Tuscan School PTA

PTA September Meeting Minutes

10/3/2018

Thank you to all those that attended our first PTA Meeting of the year.
We had a great turnout. If you didn't make it you can download our meeting minutes (pdf) or view them below.

Our next meeting is Monday, October 29th @ 9:15am. Hope to see you there.

Reading Raiser Begins Oct 2

10/2/2018

Tuscan Elementary will be running a 2018 Reading Raiser from Oct 2 to Nov 2, 2018.

A Reading-Raiser is like a jog-a-thon, except your child will be reading books instead of running laps, and earning pledges based on how much they read. Everything is tracked online, which makes inviting sponsors and logging reading much easier!

Here are two videos that explain how to participate in the Reading-Raiser:
- How to authorize your child's Reading-Raiser account
- How to become a sponsor and invite more sponsors

Your child will receive a private online account at https://fund.whooosreading.org/ where he/she will log reading. Parent and student instructions on how to use the website have been sent home. Your child will not be able to invite any sponsors without your authorization. View instructions on how to use your parent account online.

IMPORTANT: Whooo's Reading works best if you use Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox or Safari.

Unlike other fundraisers where we keep only 40-60% of each donation, our school keeps 85% of each donation using this program. We are really excited to promote reading and help our school raise the necessary money for our ongoing needs.

Thank you so much for your support!

TV Turnoff Time! Sign Up by Oct 12

10/1/2018

It is once again time to sign up for TV Turnoff!

Last year, over 400 Tuscan students successfully completed the TV Turnoff challenge! Students from kindergarten to fifth grade challenged themselves to explore their interests such as reading, learning a musical instrument, keeping a journal, participating in sports, writing, or drawing instead of watching TV.Studies have shown that students who watch ten hours or less of television a week perform better in school.

TV Turnoff will officially start on Monday, October 1, 2018. The deadline to sign up for TV Turnoff is Friday, October 12th.

Sign up for TV Turnoff online. Please complete one form per child.
Please note that TV Turnoff sign up is online only.

Tuscan Spirit Day on Friday the 28th!

9/28/2018

The last Friday of every month is Tuscan Spirit Day. This Friday come to school showing your Tuscan Spirit.

Wear your Tuscan gear or clothes that are Blue or Yellow.
It is also Field Day so it will be great to see those Tuscan colors out on the field.

If you don't have any Tuscan gear and would like to buy some a booth will be at Back-to-School Night or you can order Tuscan gear online.

Field Day Postponed Until Spring

9/28/2018

Due to poor field conditions and more rain in forecast Field Day will be rescheduled in the Spring. Date to be confirmed.

Special Education Back-to-School Night, Oct. 18

9/25/2018

Special Education 2018-2019 Back-to-School Night will be held Thursday, October 18, 2018, 7:00pm – 9:00pm in the 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 includes:

Opening/Introductions
Keynote Speaker: Jenifer Fox – Author - “Your Child’s Strengths”
Discussion
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).

SEPAC Meetings Begin Sept. 25

9/25/2018

The first SEPAC (Special Education Advisory Committee) meeting for 2018-2019 is Tuesday, 9/25/18. This is a General Support Meeting and will include voting for New Executive Board. All SEPAC meetings take place 7:30-9PM in the Central Office District Meeting Room, unless otherwise specified (525 Academy St).

SEPAC is an advocacy group focused on policies, programs, and practices within the South Orange/Maplewood School District. Families and caregivers of student(s) with learning needs or students eligible for or receiving services under an IEP or 504 plan are encouraged to attend SEPAC Meetings.

This year, the community has one special education parent group as the Special Education PTO has merged with SEPAC. SEPAC provides parents with tools and information to work collaboratively with the school district and to be more effective advocates for their children with special educational needs. Our meetings consist of featured conversations/ presentations as well as support, resource sharing, and the ability to connect with other members of the special education community. Meetings with featured topics are our attempt to get those with similar concerns in the same room at the same time but all are always welcome!

See full schedule below.
Questions? Website: sepacsoma.org Email: sepacsoma@gmail.com

First PTA Meeting This Monday!

9/24/2018

Come join us for our first PTA Meeting of the year!
Meet our PTA Board & learn more what the PTA does for the Tuscan Community.

Monday (Sept 24th) @ 7:30pm
Tuscan Library

Topics on the Agenda:
September Events
October Read-A-Thon
Book Fair
PTA Budget
Membership
& much more

School Picture Days - Sept 20th and 21st

9/21/2018

Picture Days are quickly approaching, on Sept 20th and 21st, 2018.

