Springtime means it's time for the Tuscan Spring Thing! 
Mark your calendars (Saturday, May 31). 
We're always looking for volunteers - great group of people and a great cause. Drop us a note - we would love to have your help!

~ Sandra Kosik and Alan Stephenson

Last performance of
That's Entertainment, Tuscan Style! is Sunday the 30th at 2:00pm at Maplewood Middle School.

Find showtimes, photo and DVD information here

Parent Tech Talk with Tuscan Parent Esther Lewars
March marks the beginning of spring and a reminder that our precious 3rd - 5th grade students will be taking the NJ ASK statewide assessment in about two months. It is also the time to look forward to the 2014-2015 school year when our current second graders will be among the first group of students to take the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC). 

One of PARCC's main purpose is to determine students' knowledge and application of the new common core curriculum standards. As such, PARCC will replace the NJ ASK and will be a computer-based assessment for students in grades 3-11.

With a computer based assessment, it is important that students become familiar with the new testing environment and devices before the actual test is administered. Students also need to acquire grade-level appropriate technology and keyboarding skills.

Tuscan has a keyboarding tool for students in grades 3-5, however, parents in the lower grades can explore www.typingclub.com or www.typingweb.com as two free, online tools for students to practice their keyboarding skills.

Let us ensure that all of our students will be able to perform at their highest potential, regardless of this new integration of technology into our statewide assessment practices.

PARCC Information for Parents
https://www.parcconline.org/sites/parcc/files/PARCC1-pager-parents9-18-13.pdf

~ Esther Lewars
Esther Lewars is a member of the Tuscan PTA, works as a Technology Coordinator at Ivy Hill School in Newark, and has a Masters in Computing in Education from Teachers College, Columbia University.

Stop the Madness – Parenting for Real Success w/ Lew Epstein, LCSW
Do you ever worry about whether your child is experiencing too much pressure?
There is a growing awareness that often  ............ (click below for full description)
Monday, March 3rd ~ 7:30 – 9:00  ~ Fee: $5

Parenting Anxious Children w/ N. Distel, Ph.D & E. Jeffries Ph.D
Is your child being hindered by excessive anxiety? In this workshop parents will learn  ...... (click below for full description)
Wednesday March 19 ~ 7:00 - 8:30  ~ Fee: $5 

Boys will Be Boys ...or Maybe Not with Mark S. Lowenthal, Psy.D.
In this workshop, we will identify the social and emotional challenges that boys encounter at school, at home and on .... (click below for full description)
Tuesday, April 1st ~ 7:30 – 9:00 ~ Fee: $5 

Helping your Child with Separation & Divorce with Laura Prato, LCSW
This workshop will focus on helping your child stay together while everything seems to be falling apart. We will examine how children of different ages....
Wed April 9th ~ 7:30 – 9:00 ~ Fee: $5 

The Green Teams of Maplewood and South Orange have teamed up with the PTAs of the South Orange/Maplewood School District to present the PTA Eco Forum. The purpose of this forum is to build stronger Parent-Led Environmental Programs through experience sharing and collaboration. The Green Teams offer support and assets.
To begin the meeting there will be a presentation of the environmental programs and upgrades that are currently in place or underway in the school system. Then the group will discuss experiences and ideas for parent-led projects. This will also be a time for us to compile a list of questions and requests for the District’s Administration and Board of Education.
We will focus our efforts on four categories:
Recycling, Grounds/Gardens, Transportation, Supplementary Curriculum.
For more information, please contact Tracey Woods at traceywoods@verizon.net 
find the flier here

The Superintendent's Town Hall Meeting scheduled for this evening, February 5th, is postponed due to inclement weather.

FROM FATHERLESS TO FATHERHOOD – Tuscan’s own Mr. Kevin Mason, Assistant Principal, is ready for his close-up!  Come see this timely documentary starring Mr. Mason Thursday evening in the Tuscan Auditorium.  Filmmaker Kobie Brown and Mr. Mason will conduct a panel discussion about the film after the screening.  Reception at 7pm in the library; screening at 7:30.  Do not miss this Maplewood premiere!

