Milton Express
January 29, 2021
Message from the Principal
Although it is the shortest month of the year, February is certainly a busy and meaningful month. February is known for such things as Black History Month, Dental Health Month, and American Heart Month. Students will engage in exciting activities and lessons dedicated to such important events as the 100th Day of School, Groundhog Day, and President’s Day.
When identifying February 14 as Valentine’s Day on their calendars, many people begin to think about being kind and caring towards others. At Milton Avenue School, the students are consistently reminded of the importance of engaging in activities that show kindness towards others. Students and staff at Milton Avenue School took part in the Great Kindness Challenge during the week of January 25. Throughout the week, the members of our Kindness Squad created posters for the students in grades K-1 to color. In addition, these students also created various posters to display around the building to promote being kind. All of our students were challenged to think of ways to spread kindness whether they were acts initiated on their own or acts selected from the checklist of activities provided to them.
We appreciate all that you do at home to further promote the importance of kindness, caring, and respect towards others not only during the month of February, but throughout the entire year as well. During this time of caring, I can’t help but to recognize and thank all of the teachers and staff who care for your children on a daily basis. They go above and beyond to ensure that our students are learning and safe through these unique times. I would also like to say a special thank you to the parents who continue to work in partnership with us to allow the learning community to be such a special place! Stay warm!
February Highlights and Reminders
PTO Meeting - Thursday, February 11 at 9:00am. Stacy Winters, District Math Supervisor, will be the guest speaker. Join at this Zoom link: Meeting ID: 897 1302 4594 Passcode: MAS2021 Please see the PTO section for fundraisers and information about Virtual Family Fun Night on March 5!
The school calendar originally showed February 12 as an early dismissal. Please note the following change to our school schedule:
February 12 - Grades 1-3… 8:35 am-1:05 pm (Plan A hours)... NO VIRTUAL AFTERNOON
AM Kindergarten… 8:35 am-11:25 am (Normal hours)
AM PreK… 8:40 am-11:00am (Normal hours)
Full Day PreK… 9:00 am-12:00pm
There is NO PM Kindergarten or PM Preschool. There is NO Virtual Kindergarten.
February 15 - School Closed - Presidents' Day
Please remember to submit the COVID-19 form in the Parent Portal. Forms 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 New Year!! Thank you so much for all of your help and cooperation over the past few weeks in making sure your child continues to come to school with an appropriate face mask and extra masks to use throughout the day if needed. Just a reminder, if you are traveling please notify me at ezotti@chatham-nj.org and enter your child(ren)’s absences in the Parent Portal.
Here is the link for travel restrictions outside of NJ. Please be certain to check the State(s) you have travelled to and quarantine for 10 days beginning the day AFTER you return.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out to me or contact your Department of Health.
If you reside in Chatham Township contact Madison Department of Health at 973-593-3079.
If you reside in Chatham Borough contact Westfield Department of Health at 908-789-4070.
Have a safe and healthy February!
Counselor Corner
January is Kindness month and our kindness week was jump started by the wonderful virtual assembly on January 14th. The presenter, Brian Williams, challenged us to be Kindness Ninjas and to not only carry out acts of Kindness within our school community but globally as well by participating in the used sneaker drive which will benefit children in Africa so that they can attend school. Thank you to our PTO for coordinating this effort. Students did a wonderful job of spreading the "kindness word" by creating posters that were hung around the school and outside classrooms. They really brightened our hallways and spread a great message.
⚙️Spotlight on Design & Technology⚙️
Though this school year looks a little different, Milton's young engineers are still designing and building to solve challenges in safe, socially distanced and virtual ways. Take a look below to read more on what each grade level will be focusing on this year.
KINDERGARTEN
Our youngest engineers are learning the concept of the engineering design process this year. Starting with a strong understanding the problem that needs to be solved, such as Goldilocks needs to find a just right chair, engineers can design and build solutions
1ST GRADE
In first grade, engineers start to look closely at ways to solve problems in design challenges related to books including Yertle the Turtle and 21 Elephants and Still Standing. This year we learn that good engineering means developing more than one way to solve a problem.
