The Friday Focus

• 2025-26 Kindergarten Registration: Information and Forms are HERE.
• Kindergarten Camp: Information and forms are HERE. Please Note: your child must be registered for Fall 2025 Kindergarten in order to attend.

Upcoming Events:

• The Hopewell Valley Central High School's Winter Musical, Alice by Heart, starts tonight! From the Tony® and Grammy® award-winning creators of Spring Awakening, Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik, and co-written by Jessie Nelson (Waitress), Alice By Heart is a touching musical about a young girl who takes refuge in a London Tube station during WWII and confronts grief, loss, and love with the help of her favorite book, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Down the hole we will go at 7pm on Friday, February 28th, Saturday, March 1st, Friday, March 7th and Saturday, March 8th. Purchase tickets at: https://cur8.com/446/project/129815

• "My Life Online: Encouraging Youth to be Safe, Smart & Kind in Virtual Platforms, March 5th, 6pm: Join us for a virtual discussion hosted by Empower Somerset and the Empower Middle School Youth Advisory Board. Participants will learn decisive actions to take immediately to “upgrade” the way they use technology and interact with others in their day-to-day lives, both online and in person. For more information, please click the link above.

• Hopewell Valley's Night Off is March 6th! This community-wide initiative was created for families to “take the night off". With the support of our schools & parents, sports practices, classes and homework will be canceled on this special evening. Visit this link for some great ideas on how to spend your night off!

• NJ Stride 2025 Virtual Job Fair, March 20th, 4:30-7:30pm. Calling all NJ Educators! Meet dozens of NJ school districts seeking candidates for all grade levels and content areas!

• Hopewell Valley Bulldog Blossom 5K, Saturday, March 22: Includes both 1M Fun Run and 5K Run/Walk

• The Hopewell Valley Education Foundation Annual “Above & Beyond Gala” Friday, March 21st at Hopewell Valley Vineyards. Join us from 6:30-9:30 as we celebrate our well-deserving Teachers and Support Staff of the Year from each district school. There will be an auction full of amazing items as well as appetizers and artisan pizza buffet. Please click here for more event information and to buy Gala tickets!

HVCHS is excited to present Alice by Heart, a musical inspired by Lewis Carroll’s novel Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland on February 28, March 1, March 7, and March 8 at 7 p.m. in the HVCHS Performing Arts Center. Tickets can be purchased online; please consider joining us for this celebration of the transformational power of the imagination!

HVCHS Updates: Please see the February edition of HVCHS Updates from Ms. Riley and the January Counseling Newsletter from Ms. Rutt.

• NJGPA: The Class of 2026 is required by the State of NJ to take the NJGPA, therefore, we will have a special schedule on March 10 and 11, in which all juniors will test in the morning, and all freshmen, sophomores, and seniors will have a three hour delay. Bus transportation will be provided at both our normal arrival time (for juniors) and three hours later (for freshmen, sophomores, and seniors). If your freshman, sophomore, or senior is in need of supervision at school during the three hour delay, please contact their counselor ASAP so we can plan accordingly. Additional information regarding the NJGPA and our modified schedules was sent via email earlier this week.

• Course Selection: All student course selections, based on their preliminary eligibility determinations, should be finalized by March 3 in advance of their counselor scheduling meetings. Please review the additional information regarding the course selection process that was sent by the Counseling Office earlier this month. The Program of Studies for 2025-26 can be found HERE.

• Did your student miss the 2025 Summer Job and Service Fair? Over 30 employers and service organizations participated, offering summer employment and service opportunities. Questions? Please contact the Hopewell Valley Municipal Alliance at hvmunicipalalliance@gmail.com.

• Local Scholarships for Class of 2025: The HVCHS Counseling Department coordinates our Local Scholarship Program and the Scholarship Application is available to seniors now - both on the link as well as on on the HVCHS Scholarship site. The deadline to submit the application is March 15 at 3pm - no exceptions.

