Smith News
May 3, 2021
Achieving Excellence One Student at a Time
A Message from Our Principal
The arrival of May means it is time to recognize Mental Health Awareness Month. This past year has been a long and arduous one to say the least and it has certainly demonstrated that taking time for mental health is vital to our wellbeing.
Each year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness and in a time where social interaction and many forms of socialization feel limited, it has never been more important to support one another mentally and emotionally. Take some time to check in with yourself and spend time on activities that brighten your mental state, talk with your students about how they are feeling and find ways together to preserve their mental wellbeing.
The month of May is our opportunity as a community to highlight the importance of checking in with our loved ones, being kind to ourselves, offering support to one another, and eliminating the stigma or shame of asking for help.
Here in Ramsey, we are #ProudToBeStigmaFree and our district will be hosting a number of COVID-safe activities to 'Shine Your Light' on Mental Health!
Stay Healthy and Stay Safe!
Andrew Herre, Principal
Mrs. Christine Davis
Supervisor of K-8 Education and Student Welfare
Helping Your Child Build Resilience
It’s hard to believe that it has been over a year since the pandemic hit and everything changed. Over the past year, we needed to adapt and adjust the way we learn, work, socialize and do just about everything. Learning to adapt and grow despite the curve balls that life throws at you is resilience. Resilience is an important factor not only in adapting to challenging situations, but in thriving in spite of them.
A question that I often hear from parents is, “How can I prepare my child for middle school?” One of the first things that come to mind is to help your child to learn to be resilient. Helping your child learn to cope with the ups and downs that are sure to happen in middle school will help build the skills they need to deal with challenges they will encounter as they become teenagers and into adulthood.
As a parent or guardian, you can help your child develop important habits and skills to increase their resilience by:
Helping them learn to build positive relationships with peers and adults
Encouraging their independence
Helping them learn to identify, express and manage their emotions
Encouraging them to take on challenges to help build self-confidence.
As we enter the last months of school, it is important to acknowledge that we are succeeding in getting through the challenges of this year. We have adapted to new routines, helped support our families and community, and found new ways to connect with friends and loved ones. The finish line is in sight. As we cheer our students on and encourage them to stay the course to the end, we are empowering them as we help to build their confidence, competence, and resiliency.
For more information on helping kids to build confidence and resilience click here.
From The Desk of The Instructional Coaches
Ms. Carolyn Chakmakjan, Humanities Instructional Coach
Books as Mirrors and Windows
For many of us, few things make us happier than seeing our children curled up with a book, engrossed in the story and excited to see what will happen next. After all, reading has so many benefits, the greatest benefit is the ability to connect to others’ stories, and learn about our world and ourselves in the process.
Books can be powerful tools in shaping our viewpoints and perspectives. As a result, we often find ourselves selecting books that reflect our viewpoints and perspectives, but have we thought about expanding those horizons?
Have we thought about diversity in the characters, plots, settings? Have we thought about the voices that are represented in the books that we read?
Exposing our children to a wide range of stories is ever important as we aspire to support our children’s growth and development as active and aware citizens of our growing world.
Why Does it Matter?
Rudine Sims Bishop, a Professor Emerita of Education at Ohio State University, speaks about the importance of children reading a diverse selection of books. She likens books to mirrors and windows, saying, “Children need books that are mirrors so that they can see themselves reflected, but they also need books that are windows so that they can see into other worlds.” This balance of mirrors and windows helps children make sense of their world because it allows them to connect to what they know and gain new viewpoints and perspectives.
Books as Mirrors
Children need to see themselves in books that they read because reading about characters or stories that are similar to their own experiences is confirming and makes them feel valued. However, the issue arises when children are not exposed to enough mirrors. Bishop goes on to say, “When children cannot find themselves reflected in the books they read, or when the images they see are distorted, negative, or laughable, they learn a powerful lesson about how they are devalued in the society of which they are a part.” Children enjoy reading books where they can see themselves, so when they cannot find books or are not exposed to books that offer this opportunity, they feel somehow that they are less important or less valued. Matt de la Peña, award winning children’s author, offers, “We all need to see ourselves in books because if we don’t we may not feel as connected to the human experience.” Children who feel valued and accepted are likely to be more confident in themselves and have a deeper understanding of their own identities.
