Milton Express
December 23, 2020
Message from the Principal
As we bring to a close a very challenging 2020, you can’t help but to have hope and optimism as we enter into 2021. The pandemic has impacted our lives in so many ways. And although it is easy to say that 2020 was a terrible year, there are many things we can do to change that perspective to one of positive thinking and gratitude.
For me, there are a few things that come to mind that I was able to experience that I might not have been able to in other years. This past year gave me the opportunity to spend more time outdoors with my family. Activities such as bike riding and hiking were done more than usual, and the extra time outdoors allowed us to further bond and exercise together! In addition, this past year caused me to further be thankful for the people who I still have in my life. Family members and friends continue to be supportive, loving, and caring during very challenging times. Finally, this past year allowed me to gain a better appreciation for what we have at Milton Avenue School. With the health and safety at the forefront of everything we do in the building, I am proud that we have been able to engage the students in school for as long as we have!
So yes, 2020 has been extremely challenging in so many different ways. As you look towards the new year as a family, try to spend time with your children during winter break and allow them to reflect upon those things that they were able to experience this past year that allows the year to gain a bit more of a positive perspective. At the same time, talk to your child about his/her goals as they relate to school, family, and the community around them for 2021. Perhaps your child hopes to further develop his/her writing. Your child may even establish the goal of reading an extra ten minutes each night in order to become a better reader and further develop vocabulary. As a family, perhaps you can establish a fulfilling goal such as spending more time together. If you are a regular 9-5 working family, then designate at least one evening each week that the entire family takes part in fun family activities.
As we enter the year 2021, continue to talk to your child about his/her hopes and dreams for both now and in the future. It is always so important to have goals to work towards, and to understand that we all have the potential to not only make a difference in our own lives, but in the lives of the people around us as well. At Milton Avenue School, we are proud to say that we are a part of a faculty that continually strives to make a difference in the lives of those around us. We truly aim to meet the needs of the whole child, while preparing them for the world that awaits them beyond the walls of our school. On behalf of the staff at Milton Avenue School, I would like to wish all of you a very Happy New Year, and may all of your resolutions and wishes become a reality!
January Highlights and Reminders
January 4 to 8 - VIRTUAL week. Students in Grades K-3 will utilize Google Classroom as the primary tool to access the class schedule and assignments. Preschool teachers will contact families regarding the schedule and activities on those days.
January 15 - Third Grade Zoom/Bingo Night Party, 7-8:30
January 18 - School Closed for Martin Luther King Day
Please remember to submit the COVID-19 form in the Parent Portal during the week we are learning virtually. Once we return to school, your form should be completed by 8:00 am. so your student can enter the building and start their school day!
Stetho-Scoop
News from our School Nurse, Erin Zotti
Happy Holidays to you all! Things may look a bit different this year, but here are some safe and healthy ways to celebrate the season.
Please report any travel outside of NJ, NY, CT, DE, and PA over the holiday break to myself at ezotti@chatham-nj.org or Mr. Andreazza. Indicate the date on which your child will return to New Jersey. Day 1 of the required 10-day quarantine will begin the day after return. At this time, as per the Westfield and Madison Departments of Health, you cannot test out the 10 day quarantine to return to in-person learning.
Please continue to follow the Rules for Return to School and communicate with your child's teacher if they will be learning virtually for any reason. Our students and staff can only remain safe if everyone follows these guidelines.
Reminder-*It is required that any child attending Preschool, ages 59 months and younger obtain a flu vaccine and documentation is provided to Mrs. Zotti by January 11th, 2021. Students will be excluded from school by the Health Department if it is not received by that date.*
Wishing you and your family a safe and healthy Holiday Season and a Happy, Healthy New Year 2021!
Counselor Corner
Hello Parents-
I want to introduce you to my Google Site. I created this resource with families and students in mind. My google site includes my weekly calendar so that you know when I am at MAS or WAS. It also has the link for my virtual counseling office and you will also find social emotional resources/activities for students to do at home. Please click on the link below to access and bookmark my new site.
