WANTAGE SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
March 5 , 2010
FROM THE DESK OF MICHAEL GALL, PRINCIPAL
On behalf of the staff and students at Wantage School, I would like to thank all of the “Celebrity Readers” who came on Tuesday, March 2nd, to read to our students. It was a truly rewarding experience. We would also like to thank Saint Clare’s Hospital for donating their resources for our Cardiac Kids Program.
REMINDER: Progress Reports for the third marking period will go home with students on Wednesday, March 10th.
WINNER OF THE ENTHUSIASTIC READER OF NORTHWEST NEW JERSEY
Our school was lucky to have a student chosen as an “Enthusiastic Reader Winner” for the Northwest New Jersey Reading Council. We would like to congratulate Matthew C., grade 3, in Mrs. Schnetzer’s class, for winning this great honor.
The Northwest New Jersey Reading Council chooses only three “Enthusiastic Readers” from all the Sussex County schools.
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FRIENDLY’S “FUN”-RAISING NIGHTS
Help earn important dollars for the Sussex-Wantage P.T.O. Get together with family and friends to help us while you help yourself to some great food and ice cream! Simply Visit Friendly’s for our special “Fun-Raising” Night on Monday, March 29th, from 6:00 – 9:00 P.M. at the Sussex-A & P Plaza. Friendly’s will donate up to 10% of the proceeds to our fundraising efforts.
SKYHAWKS SCORE AN “A” READING PROGRAM
Bookmarks were sent home today for the “Skyhawks Score An “A” Reading Program.” Students are encouraged to read four books between now and April 30th. Those who read four (4) books are entitled to two free tickets for the baseball game on Tuesday, June 22nd at 7:00 PM. The night at the park is WONDERFUL! All students walk around the park as the schools cheer them on and then are given a complimentary meal. We encourage all students to participate. Tickets must be returned to school by Tuesday, May 4th. One class per grade level that reads the most books during this time will also win a “pizza party” sponsored by the principal.
TIPS FROM THE TEAM
Since it is “Love of Reading Week,” I thought I’d share some reading handbooks for parents to help us work together to improve literacy.
Put Reading First: The Research Building Blocks for Teaching Children to Read, is a great book that states, "The more models of fluent reading the children hear, the better....Reading to children also increases their knowledge of the world, their vocabulary, their familiarity with written language ('book language'), and their interest in reading."
Another great book that stresses the importance of reading to your children at any age is Mem Fox's Reading Magic: Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever. It’s a great book for parents on the importance of reading aloud to your child and gives the research of why reading aloud can help their performance in school and for the rest of their lives. According to Fox, "Experts in literacy and child development have discovered that if children know eight nursery rhymes by the time they're four years old, they're usually among the best readers by the time they're eight." Mem Fox is a former professor of literacy education and an author of children's books. This is an incredible read!
Lastly, The Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease states, “The single most important activity for building the knowledge required for eventual success is reading aloud to children." He points out, "This is not a book about teaching a child how to read; it's about teaching a child to want to read." It truly is an essential reference book for anyone interested in children's literature, and reading.
There is so much to learn from these books that I encourage you to find them in our local library. Robin M. Reese, Learning Disabilities Teacher-Consultant
DISCOUNT TICKETS FOR HERSHEY PARK
The Sussex-Wantage P.T.O. is offering discount tickets to Hershey Park! The tickets are good for any day during the 2010 season, May 1st – September 26th. Save $20/regular ticket off of the gate price. Tickets are $32.95 for Regular (ages 9-54); Junior $26.00 (ages 3-8); Senior Plus $19.95 (age 70+); and children ages 2 and under are FREE. Orders must be placed by Friday, March 26th, and please submit one check only made payable to the Sussex-Wantage P.T.O. Any questions, please contact Amy Haggerty at 973-702-7598 or 973-819-0556 (cell).
FOOD OF THE MONTH - CABBAGE
Students and staff tried cabbage dipped in light ranch dressing this week. Students were good sports and tried it! We want to thank the Route 23 Farmers Market for their donation, so to encourage our students to try new foods. A big “thank you” to our dedicated P.T.O. parents; Mrs. Brandt, Mrs. Quitadamo and Mrs. Pastore!
YEARBOOK SALE
It is time to plan for the purchase of your child’s copy of the annual school yearbook. Our yearbook this year, 2009-2010, will be titled, “Rainbows and Memories” and will contain pictures of grades one through five. It will also contain photos of faculty, staff, and clubs. It is an excellent memory book for years to come and now in Full Color!
We offer this exceptional value of 80 pages to you for a very reasonable price of $11.00 per copy. We are happy to be offering this yearbook at the same price as last year. We do ask parents to pre-order yearbooks now, as supplies are limited and we will have very few to sell in June to children who do not reserve early. This is our second color edition and we are excited about it.
To order your child’s copy, please send $11.00, CASH ONLY, in an envelope with the completed form, which was sent today separately with your child. Our Yearbook sale will start on Monday, March 8th and will end on Friday, March 26th. Be sure to order your child’s copy now. No orders will be accepted after March 26th. Any late orders will be filled in June, if extra copies are available.
JUMP ROPE FOR HEART IS COMING!!!
Please support Wantage School students as we “Jump Rope For Heart!!” During the week of March 8th, “Jump Rope For Heart” will take place during physical education class for all third, fourth and fifth grade Wantage School students who would like to raise money for the American Heart Association. “Jump Rope For Heart” is co-sponsored by the American Heart Association and the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. Of all school-aged children, 30-35% of them are at risk for heart disease! “Jump Rope For Heart” is a fun and exciting way to learn jump rope skills and receive the benefits of exercise, while raising money to fight heart disease and stroke.
Family and friends are welcome to support your child’s participation by making contributions. However, we ask that children NOT go door-to-door or ask strangers for donations. Checks should be made payable to the “American Heart Association.” All monies need to be in by Friday, March 12th. Have students give all donations to their physical education teacher, either Mrs. Thiele or Mr. Posey. Please support our students as they participate in this very worthwhile cause! Please contact Mrs. Thiele at the Wantage School at 973-875-4589 with any questions.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Wed., March 10th - 3rd Marking Period Progress Reports Issued to Students
Mon., March 22nd - Board of Ed. Public Meeting – 7:30 P.M. – Wantage gym
Wed., March 24th – Board of Ed. Work Session Meeting – 7:30 PM Wantage gym
Wed., March 31st – Board of Ed. Public Meeting – 7:30 P.M. – Sussex School Auditorium
