Nishuane News

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Nishuane School News
June 19, 2025


🌷🌷🌷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]

☔🦋🌎🐇🌷Important Dates: Mark Your Calendars!🌷🐇🌎🦋☔

LGBTQIA+ Pride Month: Begins June 1, 2025-Ends June 30, 2025
Caribbean Heritage Month: Begins June 1, 2025-Ends June 30, 2025
Immigrant Heritage Month: Begins June 1, 2025-Ends June 30, 2025
● Juneteenth Experience: June 19, 2025 (During Period 8)
● Juneteenth (District Closed): June 20, 2025
Summer Begins: June 20, 2025

● Abbreviated Day (2:10 pm Student Dismissal): June 25, 2025
Pride Playdate (Rescheduled): June 25, 2025 from 5:00 pm-7:00 pm (Nishuane Park)

● Last Day of School! (Abbreviated Day: 2:10 pm Dismissal): June 26, 2025
● Trimester 3 Ends: June 26, 2025


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

  
What is the School Action Team for Partnerships (SATp)?
The School Action Team for Partnerships (SATp) brings together parents, teachers, and community leaders to enhance our children's academic and social/emotional development. We work on the School's Improvement Plan, targeting gaps in math and literacy, and promoting cultural responsiveness and inclusion. Getting involved is a great way to get to know teachers, staff and the administration.

*Please click here to access an informational flyer that provides an overview of the SATp and how you may become involved!

SATp Community Involvement/Connection
We are looking for volunteers to help update a list of community members that staff can partner with to enhance classroom lessons. Volunteers would use the provided contact information to reach out to businesses, professionals, and community members to see if they are still interested in partnering with the school to enhance lessons and support the school-community connection. If you are interested, please email Tara Wentzell ([email protected]).

Volunteers Needed!: To learn more regarding the different SATp subcommittees and ways that you may get involved, click here. Please sign up to help us enrich our students' learning experiences while meeting our school's goals!

Healthy Bodies Healthy Minds: Montclair Playground Scavenger Hunt
Montclair is full of wonderful playgrounds. The Healthy Bodies Healthy Minds sub-committee thought it would be fun for us to visit them all. We sent home a list of all the playgrounds in your child’s folder. As you visit them and play, please check off the playground. Once you have visited all the playgrounds, hand your completed form to your teacher or Mr. Eder. At the end of the year children who have visited all the playgrounds will enjoy a special surprise from Coach Eder

● Questions? Ideas? You may contact the SATp at the following email address: [email protected]

PTA News & Upcoming Events

https://montclairpta.org/nishuane/ 

Join the Nishuane PTA Facebook group and follow @nishuanepta on Instagram!
Follow the PTA’s Nishuane Announcements feed on WhatsApp
(**These channels are run and moderated by parent volunteers from the PTA. They are not official school communication channels.)
The PTA is on Instagram! Follow @nishuanepta to stay up to date on PTA events and news.
It's never too late to join the PTA

District-Wide Updates 

Montclair Public Schools
https://www.montclair.k12.nj.us/
Food Services: The breakfast and lunch menu may be found at this link.
Pre-Kindergarten: Information pertaining to the district’s Mini-Mounties Pre-Kindergarten program may be found at this link. This helpful webpage contains helpful resources pertaining to the Pre-K program in the MPS. 
○ Families are encouraged to follow the district on the following social media pages:
Get Connected - a listing of the MPS social media sites


MFEE
https://mfee.org/  
Join the celebration for Nishuane Educators!
 ○ 'Tis the Season to Toast Montclair Teachers!
MFEE's Toast to the Teachers are in full swing. These parties with a purpose celebrate our educators while raising critical funds for MFEE's Educational Excellence. 100% of proceeds go back into classrooms to fuel innovative teaching tools and rich learning experiences for students. . Check out what MFEE grants have funded at Nishuane over the past few years! Parties are pay-what-you can with suggested donations.
○ It's not too late to host a Toast to celebrate your teacher. Click here to find out how.

● SEPAC
https://montclairpta.org/sepac/
○ The remaining SEPAC parent/caregiver meetings:
Tuesday, June 10


Community Events

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).

Nishuane School is a diverse, inclusive community where every student is valued and supported in becoming a confident, empathetic, and curious learner. Rooted in equity and belonging, we foster academic, creative, and social-emotional exploration, empowering students to develop independence, respect, and make meaningful contributions to the world around them.



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