Dear CMPS Parents and Guardians,
There really is “snow-place” like Cedar Mountain!! It is amazing to realize that we are already in the month of December! Here are some highlights of activities that have taken place or are upcoming at “The Mountain”….
Congratulations to our NJ Governor’s Educator Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Diana Czergovits. Mrs. Czergovits was nominated by many of her peers for being an outstanding professional and was selected by previous year’s recipients to represent Cedar Mountain’s Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Czergovits is a kindergarten teacher at Cedar Mountain. Mrs. Czergovits exudes a quiet, yet high-energy, positive attitude that influences every one of her kindergarten students that are observed on a daily basis. Mrs. Czergovits’ devotion to her students has exemplified consistent dedication to providing highly effective teaching with a focus on growth and achievement for all learners. Her kind heart, her keen sense of understanding a child’s needs, and her enthusiasm and concern for students are reflected not only in the outstanding quality of her work as a professional but also in the many of the school-based activities she participates in at Cedar Mountain Primary School. Mrs. Czergovits influences her students in a positive way, fostering their self-esteem, bolstering confidence, as well as building an early foundation of knowledge to begin a lifetime of learning. It is impossible not to feel respected, valued, loved, and heard in Mrs. Czergovits’ classroom.
Congratulations to our NJ Governor’s Educational Services Professional of the Year, Mrs. Ashley Karlewicz. Mrs. Karlewicz was nominated by many fellow teachers as well as parents. Mrs. Karlewicz was selected to represent Cedar Mountain as the Educational Services Professional. Mrs. Karlewicz is a newer member of our faculty but she has quickly become well respected by many. Mrs. Karlewicz is a caring and knowledgeable Speech/Language Pathologist who teachers will frequently come to for information and advice with regard to their student’s speech and language. Mrs. Karlewicz develops a positive rapport with both her students as well as with their families. She truly creates a team approach to learning. Mrs. Karlewicz’s cheery disposition is felt by her students who love their speech therapy sessions with her. Mrs. Karlewicz creates a safe and secure workspace that fosters a sense of love and belonging.
Tech Free Day-On December 3rd, all district schools experienced having a tech-free day. Below are some pictures of Mr. Shea reading Swarm of Bees, to Mrs. Sweeney’s kindergarten class to celebrate this day. What else do you do on Tech-Free Day? Have Flashlight Friday!! Check out the cool picture below of Mrs. Sweeney’s students reading their favorite books by flashlight.
I also read a story to Mrs. Giangrande’s class. In Mrs. Casper’s class, her daughter, Ella, from Glen Meadow read a book to the class. Mrs. Casper also had two students who are taking Irish dancing lessons show some of the routines they are learning; check out the video below! Thanks also to Ms. Dignan-Corbutt who read a book in Miss Dignan’s class (yes, Miss Corbutt’s mom!!). At the end of the day, we played Cedar Mountain Bingo as a school. Students were so excited to win prizes when they got “Bingo”! Kindergartener, Graham, loved Tech-Free weekend with his family. Graham recently moved to a new home and he explored his backyard! First-grader, Lola, spent the weekend with her family getting the family’s Christmas tree, decorating gingerbread houses, and playing in the leaves
Art Student of the Month: Congratulations to Paige, from Mrs. Dixon’s class, for being selected as our Art Star of the Month! She is a shining example of diligence and a role model to all in her class. Usually the first one ready to get started, Paige is also very organized and careful with each move she makes in art. With this project, Paige stepped out of her comfort zone and worked hard to create random snowflakes falling instead of applying them in a pattern. Her consistent everyday excellence is recognized through the art star award for December. Way to go Paige!
Turkey Headbands: In art, classes students made some awesome turkey headbands! Students learned about visual texture and actual texture as students put real feathers on their headbands. Below are pics from Ms. Schmick and Ms. Shadruff’s homerooms.
Kindergarten Centers: Working in learning centers or stations is very important in an early childhood classroom. This learning time of the day enables students to collaborate, learn from one another, explore concepts, and most importantly, allow the classroom teacher to provide targeted double dosing, small group instruction, or guided reading. Below are pictures of Ms. Mariconda’s students engaging in various literacy centers. You will also see Ms. Mariconda’s students skywriting with flashlights to practice letter formation.
It’s never too early to think spring! Students in Ms. Cummins and Mrs. Schmick’s class planted tulip bulbs. We received these bulbs from The Center for Prevention and Counseling for their Plant the Promise program. We are looking forward to seeing the red tulip bulbs come up this spring!
