The Family Connection Newsletter is also available in [Haitian Creole] and [Spanish]
Bullying Prevention Awareness Month:
October is recognized as Bullying Prevent Awareness Month, a time to remind students, families, and school communities about the importance of kindness, respect, inclusion, and speaking up when help is needed.
Every Student deserves to feel safe, supported, and valued at school. Bullying can impact a student's confidence, emotional well-being, attendance, and ability to learn. As a district, we are committed to helping students understand the importance of treating others with care and knowing when to reach out for help.
Families can support bullying prevention by having regular conversations at home about kindness, empathy, and making positive choices.
How Families Can Help:
Encourage your child to:
Treat others with kindness and respect
Include classmates who may feel left out
Speak up when they see someone being mistreated
Report concerns to a trusted adult
Use technology and social media responsibility
Remember that their words and actions impact others
A simple conversation can make a big difference. Ask your child, "What does kindness look like at school?" or "Who can you go to if you or some else needs help?"
National Book Month: Keep Reading, Keep Growing:
October is also National Book Month, a wonderful reminder of the importance of reading at every age. Reading helps students build vocabulary, strengthen imagination, improve comprehension, and develop confidence. Families are encouraged to make reading part of their weekly routine, even if it is just 15- 20 minutes a day.
This month, the district is also taking our 1st grade students to the library to obtain library cards. This is a great opportunity for students to explore their local library and discover new books. If you haven't done so already, we encourage you to visit your local library and sign up for a library card.
Staying Connected This Month:
Families are encouraged to visit the East Orange School District website regularly for important updates, announcements, calendars, resources, and district information.
Parent Spotlight:
This month, we are proud to celebrate Ms. Judine Dobbs, a dedicated parent at Gordon Parks Academy and proud parent of a second grader, for her generosity, involvement, and commitment to our school community.
Ms. Dobbs makes an effort to stay connected to her child's school experience by actively participating in school events and meetings, Her continued presence and engagement demonstrate the important role parents play in supporting their children and strengthening the school community.
Ms. Dobbs has also gone above and beyond in supporting our students. Through her employer, Costco, she helped donate and distribute backpacks to students during Back-to-School Night, along with a $500 gift card to help support future school needs.
We are grateful for Ms. Dobbs' kindness, generosity, and continued involvement. Her dedication is a wonderful example of the positive impact parent participation can have on students, families and our school community!
Empowered Parent University Fall Workshop Dates:
Tuesday, October 27, 2026
AI at Home: A Parent's Guide to Artificial Intelligence (In-Person)
Tuesday, November 10, 2026
Fathers Matter: Presence, Power & Purpose
Tuesday, November 24, 2026
Whole Family Wellness Night (Virtual)
Tuesday, December 9, 2026
EPU Holiday Family Celebration (In-Person)
Location for in-person workshops: 199 4th Avenue, East Orange, NJ 07017 Conference Room A