Stillwater Township School

December 16, 2011

 

 

 

ATTENDANCE LINE PHONE NUMBER

973-383-3227

 

 

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

12/16 (Fri.) – Progress Reports mailed home

12/19 (Mon.) – Board of Ed. Meeting @ 7pm

12/23 (Fri.) – 12:40pm Dismissal

12/26 – 12/30 – School Closed for Holiday Recess

1/3 (Tue.) – School Resumes

1/9 (Mon.) – Board of Ed Meeting @ 7pm

1/16 (Mon.) – School Closed – Martin Luther King Day

1/23 (Mon.) – Board of Ed. Meeting @ 7pm

1/26 (Thu.) – 2nd Marking Period Ends

 

Kindergarten Registration

January 23–27, 2012 - If your child will be 5-years old on or before 10/1/12, you may register him/her for kindergarten for the 2012-13 school year. Registration packets will be available after January 3, 2012. You may call Ms. Sue Sager (383-6171) to either have a registration packet mailed to you, or you may pick one up at the school (after January 3). Complete instructions and important dates are included in the packet. Packets need to be returned during the week of 1/23/12, between the hours of 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Your child does not need to be present with you at registration. Pre-Screening dates will be 3/27, 3/28, and 3/29. Orientation will be 6/6/12.

Required for registration:

·         Birth Certificate (official - with raised seal)

 

·         Immunization History (including Hepatitis B series & Varicella vaccine)

 

·         Current Physical Form from your physician (returned by April ’12)

 

·         Proof of Residency (2) – (Please call Ms. Sager with any questions on this).  Suggested items:

Ø       Copy of license with Stillwater address

Ø       Copy of deed/mortgage or lease agreement

Ø       Stillwater residence tax bill

Ø       Utility bill for Stillwater residence

Ø       Other (Contact Ms. Sager)

 

NEW ONLINE CALENDAR AND EVENTS SCHEDULER! We are excited to announce the launch of our new calendar and events scheduler. Go to www.stillwaterschool.net and click on the link to view the school calendar for the week and also sign-up for reminders to any events that are taking place in the school. If you have any questions or problems subscribing to the notifier, please contact Assistant Principal, Mr. Bell at 973-383-6171 x 224 or at christopher.bell@stillwaterschool.net.

 

MORNING KEEP NOW AVAILABLE!: KEEP is now offering morning childcare at Stillwater School. Contact 383-2213 for more info.

 

Substitute Custodian Needed:  Stillwater School is in need of substitute custodians. If you are interested, please call the school at 973-383-6171.

 

LOST & FOUND: It is a good idea to label your children’s belongings (lunchbox, backpack, sweatshirts, etc.) The lost and found bin is already filling up quickly!

 

After School Learning Center Dates

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

 

Trout in the Classroom: Our trout are doing fabulously. They are approximately 1 inch long and are now eating food for the fry life stage. Our environment is staying well balanced as they are doing very well. We still have approximately 225 fish and they are swimming. The students love to watch the scurry about or rest on the bottom.  We continue to learn and understand how the fish are developing as we raise them. The release will be in May! Look for updates in 2012!

 

Third Grade Math: The third graders have been learning their multiplication facts. Each student completed an array booklet for facts 1 through 10. They made multiplication flashcards to bring home to practice. In class students have been using computer websites, such as softschools.com and multiplication.com to improve multiplication skills. Students have also practiced a variety of activities with partners, such as “Toss and Talk” and “Multiplication Fact War” during math class.  These are all easy and fun activities that can be practiced over the holiday break.

 

Kindergarten News: The holiday season is so much fun in kindergarten! The children have been learning about all the different ways the December holidays are celebrated. They have been decorating their classrooms and hallways with lots of beautiful crafts. The kindergarten classes wore reindeer hats and sang at the Stillwater Senior Citizens Luncheon. They looked adorable and made lots of people smile! The children also had a very special Polar Express Day. They earned their tickets by reading a simple sight word book to their families. They brought in their bathrobes and slippers and watched the Polar Express movie. We wish everyone a wonderful holiday season and a happy, healthy New Year!

 

Anti-Bullying Campaign: ABC recently aired an episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition that focused on promoting Anti-Bullying and “Standing Together” in the fight against bullying. As a result of the show, they created a website, www.standtogether.tv, where individuals can take a pledge to participate in the fight against bullying. The pledge states:

I pledge to...

1.       Refrain from bullying of any kind, for any reason.

2.       Treat others with respect.

3.       Intervene, if I safely can. Or tell someone who can.

4.       Encourage others to Stand Together against bullying.

The Stillwater School staff has recently taken the pledge to “Stand Together” in the nation wide fight against bullying. Currently, 145,009 people have taken the pledge and the number rises everyday. The staff is proudly displaying their numbers outside of their classroom doors, showing a commitment to a bully-free environment at Stillwater School!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Following Are Not School Sponsored Events

 

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Senior Seminar Healthy Living: Are you 60 or older and looking for an opportunity to learn how to stay healthy and meet new people? Join us on Friday, December 16 at the Stillwater Fire Dept. from 9:30AM-12:30PM. Topics will include: Safe Medication Use; Alcohol Use and the Older Adult; Strategies for Healthy Living; FREE CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST & CATERED LUNCH! Seating is Limited! To Reserve your spot call Janet Martin at 973-383-4121 (Sponsored by the Southwestern Municipal Alliance, A presentation by Center for Prevention & Counseling)

 

STILLWATER TWP HOLIDAY HOUSE OUTDOOR DECORATING CONTEST: Entry forms will be available in town hall after 11/21. Judging will occur the weekend of December 17-18.

