Torey J. Sabatini
School
December 2010
Important Dates
January
3
6
10
11
12
13
17
18
19
20
18-21
27
28
28
Classes Resume
Drama Club 3:15-4:30
PTO Meeting - 7:30 pm
Grade 4 Ed Enrich “Vikings in Vinland”
2-Hr. Delayed Opening – 10:40 am
Drama Club 3:15-4:30
MLK/Prof Dev. – Schools Closed
Board of Ed Mtg. - 7:30 pm
KAM/KPM Ed Enrich – “Surviving Winter
World”
Drama Club 3:15-4:30
Kindergarten Registration
Drama Club 3:15-4:30
2nd Marking Period Ends
Grade 2 Ed Enrich “Mad Science”
February
3
4
10
15
16
17
18
24
26
21,22
Drama Club 3:15-4:30
2nd Marking Period Report Cards Issued
Drama Club 3:15-4:30
TJS author visit - Doug Florian
TJS Walk to School
Drama Club 3:15-4:30
Single Session – 12:45 dismissal
Drama Club 3:15-4:30
Adult Social – 7-11pm-Grace Church
Winter Recess
Holiday Thoughts
As we approach our winter recess, I am reminded once again of the special community we
are serving here at TJS.
Each day, I have the privilege of seeing hundreds of children come running into our school,
smiling, full of news, anxious to rush up to their
classrooms. I also have the privilege of seeing
many parents who arrive with their children
each day, entrusting us with their care and education.
We are supported in so many ways. Our PTO
supports us financially, provides volunteers and
offers special programming that enriches the
school in countless ways. We are very thankful
for that support.
Additionally, the Madison Education Foundation
has begun to fund projects originating at the
elementary level. This is a tremendous shot in
the arm for us all
So...thank you all. Thank you for the support
you provide each and every day as we work together as partners in your children’s educational
development.
Have a safe and loving holiday season!
Character Education
At TJS, in addition to the Responsive Classroom, which we have been using for the past
five years, we have a new addition to our “be
nice to each other reminders”.
When you are at the school you will notice
posters that contain three questions:
•
•
•
Is it kind?
Is it truthful?
Is it necessary?
These are three questions we are encouraging
our students to ask themselves prior to speaking or acting toward someone else. In fact,
the questions are useful in adult actions and
speech as well.
The idea for this came from some TJS parents who became aware of the questions being
used at a neighboring school. We looked into
it and have used it extensively for the past
few months. Teachers have repeated it to
students and it is spoken over morning announcements periodically.
Madison Public School District Mission Statement
The Madison School District will inspire
and challenge all students to be life-long
learners, empowered with the knowledge,
skills, and character to shape their futures, realize their dreams, and contribute positively to the world.
Turkey Trot
The TJS First Annual Turkey Trot was a
rousing success! With the assistance of
many parent volunteers, nearly two thirds
of the school walked to TJS the morning of
November 17th.
This activity served several purposes. It
saved many cars from driving to school that
day and highlighted the meaning of that
savings to our students. It also brought
community together. The feeling of hundreds of students and parents (and even
some Rose City Ramblers, the Madison
walking club) walking to school together was
a powerful reminder of the fact that we
belong to the same school community.
Thanks for this great event go to Karen
Tom and Penny Sullivan for being the chief
organizers and many street corner volunteers for helping out. We are planning two
more events this year, since this was such a
great success.
Idling
Idling automobiles is a time honored tradition,
particularly in cold weather. However, we
haven’t always known the environmental impact
of car idling. Not only is it terrible for the air
that our children are breathing, it is of no
benefit to our automobiles.
At Torey J. we have signs posted to discourage idling. It is not a mere suggestion. There
are laws to prohibit idling. When you are
dropping your children off at school, please
move on as soon as possible and if you do find
it necessary to stop for a period of time,
please turn your engine off.
Thank you!
Staff Luncheon
Code Anna
Each year, in both the fall and spring, the PTO
hosts a marvelous luncheon for our staff during
conferences. This year was no exception. The
parents set the library up for our staff to dine
in before returning to their classrooms for parent/teacher conferences. It was a very special
gesture.
Several times each year, TJS runs what we
call “Code Anna Drills”. A code Anna drill
is intended to practice reacting to a potential case of anaphylaxis, where a child or
adult have had a potentially life threatening
allergic reaction or sudden system shutdown.
