SWS NEWSLETTER

Message from Dr. Schleer

Dear Families, Staff, and Friends,

A few weeks ago, I wrote to you about RESPECT, and I shared some thoughts about the tone of comments at our meetings. I want to follow up by saying thank you.

Thursday night’s meeting had a different feel. I appreciated the conversations and the thoughtfulness of those who spoke. That is the kind of community I know we are, and I hope we can continue to work together in that spirit, keeping our focus where it belongs: on our children and our staff.

That same spirit was on full display at the Pumpkin Run. I was so impressed by our students’ dedication as they ran their five laps, and by those who kept going well beyond. Their determination and enthusiasm were a joy to watch. Thank you to everyone who helped make the Pumpkin Run such a success, and thank you as well to all who supported our Book Fair. Your time, energy, and generosity make a real difference for our students.

When we come together as a community, great things happen. Thursday's meeting, the Pumpkin Run, and the Book Fair prove that.

Be on the lookout next week for the conference sign ups from your child's teacher. Conferences will be held on the evening of Tues., November 3, and the afternoon of Wed., November 4. On these two days, the school will hold an early dismissal schedule at 12:33; lunch will not be served.

I hope everyone enjoys this beautiful weekend.

With gratitude always,

Dr. Lisa Schleer

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💞💞💞Celebrating our Counselor, Mrs. Watts as She Heads Home💞💞💞

Dear SWS Family,

I'm writing to share some bittersweet news. Mrs. Watts, our school counselor, has accepted a position in her hometown and will be leaving our district in the beginning of December.

While her time with us this year was shorter than any of us would have liked, it's hard to overstate the impact she made. She brought a warmth, kindness, and energy to our halls that students and staff felt every single day. Whether she was helping a student through a tough moment, cheering on a classroom, meeting with teachers, or simply greeting everyone with a smile, Mrs. Watts made our school a brighter place to be.

We are so grateful for everything she gave to our community, and we're excited for her as she begins this new chapter closer to home. We wish her nothing but the very best.

In the coming weeks, we'll share details about the steps we're taking to welcome a new counselor to our team.

In the meantime, please join us in thanking Mrs. Watts and wishing her well. If you'd like to send her a note before she goes, she can be reached at bwatts@sandystonwalpack.org. She is always available to meet with families and she is also available to meet with families during conferences in November.

Fondly,

Dr. Lisa Schleer

PLEASE READ

A Note About After-School Activities and the Parent Portal Pick-Up Form

If your child is signed up for an After School Activity, Student Council, or Success Academy, you do not need to complete the Pick-Up Form in the Parent Portal for the days that activity meets. The permission slip you signed already lets the school know your child is staying after school on those scheduled dates and will not be dismissed at regular dismissal time.

The only time you need to complete the Pick-Up Form is if there is a change to that plan. For example, if your child will not be staying for the activity on one of the scheduled dates, please complete the Pick-Up Form so we know whether your child will be picked up or take the bus home instead.

In short: No change to the plan? No form needed. Change to the plan? Please complete the Pick-Up Form in the Parent Portal.

REMINDER.................IF YOU ARE COMING TO THE HALLOWEEN PARADE ON OCTOBER 30TH NEXT WEEK, YOU WILL NEED TO ENTER THAT IN THE PARENT PORTAL FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30TH, BY 2:00.

Thank you for helping us keep dismissal safe and smooth for everyone!

Ideal Farms Field Trip-PK

Ideal Farms

Pumpkin Fun Post Ideal Farms

Exploration

Class Photo at Ideal Farms

Smile Says it ALL!

Sticky Fun!

Health & PE Update

This week in PE we continued to work towards our Marathon Kids goals and introduced pickleball (Grades 3-5) and Flag Football (6th Grade). The weather was beautiful for our afternoon classes to get outside and enjoy a run in the sun. When the weather and wet grass made the conditions unfavorable for an outdoor run, our classes accomplished their goals through indoor relay races, tag and pickleball skill building. K-2 combined the Marathon Kids program with gaga ball and playground time with Kindergarten completing a practice mile with their 6th grade buddies on Thursday in preparation for next week's Pumpkin Run. Even our littlest learners got out on the course to complete a lap or two in preparation for the big event!

