RS Weekly Update

The Manville School District is closed TOMORROW - Monday, January 19th. We look forward to seeing everyone back for a full day of learning on Tuesday, January 20th!

Don't forget, we are kicking off Kindness Week - Jan 19th–23rd. Our first Spirit Day theme for tomorrow is T.H.I.N.K. before you speak—reminding us to ask if our words are True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary, and Kind. On Tuesday, students/staff are encouraged to wear a blue shirt for Kindness Day & do one random act of kindness!

🏂JANUARY🎿

January 19th - NO SCHOOL ❌

January 19th - 23rd - No Name Calling Week/Spirit Days

• Monday - NO SCHOOL - T.H.I.N.K Before You Speak - (True Helpful Inspiring Necessary Kind)
• Tuesday - Blue Shirt/Kindness Day
• Wednesday - Difference Appreciation/Say Hi & Smile
• Thursday - Peace, Love, and Kindness Day (Hippie/Tie Dye)
• Friday - Unity Day (Wear school colors) OR 90th Day of School spirit day

January 29th - 3rd Grade Winter Concert 6:30 PM @ MHS

January 27th - Early Dismissal - In Service for Staff - ❌NO MIDDLE EARTH

February 2025 💘

February 5th -

• Early Dismissal - ❌NO MIDDLE EARTH
• Parent Teacher Conferences 5:00-8:00 PM - If your child's teacher needs to meet with you, you will receive an invitation/information directly from them via email, Parent Square, OR phone!

To ensure we can support every student and family effectively, please keep the following information in mind regarding our office hours and communication:

• Office Hours: Our main office is open and ready to assist you from 8:15 AM to 4:15 PM.

• Planning Your Visit: To ensure the right staff member is available to give you their full attention, we kindly ask that you schedule an appointment before coming to the school. This helps us keep our building secure and our schedules organized.

• Ways to Connect: We welcome communication via phone, voicemail, email, and/or ParentSquare.

• Response Time: We value your outreach! Please keep in mind that our staff follows a response window of 24 hours of the next business day for all messages and inquiries. We appreciate your patience as we work to get back to everyone.

Getting Help: Our Chain of Command

When you have a question or concern, the fastest way to get a resolution is to follow the district's "Chain of Command." This ensures you are speaking directly with the staff member who has firsthand knowledge of the situation.

On matters involving general parent/student questions or concerns:

1. Classroom Teacher, Counselor, club advisor, or relevant staff member

2. Case Manager (for students with IEPs)

3. Supervisor of Content Area - Mrs. Rebecca Fosbre, Supervisor of PreK-4

4. Principal - Mrs. Alicia Rissmiller

5. Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction - Ms. Kelli Eppley

6. Superintendent - Dr. Jamil Maroun

On matters involving student health/medical concerns:

1. School Nurse - Mrs. Heather Sheffrin

2. Principal - Mrs. Alicia Rissmiller

Important Contacts:

• Main Office: (908) 231-8500 x8613

• Health Office: (908) 231-8500 x8614

• Attendance Line: (908) 231-8500 x3953

• School Counselor/Anti-Bullying Specialist/504 Coordinator: Mrs. Theresa Gonzalez

Thank you for your partnership in keeping our school running smoothly!

As we settle back into our school routines this January, we want to share a gentle reminder about the power of consistent attendance. Showing up every day truly matters for our students’ academic success and their social-emotional growth. Whether it’s participating in a class discussion or bonding with friends at lunch and recess, these daily moments build the foundation for long-term success.

Did you know that missing even 10% of the school year—about 18 days, or just two days a month—can make it harder for students to keep up with their learning? At Roosevelt, we want every student to feel engaged and supported. You can help keep your student on track by building strong morning routines and staying connected with us. If your family is facing challenges that make getting to school difficult, please reach out to our teachers or counselors—we are here to partner with you to ensure every student can be here and thrive. Let’s work together to make every day count!

We are so excited to announce that our 3rd-grade students are getting ready to shine at our annual Winter Concert! This year’s theme is “Winter Around the World,” featuring a wonderful showcase of songs from many different cultures. Our students have been working incredibly hard in music class, and we can’t wait for you to see their talents on display.

