The Monroe Messenger
Parent Newsletter
June 2023
A Message from the Principal
Dear James Monroe Families,
We can't believe it is the last and final month of school. It has been a year of growth and learning! We hope that our classrooms have sparked curiosity in your children so that they will continue to wonder and explore over the summer.
Important June Dates:
- May 31st & June 1st - The Lion King, Jr. at 7:00 p.m.
- June 6th - 5th Grade Fun Day
- June 6th - Kick of to Summer Event and Trivia Night
- June 8th - Kinder Concert at 2:00 p.m.
- June 8th - Final PTO Meeting
- June 10th - Color Run
- June 14th - 5th Grade Moving Up Ceremony
- June 15th - Class Parties
- June 20th - Last Day!
We hope you have an enjoyable summer and we will see you in September!
Warmly,
Cynthia Tufaro, principal
Maggie Callahan, assistant principal
Field Day Highlights
Thank you to all the volunteers, PTO and staff for helping to support such a wonderful field day! We were so lucky the weather cooperated this year.
Mr. Fernandez and Mrs. Reif planned an extra special day...Not only was it E for Exercise Day, but everyone was exhausted by the end of the day!
June Calendar
Subscription Bussing 23-24
Register Now!
Will your child need a bus for next year? Apply for a bus now to ensure that your child has transportation for the start of the new school year.
The subscription bussing application is now available on Genesis Parent Portal for the 2023-2024 school year. Please fill out the form and submit it before the deadline on June 30th 2023.
Bizworld Bazaar
As part of our fifth grade curriculum, students learn about running a business and financial literacy through a project based learning approach. Their culminating activity includes selling the items they have created and determining if they made a profit after their expenses. All students at the school will have the chance to shop and check out their products at the Bizworld Bazaar on June 9th. The profits from the Bazaar will be donated to a charity determined by the students in fifth grade.
YMCA Childcare is Back!
Apply Now!
We are excited to announce another childcare option for our families at the Metuchen YMCA. Please see the attached form to register your child for beforecare or aftercare for the new school year to guarantee a spot. Transportation will be provided. Please complete the attached application and return to:
YMCA of MEWSA
attn: Cindy Shields, Child Care Director
483 Middlesex Ave.
Metuchen, NJ 08840
Color Run Registration - June 10th
Join us for a colorful run around the school on June 10th at 9:00 am. The first 150 people will receive a commemorative shirt. Please help support our PTO.
May's Whoos News
Our Media Club has been busy creating and capturing content for their monthly video report. Check out the May Report and meet our team!
Lion King - May 31st and June 1st
Can you feel the love tonight?
The Lion King is roaring into town this week with electrifying performances on May 31st and June 1st. Our cast and crew has put in many hours practicing to make this magical production come to life under the direction of Mrs. Meagan Sanchez and Mrs. Lisa Romeo. Backstage crew and set design created the scenes which make Pride Rock emerge on the James Monroe stage thanks to Ms. Maureen Speckin and Ms. Danielle Buzy. Our tech team made sure the cast sounded spectacular thanks to Mr. Rossi, Ms. Ford and Mr. Fernandez. It certainly takes a village to create this circle of life with more than half of the school involved in someway. Our production couldn't have happened without the entire James Monroe staff who embraces a creative environment for our students. Congratulation to the cast and crew of The Lion King! Here is a sneak peek during our dress rehearsal from our talented resident photographer, Mrs. Amy Donner! The Thursday, June 1st production will be recorded and presented on our local Edison network television.
Community STEM Day at JP Stevens H.S.
5th Grade Moving Up Ceremony
Happy News
Congratulations to ...
Nivaan Shrivastava for placing third in his age bracket in the Chess Nationals in Baltimore at the beginning of May!
PTO meeting - June 8th
Volunteer Appreciation Dinner
Please join us in the cafeteria for our next PTO meeting on June 8th at 6:00 pm to thank our PTO volunteers. RSVP by June 6th.
PTO Fudge Fundraiser
Summer Showdown
Trivia Night
Please register now for our Kick-Off to our free Summer Trivia Night event on June 6th! See details below. Space is limited, so be sure to register your family up for this fun year-end event using the QR code!
Kinder Concert
Field Trip Flashback
Highlights from our recent field trips sponsored by the PTO!
Thank you for supporting our PTO fundraising efforts. Our students were able to explore and go on exciting adventures to build their experiences!
First Grade - Staten Island Zoo
Fourth Grade Field Trip - Liberty Science Center
Second Grade - Jenkinson's Aquarium
ESL Trip- Somerset Patriots Game
Kindergarten Registration 23-24 Now Open
Visit the Edison Public Schools Website to learn more about how to register your incoming Kindergarten student.
Dual Language Academy
Visit the Dual Language Academy website for more information.