By now, you should have already received your order forms in your child's backpack. If paying by cash or a check, order forms can be returned in your child's homework folder and are due back by picture day. Every student will be photographed regardless of picture order so that no child will be left out.

Pre-order is available online. The password is Tuscan19.
Please note: If you are pre-ordering your photos, you MUST submit payment no later than September 18th.

Every student will be photographed as long as they are present on Picture Day. If we do not receive a payment, a proof will be delivered, and the parents can then choose to order if they wish.

Make up and retakes are scheduled for November 19th, 2018.
Picture day volunteers still needed.

Ice Cream Social, Sept. 21

9/21/2018

It's Ice Cream Social time again! Please join us to celebrate the start of the year, see old friends, meet new friends and enjoy a bowl of ice cream!

When: Friday, September 21, 6-8 pm
Where: Tuscan Lawn
What: Ice cream ($2/bowl)

*Nut and dairy free options will be available
*Rain date: September 28

We need volunteers to make it a success. Please sign up to collect money, scoop ice cream, and help with set up or clean up.

Class Coordinator Volunteer Opportunity

9/18/2018

If you are interested in being the Class Coordinator for your child's class, please sign up to volunteer. Class Coordinators act as the liaison between the teacher and the parents/guardians throughout the year. The time commitment is approximately 4 hours per month.

We need two Class Coordinators per class. If more than two people sign up, we will draw names to randomly choose the Class Coordinators. Deadline for sign up is Tuesday 9/18.

There will be a Class Coordinator Orientation Meeting at the PTA meeting on Monday 9/24.

If you have any questions, please contact Carla Morreale, carlamorr@gmail.com.

Volunteer Sign Up

Support the PTA? The No Frills Fundraiser Makes it Easy

9/14/2018

The PTA is a vital part of your child's education and can't function without your support! The PTA fills important budgetary gaps in your child's education and pays for items such as Handwriting Without Tears workbooks for all Kindergarteners, air conditioning for the classrooms, busses for field trips, and new books for the library. The list goes on and on.

The No Frills Fundraiser makes it easy to donate. There's nothing to buy or sell. Your donation is tax-deductible and 100% of the proceeds go directly to our school.

DONATE

Help your school! Join the PTA!

9/8/2018

Why join the Tuscan PTA? Your annual membership supports the many programs and activities we fund, such as recess supplies, Field Day, the vegetable garden, and such requests from teachers as new Chromebooks and iPads or new Handwriting Without Tears workbooks for the kindergartners.

Your support is not only financial. Our membership numbers help us receive benefits from the state and national PTAs, and we are grateful for your involvement in any number of big or small volunteer opportunities throughout the year.
All of it helps!

Please reach out to Membership Co-chairs Kelly Lombardi and Cary Midland for more information on PTA membership (tuscanptamembership@gmail.com).

We can't wait to get started! Sign up now.

Special Needs Friendly Pool Pizza Party, Sept. 6

9/6/2018

SOMA SEPAC and the Maplewood Recreation Department invites Maplewood and South Orange residents to the annual Special Needs Friendly Pool Pizza Party.

FREE of charge!
Maplewood Swimming Pool
187 Boyden Avenue, Maplewood, NJ, 07040
Date: Thursday September 6th, 2018
Time: 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Sign up online using RecDesk.

Note that you will need to add members to your profile.
To find the “2018 Special Ed. PTO Pool Pizza Party” you will need to view
Programs > All

Adult School Orchestra registration

8/31/2018

Don’t miss this chance for your young musician to make music with their peers in an encouraging, inclusive and inspiring environment, led by talented and engaging instructors who have deep experience working with children. Designed to augment the school music instruction, our orchestras allow young musicians to develop their musical talent, experience being part of an ensemble, learn about music theory, grow friendships with other young musicians, and perform at our twice-yearly concerts. Orchestras meet one evening a week at Columbia High School. Register online at the SOMAS website.

New Generation Orchestra: beginning strings, Grades K-5.
Varsity Orchestra: intermediate strings and winds, Grades 6-9.

Reduced fees are available for all students who qualify for free or reduced lunch. Contact Karen Thomas, co-manager of the orchestras, at karenelise@verizon.net with any questions about New Generation or Varsity Orchestras or or contact SOMAS at schoolinfo@somadultschool.org for registration information.

2017-18 yearbooks can still be ordered!

8/28/2018

Do you regret not buying a yearbook? Forgot or missed the chance? Looks better than you thought it would? ;) You can still order a yearbook online, you just have to pay for shipping to your home. And you do NOT need to customize, your child will still get a beautiful book!

