Tuscan School PTA

Summer Art Camp Registration Open

2/22/2019

Tuscan Summer Art Camp
Open to students K-5 and to SOMSD graduates moving up to 6th grade!

View schedule, register online or download registration form.

100th Day Food Drive

2/15/2019

It is time for our annual 100th Day Food Drive. In order to meet the needs of the food pantry patrons, we decided to focus on the most requested and needed foods this year. In order to do this, we are asking each grade to focus on one particular item/theme.

Kindergarten - Canned Fruit in juice NOT syrup or natural applesauce
1st - Canned Meat/Tuna
2nd - Dried beans
3rd - Low Sugar Cereal
4th - Shelf Stable Milk
5th - Rice, white, yellow or brown

The food pantries are so grateful for the donations from this drive each year and appreciate all you do to help make them such a success!
We will be collecting from February 1st- February 15th - the 100th Day of School. (pending no snow days).
Email Mrs. Sinclair with any questions, csinclai@somsd.k12.nj.us

SOMSD 2020 Parenting Center Committee

1/23/2019

SOMSD is in the process of reconfiguring our elementary schools, focusing on innovation and controlled choice, to ensure that the student populations in each of our schools are reflective of our district’s diversity. Done right, it will bring us an innovative model that leverages our community's unique and diverse strengths to deliver cutting edge educational experiences for our kids.

We are looking for a small group of dedicated parents/guardians who can help determine the kind of supports our community needs to make this important transition a success.

The first meeting will be on Wednesday, January 23rd 2019 @ 7:30 pm @ Central Office, 525 Academy St., Maplewood

Achieve Foundation Teacher Grants

1/16/2019

The Achieve Foundation has invested more than $4,000,000 in South Orange-Maplewood schools since 1999, and last month awarded more than $40,000 in grant funding across all district schools.

Congratulations to Tuscan teacher Amy Popp who was awarded a fully funded grant this year!

During the month of January, the community has the opportunity to donate directly to partially funded grants.

Your contribution to Achieve’s Direct Grant Funding campaign will enable even more grants to be funded, including another Tuscan Grant for a new carpet to enhance the reading Area in Tuscan Library!

Please go to: https://newsletter.achievefoundation.org/t/y-96659AE8900572C1 for information about this and all projects still in need of funding and how to donate directly to the grant of your choice!!

PTA Meeting, Jan 14th

1/14/2019

Come join us for our January PTA Meeting!

Monday, January 14th @ 7:30pm
Tuscan Library

Topics on the Agenda:

December Recap
January & February Events
Spring Thing
Tuscan Show
& much more

The Gift of ADHD - Parents Workshop, Jan 10

1/10/2019

Faster than Normal: The Gift of ADHD
Peter Shankman
Turbocharge Focus, Productivity, and Success with the Secrets of the ADHD Brain

A workshop for parents of children with ADD/ADHD, presented by The Parenting Center & Elementary PTAs

Tuscan School, January 10, 2019 7:30 PM

Put Some Spring Thing in Your Step! Info Meeting on 1/9 - Sips & Snacks Provided

1/9/2019

A message from Kate Elliott:

Greetings from your Spring Thing Chair! What better way to get through this dreary weather than to have something to look forward to? For many Tuscan Families, the Spring Thing annual fundraiser is exactly that. So, why not be a part of that early on?!

In order to make this event the success that it is, we need a great team in place. There are several positions for sub-committee chairs and volunteers that need to be filled in order to make sure the Spring Thing is as fun and as lucrative as it has been in the past (or, even more so!). Would you be interested in getting involved? I know, I know “sub-committee chair” sounds scary and time consuming, but I assure you that many of these positions are a low to medium time commitment, and will give you an opportunity to be involved and to have something to accomplish and look forward to!

If you are interested, please email me at TuscanSpringThing@gmail.com, and I would be happy to discuss.

Tuscan Show Skit Rehearsals Start This Week!

1/2/2019

Tuscan Show skit rehearsals start this week.If you haven't heard from your director, please let us know at tuscanshow@gmail.com.

Please note: we had record registration for the show this year. This is very exciting but also means that we have larger than normal skit casts this year. Skit directors will need to strongly enforce the ROAR policy and will need extra support from skit parents. Please volunteer if you can and support your directors if they reach out to you about student behavior during class.