The food is prepared by parents and brought
into school where a buffet is set up for everyone to serve themselves. Everything from finger food to main courses and salads to sumptuous desserts are served. Every year seems
more spectacular than the last.
Mrs. Crescas, our school nurse, orchestrates our Code Anna drills. Each person
involved has a distinct responsibility for
managing the crisis, from the classroom
teacher to the principal to the secretary to
the school nurse.
This is a great big thank you to the staff and it
is most appreciated. It would be hard to think
of a more affirming gesture than the staff
luncheon. Thanks to all of the parents who contributed and particularly to Mrs. Armstrong
and…..for organizing the event.
This drill is planning for an occasion that
will hopefully never occur, but we want to
be thoroughly prepared.
Holiday Workshop
The Holiday Workshop at TJS is a time honored
tradition that brings in TJS parents, students
and former students. It is a true community
building experience.
Throughout the morning of December 7th, the
Jaguar Jungle had dozens of adults and children
creating gingerbread houses together with the
sounds of seasonal music wafting throughout the
room. It is a fantastic iccasion and one that our
students will always remember. Each year past
Torey J. students stop by with younger siblings
to reminisce and visit.
Special thanks go to Mrs. Clark for organizing
the event. It was wonderful!
TJS Musical
For the past five years, Torey J. has had a
group of dedicated parents produce a musical
with our fourth and fifth graders. This has
truly been a labor of love. The original cadre
of producers, AnnMarie Collins, Kate Smith
and Liz Rosica, were the mainstays. Over the
years, that group was supplemented by other
dedicated parents.
This year, the future of the musical appeared
uncertain when it was literally rescued by a
group of Torey parents, with the return of
AnnMarie Collins for one last year at the helm.
This is a true gift to TJS. The children are
involved in a project that requires true teamwork and cooperation to produce. It is our
version os an Amish barn raising, with everyone contributing in their own way for a common cause.
Author Visit
Careful with pick up and drop off
Due to the energies of our media specialist, Mrs.
Taylor, and the largesse of our PTO and the Madison literacy endowment, Torey J. will have a full
day visit from Doug Florian, a renowned children’s
book author and illustrator.
While it is understood that drop off time is
a trying experience, and often a hurried
one, there are guidelines that need to be
followed in order to maintain safety for our
students and parents.
Mr. Florian will have separate presentations to
grades kindergarten and first, second/third and
four/five.
When on Woodland Road, drop off should
only occur when traveling west. Cars should
stop parallel to the curb and let the children out from there. Cars should not be
turning around in neighbors’ driveways. This
is unsafe. Or making three point turns on
Woodland Road
A few of Mr. Florian’s books are:
Beast Feast
Mammalabila
Lizards, Frogs, and Polliwogs
Winter Eyes
Insectlopedia
Omnibeasts
Madison Educational Foundation.
If you need to get out of your car to accompany your child into school, please park
your car ahead past the BOE office or between Green Village Road and the BOE on
Woodland. Do not park in the bus drop off
zone.
The elementary schools in Madison are fortunate
to have a new ally. The Madison Education Foundation, which has previously been a huge support
to MHS and MJS, have recently become the educational foundation for every level of education
for the Madison Public Schools. We are already
indebted to this wonderful organization for supporting a round of grants submitted this past fall.
Thank you. Taking a few of these logical
precautions in mind will help everyone
breath easier.
Thank you to everyone involved with the MEF,
whether as a leader or as a supporter. The
schools appreciate your help!
The artwork has made the school a more
vibrant place while giving the students an
opportunity to see their work displayed.
Artwork
You may have noticed some wonderful artwork adorning the walls of Torey J. Much
of this can be credited to the energies of
On Saturday, November 20th, the MEF held a re- Mr. Watson, our new art teacher.
ception in the main room at Giralda Farms. It was
We now have three dimensional sculptures
an extraordinary evening, with hundreds of parhanging throughout the school and many
ents and friends of the Madison Schools. The
night was a true testament to the level of support wonderful framed drawings along the walls.
This work has been created by students in
and enthusiasm the community is capable of exgrades k through five under the enthusiastic
hibiting for our schools, and it is truly apprecieye of Mr. Watson.
ated.
