Tuscan Tidings

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.

The In-person Orientation for our Incoming Kindergarteners on Friday, June 14th, 2024 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 Kindergarteners can also be found in this special edition of the Tuscan Tidings. As soon as possible, please click here to select a time for your child to join us at Tuscan for the In-person Kindergarten Orientation on Friday, June 14th, 2024.

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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 14th, 2024.

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

In partnership,

~Ms. Majeed

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.

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.

On Friday, June 14th, 2024 while your child is attending Kindergarten Orientation, parents are invited to a Tuscan PTA social outside of Tuscan on the front lawn.

In partnership,

~Ms. Majeed

Remember to 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.

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).

As per Board policy the "Guide to Positive School Culture, Climate, & Code of Conduct" information is to be disseminated annually to all school staff, students, and parents.

The "Guide to Positive School Culture, Climate, & Code of Conduct" 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 "Guide to Positive School Culture, Climate, & Code of Conduct". K-12 Principals will review core principles and key components of the "Guide to Positive School Culture, Climate, & Code of Conduct" with their staff. In developmentally appropriate ways, beginning on the first day of school of each school year and frequently throughout the year, teachers will create and cultivate a community of learners based on the importance of kindness and respect.

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 the "Guide to Positive School Culture, Climate, & Code of Conduct" are practiced and reinforced in our school on a daily basis.

Click the link to view the 2023-2024 SY Guide to Positive School Culture, Climate, & Code of Conduct

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/.

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/

• June 14: Tuscan School In-Person Kindergarten Student Orientation @ Tuscan
• June 14: CHS Class of 2024 Clap Out 2:15 pm @ Tuscan!
• June 17: Rainbow Picture & Chalk it up!
• June 18, 19 & 20: 4 Hour Days | 12:53 pm Early Dismissal
• June 21: Juneteenth Observed | District Closed
• September 2: Labor Day | District Closed
  
• September 4: First Day of School @ Tuscan Grades K - 5!
  

• September/October TBD: Tuscan Back to School Night | 12:53 pm Early Dismissal

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