Monday, May 2, 2011

Principal's May Newsletter

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Here we are entering our last six weeks of school. It is absolutely amazing how quickly this year has gone.

The month of April included our monthly staples such as the Intergenerational Lunch and our Parent University and also included new additions to our yearly calendar with our Take Your Parents to School Day and The South Edison Orchestra Festival. These additions were true highlights for the month.

Our first grade, through the generosity of the PTO visited the Staten Island Museum and enjoyed all that it had to offer on a picture perfect day.

The annual MC Food drive was extremely successful. It brought much needed food to families in need. Thanks to Mrs. Allison Sciarrillo for spearheading this initiative. She and Christine Amberger have also helped to coordinate the Computers for Education initiative which grossed us over $700 which is used for my pizza lunches with the students. Thank you to all who participated.

The best way to end the month was with the passing of the School Budget. With its passing, our school will definitely benefit with the addition of two classes to alleviate the overcrowding in some grades. We will also be growing in technology to add to our wonderful Computer Lab.

May is a down to business month where our third through fifth graders will be “strutting their stuff” on the NJ ASK. These tests are so important for proper funding and for driving instruction for your children for the coming school year. The data derived from these assessments give us a clear picture of what additional skills are needed for your child or what work could be more challenging so to continue your child’s academic growth. Please encourage your child to do the best that he/she can the next few weeks and have them get a good night sleep and a hearty breakfast.

The test schedule is as follows:
NJ ASK-Grade 5 will be administered on May 3-6
NJ ASK-Grade 3 will be administered on May 9-12
NJ ASK–Grade 4 will be administered on May 9-13

May is the month to honor Mothers and those that have taken on that role in their absence. The children can purchase flowers for them on Thursday and Friday, May 5th and 6th during the school day.

First grade will be celebrating Butterfly Day on May 13th at 2:00 and our annual School Concert will be held on May 19th at John Marshall School. Thanks to our music teachers and students for all their hard work. I know you join me in congratulating them on their time and efforts that go into learning music and to be able to play an instrument.

The remainder of our classes will be heading out on their class trips. Grade 3 will be heading to a Somerset Patriots Game to see how Math is used everywhere. The 4th grade will head to Native Lands for a day in the life of a Native American and 5th grade will be visiting Philadelphia to walk the history that they have been learning this year. What a great way to live what they are learning. Thank you once again to the PTO for sponsoring the buses for our trips.

Our second annual Science Fair under the direction of Mrs. Tanzi will take place on May 25th at 6:30. I am looking forward to our many scientists as they exhibit their projects.

May 25th at 7:00 is the Parent Orientation for Grade 5 at Thomas Jefferson Middle School and May 26 at 6:00 is the Parent Orientation for 5th grade at Herbert Hoover Middle School. The students will be attending an orientation in the morning.

The Scholastic Book Fair will be held on Tuesday, May 17th and Wednesday May 18th during the school day. This is a great opportunity to stock up on books for the summer Reading Challenge.

There are many other notable activities this month so please check the calendar for all the dates and times.
The first week of May is Teacher and Staff Appreciation week. I want to thank the teachers and staff of Lindeneau School for the love of learning and the high quality of learning that they give to the children every day. The faculty and staff of Lindeneau School are second to none and I am very proud to be a part of this wonderful team.

I would also like to recognize the many volunteers that make our school the great place that it is. Thanks to our library volunteers, Mrs. J. Szebenyi, Mrs. Grillo, Mrs. Stryker, Mrs. McCann, Mrs. Bills, Mrs. Tuttobene, Mrs. LeBron, Mrs. Rotella and Mrs. M. Szebenyi and to my husband who without their help we would not have the use of the library.

Thank you to our Edison High School Students, the Lindeneau teachers and para professionals who volunteer their time to be Homework Helpers to help our students with their homework. Much appreciation also goes out to Jill Solomon and Judy Lowe, our lunch aides, who volunteer their time to be members of the Positive Discipline Committee and assist with the Tiger Ticket Shops. We truly appreciate all your time and efforts to make Lindeneau School a great place to grow.

Just a reminder that with the warm weather children will want to wear lighter clothing; so please remember that flip flops and short shorts are not permitted.

Have a wonderful month!

Yours in education,

Rosemary Schutz