2ND GRADE
As second graders, students learn how to make a detailed design plan for their chosen solution. This includes a detailed and labeled sketch, a bill of materials, and a list of detailed building steps. This year we also focus on incorporating Google Draw and Google Slides into our design challenge process.
3RD GRADE
Milton's lead engineers dive into the idea of improving our designs, whether they are successful or not. "Failing is just a part of growing, and we keep going". Third graders also have more opportunities to integrate technology tools into the design process with Google Apps and other programs such as Padlet, Flipgrid, and Seesaw.
PTO NEWS
Information about the NEXT PTO MEETING: Thursday, February 11th @ 9AM
Stacy Winters, District Math Supervisor will be the guest speaker
JOIN ZOOM MEETING HERE: Meeting ID: 897 1302 4594 Passcode: MAS2021
READING PROGRAM UPDATE
Milton readers are continuing their progress, reading their way around the world and earning books to dedicate to the library. The students have read so many books over the winter break and in January to earn 6 more books!
1T earned 2 more books, bringing their total to 3 books! 3R earned 2 books to dedicate. 2M and 1D each earned a book too.
Most of the other classes are getting very close to earning books too, especially KW-PM, 3C and 3K.
Keep up the great reading everyone! The google form for the reading program can be found here.
JOIN US FOR VIRTUAL FAMILY FUN NIGHT ON MARCH 5
Just because we have to social distance doesn't mean that we can't have fun! This year's Family Fun Night will be virtual and bring the fun to you. Enjoy a cooking class, watch a magic show, learn the latest dance moves, and participate in other fun activities, all in the comfort of your own home. Please see the attached flyer with activity descriptions. Registration is now open via CommunityPass. If you have any questions, please send a message to MASFFN2021@gmail.com.
CELEBRATE VALENTINE'S DAY AND SUPPORT THE CEA AND CHATHAM BUSINESSES!
We have 3 wonderful ways to say "I Love You" and give back at the same time!
Sugar Cookies Decorating Kits and Hot Chocolate Bombs
Heart Shaped Pizzas
Coffees, Teas and Candy Gift Baskets
Details can be found here.
KINDNESS WEEK SNEAKER DRIVE
1. Shoe Drive runs from January 25 – February 5!
2. Students should collect gently used sneakers (child or adult sizes).
3. No high-heels, flip-flops, or sandals.
4. Students should bring the shoes to the Main Office drop bin.
5. Please have the shoelaces tied together.
6. We will collect the shoes in regular bags, then transfer them over to the shipping bags once collection is completed.
MILTONS VALENTINES FUNDRAISER
Brought to you by: CHOCOLATE WORKS IN LIVINGSTON
20% of all sales will go towards the MAS Third Grade Fundraiser!
ORDERS MUST BE PLACED BY TUESDAY FEBRUARY 2nd
Food cannot be sent home with the children. Pick up will be at MAS front entrance on Thursday, February 11th between 1pm and 2pm.
ORDERS WILL BE DELIVERED TO SCHOOL ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11TH
Community News
CHATHAM SOFTBALL REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
We are excited to announce that we are opening registration for the Spring 2021 Chatham Softball Recreation season. There certainly remains a good amount of uncertainty regarding the season timing, and potential COVID protocols, but we would like to move forward with registration with the hopes of having the season begin towards the end of April and go until the middle of June. The link to registration can be found on our new website Chatham Softball Webpage by going directly to the registration form via this Register Here. Registration will close on Feb 22, 2021. We have moved website providers to Team Snap from League Athletics so you may have to create a new profile in our system, but the improved app and functionality will be worth it. Given the uncertainty of the COVID situation, we are charging a $25 deposit for each player to help cover fixed costs to get the season started. The balance will automatically be charged on your card on April 1st. Should we have to cancel the season for any reason, we will of course refund (minus any fixed costs that have been incurred).