Hello Central School Community! I am so excited to celebrate Read Across America at the end of this month. Be sure to take a look at our flyer for the week long event below. Reading is so important, and I have seen tremendous gains with our students this year. Coincidentally, at the same time, my own children have started to explore reading on their own at home! There is no greater joy than seeing the learning taking place and their skills growing by leaps and bounds. I hope this Read Across America week, you take some time to read a book or two with your children at home. It is truly a joy to behold! As always, we have several upcoming events to round out the month, so please read this newsletter carefully. Please also remember that Wednesday, 2/28 is now a half day for students and dismissal will be at 1:05pm.

Mr. Monafis

Please Note: This Newsletter contains important information, please read carefully.

Central Elementary School boasts a strong PTO organization called CAPE (Central Association of Parents and Educators). If you are looking for ways to get involved with your school, this is a great place to start. Please click below for links to CAPE's website and Facebook pages.

No school 2/19-2/20 for Presidents Day

The calendar for K-5 schools has been updated this year to include an early dismissal schedule (1:05 PM) for K-5 students on February 28, 2024. Kindly refer to the revised calendar for more details.

• Click here for the calendar

Shamrock Ball 2nd Grade Event

Friday, March 15th

6:00pm

Use this link to register!

Hollywood Night 4th Grade Event

Friday, March 22nd

6:30pm

Central School Gym

Register here. 4th Grade students only.

A major fundraising event for our school focused on the most essential of skills, reading! Prizes to be awarded based on most minutes read!

Our Spring Scholastic Book Fair will take place 3/5 and 3/6 after school from 3:30 pm to 7:00 pm.

The Wall Township Education Association is encouraging students to pause from their busy lives to acknowledge the teacher whose talent and dedication made them unforgettable. Who is your most memorable teacher?

Open to all students | Deadline: 3/1/24

Winners will be recognized at the April Board of Education meeting! See flyer for details.

Please join the Crimson Knights Foundation for their 4th Annual Gala Awards on Thursday, March 21, at 5:30 PM. This event celebrates and honors distinguished Wall Township Community members.

This year, the Foundation is honoring:

• Chief Sean O’Halloran, Chief of Police for the Wall Township Police Department - Excellence in Community Leadership Award
• Tiffany Steiner, Director of Intervention Programs and Student Wellness K-12 - Meritorious Administrator Award
• Joshua Tennant, Chairperson of the Science Department and Wall High School Teacher - Exemplary Faculty Award

This event is open to all! Click here for additional information and to purchase tickets.

Students won a chance to have hot cocoa with the principal on Valentine’s Day after completing their Kindness/7 Mindsets Bingo Board Challenge!

Our February Arts and Music Students of the Month!

Our January Students of the Month!

Wall High School students from the Heroes & Cool Kids club presented to our students and taught them all about character building, being kind, making good choices on social media, and a message of anti-bullying!

Ms. Turner's class investigated moon rocks and meteorite samples from NASA.

2/26, 3/4, 3/11, 3/18 after school in Central School Gymnasium.

Dine to Donate: Vinnie's Pizza

February 29th from 4PM-Close

Troop 1867 is planning a Free Book Library for Central School!

April 12th. More information to follow!

The month of February is dedicated to the exploration of the mindset, Passion First.

Passion First teaches understanding that each of us is a unique expression of human existence, and that our lives should be focused on finding our individual genius. Essential to this is making our dreams authentic and aligned with our core values.

4 Key Components:

• Focus on Strengths
• Explore Your Interests
• Take a Stand
• Be Authentic

Loosing for a fun activity to visualize the new year with your children? Take a look at this free printable!

See flyer for more information

Mr. Knight, Mr. Farrell, & Mr. LaFerlita would like to remind all that they should bring their jackets to gym until Thanksgiving. Maximizing outside time is a priority before the cold winter months.

We know that changes happen. We also know that they can happen last minute. However, please know that we dismiss over 500 students a day in many different ways. We can accommodate changes as they come, but do ask that calls to the office for transportation changes come in no later than 2:45pm. Please help us ensure the safety and secure dismissal of all our students.

Please be advised that during arrival and dismissal the south parking lot (across from the church) is not accessible to parent pick up or drop off. Our buses must have a safe area to depart from and we cannot have additional traffic in this area. Please refrain from entering this parking lot during arrival and dismissal times. Please utilize the private transportation line for that purpose.

Private Transportation operates at peak efficiency after a few weeks of school have passed. When parents/cars are recognized as regulars, the line moves much quicker. Thank you for your patience as we get acquainted with your vehicle/pickup person. Please note that the Private Transportation line moves much faster when the driver remains in the vehicle. If your child is capable of opening/closing their car door, sitting in their seat, and buckling in, please encourage them to do so. In this way, we can keep the line moving!

Please remember to check the transportation status sheet on the website to know if there are any buses running late. In the event of a change that takes place close to arrival or dismissal, I will send out a notification.

Our first through fifth grade students are so fortunate to have 1:1 Chromebooks at school. These devices are assigned to every child and will advance with the learner each year. Since students will have these devices for five years, we are encouraging our students to take care of their technology! In case a Chrome book is intentionally damaged, families will have to pay for repairs.

From time to time, teachers, mainly 4th and 5th grade, may assign homework assignments that require device access. In case your child needs a Chrome book at home, please contact our School Family Liaison Counselor Ms. Crepeau (screpeau@wallpublicschools.org/732-556-2556) or myself (emonafis@wallpublicschools.org).

Our Technology teacher will ensure that your child gets a device to borrow for the 2023-2024 school year. The borrowed device must be returned by May 31st.

• Shoes must be worn at all times. Shoes must have a back or support strap - NO FLIP FLOPS!

• The length of shorts, skirts, or dresses must be no shorter than mid-thigh.

• Athletic uniforms (padding, helmets, footwear) and bathing trunks are inappropriate attire. Boxer shorts, spandex shorts, or cutoffs are not permissible. All garments must be hemmed. Team jerseys are OK.

• Students may not wear tube, tank, halter, spaghetti-straps, or see-through tops. Off-the-shoulder tops and backless dresses may not be worn to school. Sleeveless tops will be permitted as long as the top of the shoulder is covered. Midriffs must always be covered.

• Clothing with large holes and tears in it may not be worn to school.

• Headgear may not be worn indoors. Hats will be confiscated.

• Words or pictures that are not appropriate for the school environment may not appear on clothing.

• Chains, choker studs, or any other similar adornments are prohibited.

• Students are to refrain from wearing sunglasses or tinted glasses of any type in school without a written doctor’s recommendation on file with the school nurse.