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February 1, 2017

 

Dear Switlik Families,

School will be closed for students on Friday, February 3rd for the district’s In-Service Day and on Monday, February 20th in observance of President’s Day.  

We are rapidly approaching the mid-point of the school year.  As we look forward to the second half of our year, we continue to encourage all of our students to read on a daily basis.  To become proficient readers requires strong practice.  At Switlik School, our goal is to create life-long readers, not “just” children who can read!  We continue to recognize all individual students that meet their monthly reading goal with a “Goal Getter’s Award” and the “Golden Book Award,” which is presented to the class in each grade level with the highest number of steps.  Switlik’s school-wide goal is to read 600,000 steps this school year.  At this time, Switlik children have read approximately 695,909 steps.  Super job!  One of the most important components of a good school is the partnership between the school and parents who work together for the best interest of the children.  The close partnership between home and school is one of the exceptional strengths of the Switlik Elementary School.  Please continue to encourage your child to read every day and participate in our reading challenge.  We appreciate all your support.

 

Cold Weather: With the inclement weather upon us, and the continuous possibility of early dismissals and delayed openings, it is important that your emergency contact information is up to date. Any changes to your contact information can be updated through the Genesis portal.

 A Note from our School Nurse: In order to minimize risk to others, we encourage parents to keep your children home if they exhibit any flu symptoms, which include, fever, body aches, chills, headache, coughing or vomiting. We advise that you keep your children home from school until they are fever-free for a full 24 hours WITHOUT the use of any fever-reducing medications (such as Tylenol or Advil). While in school, we will be reminding everyone about the importance of preventative actions, such as frequent handwashing and covering their mouths when they cough or sneeze. The CDC also recommends the Flu Shot for anyone above the age of 6 months and high risk groups.

Ocean County Health Department:  Has kicked off their mulit-week Health Education series to our Second and Third grade classrooms.  Each week, for the next 6-8 weeks, presenter(s) will discuss with the classess the topic of substance abuse prevention and positive decision making through Footprints for Life - Grade 2 and Unique You - Grade 3 curriculum.

Switlik “Souper Bowl” – The Switlik School has been casting their votes for their Super Bowl favorite.  Who will it be?  The New England Patriots or the Atlanta Falcons?  To cast their vote, students and staff brought in a canned food item and placed it in the bin of their choice.  All donations will be delivered to the Jackson Food Pantry.

Read Across America & Book Fair Week:  Switlik’s Book Fair will begin on Friday, February 17th through Friday, February 24th.  Read Across America will take place from Tuesday, February 21st through Friday, March 3, 2017.   This year’s theme is “Happy Campers!  Have S’more Fun with Books!”

“Happy Campers!  Have S’more Fun with Books! – Thursday, February 23rd:  Save the Date!  The Switlik Staff, the JEA Pride Committee and the Switlik PTN invite you and your family to celebrate “Read Across America” with a fun night of reading, activities and entertainment!  The event takes place from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in our APR.  (the Book Fair begins at 6:00 p.m. and the Read Across America Celebration begins at 6:30).  This has been a very popular event every year, so we please ask that you follow the following time schedule:  Families with the last name beginning A-M attend the 6:30 p.m. session.  Families with the last name beginning N-Z attend the 7:15 p.m. session.  We ask that families enter the building through the doors near the GYM.  Shop in the Scholastic Book Fair and please wait to enter the APR until your session begins.  We are also asking for donations of snack items (cookies, munchkins, mini cupcakes, brownies).  These items may be dropped off at the reception desk during the day on February 23rd between 9:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. so they are ready for the evening festivities.

Read Across America Events:

  • Tuesday, 2/21: “Many Colored Days” – Dress up in as many colors as you can.
  • Wednesday, 2/22: “Have S’more Fun with Books” – Bring in a flashlight and towel to read in the dark day in class.
  • Thursday, 2/23: “Cuddle with a Wild Animal” – Bring in your favorite stuffed animal to read with during the day. *Read Across America Night -6:30 p.m.*
  • Friday, 2/24: “Be Seusstastic” – Dress up as your favorite Dr. Seuss character or character from a book.
  • Thursday, 3/2: Happy Birthday to Dr. Seuss! The National “Grab Your Hat and Read with the Cat” Day!  “Dress Up Your Hair, Dress it with Flair” and plan on extra reading time today!  Crazy Hair Day.
  • Friday, 3/3: Game Show Day! Wear your team colors and root for your team!

