• May 15 - NJSLA Math Testing in Grades 3-5
• May 15-19 - Look for the Good Campaign
• May 16 - TJS Spring Concert at MJS at 6 PM
• May 16-24 - NJSLA General Make-ups
• May 18-19 - NJSLA Science Testing Grade 5
  
• May 22 - Incoming Kindergarten Parent/Child Orientation at 1:30 PM
  
• May 23 - MPS BOE Meeting
• May 25-31 - No School Memorial Day
• May 31 - Incoming Kindergarten Warm-Up Screening (by appointment only)
• June 1 - Field Day
• June 2 - TJS Spirit Wear Day
• June 5 - Field Day Rain Date
• June 6 - First Grade Parent Tea
• June 6 - Grade 5 Staff vs. Student Kickball Game at 3:20 PM
• June 8 - Grade 5 Staff vs. Student Kickball Game Rain Date at 3:20 PM
• June 9 - PTO Jamboree
• June 12 - Grade 5 Recognition Ceremony at 9:30 AM
• June 14 - Last Day of School / Single Session Early Dismissal Day / Grade 5 Clap Out
• June 14 - Report Cards Available for Parents in the Genesis Portal

There are so many exciting counseling programs up and running in May! Second and third graders met again this week for a special drawing session of lunchtime Peer Mentoring. There are over 60 students participating in the program and the lunch room has been buzzing with excitement every Tuesday. There are two more game-based sessions planned for Tuesday, 5/16, and 5/23.

Next Tuesday, 5/16 there will be a “Keeping the Stories Alive” speaker visiting our fourth and fifth graders. This program is run via the Holocaust Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ. In addition to meeting NJ State Learning Standards, the Holocaust Council’s Keeping the Stories Alive program has made a tremendous impact on thousands of students and adults who have heard from their speakers. The program consists of either a Holocaust survivor, or second or third-generation survivor (children or grandchildren of survivors), along with a moderator, telling their story in an interactive conversation with the audience. For more information, please visit: https://www.jfedgmw.org/community/jewish-education/holocaust-council/keeping-the-stories-alive/.

Our TJS Gratitude Campaign called, “Look for the Good Project” also begins next week and will run from 5/15-5/26. This is our third year participating in this valuable and fun school-wide campaign. There are numerous benefits to demonstrating gratitude. First, gratitude makes us healthier. It lowers our blood pressure, boosts our immune system, helps us sleep longer, and makes us more resilient. Practicing gratitude also boosts our intelligence, increases self-esteem and improves our general mood. Grateful people are more fun to be around and are better connected to others. To learn more about the campaign, check out, https://www.lookforthegoodproject.org/

All About Cause & Effect

Readers can identify cause and effect in order to further their comprehension and to help identify the relationships between characters.

Cause is the reason that things happen and the driving force of the text. It is the reason why other things happen as the text continues.

Effect is what results. It is what happens next in the text that results from a preceding cause.

Identifying cause and effect can help us understand the author’s line of thought whether it be a fiction or nonfiction text.

Thank you to all the families who attended to help mulch the entrance to Torey J. Student and parent volunteers helped fill the wheelbarrow with mulch and spread the mulch around to beautify our grounds! A big thank you to Mr. Alcorn for organizing the day's events! Thank you to the following families for coming out to help: Torell Family, Kest Family, Merkle Family, Lapinsky Family, Quattrone Family, Reynolds Family, Brown Family, Ball Family, Novalis Family, Piotti Family, and Ambros Family! Thank you to our TJS community neighbors who also pitched in to help clear up some areas around the staff parking lot. As always, thank you to our Buildings and Grounds workers, and TJS Head Custodian, Ms. Sonia Lawson for your assistance and support with keeping our grounds in great condition!

Registration is still open for the MEF Pickleball Tournament on June 3rd. Register here: https://mefnj.networkforgood.com/events/55993-2023-mef-pickleball-tournament.

In addition, it's time to celebrate our awesome educators in Madison! From May 8 to May 19, 2023, make a donation to MEF in honor of the faculty and staff in Madison Public Schools who have made a positive difference in your children's lives. All educators named in donations will receive a personalized acknowledgement. Start your donation here: https://mefnj.networkforgood.com/projects/193195-2023-honor-an-educator

The Madison STEAM Academy returns this summer for its sixth year and is bigger than ever before!

The STEAM Academy offers a hands-on, engaging camp experience for students entering grades 1 through 12 in the 2023-24 school year. With a diverse range of interesting courses, there's an exciting opportunity for every interest! Programming is offered across six week-long sessions in either AM, PM, or full-day options, and enrollment is not limited to Madison residents. Extended day options and tuition assistance are also available to ensure that any interested student can access this amazing program! For enrollment, course offerings, and more information, please visit www.madisonpublicschools.org/steamacademy