SJG Newsletter 11/21/2025 Edition

Vision

SJG: Achieving excellence, creating lifelong learners, and building strong character.

Mission

Stephen J. Gerace Elementary School creates a foundation for success through a comprehensive curriculum which fosters critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration, while emphasizing respect and appreciation for the individuality of others. In partnership with families, staff and the community, our students are given the necessary tools to become caring, knowledgeable, responsible, and confident individuals who are equipped to thrive not only as students, but as members of a global society.

• November 26th- 12:40 Dismissal Day

• November 27th and 28th- School Closed for Thanksgiving

We have received a letter (photo below) from State Senator Joe Pennacchio asking for assistance with his Annual Holiday Toy Drive. We are honored to be asked to be part of this collection and will be participating. Parents can drop off unwrapped, new toys starting the week of December 1st. We will stop collecting on December 10th as we will be delivering them on December 11th.

We will have a box in the school for collection of the unwrapped, new toys for donation.

Thank you for your help!

As we almost had a student get hit by a car, I wanted to remind everyone of the parking areas during drop off. In the picture below, you will see areas outlined in RED and areas outlined in GREEN. The GREEN areas are where we can park to walk students to the door. The RED areas are the areas where parking for drop off is not permitted. I implore everyone to please follow the diagram so that we don't have a tragedy. Thank you.

Emelia did an amazing job this week reciting The Pledge of Allegiance, as well as our kindness quote for the day. Thank you for being so awesome Emelia!

We are currently looking for nominations for SJG Teacher of the Year for this school year. If you would like to nominate a teacher or support professional, please review the criteria below that explains what makes a teacher or support professional eligible to be nominated and complete the form that is below by November 21, 2025.

Requirements

Any educators nominated for this award must meet all of the following requirements:

• Be an exceptionally skilled and dedicated licensed classroom teacher (PreK to grade12 in a public or charter school) where teaching is the primary responsibility rather than administrative or supervisory responsibilities or an educational services professional (ESP) who is listed as one of the eligible enrollment areas
• Must have the latest summative rating of at least effective; if the teacher or the ESP has not received a summative rating at the time of application, then their most current practice rating should be at least effective or the equivalent
• Be an expert in the field who inspires students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn
• Actively collaborate with colleagues, students, and families to create a strong culture of respect and success
• Demonstrate leadership and innovation in educational activities at the school, district and/or state and national levels that take place both within and outside the school setting
• Have the respect and admiration of students, parents and colleagues
• Have not earned the title of school, county or state Teacher of the Year nor ESP of the Year for the past five (5) years

Note: There is no requirement for minimum number of years in the classroom, however as an ambassador for education, this is an award based on merit and leadership and not to be given out solely based on years of service, like a retirement award.

Educational Services Professional of the Year Enrollment Area

In order to compete for Educational Services Professional of the Year nominees must be classified as one of the following:

• Anti-Bullying Specialist
• Athletic Trainer
• Behavior Specialist
• Child Study Team
• Cooperative Education Coordinator/Hazardous Occupations
• Educational Interpreter (Cued Speech, Transliteration, Oral Interpreting, Sign Language Interpreting)
• Guidance / School Counselor
• Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant
• Library Media Specialist
• Mathematics Specialist / Mathematics Coach
• Nurse (Instructional & Non-instructional)
• Occupational Therapist
• Paraprofessional (Instructional only)
• Physical Therapist
• Psychologist
• Reading Specialist / Reading Coach
• Social Worker
• Speech Language Specialist
• Student Assistant Coordinator
• Technology Coach

If you are looking for future events, we update the SJG Calendar of Events as we solidify dates. You can find the calendar on our website but below is the link that we will keep in our newsletter going forward.

Stay Up To Date with the HSA Calendar

Mrs. Griffith, SJG School Nurse, will be keeping us up to date on ways to be more healthy all year.

Please click on the link below for Mrs. Griffith's newsletter. It contains valuable information about contagious illnesses, lice, recess, and National Bullying Prevention Month.

Email: Matthew.Reiner@pequannock.org
Website: sjg.pequannock.org
Location: 59 Boulevard, Pequannock Township, NJ, USA
Phone: (973) 3055615
Twitter: @SJGPride

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sjgpride/