Tuscan Tidings
Newsletter, Issue 1, Vol. 29 | 05.20.21
Dear Tuscan Family~
We applaud our South Orange & Maplewood School District’s Department of Curriculum & Instruction for setting a goal as a District to celebrate our diversity! Each month our C&I Department plans to provide SOMSD families and teachers with resources and activities to increase our students’ exposure to and appreciation for the contributions of the people who live in our community and around the world.
The month of May provides an opportunity for Tuscan’s 3rd Graders to create video recordings to highlight the importance of civility and to spotlight amazing people who demonstrated perseverance and resilience in the face of adversity to overcome obstacles and achieve success.
We always hope that our school wide daily positive messages and real life stories of amazing people will serve to inspire kindness, encourage empathy and amplify the importance of treating all people with dignity and respect.
Please know that we deeply thank you for your positive partnership. Remember that your voice and your insights are highly valued. If you have any questions or concerns about any aspect of your child’s Tuscan experience, please feel free to contact your child’s teacher or reach out to Tuscan School Administration at ROARforTuscan@somsd.k12.nj.us. We always welcome the opportunity to answer questions and address concerns.
Until next time, be well!
~Ms. Majeed
Kudos to Tuscan 3rd Grade student volunteers for their wonderful work to create uplifting video messages!!!
TUSCAN FACILITIES UPDATE FROM MR. BERTANI
As you may have noticed, Tuscan is having the fence replaced in the front of the Portables on Harvard Avenue. The fence is to help ensure the safety of our students and teachers throughout the numerous outdoor opportunities during the school day. As the district renovations begins this summer and continue into the coming school year, this fencing will enable more frequent use of this outdoor space for play and a variety of other activities. We are very excited about and look forward to the possibilities for developing the space as a safe play area for years to come.
Have a great weekend!
Mr. Bertani
CodeJoy at Tuscan!
Dear Tuscan Families,
Over the next three weeks, students in kindergarten through fifth grade will participate in CodeJoy during their library classes. As described on their website, CodeJoy is "a live, fully- interactive [coding program]...and uses humor, special effects, and narrative storytelling to engage and educate students about robotics and coding - allowing students to control REAL robots in REAL time during the session." CodeJoy is an initiative to expand students' knowledge of computer science.
Please take a look at more detailed information about CodeJoy below.
Tuscan students are really enjoying CodeJoy!
Amy B. Popp
Library Media Specialist
Twitter: @TuscanLibrary
“A library is a rainbow in the clouds.” - Maya Angelou
Happening Tonight ..... SOMS Virtual School in Action Night!
Families of current 5th grade students
The SOMS School in Action Night will take place virtually this evening from 7-9pm. This is an open house event where you are free to go to as many classes as you wish to see what we have been doing this year. The one scheduled event is with 6th grade Special Needs teachers from 7-7:30. After that the 6th grade Special Ed teachers will join their content area co-teachers!
Enjoy the evening
Principal Irby
Congratulations to CHS Special Dance!!
Congratulations to CHS Special Dance!!
Celebrating 50 Years (1971-2021)
First and Longest High School Dance Program in the State of New Jersey
CHS Special Dance Performance May 21st, 2021 at 8:00 pm
Reporting Your Child’s Absence
If your child will be absent for the day or any part of the school day
- Please email TuscanASAP@somsd.k12.nj.us and your child’s teacher before 7:30AM or as soon as possible
If you are unable to email
- Please call Tuscan School (973-378-5221 option 1) before 7:30AM to leave a voice message
CONTACT TRACING IN THE SCHOOL SETTING
The SOMSD school nurses developed a chart to summarize the response to COVID+ activity in the school community and to provide clarification on school notification procedures.
When a SOMSD staff member or student tests positive for COVID-19, it is the responsibility of that staff member or the parent of the student to notify the principal who notifies the superintendent. The respective local Department of Health (DOH) – South Orange or Maplewood - will be notified immediately. The local DOH, who receives the actual lab report, conducts Contact Tracing. Based on the circumstances of each case, the local DOH provides the District with guidance as to the appropriate and timely notification of staff and families of a confirmed case while maintaining confidentiality.
