Sussex Star Bursts!
Principal's Corner
A Note from the Principal
The health and safety of our community is our collective responsibility. In order to help mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, all families (including those whose children are enrolled in all-virtual learning) are asked to complete the following actions:
Submit the October Certification Form by Tuesday, September 29, at 5:00 PM to attest that you will conduct a daily screening and will refrain from sending your child to school if the screening so indicates. Please submit this form ONLY ONCE to cover daily student screenings for the entire month of October. Please complete a separate form for each student you have enrolled in Sussex. CLICK HERE FOR THE OCTOBER CERTIFICATION FORM. If this form is not submitted on time, your child will not be allowed to attend school in person.
Check each child daily for symptoms consistent with COVID-19 using the Morris School District Daily Student Screening every morning before they leave for school. If your child exhibits any of the symptoms listed or if you answer YES to any of the screening questions, DO NOT send your child to school. Call the school nurse for instructions on what to do next. CLICK HERE FOR THE DAILY STUDENT SCREENING.
We are relying on everyone’s full cooperation and honest, accurate assessments to protect our students and staff. Thank you very much for your attention to this matter as we work together to reopen our schools safely.
SAVE THE DATE
Back to School Night
The Principal's Opening Remarks will be recorded and sent to all families via Swift K12 by 5:30 pm on October 7th. A document will be included with the links to each teacher's LIVE session.
First LIVE Session: 6:00-6:30
Second LIVE Session: 6:35-7:05
Sessions will be recorded for families who are unable to attend the live sessions. Please contact your child's teacher to obtain access to the recording.
I look forward to you meeting and hearing about all the wonderful things that are occurring at Sussex Avenue School by our talented, dedicated staff!
iReady Diagnostic
For families whose students are virtual:
You’ll be tempted to help on the test. We get it—the i-Ready test is hard. But this test is not for a grade. It helps teachers give your child the best instruction possible.
Think of it this way—would you help your child with a vision test? No, because hints won’t help the eye doctor help them. With i-Ready, hints on the test now could negatively impact your child’s instruction later.
A great video to watch with your child can be found by clicking here.
Please complete the short survey below to help gather this information so I can meet our communities needs. I am looking forward to the opportunity.
Sussex Avenue Virtual Cafe with Mrs. Vaccaro survey
Logistical information will be coming as we approach the first meeting. Thank you!
Meet the School Counselor
This part of the newsletter will have a question or a topic for you to discuss with your child(ren). This can be done on the way to school, on the way to sports practice, before dinner, at bedtime, etc.
Each week there will be a “something to think about” question and a “something to talk about” question. The “something to think about question” is for you as a parent to reflect on for yourself. The “something to talk about” question is for you to discuss with your child. These exercises are meant to stimulate a conversation on race, equity and inclusion in America.
Hablemos sobre raza, equidad, e inclusión
Esta sección del boletín informativo presentará una pregunta o tema para que puedan conversar con sus hijos. Esta conversación puede tener lugar de camino a la escuela, de camino a practicar los deportes, antes de cenar, a la hora de dormir, etc.
Cada semana habrá “una pregunta para reflexionar” y una pregunta “para conversar”. La pregunta “para conversar” es para ayudar a los padres a reflexionar sobre sí mismos. El propósito de estos ejercicios es generar una conversación sobre raza, equidad y la inclusión en América.
Let’s Talk About Race, Equity and Inclusion
Parent Reflection Question: What do you know about your ethnic identity? Is this something you have talked about with your family and friends? (“Ethnicity” refers to shared culture, such as language, ancestry, practices, and beliefs.)
Third Question For Child: Do you know what ethnicity is? Do you know your ethnicity?
Tercera semana
Pregunta para reflexionar: ¿Qué sabes sobre tu identidad étnica? ¿Has conversado alguna vez con tu familia o amigos sobre este tema?
Pregunta para conversar con sus hijos: ¿Sabes qué es la etnicidad? ¿Sabes cuál es tu etnicidad?
Students spend time discussing this quote throughout the week. They discuss what they believe it means, why they believe the person said it. Finally they reflect on these questions and determine how they can apply it to their lives.
What does the quote mean? (Literal but not a repeat of the quote)
Why might __________ have said this?
How can you apply this to your life as a learner?
What lesson can we as a society learn from this quote?
Staff Spotlight
The 4th Grade Superstars!
This is my eleventh school year teaching fourth grade at Sussex Avenue School. I'm so excited to be your child’s fourth grade teacher. My goal as a teacher is to get to know each student beyond the academics, focusing on the whole child and supporting them as they become strong, independent people. In my free time, I am an avid reader and writer and enjoy spending time down the shore with my family in Spring Lake, NJ. I hope to make this year both inspiring and memorable for our class.
Ms. Byrne
My name is Bridget Byrne and this is my 5th year teaching at Sussex Avenue School. I am Morristown born and raised, and am so happy to be able to teach in a town and district that is so special to me. After graduating from Morristown High School, I attended The College of New Jersey, where I received a Masters in Special Education and a Bachelors in Elementary Education. I took another educational adventure and became certified in Orton Gillingham, and I am excited to currently be beginning another chapter at TCNJ to earn a Reading Specialist certificate.
In my free time, you can find me spending time with my family, mostly likely in Morristown or Long Beach Island. I love spending time at the beach, as well as reading and painting and crafting.
Like the students, I am so happy to be back in school for the start of this school year! I am fortunate enough to be working alongside amazing staff and colleagues, including a collaborative 4th grade team. This year I am supporting students in both Ms. Lubrano & Mrs. Sloan classes. I am very excited to see what this year brings with the new 4th grade Sussex Stars!