A big shout out to our runner of the week for last week Armani! Armani turned his "I can't" into "I can" and met his running goals by banishing his stinking thinking! Our runner of the week for this week is Caleb Albinsson! Caleb not only ran over 7 miles in the past two weeks, he inspired and encouraged his peers to work hard resulting in 2nd grade averaging more than 5 miles per student so far in this challenge!

4th Grade Girls doing the Macarena while running

Pre-K learning to Stay Low and Go for Fire Safety Week

1st Grade practicing their firefighting skills climbing the ladders in PE

Fun with Mrs. Manella

"Witch-ing You a Happy Halloween! We got into the spooky spirit this week by creating our very own festive Halloween witches! Beyond being a fun seasonal project, it was a fantastic way for the kids to practice fine motor skills like cutting and gluing while showing off their creativity. Take a look at our talented little crafters below!"

Best Buddies!

Fourth grade and preschool get together each Friday for activities. Last week students read Fall books together.

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Grade 1 & 2 Pumpkin Run

MONDAY is Our Red Ribbon Week Kick-Off

Please help us honor and celebrate Red Ribbon Week! The theme this year is "Make a Difference. Be a Hero. Stay Drug Free. Check out all of our fun activities planned for next week. We are thrilled that our Kittatinny Marching Band is helping our school kick-off Red Ribbon Week!

PTO HAPPENINGS!

Fall Decorations! Big thank you to the Farrell Family who donated all the beautiful pumpkins and decorations. The school looks amazing! Next up is the Tree Lighting Committee that will dress up our wonderful little school for the winter season!
Pizza Lunches and Ice Cream Days are underway! We're gearing up for our second round of each, and we're so grateful to the volunteers making these special treats possible and all the teacher feedback to make sure they are seamless days. The school is abuzz! Thank you to Alison Green, Billy Simons, Amanda Newton and Stacy Papp for making it all happen!
Healthy Foods Initiative! We're exploring ways to bring more nutritious food options and healthy habits into our school community. A huge shout-out to Bonnie Hull for securing donations - the apples were indeed LUDACRIS(P)!
A new Book Club! A huge shout-out to Lindsey Engle and Julie Clawson for getting this wonderful initiative off the ground! We are gearing up for our first one on Thursday, November 12th!
Pumpkin Run fun! A big thank-you to Stacy Papp and her family for securing pumpkins from our wonderful friends at Ideal Farms! What a treat for our students!
Teacher Appreciation, ALL year long! We're thrilled to have a newly formed Teacher Appreciation Committee, spearheaded by Ashley Porter, to make sure our teachers and staff feel the love and support they deserve throughout the year! Keep your eyes peeled for another Teacher's Lounge restock, and don't forget that this Monday the 26th is our October Staff Appreciation Day! October's Theme: Bring a Spooky Treat for Your Teacher! Bring your teacher a little something spooky and sweet.
Class Parents are off and running! We got a slightly later start than anticipated with the busy school year, but everyone is now organized and ready to make this a wonderful year for our students! Next stop, Halloween parties!
Our committees are taking shape! We've had an incredible response from families willing to volunteer their time and talents. Thank you to everyone who has stepped up! It makes such a difference! If you would still like to join a committee, reach out to Stacy Papp or myself and we will find the perfect place for you!
Gertrude Hawk fundraiser! Go buy some yummy chocolates for the holidays and support the PTO! More fundraising to come to make sure the school has what it needs!

What's Next?

PTO meeting on Monday, November 2nd! We'll have plenty to discuss, new ideas to explore, and more opportunities to get involved. It will be in the art room, with a little something to keep kiddos entertain as we plot and plan.

Big thanks, always,

Caroline, PTO President

Stuff the Stocking-Project Self-Sufficiency

Sandyston-Walpack School is excited to be participating in this year’s Stuff the Stocking contest to gather new, unwrapped toys for Sussex and Northern Warren County NJ infants, children, and teens. They will be distributed through Project Self-Sufficiency’s Season of Hope Toy Shop in mid-December.

If you are interested, please drop off new, unwrapped gifts and gift-cards to the main office between October 23- December 9th.

Thank you for supporting our children and families in Sussex County!