ALPINE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWS
October 2019
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
It is hard to believe we have completed our first month of school. September was an exciting month as we welcomed the future graduation class of 2032 to Alpine Elementary School!
It was a pleasure seeing everyone at our Open House, Back-to-School Nights and PTO Meeting. As always, the turnout was tremendous and the community support was evident and appreciated.
Our teachers and support staff did an outstanding job preparing for the start of a new school year. We pride ourselves on being a community of educators who place our students first in all we do. We provide a safe and healthy environment for learning as we direct our students towards success and excellence.
At Alpine Elementary School we value collaboration with parents and the community. Your questions, comments and ideas are always welcomed as we look to continually improve and evolve with the world around us.
I look forward to seeing you at the upcoming school events. Each month a list of upcoming events will be available in this newsletter.
Happy Fall!
Giuseppe Leone, Principal
Events from September
YELLOW DAY
PIRATE DAY
GUIDANCE
Character Education - RESPECT
Our school and district, as well as those across New Jersey, start this month with a Week of Respect, in keeping with the HIB legislation. Throughout this week and month, our school will be participating in various activities which focus on ways to create a positive school climate in which everyone and everything is treated with care, compassion and respect.
We have dedicated this month’s character education theme to respect. One of the most important things you can teach your child is respect. The best way to teach respect is to show respect. When a child experiences respect, they know what it feels like and begin to understand how important it is.
We will have an assembly called The Respect Tour on October 7th.
Heather Yanoff, Guidance Counselor
Alpine STEP Gazette
Fun in STEP
STEP (Sparta Township Enrichment Program) is offered as a special to all Kindergarten, First and Second graders. Classes participate in STEP class once a week in the STEP classroom. The program offers opportunities such as STEM/STEAM, Computer-Science Education, LEGO Engineering, Trout in the Classroom; to name a few ideas. It is an exciting program that incorporates technology and unique, enriching learning experiences for everyone.
Here are some of the activities the students participated in throughout September:
Kindergarten
- Water Maze - The students experimented with pipettes and water on a laminated maze. Students had to explore ways to move a drop of water through a maze without ever touching the water.
- Car Crazy - This was an “unplugged” computer science coding lesson. The kindergarten version had students set up a board with a car and stop sign. Students had to give a verbal algorithm explaining the steps taken to drive the car to the stop sign.
- The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything - After reading the story, students used the iPads to play a Kahoot! by answering questions through a “quiz-like” app.
First Grade
- Helping Harry - Students were introduced to Harry, a fuzzball that wanted to see what we were doing in STEP. Students were instructed to build a perch for Harry to sit on during STEP that would keep him safe and allow him to see around the classroom. Students were given two Popsicle sticks, 6 chenille stems, 1 cupcake holder, 1 small cup, 1 square of aluminum foil, 1 straw, and 12 inches of masking tape. The results were very creative!
- Car Crazy - This was an “unplugged” computer science coding lesson. The first and second graders set up a board with a car, stop sign, and road blocks. Students had to write an algorithm using arrows to give the car directions to get to the stop sign. We discussed the importance of the sequence of events in an algorithm and how the sequence affects the outcome.
- The Littlest Pumpkin- After reading the story, students used the iPads to play a Kahoot! by answering questions through a “quiz-like” app.
Second Grade
- Boat Float - The lesson began with a made up story of getting stuck on a boat in the middle of Lake Mohawk. The students were given the task of creating a boat or raft using the materials onboard to save their family members. Students were then given a 6"x6" piece of foil to create a boat. We put the boats to the test in buckets of water and used marbles to determine how many people we could put on each boat before it sinks. The record was 143 marbles...now that it AMAZING!!!
- Car Crazy - This was an “unplugged” computer science coding lesson. The first and second graders set up a board with a car, stop sign, and road blocks. Students had to write an algorithm using arrows to give the car directions to get to the stop sign. We discussed the importance of the sequence of events in an algorithm and how the sequence affects the outcome.
- The Biggest Pumpkin Ever- After reading the story, students used the iPads to play a Kahoot! by answering questions through a “quiz-like” app.
