Arbor Intermediate School

School Leadership Team

Heather O’Donnell, Principal

Jeffrey Montgomery, Assistant Principal

Amy McLaughlin, Counselor

Karen Hoeg, Secretary

Corinne Fender, School Nurse

Elyssa Barba-Bey, Attendance Clerk

Kenneth Dzurilla, Custodian

Dear Arbor Families,

It has been a busy beginning to the winter season here at Arbor School. Students have participated in awards ceremonies, fundraisers, holiday sales, and more. We were able to recognize the hard work and achievements of our over 200 honor roll students from the first marking period. The energy and liveliness in the classrooms is a joy to see, and we are excited to see what the rest of the month brings.

In January, families will be getting information regarding after school clubs. These will all be for one day per week from 2:30-3:30. Transportation will not be provided, so they must have a ride pick them up at 3:30. If students currently participate in Homework Club that may conflict with the club of their choice, we can try to coordinate so a student can do both if possible.

I hope everyone has a happy, safe, and restful winter break. I am looking forward to seeing all of our students back in the building in the New Year!

Sincerely,

Heather O’Donnell

Hello families-

As we enter into the final month of the year, December is a meaningful time to focus on kindness, gratitude and connection. During the winter break, take time to foster positive social emotional skills by focusing on:

• Gratitude- take a moment to share something you're thankful for as a family.

• Practice kindness- work together on small acts of kindness, like writing a note of appreciation or helping someone in need.

• Create calm moments- help your child take breaks from the hustle and bustle with quiet activities like reading or drawing.

This month, our fourth grade students learned the value in positive thinking by reading the story, The Smart Cookie and engaging in activities to practice these skills. We learned that we are all smart at different things!

It’s cold outside! Please dress for the weather. It’s time to wear hats, gloves, scarves, winter coat and sometimes boots.

It’s also cold and flu season.

It’s important to: Stay home when you’re sick

Cover your coughs and sneezes

Wash your hands often

Eat healthy foods

Drink plenty of water

Keep moving and exercise

Get plenty of sleep

We can stay healthy together!!!

The PTO worked hard to make the 2024 Holiday Shoppe a huge success. Students had the opportunity to attend the Holiday Shoppe with their homerooms. As they perused the items , PTO members and parent volunteers were able to assist the students. A special thanks to all the staff, parents and community members who helped with the Holiday Shoppe.

On December 9th and 10th, Arbor students who earned an academic award were recognized at a ceremony. During the ceremony, teachers called the names of students who earned A or A/B Honor Roll. These students were awarded a Honor Roll Ribbon to signify their hard work and effort during the first marking period. Congratulations to these Arbor Students!

Ms.Rosado’s 4th grade class celebrated the Thanksgiving holiday by participating in a

cultural show and tell. This was highly anticipated by every student as they got to share a piece

of themselves with our class. The cultures that span Ms.Rosado’s classroom are full of rich

histories and colorful memorabilia which enriches each student’s classroom experience as they

build stronger relationships with one another. The students got the opportunity to bring in an item

or picture of an item that represents their culture. Many of the students brought in traditional

clothes, flags, cooking utensils, or sports jerseys. Each student got to explain why that item was

important to their culture and to themselves. Throughout the presentations, students asked

questions, touched the items, shared stories, and made connections to their own culture. It was

endearing to see how much each student valued one another and respected each other throughout

every presentation.

Forty-eight Piscataway High School students stepped up as role models and educators on Friday, Dec. 6, as the Future Business Leaders of American club brought financial literacy to life for all classes at Arbor Intermediate School. The engaging lessons and hands-on activities were part of the Junior Achievement High School Heroes program, in which high school students deliver age-appropriate lessons on finance and entrepreneurship to their younger peers. They introduced concepts like loans, funds, and business plans. From sparking creative ideas to building a foundation for smart money management, these high school heroes proved that empowering the next generation starts with sharing knowledge and enthusiasm. By the end of the day, the students were not only smarter about money but also had a great time along the way. The FBLA students will be visiting Martin Luther King Intermediate School for a similar day of lessons in February. FBLA is led by adviser Justin Critelli and our JA partnership is fostered by Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Dr. C. Alex Gray.

On December 13th, 5th grade students and fourth grade orchestra students enjoyed a musical performance by the Piscataway High School Chamber Orchestra. The orchestra students performed a variety of songs for our Arbor students. It was a room full of smiles as students enjoyed the performance.

We are thrilled to share our LEAP Theatre program! Over the past weeks, students excelled in developing their performance skills.

The arts play a crucial role in helping us connect and understand the world around us, enhancing our creative thinking and problem-solving abilities. We are proud of our students' hard work and dedication!

Arbor Awesomeness is a way to share your appreciation for the wonderful staff at Arbor School. We encourage families to take some time to recognize staff throughout the school year. Please click on Arbor Awesomeness- Staff Recognition to complete a recognition. We will share your responses at staff meetings.

Dear Arbor Families,

As the year draws to a close, the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your support and commitment. Your contributions—whether through volunteering, attending events, or participating in fundraisers—have made a meaningful difference in our school community. Follow our progress and engage with us on FACEBOOK.

Key Highlights:

• 🎉 Spirit Wear Sale ! - We are thrilled to announce that the Spirit Wear Sale was a huge success! 🏫✨ Thank you to all the families who participated and showed their school spirit. Your enthusiasm and support help make these initiatives possible and contribute directly to our school community. Stay tuned for more exciting events and opportunities to support our school. Together, we’re making a difference! 💙💛

• 🎁Holiday Shop: A heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make the Kids’ Kastle Holiday Shop such a success! 🎄✨ Our students had an amazing time choosing special gifts for their loved ones, and the joy and excitement were truly heartwarming.

• This event would not have been possible without our incredible volunteers, supportive families, and enthusiastic shoppers. Your dedication and participation brought the holiday spirit to life and helped create lasting memories for our students. Thank you for making this holiday season so special for our school community! 🎁💖

• 🍴 Dine-In Fundraisers – Mark Your Calendars! - We are excited to announce two upcoming dine-in fundraisers! Enjoy a delicious meal while supporting our school—it's a win-win!

• 🍞 Panera Bread Fundraiser

📅Date: Friday, December 20, 2024

⏰ Time: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📢 Details: 30% of sales will benefit our school. Simply show the attached flyer at checkout or use the promo code if ordering online!

• 🌯 Chipotle Fundraiser
  📅 Date: Wednesday, March 19, 2025
  ⏰ Time: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
  📢 Details: 25% of sales will go directly to our school. More details to follow!

Upcoming Activities

• PTO Meeting #2 - 12/11/2024 at 6 PM

• Dine to Donate - January 2025

• Family Fun Night - February 2025
  
  

As the holiday season fills the air with warmth and cheer, we want to take a moment to express our gratitude for our wonderful school community. 🌟From all of us, we wish you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season and a new year filled with happiness, health, and success. 🎁🎉

Happy Holidays!

PTO Board:

Meenakshi Subramanian, President

Tania Valenzuela, Co-President

Dipali Patel - Treasurer

Harshita Patel - Co-Treasurer

Dominique Jones - Corresponding Secretary

Congratulations!!!

• 12/20/24- Pajama Day
• 1/15/2024- Coffee with the counselor
• 1/23/2024- Arbor Band Concert (Evening)
• 1/29/2024- Arbor Chorus and Orchestra Concert (Evening)