New Albany Parent Connection

December is Anxiety Awareness Month

December 1: Breakfast with Santa 8:00-10:30AM @ The Merion

December 1: Cinnaminson Holiday Lighting 5:00-7:00PM @ Wood Park

December 2: Single Session Day for Conference Preparation (early dismissal)

December 3: Report Cards issued

December 3-6: Parent Teacher Conferences/Single Session Days

December 4: Evening Conferences

December 8: CEHASA's Winterfest 10:00AM-2:00PM @ CHS

December 9: CHOP Fundraiser Pajama Day

December 11: Session 2 of Clubs Begins

December 13: Mindfulness Day (in honor of Anxiety Awareness Month)

December 17: BOE Meeting 7:00PM @ CMS

December 18: IPK Holiday Sing-Along

December 18 & 19: 2nd Grade Concerts

December 20: Single Session Day (Early Dismissal/No SAC)

December 23-January 1: Winter Break

January 2: School reopens

Single Session Days = Early Dismissal

December 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 20th are single session days.

Please note school hours below:

Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd - 9:06 - 1:25

Full Day Integrated Preschool (IPK) - 9:30 - 1:10

Full Day Bright Eyes (BE) - 8:55 - 1:10

AM Bright Eyes (BE) - 8:55 - 11:05

AM "BE" Students - will be dropped off 20 minutes earlier than normal.

PM Bright Eyes (BE) - 11:05 - 1:10

PM "BE" Students - will be picked up 1 hour and 45 minutes earlier than normal.

Lunch is served on single session days.

Parent Teacher Conferences will be held from Tuesday, December 3rd through Friday, December 6th. Evening conferences will be held on Wednesday, December 4th.

If you do not already have an appointment scheduled, please sign up by visiting the Genesis Parent Portal and choosing a meeting time under the conference tab. Please note that the conference tab will close on 12/2. After that time, you will need to contact your child's teacher directly for a meeting time.

Our staff looks forward to discussing your child's progress with you! All days, including Monday, 12/2, are SINGLE SESSION days with a 1:25PM dismissal (1:10PM for MEM students).

December is Anxiety Disorder Awareness Month, which is typically recognized during the month of May, a time to raise awareness about anxiety which is your body's reaction to stress and can occur even if there is no current threat. If anxiety doesn't go away and begins to interfere with your life, it could affect your health.

Occasional anxiety is a normal part of life. Many people worry about things such as health, money, or family problems. But anxiety disorders involve more than temporary worry or fear. For people with an anxiety disorder, the anxiety does not go away and can get worse over time. The symptoms can interfere with daily activities such as job performance, schoolwork, and relationships.

Students will participate in mindfulness activities on December 13th in honor of anxiety Awareness month.

To learn more, please click the tab below.

Hello New Albany families,

The holidays are among us! Between our counselors Ms. Devon Mohler and Ms. Aja Jones, gratitude is an initiative we always strive to teach students. Through lessons, discussion, and activities, we aim to instill this practice into their lives.

This holiday season, take a moment to have a discussion with your children. There is so much for us to be grateful for every single day.

Check out this article on how to help teach the act of gratitude to your children, not just during the holidays, but every day.

Happy Holidays!

Article: How to Teach Children Gratitude

Congratulations to all of the participants who read books for Senator Troy Singleton’s Jump Into Reading Challenge. Senator Singleton’s office has not announced our school’s winner yet, but I am so very proud of our readers. Congratulations to all of our participants!

Health Guidance

It's the season of cold and flu, and germs can spread quickly. We ask parents to keep their children home if they are sick to reduce the spread of germs.

For detailed information, please refer to the nurse's letter: Guidelines for Illness.

Flu Vaccine

The NJ Department of Health recommends all school age children receive the annual flu vaccine. Students under 5 years of age attending Preschool are mandated to receive the flu vaccine between Sept. 1 and Dec. 31 each year. Without proof of vaccination students will be excluded from returning to school after winter break. More information on vaccines can be found here: Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions.

Thank you for your help keeping our smallest learners healthy.

Cold Weather Season

As the weather begins to change, students will need to dress warmly when going outside for PE and recess. Please ensure that your child has a winter coat along with a hat, gloves, and scarf.

If your family is in need of a winter coat, please contact the nurse's office at

(856) 786-2284 ext 6832.

Clothing Donations

The nurse's supply of extra clothing is low. If you are cleaning out your closets, please consider donating gently used clothing (pants, leggings, sweatpants). In addition, our nurse's office will accept donations of new socks and underwear

(sizes 4, 5, 6/7, 8, 10) for both girls and boys.

Thank you in advance for your generosity!

Change of Clothing

Sometimes accidents occur and a change of clothing is needed for our younger students. Please provide a change of clothes, including underwear, in a ziploc bag labeled with your child's name to be kept in their backpack or storage in the classroom. It is common for elementary age students to have bathroom accidents and to ensure proper fit and limited disruption to the day, it is best to have their own change of clothes. It is also helpful to have in the event a child gets soiled during

outside play at PE or recess.

We look forward to continuing to partner with you to ensure a healthy, happy school year! Feel free to contact us with any questions. You can reach Nurse Ormsby at ormsbyk@cinnaminson.com or

Nurse Quinn at quinnm@cinnaminson.com.

Thank you,

Nurse Ormsby & Nurse Quinn

A sincere "Thank You" to Patient First and Jersey Mike's for their donations to our school community. Your generosity is truly appreciated!

Congratulations to Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Megan Garvey, on being selected as New Albany School's Faculty Member of the Month for November.

Mrs. Garvey is an excellent teacher who cares deeply about her students. She ensures that each of her students receive her time, energy, and attention, so they can be successful with their learning. She is adept at providing her students with exactly what they need and pushing them to their full potential.

