🌷🌷🌷A Special Note of Tribute: Mary Paolazzi🌷🌷🌷
Please join us in extending our deepest sympathy and thoughts to the family of our dear colleague, Ms. Mary Paolazzi. A remarkable educator who impacted the lives of countless children and families for over three decades, Ms. Paolazzi will be greatly missed. Please click here to view Ms. Paolazzi’s obituary which contains details pertaining to next week’s memorial services.
Weekly Hot Topics
What a fun-filled and special week at Nishuane for our learners and families! Our word of the week, Celebrate, truly came alive as we partook in special end of the year events! Thank you to all families who joined us for our Second Grade Moving Up Celebration, as well as our Pre-Kindergarten Extravaganza! These special events highlighted the countless bucket filling acts of our learners. In fact, Mayor Dr. Renee Baskerville was so impressed by the advocacy of our second graders for the installation of additional buddy benches in Montclair, that we had the honor of her joining us for the Moving Up Celebration! Please check out this article to find out more about this special moment! As we approach the final week of the 2024-2025 school year, please join us in congratulating and celebrating each of our learners for their truly remarkable growth and accomplishments this school year. Our learners are truly an inspiration to us all
As a reminder, the district is closed on Friday, June 20th in observance of Juneteenth.
Additionally, we will have an abbreviated final two days of school with a 2:10 pm student dismissal on both Wednesday, June 25th and Thursday, June 26th. Due to the anticipated heat advisory, the district may announce additional abbreviated days of school for both Monday, June 23rd and Tuesday, June 24th. A final confirmation will be shared by the district on Sunday, June 22nd (Please see below for additional information). Our last day of school will be Thursday, June 26th. We wish all students and families a wonderful final week of school and summer ahead!
Juneteenth
In celebration of Juneteenth, students partook in a community read aloud of the text The Juneteenth Story by author (and Nishuane parent!) Alliah L. Agostini. Students also participated in a flag craft activity.
A Special District Announcement Regarding Next Week’s Heat Advisory
As we approach the final days of the school year, the administration is aware of the extreme heat forecasted for the coming week. While weather predictions can shift, we are proactively planning to prioritize the safety and well-being of our students and staff.
TENTATIVE Schedule for the Week of June 23, 2025:
● Monday, June 23 – Early dismissal due to forecasted extreme heat
● Tuesday, June 24 – Early dismissal due to forecasted extreme heat
● Wednesday, June 25 – Early dismissal (as indicated on the district calendar)
● Thursday, June 26 – Early dismissal (as indicated on the district calendar)
Please note that this schedule is based on current weather projections. A final update will be sent to all families and staff by the district on Sunday, June 22, 2025, to confirm or adjust the plan as needed.
Additionally, we encourage everyone to come to school prepared for the heat. All school buildings are equipped with water-filling stations, and we ask that students bring a refillable water bottle each day. The district will also provide bottled water as needed.
The YMCA will continue to offer Before Care and will offer After Care until 4:00 pm to children already registered.
End of Year School Improvement Goals Presentation
We are excited to share the progress that we have made in regard to attaining our School Improvement Goals for the 2024-2025 school year! As we approach the conclusion of this school year and already begin to plan for the next, please kindly view our end of year goals update presentation.
School Action Team for Partnerships (SATp): A Year in Review!
Please click here to view a “Year and Review” for Nishuane’s amazing SATp! We need your help for next year! Help us with a month or just an activity. Many hands make light work! We need you on the team to continue our robust programming and meet our school goals!
If you are interested in joining, please email Tara Wentzell ([email protected]).
Pride Playdate (Rescheduled: Wednesday, June 25th)
RSVP for the 3rd annual Pride Celebration has been rescheduled for Wednesday, June 25th from 5:00 pm-7:00 at Nishuane Park (Rain location: Nishuane School).
This year we’ve pumped even more fun into the event. So come dance, dress up at the photo booth, get your face painted, enter for a chance to win a prize and so much more.
This event is a moment to affirm all children’s self-expression, celebrate LGBTQ+ culture and families and create an understanding of allyship together.
As part of the celebration, we’ll have a space to share photos of our LGBTQ+ families and friends. If you’d like to have your photo included, email it to s[email protected]
There’s no school on June 10th, so bring the kids and come celebrate together. RSVP here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084DA4AC2BA7FCC70-56996795-pride
Be you. Be proud. Be a friend
Nishuane Summer Skills Review
We are excited to share that we are providing you with the Nishuane Summer Skills Review resources to help you support your children in the area of English Language Arts, as we strive to keep Nish students practicing literacy skills over the summer! Use the recommended activities and digital resources to keep your child engaged in literacy practices. Please take time to build a routine for your child where they are practicing in the area of English Language Arts 15-20 minutes per day over summer break. Regular practice of skills will help your child maintain confidence and mastery of the skills they have learned!
Summer Enrichment Camps
Summer Enrichment Camps registration is now open! There are a variety of affordable programs being offered to the community. One of these camps is the Nishuane Summer Spectacular run by our very own Mr. Eder! Please click here to learn more regarding the district’s summer enrichment camps! Please reach out to Valerie Hampton ([email protected]) via email should you need any assistance with the registration process.
Summer 2025 Literacy Program
Please see this informational flyer to learn more regarding a literacy program being offered through St. Paul’s in Montclair during the Summer 2025. Additionally, you may register your child(ren) for the program by completing this enrollment form.
Summer Resources
Please click here to access a packet of summer resources shared by the district office.
Montclair Public Library
● Library Cards: Families may sign-up for a library card at the Montclair Public Library. Information for signing up may be found at this link.
● Book a Reading Specialist: Please see this informational flyer to learn more regarding reading specialist services being offered by the Montclair Public Library.
Reminder Regarding Food & End of Year Celebrations
Please carefully review and follow the Montclair Public Schools Food Regulations (Outlined here) when contributing to all end of the year class celebrations. Thank you in advance for adhering to our important food policies!
Reminder Regarding Cell Phones/Watches with Capabilities
As a reminder, electronic devices may be in backpacks but not out or on during the school day. If a student does not follow the expectation to keep the device out of sight, then it will be sent to the office and caregivers will have to sign them out.
Arrival & Dismissal Safety
Please carefully review the important Nishuane School arrival and dismissal information included in the beginning of year communications and available here. These protocols and safety precautions must be carefully followed at all times to ensure a safe arrival and dismissal.
As always, thank you for your partnership in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our entire school community!
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 wear a visitor’s badge for the duration of your visit. The visitor’s badge must be visible at all times.
○ 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.
Nish 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.
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.
Nurse’s Notes
Please see the below reminders from Nurse Anne Ndungu
(Phone: 973-509-4236~Fax: 973-509-1197 ~ E-mail: [email protected]):
Dear Families,
I hope that you are all doing well. It is hard to believe that we are coming to the end of the school year. Please make arrangements to pick up your child's medication on the last day of school. Kindly note that any medication that is not picked up by the last day of school will be discarded.
Also, a gentle reminder that new Medication Forms are required at the start of each school year. The forms can be found on the District's Website, or you can email me and I will send it to you.
Please click here to find the guidelines from the New Jersey Health Department to stay safe this summer.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Wishing you and your families a wonderful weekend!
Nurse Anne
Anne Ndungu, RN
Phone: 973-509-4236 Fax: 973-509-1197
Email: [email protected]