Dear Tuscan Family~
Thank you for your unwavering support throughout the unforgettable 2020 – 2021 school year!
Please know that during our most challenging times, your partnership in teaching and learning was profoundly uplifting and deeply appreciated; far more than you know.
A hearty round applause for our wonderful Tuscan students! During this extraordinary school year, our students’ resilience and determination to stay actively engaged in remote learning was phenomenal and heartwarming. Our students displayed digital citizenship and a love for learning that extended beyond Tuscan’s walls.
Thank you to all Tuscan teachers and staff for remaining dedicated to Tuscan students and families! Our teachers showed a commitment to adapting and adjusting to new instructional practices while building positive and meaningful connections with and among students. Throughout a turbulent school year, the hard work of Tuscan teachers was evident and outstanding.
Shout out to Tuscan Specialists for making the last day of school a special gathering for all in attendance. Thank you to Mr. P for serving as a thought partner for the Rainbow and TUSCAN pictures the advance planning led to a successful outcome. Thank you to Mrs. Sullivan and Mr. P for providing classes with a few opportunities to practice formations. Thank you to Mr. Dean for securing sidewalk chalk for students to chalk up the blacktop with beautiful artwork and thank you Mrs. Van Tine for providing the playlist for our end of school year celebration.
Thank you to Mr. Dean, Ms. Popp and Mrs. Sullivan for contributing to this final edition of the Tuscan Tidings for the 2020-2021 school year. Special thanks to Mason Levinson for the amazing drone video of the Tuscan Rainbow- 2021 Style! Kudos to Diana Davis for sharing such a heartwarming Love Actually Tuscan video!
Over the summer months, we will be planning and diligently working for a smooth school opening and awesome 2021 – 2022 school year for our students, teachers, staff and families. Tuscan School will reopen for students on Thursday, September 9th, 2021.
In the meantime, enjoy a wonderful and well-deserved summer break!
~Ms. Majeed & Mr. Bertani
Author Matt de la Peña Returns to Tuscan School (Virtually)!
On Wednesday, June 16th, Tuscan students were treated to a special treat: author Matt de la Peña returned to Tuscan School to do two assemblies for students (K-2 and grades 3-5). His virtual visit was funded by an Achieve grant, received by Ms. Popp, Library Media Specialist, and the Tuscan PTA.
Tuscan students loved his virtual visit. Some comments were: “We liked listening to him talk about where he grew up” and “It is interesting to listen to an author talk about their writing!” Fifth grader Talia M. said, “I enjoyed listening to the thoughts and [the] personalization he had put into the books; it was a great experience.” Violet K., also a fifth grader summed up her thoughts about de la Pena’s new book: “Emma Stone said, ‘What sets you apart can sometimes feel like a burden and it's not. And a lot of the time, it's what makes you great’ and Dita Von Teese said, ‘I've always loved the idea of not being what people expect of me’. These two quotes really seemed true for me when talking about the theme of Milo Imagines The World.
de la Peña is a New York Times Bestselling, Newbery Medal-winning author of seven young adult novels and six picture books, including Love, Last Stop on Market Street and his most recent book, Milo Imagines the World. Click on Matt's picture below for a summary of Milo Imagines The World.
In 2016 he was awarded the NCTE Intellectual Freedom Award.
We are so fortunate that Matt de la Peña was able to return to Tuscan. He is one of our favorite authors and students always learn so much from his visits.
For more information about Matt de la Peña, please visit his website.
District 2020-21 Meal Application & P-EBT Benefits Deadline Open Until June 28
Dear Parents/Guardians,
The Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) is part of the U.S. government’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic. P-EBT benefits are available to children who were eligible for free or reduced-price school meals at a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), but whose schools closed or operated with reduced attendance or hours for five consecutive days due to COVID-19.
If you have not yet completed a 2020-2021 meal application, you can still apply no later than June 28, 2021. If your student qualifies for free or reduced meals, you will be eligible for P-EBT benefits issued by the State for the entire 2020-21 school year. IF NO MEAL APPLICATION IS COMPLETED & APPROVED BY JUNE 28, 2021, YOU WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE P-EBT CARD.
Click here for information/translations: bit.ly/35AgM0I
CONTACT TRACING IN THE SCHOOL SETTING
The SOMSD school nurses developed a chart to summarize the response to COVID+ activity in the school community and to provide clarification on school notification procedures.
When a SOMSD staff member or student tests positive for COVID-19, it is the responsibility of that staff member or the parent of the student to notify the principal who notifies the superintendent. The respective local Department of Health (DOH) – South Orange or Maplewood - will be notified immediately. The local DOH, who receives the actual lab report, conducts Contact Tracing. Based on the circumstances of each case, the local DOH provides the District with guidance as to the appropriate and timely notification of staff and families of a confirmed case while maintaining confidentiality.
Click here to view the "NOTIFICATION OF SCHOOL COMMUNITY PROCEDURE" document
TUSCAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
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