RESPONSIBILITY
As we move into the month of April, we continue our “Character Counts” program with the focus on “Responsibility.” Numerous school-wide and classroom activities will take place this month which focus on issues pertaining to “Responsibility.” This will also include activities related to PBSIS – Positive Behavior Support in Schools.
MARCH RECAP
Right from the beginning of this month, we hit the ground running. “Read Across America” Day was a bit hit here at our school. Mayor Ricigliano, Directors Dr. Quinn, John Russell and John Fenimore, Supervisors Mary Mavroudas and Lois Hagie, Linda Gelfand, Board of Education members William Van Pelt and Debbie Anes, Deputy Police Chief Mel Vaticano, Officer Drude, Past Principal Art Weinfeld, former JMI teacher Irene Gozora, and members of the Rutgers Women’s Track Team, were some of our honored guests who came to read. Our students were extremely grateful and appreciative of all the readers who spent time with us. Mrs. Hong, our Reading Specialist, did a great job coordinating the event.
On March 3, our fourth grade went on their field trip to Liberty Science Center. Students, volunteer parent chaperones, and teachers had a great time on their day of learning, away from JMI. Special thanks to our PTO for funding the event and Ms. Amrein for coordinating the event.
On March 8, we had our Black History Month Assembly for grades 4 and 5. Ms. Baucum and Ms. McCarthy and our JMI Choir, along with guest speaker Francesa Larson from the NAACP, provided an informative and moving assembly.
On March 9, both FDR and JMI were honored with a performance by the Middlesex Police and Fire Piper Band. The bagpipes made for a special occasion here at the school in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. Thank you, Mrs. Lazarowitz, for coordinating the event.
As many of our readers know, on March 12, we held our annual JMP/JMI Bingo Night. Special thanks to Mr. Brown and Mrs. Sattan for coordinating such a successful and fun event. I was honored with the opportunity to be a guest caller. I would also like to thank all of our staff from JMP & JMI who helped support the cause.
On March 13, JMI competed in its first-ever Odyssey of the Mind competition. We braved the monsoon and left JMI at 7:00 AM that morning. Advisors Ms. Feldman, Ms. Healey, Judges Ms. Maiorelli, Ms. Hacker, Ms. Czeto and Ms. Feeley and prop wagon driver, Mrs. Dulina did a great job with assisting our team in its first endeavor. Congratulations to the JMI Odyssey of the Mind team for a competition well done!
On March 18 our fifth grade journeyed to the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. Thank you to Mrs. Coscarelli and Mrs. Nichols, who coordinated the event. Thank you to our parent chaperones and PTO for funding the event.
Art Night was held on March 24 at JMI. I was so impressed with the artwork from our students. Mrs. Romeo did an amazing job coordinating the event. I also enjoyed having the opportunity to speak with many of our parents. Over 250 people were in attendance throughout the evening. Ms. Welp provided music with our JMI Orchestra in the lobby as guests circulated the hallways and Multi-Purpose Room either looking at student work or creating their own new masterpieces. I would like to thank all of our staff who helped to support the event.
At the same time, in the FDR building, our Edison staff Ms. Crino, Ms. Falisis and Mrs. Booth presented to pre-school parents about desired behaviors. Supervisor Linda Gelfand, Child Study Team member Ellen Baxter, and our Nurse, Mrs. Calloway were also in attendance. I would also like to thank Ms. Arana, Ms. Kitchell, Ms. Rooney, Ms. McQuillan, Mrs. Cox and Mrs. Patel for providing childcare so our FDR parents could attend. The feedback from our parents was extremely positive and they found the presentation to be very helpful.
The evening of March 25 was the début of the JMI players at JAMS for their performance of their two plays, “The Fisherman and the Magic Fish,” and “Anansi.” Congratulations to Ms. Neri, Ms. Uchitel and our young actors for a job well done!
