SJG Newsletter 2/6/2026 Edition

Vision

SJG: Achieving excellence, creating lifelong learners, and building strong character.

Mission

Stephen J. Gerace Elementary School creates a foundation for success through a comprehensive curriculum which fosters critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration, while emphasizing respect and appreciation for the individuality of others. In partnership with families, staff and the community, our students are given the necessary tools to become caring, knowledgeable, responsible, and confident individuals who are equipped to thrive not only as students, but as members of a global society.

• February 9th- Pajama Day!
• February 10th- Author Visit
• February 11th- HSA Meeting 7:00pm SJG Media Center
• February 11th- 100th Day of School!
• February 13th- Wear Red Day in Support of Heart Health- Donations will be accepted.
• February 13th- Valentine's Day Class Parties and Lunch Bingo
• February 16th- District Closed for President's Day
• February 17th through 20th- Random Acts of Kindness Week
• February 19th- Illusion Maker Assembly
• February 24th- SJG Science Fair- Parents visit at 2pm
• February 27th- Blue and Gold Assembly 9am
• February 27th- SJG HSA School Dance 6:30-8:00pm in APR

With the Super Bowl ending so late on Sunday, it just makes sense to have a pajama day on Monday! Have fun watching the game!

Since the stores are already set up for Valentine's Day, I know our students will be getting excited soon. If you are planning on sending in valentines, please keep the following in mind:

** If your child is bringing any valentines, please make sure there are enough for the entire class.

** Please do not send in any valentines that include food. We have many children with different food allergies and it is just not possible to keep everyone safe by checking every single candy or treat that is sent in on that day.

** As with other holiday and birthday celebrations and as outlined in the student handbook, please do not send in goody bags for each student.

Food and goody bags will not be distributed if they are sent in. Thank you for your cooperation!

Click on the link below to read the student newsletter which is written by our SJG AV Club Students.

https://sites.google.com/pequannock.org/sjgnews202526?usp=sharing

National Wear Red Day is Friday, February 13, 2026 at SJG. Wear red to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease and help save lives. Please consider making a donation and wearing red. Carol Cardoza was an excellent school nurse who worked at SJG for 19 years. The Carol Cardoza Nursing Scholarship Fund was established in her honor. To support her memory, all proceeds collected will be donated to a PTHS senior student entering the nursing profession.

With Much Appreciation,

The Pequannock School Nurses

SJG Elementary School is proud to announce our Annual STEM Science Fair, to be held on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. All SJG students in Grades 2 through 5 will have the opportunity to develop a scientific experiment or display that will be showcased for the SJG community. Certificates will be given for participating.

Students may work by themselves or with one other partner in the same grade, either in their classroom or another in the same grade. Please do not request more than one partner as the request will be denied. Each grade level has a specific curriculum-based science theme:

• Grade 2: Earth Science
• Grade 3: Life Science
• Grade 4: Inventions (improve an existing idea or create a new one)
• Grade 5: Physical Science, Math, Technology

IMPORTANT:

• Science Fair Proposal Form…every child must submit a signed proposal via Google Form from their school Google account by Monday, January 26, 2026 (1 form per project). Click HERE for the Science Fair Proposal Google Form.

We hope that with your encouragement and support, our children will enjoy participating in the fair with a project that will cultivate his/her interest in science. We look forward to providing this exciting experience for your young scientist!

Sincerely,

The Science Fair Committee

See the Science Fair Guidelines below in the PDF.

Chris did an amazing job this week reciting The Pledge of Allegiance, as well as our kindness quote for the day. Thank you for being so awesome Chris!

We continue to ask for your partnership in bringing students to school each day when they are well, and scheduling vacations around school days. Please note that the state still counts all absences, even those with doctor's notes or a parent phone call (even ones that we mark as "excused"). To help keep you aware of your child's totals, at the beginning of each month, we notify parents of students who have been tardy or absent 5, 10, or more days thus far. At 10 or more days absent, we will often request a conference or a phone call where we can help develop personalized strategies to improve your child's attendance. Please reach out if you notice any signs of school avoidance, or if you have questions about whether to keep your child home. As always, thank you for your support!

If you are looking for future events, we update the SJG Calendar of Events as we solidify dates. You can find the calendar on our website but below is the link that we will keep in our newsletter going forward.

Here to help keep up with events!

Friday, February 27th from 6:30-8:00 PM in the SJG APR.

For more details and to register, click this link- https://forms.gle/fe23nsSFadeTb7kc6

Donate $5-$20 to help your child’s class sponsor a big-ticket Tricky Tray prize! Send in cash labeled with your child’s name and homeroom, or donate via SJG HSA PayPal- SJG HSA PayPal Link

The class with the most donations will win a DONUT PARTY!!

We’re excited to announce SJG’s 2026 Talent Show!

Wednesday, March 25th
6:30 p.m. @ PTHS
This is a fun opportunity for our students to share their talents and perform on stage in front of their friends and school community.

Form- https://forms.gle/GKhdeV35btWgx9ML8

Register at this link- https://forms.gle/ZRZ86MrAokVWtWZK9

If you own a business or know someone who does, consider becoming a sponsor. It’s a great way to support our event and give back to our school. Our sponsors are recognized and promoted during the event and beyond. Your support helps make this night a success!

Check out this link for information- https://forms.gle/9UWUH4rBuWRfDgcb8

We have a new Pequannock Township School District Promotional Video that was created by PTHS students as part of a passion project. This is amazing! Give it a view!

Mrs. Griffith, SJG School Nurse, will be keeping us up to date on ways to be more healthy all year.

Below is the flu guide for parents from the CDC. Please give it a read to keep our students healthy.

I know that the title says "Worker" however I think that this is an important thing for all of us as we get into cleaning mode for the holidays.

Email: Matthew.Reiner@pequannock.org
Website: sjg.pequannock.org
Location: 59 Boulevard, Pequannock Township, NJ, USA
Phone: (973) 3055615
Twitter: @SJGPride

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sjgpride/