Overall, it was a great start to STEP and I am so excited to continue introducing and enriching the students of Alpine. Please check my websites regularly as they are updated with many different challenges, apps, and websites that can be used at home.
Parent Site:
https://sites.google.com/a/sparta.org/step---mrs-morrow/
Student Site:
https://sites.google.com/sparta.org/aesstep/home
Thank you,
Mrs. Christina Morrow
SPANISH
We are celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month this month at Alpine School. There is an optional scavenger hunt online for students to complete at home with an adult. Students who participate will receive a certificate of completion and the class with the most participants will earn a special activity during their Spanish class in October. The scavenger hunt is located on Señorita Kennedy’s school website. You can also click this link.
https://sites.google.com/sparta.org/senoritakennedy/hispanic-heritage-month
To close out Hispanic Heritage Month, we are having a family movie night at Sparta High School. We will be showing the movie Coco. It is Tuesday, October 15th at 5:30 p.m. Please RSVP here!
Señorita Kennedy - Spanish Teacher
NURSE'S MESSAGE
As with the beginning of each school year I have a few reminders and suggestions to help us through this school year:
If your child has a fever over 100 they are to remain home until they are fever free (without medication) for 24 hours. If they are vomiting or having diarrhea they are able to return to school once they have stopped vomiting or having diarrhea for 24 hour.
Encourage your child to cover their noses and mouths when they cough or sneeze.
Hands should be washed with soap and water after sneezing, coughing, using the bathroom and before eating.
If your child should need medication (over the counter or prescription) the medication needs to be in the original labeled container and brought to school by an adult. Documentation with the student’s name, diagnosis, type of medication, dosage, route and time to be given must accompany the medication. This form needs to be signed by both the prescribing physician and parent/guardian.
Due to the increase number of students with peanut and nut allergies we request you refrain from sending in any nut or peanut product with your child for snack time. Please read and review all packaging labels.
If there is any change in your child’s health status please let my office know.
Be sure all your contact information is up to date and your cell phone mailboxes are not full.
Due to unforeseen spills, falls in the mud or bathroom accidents I recommend placing a clean dry change of clothing in your child’s backpack. - just in case.
With the excitement of Halloween right around the corner, here are a few safety tips:
- Have an adult go out with your children as they trick or treat.
- Have your child carry a flashlight or wear something reflective.
- They should wear comfortable well fitting shoes.
- Only go to homes where the porch light is on.
- Eat an early healthy meal before going out.
- Be aware of traffic and if there are no sidewalks, walk on the far edge of the road facing traffic.
- Check your child’s bag of candy when they get home, closely examine all treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items.
- Try to ration treats for the days/weeks following Halloween.
Christine Aloisio, School Nurse
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
PTO
It’s hard to believe another school year is upon us! We have been so happy to see many new and familiar faces helping us get ready for a great year ahead!
We are truly so grateful for all of your support. It is through your generosity, as well as participation in school fundraisers throughout the year, that we are able to provide assemblies, teacher disbursements, family fun nights, class parties, field day and other special events for the Alpine students and staff.
A special thank you to those who helped over the summer to make our school look beautiful for the students, especially Jodi Bruno, Shannon Gressler, Kyla Kelly and Jill Poles. Additionally, thank you to McCarrick Landscaping and Cosh Landscaping Supplies for donating their time and supplies to make the front entrance beautiful and inviting. And again to McCarrick Landscaping, for giving a makeover to the Kindergarten Garden for everyone to enjoy throughout the different seasons. Without all of you, and the donations from these local businesses, none of this would have been possible!
Don’t forget to keep an eye on the 2019-2020 PTO calendar for upcoming events and fundraisers. And so be sure to mark your calendars for our biggest fundraiser – Alpine’s Play N’ Win (March 20)! Stay tuned for more information…
As a reminder, Box Tops is moving to a digital format. Please take a moment to review the following for more information how you can help the Alpine PTO earn additional money for the students and staff -- https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7tM2tM6YkzjRlNPQ0tlRldUVmk0SmZ4WHZqUUNCZmZyck1N/view?usp=sharing.
