The Monroe Messenger
Parent Newsletter - November
November 2023
Hello James Monroe Families,
We have so much to be thankful for this November, starting with our families. Thank you for being supportive and active members of our James Monroe Community. It was wonderful to see you at our recent events such as Harvest Eve and our annual Halloween Parade. The PTO makes magic happen behind the scenes by organizing and planning for our upcoming events. We look forward to discussing your child's progress at the upcoming Parent Teacher Conferences in November.
We also appreciate our teachers for creating such positive communities in each of their classrooms, volunteering at our school events and chaperoning Camp Bernie. They have been working so hard to deliver instruction to meet the needs of your children in every subject! It has been inspiring to see them lead our students to explore their interests during clubs and at our Title I events.
Last but not least, we are grateful for our brave and brilliant children who give us hope each and every day. They are the purpose for which our community comes together to create this very special learning environment.
Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!
With appreciation,
Mrs. Cyndi Tufaro, principal
Mrs. Maggie Callahan, assistant principal
October Highlights
Harvest Eve was a perfect fun-filled fall night! Thank you to our amazing PTO for planning this annual tradition. Families and staff joined in to volunteer and we couldn't have done it without all of their support!
Another highlight this month was our Hispanic Heritage Event led by Senora Lopez and Ms. Perez. This evening included a captivating and educational experience with a musical performance and opportunities to explore the customs, flavors, and rhythms of various Hispanic countries.
Harvest Eve
Hispanic Heritage Night
Halloween Parade
Parent Teacher Conferences
The home-school connection is extremely important to us here at James Monroe! We realize that virtual conferences can be convenient for some families, as they eliminate the need for transportation, childcare arrangements and/or having to take time off work. Thus, for the upcoming conferences, we will be offering either in-person/virtual on Nov 16th & 28th.
Parent Teacher Conferences will be held on the following dates:
Thursday, November 16th at 5:00 - 6:30pm
Tuesday, November 28th at 5:00 - 6:30pm
(5:00 - 5:30 will be virtual/5:30 - 6:30 is in-person)
These are all early dismissal days for Grades SCA, K - 5 - 1:30 p.m.
You may schedule a 6-minute conference with your child's teacher using the conference feature on Parent Portal. Conferences are a valuable time to help forge a strong relationship and will provide you with a progress update. Parent Portal Conference Scheduling is now open.
How to set up a Parent Teacher Conference:
1. Log into Parent Portal.
2. Go to Student Data and select "Conferences". A link will appear that says “Schedule Parent Teacher Conference” for each available day.
3. On the next screen, select “Reserve” to reserve a day and time for your child's homeroom teacher.
4. Select only one meeting per teacher. You will receive an email notification to confirm the appointment.
5. Conference registration closes 24 hours prior to the conference date.
If you are unable to attend the conferences, please email the teacher to cancel or reschedule your appointment in the Parent Portal. This is a courtesy to the teacher.
Pizza Kit Fundraiser!
Pumpkin Decorating Contest
November Calendar
PTO meeting
Please join us in the cafeteria or virtually at our next PTO meeting on November 14th at 6:00 pm. A link will be shared to join virtually as well before the meeting.
Thank you to our PTO for sponsoring our first assembly of the year which conveyed a message about acceptance for differences by actor and storyteller David Harrell.
This month, our PTO celebrated our amazing staff on World Teacher Day with a special treat. Who doesn't love some popcorn?! Thank you for honoring their hard work and dedication.
Join us at our Panera Dine Out Night Nov. 15th!
Third Graders brighten our Hallways with a Mural
Inspiring creativity through art! Mrs. DeCoite, our talented art teacher and her amazing third graders brough Peter Reynolds' book, The Dot, to life! Each student made their mark by painting a vibrant cascade of dots down the school stairwell, reminding us all of our limitless creative potential. This stunning mural is a real-world celebration of art that will leave a lasting impact on the James Monroe community. Please check it out when you visit the school.
We are on Instagram!
Keep up with our stories, videos and pictures of daily happenings at James Monroe School. Follow our story @MonroeOwls!
Join Us During American Education Week
You are invited to participate in your child's morning meeting during American Education Week. This is a time to celebrate public education. Please see the schedule below for visitation times.
Due to space, one parent only and no siblings.
Penny Wars
Presenting our School Musical...Finding Nemo!
Keep Shopping through SchoolStore.com!
Thank you for registering to shop through Schoolstore.com. This site hosts hundreds of merchants which give a percentage of sales back to our school. So far, our classrooms have earned over $1,000 in rewards to spend. It is easy to register and a great time to shop during the upcoming holidays.
Student Council Elections
The 2023-2024 student council elections have wrapped up at James Monroe! The Student Council’s goal is quite simple; lead and serve the student body through team collaboration and many wonderful opportunities to enrich the James Monroe community. The election procedure started within our grades 3-5 classrooms. Any student interested in running for a position gave a speech to their homeroom class. Each homeroom class then elected one student to represent them in the final selection process. The homeroom winner spent one week campaigning and creating election posters. This process culminated with speeches, where the students spoke to peers in grades three - five about why they believed they would best represent James Monroe on our Student Council Executive Board. Over 250 students voted, and the results are as follows:
Jay Prakash will represent 3rd grade as our Student Council Secretary.
