Stillwater Township School

October 7, 2011

 

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

10/10/11 (Mon.) – Teacher In-Service – SCHOOL CLOSED

10/14/11 (Fri.) - School Pictures

10/14/11 (Fri.)  6th Grade Activity Night – KRHS @ 7pm- 9pm

10/17/11 (Mon.)  BOE Meeting in Library

10/17/11 - 10/21/11 (Mon.-Fri.) – Book Fair

10/25, 26, 27 – Parent Teacher Conferences

10/19/11 (Wed.) NJ CAP Parent Presentation @ 7pm

10/27/11 (Thu.) – 6th Grade Trip Chaperone Mtg. @ 6:30pm

10/31/11 (Mon.) – Halloween Parade @ 1:30pm

 

DRESS CODE:  Beginning on October 3, students will no longer be permitted to wear shorts to school. Thank you for your cooperation.

 

HOLIDAY CONCERT DATE CHANGE:  The Holiday Concert date has changed. It will be Monday, December 12 (snow date 12/20)

 

ATTENDANCE LINE:  973-383-3227

 

MORNING KEEP NOW AVAILABLE!: KEEP is now offering morning child care at Stillwater School. Contact 973-383-2213 for more information.

 

GUIDELINES FOR CLASSROOM PARTIES

1.       Keep it simple. Parties should provide a small classroom celebration for the children to augment the curriculum in a fun, meaningful way.

2.       There should be no more than four “food parties” a year: Halloween, Winter Holiday, Spring, and End of the Year. Thanksgiving is considered part of the curriculum.

3.       Parties should generally last about one period, or 40 minutes.

4.       The health and wellness of our students should be a primary focus when choosing what food to serve at the parties. Foods and beverages with minimal nutritional value or that have sugar listed as its first ingredient should be avoided. Healthy foods could include things like: fruit, vegetables, cheese, pretzels, yogurt, and raisins. Healthy beverages could include: water, milk, or 100% fruit or vegetable juices. One appropriately proportioned “sweet item” per party is recommended.

5.       Food allergies in the classroom should always be considered when planning a party. This information can be obtained from the homeroom teacher at the beginning of the year. Since all children should be able to participate fully in the class party, food items containing these specific allergens should not be brought to the party. When possible, food items should be brought in its original container, listing the food ingredients.

6.       Food donations are greatly appreciated. Be sure to check with the party organizer in advance, so “sweet items” are not duplicated.

7.       Goodie bags are not recommended.

8.       Keep crafts simple. Use recycled materials to avoid purchasing new.

9.       The collection of money should be avoided. If absolutely necessary, no more than $2 per family at a time should be requested.

10.    Party activities that require movement, strategy, and teamwork are strongly encouraged. For game ideas, feel free to browse a book located in the gym office, titled Indoor Action Games for Elementary Children.

 

After School Learning Center Dates

OCTOBER:  4, 6    11, 13   18, 20

NOVEMBER:  1, 3    15, 17    29

DECEMBER:  No ASLC

JANUARY:   5    10, 12    17, 19    24, 26   31

FEBRUARY:   2    7, 9   14, 16   28

MARCH:   1    6, 8    13, 15   27, 29

 

Picture Day reminder: Picture Day is on Friday, October 14. If your child is purchasing a picture packet, be sure he/she brings the order form and payment to school on Picture Day. The photographers will not take individual pictures without receiving payment on that day.

 

Child Assault Prevention parent program: Our parent program will be held on October 19, 2011 at 7:00pm in the Stillwater School Library. CAP personnel will review concepts to be presented to the students. This year’s theme is “No More Bullies, No More Victims.”  The program is designed to help school communities change the school environment to make a safer place for all its members.

 

Lunch Clubs: Lunch clubs will begin soon for all grades. Topics include social skills, making friends, and self-esteem. Please contact Ruth Najemian at 973-383-3998 if you think your child would benefit from joining lunch club.

 

Activity Night for sixth graders from all the sending districts will be on October 14, from 7-9 pm at Kittatinny Regional High School. Please remember to bring your permission slip and $3.00 to Mrs. Hayes. Thank you.

 

Attention Runners: There will be two races this fall for those that want to participate. The races will be announced in gym class and the forms will be given to the students at that time. If your child did not bring home a form and you would like one, there will be extras in the gym on the table outside the office. Please have your child come to the gym and we will give one to her/him. Transportation is provided by the parent/guardian. There is a fee to enter the race that is payable upon arrival. The races are fun and the boys/girls meet others from different schools. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call Mrs. Hayes, Ms. Radimer, or Mr. Reed at the school.

