The Kindergarten Experience at Tuscan School is an exciting time for all of us and we are dedicated to providing our students with a safe, healthy, and nurturing Tuscan School experience.

Please join us for a Virtual Kindergarten Parent Orientation on Tuesday, May 30th, 2023 from 10:00am to 11:00 am. More information and the link for you to join us virtually are provided in this special edition of the Tuscan Tidings.

We are delighted to provide an In-person Orientation for our Incoming Kindergarters on Friday, June 2nd, 2023. This is an opportunity for our incoming Kindergarten children to meet our wonderful teachers and experience learning at Tuscan in a Kindergarten classroom. Information about the In-person Orientation for Incoming Kindergarters can also be found in this special edition of the Tuscan Tidings. As soon as possible, please select a time for your child to join us at Tuscan on Friday, June 2nd, 2023.

To help us get to know your child better please complete the updated online Kindergarten Parent Survey as soon as possible prior your child's In-person Kindergarten Orientation on Friday, June 2nd, 2023.

To enhance your child’s Tuscan experience, we are fortunate to have a supportive, actively involved and generous parent community. The Tuscan PTA works closely with the school to provide enriching experiences for Tuscan children and families. On Friday, June 2nd, 2023 while your child is attending Kindergarten Orientation, parents are invited to a Tuscan PTA social outside of Tuscan on the front lawn.

The Tuscan PTA website offers a wealth of information about Tuscan school and PTA sponsored programs and events. If you have not already done so please consider joining the Tuscan PTA and signing up for the Tuscan PTA newsletter.

We are looking forward to meeting you and our new Kindergarten Tuscan Tigers!

In partnership,

~Ms. Majeed

Visit the Tuscan PTA website at https://tuscanpta.membershiptoolkit.com.

From there you will be able to opt-in to Tuscan PTA weekly newsletter, volunteer for events, purchase spirit wear and receive important communications.

Tuscan PTA membership is $12 per person.

We hope all parents will become a member of the PTA. If cost is prohibiting your participation, please reach out confidentially to Principal Ms. Majeed (mmajeed@somsd.k12.nj.us) or Social Worker Ms. Buggy (ebuggy@somsd.k12.nj.us).

Opt-In For Text Messages

In order to participate in the text messaging service, you must indicate your willingness to receive text messages to your phone, even if you received text messages this year. You must do this whether you have a child in the school system or belong to a community organization that wants to keep up-to-date with our alerts.

To learn more about signing up for SMS text messaging visit: website: https://www.somsd.k12.nj.us/headlines/district-news/2019/12/16/sms-text-message-communications-from-the-district/

REMINDER! Update Contact Information for All Parties Via School Messenger:

In order to communicate with you through School Messenger, it is important that we have the most up-to-date contact information available for all parties.

• Parents/Guardianss, if you have not yet completed the annual online parent portal forms, we are requesting you do so as soon as possible. More information for parents is found here.
• All staff members are asked to communicate any telephone number changes to the Human Resources department using the “Change staff contact information” form found on the Human Resources website.

The South Orange Maplewood School District provides all parents / guardians access to the district’s PowerSchool parent portal.

Having access to the parent portal allows you to view important information regarding your child.

Parents / Guardians can:

• View daily attendance records.
• View marking period grades.
• View printable report cards and progress reports.
• View school welcome letters (elementary schools).
• View schedules (secondary schools).
• View student Google account information (new students).
• View locker information (High School)
• Make changes to contact information.
• Review and acknowledge forms and documents.

If parents have any difficulties accessing a parent portal account, please review the information found here: https://www.somsd.k12.nj.us/district/information-technology/parentportalhelp/.

As per Board policy the "Student Code of Conduct & Restorative Justice" information is to be disseminated annually to all school staff, students, and parents. This Code of Conduct & Restorative Justice is presented to assist students, staff, and parents/guardians to understand the expectations for acceptable conduct while in school or attending school-sponsored activities, on school grounds, and while on the way to and from school. All students are expected to follow the Code of Conduct & Restorative Justice. K-12 Principals will review core principles and key components of the Code of Conduct & Restorative Justice with their staff and students (as developmentally appropriate) at the beginning of each school year, and as needed throughout the year. We ask families to do the same with their children. It is the collective responsibility of students, staff, and parents/guardians to ensure that the expectations set forth in this Code of Conduct & Restorative Justice are adhered to.

Click the link to view the 2022-23 SY Guide

Chromebook Distribution (New Students):

• Grades K - 2 Chromebook distribution will occur near the end of September (if not sooner).
• Grade 3 - 12 families of new students and students that will need upgraded devices were notified via email that appointments are required for families to pick up Chromebooks from the Technology Office starting end of August 2023.
• Chromebook appointment sign up and pick up location can be found here: https://www.somsd.k12.nj.us/district/information-technology/1to1/

Chromebook Information (Returning Students):

• Students who attended the district during the current school year and were assigned a Chromebook should continue to use that Chromebook during the next school year.
• The Technology Department will reach out to families to coordinate any device replacements for Chromebooks that are no longer compatible with current requirements.

Chromebook Repairs:

• Chromebook repairs will be coordinated through classroom teachers in the elementary schools.
• Elementary school students that have broken Chromebooks should bring their devices into the classroom and leave them in the class.
• Teachers will submit request for Chromebooks repairs to the school IT technicians.

Additional Chromebook info for families can be found here: https://www.somsd.k12.nj.us/district/information-technology/1to1/

• May 26 Give Back Day / District Closed
• May 29 Memorial Day / District Closed

• May 30 Tuscan School Virtual Kindergarten Parent Orientation
• June 2:Tuscan School In-Person Kindergarten Student Orientation
• September 7: First Day of School @ Tuscan Grades K - 5!
• September TBD: Tuscan 12:45 pm Dismissal/ Back to School Night
• September 25: Yom Kippur —District Closed

The School District of South Orange and Maplewood

Email: ROARforTuscan@somsd.k12.nj.us
Website: www.somsd.k12.nj.us/tuscan/
Location: 25 Harvard Avenue, Maplewood, NJ, USA
Phone: 973-378-5221