Also, join the Tuscan Show Facebook page!

Looking forward to a great 2019 show!

Support Mrs. Sullivan in Time of Need

12/28/2018

A message from Ms. Majeed:

On Tuesday evening, Tuscan’s Physical Education Teacher, Mrs. Noelle Sullivan’s home was significantly damaged in a terrible house fire. Although Mrs. Sullivan and her family are devastated, by the significant damage to their home, we are deeply thankful that they were not physically harmed.

The thoughts and concerns of the Tuscan School faculty and staff are with Mrs. Sullivan and her family as they begin to emotionally heal and rebuild their home life.

We share this sad news with you, as the Tuscan School community is a family who cares deeply for one another. Should you wish, contributions to the Sullivan Family can be made through the Tuscan PTA.

Thank you for joining our faculty and staff, in pulling together to support Mrs. Sullivan and her family during their time of great need.

Sign up for Tuscan Show Skits by Dec 12!

12/28/2018

Online signups for the Tuscan Show 2019 are open through December 12th. This year's theme is "Tuscan Presents: The American Soundtrack!". Skit details and signup form are now online.

The Tuscan Show is a unique annual tradition - a PTA sponsored, all-volunteer led show for students in grades 1-5. Skit directors assemble creative skits involving movement, music and costume and rehearse with students over 10 weeks. Crew directors provide student powered, adult led set design and crew support.

Tuscan Library Year End Updates

12/14/2018

A message from Ms. Popp:

It is hard to believe the holidays and 2019 are almost here! On the Library page of the Tuscan School PTA website are links to the most respected best 2018 book lists. These lists are very helpful when shopping for presents for children.

In addition, on the same page, please read about the new --incredibly special -- Tuscan Library Bench (See photo here). The completion of this bench was possible due to an Achieve grant as well as the talent of Tuscan parent, Todd Hoehn.

Have a wonderful holiday season!

Specials Teachers Holiday Gifts

12/14/2018

Show Tuscan's specials teachers (Art, Music Library, PE, Academic Specialists) and staff (Nurse, Lunch Aides, Custodians, Crossing Guards) your appreciation in your holiday giving! The PTA will be collecting contributions to give to all these wonderful people that make Tuscan a special place for our children.

You can contribute by through our PayPal account or by giving cash or check (via backpack in an envelope marked "PTA Specials Teachers & Staff). All contributions need to be submitted by December 14th.

Thank you for your generous contribution and showing these amazing people how much we appreciate them.
or PayPal.

"I Am From..." - A Video Performance & Art Installation, Dec. 13th

12/13/2018

Join the students of Ms. Garofalo’s class and Mr. Dean’s art class as they present a live showcase video performance piece promoting tolerance, acceptance, diversity, and positive social and community change.
December 13, 6pm-8pm
Tuscan School Art Room

All Tuscan students will have work represented in this showcase.

Details Below.

Shop Local to Fund the PTA

12/7/2018

When you find yourself shopping online, please remember that every time you make a purchase on SOMaGeneralStore.com, the PTA gets some money. SOMa General Store is a shop-local cooperative of over 100 local indie stores and makers. So you can buy products and gift cards from some of your favorite local stores like Lotus Petals, Perch Home, Kimaya Kama, Toy Division, and more, and the PTA gets some money.

Achieve Foundation's Nights of 100 Dinners

12/7/2018

It's not too early to think about hosting a party in March for the Achieve Foundation's largest annual fundraiser, Nights of 100 Dinners. You create the guest list, and Achieve sends invitations on your behalf. Instead of bringing a hostess gift or bottle of wine, guests make a donation to the organization.

Since its inception in 2005, the Nights of 100 Dinners has raised more than $500,000 to fund Achieve’s programs and benefit all ten schools in the district.
Register as a host or email100dinners@achievefoundation.org to learn more!

Thanksgiving Food Drive!

11/23/2018

Tuscan's annual collection of Thanksgiving food items (including turkeys!) is about to begin! Please bring in your non-perishable food items to benefit families in the Tuscan community. Look for the collection box in the front hallway, starting Monday, Nov. 12. Fresh turkeys will be accepted on Wednesday morning, the day before Thanksgiving.

