Parent University presents: Champion of Choices- Marc Mero
Valley Road Elementary School
News and Announcements
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Valley Road School 2017 Winter Concert
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Resources in regards to recent shooting:
Dear Parents and Guardians,We are posting information and attachments below from Maureen Brogan, the coordinator of the Statewide Traumatic Loss Coalition of New Jersey. We hope you find this helpful in dealing with the recent traumatic events in Las Vegas.Sincerely,Joe Beltramba----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Message From Maureen Brogan:Many of you, myself included woke up to a beautiful crisp autumn like morning, a morning that just makes you feel good to be alive. You may have turned on the news to check to see if this weather would continue. It is at this point, you may have heard of the shooting last night where a gunman took the lives of 50 people and injured at least 200, apparently the most deadly shooting in US history. On Sunday, October 1st, a gunman opened fire on concert goers at the Route 91 Country Music Festival on the Las Vegas Strip according to CNN news.
Attached please find resources on how to talk to children and some resources for trusted adults. The Traumatic Loss Coalition websites also include information which may be helpful but keys things to remember are:
- Start to Conversation (ask your child what they have heard )
- Make sure you have accurate information
- Encourage children to ask questions from a trusted adult
- Limit media exposure
- Be a positive role model
http://ubhc.rutgers.edu/tlc/guidelines/index.html
Thank you for being the helpers in this world. Thank you for helping to support or young people in these challenging times.
Be well,
Maureen
Maureen A. Brogan, LPC, DRCC
Statewide Traumatic Loss Coalition Coordinator
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Valley Road Spring Concert Live Stream
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Bully Report State Self Assessment Results
Please open the attached to see the District's Bullying State Self Assessment Report Results
Valley Road Elementary School
School Calendar
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Take Your Child To Work Day
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D DAY
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E DAY
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Arbor Day
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Prevention Links Grade 4
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Candy Bingo tentative
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Send home grade 5 science letters
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K-Kids Meeting Room 5
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Spring Clothing Drive
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Science Teller Assembly
9-10 K-2
10:10 -11:10 3-5
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F DAY
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Fairness/Cooperation Month
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A DAY
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VRS Recorder Concert
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Bracken Screening
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Special Agent Timothy McMahon to present the “Hidden in Plain Sight”
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B DAY
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Bracken Screening
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BOE Meeting
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C DAY
Valley Road Elementary School
ANTI-BULLYING BILL OF RIGHTS (ABR)
ALJ Anti-Bullying Specialist:
Mrs. Sarah Badillo
Contact Information:
sbadillo@clarkschools.org
Valley Road School
150 Valley Road
Clark, New Jersey 07066
Valley Road- C, D, F days- 732-388-7900 x4
Hehnly School- A, B, E days- 732-381-8100 x4
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Contact information District Anti-Bullying Coordinator
Anthony EmmonsClark Public Schools365 Westfield AvenueClark, NJ 07066
3. Self-Assessment Grades from the 15-16 school year, link below (these will be updated in January with the results from the 16-17 school year).
https://echalk-slate-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/private/ districts/324/site/fileLinks/ 4700fcaf-3e18-4393-9332- 11e59d85517d?AWSAccessKeyId= AKIAJSZKIBPXGFLSZTYQ&Expires= 1819473620&response-cache- control=private%2C%20max-age% 3D31536000&response-content- disposition=%3Bfilename%3D% 22FY17_ABR_SELF_ASSESSMENT_ 0850.pdf%22&response-content- type=application%2Fpdf& Signature= R7wH4LsVcTW2hOV6aexYY4VGUns%3D
Parent/Student Handbook
VRS School Calendar
Summer Reading Lists (K - 5)
Click on this LINK or the image above to access lists
School Self-Assessment for Determining Grades under the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights - District and School Grade Report
Honorable Mention in the 2018 New Jersey Association for Gifted Children Student Art Contest
Congratulations to Emily Miekina for receiving an Honorable Mention in the 2018 New Jersey Association for Gifted Children Student Art Contest. Emily was honored at the REACH (Regional Enrichment Activities for Children with High Abilities) at Indian Hill School in Holmdel on March 3, 2018.
Visit From Author, Marcie Aboff
Helping Hands
Students in Ms. Czarnecki's computer class used their winning Dojo points to assist younger classes. These students wanted to lend a helping hand. They gave their time without the expectation of anything in return. One by one these young ladies demonstrated one of the greatest gifts that can be bestowed upon another...KINDNESS.
Magformers - engineering
Students learn about engineering and math by using Magformers in Mrs. Scarola's STEAM classes. The Magformers were purchased through a grant from the Clark Education Fund.
