SJG Newsletter 5/1/2026 Edition

Vision

SJG: Achieving excellence, creating lifelong learners, and building strong character.

Mission

Stephen J. Gerace Elementary School creates a foundation for success through a comprehensive curriculum which fosters critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration, while emphasizing respect and appreciation for the individuality of others. In partnership with families, staff and the community, our students are given the necessary tools to become caring, knowledgeable, responsible, and confident individuals who are equipped to thrive not only as students, but as members of a global society.

• May 4th to 8th- Teacher Appreciation Week

• May 7th- SJG Arts Night and 2nd Grade Concert

• May 8th- Field Day

• May 11th- Grade 1 Field Trip

• May 13th- NJSLA Math Testing Grades 3-5

• May 14th- Kindergarten Field Trip

• May 15th- Color Run 1:45pm

• May 18th and 19th- NJSLA Testing for Science Grade 5

• May 21st- Grade 4 NJ DAY

• May 22 through May 26th- School Closed

• May 27th- School Reopens

• Grade 2 and 4 walking field trip

We are in need of parental help in hanging artwork for the art show on May 7th. We need volunteers on Tuesday afternoons, Wednesdays all day, Thursdays all day, and Fridays all day for the next week and the following week. If you are able to volunteer, please email Mrs. Mangarelli and the SJG HSA so that we can coordinate everyone. We greatly appreciate any time that can be given. You can volunteer during any of the times above, you do not have to be at SJG all day. We will take an hour if that is what you can offer! Thank you!

Grades 3,4, and 5 will be taking the NJSLA Adaptive Test on April 28th and 29th for Language Arts and May 13th for Math. Grade 5 will also take the NJSLA Science Test on May 18th and 19th. All pertinent information is below.

Effective February 18th, the Pequannock Township Board of Education has adopted an updated version of Regulation 5516R: Use of Electronic Communication Devices. With the updated regulation, which will be more consistent with the updated state statute, all internet-enabled and/or cellular smart devices, including watches, phones and smart glasses, must remain in students’ backpacks for the duration of the school day.

Moving forward, students will be expected to keep all smart devices in backpacks for the duration of the day. If students need to contact parents/guardians during the school day, they will be permitted to make calls from the main office. Thank you for your anticipated cooperation.

Please read below about how to access and review iReady Data that is being shared with parents.

Below are the colors for field day from the HSA.

Click on the link below to read the student newsletter which is written by our SJG AV Club Students.

https://sites.google.com/pequannock.org/sjgnews202526?usp=sharing

William did an amazing job this week reciting The Pledge of Allegiance, as well as our kindness quote for the day. Thank you for being so awesome William!

We continue to 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 still counts all absences, even those with doctor's notes or a parent phone call (even ones that we mark as "excused"). To help keep you aware of your child's totals, at the beginning of each month, we notify parents of students who have been tardy or absent 5, 10, or more days thus far. At 10 or more days absent, we will often 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!

If you are looking for future events, we update the SJG Calendar of Events as we solidify dates. You can find the calendar on our website but below is the link that we will keep in our newsletter going forward.

Here to help keep up with events!

Volunteers are needed for upcoming events. Please help out if you can!

Teacher Appreciation Week- Parents 2026: Teacher Appreciation Week Help

Dip Donation- Parents 2026: Dips for Teacher Appreciation

Field Day- Volunteer List: Field Day- 2026 HSA Volunteer Needs

Staff Appreciation Posters- SJG PARENTS: SJG Teacher / Staff Posters

We want to thank everyone for the successful tricky tray and dance that was held on Friday, April 17th. This is one of our largest fundraisers that goes to support all the programs that the HSA provides for the students at SJG.

This was a huge undertaking so we want to make sure that we thank the following people and sponsors for making the evening amazing!

We have a new Pequannock Township School District Promotional Video that was created by PTHS students as part of a passion project. This is amazing! Give it a view!

Mrs. Griffith, SJG School Nurse, will be keeping us up to date on ways to be more healthy all year.

Allergies-Kids Health

CDC - Seasonal Allergies

Email: Matthew.Reiner@pequannock.org
Website: sjg.pequannock.org
Location: 59 Boulevard, Pequannock Township, NJ, USA
Phone: (973) 3055615
Twitter: @SJGPride

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sjgpride/