Spelling Bee:  Our school level spelling bee was held on Friday, January 6th – it was the most competitive Spelling Bee in the history of Switlik Elementary School!  Congratulations to Riley Solovay, in Mrs. Placek and Mrs. Douvris’ class for winning the spelling bee with the correct spelling of the word aspidistra.  Riley and four additional students, Matteo Inghilleri, Jordyn Wolosky, Owen Cusanelli and Cameron Moldovan will participate in the District Spelling Bee to be held on Monday, April 3rd, 2017 at 6 pm at Jackson Liberty HS.  Riley will be Switlik's representative at the 33rd Annual Asbury Park Press/Home News Tribune Spelldown to be held at the Pollak Theatre,

Save the Dates….

Young Author’s  Gallery-  On Wednesday, March 22nd,  the Switlik Elementary School, with support from the Jackson Rotary Club and the Jackson Education Association, will present our Young Author’s Gallery.  All are welcome to enjoy this event from the hours of 6:30-7:30 p.m.  Publishes pieces from our very own Switlik Authors of every age will be on display in the hallways for you to read, enjoy and compliment!  Come prepared with pen in hand to jot a note of support to your favorite authors.

Museum Night – Join us for an evening of the Arts on April 3rd from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Jackson Liberty High School!  The exhibit features over 250 pieces of art representing work of  first graders through high school seniors using a variety of mediums including painting, sculpture, drawing and digital art.

PTN EVENTS:

Candy BINGO - Friday, February 10th at 6:30 - Switlik APR - fun family night  - RSVP required.

 

PTN Meeting-  Please join us for our next PTN Meeting on Thursday, February 16th at 7:00 p.m. in our IMC.

 

Gertrude Hawk Candy Sale - Order forms and information will be sent home in early February- ordered items will be delivered before Spring Break

 

Book Fair/Read Across America – The Spring Book Fair is scheduled for February 17th-February 24th.  Our Family Night is Thursday, February 23rd from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the gym foyer.  The theme for the fair is Happy Campers!  Have S’more Fun with Books!  If you would like to volunteer your time at the fair, there’s a sign-up link on the PTN Page.

 

Yearbooks - $23 each through February only order on line at www.balfour.com or send in cash or check made to Switlik PTN

 

More information on all of the above is on the PTN Website.

The Switlik PTN’s 1st Pocketbook Bingo:   Calling all Bingo players…..  You don’t want to miss the event of the year! Enjoy the evening socializing with family and friends and trying your luck on Friday, March 10, 2017, Jackson Mills Fire Station 54 465B North County Line Road, Jackson at Switlik PTN’s 1st Pocketbook Bingo. Make those reservations quick there is no doubt this event is going to sell out fast!

Admission: $30 per person. Admission includes:

  • 1 bingo sheet (3 boards per game) for 10 games Available to purchase at the door:
  • Daubers and additional boards for each game
  • Boards for TWO SPECIAL GAMES. *Boards for these two games are not included in the admission*
  • Raffles
  • GRAND PRIZE tickets
  • 50/50

Reservation Forms can be downloaded off the PTN website- Questions? Contact Helene Scarnici at Helene.scarnici@yahoo.com / 732-991-4986

 

January Golden Book Award Winners : The Golden Book Award is awarded to a class in each grade level that has achieved the highest number of required steps read that month.  Congratulations to the following classes:

Kindergarten:         Mrs. Raucci’s Class

Grade One:            Mrs. Kahn’s Class

Grade Two:            Mrs. Slomin and Mrs. Fox’s Classes

Grade Three:          Mrs. Ackerman’s Class

Grade Four:           Ms. Contegiacomo’s Class

Grade Five:            Mrs. Padron, Mr. Mathews & Mrs. Placek’s Class

Thank you, parents, for encouraging reading at home.  We currently have 695,909 steps.  We have already exceeded our goal of 600,000 steps!  Amazing job, readers!

 

Sincerely,

Kathleen McKiernan