Click here to view the "NOTIFICATION OF SCHOOL COMMUNITY PROCEDURE" document
Grades 3-12 Free Online Mathematics Competition Stevens Institute of Technology Mathematical Olympiad!
Upcoming Local Events
Maplewood Township, South Orange Village and SOMA Cross Cultural Works have united to recognize and celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month ’21. To celebrate Asian and Pacific Islander cultures, they have coordinated an exciting lineup of family-oriented activities and projects which will run from May 1 – 31, 2021.
Visit the Maplewood Arts & Culture website for a full list of all events taking place throughout the month: http://www.maplewoodartsandculture.org/aapi
All -Ages Storytime
May 4, 11:00am - Live & Virtual
South Orange Public Library
AAPI Heritage Lecture: Dr. Cindy I-fen Cheng
May 5, 12:30pm – Virtual
Seton Hall University
Yī Qǐ Asian American Pacific Islander Kickoff
May 6, 11:00am -Virtual
Seton Hall University
Ping Chong Dance Virtual Screening
May 6, 7:00pm – Virtual
Ping Chong and Kim Chan
Lion Dance AAPI Kick Off Celebration
May 7, 6:00pm - Maplewood Village
New York Chinese Freemasons Athletic Club
Cross Cultural Works, Maplewood Township
IHS Wheels and Reels: Crazy Rich Asians Movie Night
May 7, 7:30pm – Virtual
IHS - Seton Hall University
Self Defense Class
May 8, 12:30pm - 530 Valley St, in Maplewood, NJ.
American Jiu Jitsu of Maplewood
Crazy Rich Asians Post-Movie Discussion
May 10, 5:00pm – Virtual
Seton Hall University
YA Author Discussion
May 14, 4:00pm - Live & Virtual
South Orange Public Library
Virtual Sake Tasting
May 14, 7:00pm – Virtual
Neighbors Wine Shop & Cross Cultural Works
Thank God For Monday Webinar - AAPI Edition
May 17, 12:30pm – Virtual
TGFM & Seton Hall University
A Boy Named Isamu- Book Discussion
May 17, 7:00pm – Virtual
[Words] Bookstore
Yoga
May 19, 11:00 am – Virtual
South Orange Public Library
Read around the world : China
May 19, 7:00pm – Virtual
Maplewood Library
DEI Anti-Asian Racism Training
May 21, 10:30am – Virtual
Seton Hall University
WSOU Thank God For Monday (AAPI Edition)
May 22, 8:30am – Virtual
Seton Hall University & WSOU 89.5 FM
The Hula Halau and Lei Making
May 22, 3:00pm - Spiotta Park
Cross Cultural Works, South Orange Village, Maplewood Township
Holi Fest
May 23, TBD - Memorial Park
Cross Cultural Works, Maplewood Township
From SOMASIAN: Kid’s Ink Painting (virtual) presented by Manman Huang
For elementary students registration is required:
MONTH LONG EVENTS
Emma Hayden - Anime Inspired
1978 Arts Center
Maplewood Division of Arts & Culture
Artist Spotlights -Joel De La Fuente and Tracy Sham
Social Media & Website
Maplewood Division of Arts & Culture
AAPI Youth Features
Social Media & Website
Maplewood Division of Arts & Culture
Wishing Trees
Maplewood Village
South Orange
Maplewood Library
Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company - Virtual Event
ww.SOPACnow.org
2021-22 SY Kindergarten & PreK Registration Now Open
Additional Information & Resources for the Community
TUSCAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
The School District of South Orange and Maplewood
Email: ROARforTuscan@somsd.k12.nj.us
Website: www.somsd.k12.nj.us/tuscan/
Location: 25 Harvard Avenue, Maplewood, NJ, USA
Phone: 973-378-5221