Intermediate East Newsletter
From the Desk of Principal Madigan, May 24, 2023
On the occasion of Memorial Day, let us bow our heads in silence to remember and honor the sacrifices of hundreds of men and women who gave their lives for this country. Happy Memorial Day. We are honored to be carrying such a strong legacy of brave American soldiers who are real-life heroes.
JUST A REMINDER: SCHOOL IS CLOSED ON MAY 29 FOR MEMORIAL DAY
CONGRATULATIONS MATH TEAM!
GREAT JOB INTERMEDIATE EAST TRACK TEAM!
END OF THE YEAR EXPECTATIONS
As our school approaches the final weeks of the year, and as we recognize all the efforts of our students and staff to maintain our school’s reputation of excellence, we want the year to end on a positive note. As we head into the last weeks of school, please continue to focus on the academic area as we close the fourth marking period. To that end, we encourage the behavior of all to focus on the educational mission of our school; any disruptions to that focus will be dealt with severely. Consequences will result in the loss of privileges and opportunities which may include the dance , the graduation ceremony, and other end of the year celebrations. I ask that all parents discuss the serious ramifications that a poor decision may present to a student as we end the year. I encourage all to end the 2022-23 school year on a positive note.
MENTAL HEALTH AWARNESS MONTH
INCOMING 6TH GRADERS!
SPORTS
Please be advised that if your child is interested in trying out for any sport, including intramurals and cheerleading at Intermediate East, he/she is required to have a sports physical to do so. You can click here for a District Sports Medical Packet
If your child is planning to try out for a fall sport ( Soccer, Field Hockey, Cross Country, Volleyball, Cheerleading, and Intramurals ), he/she must turn in a sports medical packet to the main office at least two weeks prior to the first day of school. Physicals brought in after August 18th for Fall Sports may not be cleared in time for try-outs. There is a login sheet when you drop off your packet. Please note, you may drop off the packet for the 23/24 school year to Intermediate East beginning the last week in June.
Fall Sport tryouts at the Intermediate level usually begin the first week of school, and no student will be able to try out without a cleared physical from their own doctor. In addition, all sports physicals must be cleared by the school physician prior to tryouts, which can take up to two weeks. Only physicals that are signed, stamped, and contain the signed cardiac assessment module will be considered completed and valid.
Please note that the DATE OF THE EXAM ON A PHYSICAL is only good for one year from the date of exam. It does not go by the date that you hand it in to the school.
HEALTH HISTORY UPDATE QUESTIONNAIRE form will need to be completed to update a student’s health history for every new sport season (Fall, Winter, Spring). You will also need this form if a sport was not played within 90 days of the date on the physical. This form (green) is available in the Main Office.
IMMUNIZATIONS
The State of New Jersey requires all students born after January 1, 1997 and entering grade 6 to receive a booster dose of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (TDAP) vaccine as well as one dose of meningococcal vaccine (Menactra). These immunizations are given ON/AFTER THE STUDENT’S 11th BIRTHDAY. If your child is 11 years of age as of September 5, 2023, please make sure to bring proof of these vaccines before the start of school. You may drop off the immunization record for the 23/24 school year to Intermediate East beginning the last week in June.
ORIENTATION
Our 6th Grade and New Student Orientation is set for August 29, 2023 with two sessions, 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., depending on your last name. Please be advised this will be the only opportunity for you and your child to get a tour of the school and receive important information for the upcoming school year. Please keep this date in mind when scheduling vacations and/or appointments. The Nurses will be available during orientation if you have medication that needs to be brought in; otherwise, you will have to bring it on the first day of school. Medication should not be sent in with your child.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call Intermediate East main office at 732-505-5775 ext. 7.
ON BEHALF OF OUR ATTENDANCE COMMITTEE
VIRTUAL DAY JUNE 6TH
8TH GRADE INFORMATION
GRADUATION GOWNS AND T-SHIRTS WILL GO HOME WITH THE STUDENTS. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU SENT IN $20 FOR THE GOWN.
JUNE 7TH
LAWN SIGN PICK UP AT DOOR 1 FROM 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM.
JUNE 9TH
8TH GRADE DANCE - 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Only eighth-graders from Intermediate East may attend this dance. All eighth-graders are invited to attend this dance; there is no charge for admission. Please remember this is an eighth-grade dance, NOT a prom. Although you should dress neatly, there is no need to spend excessively. If you are absent on June 9th you are not allowed to attend the dance. Eighth graders who are suspended from school on that date are ineligible to attend and participate in the dance. Let’s work together to make this event a happy, relaxed and safe night for all. PLEASE BE PROMPT FOR PICK-UP AT 7:30 PM.
JUNE 12
5 GRADUATION TICKETS WILL GO HOME WITH STUDENTS. PLEASE KEEP THESE IN A SAFE LOCATION AS THERE ARE NO EXTRAS. 3 YEARS AND OLDER WILL NEED A TICKET TO ENTER THE ARENA.
JUNE 15
8TH GRADE GRADUATION 6:00 PM -CLICK HERE FOR PARENT LETTER AND CEREMONY MAP
JUNE 16
8TH GRADE SEND OFF - OUR 8TH GRADE STUDENTS WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SIGN YEARBOOKS AND CELEBRATE WITH THEIR FRIENDS AND OTHER CLASSMATES.
