Principal Garcia's Newsletter

• May 25-31 - No School Memorial Day
• May 31 - Incoming Kindergarten Warm-Up Screening (by appointment only)
• June 1 - Field Day (rain date June 5th)
• June 2 - TJS Spirit Wear Day
• June 6 - First Grade Parent Tea
  
• June 6 - Grade 5 Staff vs. Student Kickball Game at 3:20 PM (rain date June 8th)
• June 9 - PTO Jamboree (rain date June 13th)
  
• June 12 - Grade 5 Recognition Ceremony at 9:30 AM
• June 14 - Last Day of School / Single Session Early Dismissal Day / Grade 5 Clap Out
• June 14 - Report Cards Available for Parents in the Genesis Portal

While Memorial Day weekend brings to mind barbecues, swimming pools, and summertime, it is more importantly a time to honor the fallen heroes who served our great country. As a community, it is important that we continue to recognize why our nation pauses, reflects, and honors the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice. On this Memorial Day weekend, the staff at TJS wishes you all a restful and relaxing weekend with your family and friends.

As a school learning community, we are recognizing TJS jaguars who consistently demonstrate exemplary character traits, behavior, kindness, and compassion for others. Nominations are submitted throughout the entire month and at the end of the month, one jaguar from each grade level is selected and recognized. Today, Ms. Garcia announced the May Jaguars of the Month!

Congratulations to...

• Kindergartener - Vivian Tylim
• First Grader - Matthew Gomez
• Second Grader - Rory Mindnich
• Third Grader - Elise Schol
• Fourth Grader - Cora Perconte
• Fifth Grader - Ben Pappa

We are hopeful that as a community, students will be eager to serve as positive role models for their peers to always be upstanding members of our school.

If you know that your child is not returning to our school district in the fall of 2023, please be sure to email Marcy Dakss (dakssm@madisonnjps.org) as soon as possible so that we can ensure the appropriate transfer paperwork is completed.

All About Story Structure

Readers can identify the structure of a story in various ways depending on the complexity of the text. The image below is one way to visualize the structure of a story. This visual is known as a story mountain or plot diagram.

For readers in grades K-2 a story mountain consists of only the components at the bottom of the diagram: the ascent (beginning), the summit (middle), and the descent back down the mountain on the other side (the end). Within those components are elements like the characters, setting, problem, and solution.

For readers in grades 3-5 a story mountain can consist of up to 7 different components depending on the complexity of the story. Below are the components a reader might identify as they move through a story.

• The Setting: the time and place (or when and where) in which the story is told.

• The Characters: a story can consist of both main characters, who have the most amount of influence on the plot, and secondary characters, who are significant and play a supporting role - they are not the main focus.

• The Beginning/Introduction: The setting and characters are introduced in detail to set-up the story.

• The Build-up/Rising Action:The adventure kicks off and the characters begin to encounter different scenarios, events, action, etc.

• The Problem/Climax: This is the part of the story that the last parts have been building up to - the entire story should culminate in an exciting finale.

• The Falling Action: Everything that happens right after the climax. This component brings the story from climax to resolution. Problems are solved, hopefully with some sort of reward for the character’s efforts.

• The End/Resolution: Here the story concludes, all threads should be tied up not leaving the reader wondering. The ending should provide some amount of closure unless a sequel is involved!

At this week's BOE Meeting, Ms. D'Amico was recognized as our 2023 TJS Teacher of the Year and Mrs. Fernandes was recognized as our 2023 Educational Services Professional of the Year. We are so incredibly proud of our remarkable educators for their dedication to our school, district, students, and community. Congratulations!

Hi! My name is Beth Ferranti and I work at TJS as a substitute teacher and a teacher’s assistant. I began working at TJS in 2020, but three of my four children attended school here not so long ago. I have enjoyed reconnecting with some of my kids’ beloved teachers on a professional level and getting to know the newer staff.

Before my time at TJS, I was a journalist at a small paper in Hudson County, NJ. I am also the author of a book starring the cartoon characters The Powerpuff Girls called “The Professor’s Monkey Business.”

In my free time, I love spending time with my husband and kids, getting outside with our dog, and playing the piano (enthusiastically, if not accurately).