Tuscan School will be hosting an Open House for Prospective Parents / Guardians on Thursday March 6th between 2:00pm -3:00pm.  This is a great opportunity for those who are considering Tuscan School for the 2014-2015 school year to see the building and learn about our incredible community.   For the consideration of your fellow parents and the school staff, we ask that this be an adult-only event.  
If you know of a family starting school next year please help us spread the word!
Parents and guardians can find more information here and Kindergarten Registration information can be found here

The Parenting Center is pleased to announce the launch of the Maplewood South Orange Adoptive Parents Group.   We’ll be meeting monthly, on a Tuesday evening, at the Parenting Center, in Maplewood.  Our goal is to build a community that can help support all of our families.   We look forward to sharing resources, ideas, stories & strategies with adoptive parents in Maplewood & South Orange.   All adoptive parents are welcome! Find the flier with more dates and location here

Next meeting is Tuesday, January 28, 2014

All meetings will be held from 7:30-9:00 pm 
Questions?  Contact Jami Thall:  jamithall@gmail.com or Lorraine Caputo: lorrainecaputo53@gmail.com

MLK DAY holiday is Monday, January 20th, please join us at the MLK DAY CELEBRATION at 10:00am at South Orange Middle School.  This is a joint effort from all our school PTAs, including Tuscan.  There will be crafts for the kids, a performance by Philadelphia actor Gregory Kenney, the Inspirational Dance Company and music.  This is important for every Tuscan student to attend and celebrate the life and work of Dr. King, not to mention a great way to keep them busy for a couple of hours on a holiday!  

A Special Screening

Thursday, January 23rd - 7:30pm

Tuscan School Auditorium Reception in Tuscan Library 7:00 -7:30pm

From Fatherless to Fatherhood: Because Families Matter

Music executive and filmmaker Kobie Brown created this documentary film and initiative that explores the causes, effects and possible solutions to father absence. The film focuses on fathers, including our own Kevin Mason, who grew up without fathers and their journey to become the best husbands and fathers they can be. Panel discussion with producer/director Kobie Brown and documentary subject Tuscan Assistant Principal Kevin Mason.
For more info contact The Parenting Center @ 973-663-5600 x1850 or kweiland@somsd.k12.nj.us 

The Parenting Center & the Elementary PTAs invite you to ...
A Q&A about
the ABC’s of Kindergarten
Saturday February 1
9:30 am - 10:30 am
Seth Boyden Elementary School
274 Boyden Ave, Maplewood NJ
Find more details on the flyer here

Friday December 20th Tuscan will celebrate with a special school spirit day by wearing pajamas!
This will also be the collection day for our annual PJ Drive coordinated by kindergarten teacher Mrs. Sinclair and Your Tuscan PTA Community Outreach Committee.  Students are welcome to participate in the school spirit day by wearing pajamas regardless to whether a donation to the pajama drive is made.

Last year students enjoyed PJ day during the Snowflake assembly, you can find it here
http://www.tuscanpta.org/1/post/2012/12/pjs-and-snowflakes.html

Girls Leadership Institute programs are made possible by a partnership with the PTAs, the Parenting Center and GLI bringing programs to support families and their children.

We have four GLI workshops on the calendar currently for 2013/2014 in SOMSD: Elementary School Level: 
4th/5th Grade - Say How You Feel, Ask for What You Need Parent Daughter Workshop 4 Wednesdays Beginning January 15 
4th/5th Grade - Navigating Challenging Friendships Parent Daughter Workshop 4 Wednesdays, Beginning February 12 
K/1st Grade - Tools for Sunny and Cloudy Days with Friends Parent Daughter Workshop 4 Wednesdays, Beginning March 26 

We also have a Middle School Level: 6/7 Grade - Be Who You Are, Say What You Mean Parent Daughter Workshop at Maplewood Middle School - December 5,6,7 

This coming winter and spring the Elementary School Programs are taking place at Tuscan School.    A reminder that these programs are OPEN to the public and available to ALL families across the SOMSD schools. 
You can  go to the GLI website for more details on all available programs: http://www.girlsleadershipinstitute.org/content/girls-leadership-institute-new-jersey 
~ Thank you, Tracy Freeman Adult Programs Chair

Dear Tuscan Parents, Teachers, Children, and Friends, 
Hope you're all enjoying the beautiful fall weather. The cool weather brings a pause in our landscaping work - the Tuscan Landscape Committee (TLC) Tuesday Spruce Ups are on hold for the season, and we will resume in the spring.   Please mark your calendars for the spring clean up: Saturday April 12, 2014 from 9am - 11:30am. Thanks to all of you for your participation in the Tuesday Spruce Ups and fall clean up! 
Enjoy the cool weather!! 
~ Best, Lisa Schnorr and Karen Rutberg TLC Chairs

