Hispanic Heritage Month, also known as Latinx Heritage Month, takes place from September 15 to October 15 every year as a time to recognize and celebrate the many contributions, diverse cultures, and extensive histories of the American Latino community. Beginning in 1968, Hispanic Heritage Month was originally observed as “Hispanic Heritage Week” under President Lyndon Johnson, but it was later extended to a month during President Ronald Reagan’s term in 1988.

You might think it makes more sense to pick one month and declare it National Hispanic Heritage Month. There’s a special reason, though, that it starts on September 15th. September 15 was chosen as the kickoff because it coincides with the Independence Day celebrations of five “Central American neighbors,” as Johnson called them — Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Those five nations declared their independence from Spain on September 15, 1821. Other Spanish-speaking nations have anniversaries close to those dates as well. Mexico, our neighbor, declared independence from Spain on September 16th, 1810. Chile did the same on September 18th, 1810.

People from these 21 Spanish-speaking countries are considered to be of “Hispanic heritage”:

From tasty eats to virtual tours, here are some Hispanic Heritage Month activities to engage the young people in your life:

Mexican food is ubiquitous in the United States and often a kid favorite. Before cooking or going out to eat, talk about the specific ingredients and spices that make these dishes special. Taste and smell cumin and paprika. Discuss kids’ favorite dishes and whether they include common Mexican ingredients, such as corn, chili peppers, shredded beef and chicken, beans and tomatoes.

Bring some new cultures to the table by trying the following Hispanic and Latino dishes:

We will be holding auditions for our vocal music clubs, Advanced Choir and 4th Grade Music Makers or 5th Grade Music Makers which will meet after-school during the 2025-2026 school year. Auditions will be held during 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade recess on Monday, September 15th and Tuesday, September 16th. If your child is chosen for one of the groups you will be emailed by Friday, September 19th with information regarding which group your child is selected for. We will start practices Wednesday, October 1st for Advanced Choir and Thursday, October 2nd for 5th Music Makers (4th grade Music Makers will start in January).

Here is a quick summary of each group:

Advanced Choir - includes some of our best singers at Rush school from all grade levels and will have extra opportunities throughout the year to sing at assemblies and district events as well as the 5th grade concert and spring 4th grade concert.  

4th and 5th grade Music Makers - This group is a special singing/dancing/acting group that only meets for half the school year, depending on grade level.

Ms. Shields will be placing students into each group based on the following criteria:

- Students will be asked to sing a "Happy Birthday"

- Ms. Shields will be judging students on ability to sing in tune and with beauty, grace, and rhythm.

- Students are not able to pick the group they want to participate in, each student will audition and be placed in a group based on the teachers discretion. 

If you child is selected to be in one of the groups, they will not be able to do other after school activities on the days of Music Makers and Advanced Choir since our after school practices are gearing towards a performance.

If your child does not get selected for a group, they will be put on a waiting list and offered a spot, should a spot become available. If your child misses three after school practices they will no longer be able to participate in the club.

We welcome you to join our Back to School Night activities on Wednesday, September 24, 2025. Two sessions will be offered to provide flexibility for you to select a time that works best with your schedule, or to allow you to visit multiple classes if you have more than one child who attends Rush School. Regardless of the session you attend, we ask that all parents/guardians begin each session in their child’s first period academic class. A detailed schedule will be sent home with your child, and teachers will have copies available as well. If you have any questions, or are unsure of your child’s teacher, we will be happy to assist you upon your arrival.

Session #1: 6:00 - 6:55PM

Session #2: 7:10 - 8:05PM

Our certificated specialists will be available throughout the evening for you to visit from 6:00 to 8:05PM. Please do not hesitate to stop by during the evening. Informational meetings are scheduled for students enrolled in the Band, Strings, Advanced Choir, or Music Makers programs before the beginning of the evening schedule (please see below).

MUSIC MEETINGS

Time: 5:30 - 5:55PM

Location & Program:

All Purpose Room: Meeting for parents/guardians of BAND students

Room #101: Meeting for parents/guardians of STRINGS students

Room #124: Meeting for parents/guardians of CHORAL students (Music Makers & Advanced Choir)

*If you are unable to make the meeting time, Mr. Adams and Mr. Hercock will be available throughout the remainder of the evening in Room 101, and Ms. Shields will be available in the All Purpose Room.

Back to School Night provides families with a general overview of their child’s academic programming. If you would like to discuss your child's individual progress, please email the teacher to arrange a private and confidential conference. Additionally, the evening is designed with parents and guardians in mind, so we kindly request that you make alternate arrangements for your children and do not bring them along.

Spirit wear will be available for purchase in the front of Rush School. Lastly, parking is limited and no one is permitted to park along the curb in front of the school. This is a fire lane and you risk being ticketed. Kindly adhere to the parking signs posted by the Police Dept. on Buttonwood Drive and Wynwood Drive.

