The Monroe Messenger

Dear James Monroe Families,

February is always a busy and fast month with the hundredth day of school (I know...we can't believe it either!), Valentine's Day, President's Day, Black History Month and more. There is always so much to learn and accomplish. We feel it is even more criticial with the unending sadness in the news, that we slow down and emphasize the social emotional skill of kindness.

Our February theme will be kindness! Each and every morning, we recite the Monroe Motto which includes these simple but powerful words "Choose Kindness", however we will practice ways to show acts of kindness throughout our day, both at school and at home. We hope you will join us in this mission!

We look forward to seeing you this month at our upcoming PTO Someone Special Dance on February 10th.

Warmly,

Cynthia Tufaro, principal

Maggie Callahan, assistant principal

Please follow these procedures due to increased traffic in the circle each morning because of before school activities. ALWAYS DRIVE SAFELY AND SLOWLY AROUND THE SCHOOL.

Academy/ESL Club/ Rainbows

1. Pull up to the main circle. If there is space, pull ahead of the front main doors.

2. Parents remain in the vehicle and make sure your child is ready to exit the vehicle with their backpack.

3. Do not leave children unattended. Teachers open the doors at 8:00 a.m.

Clubs (Robotics, Media, Chorus, Sports)

1. Pull up to the side door (door #6 or gym doors for sports club).

2. Parents remain in the vehicle and make sure your child is ready to exit the vehicle with their backpack.

3. Do not leave children unattended. Do not arrive before the start time for your child’s club.

Our music program thrives at James Monroe with more than 100 students involved in band, orchestra and chorus. On January 19th, Mrs. Sanchez and Ms. Ford showcased their talent at our Winter Concert. In just four short months, the children have learned how to read music and perform songs. We are so proud of our students for the extra time and practice it takes to accomplish this skill!

It's here! Wishes do come true! Special thanks to the Edison Board of Education for granting our physical education teachers, Mrs. Reif and Mr. Fernandez funds to install a rock wall in our gym. This new feature benefits the entire school community. Over the course of the month, students will be introduced to the rock wall in classes and learn safety tips for climbing. This is really going to ROCK their world!

We are currently in the process of restocking our “Makerspace” area in our library. The Makerspace allows students to create, collaborate, engineer, design and develop problem solving skills! However, in order for all of these wonderful things to happen for our students, we need your help! If you are able, we would appreciate any donation that you are willing to provide! Please do not send anymore cardboard. Thank you!

Our Physical Education teachers are bringing the American Heart Association's “Kids Heart Challenge” back to James Monroe! With your help and support, students can register online and donate towards this program. The program is trying to teach our students to keep their hearts and brains healthy and get moving with fun activities.

All money donated will go to the American Heart Association which supports scientific research and accelerating science, improving quality of medical care, preventing e-cigarette and tobacco use in youth, and improving nutrition. The Kids Heart Challenge will run the week of February 21st - 24th during all physical education classes. The students will participate in fun station activities to get their bodies moving and heart pumping regardless of donations.

If you would like to donate, please use the link below to register your child and donate.

James Monroe Elementary School Kids Heart Challenge

If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Reif or Mr. Fernandez

First grade classes came together for a celebration of our rich and diverse community. Parents took a museum walk through our gallery and students had an opportunity to present information about the culture they selected research! We are very proud of everyone's hard work and thank the first grade teachers for planning this special event.

Our January edition of Whoo's in the News is a collaborative production by the Media Club! We are so proud of our students for creating such a wonderful highlight video for the month of January!

We are always excited to share accomplishments by our students with the school community! Please let us know any "Happy News".

Yasmine Echchachoui in 5th grade proudly represented James Monroe this year at Edison's Martin Luther King's Observance Contest, and she was amongst the winners for her artwork. Congratulations!

ARRIVAL - Please check the owl sign in the front window for arrival procedures daily depending on the weather/temperature. An announcement will be made as well. Students will enter the building at 8:45 a.m. on inclement weather days.