• Absences, Late Arrivals, & Early Dismissals: Parents/Guardians should call our TeleSafe number 609-737-4003, Ext 2, by 8:00 am to report an absence or late arrival. Please provide a note if your child needs to be dismissed from school early. Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors MUST be signed out by a parent or guardian before leaving the building. Please also review our attendance procedures for details about the district policies. *As a reminder, students must be in school for at least four hours in order to participate in all athletic or extra-curricular activities and events*

• What’s Happening at HVCHS? Please follow us on Twitter: @HVCentralHS and Instagram: hopewell_valley_central_hs for pictures, updates, and fun facts. Our daily morning announcements can be found on the school website and via this link. Fundraising activities from our classes, clubs, and teams can be found on our fundraising calendar. Also, check out our HV Student Publications Network page for student-created podcasts, digital videos, and more! If you are a graduate of HVCHS, and you would like to join our Alumni Directory, please complete our Database Form and indicate what type of information you would like to receive from HVCHS.

The Counseling Services Calendar for 2024-25 can be found HERE with links to upcoming programs and events.

• February 28: Deadline to submit FAFSA Opt-In/Opt-out form - required for graduation
• February 28, March 1, 7, 8: Winter Musical "Alice by Heart", 7pm PAC Tickets HERE

• March 6: HV Night Off

• March 10 & 11: NJGPA Testing (Class of 2025, 2027, 2028 three hour delay)

• March 15: Deadline to submit for local scholarship program
• March 21: Class of 2027 & 2028 Dance 7pm-10pm CHS Cafeteria, Click HERE
• March 21: HVEF Above & Beyond Gala 6.30pm Hopewell Vineyards Tickets HERE
• March 22: Hopewell Valley Bulldog Blossom 5K Register HERE

Hello Timberlane Families,

We are exactly three weeks away from our CUTTING HAIR BECAUSE WE CARE event. This event will continue the tradition that we started last year at TMS of supporting the St. Baldrick's Foundation in the fight against childhood cancer. Last year, we shaved 43 heads and raised over $30,000 for St. Baldrick's. This year we want to shave even more heads! We've decided to add more ways to make a difference by adding Maggie's Wigs for Kids to the event. Students (or grown ups!) can donate a minimum of 8" of undyed hair to make wigs for students who need them.

Our event is on Wednesday, March 18th. There are lots of fun ways to support us:

• Purchase a "Cutting Hair Because We Care" T-Shirt. They are $15 (cash or check made out to Timberlane Middle School) and can be ordered HERE until 3/5. Shirts will be delivered on 3/16.

• Attend our "Shake Your Shamrock" Night of Fun on Friday 3/7 from 6-8 pm. There will be pizza, salad, drinks, trivia, potato decorating, and FUN. $5 per family and all proceeds will go to our St. Baldrick's team. RSVP HERE to attend.

• Or JOIN OUR TEAM! The event will take place between 9 am -12 pm (each grade level will have roughly an hour slot) on 3/18. If you'd like to donate to or join Team Timberlane 2025, CLICK HERE. If you'd like to donate your hair to Maggie's Wigs for Kids, CLICK HERE.

Check out the flyers below to learn more....

Shake Your Shamrock

Cutting Hair Because We Care

• Yearbooks are on sale! The early bird price is $35. Click HERE to order your student's yearbook now!
• Absences, Late Arrival & Early Dismissal: Parents should call our TeleSafe # 609-737-4004, Ext 2, by 8:00 am, to report an absence or late arrival. If your child is leaving early, please be sure to send in a note when possible. If the need occurs after the start of school, please call the Main Office.
• Timberlane Drive is closed between 2:30 - 3:00 for TMS and CHS dismissal.
• TMS Updates: For additional information about TMS, please visit our webpage, or follow us on Twitter @Timberlane_HV, or instagram @timberlane_timberwolves
• The Timberlane ``Principal's Page" is on the TMS Website.

TMS Spring Sports - Today (2/28) is the last day to turn in Registration and medical forms for spring sports! Please click here to for registration page and medical forms.

Boys and Girls Lacrosse (7th & 8th Grade Only) , Boys & Girls Spring Track (6th, 7th & 8th Grade),

Baseball 7th & 8th Grade) and Softball (6th, 7th & 8th Grade) start Monday, March 17th!

Thank you to all who participated in the Staff/Student Basketball Game yesterday! A great time was had by all!

Upcoming Dates:

February 28th: 8th Grade Snow Tubing

March 7: Shake Your Shamrock Night of Fun, 6-8pm

March 18: Cutting Hair Because We Care

March 21st: HVEF "Above and Beyond Gala"

Hopewell Valley YMCA Tom Jackson 3v3 Basketball Tournament - Please click on the links for rosters and scheduled games.

