Folsom School News
May 2021
Greetings Folsom School Community!
Dear Folsom Families,
The Folsom staff is excited to celebrate the Annual International Day in some capacity. Similar to all events the past year, it will be different due to the number of COVID-19 restrictions. The student performances and parents in the school will be absent from this year’s International Day. As these changes to the event are temporary, the vision and mission continue to stay the same.
The overall goal of International Day is to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and perspectives needed to become active, informed citizens and contributing members of global communities. We are committed to breaking down stereotypes through the learning of diverse cultures. We also understand that this learning goal needs to occur in all aspects of the school day. Thus, teachers will develop lessons in their specific content area that celebrate cultural diversity and global awareness throughout the week.
Food is a feature of every International Day and will continue at Folsom. The school cafeteria will feature specially designed international lunches during the week leading up to International Day! Please take a close look at the May lunch menu that features food from around the world!
On Friday, May 28th, students should show their international spirit by wearing the colors of their assigned country. Classroom teachers will coordinate with families more about the country color and any special activities the classroom teachers have planned for the week as the date nears.
Here is a breakdown of the grade levels and countries:
8th - USA
7th - China
6th - Mexico
5th - Japan
4th - Greece
3rd - Italy
2nd - Scotland
1st - Egypt
K - India
PK – Nigeria
Respectfully,
Matthew Mazzoni, Ed.D.
SuperintendentBest Teachers in the Galaxy
Teacher Appreciation Week
Please join us next week – Week of May 3rd - in celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week by recognizing teachers for their continued efforts, expertise, and commitment to our students and families. Families can get involved by having your kids write a thank you letter, make a poster, or draw a picture for their teacher(s) to name just a few ideas.
Tuesday, May the 4th (Star Wars Day) send your Padawan's dressed in their favorite Star Wars apparel (remember--no light sabers allowed in school)
Spring Spirit Week
May's Character Trait
March Falcons of the Month
Ledger Conway
Kindergarten
Noah Brining
1st grade
Sophia Barrie
2nd Grade
Aidan O'Rourke
McKenzie Kurz
Camryn O'Brien
Talia Sanfilippo
Bailey Passalaqua
Jamie Ewing
Curriculum
2020-2021 Statewide Assessments
On April 6, 2021, the United States Department of Education (USED), recognizing that “we are in the midst of a pandemic that requires real flexibility,” informed the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) that the administration of Start Strong assessments in fall 2021 will satisfy the federal statewide assessment requirement to administer general assessments in English language arts, mathematics, and science for the 2020-2021 school year. Therefore, there will be no spring 2021 administration of the New Jersey Student Learning Assessments (NJSLA). This flexibility shall apply only to the 2020-2021 school year.
End of the Year Assessments
Students will be completing their end of the year benchmark assessments during the month of May. Benchmark assessments are used to identify students’ academic strengths and weaknesses to guide future instruction.
Academic Support
Academic Support will be ending on May 27, 2021.
The Greenhouse
The greenhouse has opened! Folsom students planted romaine lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, and strawberries. The plants are in various classrooms now in hopes to be used in our May school wide Salad Competition. Each homeroom will submit a salad recipe and connection to why it is healthy to choose salad as a healthy snack. Stay tuned, the winners will be posted next month!
Talented and Gifted Program
On April 28, 2021, the middle school TAG students presented their projects. The students followed rubrics prepared by the Technology Student Association. The following projects were created by our students: Digital Photography Virtual Presentation, Inventions and Innovations (The Fun “N” Food Box), Off the Grid Model, Promotional Marketing Presentation, Children’s Story Virtual Presentation, Prepared Speech Presentation and Mechanical Engineering Project (Rube Goldberg Project).
Respectfully,
Mrs. Michele L. Hetzel M. Ed.
Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Folsom School District
609-561-8666 ext. 120
Chalk your Walk Law Day 2021
Nurse's Notes
Pollen! What you can do about it!
1. Avoid the outdoors when Pollen Index is high! https://www.pollen.com/forecast/extended/pollen/08037
2. If you need to go outside, avoid touching your face, especially your eyes!
3. Wash hands and face as soon as you come inside!
4. Change your mask after you are inside, wash reusable mask before using it again or use disposable masks and throw away after wearing outside.
5. Saline nasal spray can be used throughout the day and especially right before bed to decrease nasal irritation from the pollen.
6. Keep windows close in the house and car, use a humidifier at night.
7. Over-the-counter nasal sprays daily and allergy medications as needed.
If your child is experiencing a new dry cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste and/or smell keep home and see their doctor.
If you child is experiencing TWO or more of any of the other symptoms, keep home and see their doctor.
An adult, NEVER a student, must bring all medication, over-the-counter, prescription, eye drops, creams and or cough drops to school. Please contact Nurse Smith with questions.
Gym notes: A parent can ONLY write an excuse once per trimester. A doctor’s note to excuse gym is needed and a doctor’s note to resume participation in gym is needed.
Reminder...