Books as Windows
In addition to mirrors, children also need windows--books that allow them to view and understand lives that are different from theirs. This allows students to understand others’ experiences, develop new perspectives, and build empathy. Matt de la Peña also goes on to say, “I’ve always believed that Reading is the ultimate form of empathy. Yes, we love to find ourselves in books and read about ourselves...but it’s also important to read about people that aren’t like us. It’s only then that we will have a full understanding of the world around us.” Finding books that are windows is especially important for children who often find themselves reading mirrors. Bishop says, “Children who always find their mirrors get an exaggerated sense of self-worth and a false sense of what the world is like.” Offering a wider range of stories with broader representation ensures more of a balance between mirrors and windows for our children.
Our Role
The need to broaden the range of stories that get into our kids hands is imperative. Teachers and schools are taking stock of what books are offered in classroom libraries and media centers. As parents, we can take stock of what books we offer at home or when we visit the library or bookstore. Start conversations with your students about what they're reading and the stories they are enjoying and engaged in.
Grace Lin, bestselling author and illustrator encourages us to think about the selection of books we are offering and encouraging our young readers to read. She poses, “Are all the books mirrors? Or are they all windows? Make sure they have both. Because if you do you are setting a path for self worth and empathy.”
Ramsey Police Bike Helmet Safety Program
The Ramsey Police Department’s Bike Helmet Safety Campaign has commenced for 2021!
Officers will be handing out coupons for free food to local eateries to children under the age of 17 who are seen riding their bikes with their helmets in accordance with New Jersey state law.
The following businesses will be participating in the safety program:
-Sal's Pizza
-Anthony Franco's
-Carvel Ice Cream
-Cars: Sandwiches and Shakes
Ramsey Stigma Free 2021 "Shine Your Light" Activities
May is officially Mental Health Awareness Month, but it feels like the past 14 months will claim a spot in history as Mental Health Era. It has never been more important to make sure our friends, neighbors and colleagues feel supported, not shamed, if they need a break or helping hand.
Again this year, we are not planning the Stigma-Free Walk and Talk a Thon that has attracted crowds to the Ramsey High School track. Instead, we have developed a few creative ways for you to reinforce Ramsey’s position as a STIGMA FREE ZONE.
Our 2021 Shine Your Light activities will make the biggest visual impact on Thursday, May 6, with luminaries displayed by supportive residents throughout Ramsey. Here are some other ways to take part:
Free and Flexibly Timed: Show your support by taking the Stigma Free Pledge, downloading a temporary social media profile picture, or wearing the mission’s signature color of green.
Shine Your Light on May 6: For a $10 donation, you will receive a luminaria package of bag + candle + “swag” so your home can join the glow that symbolizes Mental Health Awareness.
Sponsor a Conversation: For a $20 donation, you will receive a kit with a lawn sign + luminaria package + super “swag” such as a face mask. Sponsors are encouraged to schedule a virtual conversation with friends, and your kit will suggest specific ways to use that experience to Shine Your Light.
Check out Ramsey Stigma Free 2021 to learn about all these options
Share this invitation with friends, colleagues and constituents
Follow @RNJStigmaFree on Facebook and Twitter
Questions? RSVP? Send a note to mmurphy@ramsey.k12.nj.us
Let’s lead by example to make Ramsey a STIGMA FREE ZONE!
Come What May, Smith School Still Leads The Way!
Ten of our very own Smith School band students were recognized and won medals in the 2021 New Jersey State Solo Festival. Congratulations to our outstanding musicians!!!