The year is wrapping up and TJS has so many amazing events planned. In order for these all to run smoothly, we are counting on our parents to help us out! There are so many volunteer opportunities listed below. Please consider helping at one of the major events coming up - Field Day, and/or Jamboree (sign up to help will be out next week)! Scroll down for the sign-up links. Can’t make it to these events? Consider contributing to our Jamboree raffle (info below!)

The TJS parent community is really something special! We thank everyone who is working behind the scenes to make these events happen.

Color Run! Thank you!

Thank you so much to Mrs. Cindy Pappa and Mrs. Michelle Busanic for their organization of the Color Run. It was an amazing event for the students. Thank you also to the NUMEROUS parent volunteers - we could not have done this event without all of you!

Field Day - June 1st

Field Day will look a little different this year and we need YOUR help to make it run smoothly! Teachers will stay with their classes and each class will rotate together through stations that are run by the parents. All students will be broken up into four teams, so all stations will have four lanes for each team to work in. It would be great if we had one parent at each lane to help guide the students, keep score, and inform the teacher of who came in first, second, third, and fourth.

Once students get to a station, it will be your responsibility to review the activity with them and get them started ASAP to allow them to work for about five minutes. Students will then have two minutes to transition to the next station.

Please sign up here to help make this a safe and fun day for our kids!!

TJS PTO is excited for one of the most fun events of the year! Please join us for a family-friendly good time with carnival games, inflatables, DJ, photo booth, face paint, raffle prizes, food trucks and more! You don't want to miss this end of school year celebration! Siblings of all ages are welcome!

When: Friday, June 9 from 3:30 to 7:30 pm (rain date of June 13)

Where: TJS Open Field

Admission bracelets: $25 for each child or $65 for 3 or more children

(parents do not require bracelets)

Raffle: $20 per sheet of 26 tickets, buy 4 sheets and get the 5th sheet free

Spin art/photo booth/face paint: $5 for book of 5 coupons

Bracelets, coupon books and raffle tickets are available for purchase in advance through June 7. Items purchased will be picked up at the event and are also available for sale at the Jamboree.

Click here to BUY YOUR TICKETS!!

Email Julie Snyder with any questions: juliesnyder13@gmail.com

Jamboree Raffle:

One of the highlights of the TJS Jamboree is the Raffle. All of the proceeds from the Raffle directly benefit the students of TJS! We are kindly reaching out to ask for your help in making this a success by either donating a raffle item or by making a monetary donation! Be creative and have fun coming up with your raffle item and consider teaming up with friends or neighbors to “wow” the kids with an item. Think of anything that your child really wants!

If you would like to contribute a raffle item or a monetary donation, please do so by Friday, June 2, 2023.

Item Suggestions:

● TOYS! (new for elementary age - Legos, puzzles, arts and crafts, dolls, games, jewelry/accessories, outdoor toys/equipment such as a scooter or hoverboard)

● ELECTRONICS (gaming system, headphones, fitness tracker etc.)

● TICKETS / EXPERIENCES (local events, sports, theater etc.)

● BIKE OR SPORTS EQUIPMENT

Out of donation ideas? Please consider making a monetary donation and we will happily shop for you and create amazing raffle baskets! Any amount is greatly appreciated! Please Venmo Mary-Ann Toomey @MaryAnn-Toomey

For questions regarding donations or volunteering please contact Carolyn Weissbard (carolynmajors@gmail.com) or Mary-Ann Toomey (maryann.toomey@yahoo.com). All donations must be dropped off at 49 Hillcrest Road by June 2, 2023, or please contact one of us to arrange a time for it to be picked up. Thank you in advance for your support in making this a success!

There's so much planned for the 5th grade students!

The Madison STEAM Academy returns this summer for its sixth year and is bigger than ever before!

The STEAM Academy offers a hands-on, engaging camp experience for students entering grades 1 through 12 in the 2023-24 school year. With a diverse range of interesting courses, there's an exciting opportunity for every interest! Programming is offered across six week-long sessions in either AM, PM, or full-day options, and enrollment is not limited to Madison residents. Extended day options and tuition assistance are also available to ensure that any interested student can access this amazing program! For enrollment, course offerings, and more information, please visit www.madisonpublicschools.org/steamacademy

There's still time to sign up for the Madison Summer Arts Program at MHS from June 19-July 14! Students entering grades 4 through 8 can choose from band, orchestra, musical theatre, dance, and art classes. Students entering grade 6 can also sign up for guitar lessons, jazz band, and flute ensemble. Hope to see you there! Please click on the QR code below for more information.