Milnes Memo
January 15, 2021
I hope you all had a wonderful week. As per Mr. Norcia's message, we will remain remote for at least the next two weeks. Many of us are disappointed with the news, but our first priority is and will always be the safety of our students. We will continue in our remote learning model.
Below you will see an important message from Mayor Kurt Peluso as well as Mr. Norcia, the Superintendent of Schools.
As more information becomes available, we will communicate that to our school community.
We return to remote learning on Tuesday, January 19th.
Stay safe!
Warmly,
Mrs. Stephanie Primavera
Principal, Milnes School
A Message From Mayor Kurt Peluso
Jan. 15, 2021 - Message from Fair Lawn Mayor Kurt Peluso
Good Afternoon,
This is Mayor Peluso.
Fair Lawn currently has approximately 150 confirmed positive cases, with more still coming in. 23% of the active cases are children under the age of 18; and 7 active cases are in assisted living facilities. This is a huge shift from what we saw earlier with high numbers in facilities and low numbers with school aged children, now we have high numbers with our youth. Our Health Department has been in contact with the testing sites, and Fair Lawn has seen a significant increase in the percentage of people testing positive. This increase has led the state to categorize Fair Lawn in the red zone, and we are concerned that we can see a significant increase in the amount of active cases. When you are in the red zone, the recommendation from the state is to have virtual learning.
Last night I spoke to the Board of Education President Gene Banta and this morning I had a discussion with Superintendent Norcia, I can assure you everyone wants to have the schools open, but the number one priority continues to be the health and safety of our community.
I understand the frustration many feel, as the parent of two school aged children and the husband of a teacher, I see firsthand the challenges our educators and students are dealing with. We all want to go back to normal and if we work together to get the numbers back down, I know we can accomplish this.
Please remember to continue to practice social distancing, eliminate large gatherings, wear a face mask and continuously wash your hands.
Thank you and have a safe and healthy weekend.
Link to source: https://local.nixle.com/alert/8476338/?sub_id=0
A Letter From the Superintendent
January 14, 2021
Dear Fair Lawn Community,
Earlier this evening, we were notified by the Fair Lawn Health Department that Fair Lawn is now in the Very High Risk Category (Red Category). The guidance from the NJ Department of Health for COVID-19 Public Health Recommendations for Local Health Departments for K-12 Schools (Updated December 22, 2020) specifies “recommend fully remote learning” for schools within a Very High Risk category. (Please see page 13 of the attached document).Updated School Guidance-12.22.pdf
The Fair Lawn Department of Health and the NJ Department of Health Communicable Disease Services both recommend that Fair Lawn Public Schools remain in the fully remote model until the numbers of positive cases in Fair Lawn decrease.
The percentage of positive COVID 19 cases in Fair Lawn has increased during the past 7 days. In addition, there has been a higher than normal increase in children under the age of 18 in Fair Lawn testing positive for COVID-19.
According to the Fair Lawn Health Department, the COVID-19 Risk Categories are based upon the percent positivity as determined by the number of cases/100,000 persons and the number of PCR tests/100,000 persons over a 7-day activity period.
All sports and extracurricular activities are cancelled until further notice.
As of tonight, I am unable to give you a definitive date of return to in-person instruction, however we will remain in this fully remote model for at least two weeks and will reassess Fair Lawn’s positivity rate and follow the recommendations of the health department.
As Superintendent and also as a parent, I know that this information is not what many of you wanted to hear, especially when we were planning to return next week, however we must trust the health professionals who are making these recommendations in the best interest of our children.
I will be providing updates on the status of our schools in a timely manner.
Stay safe!
Sincerely,
Nicholas J. Norcia, Superintendent of Schools
Remote Learning Schedule
3M Showing Thier Spirit on Pajama Day
Care Plus Parent Workshop Series
Our School is Proud to Support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society this Year!
Milnes School is proud to support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS this school year through the Hero Squad community service learning program!
LLS is a global leader in the fight against cancer. The LLS mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world, has invested nearly $1.3 billion in the most pioneering science worldwide since 1949, provides free information and support services, and is the voice for all blood cancer patients seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care.
The LLS Hero Squad program inspires students to support a vision of a world without cancer. To learn more about LLS and their life-saving work, visit lls.org. If you know someone that can benefit from personalized disease treatment or support information, please refer them to a dedicated Information Specialist at 800.955.4572.
More information to come as we get ready for our Hero Squad Kick-Off on February 1, 2021!
Grade 4 Crayfish Camera
While we are on remote instruction, students are invited to observe our crayfish live from Mr. Temme!
https://sites.google.com/fairlawnsds.org/crayfishcam/home?authuser=0https://sites.google.com/fairlawnsds.org/crayfishcam/home?authuser=0
Attendance
ATTENDANCE and START TIME
- School begins at 8:35am. Attendance will be taken during homeroom and throughout the day during live sessions. Please be sure your child’s first and last name is displayed when entering the Zoom classroom. If your child is going to be late, absent or leaving early on any school day from remote learning, please use your Parent Portal on Genesis under the attendance tab to notify the school or you may call the school's main office at 201-794-5550 option 2. Please do not email your teacher directly.