Back to School Night, Sept. 26

8/28/2018

Wednesday, September 26th: Please note there is a 4 hour school day and details for the back to school night will follow. This is your chance to hear from your child's teacher, see their classroom, sit in their tiny seat with your knees up to your ears and to meet with their specials teachers.

Back to School Night:
Grades K, 2, 4; 7:30pm
Grades 1, 3, 5; 6:30pm

Childcare provided by the YMCA will be available in the cafeteria.
Sign up for childcare. $10 per child.

School Supply Sale for 2018-2019 School Year

6/22/2018

It's time to order school supplies for next year! Save yourself the aggravation of visiting 6 different stores, and place your order online - a full box of supplies will be waiting for your child on the first day of school, and your child will have exactly what the teacher wants! Visit www.shopttkits.com, and enter the code for Tuscan: 88823. Sale runs 5/31 - 6/22.

Tuscan Library Wishlist

6/21/2018

The Tuscan library has a Wishlist of books that Ms. Popp has been kind enough to put together. With your generosity, we can bring newly released and highly reviewed titles to students across all grades. Please see the amazon link to the Wishlist. Purchases will be delivered directly to the school. Thanks in advance for your donations!

Last Call for Lost and Found!

6/15/2018

Please start checking the lost and found as the year is wrapping up. We will bring all contents to the blacktop at some point during the last week of school (exact date TBD). After that, though, all unclaimed items will be thrown out or donated. Thank you!

Honor Your Teacher with Gift to Achieve Foundation

6/8/2018

Thinking of end-of-year gifts for your child’s teachers? Not surprisingly, the gifts teachers appreciate most are their students’ heartfelt expressions of thanks. Make a donation to Achieve Foundation in honor of one or more of your child’s teachers, guidance counselors, coaches, crossing guards – any staff member in any SOMA school - and we’ll print your personal messages on note cards and deliver them to your designated staff members in June. Proceeds from Honor Your Teacher Tributes will be directed toward next year’s Achieve Teacher Grants. The deadline to order year-end tributes is Friday, June 8, but why not get a jump on it and order now?

Ordering Honor Your Teacher tributes is easy - do it today!

Go to achievefoundation.org to complete the tribute form. You can pay via PayPal as long as your total order is for $10 or more.

4th Grade Luau, June 15

6/5/2018

The 4th Grade Luau will take place on Friday, June 15th from 1:30-3pm (with a rain date of Monday June 18th 1:30-3) on the Tuscan lawn.
Please check the communication from your Class Coordinators and contribute through the class Sign Up Genius.

Author Holly McGhee to Visit All Grades on June 4

6/4/2018

Thanks to Tuscan Librarian Ms. Popp, local author Holly McGhee will visit all grades on June 4 during school hours. Her new book “Come With Me”, will be available for pre-orders and signing.

Complete and submit this form to pre-order "Come with Me", and Ms. McGhee will sign the book for your child.

The deadline to order books is May 25th.

Help to Hang Art for the Art Show - Easy Volunteering Opportunity

6/1/2018

Easy Volunteering opportunity with several available time slots!

Every single Tuscan student will have at least one piece of art displayed inside the school at the annual art show, Friday June 1st 5:30pm-7:00pm. In the preceding weeks, volunteers are needed to help cover bulletin boards and to hang the art (That's it! Just help staple paper on bulletin boards and tape the art on walls and bulletin boards as designated.)

Please sign up to volunteer Any amount of time you can give is appreciated.

Want to help but can't make any of the available time slots?
Contact Sarah Kissko Hersh and she'll do her best to accommodate the time you can give.

Board Position Nominations

5/31/2018

The Tuscan PTA is looking for some amazing people to be part of our Board. The positions that are open this year are:

- President-Elect - Assists the President with all duties and functions. Works with the Executive Board, Principal and Administration to further the Tuscan PTA's goals for the school year. President-Elect will also attend President's Council, a once a month meeting with all of the districts' PTA presidents. President-Elect is a three year term - President the next year and then the Ex-Oficio the year after.

- Fundraising Co-Chair - Assist in planning and executing the major fundraisers for the PTA; provide guidance for committees that execute fundraising activities. 

- 2 Committees Chairs - Responsible recruiting and assisting all committee chairs with the various events throughout the year.

- Membership Chair - manages the annual membership renewal drive and membership recruitment, processes new and renewing member applications, and maintains accurate member records.

If you know someone or would like to nominate yourself please email Whitney Swain.

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