James Monroe Principal's Update
December 2020
I don't have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness - it's right in front of me if I'm paying attention and practicing gratitude. ~ Brene Brown
As we face the annual tradition of Thanksgiving, it seems difficult to find what we are grateful for this year with all the challenges we have faced due to the pandemic. The holiday may not look like what we expect, and so once again, we are making choices and adjusting our ways to ensure that the people around us who we care most about are safe. In spite of this, I hope your family can still find moments of happiness, by paying attention to the little things.
This morning as I welcomed students and their families at arrival, joined Google Meets or visited classrooms and distributed free lunches after school, I paid close attention to all that we have to be thankful for at James Monroe...this wonderful community of learners, teachers and families.
Wishing you all a very safe and Happy Thanksgiving!
Mrs. Cynthia Tufaro
principal
Mrs. Maggie Callahan
assistant principal
Please see these links from the CDC with recommendations for how to have a safe Thanksgiving. Remember if you are traveling, to contact the school as you may be required to quarantine.
How to Have a Safe Thanksgiving and Consider these Other Thanksgiving Activities
December Calendar
Congratulations to our Teacher and Educational Service Professional of the Year!
December 3rd is the last day of Parent Teacher Conferences
DON'T FORGET! Our final conference will be held virtually on 12/3/20 from 5:00-6:30pm. All classes will end at 12:30 on that day.
You are able to schedule a 10-minute conference with your child's teacher using the conference feature on Parent Portal. Conferences are valuable time to help forge a strong relationship and assist the teacher in getting to know your child better as well as providing you with a progress update. Teachers will send you a link to join the virtual meeting. The meetings are taking place virtually.
School Pictures
1. Please download and print the form linked HERE and bring it with you. Include payment.
2. You must sign up for an appointment HERE.
3. At your assigned time, please pull up into the school circle.
4. Your child will enter through the main door and then exit through the cafeteria door.
We will be following strict social distancing guidelines. Only students will be allowed in the building.
Picture Day for In-Person Students will take place on December 1st or 3rd. Please return the attached form with payment linked HERE.
Holiday Sing A-long with Mrs. Sanchez!
Send us your family photo or have your children record a holiday message to share with our community which will be included throughout the evening! Please send us your pictures or videos by December 18th.
Parent Support Group: Parenting in a Pandemic
-Ways to identify stress in our children
-Attunement- the importance of tuning in to your child's needs
-Strategies to manage stress in kids at home
-The importance of parental self care
Please register HERE if you plan to attend.
Thank you!
P.M. Social Groups with Special Teachers
Each afternoon, students may join their grade specific social skills group with the specials teachers if they are not scheduled to meet with their classroom teacher. These groups provide opportunites for students to have time to talk and socialize with each other while centered on a theme.
Please find their schedule in their SeeSaw or Google Classroom or see schedules below.
Library Curbside Pickup!
November Science Fair Winners!
PTO News
Please join us for a virtual PTO meeting to hear about the ways the PTO is supporting the school and have an opportunity to ask questions and talk with Mrs. Tufaro and Mrs. Callahan.
Holiday Donation Drive - December 1st - 4th
Please help families in need by donating new unused toys, pajamas or detergent for a local shelter. Drop off boxes will be available the first week of December. Please see Flyer below.
Holiday Gift Wrap Fundraiser -
Lunch
- For remote only students, please use this LINK to order individual lunch for the week of November 30th which are available at the James Monroe cafeteria daily from 11:30 - 1:30.
- Starting December 2nd, families have the option to pick up free lunches for the entire week at one of the high schools. Please use this LINK if you plan to pick up the weekly lunches. It must be completed by Tuesday the week before.
- Children attending in-person will continue to be sent home with a free lunch each day, including meals through the weekend.
Some Good News!
Please email margaret.callahan@edison.k12.nj.us or cynthia.tufaro@edison.k12.nj.us with an attachment or link to share Some Good News for Marking Period 2. Please remember to include your child's name, grade and teacher.
Sia Shah
Nivaan Shrivastava
MATH KANGAROO TEST:
It is a international level math competition held annually. Nivaan participated in its annual national level math test in June of 2020. He was placed 9th nationally and 6th at the state level. He received a total score of 86/96.
JAMES MONROE MATH CHALLENGE:
In the month of May, Nivaan also participated in the Math challenge and was the grade level winner.
A Message from our School Nurse, Mrs. Sclafani, RN BSN CSN-NJ
This Season a Flu Vaccine is More Important than Ever!
Getting a flu vaccine is more important than ever during 2020-2021 to protect yourself, your family and your community from flu. A flu vaccine this season can also help reduce the burden on our healthcare systems responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and save medical resources for care of COVID-19 patients. If you haven’t gotten your flu vaccine yet, get vaccinated now.
The more people vaccinated; the more people protected. Do your part. Get a flu vaccine this fall.
Due to the volume of contact tracing for Covid-19, the Edison Health Department is unable to run its customary flu clinics. The following is a list of websites to peruse to suit your family’s needs. Many can be booked online and also provide Covid testing (inquire with the facility):
https://doctorsexpresssouthplainfield.com/flu-shots/
https://www.costco.com/Pharmacy/adult-immunization-program.html
https://www.solvhealth.com/immediate-care-edison-nj-Aa39Vg?utm_medium=title&utm_campaign=migration
https://www.cvs.com/store-locator/cvs-pharmacy-locations/flu-shots/New-Jersey/Edison
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/season/protect-your-health.html