Good Afternoon Walnut Ridge Families,
I want to start this message by saying “Happy Thanksgiving” to you and your family. Over the past two weeks, I have had the opportunity to meet and speak with many of you at the Parent/Teacher Conferences, Book Fair, and — most recently — the Thanksgiving Feast. Throughout those moments it has been clear to me that our children have so much to be thankful for! YOU! Thank you for continuously coming out to our events and showing your support for your children and our school! Happy Turkey Day!
And now for some announcements…
1) TOMORROW IS AN EARLY DISMISSAL DAY:
2) Educators of the Year
Tomorrow (11/21/18) is the last day to submit your nomination for our Teacher of the Year and our Educational Specialist of the Year. We have so many wonderful staff members at WR, so please take a moment to fill out the form and submit by tomorrow. Thanks!
3) Town Tree Lighting
The town of Vernon has asked to remind you to save the date of Friday, November 30, for the Vernon Tree Lighting Ceremony. It will take place at the Vernon Fire Department, next to the old Board Office Building. The theme is going to be “Whoville” so I think it should be a fun event for the children!
4) HS CTE Program visit
On December 6, Mr. DeVore and his high school CFM (Construction, Facilities, and Maintenance) students will be visiting WR to work with our students on Kids DIY projects donated from the Home Depot. It is a great opportunity for our children to work on creativity, build their fine motor skills, while collaborating with the HS students through a fun, hands-on, career-based activity. We are looking forward to December 6.
5) Update on Cookie Dough
A BIG thank you goes out to WRAP for organizing the cookie dough fundraiser. Although the final numbers are not in yet, it looks like we had a VERY successful fundraiser and will be able to financially supplement several future school events. Thanks to everyone who sold cookie dough. Be on the look-out for updates from the school and WRAP regarding the delivery and pick up procedures for the cookie dough once it arrives.
6) Vernon Coalition Meeting
Rebecca Dorney and the Vernon Coalition will be meeting with parents once again on December 7. There will be a morning session and an afternoon session. Those who attended the previous meeting in October felt it was a very valuable event. Please RSVP to Rebecca at rebecca@
7) K Kids coming to WR
Special thanks to Barbara Monschauer at her Lounsberry Hollow K Kids that will be visiting WR on December 12 to read to our students. The students always love opportunities for visits from the “big kids!”
8) VTHS Carolers coming on 12/19
And speaking of “big kids” — the VTHS choristers will be caroling around the district on December 19 and will make a special stop at WR to sing carols for our AM and PM students!
9) Pajama Day is Coming!
Please mark your calendars for December 14! This is the date set for our Pajama Day. In addition to each wearing pajamas (students and staff) we will begin accepting donations of new pajamas at our school for children in need. For each donation of pajamas, Scholastic will donate one book to our school library. Please consider a donation!!
10) Change of Date for our Holiday Sing-Along
Our Sing Along date has been moved to December 19. This event was a lot of fun last year, and we expect it to be even better this year. For more information click here for the flier.
11) Notes from Nurse Gallant
- You should have received some information regarding a visit from the Zufall Mobile Dental Program. This program is scheduled to be held during school hours on Wednesday, December 5. It is a great way for your child to receive their dental care at school. Zufall accepts Medicaid, NJ Family Care, uninsured patients, and some private insurances. For more information, visit www. Zufallhealth.org. All interested families should sign and return the application by Wednesday November 7. Please contact Mrs. Gallant with any questions: 973-764-6343. For the application – CLICK HERE.
- Did you realize that if we do not receive information regarding your child’s flu vaccine by January 2, they are not able to attend school? For more information about this see the message HERE from Nurse Gallant.
12) PARENT SURVEY
It is that time of year again… The time when I ask you to consider filling out a survey to help us better improve our school and your child’s education. If you have a free moment, please CLICK HERE and answer a few questions. It should take no more than 5 minutes. Thanks in advance for your help!
13) Registration
We will begin 2019-2020 registration for The Walnut Ridge School this coming March. Registration will continue all month. Simply stop by any time within that month and see Ms. DiCarlo to register or plan to see us in the evenings of the March Parent/Teacher Conferences. Also, each Tuesday in the month of March will be “Touring Tuesdays”. Tell your friends I would be glad to take them on a tour of our school on Tuesday during March. I always enjoy the opportunity to brag about our school, programs, teachers, staff, and students!!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Sincerely,
Principal Piccirillo