Wildcat Weekly!
Dear Wildcats,
It was a very busy and exciting week. Today was the 100th day of school and we wore sports jerseys for increasing our team work and for the big game on Sunday. Monday is the 101st day...we are asking students to dress as Dalmatians. Thank you for an incredible 100 days!
We honored our Students of the Month at Tuesday's PTO meeting. Each recipient won for being respectful, responsible, and safe. Our winners were: Landon Kelly, Edward Sibaja, Brandon Bender, Eduardo Marquez Funez, Alexander Pomales, Edilson Torres Pacheco, Desmond Trulove, Capricia Albertino, Nora Hernandez, Lindsy Jimenez, Samantha Lettrick, Saba Khabuliani, Logan Weinzirl Camacho, Jayce Kocsik, Colette Ryan, Dua Haseeb, Ashley Santillan, Jada Garcia, Carly Stetz, Melany Leonor, Cecilia Li, Antonella Aguilar, Hudson Piompino, Thomas Rossi, Jessica Hernandez, Chase Sattazahn, Henry Hynes, Madison Fiore, Jared Yasovsky, Avery Ramratten, Samantha Bathan, Isabella Velazquez, Arabella Pereira, Mia Pullen, Lilly Grecco, Larua Sacramento and Alister Coyle. Congratulations...pictures below!
This week was National School Counseling Week. To celebrate, our School Counselor Ms. Riley went into classrooms to review the role of the School Counselor. This can be found by visiting School Counselor Roles & Ratios and The Essential Role of Elementary School Counselors. The lesson shared covered the difference between a small, medium, and big problems. In addition, we reviewed the language shared at the beginning of the year regarding bullying, conflict, and mean moment. This is the perfect time to mention our appreciation to Ms. Riley for all she does for our students, staff, and Wildcat families!
Walnut Street was treated to another amazing performance provided by Young Audiences and the Grunin Foundation. Ball in the House performed for all grade levels this week and educated our students on how music impacts our mood and how music has changed over time. Our students loved participating and singing along with this highly talented acapella group...another great event at Walnut Street!
February is Black History Month. Our students are learning about the important historical figures and events that have shaped our world, country, and community. These lessons don't just happen in the month of February, but all year long. Check out some of the pictures below as we honor the historical significance of Black History Month.
Our PBSIS Team led fundraiser called 'Penny Wars' continues. Keep those donations coming! The money raised goes directly back to the students for our PBSIS Committee initiatives including assemblies, prizes for our students, and other initiatives to reinforce our responsible, respectful, and safe school. The winning class earns a pizza party!
In continuation of our Anti-Bullying Week of Respect activities, Walnut Street Elementary School will welcome NJ CAP during the month of March and April. NJ CAP is an organization that serves and supports schools related to safety. Grades 3, 4, and 5 will receive an anti-bullying and internet safety presentation that will focus on decision making, leadership, conflict vs. bullying, the importance of upstanders, cyberbullying, internet safety and peer supports. We thank NJ CAP for their continued partnership!
Our school had so much fun kicking off this year’s Kids Heart Challenge! Alongside this year’s heart
heroes, we’re learning about healthy hearts and how to be a lifesaver by completing Finn’s Mission.
Students will earn a wristband for joining our team at http://www2.heart.org/goto/walnutstreetschooltomsriver or using the AHA Schools app. This week, our physical education teachers Mr. Walsh and Mrs. Mendez have talked to the students about this incredible program. The goal of our school is to raise $12,000 as a school. If this happens, and if register half our school, I will be getting 'silly stringed'. Let's make it happen!
Here is a rundown of all of the PTO happenings....
Gertrude Hawk
Order forms are due back Monday, February 12th. We typically see sales over $10,000 each year and are truly counting on you for your support. A large portion of the PTO's new playground donation came from Gertrude Hawk sales alone. Every dollar raised goes directly back to our students. If selling online, orders can be placed up until Monday, March 17th.
Spring Scholastic Book Fair
A reminder that we have some upcoming opportunities for volunteering, including an urgent request for the Spring Scholastic Book Fair. The Book Fair will kick off the evening of Friday, March 8th and run the entire week of March 11th. Please click on the link below to see available time slots and register to help if you are able to!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0A4FABAE2AA6FD0-47200472-spring
School Store
Our next school store will be on Wednesday, February 14th and Thursday, February 15th. We love seeing our happy shoppers!
Someone Special Dance
Flyers have also been delivered for the Someone Special Dance taking place on Friday, February 23rd. Please see flyer attached and link to purchase a ticket below:
https://walnut-street-elementary-someone-special-dance.cheddarup.com
This week, Walnut Street students used Mechanical Engineering to create vehicles during Mr. Wycoff’s Technology class. Vehicles were then tested, using an inclined plane and measured for distance. The S.T.E.M. based activity ran under a tight time constraint, with 15 minutes to do the discussion, planning and building. The students did a fantastic job and the record distance was 10 feet! Check out some pics below.
Mrs. Farrant and DeReuiter won our staff PBSIS recognition this week...Congratulations! Check out some of our week's student winners below.
Please note that February 16 will be a staff only day. On February 19, all schools are closed for President's Day.
Have a great weekend!
Junior Chefs Student Cooking Challenge!
Calling all Junior Chefs! Do you love to eat? Make what you eat? Come up with great recipes for your family to try? Are you in grades 3 - 5? This is the challenge for you! Fill out an entry form before March 22nd with your favorite Tortilla recipe and you will be in the running to compete in a live competition at Toms River High School East on April 18, 2024. Check the cafeteria for entry forms and more details. The winning student recipe will be featured on the May District School Menu!