Thu., 10/20 (rain date 10/21) @ KRHS - 5:00 pm- 6th grade girls and under and 5:15 pm – 6th grade boys and under

Fri., 10/21 (no rain date) @ Walkill Valley HS - 4:10pm - elementary girls and 4:30pm - elementary boys

 

Family science was just popping with questions and bubbles. We wondered about the feathers of bald eagles and how far fleas jump. We investigated dish soaps and how big of a bubble four different brands could make. Green was the winner! This week we had Jack Branigan from the Stillwater Environmental Commission show us a presentation about environmental factors and how things are changing. We are looking forward to next week! Ms. Paladini and Mrs. McMahon

 

Library Update: This month, our students are reading cooperatively as a class or with buddies. Students of all ages are learning through listening and participating with their class or sharing a book with partners. Reading cooperatively is a great way to increase comprehension and develop reading skills. Some of our fifth grade students are spending even more time reading with friends during Book Club meetings afterschool. Sharing books with others not only helps build reading skills, it also builds relationships. Keep reading together!

 

RESPECT WEEK: This week across NJ was “Respect Week.” During this time, schools participated in Character Education activities that focused on the pillars of character (trustworthiness, responsibility, respect, fairness, citizenship, caring). Below are different activities that took place during the week.

Preschoolers watched a short video of Cinderella and discussed the way Cinderella was treated by her step mother and sisters. They listed the unkind acts and expressed alternate ways the different situations should have been handled. Preschool Speech Enrichment - Mrs. McGregor taught the students their “Magic Words” using sign language. The students learned the signs for “friend”, “play”, “please”, “share”, “your turn”, “my turn”, “thank you” and “nice.” They also learned the “Magic Words” song. This song is reviewed periodically throughout the year by both Mrs. McGregor and Mrs. Pierson and the students are encouraged to keep their “Magic Words” by their side all year long. Kindergarten classes discussed respecting property as well as people. Role playing and stories were read. They also talked about treating people the way you want to be treated, “The Golden Rule.” The children enjoyed these activities and learned the meaning of the word “Respect.” 5th & 6th grade students walked into their social studies classroom to the tune of Aretha Franklin singing part of her RESPECT song.  Students discussed how important people, things, and the environment are to them and the necessity to respect these. They were asked to imagine a school without authority figures such as teachers and parents, a world without their possessions, a world without a clean environment or a world without people to communicate with. Next they related the Golden Rule to the components of respect. They then chanted a respect verse.  Grade five was assigned to create a RESPECT acrostic and grade 6 was given a short writing assignment in which they were asked to write about a positive relationship they have and discuss the ways they show respect to that person.

 

 

The Following Are Not School Sponsored Events

 

COMMUNITY EVENTS

OLMC Fall Festival: Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church will be holding its first ever Fall Festival Fund Raiser on October 9. Come enjoy family fun, food, games and prizes. There will be apple bobbing, bounce houses, face painting, a clown, pet adoption and various vendors throughout the day. Festivities will begin at 11am (right after the 10am Mass).

 

HALLOWEEN DANCE: All 4th – 6th grade students are invited to attend the Kittatinny Competition Cheer “Fab-BOO-lous” Halloween Dance on Friday, October 28 from 7-9pm in the Stillwater Gym. Tickets in advance are $8 (Send form and money through Darlene Kepnes), $10 at the door. There will be a DJ & costume contest. Drinks and snacks will be available for purchase. Questions – please contact Gail Kinney (973) 271-6597.

 

FUNDRAISERS

TRICKY TRAY:  Camp Auxilium – Friday, October 7 – Doors open at 4pm, drawing at 7:30pm.

 

MARKET DAY: Market Day is in full-swing again! Market Day is a monthly frozen food fundraiser sponsored by Harmony Hill United Methodist Church. Each month, flyers will be sent home with the students through school. October’s sale date is Tuesday, October 18. Please pick up your order from 3 - 4pm on that date. Paper orders are due back to school by Tuesday, October 11. You may also input your own order online at www.marketday.com. The deadline for online orders is 11pm on Wednesday, October 12. New items this month are: Turkey Chili, Sweet Potato Fries, and General Tso’s Chicken. Plus, there are many returning favorites! If you input your order online, and it totals at least $90 (pre-tax), don’t forget to input the code OCTBONUS at checkout to receive your FREE Breadsticks with Seasoning and FREE Raviolis. FREQUENT BUYERS: Make two purchases of $40 (pre-tax) between October and December. Then place a third order of $40 (pre-tax) in January to receive a FREE Insulated Bag at your January sale pick-up. Questions, contact Cheryl Castner 973-579-3182.

 

SPORTS

Stillwater Basketball is accepting registrations for all 3rd – 8th graders. We are looking for more players and coaches at all levels.  Any questions please call Robert Nodarse at 973-383-6494 or go to our website for forms at www.stillwater-rec.org.

 

BASKETBALL COACHES NEEDED: The Kittatinny Travel Basketball Program is looking for coaches on the 5th grade and 8th grade levels. If you are interested, please call 973-600-8626

 

PROJECT K.E.E.P.offered Before and After School!  The Kids Educational Enrichment Program (K.E.E.P.) offers on-site before and after school care at Stillwater School. Morning K.E.E.P. will begin at 7am and run until the start of school. Afternoon K.E.E.P. will begin at school dismissal time and run until 6pm. While attending K.E.E.P., children will receive homework assistance, have snack and enjoy organized outdoor activities and enriching arts and crafts. K.E.E.P. provides holiday care, snow day care, and summer camp. K.E.E.P. is available for children ages 6-12. Visit our Sparta facility for care for children ages 6 weeks-6 years. Scholarship assistance is available to all qualified applicants. For more information or to register, please call (973) 383-2213 or visit www.keepkids.org.

