Principal Garcia's Newsletter
Friday, March 21, 2024
Torey J. Sabatini School
Important Upcoming Dates
- March 22, 2024 - Report Cards Available in the Genesis Parent Portal at 3:00 PM
- March 22, 2024 - PTO Spring Social
- March 29, 2024 - Schools Closed - Good Friday
- April 1-5, 2024 - Schools Closed - Spring Break
- April 9, 2024 - Grade 4 Wax Museum for Parents/Guardians 2:00 PM
- April 10, 2024 - Spirit Day Wear BLUE - Light it up BLUE Day - Autism Awareness
- April 12, 2024 - TJS Spirit Wear Day
- April 8-18, 2024 - District Grade 2 CogAT Make-up Window
- April 15, 2024 - Single Session Early Dismissal Day - Parent/Teacher Evening Conferences
- April 16 & 17, 2024 - Single Session Early Dismissal Day - Parent/Teacher Daytime Conferences
- April 18, 2024 - 6th Grade Parent Orientation
March Monthly Activity Calendar
Click the link below to access and print the calendar for the month of MARCH. As a family try to do as many of the boxes as you can during the entire month of March! You will see that many of the activities are geared toward reading activities since we are kicking off March with Read Across America Week. This month's activity calendar was created by our Reading Specialist, Mrs. LoBrace!
Trimester 2 Report Cards
A reminder that Trimester 2 Report Cards are available in the Genesis Parent Portal today.
One School One Book
Our One School One Book program continues to soar! Students and families have so enjoyed the various activities we have engaged in. We hope you enjoyed it, too!
Happy Spring from the Art Room!
Kindergarten has been working hard creating painted paper with tints of red, yellow, and green for their Frida Kahlo collages. We read the books Frida Kahlo and her Animalitos and Frida to learn about Frida’s life.
First grade has been learning about famous American artist Grant Wood. We read Dropping in
on Grant Wood to learn about his studio and artwork. The students are now creating art inspired by Wood while learning about foreground, middle ground, and background in art, and mixing tints.
Second Grade is learning about abstract art. We read the book Opposites Abstract by
everyone’s favorite author Mo Willems. We looked at art by famous artists Pacita Abad and
Joan Miro. They used foam dice with Miro’s shapes to inspire abstract thinking.
Third Grade has begun a mixed media project inspired by the wonderful book Along the
Tapajos by Fernando Vilela. They are using painting, monoprinting, ink, and collage to create
their own depiction of the banks of the Tapajos.
Fourth Grade is completing their mixed media project inspired by the mud houses of Burkina
Faso in Africa. This project involved creating their own stamp to make paper printed with
geometric shapes to include in their collages.
Fifth Grade is learning about symmetry in art and architecture. They are creating their own
Origami Relief Sculptures with Radial Symmetry.
Important TJS Health Office Alerts
Strep Throat
Strep throat has been circulating in the community and through many TJS classrooms. Symptoms of strep throat include persistent sore throat, fever and stomach ache (may include nausea and vomiting). Oftentimes, children with strep throat may not always present with “typical” symptoms and may not even complain that their throat hurts them at all, or may only have GI symptoms that appear to be a stomach virus. Occasionally, the only symptom present in a child may be a swollen gland or complaint of their neck hurting. It is recommended that you bring your child to the pediatrician for evaluation when they present with a fever, vomiting, or if they are just feeling unwell so that they may be tested and treated accordingly. Please note that strep throat is highly contagious. Should your child be diagnosed, please keep them home until they have been treated with antibiotics and are fever-free for a full 24 hours. It is also advised to wipe down surfaces and avoid shared items.
Please help prevent the spread of illness within the TJS community by reinforcing healthy daily habits, including frequent handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes with the arm or a tissue, and limiting contact with others who are ill. If your child is home sick, please call or email the health office with their symptoms and any confirmed diagnosis. This information is very helpful to minimize outbreaks within the TJS community.
Head Lice (Pediculosis)
The Covid-19 pandemic gave us a respite from head lice over the last couple of years as students were not regularly in close proximity with each other. However, this unwelcome parasite has re-surfaced in the Madison community and continues to be a common, highly contagious infection in school-aged children. The spring and summer months are typically periods of high contact among children (attendance at summer camps and playing sports that include helmets and other shared items). Please check your children periodically for head lice and more regularly if they have been in close contact with someone who has been infected (every 2-3 days). Please see the attached link for important information on head lice, including identification, prevention, treatment and frequently asked questions from the NJ Department of Health and the CDC. https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/headlice.shtml.
Mandatory 5th- Grade Immunizations
As a reminder, when your child turns 11 years old they are required to have 2 additional vaccinations, Meningococcal and TDAP, in order to enter grade 6 in the fall. As you begin to schedule your child’s well visit around their birthday, please remember to follow up with the necessary immunizations and documentation that is required for entry into school. Please see the attached link for the necessary form and return it to the TJS health office upon completion. Should your child’s appointment be scheduled over the summer months, please send the form to the MJS nurse, Pauline Bliss, RN at blissp@madisonnjps.org.
