CGSD Newsletter
February 2020
Dear CGSD Community,
As you know, our Board of Education is committed to the health, safety and well-being of our students and staff. As communities grow restless with worsening concerns related to the coronavirus (COVID-19), we look to our partners at the Department of Education, local health departments and, ultimately, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for guidance. The path ahead is uncertain, but there are things we can all do to help prevent the spread of this, and all, communicable diseases.
To be clear, there are no immediate threats relative to the coronavirus in our schools at this time. That said, we are taking steps and making additional plans to help stem the tide of any potential spread of this and other viruses. Our custodial department is disinfecting our schools and will continue to sanitize our buildings as a precaution. Our nurses have and will continue to visit classrooms to speak with students about proper handwashing techniques, coughing techniques and general hygiene. When hand washing with soap is not possible, students and staff have access to hand sanitizers throughout our schools.
There has been speculation about virtual learning and the closure of schools, but these claims are unsubstantiated; the Centers for Disease Control has no basis, given the most recent update, to close our schools at this time.
The CDC recommends individuals and families follow everyday preventative measures. Please discuss these preventive actions with your children:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use hand sanitizer (with 60%-95% alcohol, if possible). Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and the State of New Jersey Department of Health websites provide information on the prevention of coronavirus at the following links:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/ncov.shtml
The CGSD will continue to closely monitor the situation and collaborate with health and government organizations to ensure the well-being of our entire community governing the prevention, control, and reporting of communicable disease. We all have a part to play in staying healthy and we encourage everyone to follow these recommendations.
#WeAreCedarGrove
Sincerely,
Michael J. Fetherman
Superintendent
Work towards the completion of our security project continues. The new digital infrastructure is in place to support recent upgrades and newly installed devices, including surveillance cameras, alarm systems, electronic door locks, backup power generator, and phone systems.
In the meantime, our staff will continue to make safety and security a top priority through ongoing emphasis on vigilance, communication, and participation in routine and frequent security drills alongside our partners within the CGPD, whose members frequent our buildings and campuses.
Please check back with us here for the most recent construction updates. Thanks!
NE and SE first graders had fun making connections between literature and art while remembering and discussing favorite nursery rhymes. "The Cow Jumped Over the Moon!" was literally interpreted, complete with a glitter moon!
NE third grade art students are deeply engulfed in their kachina unit, creating sculptural spirit dolls, from the Southwest Native American culture. Week 1 involved armature, week 2 involved pariscraft (with parent volunteers) weeks 3 & 4 involve painting and finally, week 5 will bring the unit to an end with the decorating aspect, with more parent volunteers. This is a project to treasure!
NE and SE fourth grade students have enjoyed discovering the painting style of Henri Matisse. They created a floral composition using neon paints and a variety of patterns. The students are very proud of the work they accomplished!
It is ValenTIME to be kind in first grade. NE students in Ms. Cawley and Mrs. Rego's class practiced their writing skills by writing kind compliments to one another. It makes our hearts smile to see them spreading kindness!
celebrated the 100th day of school with posters of 100 objects plus
many fun-filled activities!
SE preschoolers are practicing retelling and sequencing events in a story. They particularly enjoyed retelling and sequencing during small group time one of their favorite books, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.
"SE Goes Red for Heart Health. " The faculty and staff wore red on February 7th and donated $50.00 to the American Heart Association. Students also participated by wearing red and exercising throughout the day for heart health.
Understanding the job our leaders do for us as citizens is an important part of second grade Social Studies. SE students learned who their leaders are and the important jobs that they have. Students talked about how most leaders run a campaign and are elected by the people. After discussing this for a few days, the students had some questions for the leader of our community, the mayor. Together, they created a list of questions for Mayor Vargo, who answered through a video message. Students really enjoyed the opportunity to get to know a little bit more about the mayor's important job!
SE 3rd graders have been enjoying their novel study of The Cricket in Times Square. They summarized an exciting chapter in the story, and they chose how they would like to present what happened in the book. The students created Google Slides presentations, drew comic strips, and acted out scenes.
