- Blackwood Elementary School’s dismissal procedures start at 2:50, with the first announcement for Everyday Pick-Up students occurring at that time.
- At 2:52, the next announcement is made which starts dismissal for the rest of the students and a reminder for Everyday Pick-Up. At this time, students will begin to be dismissed for Everyday Pick-Up. (The time that was communicated last school year of 2:42 for everyday pick-up is incorrect and no longer in effect.)
- Everyday Pick-Up students can be picked up at door A-5 starting at 2:52.
- Students who are Everyday Pick-Up are directed to enter the cafeteria and sit at a cafeteria table to wait for their name to be called.
- Once a staff member identifies the designated pick-up person for a student, they will call the student to come to the door for dismissal.
- Students are not permitted to exit the doors of the cafeteria until a staff member has called their name. Please do not wave or signal for your child to exit the building until a staff member has called them to the doors.
Thank you for your patience, cooperation, and understanding. Please understand that this decision is being made to ensure the safest possible dismissal procedure for your children.
Tech-Tastic Tips for the Holiday Season
The holiday season sees many young people creating wishlists filled with tech-related gifts like smartphones, tablets, and gaming consoles; however, it's still important to maintain their online safety and digital wellness despite the festive excitement.
Use relaxed holiday downtime to bond with your child over tech activities, understand their online experiences, and balance screen time with tech-free activities.
read more here: https://gloucestertownshipschools.onlinesafetyhub.io/parent/articles/tech-tastic-tips-for-the-festive-season
Monday, 12/15 - Holiday headgear/accessories
Tuesday, 12/16- Holiday themed clothing: Christmas (red/green), Hanukkah (blue/white), Kwanza (red)
Wednesday, 12/17- Winter Wonderland! Wear white and blue
Thursday, 12/18- Wear Holiday Socks
Friday, 12/19- Dress up like your favorite book character
Monday, 12/22- Silent Night...wear your PJs
Tuesday, 12/23- Ugly Sweater Day
This is a reminder that all students will dismiss at 12:50pm on Wednesday, November 19th, Thursday, November 20th and Friday, November 21st due to Parent-Teacher Conferences.
If you have not scheduled to meet with your child's teacher, spaces are available through the parent portal.
Dear Blackwood Families,
Earlier today, our students and staff evacuated the building due to the smell of gas isolated to the outside of the building. Emergency responders quickly arrived and determined the cause of the smell. The utility company arrived shortly thereafter and suspended gas services to the building and repairs have already begun. Our Superintendent, Mr. Bilodeau arrived to support our students and staff. Transportation provided buses to the building to keep our students safe and warm during the evacuation.
Thankfully, this was the full extent of the issue, and no one was in danger at any point.
Once the fire department confirmed that the building was safe, students and staff returned to the building to finish out their day.
We are very proud of how calmly and responsibly our students and staff followed all procedures.
We want to assure you that everyone is safe. Thank you for your continued support as we work together to keep our school community safe and strong.
Dismissal for today will proceed as normal. All after school clubs have been cancelled for today.
Educationally Yours,
Mr. Jacob Lessman, M.Ed.
Principal
Blackwood Beaver Families,
The week before Thanksgiving each year marks American Education Week. American Education Week celebrates our entire school professionals team: teachers, administrators, paraprofessionals, aides, bus drivers, secretaries, custodians, cafeteria workers, and countless others!
This year, Blackwood Elementary School would like to welcome parents and guardians to visit our school because you are also an important part of the educational team for your child. In many cases, you were your child’s first teacher! American Education Week visits will take place on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. Please adhere to the open-house style schedule below for your visit:
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Grades K, 2, 5 → 9:15-10:15
Grades 1, 3, 4 → 10:15-11:15
Guests will enter the building through the front doors and be directed to your child’s classroom for your one-hour visit. You may arrive and depart at any time during your one hour time block. Once the session has ended, you will be directed to exit the building unless you have another session immediately following.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the main office. We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, November 18, 2025 as we celebrate American Education Week.
Dear Blackwood Beaver Families,
Blackwood Elementary School Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on the following dates:
Wednesday, November 19 → 1:10 to 3:10pm
Thursday, November 20 → 1:10 to 3:10pm and 6:00 to 8:00pm
Friday, November 21 → 1:10 to 3:10pm
Conferences are in-person. However, should you be unable to attend conferences in-person, please contact your child’s teacher and a virtual/phone conference can be arranged.