• DO NOT ARRIVE BEFORE 8:45 A.M.
• DRESS WARMLY
• ALL FAMILIES MUST WAIT ON THE SIDE BLACKTOP AREAS.

DRESS FOR PLAY - Please remember to check the weather for the need for WARM coats, gloves, scarves and hats. We will go outside for recess as long as the "real feel" is above 32 degrees for healthy fresh air and exercise!

The Young American Poetry Society is looking for entries to publish in this year’s digest. If interested, please pick up an entry form from the Library. You may return your original poems to the Library and they will be mailed in to be reviewed by their committee. They feature Haiku poetry but all forms of poetry are welcome. Poems must be 80 words or less. Poems are due to the Library by March 10th. For more information please visit www.youngpoets.org We are looking forward to seeing our creative Owls at work!

Each class will get the chance to visit the Scholastic Book Fair during the school day during January 30th - February 1st. You can also preview the books or make purchases online using this link. Shop with your child during the Book Fair Bingo event held on Februrary 1st at 6 pm.

https://www.scholastic.com/bf/jamesmonroeelementaryschool1

Credit cards are accepted online.

Join us for some shopping and bingo on February 1st from 6:00 - 7:30 pm. Children can win prizes and families will have time to shop together at the Book Fair.

We are getting ready for our upcoming Multicultural Night and seek families to volunteer. Click here if you are interested in helping. https://forms.gle/rfbFZWysX66rGi8T9

Please join us in the cafeteria or virtually at or next PTO meeting on February 7th at 6:00 pm. A link will be shared to join virtually as well before the meeting.

Thank you to our parents for welcoming back our staff with a delicious Waffle Bar. Our teachers enjoyed making their own mini waffles and adding toppings! These thoughtful acts of appreciation show our teachers just how grateful our PTO and parents are for their hard work and dedication.

“There’s no mountain too great. Hear those words and have faith…”

These are the words Rafiki tells Simba and words that our James Monroe community has continued to instill in our students- Nothing is too great when we come together.

This year, the James Monroe Drama Club, under the direction of Mrs. Meagan Sanchez and Mrs. Lisa Romeo, has decided to journey to Pride Rock where teamwork and the power of believing in yourself reign.

We started out this year’s production of The Lion King Kids , in December at our interest meeting and received a record 159 responses from grades 3 through 5.

Students participated in a Q & A session with the directors to learn about the various Drama Club opportunities. 50 students decided they wanted to be considered for a featured role. This year, students had the opportunity to submit a FlipGrid audition reel and sing a few bars of The Circle of Life! From that group, 30 third through fifth graders participated in a week-long audition process where they read some lines from the script and interacted with other actors. The directors listened to them perform dialogue and monologues from different characters. This intense process proved challenging this year as we had such a large pool of talent from which to choose.

When the leads were announced, the smiles on not only the faces of the actors but their fellow castmates were joyful beyond belief . The rewards are tenfold as this experience provides such a sense of community and truly speaks to our building mantra: #choosekindness.

We look forward to starting rehearsals in February, and working together to tell the story of The Lion King!

Stay tuned for forthcoming information for interested students in grade K-2 to be a part of our opening numbers!

Many students are being sent to school with symptoms of infectious illness after receiving medications to hide fevers and other illness symptoms. Choosing to do this directly affects all students and their families, and all faculty and their families during this infectious Influenza and Virus season.

James Monroe School has students and staff who cannot fight off infection as well as other children and adults, which may land them in the hospital. Please contact me if you are unsure if your child needs to stay home to avoid causing illness to their friends, classmates and teachers.

Choices affect more than just one family.

PLEASE BE CONSIDERATE OF OTHERS! Thank you 🙂

Kindly Consult This Chart For Assistance

Children can purchase snacks after they eat lunch on Tuesday and Thursdays!