4th Grade Breakfast with Principal Garcia was filled with SEL read alouds!
News from Mrs. Bletcher in the Counseling Corner
Happy Friday 1st, 3rd, and 5th grade Lunch Group Parents/Guardians!
Today wraps up our first week of our social skills lunch group! This week our focus was positive communication and conversation skills. Our objectives this week were to demonstrate the ability to take turns/wait in conversation as well as defining and demonstrating communication skills, both nonverbal and verbal. With our friend the conversation crab, we practiced going around and speaking about ourselves while also being attentive listeners. The students did a great job showing respect, using kind words, and being patient during our group discussions. The students left their group with an understanding of how important it is to be a positive communicator and conversationalist. 3rd and 5th graders played the ‘Think it or say it’ game where they were able to appropriately sort statements that were nice to share with their peers and some that were better kept unsaid. Below are the materials we used this week. We are looking forward to another great week of lunch groups, this time focusing on friendship! Have a great weekend!
Summer Opportunities
Now Available...Madison Summer Arts Brochure
Upcoming Event - MJS Musical
Sensory Friendly Performance
MJS will present their first sensory-friendly performance of Shrek the Musical Jr. on March 23rd at 2pm!
Our sensory-friendly performance is a theatrical experience in which the environment and typical "rules of attendance" are relaxed. House lights will be dimmed, but not turned off completely, to allow for ease of movement for audience members. There will be designated "cool down" areas if audience members need a break during the performance. Sound levels and lighting levels will be adjusted to accommodate different sensory-needs. At this performance, smartphones and tablet devices are allowed for communication purposes, and there may be some talking during the performance from audience members. With the additional supports and modifications, we hope to use our March 23rd, 2pm performance as an opportunity to create an inclusive environment for everyone to enjoy the magic of theatre, and enjoy the twisted fairy tale of Shrek Jr.!
Tickets can be purchased HERE. Social narratives, a guide to the theatre, character guides, and other informational documents will be sent via email the week leading up to the performance based on the contact information provided during the ticket sale. All information will also be available in-person the day-of performance.
Harlem Wizards...Coming Soon! April 25, 2024
It’s back…The MHS Project Graduation Committee will be hosting the Harlem Wizards Event again this year.
Date: Thursday, April 25, 7pm
Location: FDU Ferguson Recreation Center
TJS PTO Read-a-Thon
The TJS read-a-thon was a wonderful success! Our reading Jaguars logged 79,645 minutes and thanks to all of their hard work, students raised $11,095 for our school!
Our website will be open for donations through Thursday, 3/28. If you have any last minute sponsors to reach out to, there is still time! Donations can be accepted through your child’s read-a-thon page OR click here to donate through our school’s page.
We hope you had fun and will continue to read! Thank you again for all of your support!
TJS PTO Spring Social
Tonight is the NIGHT!!! You can still join us and buy tickets at the door. We hope to see you there!
PTO Science Fair was a MAGNIFICENT SUCCESS!
The Science Fair was such a hit this year! Thank you so much to Laura Venuto and Jen Standig for planning such an organized and fun event for our young scientists!
Shop ‘ til You Drop! Our Spring Spirit Wear Shop is OPEN! It’s always a good day to be a Jaguar! Show your TJS pride with a selection of all new items. Store closes on Wednesday, April 10th. Please allow 4 weeks from time of order and pick up at Alfred’s Sport Shop. Email jodi.alreds@gmail.com with any product questions. Shop HERE!
The library can always use help to re-shelve books. Spots are available every Tuesday and Thursday 12-1pm. Sign up here!
Upcoming Dates:
Teacher Appreciation Week - May 6-10
Color Run - May 30
Field Day - June 4
Jamboree - June 7 (rain date June 13)
PTO Sponsored Kit's Theater Assemblies...gr 1 and gr 5 loved the assemblies!
News from the MEF
2024 MEF Pickleball Tournament
Registration is OPEN for the 2024 MEF Pickleball Tournament on Saturday, June 1, 2024. Register individually or with a partner for a fast-paced, fundraising day of round-robin style play.
- Adults 18 and up
- Prize baskets and medals sponsored by The Spelker Real Estate Team
- Lunch offering for purchase from Harvest Bistro
- Registration cost is $65
NEW THIS YEAR is the MEF Youth Pickle & Play on Sunday, June 2, 2024. Register your kids for a fun morning of pickleball games and tournament play. Activities will be tailored by experience and age (elementary, middle, and high school). Beginners welcome!
- Ages 18 and under
- Warm up led by CrossFit 377
- Prizes and refreshments
- Registration cost is $30
- Parent/guardian must be present for kids 10 and under
These events WILL sell out. Learn more and register HERE.
Torey J. is now on INSTAGRAM! FOLLOW US!
Don't forget to follow Torey J. on Instagram @toreyjsabatini to see all of the wonderful things happening in our school community.