Thank you for your generosity, Tuscan!

'Tis the Season at Tuscan of Gratitude and Giving

11/20/2018

As you look forward to your Thanksgiving Holiday, please join our staff and Tuscan PTA to help thirteen Tuscan families who need a little extra support.

We are asking students to bring in ONE or TWO dollars that will help the Tuscan PTA purchase grocery store gift cards so that our thirteen families can prepare Thanksgiving feasts according to their own tastes and cultural traditions.

The deadline for donations is Monday, November 19.

Also,we continue to appreciate donations to the Holiday Food Drive, (advertised in the Tuscan newsletter), which will support the food bank and vulnerable families throughout the winter season.

Host Auditions - Tuscan Show - Wed, Nov 14 - 6-9 PM

11/14/2018

Tuscan Show Host Auditions - Wed, November 14th - 6-9 PM.
Open to any 4th or 5th grader who has not previously been a host! If your student is interested, sign up using this online form.
Questions? Email tuscanshow@gmail.com.

But WHY should you join the PTA?

11/2/2018

Thank you to the 190 families who have joined the PTA so far this year!
We’re just 30 memberships shy of last year’s enrollment, and we’d love to beat that. Please help us reach that goal! For those who haven’t joined yet, read these answers to some frequently asked questions and complete the easy online membership form here.

Celebrate Socktober!

11/1/2018

We are "celebrating" Socktober for the month of October and collecting socks for the homeless.

SOCKTOBER is a big thing!! It is a national movement! The goal is to collect 2 million pairs of socks during October that will be donated through MEND (Meeting Essential Needs with Dignity) to those who are homeless in our area. Sock drives are being held all across the USA.

"Each night in the United States, an estimated 600,000 people live on the streets. This October, we want 2 million people to show that even a small act of love, such as donating a pair of socks, can make a big difference in the lives of our neighbors who are homeless."

Socks must be new. They can be dropped off to Mrs. Sinclair's classroom, room 123 throughout the month of October.

You may contact Mrs. Sinclair at csinclai@somsd.k12.nj.us with any questions

PTA Meeting on October 29th, 9:15am

10/29/2018

Come join us for our October PTA Meeting!

Monday October 29th @ 9:15am
Tuscan Auditorium

Topics on the Agenda:
October Events
Read-A-Thon
PTA Budget
Thanksgiving Food Drive
& much more

Read-a-thon Update: Over $10,000 Raised and Counting!

10/28/2018

Thank you to all who have pledged so far to the tuscan read-a-thon!
We just broke the $10,000 mark, and are coming in to the last 12 days to try to meet our goal of $25,000. Please continue to help us get to our goal!
All money raised goes back to the school and our kids!!

Special Education 2018-2019 Back-to-School Night

10/18/2018

Special Education 2018-2019 Back-to-School Night – Thursday, October 18, 2018, 7:00pm – 9:00pm, Columbia High School Auditorium

The traditional event is being planned to allow for the interaction between parents and members of the child study team.

The evening schedule (UPDATED) includes:

7:00 Opening/Introductions
7:15 Keynote Speaker: JGerard Costa, Ph.D. Director and Professor, ECELE Center for Autism and Early Childhood Mental Health
8:00 Q&A
Refreshments

Contact Information:
Department of Special Services E-mail Address: specialed@somsd.k12.nj.us

This event is open to everyone who has questions regarding Special Services, your child does not need to already utilize district special services (IEPs or 504s).

Change the World One Lunch at a Time!

10/17/2018

On Wednesday, October 17, Tuscan students can donate what they'd normally spend on lunch to Table to Table, a NJ-based organization that rescues food that would otherwise go to waste and delivers it to hungry kids and families.

Look for more information (and lunch bags) in your child's backpack!

Tuscan Show Skit Director Informational Meeting, October 10th, 7:30 pm

10/10/2018

Our first information and interest meeting for returning and new directors will be:
Wednesday, October 10
7:30-8:30pm
25 Tuscan Road
Home of Tuscan Show Directors - Natalie Moore & Bard Goodrich

The theme for this year is...

Tuscan Presents:
The American Soundtrack
An exploration of American musical genres in the recorded era

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