Happy New Year! I trust that the holiday season was peaceful and relaxing for you and your family. As we turn the page on this New Year, we look forward to these next few months with great anticipation. Having successfully completed the first trimester, our students are now ready to make even greater strides. The pace at each grade level has intensified, and the students are stepping up to meet new challenges. Please read on to learn more about school happenings and important, upcoming events.
Mitten Tree
Thanks to all of our Washington School families who contributed to our Mitten (and Gloves and Hats and Socks!) Tree. The multitude of items collected are being donated to a local charity.
PTA Meeting
Our next PTA meeting (rescheduled from January 9) will be held on Tuesday, January 17 at 7:00 p.m.
Color Days – Character Education
During the month of January, we focus on the Pillar of Fairness. Our students will be practicing actions such as playing by the rules, taking turns and sharing, being open-minded to the ideas of others, etc. Our Color Day will be Wednesday, January 11. Students and staff are encouraged to wear Orange to commemorate the Pillar of Fairness.
During the month of February, the focus within our Character Education program is on the Pillar of Respect. Our Color Day will be on Wednesday, February 8. Students and staff are encouraged to wear Yellow which is the color of this important Pillar. Throughout the school year, we focus on five main areas of respect with our students: Others, Yourself, School, Diversity, and Environment.
Our Physical Education teacher, Mr. Bligh, will be reading an applicable book to our students during each of these Color Days. He and the Character Education committee have planned activities for our students to work on both in school and at home. The students can earn “swag tags” for their backpacks by completing these activities.
School Closures
Reminder that the Rutherford Public Schools and/or Washington School will be closed on the following days:
Monday, January 16 – Martin Luther King Day
Thursday, January 26 – One Session Day for (evening) Parent-Teacher Conferences
Friday, January 27 – School Closed Full Day for Parent-Teacher Conferences
Friday, February 17 and Monday, February 20 – President’s Day Weekend
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Many of you scheduled your Parent-Teacher Conference at Back to School Night. If you still need to schedule an appointment, please contact your child’s teacher(s). Our goal is 100% family participation.
Valentine’s Day
Our students and staff are encouraged to wear Pink and/or Red on Tuesday, February 14 in celebration of Valentine’s Day. Students are permitted to bring small Valentine’s greeting cards for their classmates. Should they choose to do so, they must have one for each child in their classroom. Please refrain from sending any other items or gifts to school, including candy. These types of items will not be distributed and will be returned to home.
Read Across America/Scholastic Book Fair/School Spirit Week
The week of February 27 through March 3 will be quite a busy one at Washington School! While
Read Across America Day is on Thursday, March 2, we actually celebrate the event over the course of the week. Part of that celebration is our second PTA-sponsored Scholastic Book Fair. Another part is a full schedule of spirited themed days. More details will follow on all of these events in February.