It’s Cool to Be Kind! Mrs. Sweeney’s students created a winter bulletin board where they listed all the ways that they can be kind in school and at home.
Project Self-Sufficiency Stuff the Stocking: Thank you very much for your kind and generous donations of gifts for the annual Stuff the Stocking program. Cedar Mountain collected boxes and boxes of toys for needy children in Sussex County. It was so heartwarming to see our students placing new toys in the collection boxes.
Happy Birthday to RPO Officer Ed! Mrs. Zinni and Mrs. Bicseki’s students made birthday cards for Officer Ed’s birthday.
Congratulations to our 1st grade student Hunter for collecting dog and cat food and toys for the Vernon Animal Shelter. Hunter collected pet items in all of our schools as well as many businesses in Vernon. Hunter was featured in the Vernon Advertiser for his wonderful contribution to help our local animal shelter! Looking closely at the picture, there was almost no room in the office after all the donations were brought in!
Child Assault Prevention Program: As a reminder, there will be a very important parent/guardian meeting to explain the Child Assault Prevention Program on Monday, December 13, at 6:30 pm via Zoom. HERE IS THE ZOOM LINK TO THE MEETING. This evening meeting is ONLY for parents and guardians and is not meant for children. As a reminder, you must give permission for your child to participate in this program that will take place in early January. HERE IS THE PERMISSION SLIP.
Trimester One report cards will be available for viewing on Friday, December 17. If you have questions regarding the rubric grades your child has earned, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher. Please remember to use the Standard Based Report Card Link on the Cedar Mountain Site. There are many activities linked for each standard if your child needs support in either Math or Language Arts.
On Friday, December 17, our students will be treated to a winter concert by the Glen Meadow Middle School band, choir, and orchestra. Please sign the permission slip that was sent home last week. We will walk across the field at approximately 9:40, we will return to the building at approximately 11:15. We thank Glen Meadow Middle School for inviting us to this very special event!
Our next SCA meeting will take place on Monday, December 6, at 8:00 pm, via Zoom. HERE IS THE ZOOM LINK FOR THE MEETING. All are always invited to attend. Here is the link for the CMPS SCA Page.
Here you will find additional information about the CM SCA, read past SCA minutes, and find our ongoing spirit wear fundraiser. To reach the SCA, here is their email address: cm.vernonsca@gmail.com
Here are our upcoming SCA activities:
Holiday Shoppe: Monday-Wednesday, December 6th-8th Your child can shop for small items for every family member. All items are only $1.00! Thank you to our parent volunteers for helping organize this program!
Cookies with Santa: Friday, December 10th at 4:30 to 6:00 pm and 6:15-7:45 pm- School Craft will be with us to take pictures with Santa
Vernon SCA Holiday Fundraiser – Orders will be available for pick up November 26th – December 11th, 2021, any day from 10 AM – 6 PM at Pappa’s Garden Supply: 56 Route 94, Vernon (McAfee Section – Across from PNC Bank). Please click here for additional information.
Outdoor Recess: As a reminder, our students will go outside for recess as long as the temperature stays about 24 degrees. Please make sure your child wears a warm coat, hat and gloves daily in preparation for playing outside. We try as often as possible in the winter months to have our students go outside for physical activity.
A few more reminders…
December 7: Trimester One Ends
December 8th: VTSD STEM Family Night from 5:30 – 7:30 pm at VTHS
December 11th: A Day of Holiday Fun – Saturday, December 11th, 2021 at Vernon Township HS Gymnasium 12:30 PM – 4:00. Featuring Visits with Santa and the “Elf” Movie! Please click here for additional information.
December 17: Trimester One Report Cards will be available for viewing in Genesis (report cards are not printed; however, you can print out the report card for your child).
December 18: Field trip to Glen Meadow Middle School to see the Winter Concert- you will be receiving a permission slip in the coming
December 23: Early Dismissal Day- 1:25 pm
December 24-January 2- School Closed for Winter Recess
January 3, 2022- School Resumes
Cedar Mountain Primary School Calendar
As we settle into the winter months, I would like to remind you to update your personal information in our Genesis database. It is important for you to be informed of emergency school closings, early dismissals or delayed openings. If you did not receive a call, text, or email from last month’s test of School Messenger, this means you are not signed up for this program. Please call the main office at 973-764-2890, if you need assistance creating an account in Genesis.
Wishing all of you a wonderful holiday season! It is an honor to work with your children; thank you for partnering with us!
Sincerely,
Rosemary Gebhardt
Principal