BT Kids Heart Challenge - Please click here to see this note from Carl Corino, BT Wellness teacher, about helping students improve their daily physical activity and the Kids Heart Challenge.

We have two upcoming March reading events:

1. BT Reading-Raiser, Mar 1-31: A Reading-Raiser is like a jog-a-thon, except your child will be reading books instead of running laps and earning pledges based on how much they read. Everything is tracked online, which makes inviting sponsors and logging reading much more manageable. Here are two videos that explain how to participate:

• How to authorize your child's Reading-Raiser account: https://youtu.be/X4KCsWBwA7M
• How to become a sponsor and invite more sponsors: https://youtu.be/NrUbWdEfy24

BT St. Baldrick’s Day - March 14th: Join our St. Baldrick's Shave Team to conquer childhood cancer. In 2024, Bear Tavern raised over 28,000 dollars for this fantastic charity!

Our 2025 goal is $30K. Please join our team, even if you don't want to shave as your donations or volunteer support are really helpful. Here is the team link: Bear Tavern ES. Thank you for your support!

BT Bows For Baldrick’s - Not braving the shave, but want to support kids with cancer? Check out the flyer to buy a bow. Please include the students' names and the homeroom teacher for cash only.

World Down Syndrome Day - On March 21st, we will celebrate World Down Syndrome Day by wearing mismatched socks. If you want to support and honor our students and families and this cause, here is a link to purchase mismatched socks for the day.

• School Lunch Information - Please click this link for the 2024-2025 information.
• Absences & Late Arrivals - Parents/Guardians should call our TeleSafe number:
• 609-737-4005, Ext 2, by 8:00 a.m. to report an absence or late arrival.

• Changes In Students’ Dismissal - If there is a change in how students will be going home (pick up, take the bus, after-school program, etc.), please be sure to call or email the main office at 609-737-4005 or btmainoffice@hvrsd.org

  
  

Dates To Remember

3/2 - 3/6 - Read Across America

3/6 - Hopewell Valley Night Off

3/14 - St. Baldrick’s Day @ BT

3/20 - Recorder Concert 7:00 pm

3/21 - World Down Syndrome Day

3/21 HVEF "Above & Beyond Gala"

Principal’s Page on the SB website.

Science Fair Update - Saturday, March 8th. Check out the FLYER for more information. Registration is open to all Stony Brook students, grades PreK-5th. For more information: https://sites.google.com/view/stonybrooksciencefair/home

SB Flannel Pajama Pants and Rainbow Tie Dye T-shirts Flash Sale! These special items are only for sale for a few weeks: https://tinyurl.com/SBPTO2025DropSale. Orders are due by Friday, March 7. Payment is accepted online or via cash/check (made out to SB PTO) sent into school. If submitting cash/check payment, please include a copy of your online order form with your payment.

Hopewell Valley YMCA Tom Jackson 3v3 Basketball Tournament - Please click on the links for rosters and scheduled games.

World Down Syndrome Day - On March 21, we will be celebrating inclusivity and acceptance by wearing mismatched socks. It’s Rock Your Socks Day! Mismatched socks symbolize diversity and acceptance, as each sock represents a unique person with their own qualities. Any crazy or mismatched socks work! If you want to support and honor our students and families and this cause, here is a link to purchase mismatched socks for the day.

Order Your Stony Brook Yearbook! - Click HERE to pre order. Paper forms will also be sent home later in the year. Our yearbook ID to order online is 14277925.

• Lost & Found - Please label your jackets, gloves, hats and scarves!
• Breakfast - See the school breakfast & lunch menus. Students pick up and eat in the classroom. The cost is $3.25 unless your family qualifies for free/reduced meals.

• School Lunch Information: Click this link for the 2025 information.
• Dismissal Changes - Call our Attendance line at 609-737-4006, Ext 2, by 8:00 am to report an absence or late arrival. Please refer to our Attendance Procedures for details.
• PTO Membership Toolkit - Click here to register for volunteer opportunities, obtain class lists & apparel. Contact StonyBrookPTO@gmail.com with any questions.
• All Star Donation Drive - While the prize raffle is now closed, you can still donate to the All Star Donation Drive! Click here to donate.

