Rolling Hills Primary School

May 2023

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Welcome to May 2023!

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Dear Rolling Hills Parents and Guardians:


Although April was a shorter month due to our Spring Break, Rolling Hills held two special events that brought smiles to many faces and created some lovely memories. Many thanks to everyone who worked so hard to be sure that our Someone Special days were so successful and that our Take Your Child to Work Day allowed so many of our staff members to share their work life with their children. In between, we managed to keep learning at Rolling Hills! Be sure to take a few minutes to enjoy some of the photos and experiences shared by your children's teachers in this month's message.


This month, our third graders will be taking their NJSLA ELA and Math tests. The letter below was distributed to all third grade families and is shared below for your convenience.


During the week of May 8th, we will be celebrating TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK. As a former teacher, I can assure you that the most memorable and heartwarming "gift" any teacher can receive is a simple note from a child (or their family). At Rolling Hills Primary School, we will be celebrating every staff member that week--our teachers, our aides, secretaries, our nurse, our school counselor, our case managers, our custodians, our RPO...and everyone who works "behind the scenes" to ensure that our school is safe, secure and clean for your children on a daily basis. All of these individuals play a significant role as they provide exemplary examples of dedication to a job well done and them importance of keeping your students in mind--each and every day! Thank you!!!


May is also filled with more "memory makers" as students participate in their field trips and field days! Please make every effort to end the school year with a strong academic focus by getting your child to school on time each day and refrain from early pick-ups, which negatively impact your child's academics--and the education of their classmates too.


We would also appreciate your assistance with the following:


  • Please be sure that your contact information--especially all of the phone numbers listed in Genesis to be used in an emergency--are kept up-to-date and accurate.


  • A "LOST AND FOUND" table is located outside the nurse's office. If your child is missing any items, please have them stop by the table sometime during the day to retrieve their lost belongings. Since many of them are winter coats and warm sweatshirts, we will be donating them to a deserving charity if we do not find their "rightful" owners! Thanks for your help!



  • Please be sure to take some time to review the newly revised VTSD 2022-2023 calendar, which is replete with many updates--especially for the month of June. I have also included the 2023-2024 calendar for your convenience as you prepare for the upcoming school year.



I wish you all the best as we continue working together for the good of our students.


Enjoy the month!


Take care,



Pauline F. Anderson, Principal

NEW JERSEY STUDENT LEARNING ASSESSMENT

This letter provides some details--and requests--about the upcoming NJSLA testing for our third graders. Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation and assistance.

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MAY 2023 DATES TO REMEMBER

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS!


Wednesday, May 3rd

SCA Meeting at 8:30 p.m. (via Zoom)



Friday, May 5th

SCA Student Glow Dance Party - Grade 2 - 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. and Grade 3 - 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

Please note that the pre-registration period is now closed for this event. Thank you!



Monday, May 8th through Friday, May 12th

TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK!



Tuesday, May 9th and Wednesday, May 10th

NJSLA ELA Testing for Third Graders



Wednesday, May 10th

Turtle Back Zoo Trip - Second Grade - Group A

Literacy Night - Campfire Stories - 6:00-7:00 p.m.



Thursday, May 11th

Turtle Back Zoo Trip - Second Grade - Group B

Board of Education Work Session - 7:00 p.m. - Lounsberry Hollow



Friday, May 12th

ESCA Spirit Day for Artstanding - Casual Dress Day



Sunday, May 14th

Mother’s Day



Sunday, May 14th through Saturday, May 20th

Special Education Week in New Jersey



Tuesday, May 16th through Thursday, May 18th

NJSLA Math Testing for Third Graders



Thursday, May 18th

Board of Education Meeting - 7:00 p.m. - Lounsberry Hollow

~ includes GEOY/ESP and presentations for Mrs. Weiss and Mrs. Gallant and

retirement presentations for Mrs. Mayer and Mrs. Ryder



Friday, May 19th

Artstanding - 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. - Lounsberry Hollow



Tuesday, May 23

Ellis Island Day for Third Graders, presented by Mrs. Hordych's class - 1:45 - 3:00 p.m.



Thursday, May 25th

Second Grade Field Day



Friday, May 26th

Third Grade Field Trip - Fairview Lakes YMCA



Monday, May 29th

Memorial Day - District Closed



Wednesday, May 31st

Third Grade Field Day

UPDATED 2022-2023 VTSD CALENDAR

Please be sure to review this calendar carefully--and print out a copy for easy reference--as there are many revisions listed for the month of June!

2023-2024 VTSD CALENDAR

This calendar may be used to for planning purposes for the upcoming school year.

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Action for Happiness Calendars...

...will be shared with you each month.


They will bring monthly messages of hope and are replete with exceptional ideas to enrich your life--and the lives of those around you! Be sure to take a moment to review and/or print them out for your use throughout the month.


Mindful May's calendar encourages us to find ways to be part of something bigger.

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BEHIND THE SCENES AT RHPS

A Spring Egg Hunt...

...was a great start to the spring break for the students of Mrs. Reinhardt's, Ms. Smeilus's and Mrs. Lynch's classes!
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SPECIAL SOMEONE DAYS ARE "SPECIAL" FOR MANY RH VISITORS AND STUDENTS!

Rolling Hills Primary School welcomed over 400 visitors during our two "Special Someone" Visitation Days! It was a wonderful time for all of our visitors, staff and students!

Some fun in Mrs. Weiss's Classroom...

...& in Mrs. Strongosky's Classroom Too!

The Paint with Me Event...

...was also a great success thanks to Mrs. Ulrich and the Rolling Hills SCA!

Science with Mrs. Pritchett!

Mrs. Pritchett’s class recreated volcanic activity during their science unit on

Earth’s Place in the Universe

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Mrs. Reinhardt's Language Arts classes enjoy some Fundations' fun!

