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Scouts
Aid Valerie Fund
Santa’s workshop has nothing
on Girl Scout Troop #80593 of Tewksbury. Recently the girls met to create Art Kits for the children of
St. Barnabus Hospital’s, “The Valerie Fund.” The children of the Valerie Fund range in
age from infant to 18 and suffer from cancer and blood disorders. Last year the girls of Troop #80593 learned
of the children and made over 56 hats for them. In learning more about these children the girls became
aware of the fact these children’s lives are very different from their own. The Girl Scouts realized
the good fortune they have of good health and wanted to do more for the children who do not. They discovered
that due to weak immune systems most of these children would never get to participate in the fun activities that Scouting
provides. In an effort to share some of the fun, the girls have created various kinds of Art Kits
to give these patients. They vary from book making, doodling, model clay crafts, T-shirt design, and more.
Over 40 activities were created and donated.
Thank You As
part of their Give a Can, Give a Hand, Give Love Girl Scout Silver Award project, Keileh and Jamie collected over 1600 lbs
of food for the Open Cupboard Food Pantry. They want to thank everyone who contributed, as well as Shop Rite of Clinton
and Shop Rite of Chester for their support.
PTA Activities - September/October WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOLWe are very excited for the upcoming school year. Membership forms have been distributed to
all students. Be sure to visit our Web site, for all PTA updates.
Registration has begun for upcoming PTA After School Programs. SPIRIT WEAR
Tewksbury Spirit Wear is now available for purchase. You can view
all of the items for sale at the sneakersplus.com link on the PTA website. While you are on our Web site, be sure to take a look at the great After School Programs we have lined up for the
fall!
A happy and healthy summer to everyone!
For
details on any PTA activities, visit the PTA Web site
Tewksbury
PTA
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TES
is a Blue Ribbon School
Tewksbury Elementary School (TES) has been selected by the U.S. Department of Education as a National Blue Ribbon School. The National Blue Ribbon School
award honors public and private elementary, middle, and high schools where students achieve at high levels or where the achievement
gap is narrowing. The U.S. Department of Education announced today 304 schools as 2011 National Blue Ribbon Schools. There
were 255 public and 49 private schools selected. U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan stated, “The success of the
National Blue Ribbon Schools is an example for others to follow.”
Before selecting the National Blue Ribbon
Schools, the Department of Education asked for nominations from the top education officials in every state, the District of
Columbia, and Puerto Rico. A total of 413 schools were nominated and asked to submit a lengthy and comprehensive application
as well as assessment data supporting the past five years of student achievement. The applications were reviewed in a two
tier process to ensure the schools met all criteria for selection.
Jim Miller, principal of the elementary school
in Tewksbury Township for 27 years stated, “This is indeed a tremendous honor that is reflective of the support of our
entire school community and the dedication of the Tewksbury Elementary staff. The cooperative effort of everyone associated
with our school has been so important to our achieving this distinction.”
Tewksbury Elementary School, along
with the other selected Blue Ribbon schools, will be honored at a conference and awards ceremony on November 14th
and 15th in Washington, DC. Each school will be represented by the principal
and a teacher.
A list of the 2011 National Blue Ribbon Schools is available online.
News from the TEF CULTURAL
ARTS & SCIENCE
Tewksbury Elementary School (TES) students were treated to a special science
presentation by the internationally recognized guest lecturer Ted Lawrence on November 17th.
Lawrence—who has performed his science literacy programs at the White House and in schools throughout the US, Europe,
the Middle East, the Far East—conducted two assemblies at TES in his high energy, madcap scientist stage persona of
“Dr. Quinton Quark.”
“Dr. Quentin Quark Presents…Flight!,” which was funded by the
Tewksbury Education Foundation (TEF), engaged students with humor and hands-on demonstrations on the physics of flight.
“Kids learn better when they’re laughing,” said Lawrence, a veteran high school science teacher
and former circus performer who graduated from Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College in 1986.
Ted Lawrence as Dr. Quark demonstrating the principles of flight with a "dummy" Dr. Quark at one of two special
assemblies in the TES gymnasium.