Ms. Lubrano
Hi! My name is Antoinette Lubrano and I’m so happy to be teaching fourth grade at Sussex Avenue School. This will be my tenth year teaching, and my eighth year teaching fourth grade at Sussex.. Prior to teaching, I graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelor’s Degree and then went on to receive a Master’s in Music Therapy from NYU. I worked as a certified music therapist with children and adolescents in New York City. Once my twin sons began preschool, I continued my education and received a Master’s Degree and dual-certification in Elementary Education and Special Education from Montclair State University. Teaching is one of my passions and I love instilling a love of learning in my students. I love seeing that spark, that smile (still possible with our ten-minute mask breaks!), and a sense of pride a student feels when he or she accomplishes a challenging task or learns a new skill.
When I’m not teaching, I enjoy spending time at home with my family - cooking, watching movies, and just hanging out together. I also enjoy reading and listening to music, especially Italian music. Now that my twins are high school seniors, we are taking some time this year to “visit” colleges, both virtually and through socially-distanced and safe self-guided tours in the Northeast. It’s a busy and exciting time for all of us!
Although it’s a very different year for our Sussex students and teachers, I’m excited to be back in the classroom with my students teaching them, laughing with them, and learning from them! I look forward to a great year!
Mrs. Gillespie
Hello! My name is Mrs. Gillespie and some of you may recognize me from 3th grade last year. I am so excited to move up to 4th grade this year just like my students!
This is my 3rd year teaching at Sussex Ave, but I have taught in the Morris School District for over 25 years. I am also proud to say that I'm a 3rd generation Morristown High School graduate following in the footsteps of my mother and my grandfather. I received my Bachelor’s degree from Fairfield University in Connecticut and earned my Master’s degree in Special Education from Montclair State University.
When I am not at school, I enjoy spending time with my husband and 3 children. I love baseball and I am an avid New York Mets fan. I also enjoy reading, cooking/baking, skiing and watching Disney movies in my spare time. I am looking forward to an incredible year in 4th grade!
Mrs. Jacobus
I am so excited to be teaching 4th grade at Sussex Avenue School! As a graduate of the Morris School District, it is such an honor to have taught in Morristown for the last 7 years. I am so fortunate to work with such an amazing community, fantastic students, and the most inspiring and dedicated educators!
I grew up in New Jersey with my parents and younger brother. I attended Morristown High School and graduated from Loyola University Maryland with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and minor in Spanish. During my time at Loyola, I even had the privilege of studying in Spain and developed a volunteer program to teach English at one of the local schools.
Spending time with family and friends is extremely important to me. When I am not in school, my husband and I enjoy spending time with our families, close friends, and our 3 year old boxer-lab named Barry. I also enjoy traveling, reading, baking, and watching football with our friends.
I am looking forward to another amazing year working with you to make this year a success for your child. Although this year may be different than other years, I am determined to make it just as special with lots of learning, laughter, and fun!
Mrs. Gillespie
Hello! My name is Mrs. Gillespie and some of you may recognize me from 3th grade last year. I am so excited to move up to 4th grade this year just like my students!
This is my 3rd year teaching at Sussex Ave, but I have taught in the Morris School District for over 25 years. I am also proud to say that I'm a 3rd generation Morristown High School graduate following in the footsteps of my mother and my grandfather. I received my Bachelor’s degree from Fairfield University in Connecticut and earned my Master’s degree in Special Education from Montclair State University.
When I am not at school, I enjoy spending time with my husband and 3 children. I love baseball and I am an avid New York Mets fan. I also enjoy reading, cooking/baking, skiing and watching Disney movies in my spare time. I am looking forward to an incredible year in 4th grade!
Mrs. Sloan (formerly Miss Michel)
While it is my first year teaching 4th grade, it is my 12th year teaching at Sussex. I have also taught 5th grade, 3rd grade, and reading/math intervention. I love the community of families and teachers at Sussex.
I grew up in New Jersey and went to college at The College of New Jersey where I majored in Math and Elementary Education. I also earned a Master's degree as a Reading Specialist/Supervisor from Fairleigh Dickinson University. My two different degrees have led me to help many students love both reading and math!
In my free time, I like to travel, spend time at the beach or pool. I enjoy reading all kinds of books but especially memoirs and historical fiction. I am very close to my parents and my sister who I spend lots of time with. I also like to spend time with my husband going out to eat and trying new restaurants.
Mrs. Stritmater
My name is Katie Stritmater. I have already had the opportunity to get to know many of you since I taught third grade last year. This is my 11th year teaching, the first 10 years were in third grade right here at Sussex and this year I am the virtual teacher for fourth grade. I have learned so much from the amazing kiddos at Sussex.
I received my Master’s degree in education from Manhattanville College. I believe that the social-emotional well being and development of a child is the most important part of teaching.
I enjoy hiking, riding my bike, going for walks and spending time with my family.
Mrs. Slawecki
Hi fun fabulous friends! It's Mrs. Slawecki here! I currently teach 4th grade in room 107 and started my 18th year of teaching! I can certainly say that the start of this school year has been like none other, but I am thrilled to be back in the classroom teaching my wonderful 4th graders! Teaching children is one of my greatest joys! I have been teaching at Sussex Avenue School for 16 years where I have taught 3rd and 4th grades. I have my bachelors degree from Indiana University (GO HOOSIERS) and my masters from Lehigh University.
I have a wonderful husband of 8 years and two beautiful children. Harlan is 7 years old and is into everything sports, especially the Eagles and Phillies. Ivy is 3 years old and just loves Barbies and singing! My students sure know a lot about my children because they provide for some great teachable moments!
On the weekends, when I am not working on lesson plans or grading work I love spending time with my family, decorating my house for the seasons, watching the latest episode of the Housewives or curling up with a good book! My favorite color is SPARKLE and I can't start my day without coffee!
Welcome back to school! 2020-2021 is going to be a great year!