STILLWATER TOWNSHIP NEWSLETTER

Spring Book Fair 4/20/26 to 4/24/26

PTA Meeting 4/20/26 at 6:00 PM

Take Your Child to Work Day 4/23/26

Board of Education Meeting 4/27/26 7:00 PM in Library

I hope everyone had a great spring break!

In second grade we have started writing poetry to celebrate poetry month for the month of April. Students are learning about different types of poetry and using their creativity to write their own poems. We can’t wait to show you what we have created at our Poetry Picnic in May!

In math students are able to add and subtract three digit numbers! Way to go! We will be learning about measurement next.

Students are learning about different genres of fiction books including mystery, fantasy, and realistic fiction. We are going on reading adventures by creating visuals in our heads about what is happening in our stories.

We are looking forward to many fun activities coming up next week including Earth Day and bring your child to work day!

Mrs. Fedorczyk

The fifth graders recently combined math, science, and real-world skills through a hands-on baking project using a chocolate chip muffin recipe. As they measured ingredients, they practiced working with fractions by doubling, halving, and multiplying amounts, as well as solving multi-step problems based on the recipe. The activity also connected to science learning, as students explored how baking is a chemical change—observing how ingredients mix and react to create something entirely new. This engaging experience helped students see how math and science are used in everyday life while building confidence in their problem-solving abilities—all while preparing a delicious treat!

Mrs. Bickhardt

Earth Day is on Wednesday, April 22nd! Here are some fun Earth Day activities you can plan with your child according to sussexnj.macaronikid.com:

1. Outdoor Earth Day Activities-Go on a nature walk, pick up litter in your neighborhood, plant flowers, make a bird feeder, collect smooth rocks and paint them, or take a family bike ride.

2. Nature Crafts and Creative Outdoor Play-Make a mud kitchen in the backyard, create nature art on the ground with materials found in nature, build a stick fort, make a flower crown, draw or paint what you see outside, make leaf rubbings with crayons, or build a tiny bug habitat.

3. Easy Recycled Crafts Kids Can Make-Turn paper towel tubes into animals or bugs, create a collage using scrap paper only, decorate tin cans and use them as planters, build something using only materials from the recycling bin, use glass jars as vases, or turn an old T-shirt into a simple tote bag.

4. Earth Day Activities to Do at Home-Gather toys you no longer use and donate them, start a compost bin/bucket, pack a picnic and eat outside, use sidewalk chalk (draw flowers, bugs, or Earth Day pictures), make something from a cardboard box, or make a mini garden in a cup.

5. Earth Day Kindness Activities-Clean up your backyard, help a neighbor with a simple outdoor task, plant something that helps pollinators, pick up trash at the playground, or share extra seeds/plants with a friend.

6. Easy Earth Day Challenges for Kids-Spend at least one hour outside, pick up 10 pieces of trash, go a day without using a single-use plastic water bottle, find five things at home that you can reuse instead of throwing away, or walk someplace close instead of driving there if it is close enough.

Mrs. McGowan

Spring is finally here, and with it comes beautiful weather, and lots of (incredibly fun) distractions for students. So, as the weather gets warm, and spring fever officially hits, it’s important for parents and educators to help children stay focused and maintain their motivation, in order to succeed through the end of the year. Here are some of the things that we can do to keep kids motivated to end the year on a high note:

1. Grab a snack and head outside to a nice shady spot to study.

2. Take movement breaks. Moving around, after a long stretch of motionless studying, revives the body and refreshes fatigued minds.

3. Remember the big picture. When children are feeling unmotivated, they need gentle reminders of what they have been working toward and how far they have already come this school year.

With the right plan in mind, children can beat spring fever in order to reach new heights in their academic achievement. And leaving the school year on a positive note will help them start the following year in a positive manner as well!

Mrs. DiRienzo

Social Worker Newsletter April 2026

Over the last month, lunch groups focused on developing social awareness and relationship skills. Students explored the qualities of healthy friendships, including enjoying time together, showing respect through their actions and choices, and building trust by following through with what is said and how we talk about others.

We also discussed friendship boundaries, identifying common “friendship lines” that can sometimes be crossed. These included physical touch, joking, telling others what to do, exclusion, and gossip. Students reflected on how crossing these “friendship lines” can impact others’ feelings and relationships.

In addition, students practiced problem-solving skills for navigating friendship challenges. They learned to distinguish between positive and negative ways of handling conflicts and were encouraged to choose strategies that promote respectful, supportive relationships.

Building strong social skills takes time and practice. Families play an important role in helping children develop empathy, communication, and healthy relationships.

