Return to Headlines

February, 2018

February 2, 2018

Dear Switlik Families,

School will be closed for students on Monday, February 19th 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.  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.   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.

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 Philadelphia Eagles?  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.

Jackson Township School District Special Education Advisory Council:  Please join us on Monday, February 12th at 6:30 p.m. at Jackson Liberty High School for Life After School.  Employment is the key to fulfilling so many of our dreams.  As an Employment First state, the NJ Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) is working to ensure that competitive employment in the general workforce is the first and preferred post education outcome for all people with disabilities. This presentation explains the value of working in an integrated, competitive setting and provides information about ways to access DDD-funded employment servies/supports.  For more information, please call:  Jackson Special Education Office (732) 833-4657 or Zinke McGeady at zinke@vianj.org.

Read Across America & Book Fair Week:  Switlik’s Book Fair and Read Across America will begin on Monday, February 26th  through Friday, March 2nd 2018.  This year’s theme is “Paws for Books!”

“Paws for Books” – Thursday, March 1st:  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 March 1st  between 9:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. so they are ready for the evening festivities.

Read Across America Events:

  • Monday, 2/26: “Hair of the Dog, Fur of the Cat” – Crazy Hair Day is where it’s at!
  • Tuesday, 2/27: “Wild About Books” – Dress like your favorite animal!
  • Wednesday, 2/28: “Read All About It” – Reading is all around us, wear a shirt you can read and read an extra step!
  • Thursday, 3/1: “Be the Cat’s Pajamas”-Wear your pajamas and bring a stuffed animal to read to!
  • Friday, 3/2: “Happy Birthday to Dr. Seuss! The National Grab Your Hat and Read with the Cat Day” – Wear red, black and white and plan on reading an extra step.
  • Friday, 3/9: Game Show Day! Wear your team colors and roof for your team!

Young Author’s Gallery/Switlik Enrichment Living Wax Museum- On Wednesday, March 21st, 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.  Additionally, that evening, many historical figures, performers, and athletes be brought to life as the Switlik School Enrichment Program hosts its first Living Wax Museum.  Switlik will come alive with students dressed as famous people, both past and present. A Living Wax Museum is very similar to a real wax museum in that visitors can come and learn about a variety of famous people.  The main difference is that the students will be standing in as the statues. Students choose and then researched the figure they wanted to emulate.  Students will then dress as their famous person and recite their speech to interested visitors.  Head on over to Switlik to see figures from Selena Gomez, Amelia Earhart, Leonardo da Vinci, Bill Gates and many others in between. 

 

PTN EVENTS:

PTN News:  There are many ways you can get involved at school – check out our awesome PTN.  They do so much to support our school programs with your continuous generosity.  Please join us on February 15th at 10:00 a.m. for our next PTN Meeting. 

 

               “NEW” SCHOOL STORE PROCEDURES!! – The school store will now be open for students to shop for supplies once a month during their lunch period in the cafeteria. Students can shop this month on Wednesday, February 14th.              

               5th Grade T-Shirt Contest – All 5th graders can enter.  Entries received by February 6th will be considered.  Drawings must be on 8 ½ x 11” white paper, should relate to school spirit and include “Switlik” and “2018.”  Use only red and black in your design.  Winning entry will be on the 5th grade t-shirt.

               Kid’s Candy Bingo – will be held on Friday, February 9th.  Must RSVP by February 6th. 

               Gertrude Hawk Candy Sale – Sale runs February 5th-16th.

               Jersey Mike’s Fundraiser – Wednesday, February 7th (all day).  There will be a sign-in sheet at the register when ordering.

PTN All For Books Coin Challenge – February 12-16:  During the week of February 12th through 16th, our school is participating in a classroom-level coin drive called the “Coin for a Day Challenge.”  Each day represents a different type of coin.  The class generating the highest overall total will have a “paws”itevly barking party in their classroom during Book Fair Week.

Monday, 2/12 – Penny Day

Tuesday, 2/13 – Nickel Day

Wednesday, 2/14 – Dime Day

Thursday, 2/15 – Quarter Day

Friday, 2/16 – Any Coin Day

Looking Ahead:

February 7th:  TIME Workshop/6:30 p.m.

February 8th:  Art of Comprehension/6:00 p.m.

February 15th:  TIME Workshop/6:30 p.m.

February 19th:  School Closed – President’s Day

February 26th-March 2nd:  Book Fair & Read Across America – “Paws for Books”

March 1st:  Read Across America and Family Book Fair Night/6:00 p.m.

Sincerely,

Kathleen McKiernan