As many of you know, there is a group in our community called the Mask Squad. They have been hard at work making and donating masks and ear savers since the beginning of the pandemic. They even donated ear savers to our staff at Bradley Gardens earlier in the year. The mask squad also raises money to fund their efforts.

The group has been fortunate to raise more funds than they need and as a result, they are very generously donating $500 to each of the 11 PTOs in the Bridgewater-Raritan school district. Please join me in giving a very big THANK YOU to the Mask Squad!!!

To learn more about the Mask Squad, please check out their website. I have linked it below.

Thank you to everyone who ordered some pizza from Chimney Rock Inn. We appreciate the support. Every little bit helps to fund the programs that support our children.

Remember, if you've made a pledge to our Read-A-Thon and chose to send in a check, you can do so now. Just address the envelope to Read-A-Thon with your child's name and class.

Thank you to everyone who joined our PTO meeting this past Tuesday. Remember all are welcome and many hands make light work!

Have a great weekend! Enjoy the great weather.

Briana George, PTO President

Dear Parents/Guardians,

As you are all aware, New Jersey strongly discourages all non-essential interstate travel at this time. The complete instructions can be found here but for the purpose of this message, please refer to the information below excerpted from the state website:

Travelers and residents returning from any U.S. state or territory beyond the immediate region (New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Delaware) should self-quarantine at their home, hotel, or other temporary lodging following recommendations from the CDC:

• If travel is unavoidable, travelers should consider getting tested with a viral test (not an antibody test) 1-3 days before the trip and again 3-5 days after the trip.
• If travelers test positive, they should self-isolate for at least 10 days and should postpone travel during that time.
• If travelers test negative, they should quarantine for a full 7 days after travel.
• If testing is not available (or if the results are delayed), travelers should quarantine for 10 days after travel.

The advisory is no longer specific to certain states. Because of the high number of case counts across all states, there is an increased risk of spread of COVID-19 upon return from any travel.

As we approach Spring Break, we encourage families to be cognizant of these travel restrictions while planning trips. While these restrictions are still in place in NJ, residents are discouraged from non-essential travel outside of the region (per the state of New Jersey). If travel is necessary, you and your children will still need to quarantine upon return from any area identified by the state of NJ. The quarantine period for travel is now 7 days from the date of return with a negative test result from day 3, 4, or 5 of quarantine.

It is important to note that as of this writing, the NJ Department of Health and our local health official have confirmed and reconfirmed that the travel restriction and need for quarantine applies even to individuals who have been fully vaccinated. Should you need to travel, please reach out to your child's school nurse for information specific to your family and the situation.

We appreciate all that you have done as a community, and continue to do, during this pandemic and hybrid learning and understand that the desire for travel, visiting other places, and seeing loved ones is felt by everyone. This has been a long road, coupled with a snowy winter that only intensifies the desire to “spring” free and get a change of scenery. We ask that you remain mindful about how far we have come and continue to practice safety measures in accordance with the guidance set forth by the NJDOH and the CDC so that we can all limit our exposure to remain healthy until we are all vaccinated.

Thank you for your attention in this matter.

The student council is running a fundraiser. They come in two sizes, adult and teen. $10 each. Check out AtoZ Connect to place your order. You can also contact Kim Yacykewych @ kimyacykewych@gmail.com to place an order or ask questions.

The teen size is great for our school-aged children and those with thinner faces.

This week we are highlighting our Co- President position.

This position has several responsibilites that are shared among two people. They include:

1. Preside at meetings.

2. Prepare calendar of PTO events in partnership with the school principal. Make changes as necessary during year. Establish dates with the Council of Schools Association for meetings and to correlate calendars, including dates for all PTO functions.

3. Coordinate chairpersons and create special committees as needed.

4. Set agenda for PTO meetings.

5. Prepare budget with Treasurer.

6. Maintain PTO mailbox and PTO storage areas.

7. Sign checks and make deposits in absence of Treasurer.

8. Be ex-officio member of all committees.

9. Obtain all necessary state and local permits, licenses, etc.

10. Keep a list of all paid Bradley Gardens School PTO members, as provided by the Membership Chair

11. Establish review of the by-laws by the Board every 2 year and update Constitution and By-Laws, as deemed necessary by that review.

12. Will attend Council of Schools Association meetings as Bradley Gardens School PTO representatives, as calendared by the CSA.

We need three PTO members, if you've paid your dues - you're a member, to be part of our nominating committee. The nominating committee collects the names of people who want to run for PTO positions next year. They also receive recommendations from people and then prepare a slate for the elections. Elections are held in May.

If you have a talent for seeing the potential in people and matching them to a need, then WE NEED YOU!

Are you in the field of marketing or advertising? Maybe you can help with advertising the positions?

Many hands, make light work. If you can spare a few hours, we could use your help.

We are in need of volunteers to help run the PTO next year. Several board members have students in the 4th grade and will be leaving Bradley Gardens.

Specifically, we will need 2 PTO Presidents, 1 PTO Vice President, 2 PTO Treasurers, 1 Recording Secretary, and 1 Webmaster.

If you are interested in any of the positions, please email Briana George @ bgsptopresident@gmail.com.

The more help we have the easier it is to run the PTO events and manage the administration of the PTO. Hopefully next year we are back to "normal", but either way, the events we have come to love and the support that we have given the school in terms of assemblies, equipment and programs need to continue. Please consider joining our team.

Many people have asked where to find a description of the roles. You can find our complete by-laws on the PTO website under forms and documents. I am also including the section that specifically address the roles below.

We are happy to answer any and all questions.

Don't forget to use the Box Tops app and scan your receipts. Or better yet email your digital receipts to receipts@boxtops4education.com.

3/29 - 4/5 Spring Break

Bradley Gardens PTO

Briana George, President

Email: bgsptopresident@gmail.com
Website: www.bgspto.org
Facebook: facebook.com/PTOBradleyGard
Twitter: @PTOBradleyGard