Arbor Intermediate School
September 2024 Issue
School Leadership Team
School Leadership Team
Heather O’Donnell, Principal
Jeffrey Montgomery , Assistant Principal
Amy McLaughlin, Counselor
Karen Hoeg, Secretary
Corinne Fender, School Nurse
Elyssa Barba-Bey, Attendance Clerk
Kenneth Dzurilla, Custodian
Principal's Message
Dear Arbor Families,
The year has been off to a busy start, with students meeting new friends, acclimating to new classrooms, and participating in class and school events. Fourth graders had an opportunity to meet one another and tour the building during the August Meet and Greet event. All new students to Arbor listened and learned about all of the instruments they can choose from this year in band or orchestra. They have also been enjoying the weather outside at recess meeting new people and reconnecting with old friends.
We are looking forward to a great year, with opportunities both inside and outside of the classrooms. There are a lot of dates to be aware of this month, beginning with Back to School Night on September 25 at 6pm. Our first Spirit Day (Rutgers/Red and Black Day) will be held on Friday, September 27. Picture Day will be on October 1, and that evening will be the K-5 Title 1 Information Night held at Eisenhower Elementary School. There will also be a PTO meeting on October 8, and both Breakfast with your Child week and the Scholastic Book Fair from October 14-18. On October 16 at 8:30am, we will also be having our first “Coffee with the Counselor” event of the year with our school counselor, Mrs. McLaughlin. More information on all of those events and more will be forthcoming through both email and my weekly Sunday phone calls.
Sincerely,
Heather O’Donnell
Principal, Arbor Intermediate School
Counseling Corner
Dear Families,
I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself! My name is Amy McLaughlin and I am Arbor’s School Counselor. What I love most about the grade 4 & 5 level is the genuine curiosity students have in their learning and the world around them. It is very rewarding to be able to have the opportunity to provide support that can have a lifetime positive impact on a child.
As a School Counselor, my primary responsibility is to promote the academic, and social/emotional development of all students. I look forward to offering support to the Arbor students, staff, families, and community. I will be meeting with students individually and in small groups, conducting classroom lessons, meeting with parents, collaborating with teachers and staff, and consulting with community organizations to benefit and meet the needs of all Arbor Intermediate students.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to call at 732-752-8652 or email amclaughlin@pway.org.
I am so excited to work with your children and get to know you throughout the school year! ☺
All the best,
Amy McLaughlin
School Counselor
Nurse's Corner
Welcome back to school! Let’s have a great year!
I want everyone to remember 2 important things.
2.Breakfast is very important. After a long night of sleeping, your fuel tank is empty.
Breakfast is the fuel that gets you going to start your day.
What should you eat? Just like with other meals, try to eat a variety of foods, including:
fruit, vegetables, grains, protein and dairy.
Kids who eat breakfast do better in school, are more likely to participate in physical activities, and eat healthier overall.
So tomorrow morning, don't run out the door on an empty stomach.
Fuel up with a healthy breakfast!
Please share any health concerns with the nurse. You can contact her at 732-752-8652.
Thanks,
Corinne Fender RN,MSN,CSN
Arbor School Nurse
Arbor Welcomes New Teachers
Back to School Night September 25th
New Staff Spot Light
Cristina Granados – 5th Grade Teacher
Background: This is my 4th year teaching. Prior to Piscataway I taught as a Bilingual teacher in New Brunswick. I went to Piscataway Public Schools since Kindergarten and I went to Arbor as a 4th and 5th grader. After graduating high school, I went to The College of New Jersey and graduated with a Master’s in Teaching in 2021. I am extremely happy to be here again as a teacher and give back to a district that poured so much into me. I am from Honduran and Salvadorian decent and love to travel back to visit my family every year.
Favorites
Food: Sushi and Tacos
Movie: Marvel movies
Series: Friends
Book: The Alchemist
Holiday: Christmas
Hobbies: Painting and singing
Things I love: Traveling, painting, spending time with family and friends, my dog Milo
Introduction to Orchestra and Band
Arbor Parent Teacher Organization
Dear Arbor Families,
We extend a warm welcome to all of you as we embark on another exciting academic year at Arbor! The Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is thrilled to be part of your journey and is committed to enhancing our students' educational experience through enrichment and fundraising activities. Your continued support allows us to:
● Support Exciting Events: We fund events like family fun nights, school trips, book and holiday fairs, informative assemblies and more to enrich our students’ educational experience.
● Strengthen Our Community: By supporting local and small businesses, we contribute to the growth of our community.
● Show Appreciation to our Staff: We take pride in recognizing and appreciating our amazing staff, from dedicated teachers to hardworking custodians.
Activities Line Up:
September:
● Welcome Back Lunch: We kicked off the year by sponsoring a delightful lunch for our dedicated staff and custodians.
● Meet and Greet for 4th graders: Our first fundraiser event "PTO Goodies Sale" kicked off on August 28th.
● Fall Fundraiser: Our fundraiser launched on 9/11 at 8:30 with an interactive assembly.
October:
● PTO Meeting: Join us on Tuesday, 10/08, at 6:00 p.m. in the school for our first PTO meeting of the year.
● Fall Book Fair: Our Fall Book Fair will run from 10/14/24 to 10/18/24 during school hours. Every book purchase earns a raffle ticket, and we have daily prizes for lucky winners. We rely on volunteers to help during school hours. Stay tuned for communications to sign up for available time slots.
Important Links:
● Volunteer Sign-Up: link
● Follow Us on Facebook: link
Thank you for your unwavering support. We eagerly anticipate engaging with you throughout the year.
Warm Regards,
PTO Board 2024-2025
Week of Respect
Upcoming Events
- 9/25/2024 Back to School Night
- 9/27/2024 Spirit Day- Rutgers Day
- 10/1/2024 Picture Day
- 10/1/2024 Title I Night
- 10/7-10/11/2024 Week of Respect
- 10/14/2024 Spirit Wear Sale Starts
- 10/14-10/18/2024 PTO Book Fair and Have Breakfast with your Child
-10/16/2024 Coffee with the Counselor
- 10/24/2024 PTO Family Fun Night and Book Fair
- 10/25/2024 Arbor Day Wear Black and Gold