A Note From The Administrators
February Newsletter
February
A Note From Mr. Masessa & Sra. Peake
February Newsletter
Dear Desmares Families,
Throughout our newsletter correspondence, we have been emphasizing the importance of maintaining consistent Student Attendance to avoid Chronic Absenteeism. As we mentioned, Chronic Absenteeism includes absences that are both Excused and Unexcused. We would like to share with you that our monthly attendance as a school was 95% during the month of January and our Year to Date attendance percentage is 94%, as a school. That is awesome!! We want to thank you for developing great habits for success with your children when it comes to attending school and focusing on their academics. Your efforts for keeping your children healthy and in attendance at school are sure to make a difference with their academic success, in addition to their social and emotional well-being at school when it comes to peer relationships and conflict resolution. Please continue to communicate with the school if your child or your family is going through a special circumstance where missing multiple days out of school may be necessary. We would like to help guide you on how to avoid excessive absenteeism. Thank you, again!
During the month of February, we celebrate the character traits- Tolerance and Patience. Great students and leaders express compassion for others, are open-minded, and are accepting of others. Our diverse school population offers our students a real world experience where children interact during class, at recess, and on the bus so they have many opportunities to learn and practice tolerance and patience. We are fortunate to offer such a well-rounded experience for our children. In addition, February is Black History Month, and our school librarian will be highlighting this topic by offering various levels of text for children to read and conducting shared reading activities in our library and classrooms.
In addition, please mark your calendars for the following special days:
February 6 – 10: School Counselor Appreciation Week (We love our School Counselors, Mrs. Pepe, Mrs. Moncada, and our Intern, Ms. Marissa Tamuzza)
February 17 – 20: Presidents’ Weekend
February 22nd: School Bus Driver Appreciation Day (What would we do without our Bus drivers:)
All the best for a Fabulous February!
Mr. Masessa and Mrs. Peake
Mr. Mark Masessa
Principal
Sra. Peake
Vice Principal
World Kindness Day ~ 2/16/23
We are celebrating World Kindness Day on February 16. The school counselors will be leading conversations about what it means to be kind. Students will participate in an activity to recognize individuals who are making an impact at FAD with their kindness. More information to come!
Mrs. Pepe & Ms. Tamuzza
Mrs. Pepe & Ms. Tamuzza with our Fourth Grade Kindness Ambassadors
Mrs. Pepe & Ms. Tamuzza talking to Second Grade about Kindness
Character Trait of the Month: Tolerance & Patience
Tolerance means respecting the individual differences, views and beliefs of other people.
Patience is the power to wait calmly without complaining.
Here are some great videos that help explain these two traits:
Attendance Matters
Dear FAD Families,
We are committed to ensuring the academic success of all students, and attendance is a vital component of your student's success. We must work collaboratively to support our students. Research shows that chronic absenteeism can negatively impact student performance.
Last month we shared a link to understand your perspective on attendance and we are extending the survey through this month. Please fill out our attendance survey by clicking on this link. We are in the process of developing informational resources for our families, and your input is valued.
Due to our increased number of absences we have developed a new attendance plan. The plan includes an increased awareness and communication with families. Here are some of the additions to our plan:
Increased communication with staff and families in reference to attendance
Weekly vs bi-weekly review of attendance reports
Students & families with 6 or more absences will receive texts with current absenteeism count
Students with 10 or more absences will be referred to lunch bunch and assigned a mentor
Students with 10 or more absences will meet with administrators
Students with 15 or more absences may receive at home check up visits by an administrator
Students & families with 15 or more absences will meet with an administrator to develop an attendance plan
Students struggling to get to school will receive additional support as needed
Please feel free to review the FAD parent handbook information on attendance located on pages 4- 8.
Tardies can also impact absenteeism as they are added to a student's absenteeism count. Did you know that once a student is tardy three times it is counted as an absence. We have 81 students that have accumulated three or more tardies that have counted toward their absence totals.
We thank you for your support and look forward to working together to reduce the number of absences to ensure the academic success of our students.
Sincerely,
Mr. Masessa & Sra. Peake
Principal Vice Principal
* Click on the image below to view a quick video on the Total Number of Absences.
Winter is here!
Dear Parents,
The cold weather has arrived. Recess is an important part of the day for our students. We do our best to get students out and playing each day. However, during these cold months it is important to have the proper attire. All students should arrive to school with warm winter jackets, gloves, and if needed a hat. If students wish to wear shorts they should have long pants under their shorts to protect their legs from the cold weather. If students do not have the proper attire they are not allowed to enjoy their recess and play time with peers.
We ask for your support to ensure that all of our students are able to enjoy their much needed time of unstructured play and socialization with peers.
Sincerely,
Sra. Peake
LOST & FOUND
LOST & FOUND
Please let the students know to stop by and claim their items!
LOST & FOUND
Please let the students know to stop by and claim their items!
Maschio's Food Services
For information on Maschio's Food services please click here.
For Maschio's Welcome Letter Click here
You can access our school lunch menu by clicking here.
For information on the cashless pay system click here.
You can access the PaySchool site by clicking here. If you are new to our school community you can create an account. If you need the information in Spanish please click here.
Student Breakfast= $2.00
Student Lunch = $3.50
SNACKS= Prices range from $0.50 to $2.00
Please note that snacks are not included as part of the Free & Reduced program. Any child interested in purchasing a snack must bring money in for snacks or have money available in their Pay-for-it account. We are asking students to only purchase one snack after they have eaten the majority of their main meal.
Free & Reduced Lunch Forms English Form Spanish Form
Important Events in January
2/6- 2/10 Counselor Appreciation Week
2/13 - 100th Day of school Celebration
2/13 Online Kindergarten Registration Opens
2/17 - School closed for students - Staff Development Day
2/20 - School closed ~ Presidents Day
2/21- 2/24- In person Kindergarten Registration
2/22- Bus Driver Appreciation
"Talk-a-Latte"
During the 2022-2023 school year, Dr. McGann will hold a Superintendent's Roundtable discussion at each school. These sessions are designed to open dialogue between my office and community members. The intent is to have an open dialogue with community members about issues that are important and on-the-mind of Flemington-Raritan residents. She is hopeful that events such as these help her build relations with parents, staff, and community members and assist her to keep a pulse on the community.
Click here to visit the roundtable page.
Heritage, History, & Awareness Education
During the month of February we honor and celebrate Black History Month.
How did Black History Month begin?
Black History Month's first iteration was Negro History Week, created in February 1926 by Carter G. Woodson, known as the "father of Black history."
Why is Black History Month in February?
Woodson chose February for the week-long observance as it coincides with the birthdates of both former US President Abraham Lincoln and social reformer Frederick Douglass. Both men played a significant role in helping to end slavery. Woodson also understood that members of the Black community already celebrated the births of Douglass and Lincoln and sought to build on existing traditions. To learn more cool facts about Black History Month please visit our Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion site!
Please feel free to visit our Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion site to learn more about the special themes. Please click here to visit the site.
Black History Month site
Here is a great site where you can learn more about Black History. Click here.
I Am Enough
Here is a great read-aloud by Grace Byers.
Click here to view.
Can Kids Change the World? ~ Black History Month
The fight for civil rights didn’t just include adults. Kids like 7 year old, Ayanna Najuma braved harsh consequences to make their communities more inclusive.
Click here to view the video.