The Monroe Messenger
Parent Newsletter - October
October 2023
A Message from your Administration Team!
Hello James Monroe Families,
We are looking forward to fabulous fall weather and seeing you at our spectacular school events. Please take some time to learn more about our school activities.
We are very proud of our students and staff for their hard work during the first month of school! In September, we read "The Best Story" to every class and we focused on getting to know each other by creating heart maps to share our special stories. Our school-wide initiative will help us to build a supportive climate where we form connections and learn about each other's journey.
Warmly,
Mrs. Cyndi Tufaro, principal
Mrs. Maggie Callahan, assistant principal
September Highlights
Thanks for joining us at the PTO Ice Cream Social!
October calendar
Week of Respect
James Monroe unites to show respect. Please join us each day and dress up for our theme days! Use the questions on the chart below to start a family discussion focused on each day's lesson.
Picture Day
Picture day is October 19th & 20th. Students will take individual photos and class pictures. Click the link below for information about picture packages.
Sidewalk Chalk Donations Needed for Recess!
Updated Breakfast and Lunch Ordering Procedures
Breakfast & Lunch Ordering Information
All breakfast orders were placed for the year and are delivered to the classrooms each morning by our safety patrols.
Remember! Children are eating lunch in the cafeteria daily. They have the option to bring lunch from home or to purchase lunches for $3.50, vegetarian or with meat, every day. See the tabs below to set up your child's account on My School Bucks. We highly recommend using this service which will allow you to monitor all purchases and account balances. For us, it will assist with expedited lunch lines. Also, please review the daily menu choices with your child so they are prepared with their order.
Harvest Eve
We hope to see you at our PTO Harvest Eve on October 13th from 5 pm - 8 pm. This special event is a tremendous source of revenue for our PTO which aims to finance many events at our school including upcoming field trips. Please join us with your family and enjoy the old-fashioned carnival style atmosphere on what will hopefully be a beautiful fall evening.
We are grateful for your assistance and volunteers are still needed. Email monroeowlspto@gmail.com if you want to help. If you can't be here, consider sending in something for the snack table. See the link below for more information.
Meet our Counselor - Ms. Nicole Davis
We are excited to welcome Ms. Davis as our new school counselor. She has time in her schedule each month for parents to sign up for parent connection appointments to discuss ways to support families. Click here if you are interested in meeting with Ms. Davis.
Ms. Davis will be visiting your child's class to read a story and discuss our anti-bullying policy. Join us in showing respect through our Week of Respect spirit week days.
School Store
School store begins next week on October 2nd. Classes will be assigned a time to visit the store and shop. Please do not send students in with bills larger than $10.00. Items range from $0.25 -$5.00. See the schedule below to find out which day your child will visit the school store.
Pumpkin Decorating Contest 2023
Halloween Parade
Our Halloween Parade will take place on Tuesday, October 31st at 9:30 a.m weather permitting. Please send your child to school dressed in their Halloween costume.
Please remember that all costumes must be safe, non-violent and not cover the face. If your child will not be participating, please send a note to your child's teacher, and your child will not participate in the parade.
The parade route starts out the front doors and proceeds twice around the building. You can view the parade along all four sides of the building. Children will be walking on the sidewalk, please stay on the perimeter.
Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Family Event
Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
Join us as we share stories, cultural traditions, food and music during our special Spanish Heritage Night family event on October 19th organized by Senora Lopez and Ms. Evelyn Perez. You will notice bulletin boards and decorations representing traditional flags and handmade crafts created by our students. Remember to show your support for our rich and diverse community by dressing up for spirit days!
Sidewalk Scholastic Book Fair Information
PTO meeting
Please join us in the cafeteria or virtually at or next PTO meeting on Oct. 5th at 6:00 p.m. This month's meeting will be used to prepare for Harvest Eve. A link to join the meeting will be sent out that day.
Click on the orange bar to download the PTO membership form or use the QR code to join the PTO. We are looking for families to support our school community. Your membership fee goes to helping fund school events like our Ice Cream Social and resources for the children. Thank you for your partnership!
Fall Fundraiser - Mrs. Field's Cookies
October is Fire Safety Month
Fire Trucks Visit James Monroe
Our local firefighters will be visiting grades Kindergarten and first with demonstrations of their fire trucks and equipment. We are grateful for their community service and education.
Camp Bernie
This year, our 5th grade classes will be going on a one day adventure to Camp Bernie on October 2nd. This day will consist of outdoor experiences, team building and confidence exercises.
8:40 Arrive at school
9:20 – 9:30 Depart for Camp Bernie
10:20-10:45 Arrival/Orientation
10:45-11:45 Activity Block 1
11:45-12:45 Lunch
12:45-2:15 Activity Block 2
2:15-2:30 Transitional Break
2:30-4:00 Activity Block 3
4:00-4:15 Transitional Break
4:15-5:45 Activity Block 4
5:45-6:00 Transitional Break
6:00-7:00 Dinner
7:00-8:00 Depart for School
8:00 Parent pickup
Please make sure all forms must be turned in. Please contact your child's teacher with any questions. Dietary forms have been shared with the nurse and Camp Bernie staff. There are choices of food for all students needs!
If you are a parent of a 5th grade student and would like to learn more information about Camp Bernie, check out the presentation from the Parent Information Meeting.
Our next newsletter will include photos from our adventure!
A Message from Nurse Sclafani
IMPORTANT OCTOBER DATES:
October 11th - Immunization Clinic 3:30pm to 5:30pm - Call 732-248-7286
Located (temporarily): Edison Health Department at the Edison Senior Citizen Center, 2963 Woodbridge Avenue, Edison, NJ 08837. This is for students who do not have insurance to cover their immunizations. Bring your student’s immunization record with you. Contact me if you do not have it.
October 19th - Optical Academy 3:00pm to 6:30pm -
Located: Edison High School 50 Boulevard of the Eagles, Edison, NJ 08817. This is for all students who want eye exams and eyeglasses at a fraction of the cost! Eye Exams $30, Contact Lens Fitting add $30; Eyewear starting at $29 for frame & lens. To register, please use the link below:
www.optical-academy.com/events/edison-education-association-1. They accept all insurances.
VACCINATIONS AND PHYSICALS PAST DUE - Students who are new to James Monroe School, have immunization and physical examination requirements to fulfill within 30 days of enrollment into the school district. If you have not submitted these to the health office yet, please do so right away. Check with the nurse to prevent your child from possibly being excluded from school until the requirements are met.
Reminder: Visit the school nurse website Health Office - James Monroe Elementary School (edison.k12.nj.us) for policies, procedures, treatment forms and more.
Let's Stay Healthy
ILLNESS PREVENTION - Please do NOT send your student to school with:
Fever of 100.*F or above within the last 24 hours (must be fever free without medication)
Vomiting or Diarrhea within the last 24 hours
Continuous coughing not relieved with cough medicine
Strep Throat – student may return 24 hours after starting antibiotics
Please check with your doctor or me about other illnesses
Please remember to notify me and/or the front office if your child has a contagious illness!