Dear CMS Parents and Guardians,
We had a wonderful week celebrating Teacher Appreciation! A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated staff for their unwavering commitment to our students each and every day. We also extend our sincere thanks to the families who generously donated items for our raffle giveaways—your support is truly appreciated!
We are currently in the midst of NJSLA testing for grades 3–5, and we are so proud of our students for putting forth their best effort and demonstrating all they’ve learned this year.
As we look ahead to the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, I want to wish everyone a restful and enjoyable holiday.
PS Students - a look ahead - let’s show our spirit on Friday, June 13, 2025 by wearing red, white, and blue in honor of Flag Day and upcoming Memorial Day!
Join us in celebrating the day with a splash of patriotic color.
Thank you,
Nicole Musarra, CMS Principal
KINDERGARTEN
After learning about the life cycle of a plant, Mrs. Iacono's kindergarten class planted sunflower seeds. The students are using a plant diary to record the growth of their plant each week.
FIRST GRADE
Mrs. Gonzales and Mrs. Reinhardt's first graders had a timely adventure creating their own clocks and writing about their favorite time of day. From lunchtime laughs to bedtime stories, each moment was special. We just love spending time together!
THIRD GRADE
3rd Grade Unplugged - Mrs. Kinney and Mrs. Juckett's 3rd grade class had no internet, but it was NO PROBLEM. Student began learning about Spanish culture in preparation for the CMS International Fair next week. We also brainstormed who Crocodile Dundee was in preparation for the 80s dance. The students had some great ideas. Included in the fun was a little flamenco music and an 80s classic "We are the World"
FOURTH GRADE
Mrs. Smitreski and Miss Farino's fourth graders are planting positivity in Room C55 this spring!
SCA Executive Board
Becky Park - President
Chrissy Mangione - Vice President
Shanna Driber- Treasurer
Caroline Shuart- Secretary
Jessica Bradley- Financial Officer
Reach out: cmsscax@gmail.com
Preschool Registration Opens February 18, 2025
Kindergarten Registration Opens February 3, 2025
May 16th: CMS Dance 5pm-7pm CMS
May 21st: 2nd Grade Kindness Day 10:45AM CMS
May 22nd: Wear Red, White and Blue to celebrate Memorial Day
⭐May 23rd: SCHOOL CLOSED (give back snow day)⭐
⭐May 27th: SCHOOL CLOSED (give back snow day)⭐
May 28th: Kindergarten Ceremony 9:30am
May 28th: Marauderfest District Wide - 5th grade only (Rain date June 3)
⭐May 30th: SCHOOL CLOSED (give back snow day)⭐
⭐June 2nd: SCHOOL CLOSED (give back snow day)⭐
June 3rd -6th: Incoming Kindergarten Screening
June 6: CMS Field Day (Rain date June 13)
June 10th: CMS Carnival (Rain date June 11)
June 11th: Meadowbrook 5th grade field trip (rain or shine)
June 12th: 5th grade Breakfast & 5th Grade Move Up Ceremony
June 13th: Wear Red, White and Blue to Celebrate Flag Day
June 13th: CMS End of the Year Class Parties!
June 16th - 19th: Early Dismissals at 1:00pm
June 19th: CMS Clap out 12:30pm LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
2024-2025 School Year Calendar
2025-2026 School Year Calendar
CMS Back to School Night 2025 is on Thursday, September 4, 2025
Friendships
Hello Parents!
Friendship is an important part of a child’s social and emotional development. At school, we support them in building healthy friendships through kindness, empathy, communication, and problem-solving. You can support this at home by encouraging your child to practice active listening,
take turns during conversations, and show appreciation for others. Remind them that friendships take time to grow, and it’s okay to face challenges! what matters is how we work through
them. If your child is struggling socially, don’t hesitate to reach out, we’re here to help!
Talking Points for Parents to Use at Home:
● "What qualities do you look for in a good friend?"
● "How do you show someone that you care about them?"
● "What do you do if you and a friend disagree?"
● "Has anyone ever made you feel left out? How did that feel?"
● "Is there someone new at school you might want to get to know?"
These kinds of conversations can help your child reflect on their social experiences and build stronger, more meaningful connections with peers.
Friendship Challenges
Friendships are an important part of growing up, but they are sometimes tricky to navigate.
You can support the learning done at school at home by coaching your child through
common social challenges and helping them develop the tools they need to respond in
positive, thoughtful ways.
Model healthy relationships : Show your child what respectful communication and boundary-setting look like in your own interactions.
Practice problem-solving together : Talk through pretend friendship scenarios and ask, “What could you do in this situation?”
Teach ‘I’ statements : Help your child express themselves calmly with phrases like, “I felt left out when...” or “I need a break because...”
Normalize conflict : Let your child know that disagreements are normal, and the goal is to handle them kindly and constructively.
Encourage inclusion and kindness :Reinforce the importance of being a good friend, even when others are struggling or behaving differently.
By guiding your child with real-life tools and ongoing support, you’re helping them grow
into socially confident, compassionate individuals!
Warmly,
Miss Mayberry, Miss Hoffman, Mrs. Bautz
Olivia Mayberry (2nd & 5th)
(973)-691-4002 ext. 6305
Kelsey Bautz (1st & 4th)
(973)-691-4002 ext. 6301
Heather Hoffman (KDG & 3rd)
(973)-691-4002 ext. 6302
Letter to 5th Grade Parents from the School Nurse
The following are requirements for entering grade 6 in the Fall of 2025 as per the NJ
State Department of Health and Department of Education
REQUIRED IMMUNIZATIONS (Typically given at the age 10 -11 physical)
● DTAP Vaccine
● Meningococcal Vaccine
All immunization requirements and can be reviewed in detail by visiting the following
link: NJ School Immunization Requirements 2025
If you have questions about these vaccines, please contact your healthcare provider. If
you do not have a healthcare provider, you can contact Mt. Olive Board of Health for
free or reduced cost immunizations. The MO Health Dept. can be reached at (973)
691-0900 x7353 to schedule an appointment.
If your child will be potentially participating in extracurricular activities during the 6th
grade year, he or she will REQUIRE a medical eligibility form to be completed.
This form can be found on the MOMS webpage under athletics.
There will be special intake days in the summer to submit the medical eligibility forms.
Please review MOMS athletics web page for any questions.
Please submit all required immunizations to your child’s current school nurse if before
June 6, 2025; or to the MOMS nurse prior to August 20, 2025 in order to make for a
smooth transition into the Mount Olive Middle School in September.
Sincerely,
Kathleen Olup, RN, CSN
x6480
Michele Herman
x6480
Pick up and Drop off Procedures
SCHOOL TIMES
DROP-OFF PROCEDURES:
If you plan on dropping your child off the drop-off line is a continuous stream of traffic. Parents will not be able to park their vehicle and walk their child(ren) to the door.
PICK-UP PROCEDURES:
If you plan to pick up your child(ren) in the afternoon you will have to pick them up on the side of the building, just like drop off, in the line of continuous stream of traffic. Parents will not be able to park their vehicle and pick up their child(ren). If you have to pick up your child prior to dismissal, you can do so up until 3:20pm. Any pick ups after 3:20 must be done at the dismissal car line.
PickUp Patrol
RealTime
If you are having difficulty accessing, please click here
Right at School
Right at School - Before and After Care
Mt. Olive schools are partnering with Right at School to provide child care options for our community.
Click here to view the RIGHT AT SCHOOL website.
Chester M. Stephens Elementary School
Karen Husser, Vice Principal
Website: https://www.motsd.org/cms/
Phone: 973-691-4002
Twitter: @cmsmtolive