Bullying Perceptions
Designing Roller Coasters
Fourth-grade students at VRS learn engineering skills by designing roller coasters in STEAM class.
First Graders Celebrate the 100th Day with STEM Inspired Centers
Not only did the students in Mrs. Sakowski’s first grade class dress up like they were 100 years old, they also participated in STEM inspired centers to commemorate this milestone. Some activities included were building something with 100 cups, creating objects with 100 popsicle sticks and playdoh, and using pattern blocks to form the number 100.
Sending Valentine Cheer
Students from Mrs. Pinto’s class and Mrs. Koepfler’s class teamed up to spread Valentine’s cheer to those in need this year. The students created Valentine’s Day cards by hand that contained messages of hope and love for the children who are currently staying at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The students learned about the hospital and how they could help the children who need to live at the facility for some time. The classes discussed how it would feel to miss spending Valentine’s Day with the class and decided that they could try to make the hospitalized children feel like part of our school community. The students said that it felt good to surprise someone with a card that they may not be expecting.
STEAM - Solar Ovens
Students in Mrs. Scarola's STEAM class are using their engineering skills to construct solar ovens out of pizza boxes. The students will build the ovens by lining a pizza box with black paper on the bottom and aluminum foil on the sides. A thermometer will be placed inside and along with a piece of broken crayon. Then the box will be covered with clear plastic. The students can monitor the heat build up by looking at the thermometer. They can also observe the effects of the heat build up on the crayon. In these photographs, you will see the students starting to build the oven by setting up the pizza boxes.
If I Were President...
Colonial Fair
Valley Road's Intergenerational Visit
Valley Road School Honors Veterans in Clark
Newark African Refugee Ministries Trip
Members of the Valley Road School K-Kids Club and Student Council blended community service, global studies, social skills development and fun when they met with child refugees from Liberia, West Africa.
A holiday celebration is held each December at the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Newark for members of the African Immigrant Ministry.
The former pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Clark, Rev. Andrew J. Dzurovcik, initiated this program many years ago to assist families who had escaped a civil war in their homeland for opportunities in America. The new pastor, Pastor Grewes, has continued this work.
The children and other attendees gathered at the church center for a morning of reflection on the season, crafts, pizza, and gift giving. Valley Road School students and parents assisted with craft-making, helped to serve the food for a shared meal, and learned what children have in common - the ability to enjoy one another and to have fun regardless of differences in personal backgrounds.
Valley Road School has participated in this experience through the PTA for many years. The PTA and school collected money, and teachers purchased gifts for the children of the African Ministry.
For five of the last six years, Valley Road Student Council members have personally assisted with this event. The last few times the K-Kids, the school's community service group, also attended the trip. The students helped to wrap and distribute the donated gifts from the teachers, PTA, and parents.
Andy Warhol Inspires Third Graders at VRS
At Valley Road School in Clark, Ms. Krick’s third graders focus on a famous Spotlight Artist each month as part of an interdisciplinary unit. The artist’s work and facts about the artist are incorporated across the curriculum in subject areas such as grammar, math, and language arts. For example, Picasso’s cubist work helped students understand 3 dimensional shapes in math, and Norman Rockwell’s “Rosie the Riveter” and paintings of soldiers were a perfect fit for Veteran’s Day in November.
Recently the class learned about Andy Warhol and his contributions to Pop Art. As a culminating activity, they enlisted the help of the other third grade classes to create an Andy Warhol display in the foyer at Valley Road School.
Inspired by Warhol’s “Campbell’s Soup Cans,” each third grader created a version of a Campbell’s soup label, with varieties ranging from “Gingerbread Soup” to “Watermelon Soup.” The labels are assembled in a mural entitled “VRS is a Souper School.” An array of real cans of Campbell’s soup, donated by third grade families, completes the display. The soup will be donated to a local food bank, and donations are still being accepted.
Third grader Danny Gandarez recently asked Ms. Krick, “Are we doing grammar today?” When Ms. Krick asked why, he replied, “Because I really like looking at the paintings.”
In addition to Picasso and Rockwell, students have learned about Keith Haring, Rene Magritte, and Frida Kahlo. Future artists will include Henri Matisse, Georgia O’Keefe, and Edward Hopper.
Holiday Surprise
Students Inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.
