Beechwood Update
13th Edition, Week of December 5, 2022
Message from Mrs. Vierschilling
Dear Parents,
Happy December! We wrapped up November with a fun and Wacky Wednesday and are now in the full swing of December! With it, the colder weather is upon us! Please be sure to send your child to school with layers for inside the building and winter coats, mittens, etc... for outside. We will be going outside for recess every day the "real feel" is above freezing (32 degrees). It is also important to be prepared for unexpected outside times like a fire drill!
I am so pleased to announce Beechwood's staff members of the year! Congratulations to Miss Primmer, Mrs. Kuznedelov, and Mr. McGowan! Please join me in honoring these staff members for their outstanding contributions to our school community. See more information below in this s'more.
Our Kindness Crew is excited to share that we will be learning about the "A for Appreciation" in our Beechwood C.A.R.E.S. initiative. Once again, this program is about explicit teaching around the following social/emotional competencies over the course of the year:
- C - Cooperation: Students with this skill learn how to make and keep different friends, solve problems, accept differences, and contribute to a positive school and classroom community.
- A - Appreciation: Students with this skill learn that everyone (including their own self!) is special and unique! We all have different thoughts, feelings, and perspectives. Placing value on this develops capacity for empathy.
- R - Responsibility
- E - Expressing Emotions
- S - Self Control
See the "Swimmy" fish photo below which is a reminder about a cooperation lesson we did. In the story, all the fish learned how to swim through the ocean, each in their place, COOPERATING to form the shape of one giant fish. We learned that sometimes we can accomplish more together through cooperation than we can on our own. Now, as we move through our school building, our special shape is not a fish, but a line! We can cooperate by watching the person in front of us, keeping our hands at our sides, and remaining quiet so as not to disturb others who are busy learning in classrooms. Read the section below about a special project we want to recruit YOU - OUR FAMILIES to help out with at home as we explore A for Appreciation!
Have a happy weekend!
Proud to be a Bear,
Jessica Vierschilling
"Swimmy" Reminds Us That When We Cooperate, We Can Solve Problems TOGETHER!
"A" is for APPRECIATION!
🏆 Congratulations to Our Staff Members of the Year!
Teacher of the Year - Paige Primmer!
Education Service Professional of the Year - Ramona Kuznedelov!
Support Staff Member of the Year - Tom McGowan!
The Holiday Shoppe - Friday December 9th!
💗 Congratulations to This Week's Caring Cubs!
🤫 QUIET CUBS Lunchroom Update!
We are Launching Contest #3! Whichever grade level earns the most quiet cubs in the lunchroom by providing attention when signaled for (and remaining quiet through the message!) wins a bonus recess! This contest will end at winter break and the winners will enjoy their prize when we return to school in January! We are apparently off to a bit of a slow start this week, but here is the current count:
Kindergarten = 2 quiet cubs
1st Grade = 3 quiet cubs
2nd Grade - 2 quiet cubs
Quiet Cub Contest #2 Winners...1st Grade!
Picture Re-Takes! Thursday, December 15th
Make-up day is approaching on Thursday December 15th! Anyone who was absent or wants to retake their image will be able to see the photographer on this day.
Absentees?
Please use the pre-pay code: 4E8V8S8V which is also provided in the flyer link below to place your order. THIS CODE IS ONLY FOR ABSENTEES. This allows you take advantage of the same packages we provided during original day.
Retaking an image and already placed an order?
Students MUST bring in original package and provide it to our photographer. BNL kindly asks parents to write any concerns on the FRONT of the envelope. Your order will be replaced using your new image.
Retaking an Image without a previous order?
At this time you will only able to view your original day image online. Once your image has been replaced with your re-take you may go online and place an order using your personal web code BNL provided to you by email on your "Last Chance" form. Contact BNL School Pictures at 732-414-2115 if you need assistance locating this code.
The MEA Would Like to Treat You to a Stay & Play Movie Day!
Thanks for Donating to the Recycle for Charity Program!
🥧 Pie Fundraiser to Support Production of The Music Man at Deerfield!
Please check out the form below to see the many varieties! Pies are $25/each. Thank you so much for your support! From Mr. Rosenblum (Director) and the cast of the Music Man
📅 Save the Date!
December
- December 2 - PJ Day to Support CHOP/Deerfield Student Council
- December 8 - Angel Tree Gift Pick Up
- December 7 - PTO Holiday Shoppe form return due date
- December 8 - MEA Stay and Play After School Movie
- December 9 - Holiday Shoppe/End of the 1st Trimester
- December 15 - Picture Retakes
- December 21 - Progress Reports viewable in Genesis Parent Portal
- December 23 - Early Dismissal; class parties 11:30-12:30
- December 26-30 Winter Break
🎉 December Spirit Calendar
Note special days on 12/2, 12/6, 12/16, and every day of the week 12/19 - 12/23! Lots of spirit to pack in as we wrap up 2022!
👩⚕️ From the Nurse...IT’S NOT JUST COVID!
With flu season upon us, we wanted to remind you that there are many other respiratory viruses going around aside from COVID. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are reporting an increase in cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), flu, and other respiratory viruses that cause cold-like symptoms . This is just a reminder that if your child is not feeling well, please do not send them to school.