North and South End students are using the SiILAS program which is unique way to help students learn social skills. The students write social scripts and then they act them out using avatars that they chose through the program. Each student uses a video game controller and a microphone to navigate their character through different social situations. When creating the videos, students also choose the scene. For example, it can be in a classroom, a hallway, cafeteria, a person’s house, at a park, etc. Students can change their emotion on the screen by hitting different buttons on the controller to make them happy, sad and/or angry. The SiLAS program offers 30 different social/emotional skills to work on. How cool is that?!
SE 4th graders participated in the exciting Annual Battle of the Books Competition in the SE Media Center! This was the final battle between the three winning groups in each class and the culmination of a four-month long reading competition based on 12 pre-selected books that groups were required to read. All classes did a great job!
MMS 5th grade math classes participated in The St. Jude's Math-a-thon, raising $6,465 in just three weeks. Students fund raised on their own and participated in the math component in class. We are so proud of the students for exceeding our goal of $5,000! For more information, visit: https://tinyurl.com/MMS-St-Judes-Mathathon
MMS 6th graders created and presented their own Declarations of Independence, all of which followed the format of the actual document - completely reworded with original ideas. The project ended with a signing ceremony, complete with quill pen! Many MMS staff and administrators were present for the signing and presentations.
MMS 7th grade science students are studying macromolecules and their importance to us. Students tested for starches in various foods that are common to them.
MMS 8th grade social studies students participated in a "True or False" competition covering the social order of Ancient Sparta in which small groups competed to receive the highest score on a Google Form. Students wrote testimonials from the perspective of an individual belonging to a particular social group or status. Testimonials included ideas relating one’s Spartan identity or that of one who was in some form subjugated by the Spartans. Cool stuff!
MMS E-Sports Club, lead by Mr. Potts and Mr. Candia, have our 7th and 8th grade students pumped! It is a club where students can come to test their skills and play competitive e-sports against their peers. We look forward to growing the club in the upcoming years!
Three of our 8th graders auditioned at Clifton High School for Junior Region Band, a competitive honors ensemble that includes all school districts in Northern NJ (they only accept the top players from grades 7-9). Jack Stella and Nancy Guan had excellent auditions. However, Kavi Gupta was selected - our first student in approximately 15 years! He will participate in 4 rehearsals and then perform a concert with this elite group on Sunday, March 8th. Congrats, Kavi, Jack and Nancy!
Congratulations to Nicoletta Concord, the CGHS student of the month!! Chosen by the Social Studies Department, Nicoletta has dedicated herself to her studies and has increased the number of difficult courses she has taken each year. She is a top student in each class and demonstrates her ability to not only know the facts, but to connect these facts to past and present events. While she is a quiet student, she is a pleasure to have in class. She is a model student who is willing to take a risk in class, and strives to learn something new every day!
Music Matters is a family-school organization supporting the music program at Cedar Grove High School. We work with the students and teachers to partner with and support community events and organizations in our wonderful town.
Please visit CGHS Music Matters online at: https://www.cgschools.org/cghs-music-matters/
On Facebook: CGHS Music Matters
On Instagram: cghsmusic
On Twitter: @cghs_Music
The mission of the Cedar Grove Education (CGEF) is to enrich and enhance the educational experiences of Cedar Grove students above and beyond the scope of the curriculum and to provide lifelong learning opportunities for the entire community.
See details below for the CGEF Fundraiser - Bingo at CGHS, Dec. 8 at 1PM. Hope to see you there!
Follow us on Facebook: Cedar Grove Education Foundation
CGSD Social Media: GET CONNECTED!
Email: fetherman.michael@cgschools.org
Website: www.cgschools.org
Location: 520 Pompton Avenue, Cedar Grove, NJ, USA
Phone: (973) 239-1550
Facebook: facebook.com/CedarGroveSuperintendent
Twitter: @Cgssuper