 

Stillwater PTA

·         THANK YOU: We would like to thank Helaine Humenik for organizing our Yankee Candle fundraiser again this year. She began getting it ready over the summer break, and has been working on it since.  The first $200.00 of profit that is earned from this fundraiser is earmarked for the incoming Preschool students’ 6th grade end-of-the-year party.  Helaine...the time and effort you have put into this fundraiser is GREATLY appreciated! Our homes will be smelling so wonderful from all of the great scents Yankee Candle has to offer!  Thank You Helaine!!

·         ROLLER SKATING: Our first roller skating evening is TONIGHT, Friday, October 7, 6:30 to 8 pm in the school gymnasium. If you want to attend, but don’t own roller skates, not to worry! We have a very large variety of gently used skates that you may borrow.  We look forward to seeing you! Questions, contact Colleen Hurley 973-940-1035.

·         HALLOWEEN DANCE: Our annual Halloween Dance/Party will be on Friday, October 21st, from 7-9pm - Help with IDEAS, DECORATIONS, SET UP & CLEAN UP needed and appreciated. Donations of small water bottles, baked goods & small snack bags (chips, cookies, fruit snacks...preferably no candy) are needed.  Trick or Trunk participants are wanted. Please email Trish Hendershot at thendershot@embarqmail.com for more information or to confirm you can help with this Spooktacular Event!  (For safety purposes, ALL children must be accompanied by an adult.)

·         PTA SUGGESTION BOX: There is a PTA Suggestion Box hanging in the hallway just inside the main entrance of the school. If you have a suggestion for the PTA, kindly write it down and drop it in the box. Also, keep in mind that you can, at any time, send any suggestions and/or questions to any members on the PTA Executive Board.  We welcome all suggestions and look forward to hearing from you!

·         PTA MEMBERSHIP DRIVE: Our membership drive is ongoing! Membership envelopes were sent home the first week of school. If you have not received an envelope, or have misplaced it and would like another, please contact Wendy Kimble at 973-940-1211. Why join the PTA? Your membership allows the Stillwater PTA to exist. If the PTA did not exist, all of the programs, assemblies, events, and supplies that the PTA provides for the students would no longer occur.  They have come to truly enjoy, and look forward to, the various events the PTA provides. Any questions, please contact Wendy Kimble at 973-940-1211 or wak1016@ptd.net.  Please consider becoming a member today!

·         YANKEE CANDLE: Please check back for information on delivery date and times of pickup.

·         STILLWATER SCHOOL COOKBOOKS: Last year, the Stillwater PTA put together a beautiful cookbook with recipes from Stillwater families, friends and relatives of Stillwater families, our teaching staff, and our administration. These cookbooks are still available for purchase! The cost of a cookbook is $10. Do you have a friend or family member who has a birthday coming up and you just don’t know what to get them? Why not purchase a cookbook for them...there are many delicious recipes inside! If you would like to purchase a cookbook, please remit your $10.00 payment in an envelope with “PTA Cookbook” written on the outside.  If you have any questions, please contact Robin Waldo at (973) 300-4002 or ms.nut@hotmail.com

·         CLIP AND SAVE: More information will be sent home soon on our several clip and save fundraisers. In the meantime, please continue to clip your Box Tops, Campbell’s Soup Labels, Tyson Product A+ Labels, and your Capri Sun juice pouches. Please send them to school with your child in separate envelopes/bags. Please do not combine them all into one envelope/bag, as different people handle these collections.

·         PTA FALL CLOTHING DRIVE: It’s that time of year again for the PTA’s Fall Clothing Drive. As we transition from one season to another, it’s a perfect time to weed through your clothing to see what you can donate. The dates and times for drop off are Friday, Oct. 21st 3pm – 9pm and Saturday, Oct. 22nd 8am – 11am.  DONATIONS ARE TO BE DROPPED OFF ON THE FRONT STEPS OF THE SCHOOL. We are looking for donations of clothing (any size/gender), shoes, gloves, purses, backpacks, ties, belts, bedding (sheets, comforters, pillows, etc.), towels, curtains, table cloths, throw rugs, stuffed animals, disposable diapers (in unopened packages only) and small non-plush toys such as action figures etc.  As always your donations will be sent to locations across the United States and overseas where there is a need for recycled clothing. Please contact Dawn Tighe at tighe8@gmail.com if you have any questions.

·         YOUR PTA IS ON FACEBOOK! If you have an account on Facebook, simply go to http://www.facebook.com/#!/StillwaterPTA , and click “Like” to keep up with recent news and our event reminders.

·         NEXT PTA MEETING: Our next meeting is Wednesday, November 2 at 3:15 pm.

 

 

Stillwater Township School         PO Box 12          Stillwater, NJ 07875          973.383.6171 phone          973.383.7021 fax