When Should I Keep My Child Home From School:
Cold symptoms - stuffy nose/runny nose, sneezing, headache, fatigue, sore throat, uncontrolled coughing.
Fever - needs to be fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication
Diarrhea - 24 hours since last episode
Vomiting - 24 hours since last episode
Strep Throat - can return after 24 hours on antibiotic
If your child is exhibiting these symptoms, please keep them home and monitor symptoms. If there is no improvement, please contact their pediatrician for further follow-up.
🚗 Arrival Time Window
Thank you!
🐶 No Pets At School, Please :)
Participate in Our Morning Announcements!
Reporting An Absence, Early Dismissal, or Late Arrival
There are 3 ways to inform us: YOU MUST EITHER:
- Call the absentee line by dialing the main office at 908-301-9104, press 2 for Beechwood, then press 1 to report the absence. OR
- Email our school nurse, Lisa Bruno, at libruno@mountainsideschools.org OR
- Enter into Genesis parent portal under the "notes" section.
- In addition to the above, please also email your teacher and enter in PUP.
Here is what to do if your child will be picked up early:
- Email Mrs. Ciasulli (lciasulli@mountainsideschools.org) and your child's teacher
- If your child will not be returning, update in PickUp Patrol (PUP) by clicking into "Plan Changes" and select "early dismissal"
- Park in the parking lot and ring the bell at the main entrance to come in and sign your child out.
Here is what to do if your child will be arriving late:
- Email Mrs. Ciasulli (lciasulli@mountainsideschools.org) and your child's teacher
- Update in PickUp Patrol (PUP) by clicking into "Plan Changes" and select "other". In the notes, you can say late arrival at approximately x o'clock.
- Park in the parking lot and ring the bell at the main entrance to come in and sign your child in.
From the PTO...!
PTO Spring Fling - Save the Date for the Biggest Fundraiser of the Year!
Dogs of Mountainside Celebrate!
The 8th grade class is proud to host a fundraiser for 'project graduation' and also to benefit St. Hubert's Welfare Center.
Please Support the class of 2023 graduates with the purchase of a custom designed 07092 dog collar for your perfect pup in traditional Mountainside green and white. Collars are available in 3 sizes and guarantee to dress up your furry companion! Perfect gift for the holiday's, birthday's, adoption event for all families.
For every dog collar purchase a part of the proceeds will be donated to St. Hubert's to assist in their efforts of rescue and rehabilitation of all animals.
Box Tops for Education - Clip or Scan Now Through June 9th!
Thank you to all our parents for your continued support and participation in this program! You helped Mountainside Public schools earn free money with Box Tops!
As we move into the new school year, let’s keep these earnings going! Please continue to scan your receipts on participating Box Tops products! If you haven’t done so already, it’s never too late to sign up and start earning! Simply download the Box Tops for Education mobile app, select Deerfield Elementary School – School ID 204325 (funding is shared to both Beechwood and Deerfield) and begin scanning your receipts to help us earn free money! Each scan earns 10 cents on every Box Tops product purchased, plus extra bonus opportunities, and chances to enter and win various sweepstakes!
I am happy to announce that a pretzel party contest that will run now until June 9th, 2023. There will be a winner at each school so start scanning those receipts so your entire homeroom can get those pretzels! Please make sure you assign credit to your child’s homeroom teacher. Enter teacher’s last name only.
Watch the you tube video for a tutorial of how to use the Box Tops app. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-bNcykyK5Y
Until they are gone, don’t forget you can still bring any clipped Box Tops to the school of your choice! Please send those box tops clippings in with your child to give to their homeroom teacher.
Join in the fun and help support our town schools!
Lunch Aides & Substitute Teachers Needed!
To sub: Do you have 60 hours of college credit? Consider joining our team! Contact Kelli Castro for information on how to apply for a substitute certificate!
- $125.00 per day with a NJ teaching certificate,
- $115.00 per day with a college degree, or
- $105.00 per day with sub certificate
Check out all employment opportunities here.
In Kindergarten, we learned to leave finger spaces between our words!
1st Graders & 2nd Graders Teaming Up for a Writing Celebration!
2nd Graders Dissect Flowers During Science!
Chain of Communication
Please be sure you speak to your child's teacher first with any concerns you have about things that happen in the classroom - this includes special area classes. The partnerships you develop with your child's teachers are imperative to a successful school year. Please do not skip the step of communicating with your child's teachers before contacting me. Feel free to contact me with concerns that are of a building level. Click here for detailed information on who to contact for what!
Contact Us Anytime!
- Jessica Vierschilling, Beechwood Prinicipal (jvierschilling@mountainsideschools.org)
- Lynne Ciasulli, Beechwood Secretary (lciasulli@mountainsideschools.org) or by phone: 908-301-9104
- Lisa Bruno, Beechwood Nurse (libruno@mountainsideschools.org)
- Ramona Kuznedelov, School Counselor (rramesar@mountainsideschools.org)
Beechwood School
Email: jvierschilling@mountainsideschools.org
Website: mountainsideschools.org
Location: 1497 Woodacres Drive, Mountainside, NJ, USA
Phone: 908-301-9104
Facebook: facebook.com/MountainsideSchoolDistrict/
Twitter: @BeechwoodSchNJ