The Wildcat Weekly
Volume 6 Issue 9
Oct 23, 2026
Calendar of Events
*Please note that additional events may be added each week.*
Friday, Oct 23 Schoolwide Pink Out Spirit Day Wear pink!
Mon, Oct 26-Fri, Oct 30 Student Council Halloween Spirit Week (see below)
Wednesday, Oct 28 SEPAG Coffee and Connection 9:15-10:15 (see info below)
Friday, Oct 30 Halloween Celebrations; MS Dance 6:30pm-8:30pm
Mon, Nov 2-Wed, Nov 4 Parent Teacher Conferences: Early Dismissal 12:50pm
Thur, Nov 5-Fri, Nov 6 School Closed: NJEA Convention
Wednesday, Nov 11 PiE Mtg 7pm @ PAR or Zoom
Friday, Nov 13 PiE's First Friday Wildcat Pride-Wear School Spirit Wear or Colors!
Sunday, Nov 15 PiE Family Roller Skating @ Frenchtown Rink 4:30pm-6:30pm
Monday, Nov 16 Picture Retake Day
Tuesday, Nov 17 BOE Meeting 7pm @ Performing Arts Room
Saturday, Nov 21 PiE Rummage & Craft Sale 10am-2pm @ Cafeteria
Wednesday, Nov 25 Early Dismissal (12:50pm-no lunch): Thanksgiving Recess
Thur, Nov 26-Fri, Nov 27 No School: Thanksigiving Recess
Student Council Spirit Week
Halloween
It's Halloween Time!
Date: Friday, October 30, 2026
Time: 2:15pm
Where: DTS
Click here for a printable version
Costume Information for students in PK-5th:
Students should bring a costume to school that is easy to put on over their clothes. Teachers will communicate with HR parents about needing assistance with helping the students get dressed.
Please consider safety and developmental appropriateness when choosing a costume for your child. If he/she is wearing a mask, make sure he/she can see well enough to walk safely. Check that costumes do not trail on the ground.
Our students should not wear or bring a toy weapon of any kind as part of their costume, such as plastic guns, swords, knives, etc.
Avoid any costumes that drip fake blood or that would cause fear for younger DTS peers.
Parade Route Information:
Family and friends are invited to view our parade outside along the perimeter of the bus line.
To view the parade, please click the attached map. The parade will begin at the side of the building near the playgrounds. will walk past the front of the building, around the Middle School parking lot, and enter back into the building through the gym doors.
Halloween Parties:
Class parties will take place after the parade.
We are limiting the number of parent volunteers in the classroom. 1-3 HR parents will be permitted to come in to assist with helping the children get dressed and/or set up the class party.
Homeroom parents/teachers will be reaching out to volunteer parents who wish to provide snacks.
Unfortunately, we do not have enough room to invite any extra guests to the classroom parties, including younger siblings.
Middle School Halloween Dance
Girl Scout Turkey Box Donations
Student Council Non-Thanksgiving Food Drive
Gr 5-8 Assembly on 10/26
On Monday, October 26, PiE is sponsoring Jordan Toma, the nationally known motivational, mental health speaker and author of the books: I'm Just A Kid With An IEP and Invisible. He will share his inspirational and engaging story how his struggles became his strength in what we hope is something our Gr 5-8 students and staff will always remember.
Parent Teacher Conferences
We’re looking forward to our parent/teacher conferences on the evening of November 2 and the afternoons of November 3 & 4, 2026. Please note that students will be dismissed early at 12:50 PM on all three days.
Most elementary teachers should have enough slots available for one conference per family, and they look forward to meeting you all.
5th grade parents are asked to sign up with their child's MATH teachers.
For grades 6-8 and Special Area teachers, we encourage you to check Genesis for your child’s grades and sign up for a conference for any classes where you have questions or concerns. There’s no need to schedule a meeting with every middle school teacher unless you have a specific concern; if needed, we can arrange a group intervention conference at another time.
Conference schedules are now open. To schedule a conference in the Parent Portal:
Log into the Parent Portal
Go to the conferences tab
Click on “Request a Conference.".
Click on the day and a time that you would like a conference.
Click the reserve button. Be sure to select the reserve button under the teacher you wish to schedule a conference with.
For multiple students, click on each student in the top right corner and follow each of the steps above.
Farewell Mr. Smith
We want to wish Mr. Brian Smith, our PE & Health teacher, an enjoyable and relaxing retirement! For 25 incredible years at Delaware Township School, Mr. Smith educated our students on healthy habits and positive physical fitness. Mr. Christopher Drews will be taking his place, and he will begin to overlap w/ Mr. Smith this upcoming week. We wish Mr. Drews much success as he begins his time here, and we wish Mr. Smith a meaningful retirement!
PiE Spirit Wear
Educators of the Year
Do you know a classroom teacher AND educational services professional who is dedicated, inspiring, and making a difference? If so, please take the time to recommend these people for the NJ Department of Education Governor’s Educator of the Year!
Please fill out and submit the attached nomination form by Mon, Nov 9. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Mr. Lipson slipson@dtsk8nj.org
Below are our most recent recipients:
25-26 Stacey Weiss & Judy Stewart
24-25 Ellen McShane & Jill Kirchberger
23-24 Nadina LaBouliere & Stacy Falkenstein
22-23 Laura Ferrante & Karen Tomson
21-22 Sherry Marlatt & Meeta Verma
20-21 Sheri Laman
Other DTS Faculty & Staff that have received this recognition:
Vicky Hardy, Nicole Bivona, Kathleen O'Brien, Sue Freed, Kathy Ferry, Tracey Wolf, Jessica Yarrow, Jackie Plummer, Reath Mast and Jean Domurat (when she was a paraprofessional here).
