoor play is encouraged. Recess is almost always outdoors. Please be sure to dress your child appropriately!
Pants: Jeans or pants may be worn if they do not drag on the floor; pants must not be so loose as to interfere with school participation; in such cases, a belt is required. Shorts may be worn, but they must cover the upper thighs and the navel.
Shirts: T-shirts that have words or sayings should be tasteful. Logos that imply alcohol, drugs, gangs, violence or sex are forbidden. Shirts that imply sexist or racist images may not be worn. “Tummy” shirts should not be worn.
Shoes: Please wear sturdy shoes for playing outdoors. Shoes must fit securely on one’s feet. No flip-flops, shoes with high heels, or backless shoes are permitted as they present a danger, especially on our many trips up and down the stairs.
Jewelry: Valuable jewelry should not be worn in school. It can be easily lost or provide an unnecessary temptation or distraction.
Bandanas: Unfortunately, in this day and age, bandannas of special colors signify gangs. Even when they are worn innocently, other children respond to their negative significance (especially red or blue). Therefore these may not be worn in school.
Makeup: Please do not wear makeup to school.
Let’s teach our children to value who they are inside. Their clothes do not make them who they are or who they will be! Let’s pull together to help our children grow up with meaningful, positive character images.
Holidays
A central strength of The Elysian community is the
diversity of its members. To protect and maintain
this diversity, Elysian does not celebrate religious
holidays in the course of the school year, nor are holidays
used to drive the curriculum. Religion and cultures
may be appropriately explored as part of the
curriculum and in response to children’s questions.
Children and parents are encouraged to share and
discuss their particular customs, traditions, foods,
and songs with the class and teachers. Community
meetings are held around holidays, but are of a secular
nature.
Birthdays
Please do not distribute invitations to your child’s
out-of-school birthday party at school unless you
are inviting the entire class.
In celebration of your child’s birthday, we recommend
you donate a book for the school’s library,
and write a commemoration on the inside of the
book. Birthday celebrations differ from class to
class.
School Supplies
We provide all pencils, paper, and most supplies for
students. We appreciate donations of all kinds.
Oftentimes, classroom teachers will publish wish
lists in their newsletters.
Field Trips and Overnight Trips
Field trips are an important part of the curriculum
at Elysian and each class is expected to have a number
of trips during the year. All parents should have
signed a release for walking trips in Hoboken
before the school year begins. A permission slip
must be signed for each trip involving transportation
or your child will not be able to participate.
Notices and permission slips will be sent home
before each field trip. Please return these forms in a
timely manner.
The PTSO provides scholarship money for students
and chaperones who need it. No child is ever
turned away from a trip because of money.
Rules of safety and behavioral expectations are
discussed with students and adults before every
field trip. Children who are not able to follow directions
or basic rules of safely will be asked not to
participate.
Chaperoning a Field Trip
Your primary responsibility is to assist the teacher.
This means knowing in advance what kind of help
the teacher will need. This usually includes keeping
track of the students, keeping students involved in
the activities, and making sure students listen and
are polite when someone is talking.
While chaperoning their own child’s field trip,
parents are asked to refrain from purchasing food
or souvenirs for their child.
Sports
Students grades 4–8 are invited to try out for
Elysian's two basketball teams. All students
grades 3–8 are invited to participate in Elysian's
instructional basketball clinic. Students grades K-8
are encouraged to participate in Elysian's track
program. All level runners are welcome.
Harassment and Bullying Policy
Elysian will not tolerate bullying or harassment of any kind. Please click here for our full Harassment and Bullying Policy.