Principal Garcia's Newsletter
Friday, October 14, 2022
Torey J. Sabatini School
Important October Dates
- October 14 - Grade 5 Team Building Scavenger Hunt
- October 15 - Madison Bottle Hill Day
- October 17 - Schools CLOSED (Staff In-Service Day)
- October 18-21 - School Safety Week
- October 18 - SRO Officer Downs K-2 and 3-5 Safety Assemblies
- October 19 - Walk/Bike to School Day!
- October 20 - Grade K and 3 - TransOptions Safety Assembly
- October 21 - Fire Safety Assemblies
- October 21 - Kindergarten Awesome Art
- October 21 - PTO Pumpkin Patch after school
- October 24 - PTO Pumpkin Path after school (rain date)
- October 28 - PTO Sponsored Assembly, Hip Hop Fundamentals
- October 31 - Halloween Parade at 2:10 PM
Main Office Drop-Off Bin
News from Mrs. Bletcher in the Counseling Corner
Dear Parents,
We are excited to participate in the statewide School Safety Week from October 18-21. At Torey J. we always strive to provide students with age appropriate and meaningful educational activities. We have a variety of other wonderful, interactive and fun activities planned designed to enhance school climate, promote school safety and focus on student health and wellness.
The following is our agenda for Safety Week:
Tuesday, 10/18: Student Resource Officer, Tom Downs and the Madison Police Department will visit us to present important Halloween and internet safety tips to all students.
Wednesday, 10/19: Walk and bike to Torey J day! Please encourage your child to walk or ride a bicycle to school. Students in grade 4 will have the opportunity to view the AAA School Safety Patrol video, ask questions about the program and complete an application.
Thursday, 10/20: TransOptions, a NJ Department of Transportation Initiative will be presenting “Walk and Roll” and “Traffic Safety Town” programs to our kindergarten and third graders.
Friday, 10/21: Captain Edward Nunn and his team from the Madison Fire Department will present several Fire Safety assemblies for all grade levels. Kindergartens will have the opportunity to visit the fire truck.
The TJS staff and I look forward to engaging in these activities with your children!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Judy Bletcher
School Counselor
October is Dyslexia Awareness Month
Health Office Update from Mrs. Guarino
I would like to thank all of the families who have so graciously donated extra clothes for the nursing office. We have had several students who have utilized them already and are so lucky to have the ability to provide clean clothes when needed. I would also like to thank the families who have contributed to the cracker and water donations which we keep in the health office to provide to students who are feeling unwell. We are so lucky to be part of such a giving community, and appreciate all of the contributions.
Snacks:
While the crackers are reserved for sick children, I have had several students come into the health office stating that they do not have a snack from home. Please send your child to school with a healthy nut and peanut-free snack daily. Placing the snack in a different area of their backpack (instead of in their lunchbox) will help to ensure that it is not eaten or accidentally thrown away at lunch.
Halloween Celebrations:
Prior to classroom celebrations, you will be receiving an email from your child’s classroom teacher regarding the treat that will be provided to the students (coordinated by the class parents and teacher). Within this email, teachers will be sending a description of the treat, ingredients, and a permission form. Please note that this form is to be signed ONLY by parents of students with food allergies and returned to their classroom teacher. If there is any other reason you would NOT like your child to have the treat, please inform their teacher.
Flu and Covid-19 Vaccinations:
Please touch base with your child’s pediatrician regarding the flu and Covid-19 vaccinations. This year’s flu season is predicted to be one of the worst in the last five years, and vaccination can help prevent infection and reduce the incidence and severity of symptoms. The CDC recommends a flu vaccine be given prior to the end of October to ensure full coverage before flu season begins. The FDA and CDC also recently authorized the updated Covid-19 vaccine for children aged 5-11 years old which includes coverage of the most current Omicron variants (BA.4 and BA.5).
As always, please feel free to reach out to me with any questions, suggestions or concerns.
Kind Regards,Carrie Guarino, RN
Staff Spotlight
Kindergarten Teacher, Mrs. Rachel Lemon
Hi! I'm Rachel Lemon, and this is my second year teaching at TJS! I currently teach Kindergarten, and last year I taught First Grade. Teaching at Torey is extra special to me because I actually WENT to TJS when I was in school! I was born and raised in Madison, and I fell in love with learning when I was a student at Torey, and so being able to teach here is absolutely a dream come true.
