WANTAGE SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
January 29, 2010
FROM THE DESK OF MICHAEL GALL, PRINCIPAL
Important Reminder: Report cards were sent home today.
We would like to thank everyone who is helping with our Haiti fundraiser. The Wantage School held a "Hat Day" on January 22nd,to raise money for the earthquake victims in Haiti. Students and staff were allowed to wear a hat in school for a dollar or more donation. So far, the students and staff have raised $1,076.50. In addition, the school is collecting change in each classroom. All money raised will be donated to the American Red Cross.
MATH-A-THON
Math-A-Thon will continue all next week, as we have not received many responses. Students are participating in this program to raise money for St. Jude’s Research Hospital in Tennessee. This hospital works to cure cancer in children. No one is ever turned away for an inability to pay. This is a very worthy cause and we are hoping to get a better response next week. Please have all checks to Mrs. Keiber by Friday, February 5th.
NATIONAL SCHOOOL COUNSELING WEEK
February 1st -5th has been designated nation-wide as “National School Counseling Week.” This year, the theme is “Celebrate School Counseling.” The role of school counselors has changed over the years, from purely vocational/career services to a broader focus. Counselors today are certified professional educators who interact with all segments of the educational community; students, faculty, parents, and administrators in an attempt to help students reach their full potential. Counselors manage proactive programs designed to promote personal-social, educational and career development in students. This might involve individual and group counseling services, crisis management services, testing coordination, developmental guidance lessons in classrooms, collaborative efforts with school staff and Child Study Teams, and coordination of services between school and community. Even the “label” has changed, from “guidance counselor” to “school counselor.”
Please feel free to call Mrs. Nancy Moody, School Counselor, at 973-875-6121, if you have any questions about the counseling program here at the Wantage School.
This year, faculty of this district will participate in a “Jeans Day” on Friday, Feb. 5th, to raise money for the “Sussex County School Counselors Association Scholarship Fund.” We thank them for their support!!
CHILDREN’S ART BEREAVEMENT PROGRAM
Sponsored by the Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice in Newton, this program is designed for children ages 6-12, who have experienced the loss of a loved one through death. Trained counselors focus on meeting the individualized needs of grieving children through art. This series also helps children understand their own unique feelings in grief, allows them to come together with others who have also experienced the loss of a loved one, and provides an environment where they feel comfortable asking questions and expressing their fears about death. Activites in the past have included journaling, body tracings, mask making, scrap booking, and sock puppets. A simultaneous group is provided for parents or guardians. This group is educational and supportive in nature.
Registration for each session is limited. Pre-registration is required and there is a $60.00 fee to help cover the cost of materials and supplies (For “scholarship” information to help cover costs, contact Mrs. Moody here at school). The dates for this program are March 18, 25, April 1, 8 at the Quinlan Center, 99 Sparta Ave., Newton.
To register, contact Diana Sebzda or Lorri Opitz at 1-800-882-1117 or 973-383-0115.
FOOD OF THE MONTH
Rt. 23 Farmers Market has, again, graciously agreed to donate their fruits and vegetables for your children to taste. They are partnering with us to encourage the students to expand their choices of fruits and vegetables. Last week they tried star fruit, which is a juicy tropical fruit. It is a good source of vitamin C and full of fiber and antioxidants! Most of the students enjoyed this unusual fruit. We also want to thank the PTO for assisting us with this project! The following parents helped with washing and cutting the fruit: Mr. Greg Becker, Mrs. Sandy Brandt, Mrs. Tammy Pastore and Mrs. Laura Mason.
BOY SCOUTS 100TH ANNIVERSARY
“Calling all Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, both present and past!” A Candlelight Vigil Ceremony will be held on February 8, 2010 at 7:00 P.M. at the Hardyston Elementary School field to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Boy Scouts of America. If you are a scout or were a scout, you are invited to attend this event. The local Cub Scout Packs and Boy Scout Troops will be on hand for a short ceremony to commemorate this special occasion. For further information, call Mr. David Pasake at 973-827-7022 or see one of your local Cub Masters or Scout Masters.
REMINDER:
We are working with the Funding Factory. It is an organization that will allow us to recycle used ink cartridges and old, disconnected cell phones to earn points for athletic and technology equipment. It is an ongoing process, so students can bring in these items anytime and deposit them in a box located in the main office.
GRADE 4 PHYSICALS
Dr. Markel will be performing fourth grade physicals on the following classes, on Wednesday, February 10th: Mrs. Leanzo and Mrs. Nerlinger. Physical forms were given to fourth grade parents/guardians a couple of months ago. If you want Dr. Markel to do your child’s physical, please sign the form and send it in to Mrs. Fisher, if you have not done so already. If you need another form or have questions, please call (973) 875-3176. No physicals will be not if there is not a signed form by the parent/guardian.
STRENTHENING FAMILIES—2010
The Family Night Out, (Strengthening Families Program), meets weekly for 14 weeks and focuses on enhancing communication skills between family members, helping them to express their feelings and concerns to one another. Following a pizza supper, children and parents meet separately to learn new skills and discuss topics of interest. Special groups are provided for children ages 6-11 and teens ages 12-17. Additionally, free child care is offered for children under the age of six (6). Any family in Sussex County is eligible to participate and the program is offered free of charge through the Department of Human Services. They are currently accepting referrals and are interviewing families for our next session to begin in February. They will have two convenient locations in Byram and Sussex. Please contact Patrice DuPont at 973-383-4787 if you would like to participate in this program. They would like to make contact with families before the end of January to set up interviews, in order to reserve spots for the spring sessions.
“GIVE KIDS A SMILE PROGRAM!”
Free dental care offered for children ages 12 and under, on Friday, February 5th, at two locations in Sussex County!!! Children will be seen by appointment only! Parents/Guardians MUST CALL the selected location and make an appointment prior to “Give Kids a Smile Day!”
Also, ALL children MUST have a parental consent/medical history form filled out and signed at the time of treatment. Treatment WILL NOT be delivered without a signed consent form.
Please see or call Mrs. Fisher (973) 875-3176), for parental consent/medical form!!! The two locations and phone numbers are as follows: Skylands Dental Care, Wantage---- (973) 875-7127 and Neighborhood Health Svcs., Newton – (973) 383-7001! Please refer to the program’s website if you have questions, www.njda.org/gkas, or call Mr. Eric Elmore at (732) 821-9400.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Friday, January 29th - Report Cards sent home for 2nd making period
Tuesday, February 2nd - P.T.O. Meeting at Lawrence Library – 7:30 P.M.
Mon., Feb. 15th & Tues., Feb. 16th – School Closed – Presidents’ Holiday