• When: Thursday, January 29th, 2026

• Where: Manville High School

• Time: The show begins at 6:30 PM. Students and after-school chorus members should arrive by 6:15 PM.

• Safety Note: For student safety, a parent or guardian must sign each child in and out of the performance.

What to Wear: To help our performers look their best, we ask that students wear "clean and neat" concert attire in White, Black, Red, or Blue. This can include blouses, collared shirts, sweaters, slacks, khakis, or dresses. We ask that students wear closed-toe shoes (no sandals or flip-flops) and avoid jeans, sweatpants, or graphic tees. If your child has long hair, please pull it back so they can easily see the music director and the audience. Optional red hair bows are a fun way to add some extra spirit!

We are looking forward to a musical trip around the world! If you have any questions regarding the performance, please feel free to reach out to our music teacher, Mrs. Maldonado-Gorsak, at nmaldonado-gorsak@manvillesd.org.

Youth In Action (YIA) interest forms are due Wednesday, January 21st. This exciting enrichment club is where students become local leaders, problem-solvers, and take the lead. They will identify a real-world issue they care about, conduct professional-level research, and develop an action plan to solve it. This program is designed to build confidence, public speaking skills, and civic pride.

📝 How to Join:

Responsibility is part of the Roosevelt Road, so students have been encouraged over the past week to take the first step! To show interest and initiative, students are responsible for picking up their own Youth in Action Interest Form at outside of the club advisors classrooms:

• Outside Room B5: Mrs. Nolan’s class

• Outside Room A8: Ms. Gallaher’s class

Important Dates

• Interest form are due Wednesday, January 21st

• Start Date: Wednesday, January 28th

• Meetings: After School - Every Wednesday and Thursday

• The Summit @ Rutgers University: Thursday, April 23rd (during school hours).

Additional information can be found on the YIA interest form. If you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. Nolan (onolan@manvillesd.org) OR Ms. Gallagher (kgallagher@manvillesd.org).

🎭Third Grade Field Trip to Mayo Performing Arts Center🚍

On January 12, 2026, our third grade students took an exciting field trip to the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown to attend the interactive show Let’s Go Science! The high-energy performance brought science to life as students explored the scientific method and various science concepts through hands-on demonstrations and audience participation. It was a fun and engaging experience that sparked curiosity and enthusiasm for learning—our students absolutely loved it!

Yearbook Club is an exciting opportunity where you will be able to help put together cherished memories, apply critical thinking, creativity, teamwork, and technology skills. You will be responsible for taking pictures and designing the yearbook for Roosevelt School for the end of the year!

If you are interested, please pick up an interest form outside of the B5 Homeroom and return to Mrs. De la Cruz/Mrs. Nolan NO LATER than Friday, February 6. We will be drawing names that day to participate in this wonderful opportunity!

On January 15th, our Roosevelt School Colts gave two claps and a "Happy Birthday" shout to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Our classrooms engaged in meaningful activities, reading books and articles that highlighted his message of peace, equality, and service. Students and families are encouraged to reflect on Dr. King's dream and find ways to spread kindness within our own community.

In January, our counseling lessons will focus on building responsibility and managing emotions. Students will work together to define what responsibility means and use a decision-making chart to practice making responsible choices. They will also explore healthy ways to manage their emotions and create a personal list of coping strategies. Practicing these skills helps students use them effectively during times of anger, sadness, anxiety, or stress.

Breakfast: Students purchasing breakfast should arrive to school at 8:25 AM.

Lunch and Snacks can be purchased through Aramark.

MySchoolBucks - Please log into MySchoolBucks to track spending and manage meal accounts.

Dietary Restrictions: If your child has dietary restrictions or should not be purchasing snacks, please reach out to Aramark Food Services directly to make the necessary arrangements. We’re here to ensure that every student has access to nutritious meals that meet their needs.

Caryn Savitsky - Aramark Food Services

Food Service Director K-12 Education - Manville School District

(908) 231-8500, ext. 8519

csavitsky@manvillesd.org

We’d like to remind our families that the Manville School District provides free and reduced-price breakfast and lunch options for students who qualify.