Dear Wildcats,

NJSLA Testing will begins Monday for Grades 4 and 5 with Grade 5 completing additional testing for science through May 14. Grade 3 will be testing during the week of May 13. Grades 3-5 will complete 3 days of Math assessment and 2 days of Language Arts assessment. Grade 5 will have two days of Science testing.

Test security is of utmost importance. Electronic devices in all forms are strictly forbidden and will levy consequences should a student be found with one during testing. This includes cell phones, iPods, Apple watches, Smart watches, Fitbits, and all other electronic devices. Our test administrators prior to every assessment will ask students to turn off these devices and place them away from the testing area if the students bring them to school. Please begin discussions with your children about this very important topic.

Jersey Shore Blueclaw game was awesome! If you were there, you know our Chorus did an outstanding job with the Star Spangled Banner. Congratulations to student from Citta who also performed. It was a chilly night but great memories were made. Nice job Mrs. Coe!

Today we had our much anticipated Laser Light Show! We held this event because our students have shown Responsible, Respectful, and Safe behavior all year. Our PBSIS Committee was instrumental in getting this assembly to our school. It was an incredible show!

This year's 5th Grade Moving Up Ceremony will be held on June 6 starting promptly at 9:30 AM. The rain date for this event will be June 7 starting at 9:30 AM. This will be an outdoor ceremony and ParentSquare will be used for reminders, updates, and event information.

It is not too late to order your yearbook! Grades Kindergarten through 4th can purchase the yearbooks now. Order forms are available electronically (see below) and order forms were sent home. Our PTO is graciously buy each 5th grade student a yearbook. Please order today!

Family Movie Night is rapidly approaching! The event will be held on May 17. Please see the flyer below to view the details!

We continue to promote and reinforce respectful, responsible and safe behavior. The COMPASS program from Preferred Behavioral Health concluded today. Our 5th grade students received lessons on social emotional learning, anti-bullying, and character education.

On May 3 our PBSIS committee has sponsored a fun assembly as recognition to our students for practicing safe, respectful and responsible behavior for the entire school year. A laser light show assembly will be given to our grade levels as a show of appreciation for a job well done.

Mrs. O'Neill and Mrs. Decker won our staff employee of the week...Congratulations! Please see student winners below.

Please see below in our PTO Corner section with a message from our PTO president Mrs. O'Leary.

Some information about the school calendar. Please note the following: School is closed May 27. June 4 will be a virtual learning day. June 6 thorough June 13 will be early dismissal days. Please click here to see the revised district calendar.

For a limited time, students and families in Grades K-4 can order the 2023-24 Wildcat Yearbook online. (5th graders will receive their books courtesy of the Walnut Street PTO.) The price per book is $20. You can scan the QR Code shown on the flyer that is included in this newsletter, or visit www.ybpay.com with the yearbook ID code of: 9208724. If you wish to pay by check, please make the check out to the Walnut Street PTO.

Again, yearbooks are $20 per book. The sale ends on April 30th.

Thank you very much!

Please see these fliers below related to the Summer EBT program. The flier is in English and Spanish and there is great information in them.

Mrs. Coe received a "We Can All Make Music" project for her classroom from Donors Choose.

We would like to thank the following donors: Catherine Larsen (New Jersey). Thank you!

Mrs. Coe's Donors Choose Page: Barred Instruments for Music Project #2

Please click link to view Mrs. Schwietzer's Donor's Choose Page!

Please click link to view Mrs. Murray's Donor's Choose Page!

Please click link to view Mrs. DeRuiter's Donor's Choose Page!

Our next PTO meeting will be on May 7, 2024 in Cafeteria C at 6:30 PM. Please enter through Door 18. We will be honoring our March Students of the Month!

Please purchase tickets for our Jersey Shore Blueclaws fundraiser on April 30, 2024.

Outdoor Movie Night 5/17

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0A4FABAE2AA6FD0-outdoor

Calling all Volunteers!

We Need You! Our PTO board is shrinking due to ageing out of the school and we are seeking highly motivated and fun volunteers to join the board! The following positions are available:

Treasurer - The money mom! Handle the PTOs bank account and balancing our QuickBooks (training provided!)

Secretary - The organized mom! Does all your kids toys have their own space and your minivan spotless? This is the spot for you! The secretary makes sure all our paperwork with the town is in order for raffles, helps out with flyers and organizing events.

Recording Secretary - The mom who documents everything! Are you constantly on IG or FB documenting everything? This role might be good for you! The secretary writes notes from meetings, handles posting to social media and makes flyers for events.

Book Fair Chair- The always reading mom! Are you attached at the hip to your kindle? This job is for you! We all know how important books are for our kids and we need someone to help organize our Fall and Spring Book fairs.

All parents (moms and dads!), grandparents and guardians are open to apply for board positions! If any of these jobs interest you or you have any questions about the positions please reach out to WalnutStreetPTO@gmail.com

Our cafeteria offers our students nutritious and tasty food items every day. The link to the food services website is below. There (along the right side), you will see menus for the month. For information on eligibility for free or reduced meals, please access the letters that are attached.

This part of the newsletter will feature important upcoming dates at Walnut Street Elementary and our district. Please see below:

• May 6 - May 10: Grades 4 and 5 NJSLA Testing (Math and ELA)
• May 13 - May 17: Grade 3 NJSLA Testing (Math and ELA)
• May 13 and 14: Grade 5 NJSLA Testing (Science)
• May 17: PTO Movie Night
• May 27: No school - Memorial Day
• June 4: Virtual Learning Day
• June 6: 5th Grade Moving Up Ceremony - 9:30 AM
• June 7: (Rain Date) 5th Grade Moving Up Ceremony - 9:30 (if necessary)
• Early Dismissal Days: June 6 through June 13
• Last Day of School: June 13 (Have a great summer!)