Shiven Patel is representing 5th grade as the Public Relations Liaison.
Sofia Rios will represent 4th grade as Vice President.
Ayann Tahir will also represent 5th grade as your Student Council President!
We are so proud of all the students who were willing to express themselves during this process. We hope this year will be an exciting and memorable one for all of the James Monroe community, and our goal as Student Council will remain “Kindness through Service.” Thank you to Ms. Klem and Mrs. Fishbein for advising our student council.
Counselor Corner - Ms. Davis
- The theme of the Month for November is Gratitude. Ms. Davis will be visiting various classes to incorporate mini-lessons and activities. Please feel free to view the Counseling Corner Newsletter for ideas to show gratitude at home.
- Ms. Davis will be hosting Parent/Counselor Connection appointments on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. If you are interested in scheduling an appointment please click on the link below:
Every year we review information that pertains to Harassment, Intimidation & Bullying. Please take a few moments to watch the video.
Ms. Davis, the anti-bullying specialist will be hosting a virtual Parent Information Session on Wednesday, November 15th @ 1:00pm.If you are interested in attending please fill out this form and a virtual link will be sent to you.
Clubs have Started!
We are pleased to be able to offer various experiences for each grade level to explore their interests, socialize with peers and learn something new.
1st grade: Board Game Club
2nd grade: Lego Club, Reading and Craft Club, and Robotics Club
3rd grade: Sports Club, Spanish Club and Dance Club
4th grade: Rummikub Club, Chorus and Creative Writing Club
5th grade: Media Club, Chorus, Makerspace and Dance Club
Teacher of the Year and Education Service Professional Nominations
Do you know a classroom teacher or educational services professional who is dedicated, inspiring, and making a difference? If so, please take the time to recommend this person for the Governor’s Educator of the Year Program by completing this nomination form template and returning it to the building principal. Administrators, staff members, students, parents and community members are encouraged to participate. Please return this form to the building principal by November 3rd!
Candidates will be scored based on the criteria below:
• Serves as an exceptionally skilled and dedicated educator in a public or charter school;
• Inspires students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn;
• Demonstrates leadership and innovation in and outside the classroom;
• Has the respect and admiration of students, parents, administrators and colleagues; and
• Plays an active role in the community as well as the school.
Fire Truck Visit Kindergarten & 1st Grade
Camp Bernie
5th graders had a once in a lifetime experience at Camp Bernie on October 2nd! While there students engaged in several activities including streamology where they fished for stream life and learned about the ecosystem, learned archery and shot bows and arrows, and completed a blindfolded walk where they needed to use their senses and each other to guide through.
During lunch and dinner students assisted setting and clearing the table, and were challenged to limit their food waste during both meals! Check out the photos of some highlights of the day.
A Message from Mrs. Sclafani - School Nurse
MESSAGE FROM THE SCHOOL NURSE
MRS. SCLAFANI, RN BSN CSN-NJ
This Season a Flu Vaccine is More Important than Ever!
Frequently Asked Influenza (Flu) Questions: 2023-2024 Season
Getting a flu vaccine is more important than ever during 2023-2024 to protect yourself, your family and your community from Influenza. A flu vaccine this season can also help reduce the burden on our healthcare systems so please get vaccinated now.
If you do not have insurance that covers physicals, flu shots or other immunizations, please call and make an appointment at the Health Department. The next immunization clinic is on December 13, 2023. Call the Toth Memorial Health Center at 80 Idlewild Road, Edison, NJ 08817 at 732-248-7286 to make your appointment.
Don’t forget to send your documents to the school nurse please!!
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National Healthy Skin Month – November 2023
It’s time to pay attention to your skin. National Healthy Skin Month each November is sponsored by the American Academy of Dermatology. You may not realize it, but your skin reveals a lot about your overall health. This month makes you and your family aware of what it takes to keep your skin healthy as well as understanding how to treat and prevent common skin problems. National Healthy Skin Month stresses how to correctly use sunscreen and offers helpful tips on how to check your skin periodically to prevent skin cancer.
How to observe National Skin Month
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U.S. Antibiotics Awareness Week (November 18-24)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is sponsoring the U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week to raise awareness about combating antibiotic resistance. Please click on this link below to Be Antibiotics Aware is a national effort to help fight antibiotic resistance and improve antibiotic prescribing and use. Click on the picture link below to find helpful details about not treating your child with an antibiotic when it is not necessary. Click→ BE ANTIBIOTICS AWARE
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PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS AND IMMUNIZATIONS PAST DUE…..
If you have not handed in your child’s physical examination, dental examination and/or up-to-date immunizations you were informed about when enrolling into James Monroe Elementary School, NOW IS THE TIME.
Please submit all health documents to the school nurse by Nov 21, 2023 to avoid your child being excluded from attending school. Email, or send the missing document in your child’s backpack. If you are unsure if you sent it or not, please email Mrs. Sclafani at kathleen.sclafani@edison.k12.nj.us or call 732-452-2970 Ext. 62004. You may also check out the forms, policies, health lessons, etc. at the school nurse website: https://mon.edison.k12.nj.us/staff/health-office
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Kind regards,
Mrs. Sclafani
Breakfast and Lunch Information
Snacks!
Children can purchase snacks after they eat lunch on Tuesday and Thursdays!