No medication of any kind including over the counter drugs can be dispensed at the school without a Dr.'s prescription. All medication must be brought to school by a parent. Parents must sign a permission form before medicine can be dispensed.
Any new/changed health related information, especially medications should be reported to the Nurse.
Please forward all updated vaccination records and/or physicals ASAP to Nurse Smith. Even if you are 100% remote/Cohort C you still need proof of vaccinations and physicals as per the State of NJ.
Parent Portal COVID 19 screening tool, must be done the morning your child/ren are scheduled to come to school. If you do not complete the screening tool, a notification will be sent home.
Please keep your child home if they are not feeling well or are not themselves. Please contact the Nurse if you are unsure if your child should come to school.
Lisa Smith RN/CSN
School Nurse
Technology Tip
Click link for technology tips and tricks: https://www.smore.com/f2p50
Counselor’s Corner
“Compassion is the wish to see others free from suffering.” The Dalai Lama
“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” Ian Maclaren
“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view.. until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” Harper Lee, To Kill A Mockingbird
“Compassion is practically acquired knowledge. You must do it and practice diligently day by day.” Karen Armstrong
Compassion is the understanding or empathy for the suffering of others. In the Latin language, compassion means “co-suffering.”
A compassionate person is sensitive to the needs and suffering of others.
You can start the discussion on compassion with your child by asking these simple questions:
- What could you do to be more aware of the needs of others and show compassion?
- Why is it important to try to understand others and their feelings?
- How can being more compassionate improve our world?
Mrs. Sarah Doherty M.ED
School Counselor / Anti-Bullying Specialist
Phone: (609) 561-8666 ext 123
Email: SDoherty@folsomschool.org
Physical Education and Athletic Department
“Try and fail, but don’t fail to try.”
FITNESS TIPS: Tips to stay healthy
Stay active: The gyms may not be open, however, there are lots of safe alternatives to getting physical activity without going against the preventive best practices
Diet and nutrition: Practicing self-discipline and avoiding “emotional eating” due to stress that may be related to the drastic changes surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic
Stay connected: Talking with loved ones while in isolation can help reduce the anxiety and instances of feeling down
SOME FITNESS RESOURCES TO KEEP ACTIVE FOR LIFE:
· Go Noodle: Includes weekly activities on video as well as additional permanent videos. Also has an app with “video games” that require movement. http://family.gonoodle.com
· OPEN: Online Physical Education Network https://openphysed.org/activeschools/activehome
· Play works: Play at Home. https://www.playworks.org/get-involved/play-at-home/
· FIT Kids Home Fitness Program: https://fitkids.org/homeworkouts/
DON’T FORGET FOR PHYS. ED DAY: SNEAKERS, JACKETS, AND WATER BOTTLES
INJURIES or MEDICAL NOTES
Medical/injuries notes are submitted to office/Nurse Smith
Dates to Remember
3rd
NJM JA Day (Virtual) Grades 3,4,5.
11th
Home & School Fundraiser at Cold Cow 6:00-8:00 pm
12th
Home & School Meeting 6:00 pm (see Home & School Facebook page for location)
14th
Falcons Spirit Day! Wear your Folsom Spirit Gear!
3rd Trimester Progress Reports on Parent Portal
19th
8th Grade Graduation Pictures
21st
8th Grade Dinner Dance
25th
Board of Education Meeting 6:00 pm
28th
12:45 pm Dismissal International Day!
International Spirit - Students should wear their grades assigned International Colors!
31st
School Closed-Memorial Day
2021-2022 School Calendar
Scouts of America
Free Breakfast and Lunch Program
We are excited to announce that ALL students are eligible for free breakfast and lunch through June 2021. We are encouraging ALL students to take advantage of this benefit as this greatly helps our cafeteria.
With the return to 5 full days per week, beginning April 12th, the students attending in person will receive their free meals while in school. On Thursdays, all students will be given meals for 2 days (Saturday & Sunday) to take home with them. For the remote students only, we will continue to have meals available for pickup on Wednesdays from 10 am – 2 pm. The meals can be picked up outside the Cafeteria, by Door 14. There will be a sign indicating where to wait. We ask that everyone please ring the door bell by door 14 for assistance.
Again, all meals are free to ALL students through June 2021 and we encourage ALL families to take advantage of this benefit.
If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Debbie DeCicco at 609-561-8666 ext 119 or ddecicco@folsomschool.org.
Folsom School Apparel
Reminders
All personal items need to be labeled with your students name. Unidentified items not picked up will be donated.
A Driver License or Photo ID is needed when entering the school.
When sending payments in with your child, PLEASE send it in an envelope labeled with your child's name, homeroom teacher, and what the payment is for. CASH should never be sent in for Cafeteria payments. Visit the Parent Portal to make on line payments for lunch.
Anytime you are changing your child's dismissal routine, please send in a note.
Folsom Elementary School
Website: https://www.folsomschool.org
Location: 1357 Mays Landing Road, Hammonton, NJ, USA
Phone: 609-561-8666
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FolsomSchoolDistrictNJ/