Blue Group (Above, from left to right):
Payton Ashworth - Grade 7
Jonathan Grandusky - Grade 8
Caeden Doyle - Grade 8
Simon Jiang - Grade 8
Connor Behrmann - Grade 7
Gold Group (Below, from left to right):
Luke Medlicott - Grade 8
Austin Stefanelli - Grade 7
Matthew Nicolau - Grade 8
Reyva Poage - Grade 8
Gretchen Quast - Grade 8
IMG_8114.MOVGizmos and Gadgets held its first battle bot competition--"Sawfish vs. Snapping Turtle"-- featuring bots constructed by 7th grade students Vince Kozlik and Marguerite Wang. Watch their battle above!
Girls Volleyball are serving up a strong new season and dominating the court, finding ways to practice and play within health and safety guidelines (Above, Left Side).
The best part of Spring? Getting to have class outside! Physical Education classes take advantage of the warmer Spring days and spend time outdoors for their Frisbee Gold unit! (Left and Above)
Rehearsals for You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown are ramping up as we approach our show day!! Featured here are both casts rehearsing and reviewing choreography for the show-stopping number "Beethoven Day" (Above- Gold Cast and Below- Blue Cast)
You can't stop the beat here at Smith School! 8th grade band members begin their rehearsal process for their outdoor spring concert premiering later this year (Below)
6th grade students conduct races through the hallways with their very own cars in Mr. Truppi's class (Above)
7th grade students finalize their Rube Goldberg machines (Left)
7th grade students in Ms. Johnson and Ms. Militello's classes wind down the school week by engaging with their historical fiction novels and jotting down their thought process, questions, or other notes while reading for future discussions. (Above, Top Left, Left, Top Right)
8th grade chorus students prepare for the outdoor Spring concert later this month! (Above and Below)
My_Movie.mp4Ms. Roscoe's Social Studies class each create their own "Battle Newscast" where they creatively depict one of the battles from the Revolutionary War in the style of a news report. View 6th grader Makenna Emery's newscast featuring two special guest hosts! (Above)
The Character Education Intermural Basketball team is comprised of 7th and 8th grade students who meet early morning before school to not only play, but learn essential skills of teamwork, dedication, and great sportsmanship. Their regular season continued for the month of April, and their tournament championship will conclude at the end of May (Above, Left side, Below).
Mr. Truppi's 8th grade robotics class are putting their creations to the test an navigating a maze set up in the halls (Above, Below, Right side images)
Mr. Kalman's Digital Design students practice using Augmented Reality tools to create filters to show up on real-world objects! (Right Top and Right Bottom)
Art students finish up their original pieces (Above)
Culinary arts students put together ingredients for a doughnut recipe (Below)
Is your child a remote-learning student who is participating in spirit days? Do you want to them to be recognized for their participation in learning activities at home?
Health Updates From Our Nurse
Ms. Laura Spiegelman, BSN, RN, CSN/Health Ed.
Certified School Nurse, Eric S. Smith School
lspigelman@ramsey.k12.nj.us 201-785-2314
Know the Difference Between COVID-19 and Seasonal Allergy Symptoms
HOW TO OBSERVE #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth
Share the message. Taking care of our mental health is as normal as eating healthy, exercising, or even saving for the future. Share your story to help others understand that achieving mental health is a daily process.
If you or someone you know needs to seek assistance, check out one of these resources:
Local
West Bergen Mental Health Care
Bergen Regional Medical Center
National
National Alliance of Mental Health
National Institutes of Mental Health
Summer Explorations Program
Registration for Summer Explorations through our Ramsey Community School is open NOW! Smith Teachers are offering programs covering a variety of engaging subjects for your students to learn and enjoy this summer. Summer Explorations is offered to students Grades 6-8 and will run from July 5th-July 23rd. The deadline for registration is June 14th, 2021. See the flyers below or check out the Ramsey Community School site for more information
You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown!
The 2021 Smith musical performances of You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown will occur on SATURDAY, May 15th. The Gold Cast will perform at 1:00 PM and the Blue Cast will perform at 4:00 PM. All performances will occur outdoors on our back field to maximize social distancing guidelines. The show will run at approximately 90 minutes with no intermission. In the event of inclement weather, performances will be moved to Sunday, May 16th at the previously scheduled times.
