Folsom School News
May 2022
Dear Folsom School Community:
The Folsom staff and students are excited for the Annual International Day on Friday, May 27th starting at 9:30 am. The overall goal of International Day is to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and perspectives needed to become active, informed citizens and contributing members of global communities. We are committed to breaking down stereotypes through the learning of diverse cultures. We also understand that this learning goal needs to occur in all aspects of the school day. Teachers are encouraged to develop lessons in their specific content area that celebrate cultural diversity and global awareness.
First and foremost, the community and parent involvement in International Day will continue to be an important aspect of the event. Parents and family are to enter the school through the sports entrance. School personnel will take grade level pictures of student performers to share out with parents. This will be in place of the group picture in the back of the gymnasium in order to reduce the congestion in the gymnasium after student performances.
Immediate family members will be able to head back to their child’s classroom once the entire show is completed. Classroom parties are for immediate family members (i.e. – parents/guardians) as classroom space is limited. Your child’s teacher will use Sign-Up Genius to identify parents/guardians attending the classroom activity/party. Parents are able to sign out their children from classrooms rather than through the main office.
Another important aspect to International Day is maintaining the long-standing tradition of grade levels being assigned a country. The committee solidified countries for each grade level that will give students a chance to experience different cultures throughout their years at Folsom. Here is a breakdown of the grade levels and countries:
8th - USA
7th - China
6th - Mexico
5th - Japan
4th - Greece
3rd - Italy
2nd - Scotland
1st - Egypt
K - India
PK – Nigeria
Food is a feature of just about every International Day and will continue at Folsom. In addition to the classroom celebrations, the committee has invited the Folsom Cafeteria to join in on the excitement. The cafeteria will feature specially designed international lunches during the week leading up to International Day! Please take a close look at the May lunch menu that features food from around the world!
Lastly, I want to thank our Folsom Staff for their involvement in planning out this year’s International Day. There are many aspects of the day from the classroom activities to grade level performers that make this event a part of Folsom’s strong tradition. We look forward to seeing everyone at Folsom on Friday, May 27th starting at 9:30 am.
Respectfully,
Matthew Mazzoni, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Curriculum & Classroom Highlights
Computer Science and Design Thinking
Students in Grades K-8 have been introduced to our newest Special which combines our previous Digital Arts class with TAG/STEM. The new course was combined due to the change in the standards creating a Computer Science and Design Thinking track. As we pilot this new course, the students were introduced to a theme all revolving around the Three Little Pigs where they were able to choose projects from a list of various projects. Some of these included The 4th Little Pig's House Engineering Design Challenge, Story Starter Stop Motion, Big Bad Wolf Social Media Page, 3D Printing and Design, Movie/Book Trailer, Scratch Code a Story, and the most favorite across the grade levels, Trap 3 Little Pigs where they rapped a music video from this book turned rap song. The students have all been working in groups and engaged in all of the project choices offered.
Holocaust Education
On April 19th, Mr. Jeff Zeiger, a grandson to Holocaust survivors shared his family story with our 7th grade class. He spoke about his family's story from the invasion of Poland in 1941 to how these events changed his family's life forever. Mr. Zeiger will also speak to our 8th graders the first week of May.
The Butterfly Project
8th grade students are painting butterflies as a memorial to Holocaust victims. Each student received a biography of a child who perished and is using this information to plan the artwork for their butterfly.
Respectfully,
Mrs. Michele L. Hetzel M. Ed.
Director of Curriculum & Instruction and Special Services
Folsom School District
609-561-8666 ext. 120
St. Baldrick's Foundation Fundraiser
Friday, May 13th at 2:00 pm
Falcons: Go Big and Go Bald!! Below is the link to sign up and raise money for the St. Baldrick's Foundation to fund childhood cancer research.
2022-2023 School Calendar
- September 6th-1st Day of School for Students
2
NJSLA-ELA/MAP Grades 6-8
3
NJSLA-ELA/MAP Grades 6-8
4
NJSLA-ELA/MAP Grades 6-8
5
NJSLA-ELA/MAP Grades 6-8
6
Muffins & Poetry with Mom (2nd grade) 9:30 am
9
Science Assessment Test (grades 5 and 8)
10
Science Assessment Test (grades 5 and 8)
Home & School Meeting 6:00 pm Library
11
5th Grade Field Trip
Teen Arts Festival-Downtown Hammonton
13
Progress Reports Available on Parent Portal
St. Baldrick's Day Fundraiser
16
One Judge One School guest speaker for 8th graders 2:00 pm
17
Spring Concert 6:30 pm
18
Pre-K Field Trip
20
8th Grade Graduation Pictures
3rd Grade culture and heritage event (gym) 2:00 pm
1st Grade Field Trip
2nd Grade Field Trip
8th Grade Dance 6:00-9:30 pm
21
Kindergarten Field Trip
22
Board of Education Meeting 6:00 pm Library
27
12:45 pm Dismissal International Day
30
School Closed Memorial Day
End of the year Nurse’s office reminders:
- PK- Remember to turn in up-to-date shot record with the nurse as your child turns 5 years old.