Don't forget...You can nominate a staff member any time for our Staff Member of the Month! Please use this link and share why this person is so deserving of this honor!

December Breakfast & Lunch Menus for New Albany - Breakfast and Lunch

Daily school breakfast costs $1.85 and lunch costs $2.90 this year. You may send in cash or a check, made payable to Cinnaminson Lunch Program. Please mark the envelope containing the cash or check with your child's full name and homeroom teacher OR you may use our online lunch system to make a credit card payment. You will be able to view your child's lunch purchases, account balance, and amount due on the Lunchtime School Payment Portal. We strongly encourage all parents to prepay for your student’s meal account and to create an account at no cost through https://www.schoolpaymentportal.com/. If you believe your family may qualify for free/reduced lunch or has in the past, please complete the 2024-2025 Application for Free and Reduced School Meals. This application can be found on our district website under the “Families” tab>”Food Services”.

Parents who choose for their child to receive breakfast must place their breakfast order through the Genesis Parent Portal. Parents may order breakfast for the entire week for their child. Upon arriving at school each day, students will receive their breakfast in their homeroom. A new breakfast menu will appear under the forms tab in the parent portal every week for parents to place their weekly breakfast orders.

Our school will be hosting a Pajama Day on Monday, December 9th to help the kids at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). The time for innovation and breakthrough is now. CHOP is on the cusp of life changing discoveries for children. They are transforming the well being of children and creating healthier communities throughout Philadelphia and across the world. We are raising money because we want to help make today's innovative ideas, tomorrow's realities.

To donate, please click here: NAS/CHOP Pajama Day

Say YAY to Pajama Day!

Please have your child check the lost and found bin, located right outside of the cafeteria, if you think they may have misplaced an item. It is always a good idea to label all of your child's items so that we can return them safely to the owner.

Because of the numerous holidays celebrated through the fall and winter months, it is an ideal time to discuss how people celebrate around the world – both the uniqueness of traditions and also the many commonalities. Most notably, the major holidays celebrate light in the darkness, show gratitude for food, family and life and pause for reflection or prayer. I was enriched by learning about the beautiful traditions of celebrations around the world. I hope you will take a moment to share these with your family. Happy holidays!

Holidays Around the World

How to Teach Your Child About Different Holidays Around the World

Good character is important for students and adults. It is shown through our thoughts, words, and actions. At New Albany, we stress respect, responsibility, and kindness by following

our schoolwide expectations:

• Be Respectful - I will use good manners and treat others in a way that I would like to be treated. I will be kind, express gratitude, forgive others, and help those in need.

• Be Responsible - I will do what I am supposed to do and be accountable for my actions. I will try my best in all academic areas.

• Be Safe - I will respect school property and make smart choices, doing my best to keep New Albany School a safe and clean place to learn.

Throughout the school year, students and staff will continue to learn ways to display good character traits through counselor and teacher lessons.

We are so excited to announce the November Pirates of the Month!

These students exhibited the schoolwide expectations consistently throughout the month, earning Pirate Coins from their teachers, support staff, administrators, and bus drivers.

Congratulations on a job well done!

The next CEHASA public meeting will take place on

Tuesday, January 28, 2025 @ 6:00PM in the New Albany School Library

Holiday Joy

Looking for the perfect gift to get your student’s teacher

We’ve compiled wishlist items from our faculty to help!

Wish Lists

Winterfest

Cinnaminson Elementary Home & Schools is excited to host the 26th annual Winterfest event Sunday, December 8th at Cinnaminson High School 10am-3pm.

Come do your holiday shopping from talented local craft vendors, support Cinnaminson Twp clubs and student organizations, participate in the Elf games while waiting to see Santa and the Grinch, and explore delicious treats and eats from multiple local bakers and food trucks.

Returning this year by popular request is the Sensory Playroom for our little community members that would enjoy a low key Winterfest experience.

Visit the CEHASA Winterfest event page on Facebook for updates on vendor offerings, sneak peeks at door busters, raffles, contests and more!

Vendor Opportunities are still available. Email cehasawinterfest@gmail.com for more info.

See flyer here: CEHASA Winterfest

Bundt Cake Fundraiser

Thank you to all who participated in the Bundt Cake fundraiser!

Your support is appreciated!

Cinnaminson Schools Night Out at the Phillies

Come out on April 16th to support Cinnaminson Schools as the Phillies take on the Giants at 6:45pm.

Seating will be in sections 329-333.

Tickets will be distributed electronically prior to the event.

Order tickets here:

https://cinnaminson-schools-night-out-with-the-phillies.c...

You can contact CEHASA and find out about current events by:

Following us on Facebook: Cinnaminson Elementary Home and School

Following us on Instagram: cinnaminson_elem_cehasa

Sending us an email cehasa@cinnaminson.com

Like us on Facebook: @NAScinnaminson

Follow us on Instagram: newalbanyelementaryschool

As the holiday season is upon us, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude for being part of our New Albany School community. Your presence and involvement make our school a special place, and we are truly thankful for the positive energy and enthusiasm you bring.

May this festive season bring joy, warmth, and precious moments shared with loved ones. May the spirit of giving and gratitude fill your homes with happiness.

We wish you a delightful holiday season and a new year filled with hope, success, and wonderful memories. Enjoy the well-deserved break, and we look forward to creating more educational milestones together in the coming year.

Happy Holidays!

New Albany Elementary School

Email: nasmainoffice@cinnaminson.com

Website: https://nas.cinnaminson.com/

Location: 2701 New Albany Road, Cinnaminson, NJ 08077

Phone: (856) 786-2284