The Public Schools of Edison Township is proud to offer a Dual Language Academy (DLA) to be located at Washington Elementary School. In this dual language program, students will be taught literacy and academic content in both English and Spanish. The DLA will be a full-time program of instruction running from Grade K through 5th grade that provides structured English language instruction, as well as instruction in Spanish, in all core content areas.All Edison School District students are eligible to apply for the program prior to the start of kindergarten.
A Message from Mrs. Sclafani - School Nurse
June 2023 Newsletter
Special Announcements and Checklists:
As this school year comes to a close, kindly note the following important information:
Pick up medications that are in the nurse’s office - those that are not picked up are thrown away. You must call to arrange a day and time to pick up and sign for it.
Treatment Forms and Medication Forms for next year are in the links below for you to print and take with you to the doctor. Every new school year requires a new form from your student’s doctor.
Severe Allergy Treatment Plan: (2-pages must be completed) https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1577381589/edisonk12njus/kfb6fgadkf2c3uuewmup/Form30A.pdf
Asthma Treatment Plan: (2-pages must be completed) https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1577381589/edisonk12njus/ida65ud3pgjp7h6mcahb/Asthma-Treatment-Plan-STUDENT-MAY-2017.pdf
Diabetes Medical Management Plan: (Multiple Pages)
Seizure Action Plan: (Multiple Pages)
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bPFctY_dWGvCZdqPBse6VlfGNEp1qcJNpvRAqk2JVCI/edit
Medication Form HS #7: This is for any medication not part of the above plans that your student can use in the nurse’s office, even over-the-counter medications need this form. Students are not permitted to carry any medications unless they are permitted by NJDOE regulations and have this form and completed self-carry and self-administration forms signed by the students health care provider.
https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1577381589/edisonk12njus/hroof0w8v7gv6cbl7llf/Form7.pdf
If your child needs medication next year, please bring the completed and signed paperwork (above) to school the first day of school in September, WITH the medication/s. By law, they cannot be administered without an order. The nurse cannot accept medications that are not accompanied by the completed treatment plans order forms listed above.
- Please remember to sign the parent permission form, obtain a doctor’s signature for all prescription and non-prescription medications, and assure the doctor has filled in the dosage, frequency, and symptoms for administration. All medication must be brought to school in the original container by a parent or guardian.
**Children are not permitted to transport medications**
If your child has a special diet or health concern please inform the nurse’s office by emailing kathleen.sclafani@edison.k12.nj.us so that a health care plan can be created for the new school year. It is recommended that you contact the school district’s food service, Maschio’s, to review menu options when your student has food allergies. The following will provide contact and other information for you to consult with a dietician: https://maschiofood.com/food-allergy-management/ Should you have any questions, feel free to contact me by calling 732-452-2970 X62004 or via email listed above.
Students going into Sixth Grade
Letters went out to all 5th Graders regarding the 6th Grade Immunization requirements for entry into Middle Schools. Please be sure to make your doctor appointments to have your student/s receive these, and have their updated records sent to the nurse’s office before June 9, 2023 (After June 9, send them to your child’s middle school nurse’s office). Read below if your student is interested in signing up for a school sport in the fall.
Sports Physicals are required for all Sports in Middle School. Students interested in joining a Fall Sport team or intramural, must obtain a sports physical from their physician. The Sports Physical forms are due in the MIDDLE SCHOOL NURSE’S office by July 7, 2023. There is no grace period for late entries. Forms returned AFTER the 7/7/2023 due date will not be cleared to participate PRIOR TO the 1ST practice session. Please Do Not Send your student’s sports physicals to the James Monroe Elementary School nurse’s office after June 9, 2023, they will not be received in time to be sent to the Middle School for the July deadline.
• Preparticipation Physical Evaluation (4 pages): https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1577381589/edisonk12njus/qjxk5nwugsl5cedlmyai/athleticphysicalsform4-2015-HS-14.pdf
•To participate on a school-sponsored interscholastic or intramural athletic team or squad, each student whose Sport preparticipation physical examination (HS Form #14A) was completed more than 90 days prior to the first day of official practice MUST also provide a Health History Update Questionnaire (HS Form #14G) (link below) of medical issues experienced since the last medical examination, completed and signed by the student’s parent or guardian.
•Link to Health History Update Questionairre (1 page): https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1582835868/edisonk12njus/zulebou1inkeel2a3wiw/HSForm14GHealthHistoryforanUpdatedPhysical-3-1-2018-2017.pdf
Please have a safe and enjoyable summer James Monroe Owls! We look forward to seeing you in September!!
-- Nurse Kathy Sclafani
Breakfast and Lunch Information
Snacks!
Children can purchase ONE snack after they eat lunch on Tuesday and Thursdays!