All Cinnaminson Township Public Schools will continue serving breakfast and lunch this year. Students receiving Free/Reduced Lunch will be eligible for free breakfast. A menu is posted on our district website, and linked below. Breakfast will be served daily beginning at 8:25am when students arrive, and does not need to be ordered ahead of time. Students who wish to purchase breakfast should enter through their assigned grade level entrance, and proceed directly to the cafeteria for their meal before reporting to homeroom where they will eat. Bus duty teachers will help direct students during our opening days, and a staff member will be stationed in the cafeteria to provide supervision and assistance as needed with the check out process.

The district will continue using the LunchTime Payment Portal this school year for parents to deposit money to students’ accounts. The LunchTime Portal also gives you the opportunity to track purchases, create reminders and set up automatic payments. Below is a guide to setting up your student’s account. If you do not want to pay online and would like to continue sending in cash or check with your student, you are still able to create a username and password to track your students’ purchases and see how much money is on the account.

If you would like detailed information, use the “Parent Guide to School Payment Portal”. This document will assist new users with setting up their School Payment Portal. Any questions or concerns with a student’s account should be directed to Lisa Friedrich, Food Service Director.

To set up your account you can visit https://www.schoolpaymentportal.com/

To make payments to lunch accounts:

Our #1 priority at Rush School is to ensure student safety. In order to do s o, there are procedures in place. As a partner in your child's education, we ask that you please abide by those procedures, as follows:

🕣 Students MUST NOT be dropped off to school before 8:25AM. Students need supervision and our staff is unable to do so before this time. Before 8:25AM, students will not be permitted in the building. If you are in need of before-school care, please contact the SAC program at 856-829-7600, x2141.

🚙 If you are driving your child to and from school, you will pull into the driveway and turn immediately right into the staff parking lot. Loop around the back of the parking lot and staff will be posted to receive your child/ren on the walkway at the end of the lot. Please do not let your child out of the car until a staff member is present. Also, please do not pass the vehicle in front of you on the left while in the staff parking lot.

⌛ If you would like to drop your child/ren off in front of the building, you must wait until all Rush School buses have left the premises.

📣 Students who are walkers will be called to dismiss after all of the buses have been called. Students will walk to the intersection of Buttonwood and Wynwood. At the end of the day, no cars will be allowed onto the property to pick up students until all buses have left the premises.

🚙 If you are dropping your student off at the front of the building, please follow the protocol below:

As always, use caution at all times, and please drive slowly when entering and leaving the school grounds. Your cooperation in assisting us in the safety of the students is appreciated. Our crossing guards are employed by the Cinnaminson Police Department. They are trained to keep our students safe, and follow protocol set forth by the CPD and Rush School Administration. We thank you for treating them with respect and understanding!

For the safety of our students, any time a student will not be using his or her regular means of transportation home or to SAC, a written note or an email must be sent in to the child’s teacher and the office staff at ersmainoffice@cinnaminson.com that day. Any change in the normal dismissal for a child must be in an email or writing so that the teacher/office has confirmation of these plans. Please mention in the email if there is a change in dismissal for an after school club or intramural.

If you need to pick up your child early, and it is after 1:00PM, please call the main office. We cannot guarantee a teacher will see an email in the afternoon when they are teaching. Also, students cannot be called out of class for any dismissal changes once the afternoon announcements begin at 3:00 P.M. Therefore, if you want to have your child called for an early dismissal, please send an email or written note that morning and come to the office before 2:50 PM on a regular school day or 12:40 PM on a single session day. To be credited with a full day of attendance, a student must be in school for a minimum of four hours. (Cinnaminson School Board Policy #5230)

In order to pick up your child for early dismissal, you must sign the student out in the front vestibule. You will need your driver’s license or a valid legal identification in order to do so. At no time are you to take your child out of a line or of the bus without first signing him or her out.

Please note that the Transportation Department will not transport students on different buses unless there is an emergency situation. If an emergency situation occurs, parents need to contact the Transportation Department (856-829-8812) to request a change in their child’s transportation.

The Cinnaminson Elementary Home & School Association (CEHASA) is dedicated to enhancing the environment in our schools. Every parent/guardian is a member of the association. Getting involved benefits you, your children, our schools, and our community. This is an opportunity to give back to our children through programs provided by Home & School during the school year. Our first CEHASA Meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 23rd at 6PM in the New Albany School Library.

Volunteers are needed in order for our programs to run smoothly and efficiently. The success of the Home & School activities depend on the members who generously volunteer their time and talents. It doesn't matter how much time you have to commit. Any amount of time you donate is appreciated and we are grateful for whatever time a parent can give. Think of all the good you can do by getting involved. You may even learn a little about yourself. You can use your talents to make a difference and make some new friends along the way. As events are formed, they will be added to the Sign Up Genius.

1. Go to signupgenius.com

2. Go to Find a Sign up

3. Enter cehasa@cinnaminson.com in the email field

4. Pick a program or activity that you would like to volunteer for and sign up with your first and last name and email address.

You can contact CEHASA and find out about current events by:

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