Nishuane News

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Nishuane School News
December 1, 2023


Welcome to the month of December at Nishuane! This month will certainly be a busy one filled with many special events. Among these events are caregiver conferences, the kickoff of our Kindness & Justice Challenge, as well as the second-grade production and cast parties. To complement these special occasions, our month-long theme will be “December: A Season of Giving & Celebrations.” Please be sure to see below for additional information. We very much look forward to welcoming our community to Nishuane throughout this month!

As a reminder, caregiver conferences will be facilitated this upcoming week on December 6th and 7th. Both afternoon and evening appointments will be available. Please see communications from your child’s teacher(s) regarding how you may schedule a conference time. Additionally, we will follow an abbreviated schedule and dismiss at 2:10 p.m. on each of the two conference days.

December Caregiver Conferences Visitor Protocols
We greatly look forward to welcoming caregivers to conferences next week! Caregiver conferences will be facilitated on the following dates: December 6 (evening: 6 p.m.-8 p.m.) and December 7 (afternoon: 2:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.). All conferences will be arranged by your child’s classroom teacher(s) and will be conducted in-person at Nishuane. Nishuane will follow an abbreviated schedule on each of these school days with a 2:10 p.m. dismissal time. Please see communications from your child’s teacher(s) for additional details.

If participating in an in-person conference, please follow the below protocols for entering the school building:
1.) Enter the building through the front entrance (Door A).
2.) At the top of the stairs, please sign in, fill out and put on a Visitor's Badge.
3.) Proceed to the location of the conference. Administrators will be available on the first and second floor to direct visitors to their conference locations.
4.) Sign out before leaving the building through the front entrance (Door A).
5.) Should you need to use the restroom while in the building, please only use those designated for staff use. They are located next to room 203 on the second floor and in the teachers' room on the first floor.
6.) Only proceed to the location of the visit. Please refrain from making additional stops.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to the Nishuane main office staff or your child’s teacher(s) with any questions that you may have prior to the scheduled conference. The office may be contacted at 973-509-4222.

Thank you for your partnership! We very much look forward to seeing you next week!

Kindness & Justice Challenge
Our Kindness & Justice Challenge will begin on Monday, December 4th! Please click here for the letter that was sent home to all families regarding this very special challenge!

Schoolwide Theme: “A Season of Giving & Celebrations”
Throughout the month of December, our school-wide focus is “A Season of Giving & Celebrations”. December is a month filled with multiple celebrations from many different cultures. This is also known as the “season of giving.” However, this just does not have to mean gifts. This can be in the form of giving time, love, attention, compliments, and help to others. Learners will explore the many ways we give back and a variety of celebrations that are recognized during this month. Teachers will share read-alouds and videos to help students learn more regarding these and many other special days and traditions. One way to engage with your child about what they are learning is to ask them to share with you one thing that they learned about special celebrations and acts of giving in class each week.

Second Grade Production & Cast Parties, Thursday, December 21st
We are excited for our second-grade production, Anansi and How the World Got Wisdom. Our learners and teachers have been working hard preparing for the big showcase of talent! The second-grade production and cast parties will take place on Thursday, December 21st. Please click here for the letter that was sent to all second grade families earlier this week regarding the production and cast parties. Additionally, four tickets will be sent home in backpacks to all second-grade families early next week.

Nishuane Visitor Form & Protocols
Please click here to review Nishuane’s visitor protocols. Visitors must complete the visitor form prior to a visit.
○ Please remember that visitors must report only to the location of the building that was indicated on the visitor form. Visitors may not visit other locations in the building. Thank you for your support with this important safety measure!
○ Please do not prop doors open under any circumstance.
○ Please do not hold open the door for anyone behind you when entering or exiting the building.


Nishuane Instagram
Nishuane is on Instagram! Follow us @nishschool for a peek into the learning and fun we have in our community. Our account is private for everyone's safety. When requesting to follow us, please send a message with your child's name and we will accept you.

Spirit Wear Fridays
Every Friday at Nishuane is School Spirit Day! On Fridays students may participate by wearing blue and white, as well as Nishuane spirit wear. Spirit wear is available for purchase through our PTA.

Nurse’s Notes
Please see the below reminders from Nurse Anne Ndungu
(Phone: 973-509-4236 or E-mail: [email protected]):
Friendly Reminders from the Health Office:

I hope that everyone is doing well and healthy. Even though we have had some sunny days it is still a little chilly outside, please help your child/children to dress appropriately for the weather and ensure that your child/children have a warm coat as we do go outside for recess.  Recess is held outside on days in which the real feel temperature is 28 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.

