ABIS Happenings

ABIS recently gained some new additions! On October 15th, ABIS received their annual delivery of trout eggs from the NJ Fish and Wildlife's Trout in the Classroom initiative. The 8th grade and Environmental Club will raise the fish until May as they study ecology, human impact, climate change, and water chemistry. To celebrate their arrival, the entire school was decorated with trout decorations and each class incorporated trout in their lesson from poems to trout-themed math problems! Over the past six years, ABIS students have released over 150 trout into the Raritan River!

Additionally, due to a generous donation from the American Reptiles Distributors, ABIS students are now caring for a painted turtle! Raising a turtle in the classroom teaches students responsibility, empathy, and teamwork by having them care for a living creature. It also offers hands-on learning in biology and ecology, while promoting calmness and focus. This experience stimulates curiosity and encourages collaboration among students.

In 7th grade, students completed self portraits inspired by the work of Frida Kahlo. Since Kahlo frequently used her heritage and personal experiences to curate the content of her portraits, students researched aspects of their own cultures and applied them to their artwork. They started by researching their country's national flower and traditional clothing along with two "spirit animals" that they felt represented who they were. After completing a guided drawing of their portraits, they drew traditional clothing on themselves and collaged printed images of their country's flowers and spirit animals in the background.

Let’s continue to celebrate Mrs. Mattei for her unwavering dedication and the positive impact she makes every day. We are incredibly fortunate to have her as part of our school family!

23-31 October - Red Ribbon Week

28-1 October - Spirit Week

1 November - ABIS Got Talent

6 November - Student vs. Faculty Soccer Game

19-21 November - Parent Teacher Conferences

Time spent outdoors is something we all look forward to. Unfortunately hiking, biking or just spending time in our yards or in the woods can increase the chance of tick exposure. The NJ Department of Health has provided this resource which provides excellent information NJ residents can use to reduce exposure to ticks/tick-borne illness. Click on the link - excellent information!

Zufall Health Center in Somerville, NJ offers a variety of health initiatives for our community. Please click here or here for more information. If you are interested, contact Zufall Health Center.

If your child is planning to participate in ABIS sponsored sports, please take some time to review this information

The ONLY sports paperwork accepted for school-sponsored sports is the current NJSIAA physical. Para español haga clic aquí. They are available on the district website, and for your convenience, the link is also provided in this email. These forms were updated in July 2024, so please be sure you are using the updated paperwork.

Physicals are to be performed by the student's medical provider. There will be no school-based physicals. Please contact your child's healthcare provider for information with regard to the physical.

Completed physicals need to be submitted to the school nurse. They are then sent to the district physician for final approval. No athlete can participate unless the physical is approved, so please arrange to have physical paperwork submitted by the due date.

Before taking the physical documents from the medical provider, check and make sure the provider has signed and dated the form in all required areas, including the eligibility and Cardiac Module areas. The school district physician cannot approve any physical missing these signatures.

For students who use an inhaler or epinephrine auto-injector: medical authorization is required each new school year and must be on file in the school health office.

Sports physicals are valid for 365 days from the date of the physical. If your child plans to participate in school based sports, it is suggested to bring sports physical paperwork with you when your child goes for their annual checkup.

The due date for all sports physical paperwork for Winter Sports is November 13, 2024. This is the last date physicals will be accepted.

The Class of 2025 will be having a Gertrude Hawk Fundraiser just in time for the holiday season. Orders are accepted now through Nov. 4th with the items being delivered the week of Dec. 2nd. Please see a senior class officer, Mrs. Formanowski in room 10 or Ms. Stephen in room 8 to order or use the link to shop! Thank you in advance for your support!

Two movies will be shown. Family-friendly first and classic horror second. Advanced seating is required for one or both showings. Space is limited. Reserve your seats here.

Here is the ABIS November Issue from the Manville Public Library. It includes a variety of upcoming events and some other interesting shares.

The MYAL Travel Wrestling program is for children in 2nd * thru 6th grade and is part of the “Raritan Valley Wrestling League” whose goal is to develop wrestlers on all levels. Participants practice on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, in the ABIS School. The MYAL Wrestling team will be competing in tournaments throughout the season which runs from mid-November thru the end of January. (Travel is required for away matches (Local Somerset County Towns, + North Hunterdon, Berkeley Heights).

The Manville Food Pantry will be open the second Saturday of each month at the Faith in Action Church at 228 S. Main Street. Please make sure to bring your ID and a bag.

Feeding Hands is also offering assistance the fourth Saturday of each month at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 34 South Third Avenue. See the flyer for dates and more details.

Empower Somerset is holding two, in-person Teen Speak workshops for Spanish-speaking parents and caregivers this month. Teen Speak is an evidence-based, skill-building workshop that helps parents improve communication with their teens and aims to reduce common teen risk behaviors such as mental health concerns, sex, and substance use. Click here and here to view flyers.