Based on current safety guidelines set forth in response to COVID-19, each cast member will receive five (5) tickets for their performance of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Tickets will be kept track of closely and anyone without a ticket will not be permitted to view the show- No exceptions.
Since tickets are limited this year there is no cost associated with them. If you would like to make a donation to the Drama Club to help offset some of our costs this year, please make your check out to "Smith School" and send it in with your student, who can give it to one of the directors. Donations are not required, but would be greatly appreciated.
Follow our journey to opening night on Instagram @smithschoolmusical
RPEF Sprint for Our Schools
This year the race is virtual. Runners can participate anytime and anywhere they want between May 1 & May 16th.
Registration is now open on our race website: RPEFrun.com
Race shirts are available for purchase using this link. Orders need to be placed by 4/14 to receive the shirt by May 1: https://www.customink.com/fundraising/rpef-virtual-sprint-for-our-school?utm_campaign=desktop-campaign-page-share-v3&utm_content=rpef-virtual-sprint-for-our-school&utm_medium=social&utm_source=copy-link
We are hoping people will want to get out, get running and support our schools!
Smith School Parent Book Club 2020-2021
If you would like to request a copy of any of our books, or you have any questions regarding parent book club, please email Ms. Kelly at kkelly@ramsey.k12.nj.us
Thank you to all who participated in our April book club! We had some great discussions at the meeting. Our FINAL theme for the year will be New in YA Literature. All three books will be choices written for young adults that have come out within the last 5 years!
We will be holding the meeting via Zoom on Wednesday, May 26th at 4:00 PM.
We will discuss all 3 of the books at the meeting, but there is no expectation to read them all. You are welcome to read as many of the choices as you would like. The link for the meeting is below and will also be emailed out closer to the date. The titles of the books are listed below, click here for full descriptions of each of our titles. If you are interested in being part of our Parent Book Club next year, 2021-2022, please fill out this form to be added to our email list.
From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks, Grades 6 and Up
One of Us is Lying by Karen McManus, Grades 7 and Up
The Kinder Poison by Natalie Mae, Grades 8 and Up
Joining Info:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/96585079263?pwd=Tmd4QURwUTdPOVR3dEZhblI3SFE1dz09
Meeting ID: 965 8507 9263
Passcode: A55D0V
Information on the health questionnaire, hybrid schedule, basic guidelines, information from the school nurse, and more.
Need Technology Support for School-Issued Devices? Click Here to Complete a Student Help Desk Ticket
Character Education Clubs, 2020-2021
Smith School Supply List 2020-2021
View the 2020-2021 Supply List
Supply Lists for the 2020-21 school year are now posted. Please remember that all personal belongings should be labeled, such as pencil cases, binders, and backpacks.
Chromebook Insurance
Chromebook Insurance is Due Now....Register
FamilyID is now open to parents to agree to policies and pay for insurance for the new academic year. Please click on the headline for more information, including instructions for payment and account information.
Upcoming Dates
Phase 3 Learning Plan Begins- District-Wide (May 3rd)
Board of Education Meeting (May 11th)
You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown (May 15th)
Musical Performance Rain Date (May 16th)
Spring Chorus Concert (May 17th)
Board of Education Meeting (May 25th)
All-Remote Instruction Day (May 26th)
Memorial Day- District CLOSED (May 31st)
Past "Smith News"
April 2021- March 2021-February 2021-January 2021- December 2020- November 2020 - October 2020 - September 2020 - June 24, 2020 - June 5, 2020 - May 22, 2020 - May 8, 2020 - May 1, 2020 - April 24, 2020 - April 17, 2020 - April 3, 2020 - March 27, 2020 - March 20, 2020 - March 2020 - February 2020 - January 2020 - December 2019 - November 2019 - October 2019 - September 2019