*Dates To Remember*

Toll Gate Grammar School Website

Toll Gate Grammar on Instagram

Email the Toll Gate Main Office

Principal Lauri's February Newsletter

Toll Gate Grammar School will be running a 2025 Reading Raiser from Mar 1-31. A Reading-Raiser is like a jog-a-thon, except your child will be reading books instead of running laps, and earning pledges based on how much they read. Everything is tracked online, which makes inviting sponsors and logging reading much easier!

Here are two videos that explain how to participate in the Reading-Raiser:

-How to authorize your child's Reading-Raiser account: https://youtu.be/X4KCsWBwA7M
-How to become a sponsor and invite more sponsors: https://youtu.be/NrUbWdEfy24

• Your child will receive a private online account at https://app.readafun.com/ where he/she will log reading. Parent and student instructions on how to use the website have been sent home. Your child will not be able to invite any sponsors without your authorization. Follow this link to view instructions on how to use your parent account. IMPORTANT: Readafun works best if you use Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox or Safari. Unlike other fundraisers where we keep only 40-60% of each donation, our school keeps 80% of each donation using this program. We are really excited to promote reading and help our school raise the necessary money for our ongoing needs. Changes for this year:

• PEECH - 2nd grade will not be able to comment. Commenting will only be allowed for 3rd-5th grade. Comments/Book Reviews will be monitored and commenting can be turned off to individual students if necessary.

• We have an offline option if any parents would like to use the offline option - they can log reading, and collect donations offline. Offline Information

• Teachers will be distributing your students' login information shortly. They may login immediately but the ReadaFun will not officially begin until March 1. If you have any questions, misplace your students login information or need a paper copy of the offline materials please reach out to Eva (emck323@gmail.com).

Hopewell Valley YMCA Tom Jackson 3v3 Basketball Tournament - Please click on the links for rosters and scheduled games.

Philly Pretzel Sales: The Toll Gate 5th Grade Committee is offering soft pretzel sales to raise money for 5th grade year-end activities. Pretzels are $2 each and will be delivered to your child’s homeroom by the end of the day for an after school snack on the following dates: 3/6, 3/20, 4/10, 4/24, 5/8, 5/21 and 6/5. Click here to order! If you have any questions, please contact Tricia Simpson. For nutritional information for Philly Pretzel Factory, click here.

• School Lunch Information: Please click this link for the 2024-2025 information.

• Dismissal Changes: If your dismissal plans change on any given day, please email tgmainoffice@hvrsd.org, (this email will go to both main office secretaries, Ashlee Dana and Patricia Jaczko) to inform them of the change. Please also cc' your child's homeroom teacher.

• Reporting Student Absences: Please remember to call the Telsafe line 609-737-4008, option 2) by 8:00am for any absences or tardiness. Emails to a teacher may not be seen in a timely manner. Telsafe is the best way to report an absence. If your child is not at school and you haven’t reported them absent or tardy, you will get a phone call from Mrs. Smith, our school nurse.

Dates to Remember:

3/14: Trimester 2 Ends, PTO Skate Night @ Princeton Day School 5:00-6:45 PM

3/17-3/21: Spring Book Fair

3/21: HVEF "Above and Beyond Gala"

• The Watershed: Winter Fairy Festival, March 1st, 11am-1pm: Fairies and Friends gather together for some magical activities at the Watershed. We’ll search for fairies hidden at each activity station using a scavenger hunt sheet, create some fun crafts, play games and flutter our way around the obstacle course and more. Children of all ages are welcome, under 2 years old are free. Adult attendance required.

• Grow Little Gardener Workshop, Princeton Public Library, Sat, March 1st, 1-2pm: Master Gardener helps kids plan an edible spring garden. Registration required. For children in kindergarten through second grade. Registration opens Feb. 22.

• Science on Saturday series at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, also online, March 1st, 9:30-11am, “Will Quantum Computers Solve the World’s Greatest Problems?”

• The Laurie Berkner Band McCarter Theatre, March 1st: A pioneer in what is now referred to as the progressive “kindie rock” movement—Berkner’s shows delight and inspire!

