TES Principal's Update
From the desk of Ms. Lemerich
Dear TES Families,
I want to begin with sincere gratitude for your understanding and flexibility with changes in our schedule and the need to quarantine and/or keep your children home to avoid the spread of illnesses. With Hunterdon County being in the orange for high activity of COVID-19, there are certain protocols we must follow from the Department of Health as it relates to both suspected positive cases and positive cases of the Coronavirus. It is your understanding and your willingness to always do right by the students and staff at TES by keeping us informed of your child's health concerns and symptoms and keeping your child home when he/she is sick that we greatly appreciate.
Please help our school stay healthy by completing your child's health screener before arriving for in-person learning at TES each day. The goal is to not have to make any reminder calls to families, so that our staff can spend that time reviewing and addressing all health-related issues as quickly as possible. When entering an absence for your child in PickUp Patrol or calling the nurse to report an absence, it is incredibly helpful if you leave a detailed note or message, so that we do not need to make unnecessary follow-up calls to you during the day. The health and safety of our students is of the utmost importance, and we appreciate all you do each day to ensure our learning community stays healthy and well this winter.
This week we announced and recognized two wonderful educators at TES who are recipients of the Governor's Educator and Educational Service Professional of the Year Awards: Janet Wadler and Susan Stecker. Please read below and help me in congratulating them on this incredible recognition.
Today, Friday, December 11th is our deadline for bringing in gifts for the giving tree and dropping off your shoe donations. As of this morning, TES has collected 397 pairs of shoes to benefit Mane Stream! If you have any last-minute donations to further surpass Ms. Amato's class's goal of 200 pairs, we welcome them at our school today!
Today was also a kindness day at school, so I am sharing a reading of Be Kind with our school community in this newsletter.
Last, we have created a Padlet for families to share some holiday joy with details below!
Have a wonderful weekend, TES families!
Sincerely,
Katie Lemerich
Principal
Health Reminders from Mrs. Page
- Please do not forget to send your child to school with a personal water bottle so that we can limit use of our water fountains.
- Please help us in reiterating the importance of social distancing and showing your child what 6 feet of space looks like from one person to another. When you are with your children, helping them to practice social distance when you are out will help them to be aware in school, as well.
Getting a flu vaccine this year is more important than ever. It is possible to have the flu and COVID-19 or have COVID-19 and strep throat, for example. If you have a sore throat or nausea and vomiting, check with you health care provider, as they may want to check you for strep, the flu and/or COVID-19. These infections may require different treatments.
All health-related questions, concerns, or absences for your child should be directed to our school nurse, Mrs. Page, at 908-832-2594 x2011.
Email: gpage@tewksburyschools.org
Phone: 908-832-2594
Counselor's Corner with Mrs. Donovan
Each month we highlight one character trait. We focused on responsibility in September, respect in October, and gratitude in November.
FAIRNESS is our December trait. We have learned there are many ways to be fair: following rules, taking turns, sharing equally, being truthful, and taking responsibility for our own actions, to name a few. We also discussed that fair does not always mean “the same." For example, it would not be "fair” to feed an elephant and a mouse the “same” amount of food. Fairness means everyone gets what they need.
Exploring these more abstract concepts is another example of the whole child education that is valued at TES.
Email: sdonovan@tewksburyschools.org
Website: https://www.tewksburyschools.org/domain/224
Phone: 908-832-2594
Giving Tree Gifts Deadline is Today!
Help us spread some holiday cheer at TES!
Congratulations, Mrs. Janet Wadler on being named the 2020 Governor's Educator of the Year!
Janet Wadler is an art teacher at Tewksbury Elementary School (TES) who has been serving our school community for 23 years, first at Sawmill Elementary and now at Tewksbury Elementary. Janet canvases the school with student artwork, creating a warm, vibrant, and student-centered school environment. At every turn of the school, you will find bulletin boards, murals, and canvases created by students over the years. Janet has great passion for art education and has successfully been able to bring out the many amazing talents of the students at TES. Her passion is to provide opportunities for students to use their creativity and imagination for self-expression. She is an integral part of our school community and contributes immensely. She has been an active participant in “Tiger Time,” which focuses on character education each month. She has also served on the School Climate and School Safety Team and the school’s Social-Emotional PLC. Janet remains positive and creative in her approach and work with students. She shows the highest levels of professionalism, positivity and creativity. As her nominator said so well, “Our school is so fortunate to have a professional, dedicated art teacher who is revered by so many!” Janet is a well-deserving recipient of this prestigious award.
Congratulations, Ms. Susan Stecker on being named the 2020 Governor's Educator of the Year!
Susan Stecker is a speech and language educator at Tewksbury Elementary School who services students of all ages and developmental abilities. Sue is incredibly talented at what she does and is able to make a significant difference in their speech and language abilities. Sue goes above and beyond in finding ways to help her students succeed, and the progress Sue is able to make for her students is always noticed and appreciated by the classroom teachers of those students. The staff at TES find Sue a pleasure to work with and appreciate the approaches she offers to them to try within the classroom. Sue’s door is always open, and she has gone above and beyond for her professional colleagues, particularly in her many leadership roles with the TEA. The expertise in her field, professionalism, and support she provides to students and her colleagues is exceptional. As her nominator said, “Sue is head and shoulders above many in her position.” Sue is a well-deserving recipient of this prestigious award.
Re-Registration is due Friday, December 18, 2020
Ms. Lemerich's Read Aloud of Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller and Illustrated by Jen Hill
Tewksbury Assistance Fund
The Tewksbury Family Assistance Fund was organized in 1993 in response to temporary economic problems that tragically affected two families in the town. If someone is experiencing a momentary financial problem, they are urged to contact either the principal, Katie Lemerich (klemerich@tewksburyschools.org 908-832-2594 x2001) or the nurse, Grace Page, (gpage@tewksburyschools.org 908-832-2594 x2011) at TES. They will bring your concern, in complete confidentiality, to the anonymous fund members for financial support. If possible, the Fund will meet your need.
Ordinarily, the Family Assistance Fund has its main fundraiser at our Holiday concerts. They have a bake sale and a prepared frozen food sale. This year, it is more important than ever to support the Family Assistance Fund if you can.
Website: https://tewksburyfamilyassistancefund.weebly.com/donate.html
Tewksbury Elementary School
Website: https://www.tewksburyschools.org/site/Default.aspx?PageID=11
Location: 109 Fairmount Road East Califon, NJ 07830
Phone: 908-832-2594
Twitter: @TewksburyElem