• November 19, 2024 - MPS BOE Meeting
• November 21, 2024 - First Grade Breakfast with the Principal
• November 27, 2024 - Single Session Early Dismissal Day 12:45 PM
• November 28-29, 2024 - Thanksgiving - Schools Closed
• December 3, 2024 - First Trimester Ends
• December 4, 2024 - Second Trimester Begins
• December 6, 2024 - TJS Spirit Wear Day
• December 10, 2024 - Winter Concert for Parent Audience 1:30 PM
• December 12, 2024 - PTO Sponsored Assemblies
• December 13, 2024 - Report Cards Available in Genesis for Parents at 3:00 PM
• December 14, 2024 - PTO Gingerbread Event
• December 17, 2024 - TJS Sing-Along Grades K-2 at 9:15 AM / Grades 3-5 at 10:00 AM
• December 17, 2024 - MPS BOE Meeting
• December 23-31, 2024 - Schools Closed - Winter Break
• January 1, 2025 - Schools Closed - New Year's Day
• January 2, 2025 - Schools Resume

November’s school-wide counseling lessons have been focused on acts of kindness. I’ve been visiting classrooms and reading a book by Jaqueline Woodson called, Each Kindness. It’s the story of a girl from a poor family, who starts at a new school. Unfortunately, the children in her new environment do not treat her kindly and the girl moves away before her classmates have the opportunity to repair the situation. There are multiple lessons to be learned in the story about judgment, differences and missed opportunities. After discussing these important lessons, students have had the opportunity to write compliments to each other. Students have shared how meaningful it has been to give and receive compliments and we’ve discussed how sincere compliments are a true act of kindness. In grades 3-5 we have also discussed topics like name-calling, slurs and the important role of an upstander, or ally.

Our Jaguar Buddies program is taking off this month! Each homeroom has been partnered with a different grade level class. Class partnerships will meet once per month, beginning the week of Thanksgiving. During our monthly Jaguar Buddies time, students have the opportunity to practice good sportsmanship and how to lose with grace through game play. Older students have the chance to practice leadership skills by acting as positive role models, setting a good example for their younger peers. In addition to game play, during the months of December, February and April, students will complete activities together that are connected to our Madison Reads initiative.

• Clothing: Brrrr…It’s cold outside! Please encourage your child to dress in layers for the school day to accommodate changes in temperature, as they will continue to go outside for recess. As a reminder, please also provide an extra set of clothes for your child to keep in their cubby or backpack at school in case of toileting accidents, cafeteria spills, or falls. The health office is also seeking clothing donations, particularly size 7-8 boys and girls pants (sweatpants, leggings, and jeans are appreciated). Please buzz into the front office to drop off items.

• If your child is home sick, they must be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school (without the use of fever-reducing medication),and symptom free for 24 hours if they have experienced vomiting or diarrhea. If a student has a fever, testing is recommended for both Covid-19 and Flu. Please report any positive results to the health office and call me to discuss returning to school (Covid-19 school exclusion is now treated the same as other respiratory illnesses and students must be fever-free for 24 hours with an improvement of symptoms). As with any significant virus or infection, please provide a doctor’s note for clearance, especially for extended illness (3 or more days).

• Head Lice: Please see attached link for the Madison School District head lice guidelines: https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1489/TJS/4096511/HEAD_LICE_GUIDELINES__2_.pdf

• Please be aware that cases of head lice must be reported directly to the health office in order to prevent the spread within the school setting. Also note that the use of over the counter treatments alone typically do not eradicate head lice and that proper treatment involves a multi-week process of regularly combing through the child’s hair to ensure removal of all lice and nits. The linked video is an excellent resource for distinguishing between head lice and dandruff https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeYQAlId1iY. Please know that I do not endorse the site as it is a fee for service but the video is helpful. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me and/or your child’s pediatrician.

• Fifth Grade Immunizations: Please see attached form for information on required immunizations for all 5th graders once they have turned eleven years of age.

¡Hola, familias! Here’s an update on what’s happening in Spanish class this month:

• Monarch Butterflies: Our 1st and 2nd graders learned about the fascinating life cycle of monarch butterflies. They created a beautiful butterfly project, practicing new vocabulary in Spanish as they explored each stage of the butterfly’s journey.

• Día de los Muertos: Our 3rd to 5th graders have been diving into the vibrant traditions of Día de los Muertos. We decorated colorful calaveras de azúcar (sugar skulls) and learned about the significance of this beautiful holiday that honors loved ones who have passed.

• School Supplies Vocabulary: This week, we’re learning the names of common school supplies in Spanish, such as lapiz (pencil), cuaderno (notebook), borador (eraser), and mochila (backpack). Ask your child to practice using the new words at home!

Thanks for your continued support as we enjoy these creative and educational activities in Spanish class!

The last couple of weeks, all the grades had a lot of fun and worked so hard while doing some Halloween themed activities. Grades K-5 all did some sort of variation of Witches Hat, Wicked Tag, Ghostbusters, and Zombie Tag. These activities used several manipulative skills, fitness skills, and teamwork skills as well.

