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We are pleased to announce our District Reconfiguration webpage is live. The webpage will be updated with information as it becomes available.

Mrs. Vera’s and Ms. Brennan’s preschool classes celebrated Friendsgiving. The classes celebrated together after they made biscuits and butter.

Preschool classes completed their unit of study on boxes. The students were asked to make a creation from boxes at home. Families were invited to come and view the box creations made by all the preschoolers.

Mrs. Fisher’s class had a waffle breakfast Friendsgiving celebration. It was a heartwarming event that fostered friendship and gratitude among the preschoolers. The children were excited to help set up the tables using the turkey-themed placemat which they created. Everyone shared what they were thankful for this year. The children had the opportunity to create a waffle masterpiece, choosing from a variety of toppings such as strawberries, blueberries, bananas, and whipped cream. In addition to the meal, the teachers engaged the children in discussions about friendship and thankfulness. They read stories that highlighted the importance of these values and encouraged them to express their appreciation for their friends and family.

The JCPTA generously funded Winter Holiday Express, an enjoyable assembly for the students. The presenter taught the students all about the various winter holidays celebrated around the world, using storytelling and magic. He also focused on the central theme of caring and sharing during the holidays and all year long.

Students from Mrs. Connor’s kindergarten class have been visiting Mrs. Povinelli’s preschool class to practice their reading skills. The preschool students love listening to the stories and working in small groups with their kindergarten reading buddies.

Dr. Plotts is always happy to take a seat! Mrs. Gilroy’s class was excited to welcome their principal and he even participated in crafting a holiday project with the class.

As the preschool box unit wrapped up, the students in Mrs. Bolka’s class created a vibrant box city. They painted boxes and decorated them with building features including windows and doors. To bring their city to life, they added people, trains, cars, and signs. The students were thrilled to play with their imaginative creations.

The Cozy Lake community welcomed the very unpredictable Grinch... No one knew where he would land next!

Last month the Stanlick community celebrated Veterans Day by honoring twenty-five veterans of our Armed Forces. Students sang songs, made thank-you signs, and gave each veteran a carnation. Following the assemblies, they hosted a breakfast for each veteran and their family member. Some of the classes were fortunate to have a veteran visit with them to share their experiences from serving our country.

The TREP$ Marketplace on December 4th was a huge success. The young entrepreneurs created outstanding businesses that were not only profitable, but also creative and inspiring. Thank you, Mrs. Platz, Miss Incledon, and Ms. Duda, for your leadership and dedication to our students' success.

Fourth- and fifth-grade students in the Student Talent Enrichment Program are using their engineering skills to create fairy and gnome houses and videos to compete with ten other Morris area districts in an exciting STEAM Cardboard Challenge. They have been challenged to make a fairy home made out of 90% cardboard that has a moving part.

White Rock Breakfast Book Club's fifth-graders read the scary story Scirtch Scratch by Lindsay Currie, which was written around the story of the Easton Ship disaster in Chicago. The book club members had fun discussing this haunting mystery.

The fifth-graders wrapped up their reading of The Wild Robot by Peter Brown with an exciting movie screening. After diving deep into Roz's adventures in the wild, students got to see the story come to life on screen. Discussions were buzzing about favorite scenes, differences from the book, and what they would do if they were Roz. What a fantastic way to connect literature with visual storytelling.

Our staff had an “underground” theme day to celebrate the opening of Wicked in the movie theaters. The teachers dressed in pink, green, and Wicked merchandise. Thank you to Mrs. Kirschner for putting this fun event together.

The following students were recognized for their attributes and contributions to the Middle School community.

• 6th Grade: Renee Chiarolanza & Gianna Falcone
• 7th Grade: Caydence Hackett & Declan Stephens
• 8th Grade: Kylie Paskas & Ashlyn Kelly

Students in grades K-8 were invited to come and explore how their interests and hobbies connect to the world of coding, through interactive and engaging activities on December 9th. The 82 student attendees from 60 families enjoyed hands-on coding challenges and technology experiences, such as binary bracelet making, virtual reality headsets and apps, Lego QR coding, and Scratch play. Participants visited the Coding Showcase & refreshment cafe in the Media Center, and at the end of the evening, everyone walked away with a goodie bag of fun. The night was possible due to donations from JTPS students and staff members and a generous FAST Grant from the JTEA & NJEA.

Students have started their nonfiction unit, choosing to read The Boys in the Boat or I am Malala. They are learning to understand and identify nonfiction signposts and key nonfiction text features as they read. Concentrating on these particular skills helps students analyze an author's techniques more effectively and discover the deeper meanings within the texts. The students are enjoying their stories and are fascinated by the true events.

Ms. Widgren and Mrs. Guagenti were recently invited to participate in a teacher preparation program at the Graduate School of Education, which hosts a social media series on topics that are important to teachers. On December 7th, the educators participated in a chat on the platform X (formerly Twitter) on the topic of Safe Schools: Creating a Learning Environment for Students and Teachers that is Safe from Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying. Dr. Laud, Assistant Director of Alternate Route at the Graduate School of Education, while researching and preparing for this session, came across a published article in the NJEA magazine - Your Story Matters and reached out to the ladies. The response from the attendees was overwhelmingly positive and complimentary; thank you Ms. Widgren and Mrs. Guagenti for your efforts and for continually shining a positive light on our district.

Jaden Salus & Emerson Thompson were recognized by their teachers for their positive contributions to our school and community.

Nominated by Ms. Daken, Jaden consistently goes above and beyond to make others in our community feel accepted and welcomed. According to Ms. Daken, "As the GSA president, Jaden works constantly - organizing events, encouraging new members, and brainstorming new ideas. He is also an enthusiastic member of the Falcon Ambassadors and has worked on displays and research."

Nominated by Ms. Clarizio, Emerson shows kindness to all she encounters in the building, and serves as a student leader to her peers. According to Ms. Clarizio, "Emerson is extremely thoughtful and generous. She goes out of her way to demonstrate kindness to others in new ways, and sets an example for the school community".

Both Emerson and Jaden will receive custom t-shirts, certificates, and a gift card to a local business in the community.

Congratulations to the cast and crew of Murder’s in the Heir for an amazing set and great performances all around. Thank you, Mrs. Ives and Mr. von Essen for another great JTHS production!

Universal Technical Institute came to JTHS to do a virtual welding demonstration. Students had the opportunity to see, hear, and feel what it's like to use a stick welder. They learned about the arc created when the charged stick comes near the piece of metal to be welded. What an amazing demonstration for students thinking about the trade school route.

After an amazing, championship season, congratulations to Coach Gino Rose for being named the NJSIAA Girls' Volleyball Coach of the Year!

Mrs. Sarah Montgomery, Mrs. Patricia Vandigriff, and Ms. Heather Varner were recently honored as the recipients of the 2024 Governor's Environmental Excellence Award. This Environmental Education Award recognized them for linking environmental concepts to a variety of subjects, including art, history, and physics. The students also explored environmental issues through projects including work in the school’s garden, cleanups at Lake Hopatcong, and a food pantry’s food reclamation program. Additionally, senior students conducted a 10-month study of Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, setting up trail cameras to track species in the area so they could analyze its biodiversity, and sharing their findings on social media. Congratulations to these devoted and inspiring educators!