4th Grade Field Trip -- LUX at SOPAC 2022
The entire 4th grade attended a concert performed by the LUX Orchestra at the South Orange Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, November 22, 2022.
Students saw and heard the four different instrument families: strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion. They also started thinking about what instrument they might be interested in playing next year in 5th grade band or orchestra.
We also heard a variety of musical styles and ways of telling a story through music. Infernal Dance by Igor Stravinsky is from his ballet Firebird. Toreador is from the opera Carmen by Georges Bizet and featured a baritone soloist. We even joined in for the chorus! We also listened to the First Movement of Beethoven’s famous Symphony No. 5 and tried to count how many times the four note theme was played (it was a lot!) The last piece we heard was a trilogy of John Williams’ movie music from Star Wars, Jurassic Park, and Indiana Jones. It was very exciting to hear these familiar melodies!
We were even introduced to Kita, a service dog for the bass trombone player. Not only was the dog wearing a very cute tutu, we learned that she stays right next to her owner on stage ready to alert her when she needs to take a special medication.
Students also worked hard to be good audience members--listening when it’s time to listen, clapping at the appropriate times, engaging in audience participation opportunities, and being respectful so performers can do their best and other audience members can listen with their full attention.
And last but not least, a HUGE thank you to the PTA for the purchase of the concert tickets for this field trip!
Mrs. Claire Van Tine
Music Educator
Tuscan Elementary School
In November, in celebration of Trans Awareness Week, all Tuscan students participated in a cross curricular activity based on the book, Red: A Crayon’s Story by Michael Hall. The story is ultimately about accepting oneself and others as they are and celebrating each other’s individuality.
In library, Ms. Popp, Library Media Specialist, read the book, Red: A Crayon’s Story by Michael Hall and led a class discussion about celebrating each other's strengths and differences. Following the discussion, students decorated their own paper crayon and were encouraged to use their favorite colors, symbols, and images that describe themselves, their background, talents, and personality.
Mr. Dean, Art Teacher, created a life-size crayon box, painted and made of cardboard, for a bulletin board, and all students’ crayons were displayed inside and around the big crayon box. The bulletin board, entitled, “We Are Tuscan”, is a display of differently designed and decorated crayons and signifies the rich diversity of Tuscan students. In art, all Tuscan students are currently engaged in pushing the boundaries of self-portraiture, uplifting all facets of identity, honoring our diversity. Students began this process by embracing what it means to truly honor what makes each and every student unique.
The overriding message, that students are encouraged to take away from this project, is that Tuscan students should remember not to “judge a book - or crayon - by its cover” but celebrate each other's unique personalities, just as one would appreciate a vibrant box of crayons.
(Photos below)
2022-23 SY Student Code of Conduct & Restorative Justice Guide
As per Board policy the "Student Code of Conduct & Restorative Justice" information is to be disseminated annually to all school staff, students, and parents. This Code of Conduct & Restorative Justice is presented to assist students, staff, and parents/guardians to understand the expectations for acceptable conduct while in school or attending school-sponsored activities, on school grounds, and while on the way to and from school. All students are expected to follow the Code of Conduct & Restorative Justice. K-12 Principals will review core principles and key components of the Code of Conduct & Restorative Justice with their staff and students (as developmentally appropriate) at the beginning of each school year, and as needed throughout the year. We ask families to do the same with their children. It is the collective responsibility of students, staff, and parents/guardians to ensure that the expectations set forth in this Code of Conduct & Restorative Justice are adhered to.
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TUSCAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
The School District of South Orange and Maplewood
Email: ROARforTuscan@somsd.k12.nj.us
Website: www.somsd.k12.nj.us/tuscan/
Location: 25 Harvard Avenue, Maplewood, NJ, USA
Phone: 973-378-5221