WAAG
10/26/26 - 10/30/26
From the Desk of MVG
Dear Essex Fells Families,
EFS is proud to provide a spectrum of support so that all learners may develop into the best versions of themselves. Students are consistently observed for functional skill acquisition within the classroom and assessed both formally and informally throughout the school year to track growth and progress. Student outcomes are discussed with an intervention team monthly to insure an ideal balance of standards mastery at an independent level is being tracked at each grade level and these skills are transferred into daily application. Students in need of additional support to meet expectations or challenge their learning beyond the benchmark are provided with differentiated instruction to meet their specific levels. EFS has expanded programing to reach a broader number of students requiring additional instruction from our student support teachers. Parents will be contacted in the event a student is in need of intervention programming. The Our School link on our district website provides details regarding the I&RS process and Beyond the Benchmark programming.
Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held on the afternoon of Monday (11/2), the evening of Tuesday (11/3) and the afternoon of Wednesday (11/4). A SignUp Genius to reserve a conference time will be sent out at 12pm on Monday, 10/19. All three days are 12:45pm dismissals for students. Please send your child with a snack on all minimum session days. If you have not signed up for a time slot as of yet, please click here to sign up.
American Education Week, Parent Visitation sessions will occur on Tuesday, November 17th. Thank you in advance for your patience as we developed a schedule that took into consideration as many families as possible with multiple siblings. Please click here to view the homeroom options. Please RSVP to the teacher for whom you plan to attend.
Each year our nation celebrates Red Ribbon Week, a national voluntary effort to increase awareness of the consequences of illegal drug use and the need for prevention efforts. DID YOU KNOW? Children of parents who talk to their teens regularly about drugs are 42% less likely to use drugs than those who don’t; yet, only a quarter of teens report having these conversations. Red Ribbon Week (October 23-31), the oldest and largest drug prevention campaign in the nation, is your opportunity to get the ongoing conversation started. This year’s theme is Make A Difference. Be A Hero. Stay Drug Free. Visit www.redribbon.org to learn more about Red Ribbon Week and get tips for talking to your kids about drugs. The life you save may be that of your own child or a dear friend. Wear Red on Friday, October 23rd to kick off Red Ribbon Week and our EFS pledge to Stay Drug Free.
The Grade 5 Parent, Fireside Chat with Dr. Gadaleta will be held on 10/29 at 9am in the STEAM Lab. Please RSVP and send questions to Mvgadaleta@efsk-6.org. I look forward to discussing your child's 5th grade experience at EFS including the importance of building study skills, time management, and responsibility for middle school age years.
Sincerely,
Dr. Michelle V. Gadaleta
Foundation News
Foundation Sponsored Clubs
6th Grade Art Club
We are excited to announce the 6th Grade Art Club, which will begin on Monday, October 5th at 7:30 AM in the Art Room (room 207). The club will meet for 10 weeks on the following dates:
Meeting Dates:
October: 26th
November: 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th
December: 7th, 14th, 21st
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mr. Wallace (jwallace@efsk-6.org) or Mr. Trogani(jtrogani@efsk-6.org)
6th Grade Broadcasting Club
Broadcasting Club is for 6th-grade students and meets almost every Tuesday at 8:00am in the Media Center. Students will learn to direct, film and produce the morning announcements. If you have any questions please contact Mr. Pannullo (mpannullo@efsk-6.org) or Ms. Pakonis (ppakonis@efsk-6.org).
Meeting Dates:
October: 27th
November: 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th
December: 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd
Variety Show:
With only 4 weeks until this year's performance, please make sure that your child is continuing to work on. their act. No costumes are required until the dress rehearsal performance. (November 20, 2026). Contact Mr. Trogani (jtrogani@efsk-6.org) with any questions.
PTA Press
We’re asking EFS families to consider donating a bag of Halloween candy to support the families on Wooton for our traditional trick-or-treat. Donations may be dropped off at the main office or sent to school with your child. A special thank-you to Morgan O'Neil for helping collect the donated candy from school and distribute it among the Wootton Road families before Halloween.
Next PTA Meeting – November 12
Our next PTA meeting will be held on Thursday, November 12, in the STEAM Lab at 8:45 am.
Board Bits
The next Board of Education Meetings will be held on the following dates:
- Regular Meeting - Wednesday, November 18, 2026 @7:30pm (Media Center)
- Workshop Meeting - Wednesday, December 2, 2026 @7:30pm (Superintendent's Office)
There is one open Board of Education seat for a 3 year term beginning in January 2027. Please reach out to Steven Lella, BOE Secretaty at slella@efsk-6.org if you are interested in more informations on how to get involved.
For any Essex Fells Families who have recently moved within town, please update all information in the school office by providing four (4) proofs of residency: a deed, lease or tax bill; a photo ID; and a utility bill, all with your name and Essex Fells address. In addition, a signed residency/domicile status form, provided by the school, is required.
Variety Show 11/20/26
Don't miss out on our amazing talent at the Variety Show.
Make-up Picture Day 10/23/26
Wear Red 10/23/26
Wear Red tomorrow to kick off Red Ribbon Week.
Lost and Found
About Us
Email: mvgadaleta@efsk-6.org
Website: www.efsk-6.org
Location: 102 Hawthorne Road, Essex Fells, NJ, USA
Phone: 973-226-0505