Student Body of Danforth Avenue Early Childhood Center
Danforth Avenue Early Childhood Center will serve only Pre-K 3, Pre-K 4, and some K students zoned for PS16.
Previously, Danforth Avenue Early Childhood Center was PS 20 and hosted local neighborhood students. Local students will now attend the new Maya Angelou Elementary School.
Class Sizes for the 2018-2019 school year
There will be six Pre-K 3 classes with a maximum of 15 students.
There will be seven Pre-K 4 classes with a maximum of 15 students.
There will be one to two Kindergarten classes with a maximum of 24 students. (PS16 will have 33 students in three Kindergarten classes.)
Each class has one teacher and one teacher aide. Teachers are certified to teach PreK – 3rd grade with a bachelor degree.
Each classroom is equipped with an annexed coat closet, child-sized bathroom, air conditioning, and Promethean board.
Who is going to Danforth Avenue Early Childhood Center?
Children living in the PS 16 zone born between October 1, 2014 – September 30, 2015 will be attending Danforth Avenue Early Childhood Center as a Pre-K 3 student.
Children living in the PS 16 zone born between October 1, 2013 – September 30, 2014 will be attending Danforth Avenue Early Childhood Center as a Pre-K 4 student.
Children living in the PS 16 zone born between October 1, 2012 – September 30, 2013 and did NOT attend Claremont during 2017-2018 year will be attending Danforth Early Childhood Center as a Kindergarten student.*
Children living in the PS 16 zone born between October 1, 2012 – September 30, 2013 and attended Claremont during 2017-2018 year will be attending PS16 as a Kindergarten student.
*17 Kindergarten students who did not attend Claremont during 2017-2018 year will selected by lottery to attend PS16 for 2018-2019 school year.
How do I enroll my child to Pre-K 3, Pre-K 4, and K?
Enrollment information can be found on our Pre-Kindergarten page.
Enrollment acceptance letters were sent via mail on June 27, 2018
I’ve enrolled my child; when do I have to decide whether or not my child will attend Pre-K 3, Pre-K 4?
If your child will not be attending, notify the Early Childhood Department by July 20, 2018 at 201-915-6078.
If your child does not attend school on September 6, 2018 s/he will be unenrolled and the space will be forfeited.
Location and Hours
Danforth Avenue Early Childhood Center is located at 160 Danforth Ave. Jersey City, NJ 07305
Buses depart from PS 16 at about 8:10am and drop off at the same location at about 2:45pm.
Transportation
Three yellow school buses will transport children from the corner of Grand St. and Washington St. to Danforth. Your child will have an assigned seat on an assigned bus for the duration of the year.
There are no other passengers on the bus other than students, bus driver, and bus attendant.
The students are comprised of PS 16 zoned students only. The bus does not make any other stop on its route to and from school.
Drop off at Grand St. / Washington St.
Buses will park at the corner of Grand St. and Washington St. by 7:50 am on school mornings. Each bus has a bus driver and an attendant. An attendant stands outside of bus holding a roster, receiving students, helping them board the bus. A parent or guardian signs the roster and stands off to the side. Only students are allowed to board the bus. Attendants check seat belts and board the bus at 8:15am. Buses turn right onto Washington St. and again on Sussex to head toward school.
Arriving Danforth Avenue Early Childhood Center
Buses pull right to curb in front of Danforth Avenue Early Childhood Center. Bus attendants, teachers, teacher aides, principal, nurse, office staff, and building security receive the students by standing on either side of the bus door creating a ‘tunnel’ for kids to walk to door (about 20′). Students go into school and straight to their assigned class. Bus aides then walk the entire length as a safety measure. Buses leave the premise.
Departing Danforth Avenue Early Childhood Center at Dismissal
Buses pull right to the curb in the same order with the same drivers/ attendants before school dismissal. Bus attendant goes classroom to classroom picking up students on noted bus. There is bus list with pictures on the wall of every classroom. Students are guided out of their class at 2:15 pm by their bus attendant. Staff line the area from the school entrance to the bus door until bus is loaded. Bus aides follow same procedure as morning check.
Arrival at Grand St. / Washington St.
Buses arrive at 2:40 pm in same spot as morning. Parents/guardians or authorized adults must sign the roster to have child released to him/her. Students that are enrolled in afterschool care (CASPER) will be greeted by a CASPER teacher and led inside the PS 16 school.
The bus is operated by a contracted private company.
What if I’m running late and miss the morning bus?
Buses will not wait for late students. Parents/guardians are responsible for getting children to Danforth Avenue Early Childhood Center. Missing the bus does not constitute in an excused absence from school.