Dismissal Issues
Classroom Systems
Whenever your child is altering their dismissal
pattern, please send a note into the teacher and
the main office. In fact, an e-mail to the office
is often the best measure to take.
At Torey J., we are constantly working to make
our learning environment more responsive to the
students’ needs. Our hope is that our learning
environments are optimal for our students to
thrive in, academically and socially.
We account for each of our students and how
they are getting home. Your help in keeping us
“in the loop” is much appreciated. If a child
does not have a note from a parent informing us
of a change, they will either be held at the office or be sent on their typically prescribed
mode of transportation.
Dismissal at TJS can be a frenetic experience.
We have more than one exit and parents can
have their children go home in a number of ways.
We are trying our best to make that process
safe by insisting that we are made aware of
your family’s dismissal intentions. We can then
help out accordingly.
One system we have put into place as a school
this year is the “take a break chair”. Every
classroom has a chair designated as the “take a
break chair”. This is not a disciplinary measure,
but instead, a method for helping students to
monitor their own behavior and take a sensory
break until they are prepared to rejoin the
group.
This is a system that is used in many, many
other schools throughout the country and it is
intended to help students better understand
their behavior and how it affects their ability
to function effectively in the classroom. Staff
directs the student to the chair using language
Thank you!
that has been universalized throughout the
school. It is largely the student’s own decision
when to return to the group. This way, students
are encouraged to be aware of themselves and
Parking Lot
the demeanor they need to maintain to be most
Torey J. has its physical idiosyncrasies. One of them productive.
is a parking lot that is very inviting to walk through.
Common uses for the take a break chair are a
Please help us to set a safe example for your child
stimulus break. Sometimes children need to
and walk on our sidewalks. Even once you have left
take a break from being overly stimulated. Anthe official property, please adhere to safety rules
other use is to give the student a chance to sit
and stay out of the street until crossing.
and focus without the distraction of the group.
Our intention is to provide each classroom with
When crossing the street, please only cross at the
another tool in helping students be their best,
crosswalk. Our crossing guard in that area, Tony, is a
most effective selves.
strong advocate for our school and for a safe environment. Please follow his lead and cross with him in
If you have any further questions, please feel
the appointed area.
free to contact your child’s teacher or Mr. Post.
Thank you!
Thank you!
E-Alerts
How to register for the Madison Public Schools Website, and sign up to
receive E-alerts.
1. Go to our website:
www.madisonpublicschools.org
2. Click on the Register button at the top
right of the page.
3. Enter your birth date and click Submit.
(You must be older than 18 to do this.)
4. Please fill out the form that displays.
Note that there are required fields: First
Name, Last Name, Email Address, Sign-In
Name, Password and Confirming Password.
Tip: We recommend that you at least add
your zip code, as this will enable you to take
advantage of the distance calculation feature on this website.
5. Make sure that the box that says “Please
send me email about Events and Activities”
is selected, and click Submit.
6. You will now see a message that your registration has been accepted.
7. Please sign into the website now using the
Sign-In Name and password that you just
assigned yourself. This can be done by either clicking on the Sign In button at the
top right of the site, or by clicking on the
hyperlink below the Acceptance Message.
8. Once signed in, you will need to click on
the Access My Info button that appears at
the top right of the page.
options for each school.
9. You will now see your profile displayed
and available to edit if necessary. Please
scroll down until you see My E-Alerts &
Subscriptions.
10. Click on Edit Subscriptions.
11. At this point, you will be able to select
any sections on our website to
which you would like to subscribe. This
subscription will enable you to
receive email messages from the editors
of these sections, if they decide to
announce a significant update on their
pages.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Please check the
box next to the DISTRICT Homepage
AND next
to EACH SCHOOL Homepage that applies
to you or your child/children (e.g. TJS,
CAS, KRS, MJS, MHS). Click the drop
down box to access the subscription
12. Please select any additional pages that
may apply to you or your child/children,
for example: teacher page(s), athletic
page(s), etc.
13. Scroll to the very bottom and click on
Subscribe. You will now be set to receive
important alerts from our website.
NJ ASK
Please be aware, when making plans, that
the testing week for the NJ ASK in
grades 3, 4 and 5 is the week of May 9th
through May 13th.
It is crucial that students, if healthy, are
present during the testing weeks. Your
help in ensuring their presence is much
appreciated. Thank you!