Montrose Messenger
October 7, 2022
Week of Respect 2022: Montrose Creates a Community of Kindness!
Montrose acknowledged the week with the following activities:
Monday: Read The ABCs of Kindness by Samantha Berger and create a “What is Kindness?” multimedia collage (drawing, painting or photography).
Tuesday: Identify things that begin with the letter K (for Kindness) and have students point to, draw or discuss ways they can show kindness. Learn sign language for "thank you".
Thursday: Choose a letter or letters in The ABCs of Kindness book that students can do. Have everyone catch and acknowledge kindness throughout the day. Visit other classrooms to find ways to be kind. Use sign language for "thank you" throughout the day.
Friday: #TeamKindness Day! We used sidewalk chalk to draw positive and inspiring messages for #TeamKindness Day.
As we strive to build and maintain a community of kindness, each class either hosted or visited another class inside or outside. They read, danced, played and drew together. One class had a tea party while they practiced "please" and "thank you" using words and signs. Another class created a Kindness Crew and visited classrooms and offices to practice eye contact and responding to a speaker. Another class showed kindness by helping peers in a different class to open containers during snack time and staying for the snack period. A few classes met outside to create chalk drawings and messages. We have had a blast and we plan to make these connections last all year! As a tie-in to Hispanic Heritage Month, many classes are also learning to say "thank you" in Spanish! (More about Hispanic Heritage Month next week.)
Montrose is proud to support values that make our community and world a kinder and more respectful place. We close this week by saying thank you to YOU! Your kindness, thoughtfulness and respect is not going unnoticed. We appreciate you!
Mrs. Samuels
Early Dismissal Tuesday, October 11, 2022
Please send in a snack, as no lunch will be served.
Hispanic Heritage Month 2022
Hola!
We are celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month at Montrose!
The Arts bring us joy! Ms. Yisel has begun visiting classrooms to teach "The Sombrero Dance", a Spanish language number song and a few kind words. Mrs. Pasko has begun visiting classrooms teaching about Frida Kahlo, her life and and her self-portraits. The children love singing, dancing and painting themselves!
In our next newsletter, we'll share a bit about some of the Montrose staff members who have an Hispanic heritage. We'll also send some songs that the children have heard and may be able to sing. It could be fun for you to listen and learn, too.
Along with learning about and celebrating Hispanic Heritage in school, we would like to celebrate with you, too! Please share your Hispanic Heritage pride! We invite all of our Montrose families of Hispanic descent to share a little something about your heritage. It could be a song, dance, flag or other artifact. Please consider sending in a book, a song, an item, a photo or a 2-3 minute video telling us a little about your Hispanic heritage. We would like to prepare a virtual celebration with students and families later in the month. Please send any photos or videos by Friday, October 14 to Mrs. Pasko and Ms. Yisel at epasko@somsd.k12.nj.us and ypribula@somsd.k12.nj.us
Let's Fiesta! Friday, October 14
On Friday, October 14, weather permitting, we are having a schoolwide Fiesta/dance party on the blacktop from 2:10 - 2:40. We will have lively music, plenty of smiles and FUN! We'd love for you to join us at dismissal if you are able. No RSVP is necessary If your child usually rides the bus and you'll be picking up instead, please let the classroom teacher know.
PICTURE DAY
Monday, Oct 17, 2022, 08:30 AM
Montrose Early Childhood Center, Clark Street, South Orange, NJ, USA
Special Education Parent Advisory Committee
Do you have a child with an IEP or 504? Do you have questions about Special Education or want to connect with other parents? SEPAC SOMA's first community meeting of the school year is coming SOON!
Susie Budine, Assistant Superintendent of Special Services, will share an overview of Special Education services in the South Orange & Maplewood School District.
Monday, October 17, 7:30-8:30pm
This meeting will be virtual. The meeting link will be emailed to the subscriber list. All are welcome!
Sign up for meeting notices (and to get the Zoom link!) at www.sepacsoma.org
Halloween Parade
COSTUMES:
Costumes are not required. If your child chooses to have one, they should bring costumes, not wear them to school. Face paint/makeup can be applied before coming to school. No simulated “weapons” are allowed. This includes swords, sabers, etc. Children must be able to see clearly, so only masks that allow unobstructed vision will be allowed. Costumes that drag on the ground will not be permitted. In order to avoid unnecessary upset for the students, please be sure to try on costumes at home a few days before 10/31.
PARADE ROUTE:
We will exit the main door of the building (using the ramp), make a right towards Clark Street, walk on Clark Street on the sidewalk across the front of the school, make a right into the secondary parking lot, up the stairs and onto the path to Meeker. We will walk along the sidewalk on Meeker, back into the yard (using the gate farthest from the playground) and back up the ramp into the building. Families who desire to stop by will be able to see the parade from any spot along this route.
STUDENT SAFETY:
We ask that you keep all sidewalks and walking paths clear for the duration of the parade.
Family members may not take students from their lines or block our walking route. All students will re-enter the building after the parade for a regular 2:30 dismissal. If you anticipate early dismissal, please pick your child up before 1:00. Please note that students dismissed prior to 1:00 will not participate in the parade.
MORE INFORMATION
Fun, seasonal activities will be planned for any students not participating in or watching the parade.
We understand that this event is exciting and special to many. It may also be an overwhelming sensory experience for some. With that, we appreciate your continued support in ensuring that we remain focused on students and their safety & well-being.
If there is inclement weather, the parade will be canceled. All families will be notified of cancellation via SchoolMessenger email or voice blast by 10:30 am.
Monday, Oct 31, 2022, 02:00 PM
Montrose Early Childhood Center, Clark Street, South Orange, NJ, USA
Montrose Early Childhood Center
Email: bsamuels@somsd.k12.nj.us
Website: somsd.k12.nj.us/montrose
Location: 356 Clark Street, South Orange, NJ, USA
Phone: 973-378-2086