After graduating from Madison High School (Go Dodgers!), I went to Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA. I double-majored in Psychology and Dance. I moved to Michigan when I married my husband, Brian, 15 years ago. I worked as an Event Marketing Representative for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital for 3 years, but I realized my favorite part of that job was when I was educating the public about St. Jude and soon decided it was time to become a teacher. I attended the University of Michigan’s ELMAC (Elementary Masters and Teaching Certification) program, and graduated in 2011.
I taught Kindergarten in Michigan for 3 years, and took some time off to raise our growing family. While at home, I worked part-time as an Application Review Specialist for U of M. Reading applications for undergraduate admissions gave me a unique perspective of where my students are headed!
We moved our family back to Madison a little over a year ago. We have 4 fantastic kids: Lucy, 10, Ben, 8, and twins Jack and Henry, 6. I am never bored! They all attend Central Avenue School. In our free time, my family and I love to watch Lego Masters together, play board games, and walk downtown to - of course - McCools or Tons of Toys! In my rare spare time, I enjoy reading, jogging, and baking.
Thanks for reading about me! I love being a part of the TJS family!
Second Grade Teacher, Mrs. Tonya Galinsky
My name is Mrs. Tonya Galinsky. I have been at Torey J. for 6 years, teaching first and second grade. Most of my time here I have been known as Ms. Robertson. My husband, Matt, and I got married in May 2022. Matt and I are big Packers fans! This year on the first day of school, we rescued a Golden Retriever puppy, Sadie! She is 4 months old and is the most adorable puppy in the world! I love spending time with Sadie and teaching her new tricks. I like to stay active by exercising, skiing, hiking, and I even play in a women’s soccer league. Some of my other hobbies include crafting and making cards. I enjoy technology and creating things on the computer, too.
I’ve always wanted to be a teacher! I grew up playing school everyday. When I was in Kindergarten, my mom called my teacher because she couldn’t believe how much homework I was getting! Little did my mom know, I was doing my homework multiple times to correct “my students work”. As time went on, I realized working with children was my aspiration for the future! I went to college at Kean University and studied Early Childhood Education and Sustainability Science. After college, I had two short maternity leave replacement jobs and then I got my first full time position. While in another district, I earned my Masters Degree in Educational Technology from American College of Education. Then, I came to Torey J. where I taught first grade for 3 years and also took an additional 10 graduate level courses though Augustana University where I concentrated my studies in K-2 Literacy and Differentiated Instruction. This is my third year teaching second grade and I love it! I have a true passion for the primary grades because I love helping students learn their foundational skills. I strive to create a love for learning and a positive experience at school. I believe it’s so important to establish a connection with students by getting to know their interests and personal lives. I look forward to the rest of the school year!
TJS Halloween Information
Mrs. DeMarco's First Graders enjoying some pumpkin fun as they Launch their Next Writing Unit on Small Moment Stories!
News from the PTO
Thanks to all who signed up for next Friday’s Pumpkin Patch! We look forward to picking and decorating pumpkins together. We have so many families registered! If you’d like to help out that day, we can use many hands!
TJS PTO: Pumpkin Patch Volunteers (signupgenius.com)
The TJS Read-a-Thon kicked off this week! We hope your children are motivated to read, while also raising money for TJS. It’s not too late to register your child.
Save the Date! Nov 19th
Turkey Trot and Scholastic Book Fair - join us for an early morning trot around the block ending with hot chocolate and treats at the Book Fair.
We’re looking for Volunteers! Reach out to Lindsey & Sara at presidents.tjspto@gmail.com if you’d like to help out on these committees:
-Playground Phase 2
-3rd Grade Learning Garden Representative
-Square One Art Fundraiser
News from the MEF
Visit the MEF booth at the rescheduled Bottle Hill Day on Saturday, October 15th. Enter our 50/50, spin the “grant” wheel and see some of our grants in action.
News from Madison Music & Arts (MMA)
Madison Music & Arts will be holding a general information meeting on Tuesday, October 18 at 7:00 pm in MHS "A" Hall Conference Room. We will be discussing art, music, and theatre programs in Madison, our recent grants, upcoming events, and volunteer opportunities. All are invited to attend! In addition, please be sure to become a patron of the arts at donate.madisonmusicarts.org. Also, T-Shirt sales for elementary concerts (4th & 5th grades) are ongoing. The link is merchandise.madisonmusicarts.org. The deadline is Monday, October 24, 2022.