Last week we had a very successful math night for parents and guardians.  We are grateful to our own Kimberly Beane, a Tuscan parent and head of K-5 District Math and Science, who led our MATH & PIZZA NIGHT AT TUSCAN along with Katie Costello - only these two math professionals could make us laugh while learning about new ways to solve a long division problem.  We had a terrific turnout and the kids had fun and pizza while the parents studied for a change.  Thanks also to Ms. Lamkin, Ms. Reyes, Ms. Donatelli, Mrs. Murphy and Mrs. Cicolello for going “above and beyond”!  As a Tuscan parent, I’m grateful to SOMEA, our local teachers’ union, the District and your Tuscan PTA for sponsoring this informative evening.   At last I know what that little penguin on my son’s computer screen is up to!       
~ Alan Stephenson, PTA President

Internet Resources from Kimberly Beane:

Presentations and Trainings, including the slides from the Tuscan Math Night
http://www.slideshare.net/KimberlyBeane/presentations

Kimberly Beane's Singapore Math LiveBinder
http://www.livebinders.com/play/play?id=132843

ST Math INformatoin and Research
http://www.mindresearch.net/

Bar Model Practice
http://www.thinkingblocks.com/

Singapore Math Materials
http://www.singaporemath.com
http://www.crystalspringsbooks.com   (search math)

Math in Focus (Houghton Mifflen-Harcourt)
http://www.hmhco.com/shop/education-curriculum/math/math-in-focus-singapore-math#sthash.FQFua810.OR8qH61B.dpbs

Sponsored by the Elementary PTAs and the Parenting Center, FBI Special Agent Joshua Wilson will present "Cyberbullying: invisible, prevalent, instantaneous" and share information on internet safety.  
Whether your child uses technology or not, there is valuable information to learn about internet safety and how to talk to your children about it.
December 3rd
7:30pm
Seth Boyden School

Monday Nov. 18 thru Wednesday Nov. 27 we will be collecting non-perishable food items for families within our school community. A drop off box will be located in the front lobby of the school. Turkeys can be dropped off the morning of Wednesday November 28. The items will be delivered to the families the morning of November 27.
Any questions contact:
Bill Fitzsimmons (973) 202-9663 billheatherfitzsimmons@yahoo.com 

Come experience math like a child and learn to support your child's math learning at our first Math & Pizza Night on Thursday November 21st at 7pm!
Sponsored by SOMEA, your Tuscan PTA and the school District, join K-5 Math/Science Supervisor Kim Beane for an overview of the new components of our math program including MATH IN FOCUS and the computer program ST MATH.
Breakout sessions with Tuscan teachers will follow for grades K-1, 2-3, and 4-5 for strategies and activities that happen in the classroom every day!

Ask a question in advance!  Click here to submit a question - frequently asked questions and their answers will be sent via e-blast after the event.

Childcare and pizza will be provided free of charge for children over 3 and are first come, first serve through the signup genius www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10C0B49ABA82A1-math2

Save the date for November 19th @ 7:30pm at Marshall School for a free film viewing of Richard Lavoie's "How Difficult Can This Be?: the F.A.T. City workshop (Fear Anxiety Tension)
Often referred to as transformative, and as the best educational film ever made, you will literally experience what it is like to be learning disabled.  If you love a child with learning differences - you should see this film!
Parents, guardians, caretakers and staff are welcome!

The Parenting Center and Elementary PTAs work together to provide programming to assist parents and guardians support their family and student's learning experiences through speakers, workshops, film viewings, parent groups and more.  Find more at theparentingcenter.info

Saturday November 2, 2013 from 9am – 11:30am
Kids, parents, and friends,
Bring your rakes, leaf blowers, tarps and pruners! Come for as little or long as you’d like, but come help keep Tuscan beautiful.

We’ll supply the coffee, cocoa and snacks!

Organized by your PTA TLC
Please contact Lisa Schnorr lschnorr@verizon.net or Karen Rutberg klrutberg@aol.com if you have any questions 

Many thanks to all who sent in box tops in the second half of last year and the beginning of this year. The Box Tops Committee just submitted 3,097 box tops on behalf of Tuscan! The next submission deadline is March 1, so keep those box tops coming. For more information on how you can earn cash for our great school through the Box Tops for Education program, please see the following flyer. 
Questions? Contact Alicia Duran at duran.alicia@verizon.net.

NO SCHOOL next Tuesday morning November 5th - looking for something to do? 

Come to our first Tuscan Movie Day this year at SOPAC's Bow Tie Cinemas. 

We're showing MONSTERS UNIVERSITY at 10:00 am. 

$10 per ticket includes popcorn and drink. Join your friends! Everyone welcome!