• “Paws to Read” Read Across America Day at Tabby’s Place, March 1st, Ringoes, 12-3pm Snacks, prizes, and a special appearance by The Cat in the Hat. Read to cats. RSVP required at kj@tabbysplace.org.

• Read & Explore: Birds, Nesting & Birdhouses, March 8th, 10am-11am, Terhune Orchards.

  Birds are starting to think about making homes for their babies. We will read stories about birds. Each child will make a birdhouse and get some nesting material to take home. Pre-registration is required.

• Special Edition Storytime with Sara T. Behrman, March 9th, 2-3pm Princeton Public Library.

  Children's author Sara T. Behrman shares her book, "The Sea Hides a Seahorse." There will also be seahorse-related activities and crafts.

• 93rd Annual Bryn Mawr Wellesley Book Sale, March 12-16, Stuart Country Day School.

• Workhorse rides at Howell Living History Farm, March 15th, 10am-4pm. Kids 5-12 will learn about draft, saddle, and carriage horses; take rides, and help with barn chores.

• Celebrate Pi Day & Einstein's birthday at Pi Day Princeton 2025! March 14th & 15th! Click on the link for a comprehensive listing of local events!

• Princeton Public Library: Einstein Exploration Stations: For kids ages 5-10, March 15th, 2-4pm. The Princeton Einstein Museum of Science presents activities and challenges, and a chance to interact with a Princeton University physicist, at this Pi Day event.

• The Wonder of the Night Sky, The Watershed, March 15th, 7-9pm: Join us for a special event celebrating the night sky! Adults will enjoy a program about the wonder of the night sky and inspiring efforts to reduce light pollution in our own area. During that time, children will join Watershed Educators to learn about the cosmos and how they are connected to nocturnal creatures through fun games and activities. Everyone will come together for a night hike and guided star gazing. Please click link for more info as registration is required.

• Hopewell Basketball Spring Hoops Registration is Open! Space is limited! Games at Timberlane Middle School Gyms Boys and Girls Teams, Grades 3-5! For more information or to register: www.hopewellbasketball.com

• Hopewell Valley Lacrosse: Spring 2025 Registration is open for our HVL 3-8th Girls/ Boys Teams and Little Laxers. Open to boys and girls ages K-8th grade, HVL’s Program provides developmental lacrosse instruction for boys and girls, K-8th grade of all skill levels.

• Hopewell Valley Soccer Association: Spring 2025 Rec Soccer is Open! For children ages 2-18. Program will run from 4/13-5/25, with the exceptions of Eater and Memorial Day Weekends.

• Healthy Kids Running was created to motivate kids to lead a healthy and active lifestyle through a positive introduction to the world of running! HERE is the information about the series in Lawrence Township which starts in April.

• The Watershed Institute: Spring Break Mini Camp, April 3 & 4: Bring your campers for a mini-camp experience complete with a day of hiking, exploring, playing, and enjoying the start of spring.

Here are the links to the local libraries for upcoming storytimes, events and programs:

Hopewell Public Library

Pennington Public Library

Mercer County Library - Hopewell Branch

Apple Hart Farm Camp: provides a rich, outdoor experience in which budding nature lovers connect with the natural world in a safe, nurturing environment through hands-on animal care, imaginative play, nature hikes, art, gardening, cooking and more. Camp groups are led by are professional teachers who have undergone background clearances.

ArtSparks Summer: Summer Camp at Art Sparks provides theme-based creative experiences during which children get to explore a variety of media such as acrylics, collage, watercolors, pastels, charcoal, printmaking, sculpture, assemblage, colored pencils, clay and more.

Champs Camp Great Outdoors: Welcome to a whole new immersive summer experience. We’re elevating day camp to Champion status. Picture a mix of explorations in nature with brainy STEM challenges, fabulous field trips, and games galore!

The Chapin School, ESF Camps: For Boys and Girls, Rising Preschool to 10th Grade

The extensive indoor and outdoor facilities allow us to offer our unique blend of activities, sports, and special events throughout the summer, rain or shine.

Garden Theatre, Princeton "Film Camp": The Garden Theatre is hosting two different week-long film camp experiences this summer. Our “Elements of Film” curriculum, which launched last year, will be returning. We will also be debuting a new week-long curriculum, “Intro to Filmmaking.”