Using shaving cream, students practiced their "trick words",

which made for a fun and clean activity!

Ms. Lapp's students are also working on Fundations!

The students worked hard on the consonant -le challenge!


After learning about the consonant -le syllable type, students participated in a challenge to create as many words as possible, using the provided consonant -le endings!


Students rotated with their group every two minutes to add words to each of the consonant -le syllable posters.


A great time was had by all!

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BRING YOUR CHILD TO WORK DAY AT ROLLING HILLS!

VTHS Students Assist during PE Classes

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RH Families Enjoy some time together!

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SODEXO FOOD SERVICES INFORMATION

ROLLING HILLS CHROMEBOOKS FOR HOME USE

Here are some school applications that students can use to enhance their learning from home.

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ESCA AND SCA NEWS

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ROLLING HILLS PRIMARY SCHOOL SCA

This year's RHPS SCA Board:


President - Robyn Seger

Vice President - Marissa Vradenburg

Treasurer - Christina Shreiner

Recording Secretary - Christine Canal

Corresponding Secretary - Lori Mish


Let's continue to work together for the benefit of our students!

ROLLING HILLS FUNDRAISER

Please visit this website to order Vernon Viking clothing online and help support our RH SCA!

RH Monthly SCA Meeting Zoom Link

This month's meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, May 3rd at 8:30 p.m. via Zoom. Meeting ID: 810 1740 3480 Passcode: vernon

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IMPORTANT EXECUTIVE SCA INFORMATION

ESCA Messages:


Parents/guardians, staff and community members are welcome to partake in any of these events and fundraisers!


We could not be successful in any of our fundraising without all of the amazing help

from each of our schools!


The ESCSA is also looking for Scholarship Reading Volunteers; please email vernon.esca@gmail.com if you are interested in volunteering.

ARTSTANDING SPONSOR AND DONATION SIGN-UP LINK

Please consider volunteering or assisting with Artstanding 2023! Thank you!

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ESCA Website

This website contains the most up-to-date information from our Executive SCA. Be sure to visit their website frequently throughout the school year!

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VOLUNTEERS AND ASSISTANCE NEEDED

SCA VOLUNTEER AND DONOR SIGN-UP

Please click here to sign up to help the SCA from your child's school!

SOME INFORMATION TO SHARE!

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RSVP for Princess for a Day

Please be sure to RSVP by May 4th and help to support the VTHS Cosmetology Department!

Connect for Community

At the end of April, the Vernon Township Schools participated in a district-wide collection to benefit area food pantries, soup kitchens, and social service agencies via Connect for Community.


If you have last minute items that you would like to donate--see suggestions for second and third grade below--please send them to Rolling Hills ASAP. We will see that the items are donated to Connect for Community.


Thank you for your generosity and support!

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VERNON GIRLS SPORTS INTRODUCTORY CAMP

Click here to read all about a FREE one-day camp to introduce girls ages 6-9 to soccer, softball, basketball and lacrosse. This event will be hosted by volunteers from VTHS!

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May is Mental Health Awareness Month

In recognition of “May as Mental Health Awareness Month” and to highlight the importance of visual, performing and literary arts and their therapeutic components, the Sussex County Community College through the Alpha Arts Institute and the Sussex County Department of Health and Human Services have partnered to premier “Embrace the Elephant in the Room,” an original Visual Arts Exhibition event on May 3, 2023.


Fine Artist Maureen Slamer is a featured artist in the first annual Sussex County Community College (SCCC) Festival of the Arts. The exhibition would not be possible without the collaborative efforts of the Sussex County Mental Health Task Force, Bridgeway Behavioral Health Services and the Sussex County Community College Student Success Center.

This event is free, open to the public and will be held on May 3, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. in the Atrium of the Performing Arts Center at the Sussex County Community College, One College Hill Road, Newton, NJ.


The exhibition will remain on display through Friday, July 28th.


Families are welcome to attend; children’s activities will be available.


Dr. Jon Connolly, President of SCCC, will deliver opening remarks. During the exhibition, a question and answer session will occur between Slamer and host Daniel Cosentino, Dean of Arts and Humanities and Director of the Alpha Arts Institute at Sussex County Community College.


Staff from local service organizations and mental health agencies will be on-site to provide information on various services and programs.

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Vernon Township 2022-2023 SCHOOL CLOSING INFORMATION

Please be sure to review the document attached below regarding school closing procedures and information. Thank you!
Rolling Hills 2022-2023 Parent/Guardian Handbook

This handbook provides detailed information on numerous topics for the parents/guardians of our Rolling Hills Primary School students. Please be sure to take some time to review it!

SOME ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO SHARE TO SHARE

Sussex County Library System Digital Library Cards

VTSD has once again partnered with the Sussex County Library System to provide a library card to all of our students. Having a digital library card means enables your child to access books on any digital device. Click on this link for information.

BookSmiles Donations Requested!

Psi Alpha National Honor Society in Psychology is excited to announce the start of their service project.


On behalf of BookSmiles, they are collecting gently used children's books (from board books to young adult novels, and anything in between) to donate to "book deserts" in New Jersey.


If you'd like to participate, please drop books off in our decorated collection bin (pictured below) which will be located in the lobby of VTHS until the end of the school year.


Anyone who can't deliver books directly, please email me at tcoesfeld@vtsd.com and someone will be happy to pick up your donation.


Feel free to share the attached flyer and help spread the word!


Thank you in advance for your contributions!

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In closing...

...please be assured of my continued support and appreciation for all you do to send your children to school prepared and ready to learn!


Always remember that we are all here to assist you and your child.


Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you ever have questions and/or concerns.


Sincerely,


Pauline F. Anderson

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