Dear Wildcats,
What a week! It was rainy but exciting! We concluded our Read Across America Week to commemorate Dr. Seuss' birthday. Thank you to all of our guest readers including the many judges who read to our classes during the week! We were so happy to share this very special week with so many caring people. We had themed dress days based around the many works of Dr. Seuss and they did not disappoint! Each day we read a quote from Dr. Seuss that kept with our school wide themes of respect and responsibility.
We are running a March Madness Attendance initiative during the month of March so that we can continue our amazing improvement in our attendance numbers. There will be two overall classes that win a yummy breakfast in April. We have created brackets that has homerooms competing against each other. Average weekly attendance will be calculated for each homeroom and the highest attendance rate for that homeroom will move on to the next round. Please check social media for weekly results. Also, each student showing perfect attendance for the month will have a chance to win fun prizes. (See brackets below, good luck!)
Our school has seen a drop in chronic absenteeism and an increase in average daily attendance since last year. Our district attendance numbers and elementary school attendance numbers continue to show a positive trend. Let's finish the school year strong! #everystudentmatterseverymomentcounts
Our NJ CAP lessons began this week and several of our classrooms enjoyed the incredible lessons from members of this organization. The presenters will focus on conflict resolution, conflict vs. bullying, leadership, and internet safety. These lessons will continue for grades 3-5 through April. Please visit www.njcap.org for more information.
Congratulations to our February Students of the Month! These students were honored on Tuesday at our PTO meeting for being safe, respectful and responsible. Pictures below! Our students of the month are: Sapphire Wilson, Ava Durieux, Tucker Thompson, Axel Zayas, Sofia Pacheco Ibarra, Alexis Jaimes Zambrano, Elder Soriano, Gianna Danyo, Angelly Olivos, Jayden Bruno, John Caswell, Judah Walford, Jonathan Van Brummelen, Jax Vogel, Jhonnie Guirand, Francisco Montes, Giovanna Giordano, Giovanni Cosme, Kelly Xelhua Galeana, Luke Jurilla, Yara Korany, Dalia Leonore, Suri Braun, Hailey Jean-Louis, Dylan Hayes Tejada, Abdiel Mexquititla, Zara Kamal, Lydia Servis, Mary Paz Matta Navarro, Sebastian Appel, Giselle Morales Tochihuitl, Joshua Froriep, Ariadna Ortega Mendoza, Itzae Andrade, Trevor Nelson, Andraya Richardson, and Rylee Rastelli. Congratulations!
Our PTO Book Fair is next week! We kick it off tonight with our PTO Family Night. This is held in our gymnasium and we invite students and parents to the school to get a sneak peak at the wonderful books and items for sale. Students will visit the Book Fair during times next week. Volunteers are still needed, please click on the following link to volunteer:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0A4FABAE2AA6FD0-47200472-spring
Our school wide fundraiser at Freddy's Steakburger and Custard is on Wednesday. Please come out between the hours of 4-8 PM to show your support of our school, programs, and initiatives. A portion of the proceeds goes directly to our school. Thank you Freddy's! Please see the flier below and thank you for your support.
This year’s Kids Heart Challenge is ongoing...please see our most recent update letter below. It is not too late to join our team by visiting
http://www2.heart.org/goto/walnutstreetschooltomsriver or using the AHA Schools app. Our school goal is to raise $12,000 as a school. If this happens, and if register half our school, I will be getting 'silly stringed'. Keep those donations from family and friends pouring in!
Mrs. Dellane and Mr. Baxter won our staff PBSIS recognition this week...Congratulations! Check out some of our week's student winners below.
Finally, please note that March 28 will be an early dismissal day for students and staff. There will be no school from March 29 to April 7 due to Spring Recess. Students and staff return to school on April 8.
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!
In this section of our newsletter, we show appreciation and gratitude to those who give back to our school.
Mrs. Cerchio received a "Seating With Sensory" project for her classroom from Donors Choose. We would like to thank the following donors:
Brielle Cerchio (NJ)
Anonymous (NJ)
Anonymous (Toms River)
Anonymouse (Newark, OH)
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:
- Tonight...Scholastic Book Fair Family Night
- Week of March 11 - Scholastic Book Fair
- March 13, 4 - 8 PM - Freddy's Steakburger Fundraiser
- March 28 - Early Dismissal Day
- March 29 - April 7 - Spring Recess (Students return April 8)
- 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)
