Dolphin News
Francis A. Desmares School - March 2024
A Note From Mr. Masessa and Mrs. Custy
Dear Desmares Families,
Welcome to March! On Thursday, February 29th, Mrs. Custy and I honored Mrs. Rieg, Teacher of the Year, and Mrs. Lake, the Educational Services Professional of the Year at the Board of Education Meeting. We also shared our school spotlight presentation with members of the Board and community. Please take a moment to see our presentation and some of the many great things happening at our school.
Throughout the month of March we enjoy four weeks of uninterrupted days of school. There is only one half day of school on Friday, March 15th prior to the beginning of Spring Recess which is Friday, March 29th. This time of year is what we consider a high academic growth season as students are consistently engaged in learning and they are challenged by their teachers to use the strategies learned in all of their subject areas. We teach students to show ‘grit’ and to persevere through tougher assignments that may take a little longer and may be harder. It’s at a time like this that we really appreciate your support at home. Although it may take a little longer, the grind to solve a problem or to create a more elaborate writing piece after reading a longer passage is all a part of the learning process.
Of course, school can’t be all about work with no play! Recess is in full swing now that the snow has melted and our lunch aides continue to supervise our students as they organize fun games and experience free play. Our third graders recently traveled to Raritan Valley Community College to see Cenicienta: A Bilingual Cinderella Story. Please talk to your child about this experience. College basketball enthusiasts anticipate the excitement of conference championships and the NCAA tournament, while you also balance a schedule with your children’s Spring activities. Mrs. Gale, our Media Specialist, has her version of March Madness as she reads the books and the students decide on their favorite books in a bracket tournament displayed in the downstairs hallway.
Our PTO is wildly busy preparing for the Annual Spaghetti Dinner on Wednesday, March 13th and PICTO on Friday, April 12th. Please, come eat while our fourth grade students take your order, graciously serve you, and demonstrate their best restaurant manners. PICTO is a great time for families and a tremendous fundraiser for our school as we anticipate over 500 people attending this evening event. More information about PICTO will be forthcoming through the Membership Toolkit and on our PTO website. In addition, updates will be shared on our Twitter (X) feed, @desmaresschool. Your support and participation is always appreciated and welcomed.
The start of March gets us thinking about our preparation work for next school year. If you would like to share information about your child’s learning style or experience in school, we would love to hear about it! If you have a special request, please identify the characteristics and teacher traits that would best suit your child’ learning style, and please put this in an email or note to Mr. Masessa by April 30th. We do not accept teacher requests, only information regarding your child’s personality and learning style that will help us create a match with their next teacher.
~ Mr. Masessa and Mrs. Custy
spotlight the Mighty, Mighty Dolphins and all of their accomplishments!
Welcome, Mrs. Blaser!
Please join us in welcoming Mrs. Blaser to the Desmares Dolphin community. Mrs. Blaser has been a member of the Flemington Raritan School District staff for 13 years, most recently working to support Special Services. Mrs. Blaser and her husband have lived in Flemington for 25 years, and their two daughters attended the Flemington Raritan School District. Their oldest daughter has graduated college and lives in New York City, and their younger daughter will graduate from college this May. Mrs. Blaser has enjoyed working in the district and she is happy to join the Desmares family!
Calling all Kindergarteners!
Do you know any children that will be turning five by October 1, 2024? Please let their parents know it is time to register for Kindergarten! Click here for more information about registration. We are looking forward to meeting our newest Desmares Dolphins!
Save the Date!
Attendance
School Counseling Corner
Random Act of Kindness Day was February 17th. Our school celebrated it by recognizing students who act kind and displaying their names on our bulletin boards. We were very proud to see many Dolphins showing kindness and respect for others.
During the month of March, we will be learning about our character traits: Honesty and Fairness.
- Honesty means telling the truth. No lying. It’s the base of a trusting relationship.
- Fairness is treating everyone equally. It means to be fair and just. We can practice fairness by following the rules in sports, games, activities, and our community.
These are some books that explain better the meanings of honesty and fairness.
A Little Spot of Honesty (English)
Un pequeño Punto Respetuoso (Español)
Just Ask (English)
Just Ask (Español)
~ Mrs. Moncada & Mrs. Monks
Library News
It's Read Across America Month!
To celebrate, students are participating in a reading March Madness during their library time. Each week classes will listen to two different books and decide which is their favorite. Winners will advance to the next round until we crown a Champion Book at the end of March. I've included titles and links to the books if you'd like to check them out. Who do you think will win?
The Wolf, the Duck, & the Mouse
Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type
Fluffy McWhiskers Cuteness Explosion
Happy reading!
~ Mrs. Gale
Reading and Writing Family Calendar
Click on the link above to read all about it in The Dolphin Splash!
Important Dates
- March 4-8: Read Across America Week
- March 14: Trimester 3 Begins
- March 15: EARLY DISMISSAL DAY
- March 18-21: Spring Scholastic Book Fair (Family Night on Tuesday, March 19)
- March 29 - NO SCHOOL - Spring Break Begins
- April 5 - EARLY DISMISSAL DAY - Students return to school
HELPFUL LINKS
Francis A. Desmares Elementary School
Nurse's Office - Mrs. Sellers: 908-284-7545
School Counselor - Mrs. Monks: 908-284-7542
Bilingual School Counselor - Mrs. Moncada: 908-284-7553
Email: firstname.lastname@frsd.us
Website: https://www.frsd.k12.nj.us/Domain/284
Location: 16 Old Clinton Road, Flemington, NJ, USA
Phone: 908-284-7540
Twitter: @desmaresschool