Care Plus Mental Health Resources
Class code: jnvhqnf
By joining the Google Classroom, you will have access to a variety of mental health resources and support. Care Plus will be updating the classroom regularly so resources can continue to address relevant topics and concerns.
Pandemic Parenting Support Group! Learn from Others
Spirit Days
January Birthdays
Meghan 2S, Tyler KA, , Vania KP, Ian 1S, Maya 2G, Sofia 3G, Sara 2CO, Sophia 2R, Shea 2CO, Marcus 2W, Ayva 2CO, Aidan KB, Levi KB, Ori 4SH, Corinne 2R, Mallory 4C, Myan 1N, Hailey 4S, Avery 3L, Sofia 1N, Tyler 4SH
PTA Welcome and Information
Dear Milnes Families,
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all of you to the 2020-2021. The purpose of the PTA is to support the faculty, staff, parents, and especially our students.
In order for the PTA to be effective, we need the support and involvement of the parents of our students. The first way to show your support is to become a member of the Milnes PTA. The second way to show your support will be to participate in the events and programs that we have planned throughout the year. You may choose to be a committee chair, committee member, or volunteer. If you are interested in joining a committee, please click this link: https://forms.gle/f8ucXELtwGAcMhfC9. Whatever level of participation you choose, your time and involvement will be greatly appreciated. Many parents feel that they cannot participate in the PTA because they cannot come to meetings or be at school during the day. Whether you have 30 minutes or a couple of hours, your ideas, your time, and your talents are truly needed. The PTA welcomes you to join our meetings to voice your concerns and contribute your ideas to better our school. Please click this link to become a member of the PTA: https://hbmilnespta.memberhub.store/
Our best form of communication is through email. Please follow the attached directions to begin receiving notifications and staying informed.
We would like to thank you in advance for your support. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to meeting you all!
Thank you,
Anamari Servis
PTA President
H.B. Milnes Elementary School
PTA Meeting
https://luxoft.zoom.us/j/93659142446?pwd=NFZFNDMxblRzUTQ3REx1Vkt6aCtrdz09
Id: 93659142446
Password:
rFu9Ez2@sj
Gift and Cookie Dough Fundraiser - ENDS TODAY
H.B. Milnes School PTA fundraiser starts today, and we need your help. Our goal is to raise $2,000.00 for students at Milnes so that this year is not a total bust!.
It's as simple as 1, 2, 3!
1. Register TONIGHT at https://www.shopfund.com/
2. Share custom student support links with family & friends.
3. Student Goal: 5 Online Supporters.
REGISTER-SHARE-WIN: Sharing gets you tickets for chances to win over $100,000 in instant prizes.
Please check out the following helpful Fundraiser information links:
* How To Videos - (https://bit.ly/2WVP3Um)
* Kick-Off Videos - (https://bit.ly/3jksoKd)
* Parent Letter - (https://bit.ly/2VX3LcT)
* Prize Program - (https://bit.ly/2DeTza2)
On behalf of myself and the staff at H.B. Milnes School PTA, thank you for doing your part to make our fundraiser a success.
Valentine's Day Fundraiser
Card My Yard Fundraiser
Ways to Stay Informed at Milnes
Welcome to H.B. Milnes Elementary School! You will find that this is a very special place, with a lot of things going on to enrich you and your child’s elementary school experience! In order to stay informed, we encourage you to take note of the list below. These are the most popular and best ways to keep track of all that is going on in our wonderful school. We hope you find it helpful and take full advantage of what is being offered here, at Milnes! We look forward to working with you throughout the years!
Websites:
The Milnes Website: https://milnes.fairlawnschools.org/
The PTA Website: http://hbmilnes.my-pta.org/
Facebook:
H.B. Milnes PTA: https://www.facebook.com/groups/294348713915540/
Kindergarten Class/Milnes Class of 2025: https://www.facebook.com/groups/175286953807897/
1st Grade Class/ Milnes Class of 2024: https://www.facebook.com/groups/340425060215050
2nd Grade Class/ Milnes Class of 2023: https://www.facebook.com/groups/175286953807897
3rd Grade Class/ Milnes Class of 2022: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Milnes2022
4th Grade Class/Milnes Class of 2021: https://www.facebook.com/groups/330050644014975
PTA Remind Texts:
Kindergarten: Text @milnes2025 to the number 81010
1st grade: Text @milnes2024 to the number 81010
2nd grade: Text @milnes2023 to the number 81010
3rd grade: Text @milnes2022 to the number 81010
4th grade: Text @milnes2021 to the number 81010
Kindness Corner
-Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Coming Up
December
Now - January 15th - Gift and Cookie Dough Fundraiser (Ends Today)
Now - February 5th - Valentine's Day Chocolate Sale
January 18th - No School - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 19th - PTA Meeting - 7PM
Henry B. Milnes Elementary School
Website: https://milnes.fairlawnschools.org/
Location: 8-01 Philip Street, Fair Lawn, NJ, USA
Phone: 201-794-5550
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FairLawnPublicSchoolDistrict
Twitter: @HenryBMilnes