• Encourage Perspective-Taking
  Ask questions like, “How do you think your friend felt?” or “What might someone else be thinking in that situation?” This helps children build empathy and social awareness.

• Model Respectful Communication
  Children learn by watching adults. Demonstrate active listening, calm problem-solving, and respectful language during everyday interactions.

• Talk About Friendship Qualities
  Discuss what makes a good friend—kindness, honesty, respect, and trust. Reinforce these qualities when you see your child demonstrating them.

• Practice Problem-Solving
  When conflicts arise, guide your child through solutions by asking: “What happened?” “What could you do differently next time?” “How can you make things right?”

• Reinforce Healthy Boundaries
  Help your child understand personal space, appropriate joking, and respecting others’ feelings. Remind them that it’s okay to say “no” and to respect when others do the same.

• Encourage Inclusion
  Promote kindness by encouraging your child to include others, especially those who may feel left out.

• Limit and Discuss “Chit-Chat” (Gossip)
  Talk about how talking about others can affect feelings and friendships. Recognize how it can be tempting to talk about someone when they are not around. When it’s positive, “I’m so excited she received Student of the Month,” then it’s okay. When it’s mean or negative, then it’s gossip.

• Praise Positive Social Behavior
  Notice and acknowledge when your child shows kindness, cooperation, or problem-solving. Positive reinforcement helps build lasting skills.

Core Team News

March Students of the Month

The following students are being recognized for their exemplary positive character attributes and for being outstanding role models.

Laurel Raff: Laurel is always working very hard and trying her best. She is a kind and caring friend who shares, takes turns, and helps others. Keep up the amazing work!

• Mrs.Capel

Brithany Guillen-Gonzalez: Brithany is always giving her best effort in school. She is kind to both students and staff. Brithany is helpful and responsible. She is truly shining here at Stillwater School!

• Mrs. Collier

Dominic Pietrodangelo: Thank you for being a leader in Makerspace and the greater N.J. community through serving as a student representative to the N.J. Climate Change Student Advisory Committee. You are a true Citizen Scientist who encompasses the traits necessary to make the Earth more sustainable and kind.

• Mrs. Ciccolella

Abighaile Looney: Thank you for being a leader in Makerspace and the greater N.J. community through serving as a student representative to the N.J. Climate Change Student Advisory Committee. You are a true Citizen Scientist who encompasses the traits necessary to make the Earth more sustainable and kind.

• Mrs. Ciccolella

Benjamin Lapping: Ben is a wonderful kindergartner who brings a positive attitude to Physical Education every single day. He is always smiling, eager to participate, and excited to learn new skills. Ben shows great enthusiasm during activities. His love for coming to PE is clear, and it helps create a fun and welcoming environment for everyone. Ben’s positive energy and effort make him a great choice for Student of the Month!

• Mrs.Earley and Mr.Tiberi

June Garber: June earned Student of the Month for her consistent kindness, thoughtfulness toward others, and the positive, uplifting energy she brings each day. She is truly an awesome student who makes a difference in her classroom.

• Mrs. Robinson & Mrs. Then

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Hatley Green: Hatley consistently shows kindness and empathy toward others, is always willing to help, include and support her classmates. Her caring attitude makes our classroom a better place!

• Mrs. Celentano and Mrs. Maeurer

Raina Klimek: Raina is respectful and responsible, consistently demonstrating kindness in her interactions with others. She is a caring friend who supports her peers and always lends a helping hand, helping make the classroom a positive place for everyone

• Mrs. Hoon and Mrs. Mahedy

Susana Hidalgo: Susana is a kind, thoughtful, and helpful friend and student. She always puts her best foot forward and goes out of her way to help others. Her positive attitude and empathy for others is admirable!

• Mrs. Phlegar

Gannon Griffin: Gannon is hardworking, respectful, caring, enthusiastic, and a model student that shows responsibility every day. Gannon’s work ethic and motivation shines through all he does. I am so proud of you!

• Mrs. Bird

Kalynn Dingertopadre: Kalynn is a kind and hardworking student. She is respectful, responsible, and eager to help others and always tries her best. Keep up the great work Kalynn, we are so proud of you!

• Mrs. Bickhardt and Mrs. Steffens

Mrs. Smetana

YEARBOOK SALES ARE CLOSED AS OF 4/17/26. If you have already ordered your yearbook they will be in sometime the end of May and will be delivered to your child before the end of the school year. I will have an update in next week's newsletter if there are any extras (THESE WILL BE FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED). As always should you have any questions, please reach out to me via email at kimberly.williams@stillwaterschool.net or phone 973-383-6635.

Mrs. Williams