Welcome Back!

NB Families,

It was a short, but busy week as we recovered from the excitement of Halloween. Please make sure that you have signed up for a conference for your child, as the sign up window closes Monday afternoon at 4pm. For information about how to sign up for a conference as well as other important information and news, please see below.

Please note that Genesis should now automatically notify parents of absence and tardy letters that are generated at certain amounts of absences and tardies. There was a glitch earlier in the school year, so today I sent those letters out via email. Attendance and tardy letters are to keep you aware of your child's attendance at school and they help us to identify students or families who may need extra support in this area.

Have a great long weekend and we will see you on Monday, 11/9!

Elissa Scillieri

Important Dates - Website Link

Please see the letter below for instructions on how to log in and sign up for a parent-teacher conference.

Each year we have the opportunity to recognize staff who are respected, dedicated, show leadership ,and contribute to the community. If you would like to nominate a staff member for the Governor’s Educator of the Year Award, either a teacher or an educational services professional, please fill out this form. The more specific your nomination form is, the better chances your nominee has to earn the distinction. Please submit all nominations to Dr. Scillieri by Friday, 11/13.

This week further progress was made on the inclusive playground with installation and cement work. We are about $21,000 from our final goal. Please see the information below about the ShamRock Fundraising Concert that will benefit our playground.

Our committee for the inclusive playground has been working to secure donations and organize with vendors and contractors on an optimistic timeline that would ideally have an operational playground in place before the end of the year. While the playground will be at NB, it really is intended as a community play space that will be open to all families not only in our town, but also surrounding towns as well. Our website has more information about the project and how to donate to this great effort.

Please note that the courtyard that held the prior playground structure will be under construction while the playground installation is in progress. As this construction continues, please keep your children safe and out of that area.

Our community partners at ShamRock have selected the NB Inclusive Playground as the focus for their 18th annual fundraising concert. The event will be held at Debonair Hall in Teaneck on Su 11/22 from 12:00-4:00 and tickets are available online. There are also sponsorship opportunities available at three levels and people can also sponsor a song for $25. For more information, please contact ShamRockMusicNJ@gmail.com or call (973) 839-0100.

Click below to see your child's school pictures. Make up pictures are finished! Use the same link to view the student gallery for make-ups too.

For more information about the Birthday Book Club in the Media Center, see the letter below.

Please see the following resources about special education:

1. "A Parent's Guide to Using AI for Advocacy in Special Education" - This one focuses on how parents can use AI to help navigate the special education process and advocate for their children.

2. "Artificial Intelligence in Special Education" – This one provides more general information about the use of AI in special education, including benefits and considerations.

The Pequannock Profile of a Graduate outlines the skills and qualities that our community expects students to develop in order to succeed in their future endeavors, whether in higher education, the workforce, military service, or other career paths. In this section of the newsletter, I will weekly highlight how these competencies and dispositions are being integrated and promoted at the elementary school level.

Reflection

Graduates reflect on experiences, learn from feedback, and continuously grow as learners and individuals.

• Encourages thoughtful expression, growth, and continuous improvement

• Is open to and accepting of feedback

• Thinks about possible outcomes before making decisions and taking action

• Is committed to growing and learning in all situations and experiences

Students reflect on experiences by thinking about what went well, what was challenging, and what they might do differently next time. For example, after completing a writing assignment, a student identifies a strength in their work and sets a goal for improvement. Students learn from feedback by listening to suggestions from teachers and peers, considering different perspectives, and using feedback to improve their work. For example, a student revises a math explanation after a teacher asks a question that encourages deeper thinking. Students are able to recognize strengths and areas for growth by identifying what they do well and understanding that there are skills they are still developing. For example, a student recognizes that reading fluency is a strength but sets a goal to improve reading comprehension. Students are able to demonstrate a growth mindset through viewing mistakes and challenges as opportunities to learn rather than reasons to give up. For example, a student tries a different strategy when the first attempt at solving a problem does not work.

See this link to sign up for holiday photo sessions to benefit NB HSA and the First Aid Squad.

Join the NB HSA and check out our upcoming activities on the NB HSA website: https://nbshsa.org/

The elementary handbook outlines general procedures for the three elementary schools. Information regarding specific policies and regulations can be found on the district website.

Please see the letter attached below from Mrs. VanSickle, our Director of Curriculum and Instruction, for changes to the G&T program this year.

Students are expected to maintain regular attendance at school. We 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 tracks all absences, and even those with doctor's notes or a parent phone call are considered unexcused. We understand that students will be absent occasionally for valid reasons. However, the only absences that can marked "excused" are the following: religious observances, Veterans Day activities, Take our Children to Work Day, and transportation related closures.

To help keep you aware of your child's totals, families will be notified at 5, 10, 13 and 16 absences. At 10 or more days absent, we may 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!

Pomptonian is our lunch service provider. You can view menus and obtain allergy information by following this link. All elementary students must pre-order lunch. Lunches are made at the high school and transported to the elementary schools.

Any families that might benefit from free and reduced lunch are encouraged to check out the district’s website and consider applying. If you qualified last year, please be sure to apply again this year as the program requires annual updates. Students will receive lunches identical to those of their peers and their information remains confidential.

Photo credit goes to Maureen Brain for her beautiful pictures of North Boulevard School.