From Dr. Madden's Desk to Your Home

November Updates

Dear Aura Families,

Welcome to November! As the leaves fall and the air turns crisp, this month brings wonderful opportunities for us to gather and celebrate as a school community. November is always a meaningful time at Aura. We look forward to connecting with you during our upcoming Parent-Teacher Conferences to discuss your child’s growth, progress, and achievements. This month, we also will honor our heroes on Veterans Day, recognizing the brave men and women who have served our country. As we approach Thanksgiving, our hearts are filled with gratitude for our dedicated staff, encouraging families, and extraordinary students who make our school such a warm place to learn. Finally, don't forget to support our amazing Home and School Association by participating in the HSA Raffle Fundraiser. Your contributions directly enrich our students' programs and school events!

Thank you for your ongoing partnership and support for our school community. I wish you all a warm, joyful, and restful Thanksgiving season with your loved ones.

Take care,

Dr. Madden

Preschool Update

October was a busy month in preschool! We finished up our Tree Study with a visit and demonstration from Bergholz Tree Service. The truck was awesome! We also learned about pumpkins in a mini-study and several classes enjoyed making and tasting pumpkin pie. Our fall parties and parade were also a smashing success, as well as our field trip to Zimmerman’s Farm.

Looking forward - we will be starting the Restaurant Study next week. Staff and students are excited to explore this new study with chef demonstrations, a possible food truck visit, and so much more. We are looking for families who work in the restaurant business to either donate materials or come in as a visitor to speak with our preschoolers. If interested, reach out to Mrs. Saponaro at SaponaroD@auraelementary.us 😀

Governor's Educator of the Year Nomination Form

The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) strives to recognize educators who have gone above and beyond in their service to New Jersey’s students. Now, more than ever, is the time to celebrate New Jersey’s outstanding educators. Therefore, Elk Township School District will participate in the Governor’s Educator of the Year (GEOY) program to honor the hardworking teachers and educational services professionals for their dedication to students and the profession. This program promotes a culture that celebrates excellence and brings public attention to the work of outstanding educators.

As such, do you know a teacher OR educational services professional who is dedicated, inspiring, and making a difference? As outlined through the Governor's Educator of the Year program, the Elk Township School District would like to recognize one teacher from Aura School, as well as one educational service professional from the district, as a recipient of a 2026-2027 "Educator of the Year" award.

Please take a moment to fill out your Governor’s Educator of the Year recommendation using the link below. The response form will be open from 11/3/26-11/25/26.

Governor's Educator of the Year Nomination Form

Thank you for your support with this special process!

Nurse's Nook

Welcome to the cooler months, Aura families! As we move into flu and cold season, here are a few critical health reminders to keep our students safe, healthy, and in class:

Preschool Flu Vaccine Requirement (Deadline: Nov 30): Per state guidelines, all preschool students must receive their flu vaccine prior to November 30th. Preschoolers without proof of vaccination will not be permitted to attend school in December. Please send in your documentation as soon as possible to avoid any disruption to your child's attendance!
Medications at School: If your child requires any medication during the school day (including over-the-counter items), proper authorization is required before it can be administered:
- Forms must be completed and signed by both a physician and a parent/guardian.
- Medication must be delivered directly to the nurse's office by a trusted adult in its original packaging. Students may not carry medication in their backpacks.
Cooler Weather & Outerwear: Temperatures are dropping! Please dress your children in layers (sweaters, jackets, coats) so they remain comfortable during outdoor recess and classroom activities.
When to Keep Your Child Home: We are already seeing an increase in Flu, COVID, Hand-Foot-and-Mouth (HFM), seasonal allergies and stomach bugs. To protect our entire school community, please keep your child home if they:
- Have a fever (including a low-grade fever)
- Experience vomiting or diarrhea
- Display active symptoms of illness
Children must be symptom- and fever-free without medication before returning.