In Touch with TG
January 20, 2022
We are so excited for our Day of Service project tomorrow afternoon. The generosity from the community has been amazing. Your outreach and support is what makes Toll Gate such a special place. This is a wonderful reminder to our students that even at their age, they can make a difference in people's lives.
REMINDER: students are invited to wear their You Matter shirts tomorrow.
Upcoming Events
JANUARY
Friday, Jan. 21 - DAY of SERVICE
Tuesday, Jan. 25 - TG All Hands Meeting 7 pm Zoom link passcode: 292651
Wednesday, Jan. 26 - Early Dismissal 12:45 pm
FEBRUARY Black History Month
Tuesday, Feb. 1 - Lunar New Year schools and offices closed
Friday, Feb. 11 - You Matter Day SEL Afternoon Activities
Monday, Feb. 14 - Valentine's Day
Monday, Feb. 21 - President's Day schools and offices closed
Health Update
NEW Quarantine & Isolation Protocols
In consultation with the local health department and according to the NJ Department of Health latest guidance for schools, HVRSD will adopt the following starting Wednesday, January 19, 2022:
Positive COVID-19 Isolation
For anyone who has a positive COVID-19 test and/or is symptomatic for COVID-19 (even if no testing is done), they must isolate themselves at home for 5 full days. The date the symptoms start (or the date when the test was done, if no symptoms) is day 0.
They may return to school on day 6 if symptoms are resolving and they have been fever free for 24 hours without medication. They must wear a well fitting mask for days 6-10 and maintain a social distance of 6 feet.
Close Contact Quarantine
Fully Vaccinated (2 weeks past the last dose of vaccine): Do not need to quarantine for close contact. If no symptoms occur, it is recommended to test 5 days after the last exposure. If any symptoms occur, isolate and test immediately.
Unvaccinated: Must quarantine at home for 5 full days from the last exposure.
May return to school if asymptomatic. Recommended to test 5 days after exposure but may return on day 6 if asymptomatic even if testing is not available.t Must wear a well-fitting mask and maintain social distancing of 6 feet for days 6-10. If any symptoms occur during days 6-10, must immediately isolate and test.
If you have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days, you do not need to quarantine if you do not develop any new symptoms.
Please consult with your school nurse and continue to report symptoms, test results, positive cases or close contact situations. Please remember to screen your child before sending them to school each day. Anyone with symptoms must stay home.
See the NJDOH symptom list for exclusion:
• At least two of the following symptoms: fever (measure or subjective), chills, rigors (shivers), myalgia (muscle aches), headache, sore throat, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, congestion or runny nose;
OR • At least one of the following symptoms: cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, new olfactory disorder, new taste disorder.
NEGATIVE home-based tests are not accepted. We do consider a POSITIVE home test as a positive case.
Again, please reach out to your school nurse for consultations and return to school dates if your child is isolating or quarantining. Your school nurse is also available if you have any additional questions. Have a great day.
COVID Vaccination Records
If possible, please email us a picture of your child's vaccination card. This information will be kept confidential only Mrs. Smith will have access to the information.
School Events
TG Day of Service Tomorrow Friday, 1/21
Our Day of Service will be tomorrow, Friday, January 21, 2022. If you have not had a chance to watch the video or read about Jared's Story, you can click the links below.
- The Jared Box Project (https://thejaredbox.org/)
- Jared's Story
Then, on January 21, students and staff will assemble Jared Boxes for delivery to Capital Health Hospital.
A HUGE thank you to Alyson Emmer, Eva Tramontana and Trish Simpson for their ideas, organization and positivity about this amazing project.
TG Tidbits
Technology How-Tos
Winter Apparel
Lost & Found
Please check the link below for updated pictures of the Lost and Found items.
Families can email tggpto@gmail.com if they see anything familiar.Student Absences
If your child has a change in dismissal, please email Mrs. Dana ashleedana@hvrsd.org or Mrs. Jaczko patriciajaczko@hvrsd.org in the main office. They will let the teachers know of the change.
Toll Gate All Hands
A special thank you to Toll Gate All Hands members Bing Han and Suzanne Elliott for putting together resources for Chinese New Year. This will be the first year the district will be recognizing the Lunar New Year with school closure.
Please take a look at the resources below:
Chinese New Year Resources
Video explaining Chinese New Year
Tiger coloring page for the Year of the Tiger
China Institute's Chinese New Year activity packet for children and families (this includes a number of activities for a range of ages: paper cutting, calligraphy, coloring, and CNY facts)
China Institute in NYC is also offering an online, free family event on 1/29.
Here's the info and registration link.
Several classes have planned activities and events to celebrate. Room parents are welcome to reach out to their classroom teachers teacher to offer to help with activities or materials for the celebration.
Our next meeting in Tuesday, January 25th at 7 pm. We welcome anyone who would like to come listen, participate or just learn more. Please use this Zoom link.
Community Events
Hopewell Valley School District & Hopewell Valley Education Foundation Honor Black History Month February 2022 with a community wide book read and discussion.
Please join us on February 23rd with Elaine Buck and Beverly Mills, the authors and community members of If These Stones Could Talk.
How To Talk To Your Kids About Climate Change
Book Conversation with author & founder of climatemama.com, Harriet Shugarman. Learn about tools/strategies to talk to students about the climate emergency & galvanize positive actions.
Join us virtually on February 24th at 4:30 pm
Principal Read Aloud | Wednesday Mornings at 8:50 am
In the face of our shifting climate, young children everywhere are finding themselves subject to unfamiliar and often frightening extreme weather. Beloved author Jane Yolen and her daughter Heidi Stemple address four distinct weather emergencies (a tornado, a blizzard, a forest fire, and a hurricane) with warm family stories of finding the joy in preparedness and resilience. Their honest reassurance leaves readers with the message: nature is powerful, but you are powerful, too. Illustrated in rich environmental tones and featuring additional information about storms in the back, this book educates, comforts, and empowers young readers in stormy or sunny weather, and all the weather in between.
Toll Gate Grammar School
Email: janeellenlennon@hvrsd.org
Website: tgg.hvrsd.org/o/tgg
Location: 275 South Main Street, Pennington, NJ, USA
Phone: 609-737-4008
Twitter: @tollgategrammar