LAF Update
January 17
Dates to Know
January
20 - No School - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
24 - D Day - Hickory Tree Pizza Day
February
14 - A Day - Early Dismissal for Students (12:45 p.m.)
17 - No School - Presidents Day
18 - No School - Presidents Day
28 - C Day - Hickory Tree Pizza Day
March
Read A Thon and One Book, One School Begins (Title to Be Announced Soon)
PTO General Fund Updates
Thank you again to all those who donated to the general fund. The Lafayette family greatly appreciates your support.
Currently, funds have supported things like:
- Fourth grade “welcome" team building field trip to Jeff Lake.
- Fifth grade field trip to the Math Museum in NYC, a first for the school district.
- Increased assembly budget to include a special 5th grade presentation titled ‘Navigating the Social Media Landscape’ this Spring.
- Upgrades to the Library Media Center, including audiobooks.
- Additional bike racks. (Coming Soon!)
More exciting field trips are coming up for both grades, plus events like Field Day and Teacher Appreciation Week that wouldn’t be possible without your dues and general fund support.
Finally, the PTO is working closely with Mrs. Russo to create more spaces to get students outside experiencing Science and other curricula on a routine basis.
Note: In an effort to stay green, we will only be issuing tax letters to those who individually request one. These requests can be made by simply emailing the general fund team at jls509@yahoo.com, kristine_rivas@hotmail.com or janeannemcmamnus@gmail.com.
Community Foodbank of NJ & Coins for Kids
As we head into the second half of our school year, we will begin to learn about and plan our trips to the Community Foodbank in Hillside, New Jersey. Our relationship with the Foodbank goes back approximately 18 years. All of the LAF students will visit and work at the Foodbank beginning in February. Our partnership with the Foodbank this year will consist of three parts: fundraising, donation of non-perishable goods, and volunteering.
Our Coins for Kids fundraiser is underway. Thank you for your loose change and extra dollar bills. The collection will continue through the month of January. Thank you in advance for your support.
The coins we collect will go directly toward the Family Packs program formerly known as the BackPack Program. The Family Packs program allows identified students to take home a backpack of food on a Friday afternoon. The Packs Program provides enough food for the weekend for a family of four.
"Spring Into Summer Reading" Book Fair
The LAF PTO is looking for a team to run our brand new, "Spring Into Summer Reading" Book Fair. This is different from our Fall Fair in a couple of ways, but hopefully still a school-wide favorite!
- It is more focused, featuring summer reading recommendations from LAF teachers.
- A new vendor is being tested. They promise to deliver the top quality, turn key event we are used to while offering books across many different publishers (instead of only one), providing strong discount pricing for teachers, etc.
We are looking for 3-5 volunteers, with at least one being willing to stay on in year two, should this pilot be a success. The team will work with the Principal and Library Media Coordinator to identify volunteers, set up, manage, and break down this event. Over the week of April 27th, a significant on-site presence will be required. A key role within the group is the Finance Organizer, who closes out the finances of the fair during the weeks following as well. We are hoping for an experienced volunteer for the finance position.
Anyone interested can contact Lauren Golio at lafptopresident@gmail.com.
Authors Day 2020
We will also pick one of Liesl’s books as our One Book, One School read. Thank you to the PTO for supporting this LAF tradition. Stay tuned for our title reveal!!!!
Valentine's Day
In the coming weeks, you will most likely be receiving a class list from your child's teacher for Valentine's Day. Please remember that food-related items are not allowed to be a part of Valentine's Day Cards. Although students are not required to send Valentine's Day Cards, please remember that if they do prepare cards they must have one for each classmate.
A Note from CEF
On Thursday, February 27th, Chatham Education Foundation is hosting its first annual Evening of Recognition to thank its major benefactors for their generous support of our six district schools. Superintendent Michael LaSusa, district leaders, and grant recipients will join us for this donor appreciation reception and grant showcase at Chatham High School. Hors d’oeuvres, dessert, and mocktails will be served. Any questions can be emailed to CEFthanksYOU@gmail.com
*We are just beginning the nominating process for volunteers and trustees for next year CEF positions. If you are interested in a leadership, committee chair or or volunteers position, please contact Sally Allen at sallymallen@yahoo.com or learn more about what we do to bring innovative ideas to the classroom at www.chathamedfoundation.org.
*Mark your calendars for Friday, April 24thfor our annual CEF 2020 Casino Royale. More information about Ticket Sales and Sponsorship Opportunities to come.
FROM THE CMS HEALTH OFFICE
All 5th graders entering Chatham Middle School next year as 6th graders need to provide proof of the following vaccines.
- Tdap vaccine(tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis)
- Meningitis vaccine (Meningococcal conjugate)
This is a NJ state requirement that must be fulfilled before the first day of school unless your child’s DOB is after the first day. These immunizations are usually administered at the 11yo healthy visit. Please send the documentation your pediatrician will provide as soon as they have completed their appointment. From now - June 12th send them to Sally Kelly RN at Lafayette Health Office. Begining on June 12th send to sbutler@chatham-nj.org (email is best). Please note some physicians offices book out quite a while so plan accordingly.
Your child will not have access to their 6th grade schedule this coming summer till this document is on file in the CMS Health Office.
Thanks!
QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS PLEASE EMAIL sbutler@chatham-nj.org
Susan Butler RN,BSN,CSN
Choosing a World Language for CMS
See below for an excerpt from the World Language Letter that was emailed to parents earlier today:
"I am pleased to announce the opening of 6th Grade World Language Selection in the Parent Portal in Genesis: https://parents.chatham-nj.org/. At Chatham Middle School, students have the choice of five world languages: American Sign Language (ASL), Chinese, French, German, and Spanish. This selection in Genesis will be available from January 3 - 31st, and the choice will be electronically date/time stamped.
To access language choices, go to:
Parent Portal → (5th grader’s name) → Forms → 6th Grade Language Selection
Mrs. Spitzer has visited all fifth grade language classes this week to give a brief overview of the language offerings at Chatham Middle School. Please ask your child about her visit, and discuss this important decision together, as the choice is for a three year sequence at Chatham Middle School. Please contact Mrs. Tamar Spitzer if you have questions at tspitzer@chatham-nj.org.