Hopewell Recreation's "Summer at a Glance": We are working on our summer camp offerings and wanted to share a "sneak peak" with you before everything is released later in February. Mark your calendars...summer camp registration officially opens on Monday, March 3rd!

Hopewell Swim & Tennis Sumer 2025: Registration is Open for Firefly and Tennis Camps! An ideal balance of sports and fun summer activities with instructional programs created for all ages and skill levels.

Hopewell Valley YMCA Summer Camp: offers high-quality summer day camp programming to meet the needs of the community. Campers will learn teamwork, embrace their artistic side, develop their sports skill sets and engage in their love of STEM activities and more.

Hun Day Camp: Campers will explore Hun’s 45-acre campus through eco-nature walks and field games, and use some of our academic buildings for art & crafts, mini-STEM projects, performing arts, LEGO builds, and weekly design challenges.

Inclusion Sports Performance Training Summer Day Camp: All campers will enjoy engaging activities such as gymnastics, biking, basketball, and a variety of other multi-sport games. Our camp emphasizes fundamental movement, functional skills, and the enhancement of social and life skills throughout the program.

Iron Peak: offers a variety of Youth Programs, including "Never-Ending Summer", a Multi-Sport and Adventure Day Camp.

Mercer County Community College: Summer Camps Guide

Music Mountain Theatre Summer Camps: Our theatre camps are perfect for budding performers eager to explore acting, singing, and dancing. Led by our talented teachers, each camp is designed to immerse campers in a magical world of theatre, creativity, and storytelling.

NLSA Surf Summer Soccer Camps: Offering a number of local day and overnight programs.

Nike Boys Basketball Camps are open for registration! Locations include: The Pennington The College of New Jersey, Princeton Day School and The Lawrenceville School.

The Pennington School: Summers at Pennington: Offers several program streams for ages 6-17 with a variety of camps to find the perfect option or combination of options to make this summer one of discovery and adventure!

Princeton Ballet School Summer Program: Programs include courses, camp and intensives.

Princeton Day School: Summer Programs offers seven weeks of academic, athletic and enrichment programming on the school's 106-acre campus. Camp facilities utilize our entire campus, including our STEAM Centers and classrooms, state-of-the-art athletic facilities, organic garden and one-of-a-kind ropes course.

Princeton Friends School: Campers are offered days filled with adventure, creativity, and fun framed by the Quaker testimonies of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship. And for those who seek something beyond or in addition to the classic camp experience, we offer three specialty camps: Art, Drama, and Kungaloosh Camp.

Princeton University Sports Camps offers sport-specific camps for young athletes. All camps and clinics are held on campus and run by the Department of Athletics. Each camp is directed by the Princeton University varsity coaches, with assistance from college coaches and players. Questions? E-mail: camps@princeton.edu

Rambling Pines Summer Camp: Each program provides structured activities chosen for your child's age group, along with well-trained and caring counselors and all the fun and excitement your child needs.

Schafer Summer Camp: Offers campers a variety of activities including gymnastics, sports and playground games, both full and half day programs.

Stuart Country Day School Summer Experience: All camps and workshops will be directed by dedicated Stuart faculty who are committed to developing the hearts and minds of young learners, from Early Childhood to Upper School.

The College of New Jersey:

Precollege Camps: TCNJ offers pre-college programs for high school students who want to explore careers on a beautiful college campus. Programs include: Innovation, AI, Biomedical Engineering, Future Music Educators, Design and Creative Technology and Archaeology.

Sports Camps: Women's lacrosse, Men's & Women's Soccer, Baseball, Field Hockey, Football, Men's & Women's Basketball, Swimming & Diving, Wrestling and Soccer.

Waldorf School of Princeton

Rising Kindergarteners have the opportunity to explore our beautiful campus and immerse themselves in the world of creativity, Our summer camp is the perfect opportunity to practice and learn a variety of languages or develop a new skill for rising first through eighth graders.

The Watershed Nature Camp - Campers will spend most of their time exploring our 950-acre Watershed Reserve of fields, forests, trails, ponds, and streams. They will also have access to the exhibits and animal ambassadors inside the nature center

The Watershed Summer Academy for High School Students: Each five-day session engages students in a world of science where they ask questions and identify problems, gain skills and knowledge.