Winter Concert
Hour of Code
Honoring Mr. Nelson
Valley Road School honored Mr. Nelson Tavares for his heroic actions saving a student from choking through using the Heimlich Maneuver. Mr. Tavares, a beloved custodian in the school, was recognized during an assembly where students, teachers, staff, and administrators gave Mr. Tavares their heartfelt praise. Students from several classes presented Mr. Tavares with thank you cards calling him their “hero”. Another student gave him a heart-shaped balloon form his class. The teacher committee, composed of Tony Calandra, Nicole Czarnecki, and Michelle Matesic also presented Mr. Tavares with a certificate of appreciation, a heartfelt card from the staff, and a gift. Valley Road School Principal Joe Beltramba stated, “Mr. Tavares’ quick-thinking and action saved the life of one of our students. We are grateful to have him as part of the Valley Road family.” There were several other highlights of the assembly. One was the 5-minute standing ovation from all that Mr. Tavares received when entering the assembly room. The other was when Julian Ramos, the child who was choking that day, brought up the card from his homeroom. Julian was all smiles as he personally thanked Nelson (Tavares). Afterwards Julian’s mom also personally thanked Mr. Tavares and gave him a gift from the family. As the assembly ended each student and staff member took a turn to personally thank Nelson as they left the assembly room.
Ms. Grigoli's Kindergarten class learned about the significance of Veteran's Day
Pictured: James Sedelmaier, Anthony Castro, Joseph Blizniak, Addison Castro, Nora Zerella, Connor Gordon, Lila Stebbins, Emma Perry, and Fiona Genova.
Students in Ms. Grigoli's Kindergarten class at Valley Road School learned about the significance of Veteran's Day and why we celebrate the heroes that have served in the United States armed forces. Students also learned about the five branches of the military and what it means for families with active members. To correlate with a previous lesson on shapes, the students created shape soldiers to say thank you to those that have dedicated their time and lives fighting for our freedoms.
Homes for Homes
A K – Kids Habitat for Humanity Project
The Valley Road Students participated in a fund- raiser that will aid in the repair of many communities that were affected by the devastation of hurricanes that forced thousands of families out of their damaged homes in many communities world – wide.
The children each painted a bird -house with their classmates. Their bird- house each child painted will help raise money that will be given to help others to contribute to rebuilding a home in various communities. The children enjoyed a lesson on giving and helping others in their time of need while enjoying an evening out with their friends. VRS K- Kids raised $610.00 that will be donated to Habitat for Humanity.
Kindergarten Applefest
Valley Road School Kindergarten students hosted Applefest, a holiday community service tradition that has been celebrated for many years at the school.
This event encourages the entire school to get involved in the spirit of giving. The Kindergarten classes each bought in an apple – themed item and traded them to older students in grades 1-5 to exchange for cans or boxes of food. All of the food collected from the children was donated to our local town food bank where many families were able to enjoy a full Thanksgiving dinner. This tradition brings joy to all of the children involved while creating a nice family project where parents and families are involved together. The students donated over 200 food items to deserving families!
Trick or Treat for Troops
The K- Kids of Valley Road School worked hard this Halloween to collect sweet treats for our deployed troops for Operation Jersey Cares. We collected over 200 pounds of candy that the troops will enjoy! The children enjoyed donating their extra candy for such a great cause.
Great Job VRS K – Kids!
Virtual Tours of the White House
Fire Safety
Thankful for...
Fall Fest
Main Idea Turkeys
As the Thanksgiving holiday approached students at Valley Road School in Mrs. Petela’s second grade and Ms. Kane’s fourth grade classes worked together to create main idea turkeys! The Reading Wonders program threads lessons through grade levels, so both the second and fourth grade classes were working on finding the main idea. Both teachers read the story of the Ugly Pumpkin written by Dave Horowitz. After the story, the second and fourth graders worked with their buddies to find the main idea and key details of the story!
Class Pet
Students from Mrs. Koepfler's class are learning about hermit crabs. Mrs. Koepfler received a grant from Petco's Pets in the Classroom which provided the hermit crab habitat and the hermit crabs. Having a pet in the classroom is an enriching experience for students. It teachers students while observing and caring for the hermit crabs a sense of responsibility and respect for life. It also brings a increased sensitivity and awareness of the feelings and needs of others. The students have named their hermit crabs and are sharing the responsibility of taking care of them each day. Thank you Petco for your generosity.
Flashlight Friday
Students in Mrs. Sakowski’s First Graders welcome “Flashlight Friday” to their class this year. One of my goals this year is to get students excited about reading. I feel this is such a huge part of making students feel confident and successful with reading. To help do this, I incorporated “Flashlight Friday” to our week. Every Friday, the students get 20 minutes of reading in the dark with their flashlight. The rules were clearly outlined and discussed before starting. Every Thursday before we dismiss, the students always remember and say, “Tomorrow is Flashlight Friday!” I already see a change with the students’ attitudes towards reading and I feel Flashlight Friday has played a huge role in that.