- 5th grader’s- Remember to turn in up-to-date shot record with the nurse as your child turns 11 years old.
- Please continue to email Nurse Smith to inform her if your child has received the COVID 19 vaccine or booster doses.
- All medications must be picked up by an adult by the last day of school 6/13/22.
- No medication of any kind including over the counter drugs can be dispensed at the school without a Dr.'s prescription. All medication must be brought to school by a parent. Parents must sign a permission form before medicine can be dispensed.
- Any new/changed health related information, especially medications should be reported to the Nurse.
- Forward all updated vaccination records and/or physicals ASAP to Nurse Smith.
- Please keep your child home if they are not feeling well or are not themselves. Contact the Nurse if you are unsure if your child should come to school.
- When calling your child out sick, please state their symptoms on the message.
- Email Nurse Smith Lsmith@folsomschool.org with any illness questions or reporting rather than leaving a message on her voicemail.
Please contact Nurse Smith if you have any questions.
Lisa Smith RN/CSN
School Nurse
May's Character Trait is Compassion
“Compassion is the wish to see others free from suffering.” The Dalai Lama
“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” Ian Maclaren
“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view.. until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” Harper Lee, To Kill A Mockingbird
“Compassion is practically acquired knowledge. You must do it and practice diligently day by day.” Karen Armstrong
Compassion is the understanding or empathy for the suffering of others. In the Latin language, compassion means “co-suffering.”
A compassionate person is sensitive to the needs and suffering of others.
You can start the discussion on compassion with your child by asking these simple questions:
1. What could you do to be more aware of the needs of others and show compassion?
2. Why is it important to try to understand others and their feelings?
3. How can being more compassionate improve our world?
Folsom Home and School Fundraisers
With the end of the school year rapidly approaching, one last team is set to take the stage for Folsom Athletics. The Folsom Girls Softball season has started and the team has a lot of games in the upcoming month. Come out and support the team as they carry on the Folsom Tradition in Softball.
For students interested in participating in sports for the upcoming 2022-2023 school year, make sure you get your physical paperwork filled out. Link to the sports packet:
https://www.folsomschool.org/cms/lib/NJ02207515/Centricity/Domain/1155/FolsomSportsPacket2020.pdf
Tony Burton
6th Grade English/Social Studies
Folsom Elementary School
What is a role model? We hear this term time and time again. Who are role models? How do you become a role model? So many questions, so little time.
The simple answer…we are all role models in a child’s life. Little people are always watching us. They watch what we say, they watch what we do, they watch how we handle life’s obstacles.
One of the best ways to encourage healthy choices in young people is to be an adult that leads by example. Parents, teachers, and even older siblings can help kids and teens make better choices, by simply making better choices themselves. How simple and easy is that?
Here are some easy steps to create a healthy role model lifestyle
- Communicate positively about the various benefits of physical activity
- Demonstrate physical activity
- Encourage family activity
- Plan and set goals for physical activity
- Encourage community physical activity
- Avoid linking physical activity to discipline
The weather is getting nicer and there is no time like the present to get out there and be active and bond as a family!
In good health,
Kristi Schleyer
Family Partner
School Health Specialist
Free Breakfast and Lunch Program
We would like to encourage ALL students to take advantage of the free breakfast and lunch being offered at the school now through June 2022.
Again, all meals are free to ALL students through June 2022 and we encourage ALL families to take advantage of this benefit.
If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Debbie DeCicco at 609-561-8666 ext 119 or ddecicco@folsomschool.org.
School Age Child Care (SACC)
SACC is Folsom's before school and after school child care program.
Should you wish to enroll your children in the Folsom's SACC program please complete the Folsom SACC Program Parent Agreement and the Monthly Reservation Calendar.
The monthly reservation calendar is due by the 15th of the previous month.
Be sure to return the forms to the Folsom Main office to confirm SACC days for your child’s before and after school care.
SACC begins on the first day of school and ends on the last day of the school year.
There is NO REGISTRATION FEE.
Any family eligible for free or reduced lunch may have their SACC Program fees paid by NJ Kid Care Program.
Please see the links below for more information:
Click here for the: Folsom SACC Program Parent Agreement & Pricing Plan