As in past years, parents/guardians will request a conference time by going through the Realtime Parent Portal. Families with more than one child are encouraged to request their times early so that they are able to see all of their child’s teachers during one session. We reserve our evening conferences on Thursday for those parents/guardians that cannot make a daytime conference due to obligations they may have. Please consider this when making your appointment.
Conferences may only be requested through the Realtime Parent Portal anytime between November 10, 2025 through November 14, 2025.
This will then give us time to finalize our schedules. If you have not yet utilized the Parent Portal, you will need to access it at this time to schedule your conference(s). If you don’t know how to access your portal, please contact our Blackwood Elementary School office.
Directions for scheduling conferences via the Parent Portal are on the Blackwood Homepage under the button labeled: "Parent-Teacher Conferences."
Has your child had a teacher that made a huge difference in his or her life? Have you had a great experience with one of the fabulous Teachers or Educational Service Professionals at Blackwood Elementary School? Do you want to recognize his or her great work? It is that exciting time of year where we get to nominate our next Teacher of the Year and Educational Services Professional of the Year as part of the Governor's Educator of the Year program. Please review the form on our website and consider nominating a Teacher or Educational Services Professional!
Click the link to access the form to submit a nomination: https://forms.gle/uan6vXE36i8hKLVJ6
Nominations must be submitted by Monday, November 17, 2025 by 4:00pm.
If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Lessman or Ms. Lewis.
The Blackwood PTO is working to support families who may be experiencing financial hardship by providing discreet bags of food to send home with students.
We understand that some families will be losing access to SNAP benefits or are facing other challenges. This survey helps us ensure that support reaches those who need it most.
Your responses are completely confidential and will only be seen by the PTO. Please respond by 11/1/25.
Please use the link below to respond:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSckTEIaHSqSPm311MobpGgliCgCoZfBtmg-rAuNZKA8sZqyiQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=116737926966818294527
Families are invited to attend this year's Fall Parade at Blackwood Elementary School on Friday, October 31st starting at 9:00am. Students in grades K-5 will parade on the sidewalk in front of the school in their costumes/fall attire. In the event of inclement weather, the event will be cancelled and not rescheduled. Due to rising safety and security concerns for schools, guests are invited to view from the driveway in front of the school, standing behind the coned off area. No guests should be within the fire zone area of the driveway. We also kindly request that guests viewing the parade DO NOT wear face masks/coverings with the exception of face coverings intended for the the protection of the individual for medical/health reasons or religious/cultural reasons. The Gloucester Township Police Department will be present to provide additional safety and security for our precious students. See post in "News" for diagram.
If you decide for your child to wear a costume for the Fall Parade, please adhere to the following guidance:
Full costumes should not be worn to school.
Clothing meant to be worn under costumes that will allow for quick dressing in costume is permitted and HIGHLY encouraged.
SCHOOL APPROPRIATE- Costumes should be age appropriate and follow prescribed dress-code guidelines
No weapons-toy or otherwise, regardless of how toy-like they may appear (ex: guns, knives, swords, sickles, blades, rifles, ray guns, light sabers, Nerf Guns, etc)
No blood or gore
Student may also choose to walk in the parade wearing their favorite Fall outfit!
Parents/Guardians: Use the school’s code to place your orders online. Be sure to order ahead to capture these special memories!
Online orders: https://www.barksdalestorefront.com/store/gallery_login_customer_info_entry/ba4fd2fb-35eb-46fd-8467-92d5a023775f/
10/17-10/24
We are looking for volunteers to help operate the Book Fair. If you are interested, the PTO has set-up a Sign-Up Genius! Click the link to sign up to volunteer: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C054AA9A62FA02-fall#/
SAVE THE DATE
Trunk or Treat 10/23/2025
Check your child's folder or backpack for more details. Additional information will be sent home in the coming weeks!
Monday- Respect Yours: Dress Your Best
Tuesday- Respect Others: Dress Like Your Favorite Teacher
Wednesday- Respect Diversity: Wear Mismatched Socks
Thursday- Respect Earth: Wear Florals or Green
Friday- Respect Our School: Rock Your Blackwood Gear
On Tuesday, September 30, 2025 at 7:30pm, Blackwood Elementary School will host our Annual Title 1 Meeting. In the past, this was held at Back to School Night, however, this year it will be offered solely as a virtual meeting via Zoom. An agenda is provided as part of this post. We hope you can join us to learn more about Title 1 and how Blackwood Elementary School supports all of our students through this funding source.
Zoom Information:
Mr. Jake Lessman, Principal- Blackwood Elementary School is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://gloucestertownshipschools-org.zoom.us/j/82308578901
Meeting ID: 823 0857 8901