Also, kindly send an extra pair of clothes for your child to keep in the locker just in case of an accident.

Flu Season is Here!
● It is important to keep your child home when sick so that we can keep everyone safe.

Below please find the guidelines on when to keep your child home:
● The student has a temperature of 100 degrees or higher. The child may return to school when fever free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medications (Tylenol, Motrin).
● When antibiotics are prescribed, the student may return to school after taking the antibiotics for a minimum of 24 hours and fever free for at least 24 hours, without fever-reducing medications.
● The student seems tired/lethargic, pale, has little appetite and is generally not him/herself.
● The student is vomiting or has diarrhea. May return to school 24 hours after the symptoms are resolved and able to tolerate a normal diet.
● The student has an undiagnosed rash. A rash may be indicative of many things, frequently of illnesses that are contagious. Therefore, a student should see a physician to be evaluated. A note from the physician should be provided upon return to school.
● The student has severe cold symptoms or the flu, an upper respiratory infection, strep throat, a persistent cough, a runny nose that cannot be managed, or any other symptoms that would interfere with effective school participation. Please contact the school nurse before sending your child back to school.
● Please do not hesitate to seek the advice of your healthcare provider to determine when your child is able to return to school.
● If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

I wish you and your families a Happy and Wonderful Thanksgiving!!!

Important Dates: Mark Your Calendars! 


Kindness & Justice Challenge Begins: December 4, 2023
Last Day of CI/Aesthetics Courses (Cycle I): December 5, 2023
PTA Meeting: December 5, 2023 at 7 pm (Virtual Only: Zoom)
Caregiver Conferences (2:10 pm Student Dismissal Both Days): December 6, 2023-December 7, 2023
December 6th: Evening Conferences (6 pm-8 pm)
December 7th: Afternoon Conferences (2:30 pm-4:30 pm)
Hanukkah: December 7, 2023-December 15, 2023
Deadline for Reflections Student Art Contest Submissions: December 8, 2023
SEPAC Meeting: December 12, 2023 at 7 pm (Virtual: Zoom)
Trimester 1 Ends: December 13, 2023
Trimester 2 Begins: December 14, 2023
SATp Meeting: December 14, 2023 at 7 pm (Hybrid: Library/Zoom)
Picture Retakes: December 14, 2023 (Starting at 9:30 am in library)
Deadline for Holiday Gift Drive: December 15, 2023
MPS & NAACP Kwanzaa Celebration: December 15, 2023 from 5:30 pm-7:30 pm (Nishuane)
Second Grade Production Dress Rehearsal (Whole School Attends): December 20 2023 at 2:10 pm (Auditorium)
Winter Begins: December 21, 2023
Second Grade Production & Cast Parties: December 21, 2023 at 9:30 am-11:40 am
Abbreviated Day (2:10 pm Dismissal): December 22, 2023
First Trimester Report Cards Available on Genesis Parent Access Portal: December 22, 2023 at 4:00 p.m.
● Winter Recess (No School): December 25, 2022-January 1, 2024
Christmas Day: December 25, 2023
Kwanzaa: December 26, 2023-January 1, 2024
New Year’s Day: January 1, 2024
District Reopens: January 2, 2024


School Action Team for Partnerships (SATp) News & Upcoming Events
https://nishuane.montclair.k12.nj.us/administration/school_action_team  

Native American & Alaska Native Heritage Month: Click here to enjoy books read by Mr. Mullins and Ms. Wentzell to close out Native American and Alaska Native Heritage Month’s weekly read aloud. Thank you to all the teachers and staff for reading to us — Ms DiNapoli, Mr. Eder, Ms. Martin, Ms. May, Mr. Mullins, Ms. Polzella, Ms. Seaman, Ms. Wentzell and Ms. Williamson. Thank you to Yudelka Fernandez for creating the digital library.

Winter Celebrations Fair Canceled: The Winter Celebration Fair originally scheduled for December 2nd has been canceled. Please look for future communications regarding a new spring date for this event.

SATp General Meeting: Our next SATp General Meeting will be facilitated this Thursday, December 14, 2023 at 7 pm. This meeting will be facilitated in the Nishuane Library. An agenda for this meeting is forthcoming. We hope that you join us!

Children’s Kwanzaa Traditions Celebration: The NAACP and Montclair Public Schools will host a Children’s Kwanzaa Traditions Celebration at Nishuane on Friday, December 15th from 5:30 pm-7:30 pm.
 