POETRY WORKSHOP
On December
20th, poet BJ Ward conducted a one day poetry workshop at Old Turnpike School with the 8th grade, which was funded by the TEF.
“I thought he was wonderful,” said
OTS 8th Grade Language Arts Teacher Scott Steinman. “He has the ability to make
the connection between artistic expression and the way people are thinking or feeling, or even acting. He also gives
them a hands-on opportunity to practice writing poetry for themselves that makes everyone feel very successful.”
TEACHER MINI GRANTS
Archaeologist, author and educator John Kraft
visited TES on December 9th to present a program on Lenape Native Americans to the third
grade. The program, which featured a lecture, slide presentation, stories, and authentic tools, masks, clothing,
musical instruments and games that the students were encouraged to touch and examine, was funded through a TEF Teacher Mini-Grant
awarded to third grade teacher Jaime Levy.
Levy pursued bringing in the Lenape Lifeways Educational Program to
enhance third grade social studies curriculum. The third grade has studied Lenape Native Americans since the beginning
of the school year.
“Social studies concepts can be so foreign and abstract to children since they are learning
about the past,” said Levy. “The idea of bringing someone to TES that had authentic artifacts for the students
to touch and hold brought more meaning to the students. The children came to the assembly with a great amount of background
knowledge on how Native Americans used their resources to meet all of their basic needs. The slideshow, storytelling
by John, and all of the artifacts helped the students to make deeper connections to the learning that occurred in the classroom.”
UPCOMING
In January, the TEF will bring a number of programs
into our schools, including a publishing residency for the first grade with author Dar Hosta; a poetry residency for the sixth
grade with poet Lamont Dixon; and a seventh and eighth grade program on cyber bullying from the George Street Playhouse.
IT’S NOT TOO LATE...
...to contribute to the Tewksbury
Education Foundation’s Annual Giving Fund Campaign. Information about the TEF, TEF programs and the Annual Fund
Campaign can be found on the TEF website or on FACEBOOK.
GET INVOLVED
For more information
about the TEF or to find out about volunteer/support opportunities, please e-mail Bob Wittpenn, or visit the TEF website and on Facebook.
The TEF
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Events
at Whittemore SCOUTING PROGRAMS
Scouting programs are available at the Whittemore Wildlife
Sanctuary. Scouts can work on badge requirements, learn about nature, or enjoy a hike through the Sanctuary. Programs
are directed by Naturalist Jim Newquist. The cost is $25 per troop. For more information, phone 439-0022, ext. 724, or
439-1202.
The Whittemore Wildlife Sanctuary is conveniently
located at 7 Rockaway Rd., Oldwick. For directions or more information, phone 439-0022, ext. 724, or 439-1202.
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Pottersville Preschool Is Back “We
would love for you to come and see our newly refurbished classrooms. The school has a whole new look”, says, Nancy
Campbell, the Director of the Pottersville Preschool.
Pottersville Preschool takes a progressive approach to teaching based on traditional techniques and values. Each day consists
of a “Morning Welcome,” when children and faculty gather for songs and stories to greet the day; “Center
Time,” when the children work in groups on planned activities; “Snack & Lunch Times;” “Circle
Time,” when the children enjoy physical activities, such as music and dance; “Outdoor Play and Exploration,”
when the children connect with the outdoors on the playground and on closely-supervised exploration outings; “Story
Time;” and, “Discovery Time,” when the children choose from a variety of options. The school also provides
“Weekly Enrichment Specials” in areas such as Spanish, Music, Computers, and Science.
The Pottersville Preschool is a mission of the Pottersville Reformed Church,
and is governed by a board and the Director of the school. Pottersville Preschool is a faith-based preschool providing
children with an understanding that God loves and cares for them. Staff is encouraged to teach the practice of saying grace
before meals and snacks. They also share simple, age appropriate religious stories and songs relating to such holidays
as Hanukkah, Christmas, and Easter. All families are welcomed, regardless of religious affiliation or beliefs. To schedule
a private tour, contact the Director, Nancy Campbell, at 908-963-8432.
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