Please know, the Alpine PTO fully supports parent/guardian involvement throughout the year with our various events/activities. Without your help, these things would not be possible. If you have not done so already, please visit our volunteer sign-up form at -- https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0F4EA5AE29A6FF2-master.
Our next PTO meeting will be Thursday, October 10, at 10:30am. As we mentioned last year, we will be bringing in guest speakers each month to discuss various subjects including, learning programs, security, childhood anxiety, among other important topics.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support!
The Alpine PTO
Delayed Opening / Early Dismissal
Delayed Opening Schedule
If we have a delayed opening all Sparta schools will be on a 2 hour delay.
PreK - AM Session
11:10 AM – 12:55 PM
(Students will be picked up approximately 2 hours later than their regular schedule and return home approximately 1 hour later than their regular schedule.)
PreK - PM Session
2:00 PM – 3:45 PM
(Students will be picked up approximately 50 minutes later than their regular schedule and return home at their regular scheduled time.)
Full Day PreK, Kindergarten, Grades 1 & 2 Students
11:10 AM - 3:45 PM
Early Dismissal Schedule
PreK - AM Session:
9:10 AM – 11:10 AM
Pick-up regular time at your bus stop
Drop-off 30 minutes earlier at your bus stop
PreK - PM Session:
11:15 AM - 1:15 PM
Pick-up 2 hours earlier at your bus stop
Drop-off 2.5 hours earlier at your bus stop
Full Day PreK, Kindergarten, Grades 1 & 2
Students will be on an early dismissal schedule:
9:10 AM - 1:15 PM
** There will be no lunches served on Early Dismissal Days
Early Dismissal Dates
Parent Teacher Conference Days
November 4,5,6 & 11
Day Before Holiday
Wednesday, November 27
Friday, December 20
Teacher In-Service Day
Friday, March 13
Friday, April 3
Thursday, April 9
Friday, May 15
Wednesday, June 17
Thursday, June 18
Friday, June 19
OCTOBER 2019
10/3 Wear Rojo for Hispanic Heritage Month
10/4 School Spirit Dress Down
10/7 -11 Week of Respect
10/7 Wear Blue - Stomp Out Bullying
10/7 PTO Assembly - The Respect Tour
10/8 Wear Clothing with a Number on it. We all count!
10/9 Schools Closed - Yom Kipper
10/10 Picture Day, Pre-K and Kindergarten
10/10 PTO Meeting, 10:30 A.M.
10/11 Picture Day, First and Second Grade
10/14 Schools Closed
10/15 Wear Azul (BLUE) for Hispanic Heritage Month
10/15 Movie Night for Hispanic Heritage Month, SHS, 5:30 P.M. - 8:30 P.M.
10/16 PTO Pumpkin Patch
10/17 PTO Pumpkin Patch Rain Date
10/18 First Grade Field Trip, Heaven Hill Farm
10/21 Sparta Books Author Visit, Second Grade Only
10/22 PTO Assembly - Earth Dome
10/23 PTO Assembly, Earth Dome
10/23 Wear Red for Red Ribbon Week
10/24 Wear a Hat or Crazy Hair
10/24 Alpine Spartan Run
10/25 Alpine Spartan Run (Rain Date)
10/25 Wear Green for Respect or your Favorite Team Jersey for Red Ribbon Week
10/28 Wear Neon Colors
10/29 Wear Crazy Socks
10/30 Wear Pajamas
10/31 Halloween Parade - 10:00 A.M
Click on the below link to view the calendar for Spirit, Theme and Character Education Days at Alpine:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gr2mR2CTErnX3lEsPKnGebujitZ6Ie1b11-aCVTlJ3c/edit?usp=sharing
Mr. Giuseppe Leone - Principal
Email: giuseppe.leone@sparta.org
Website: sparta.org
Location: 151 Andover Road, Sparta, NJ, USA
Phone: 9737293107
Twitter: @AESPrincipal2