What if I am picking up my child from school early?
Parent/guardian/authorized adult must appear in person at the main office with ID and sign student out of class. Bus must be notified of absence.
For some personal anecdotes, You can look at the JCBOE website for an 8 minute video of parent testimonials about busing.
High-Scope Curriculum
Pre-K 3, Pre-K 4 follow the High Scope Curriculum.
The following packet was given on June 8th, 2018 during the Danforth Open House session.
Danforth has a paved outdoor space that is used exclusively by the school. It is completely enclosed and accessible through the school’s side doors. This space will be updated from its current state.
Breakfast and Lunch
Breakfast is served for free for all Jersey City Public School students in class regardless of household income.
Lunch is served at free, reduced [insert cost], and full fare ($2.90) rates, depending on financial assistance.
Lunch is cooked at [PS#] and delivered to Danforth. Is is heated and served hot to children in the cafeteria located in the basement of the school.
Lunch can be packed and brought to school by student as an alternative.
Breakfast and Lunch menus are sent home monthly. Vegetarian options are available daily.
After- School Care
CASPER (Community After School Program for Education and Recreation) is held at PS3 at 111 Bright Street from 2:45 pm – 6:00 pm. Pre-K 3, Pre-K 4, K are separated by age and led by district teachers.
Pre-Registration for the CASPER program will take place on the following dates:
Date: Monday, July 30 – Friday, August 3, 2018
Time: 8am – 4pm
Location: JCPS Central Office – 246 Claremont Ave., 1st fl conference room
The cost is $150 a month and can be paid by money order or online through Infinite Campus Portal. Parents will get usernames and passwords in the first week of school. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify [insert link].
https://campus.jcboe.org/campus/portal/jerseycity.jsp
Snacks and drinks are provided for students.
Direct question to the CASPER Office at 201-915-6044
Before-School Care
STARS (Students That Are Really Super) is held at PS16 at 7:00am.
Students must enroll in person through PS 16 on September 6- 7 from 3pm-6pm. STARS begins September 10, 2018.
The cost is $58 a month and can be paid by money order or online through Infinite Campus Portal. Parents will get usernames and passwords in the first week of school. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify [insert link].
https://campus.jcboe.org/campus/portal/jerseycity.jsp
School Supply List
1. Labeled extra set of clothing (pants, shirt, underwear, socks)
2. Labeled Crib Sheet for child’s cot
3. Labeled large tube of toothpaste
4. Acceptance Letter (mailed June 27, 2018)
5. Emergency Contact Information Form
A full list of school supplies will be given specific to classroom needs at the beginning of the school year.
Uniform Policy
Uniforms are OPTIONAL for students at Danforth Avenue Early Childhood Center. Students are allowed to wear any comfortable, loose fitting clothes, that are bathroom-user friendly. They do not have to conform to any color scheme. There is no punishment for not dressing in uniform.
Students have the option to align uniform code as follows:
Khaki pants/ jumpers/skirt (elastic waist recommended for Pre-K)
Royal Blue shirt / polo/ blouse
Navy sweater
Navy vest
No inappropriate jewelry/accessories
No sandals/ open toed shoes
Appropriate footwear
Knee-length khaki shorts may be worn in warm weather when principal announces.
School Calendar
Danforth Avenue Early Childhood Center follows the JCBOE public school calendar.
First day of school is Thursday September 6, 2018. This is a full day.
Link your Google Calendar or mobile calendar with the most recent JCBOE 2018-2019 school calendar here:
Subscribe to the Jersey City Public School Calendar
Or download the Jersey City Public School Calendar in pdf format
Security
Danforth Avenue Early Childhood Center has 2 security guards.
Doors are magnetically locked
Jersey City Crime Map
Danforth Avenue Early Childhood Center is located in Greenville, in the southwest portion of Jersey City.
Map of crime in Jersey City, courtesy of Trulia.com
Attendance Policy
Please find our easy guide on the attendance policy here.
Fire /Evacuation Drills
Aligns with all JCBOE schools [insert link]
Early Childhood Websites
http://www.nj.gov/education/ece/guide/standards.pdf
http://www.nj.gov/education/ece/psguide/
Staff
Dianne O’Connell,
Principal
Claremont Avenue Early Childhood Center,
Danforth Avenue Early Childhood Center,
Glenn Cunningham Avenue Early Childhood Center
Main Office: 201 915 6470
Security Desk: 201 915 6474
email: doconnell@jcboe.org
Jersey City Ed 