 

Baby Sitter Training: What you need to know and what every parent wants in a safe and responsible babysitter can be learned through the American Red Cross Babysitter’s Training course. The fee for this course is $85. The program is designed for 11 to 15 year olds. Class will be on Thursday, December 29 (on holiday break) from 9am to 3:30pm. Registration is required and can be done by calling 1-800-REDCROSS or online at www.redcross.org. Use offering number #01081607.

 

SPORTS

FROZEN FEET FIRST GRADERS RUNNING: A new winter running program for girls and boys in first grade. Practices will be held on Thursdays from 4:15pm to 5pm at Swartswood State Park. Yes, it will be cold, so come bundled and it’s fine to run in your snow boots and suits! Goal of the program is to get our kids some good old fashioned outdoor running fun during the winter months. All abilities are welcome and the children will be grouped according to their ability. Starts December 15 and runs until February 23 (no practice over Christmas break). Cost is $15. Call 973-271-6624 or e-mail LaurieGordonRun@aol.com to reserve a spot for your child or with any questions.

 

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.

 

FUNDRAISERS

MARKET DAY: January Market Day forms have been sent home with the students. New items this month: 9 Grain Orzo & Spinach Blend, Lemon Pepper ChicNSteakes, and GoGo SqueeZ Applesauce. All customers will receive a FREE Eat Well Guide with any purchase in January. Also, if you are a Frequent Buyer, please remember to place your order of $40 or more (pre-tax) in January to receive your FREE Insulated Bag when you pick up your order. THANK YOU for continuing to support Harmony Hill UMC by purchasing Market Day! Contact Cheryl Castner, 579-3182 or ccastner@embarqmail.com with any questions.

 

 

 

 

Stillwater PTA

IMPORTANT MESSAGE: PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT NO STUDENT WILL BE BARRED FROM ANY PTA EVENT BASED ON THEIR PARENTS’ PTA MEMBERSHIP STATUS. ALL PTA EVENTS ARE OPEN TO EVERY STUDENT. NO CHILD WILL BE TURNED AWAY FROM TAKING PART IN ANY PTA EVENT.

 

·         THANK YOU: We’d like to extend a huge THANK YOU to John Miller! John was our Children’s Holiday Shop Chairperson this year. He has worked with the company that provides all of the “gifts” for the children to purchase for several months now...planning, organizing, setting up the sale, getting the volunteers signed up to help each day the shop was open, and even staying into the nighttime hours the last day in order to organize and box everything up and get it ready to be picked up the following week. He did an awesome job! The children look forward to this event every year, and we thank John for taking it on!

·         FAMILY FUN NIGHT/MOVIE NIGHT THANK YOU: I’d like to thank everyone who helped with the Movie Night! Thank you Chrissy Menkins, for picking up the cases of water and for staying afterwards to help with clean up.  The water was greatly appreciated by the children after their dance marathon session!  Thank you Marilyn Geydoshek for arriving early, popping all the popcorn, and helping clean up afterwards.  If I have missed thanking anyone, please know that your help was greatly appreciated! Thank you, also, to Movies in Motion for another great evening of fun!!.....Cheryl Castner

·         ROLLER SKATING: Roller Skating is tonight! Come to the school gym from 6:30 to 8 pm tonight, bring your skates (or borrow a pair from the many choices we have), and enjoy an evening of skating. FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL, THIS IS NOT A DROP-OFF EVENT.  WE ASK THAT ALL PARENTS/GUARDIANS REMAIN IN THE GYM WITH THEIR CHILD.

·         BOOK IT!: Don’t forget to send in your December Book It forms! You may finish them up over the holiday break, and please send them in by January 9th, 2012 in order to be considered for the prize drawing. The winner will be announced January 13th in this portion of the newsletter. Questions, contact Cheryl Castner, 973-579-3182 or ccastner@embarqmail.com.

·         STILLWATER SCHOOL COOKBOOKS: There is still time to get your favorite cook an awesome gift for the holiday season! Stillwater School PTA Cookbooks are on sale now!  They are currently on sale for $10.00 each.  Simply send your request and payment to school with “PTA Cookbook” written on the envelope, and your cookbook will be on it’s way to you. Questions, contact Robin Waldo at 973-300-4002.

·         MEMBERSHIP DRIVE: The PTA Membership Drive is an ongoing event all school year long.  If you wish to join the PTA, please return your envelope, with dues, to school.  If you have misplaced yours and would like another one, contact Wendy Kimble at 973-940-1211 or wak1016@ptd.net.  Thank you, and please consider becoming a member today!

·         BOXTOPS UPDATE!: The homeroom contest is really close, and some new classes have moved into the top 3 slots. Keep clipping and bringing in those boxtops! Remember, each one is worth 10 cents for our school. Each bundle of 50 earns $5 for our PTA! The contest lasts all year! The top 3 Homerooms are: 4th grade – Mrs. Bickhardt; 6th grade – Ms. Conry and 3rd grade – Ms. Mosner.  *Don’t forget to go to boxtops4education.com and sign up as a member for our school.  When you shop online throughout their site, we also collect bonus boxtops!

·         NEXT MEETING: Our next PTA meeting is Wednesday, January 4 at 3:15 pm.