Questions? Ideas? You may contact the SATp at the following email address: [email protected]

PTA News & Upcoming Events
www.nishuanepta.org 
PTA Calendar: https://montclairpta.org/nishuane/calendar/

Join the Nishuane PTA Facebook group!
Join the Nishuane PTA WhatsApp group!

OneNish Holiday Gift Drive
The Sign Up Genius for our Annual Holiday Gift Drive is live! Please consider supporting our school community by providing winter gear and holiday gifts to eligible children in our school community.
https://bit.ly/nishholiday23

● Wrap the item(s) using non-religious, non-Santa wrap or bags.
● Drop off at Nishuane’s main entrance or send in with your child. (Do not donate items not on the list.)
● Each gift must display a tag with the item number and description.
ITEM NUMBER IS ESSENTIAL!
● You may also donate money via this link for volunteers to use to purchase items that weren’t selected: https://nishholiday2023.cheddarup.com
● Please use this survey to request holiday gifts. If you’ve submitted a request for a thanksgiving card, you do not need to resubmit a different request for holiday gifts. https://forms.gle/xAjbDjbt2Z7UgbFaA. All requests are confidential. You may direct questions to Ms. Williamson at [email protected].

Volunteers Needed-Nishuane SNAP Teachers and Staff Holiday Gift Collection
We need 2-3 volunteers to help with the school-wide Gift collection for Nishuane SNAP teachers and staff . This monetary drive is to give our amazing Nishuane Special Nishuane Arts Program (SNAP) teachers and Nishuane staff a special gift for the holidays! Each collection will be divided equally among the group members. We are looking for 2-3 volunteers. If interested, please email [email protected]

Other Nish Volunteer Opportunities:
Fireball Volunteers
The PTA is looking for one or two volunteers to help with the April 2024 Fireball fundraiser. Volunteers will be working with our partners at Hillside Elementary School. Hillside will be leading the planning for this event. If interested, please email [email protected]

It’s not too late to enter the Student Art Contest!
Reflections
is a National Student Art contest, sponsored in the Montclair Public School District by Montclair PTA Council. Enter by creating an artwork in one (or more!) categories inspired by the theme “I Am Hopeful Because...” Entries are due December 8, 2023. There are 6 categories and each one has different rules and requirements. The categories are: Visual Art, Photography, Literature, Dance Choreography, Film Production, and Music Composition. You can enter more than one category, but an artwork can only be entered in one category. Find more information here.

Learn more about upcoming events and how to get involved:
PTA meeting
The December PTA meeting will be held on Tuesday, 12/5 at 7pm-ZOOM ONLY, no in-person option. Login credentials:

Meeting ID: 941 0638 3051
Passcode: Nish2020


2023-2024 PTA Meeting Schedule
● Thursday, January 4 at 7:30pm
● Friday, February 2 at 9:30am
● Thursday, March 7 at 7:30pm
● Friday, April 5 at 9:30am
● Thursday, May 2 at 7:30pm
● Friday, June 7 at 9:30am

District-Wide Updates 

● Montclair Public Schools
https://www.montclair.k12.nj.us/
MPS Strategic Planning: The next Montclair Public Schools strategic planning meetings will take place on November 29th and December 11th at 6:30 pm in the George Innex Annex. Please visit the district website at this link for additional information.  
MPS Community Schools Health Services Clinics: Did you know that the District offers FREE Health Services at our community schools – Hillside and Glenfield in partnership with Hackensack Meridian Mountainside Medical Center? The clinics are open on Wednesdays from 4:30 – 6 PM and provide free medical services and lectures on current topics such as emotional wellness, dental hygiene, diabetes, and more. Read more about these services on the website. See schedule and more details.

MFEE
https://mfee.org/

● SEPAC
https://montclairpta.org/sepac/
SEPAC Meeting:
December 12th, 7 pm-8 pm - The Montclair SEPAC will host a virtual parent/caregiver meeting. Please use this link to join the meeting.
SEPAC Liaisons: Lynn Mendelsohn & Marisa Lazatin are the SEPAC Parent Liaisons for Nishuane. Please reach out to them directly by either emailing Lynn at [email protected] using this Google Form for any questions or concerns you have about Special Education at Nishuane.
 
Digital Backpack: Please click here to view community and organization events in town.
Housekeeping: Please check the district website for district policies and school procedures (In our Family Handbook on our website).

Our Vision: Nishuane School is a diverse school that develops creative, curious, and confident learners through academic exploration, healthy relationships, and exposure to the arts.



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