Have a wonderful Holiday Break!
On the Run
We are having a fun time in physical education this year! Our program provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary to achieve a healthy, active lifestyle. We also want to foster positive attitudes toward maintaining health and wellness throughout the student’s lifespans. I’ve been so happy with the student’s flexibility and responsiveness to the changes we’ve had to make to address COVID-19 concerns. I’ve been so pleased how our Milton student’s have stepped up to maintain social distancing and learning to deal with the colder weather.
For lessons that use equipment, the students use hand sanitizer before and after they touch equipment. Any equipment used is sanitized between classes or if there or a new set is rotated into use.
All classes are outside and students have been instructed to wear appropriate clothing. Please be mindful to send your child with gloves, hat and appropriate jacket. We will go outside when the “feels like” temperature is above 20 degrees..
When classes cannot be conducted outside, students have lessons in their classroom. We will focus on social-emotional learning or lessons focused on sportsmanship, information about sports, or tools that promote making fitness part of the students daily lives.
There are three areas of physical education that we address during physical education.
Movement Skills and Concepts include how to move from one place to another and the understanding how the body moves, grows and matures. Fun activities like parachute, dance, and locomotor actions help develop these skills.
Physical Fitness is the ability to move, perform daily tasks and unexpected physical challenges effectively without losing energy reserves. We achieve this through activities like our Fitnessgram challenges; Pacer Run, Curl-ups, and modified push-ups.
Lifelong Fitness requires making fitness a part of a person’s daily life. Lifelong fitness focuses on personal goal setting, enjoyment of movement, and leisure-time fitness activities. Some examples of things we do to promote lifelong fitness are partner jogs, and modified versions of sports.
We will continue to maintain the Milton traditions that are part of the physical education department. The Milton Duathlon and Milton Mile have been successful in a virtual format. Both events promote a total family participation and hope to make fitness activities a family event. Field day is a school event that utilizes activities that focus on teamwork and various skills (throwing, catching, rolling). The day has grown into an opportunity for eighth grade students to return to Milton and help run the school event!
For more information about the physical education program, please see the websites below.
SDOC Health, Physical Education, and Wellness Website
PTO NEWS
Don't forget to record your holiday reading and help your class travel without leaving home! The MAS Reading Program google form is available on the Milton website under the Reading Program Log tab. We will be providing an update (and hopefully dedicating books to our library) when we return to school.
We want to thank everyone who volunteered to be block captains this year and to the MAS school community for your participation. Thanks to you, over 900 kits were sold (that’s a 60% increase vs. last year!) Thanks for helping us continue this special tradition!
It’s not too late to register for Chatham Education Foundation’s 8th Annual Trivia Night Saturday, January 16th 2021, 7-10pm
Chatham Education Foundation’s 8th Annual Trivia Night can be played at home via Zoom, on your laptop, your tablet or your phone. Friends and family join together, remotely or in person, in teams of up to 10 players, to compete against their friends, neighbors, and frenemies. It's an opportunity to challenge the old noodle, celebrate the outstanding School District of the Chathams, compete for serious bragging rights, and have a good laugh with friends and family, all from the safety of your bunkers!
To Register go to:
https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/ChathamEducationFoundation/virtualtrivianight.html
** Only one person per team needs to register
Main Street Wine Cellars Fundraiser
Now through Dec 31st
10% of your purchase will go towards the Milton Avenue School 3rd Grade Fundraiser!
Mention Milton if you visit in person.
Main Street Wine Cellars is located in the Staples Shopping Center at 300 Main Street in Madison.
Thank you to all the Milton families and staff who contributed to our "Giving Tree".
And a thank you from the entire Milton staff to the PTO - we were provided a wonderful holiday lunch on Tuesday, December 22 - Chicken sandwiches from Namkeen, chips and drinks...what a wonderful way to start the holiday season!
