Clinton Township Newsletter

1 4 N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 8 www.ClintonTwpNewsletter.com C L I N T O N T O W N S H I P S C H O O L N E W S www.ctsdnj.org Dear Members of the Clinton Township School Community, It's hard to believe September is gone and we are into the first week of October (as of this writing). Our first month of school was a busy one. Students enjoyed time with family and friends at PTA sponsored events. CTMS sports are well underway with over 100 students participating in the program. Classrooms are bustling with learning! Students are smiling and laughing as they arrive at school each morning! Students are benefitting from the ongoing professional development the CTSD teachers are receiving in Problem-based Learning and Reader's & Writer's Workshop. On October 8, 2018, all CTSD teachers will participated in professional development as well as collaborated with their colleagues. Pre-K students enjoyed their week of apples culminating with the applesauce making activity this past week. The students shared their delicious treat, which I enjoyed immensely! CTSD Students really enjoyed the Book Fair during the month of October and the fall activities and celebrations at the end of the month. It seems with the cooler temperatures and the turning leaves, the celebrations will be here before we know it. Acting Superintendent of Schools Michele Cone, MA I N O U R S C H O O L S : A L e t t e r f r o m Michele Cone, Acting Superintendent of Schools Child Assault Prevention Program: Our district has once again received a grant from the New Jersey Child Assault Prevention Program to present workshops for our parents, children and teachers in kindergarten at Patrick McGaheran School. The CAP Project is a comprehensive primary prevention program. CAP utilizes a three-pronged approach to community prevention education: training of staff, parents and children. CAP strategies include self assertion, peer support, effective communication and reporting skills. CAP programs are presented with a view of assault as a violation of the basic human rights to be "Safe, Strong and Free." During the week of November 12, kindergarten students at Patrick McGaheran School will be participating in the Child Assault Prevention (CAP) Project. We hope that kindergarten parents will join us in learning about and supporting this fine prevention program on November 5, at 7:00 pm at PMG. More information will follow for Kindergarten families. Round Valley School Kidsville Communities in Grade 3: Third grade students at RVS have been learning about communities as part of the social studies curriculum. In October, students explored the features of urban, suburban and rural communities. Students then brainstormed a list of buildings and facilities that are found in each type of community. Each student created a shoebox size model of a building found in either an urban, suburban or rural community. All six classes displayed their buildings and students had the opportunity to walk around and view each other's work. This fun, culminating activity also helped to build community among our third grade students who thoroughly enjoyed being a part of "Kidsville." Spruce Run School The preschoolers at Spruce Run School got up close with the firetrucks from Clinton Township Fire Department during Fire Prevention Week. They learned about the equipment on each truck as local firefighters gave them a tour of the truck. They proudly put on their fire helmets and talked about community helpers in their neighborhood. The students at Spruce Run School remind you to make a safety plan at home and practice your plan with your family. Now that fall is here, students are exploring leaves, preparing for a fall celebration and starting to enjoy the crisp air! Patrick McGaheran School Welcome, Firefighters! October is Fire Prevention Month, and Patrick McGaheran School students had a special visit during the month of October as our students and staff welcomed firefighters from the Annandale Hose Company Number 1 for a Fire Safety presentation. Members of the Company taught students valuable lessons such as not to play with matches, how to be safe around hot things, how to get out and stay out when a smoke alarm goes off and how to stop, drop and roll. Firefighters emphasized that there should always be two exits out of every room and that every family should have a meeting place in the event of an emergency. As many young children may be frightened of firefighters dressed in full gear, the firefighters even assisted some of the Patrick McGaheran School teachers in getting dressed up in the firefighter gear to help alleviate fear and help students learn that there is a person under the uniform. Sparky, the fire-fighting dog, even made a guest appearance to help firefighters review safety tips with the children! The lights, sirens and horns on the truck are always a big hit! A special thank you to Firefighter Brian Riccitelli and our firefighting volunteers for spending this time with our PMG students.

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