PiE Enrichment
Our Enrichment Committee has started planning for the 2026-2027 school year. Please complete the below form if you would like to run a class:
Some ideas on classes we would love to offer, but not limited to, are:
- sewing
- photography
- woodshop
- dance
- science
- origami
- knitting / crochet
- paper airplanes
- magic
- art / painting / diy crafts
- chess
- yoga
- scrapbooking
- jewelry making
- learn to Yo-Yo
- Tie Dye / Slime
The program will run for 4 weeks from 3:20-4:30 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, beginning 2/16 and ending 3/10. If you have led a class in the past and are still interested in continuing with that class, please let us know.
Thank You!
Dawn MacDonald & Kassy George
Enrichment Co-Chairs
What's Going On @ DTS?
Discussing energy by making mini-golf courses in Gr 4 Sci Lab w/ Mrs. Hermoso
2nd Gr Talk w/ Deputy Mayor Bower on walking field trip
Artifact Show & Tell in Gr 6 SS
PiE Book Fair
A huge thanks to Mrs. Jenna Haxton for organizing another great Book Fair week,
and to the following parent volunteers who came to help out!
Vanessa Ahmed, Dana Bord, Olena Brophy, Tara Civitillo, Elizabeth Cook, Nicole DiMeo, Joe Geis, Leigh Geis, Kassy George, Joanie Hanson, Tiffany Heater, Kristen Huffnagle, Sheila Jarrell, Katie Johnson, Melanie Lopiccolo, Deb Lubitz, Kelly Mcelroy, Betsy RIckenbrode, Mariam Segreto,
Nate Steffes & Susie Steffes
Tardy/Absence Reporting
Please notify the school when your child is going to be absent. Report his/her absence through the Genesis Parent Portal by following the steps below. You may report an absence ahead of time for vacations, appointments, etc. If your child is going to be tardy, we ask that you still complete the process below by choosing “absent.” We will update their attendance upon arrival.
Please note that this must be submitted no later than 9:30am on the day of the student’s absence.
Log in to the Genesis Parent Portal.
Select “Student Data.”
Select “Attendance.”
Select “Notify Office.”
A "Notify Attendance Office” screen will appear (see image below). Select “Absent” from the drop down menu.
Select the date your child will be absent.
If your child will be absent more than one day, please complete the “Up through and including” date.
Select student(s) name.
Attach document if applicable.
Provide reason (please list symptoms if student is ill).
Click “Submit to Office.”
We ask that you notify the school every day your child is absent. If a child is absent and no notification has been received, you will receive an automated call at 9:30am to ensure that your child is safe.
A doctor’s note is required upon return to school after an absence of three consecutive days.
8th Grade News
Periodically, there are events and/or activities that are scheduled specifically
for our current 8th grade families.
8th Grade Dance Committee
It is never too early to start planning! If you are an 8th grade parent/guardian, and you'd like to be on a committee to plan for the end-of-year 8th grade dance, please fill out this form.
Club Corner
DTS Athletics
Delaware Township School is proud to offer many athletic opportunities
for students in Grades 5-8.
Click here for a quick reference guide to the Athletics Department.
Middle School Jazz Band began Tuesday 9/22 @ 8:00am.
Elementary chorus began Wednesday 9/23 @ 8:10 am for grades 4 & 5.
5th Grade band began Thursday 10/1 @ 8am.
All rehearsals repeat weekly until the concert on Thursday, 12/10.
Click here for the most recent Slice of PiE!
About PiE
DTS Partners is Education was formed in 2010, when the DTS PTA and the DT Community Education Foundation merged to become a single group. It is an all-volunteer organization supporting the School's students.
Monthly PiE Meeting:
Our next meeting of the year will take place Wednesday November 11th at 7:00
You can join us in person in the performing arts room or virtually via zoom
Upcoming Events:
Family Roller Skating Night
November 15th 4:30-6:30
PiE pays for your admission and you cover the cost of skate rentals.
Not a drop off event. Every child must be accompanied by an adult.
Rummage Sale and Craft Fair
November 21st from 10-2 in the cafeteria
If you would like to set up a table you can sign up by clicking here
There is a $20 fee to have a table. There is no entrance fee to shop!
Annual Holiday Shoppe
- Tuesday December 1st - Thursday December 3rd
- Students will shop during school hours
Family Holiday Movie
- Friday December 11th. Time TBA
- We will be showing a holiday movie and families will get to vote on what movie will be shown.
Reminders:
Program Fee
You should have gotten a packet from PiE in your child’s backpack explaining our program fee model and what the program fee funds.
To pay your program fee online, click here
Volunteer Opportunities:
Holiday Shoppe: We need help setting up, shopping with kids, and breaking down. To Volunteer click here
More detailed information on ALL of our events can be found on our website at www.dtspie.com, email us at dtspie@gmail.com or check out our social media pages (Instagram & Facebook)
SEPAG
To learn more about DTS SEPAG, click here.
Before/After Care
Use of Facilities Form
If you or your organization are interested in using part/all of our school building,
the request form is now online!
Click here to complete a Use of Facilities Form.
What's Happening Around Town?
2026 Fall Harbinger
Delaware Township Rec Commission
Follow us on Instagram @dt_recreation
Trail Cleanup Day
Historical Walking Tour
DTAA
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Follow PiE on Instagram!
Newsletter Submission
The Wildcat Weekly is published every Friday.
In cases where it is a shortened week, the publication date may be adjusted.
If you would like something published in the newsletter, please email your submission to slipson@dtsk8nj.org by each Tuesday at 3:30pm. Please include the length of time you'd like your information to be in the newsletter.
All submissions must be approved by the school administration
before being included in the newsletter.