We will still take advantage of the weather when possible and go outside, but it looks like we may be spending most of our time indoors going forward. As a reminder, please dress appropriately for PE class. We are very active and move a lot in class, sneakers are the preferred footwear in order to move safely and efficiently. Please do your best to be prepared for class in order to get the most out of PE.

And remember, Work Hard, Play Safe, Be Kind!

Madison families thank you for attending the curriculum open house that was offered at each of the libraries during parent teacher conferences! In case you missed our open house attached is a list of our literacy programs and videos that provide an overview and a sample of how the lesson is taught. If you have any questions please reach out at any time!

Click the link below to access and print the NOVEMBER calendar. As a family try to do as many of the boxes as you can during the entire month of November! This month's activity calendar was created by Mrs. Pelkey and Mrs. Lemon...enjoy!

Click here for more info and to learn how you can be a part of Madison Reads.

Hello Everyone!

It finally feels like Fall outside. We can’t believe it's already the middle of November! PTO volunteers are busy preparing for the events for the rest of the year!

We want to thank the Hospitality Committee for providing a beautifully decorated table of refreshments for our veterans and their families after the assembly.

Spirit Wear orders are ready for pickup at Alfred's on 32 Main Street in Madison. They are open until 6pm during the week and from 10am-2pm on Saturdays

Note: If you placed an order for the custom Flow Society shorts, those have been refunded because the minimum was not reached.

The Square 1 Art flyers have been sent home in your child's backpack. Our students created special art projects that can be featured on various items.

This is a great way to support our school, find unique Christmas gifts, and showcase your child's artwork, with every purchase benefiting the PTO.

To find your child's art, use the Art Search by entering your state, school name, and their name. If their art doesn’t appear or they didn’t bring home a catalog, you can upload any artwork from home using Art Upload.

If you have questions or need help uploading art, please contact Madeline Smith at madelineday08@gmail.com.

**You may upload ANY piece of art to be displayed! Simply take a photo.**

Take one thing off of your holiday to-do list by leaving the Thanksgiving dessert to us! We have an assortment of delicious pies from our local Baba's bakery for sale. There are also cookies from our own TJS mom Mrs. Millett! Order with this link!

We will also be raffling off donated pies to our teachers and staff as a special holiday treat! Please consider donating so we can reward our deserving teachers. You can select your donation on our order page. We greatly appreciate any amount!

Hurry and sign up for the remaining slots (9:00 am and 11:00 am)

Join us for a festive celebration at Candy Cane Lane: A Winter Wonderland! Bring your holiday spirit as kids and families gather to create sweet, edible gingerbread houses together. This year, we’re introducing a new station, Guess How Many Peppermints, where you can win a special holiday prize! Plus, our popular Reindeer Dust and magical hot chocolate stand—complete with all your favorite holiday toppings—are back to warm up your winter day. Don’t miss out on the fun and memories at this delightful event!

Date: Saturday, December 14

Time: 9:00 am and 11:00 am time slots remaining

Location: TJS Jaguar Jungle

Price: $10 per child (max of $30 per family)

Check out the available time slots! Parents, rally your child’s friends, gather your groups, and sign up for a session together. We want everyone to be included and enjoy the festivities! https://torey-j-sabatini-school.square.site/

Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The deadline to register is Wednesday, December 4th. Email Dana at danamblades@gmail.com with any questions.

Do you have a half hour to spare? The library is still in need of volunteers to re-shelve books. Please click on the link HERE to help out!

• Tues. Nov. 19th - MPS BOE Meeting

• Tues. Nov. 19th - Order Pies and Cookies by 11/19; Pick up 11/26

• Thurs. Nov. 21st - 1st Grade Breakfast with the Principal

• Mon. Nov. 25th - Square One Art Deadline

• Wed, Nov. 27th - ½ Day - Pizza Served

• Thurs.-Fri. Nov. 28-29th - Thanksgiving Break School Closed

• Fri. Dec. 6th - TJS Spirit Wear Day

• Tues. Dec. 10th - Winter Music Concert (1:30 pm Jaguar Jungle)

• Sat. Dec. 14th - Gingerbread Decorating Jaguar Jungle (9:00 am; 10:00 am; 11:00 am)

• Tues. Dec. 17th: Sing-A-Long (Jaguar Jungle) K-2 Grades (9:15 am - 9:45 am); 3-5 Grades (10:00 am - 10:30 am)

Our list of events is constantly expanding, so please check back for more events and detailed event descriptions in our future PTO newsletters. We have a new email newsletter service; please add news@mail.tjspto.org to your email contacts or safe senders list.

Click to submit PTO membership dues of $35/family!

Stay up to date on anything PTO by visiting our TJSPTO.org Website

See what we’re offering at our TJS PTO Square Shop

To share your ideas or any questions or to volunteer, contact us at presidents.tjspto@gmail.com.

Patricia Alvarez & Anna Italiano

TJS PTO Co-Presidents

Don't forget to follow Torey J. on Instagram @toreyjsabatini to see all of the wonderful things happening in our school community.