ON BEHALF OF MRS. ZUZIC - STUDENT ASSISTANT COORDINATOR
Sources of Stress and Anxiety for Middle School Students
If your middle schooler is experiencing anxiety, it’s important to identify the source of that anxiety and take steps to reduce it. Below is a look at some of the most common sources of stress that middle schoolers might experience.
1. Change of Location
One of the most common causes of stress and anxiety for middle school students is often the most straightforward—a change of place. Moving from the comfort and familiarity of an elementary school to a new and unfamiliar middle school can naturally push a child outside of their comfort zone. Similarly, a middle school student approaching high school might feel the same way about their pending next step. Ensuring that your child feels supported and heard during this transition can help to assuage their concerns.
2. The Realities of Distance Learning
The emergence of COVID-19 in the past year and the shift to distance learning has forced students of all ages to become technologically savvy relatively quickly as they rely on online platforms from Zoom to Google Classroom to learn from home and complete their work. While this has become second nature already for many students, distance learning is an entirely new way of learning, and it’s only normal that some students might be overwhelmed by the fact that on top of learning, they must essentially learn a new way to learn. Identifying ways of supporting your child’s education without the use of screens can be an excellent way of reducing their screen time and reminding them that this is temporary.
3. Self-Discovery
Middle school is a time of self-discovery. Children are not only discovering their existing role within their family, school, and greater community, but are realizing that they have the agency to change this role if they see fit. As children begin to flex these muscles, it is not uncommon that they might experience growing pains associated with changing friendship dynamics and more. Learning to advocate for themselves amongst their peers, and away from the watchful gaze of their parents allows children to increase their sense of independence, but can also instill a sense of anxiety and stress they hadn’t experienced before.
4. Workload
As students enter middle school, or prepare for high school, they will find that their workload increases by leaps and bounds. They stop “learning to read” and begin “reading to learn,” and with that comes hours of homework, substantial projects, and preparation for standardized testing. That’s enough to cause adults a fair amount of anxiety and stress, so young learners need help to better manage their time and schedule to meet the new workload head on.
Tips for Easing Middle School Anxiety
1. Establish a routine.
Children of all ages respond well to established routines. The same way a set bedtime schedule soothed your child as a youngster, so too will your middle school find comfort in maintaining a routine. Children find comfort in the certainty of a routine, and activities like exercise, healthy eating, proper sleep and relaxation can all be incorporated into a daily/weekly regimen to help students feel in control and manage their new responsibilities effectively and in a way that reduces stress. These routines provide children with the confidence to manage current stressors, and the confidence to meet new changes/roadblocks that may come their way.
2. Communicate.
Communication is key when helping children with stress and anxiety. By simply asking questions, caregivers can help students identify the stressors in their lives, and work with them to develop coping mechanisms to handle the roadblocks that they encounter. The simple act of identifying a stressor gives children a sense of control in that they can avoid them – like avoiding situations or people that cause them anxiety—or work through them—like the stress that accompanies test taking after lack of studying, or conflicts with friends.
Ultimately, communicating with your child and acknowledging that their feelings are real and valid will help them feel secure and will bolster their sense of confidence as they face their stressors and challenges.
3. Work together with teachers.
As the individuals who work closely with your child throughout their middle school tenure, your teachers should be the first line of defense when it comes to battling stress and anxiety. As the eyes and ears of your student’s school, they likely have more insight into how their student is behaving at school, and what could be causing their anxiety or stress.
4. Get support.
Reaching out to your student’s school is always your best resource for supporting your child. Schools employ counselors and administrators trained to spot the signs of stress and anxiety, and have a vast toolbox of tactics to help students and parents manage stressors inside and outside of school.
Empowering Your Child for Joy-Filled Learning
Middle school is a time of significant change for many students, but this does not mean that it must be a time of increased stress or anxiety. If you’ve found that your child is having difficulty transitioning into middle school, there are steps that you can take in partnership with your child’s school to resolve the issue and set them on a path toward a life-long love of learning.
TRIE WEEKLY SHINING STARS
Students that have been recognized by their teachers for displaying diligence, completing their assignments on time, being positive role models, and showing a strong effort to learn subject matter are being recognized on our building website. These students have demonstrated what it means to be "Rocket Ready". Follow the link below to see our weekly Shining Stars.
NATIONAL IMMIGRANT HERIGAGE CELEBRATION FLYER
TOMS RIVER POLICE CAMP
Applications for this free camp will be available in the main office at Intermediate East or you can print out the attached copy. The camp is for current 6th through 8th grade Toms River students. The camp is from July 10-14 from 8:30am-3:00pm. Campers must supply their own gym clothes/sneakers and lunch for the week. More information is on the application itself or you can email Lieutenant Gene Bachonski at gbachonski@trpolice.org.
UPDATE
As we begin the New Year, we would appreciate that you limit picking up your child early from school. We will be having our Safety Officer monitoring early pickups.
We do understand some doctors’ appointments are inevitable during the school day, so we request you present a Doctors’ note with your intended appointment visible.
We will not be disrupting classrooms AFTER 1:30PM, as we have noticed many distractions to the learning environment when many of our students are leaving school early.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we make sure student's education is not being interfered with.