Wildcat Weekly!
Dear Wildcats,
Happy belated Valentine's Day! Students have a four day weekend and today, teachers are working in groups for varied professional development activities including reviewing student data, reviewing school climate and culture information, and reviewing and assessing prior workshops we have completed as a teaching community. Students return to school on Tuesday, February 20th.
As stated in our last newsletter, NJ CAP is coming to Walnut Street in March and April to deliver a fun and interactive program to our grades 3, 4, and 5 students. NJ CAP is an organization that serves and supports schools related to safety. The program will focus on anti-bullying and internet safety. Decision making, leadership, conflict vs. bullying, the importance of upstanders, cyberbullying, internet safety and peer supports will all be featured. There is a Parent Workshop on February 28th, 2024 at 6:30 PM. These workshops will take place via a Zoom call. The fliers (in English and Spanish) for the Parent Workshop are below. One workshop will be delivered in English and another will be delivered in Spanish. Please join us and visit www.njcap.org for more information.
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'. See the current leaderboard in the attachment below!
Here is a rundown of all of the PTO happenings...
Gertrude Hawk
Order forms are due back this week! 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 picked 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
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
Mrs. Hankins and Mrs. DeMarinese 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!
Please support Walnut Street Elementary by using the flier below! Come to Freddy's Frozen Custard and Steakburgers on Route 37 on March 13 between the hours of 4-8 PM for an outstanding meal. 20% of the event sales will benefit our school programs and initiatives. Please see the fliers below (in English and Spanish) and we will see you there! Thank you Freddy's!
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!
Dates to Remember
This part of the newsletter will feature important upcoming dates at Walnut Street Elementary and our district. Please see below:
- February 19 - No School - President's Day
- February 23 - 'Someone Special Dance'
- March 4 - Read Across America Week
- March 5 - PTO Meeting
- Week of March 11 - Scholastic Book Fair
- March 13, 4 - 8 PM - Freddy's Steakburger Fundraiser
