Nishuane News

Nishuane School Fireball Dragon Logo

Nishuane School News
April 19, 2024


We hope that you enjoyed a relaxing and joyful spring recess! We had
a busy first week back from the vacation and are very excited to continue our spring as we enter the latter portion of the school year.

As promised, Mr. Eder got a Fireball tattoo! Check out the picture below Thank you once again to all who participated in and donated to this year’s American Heart Challenge! 
 Mr. Eder's Fireball Tattoo

As we continue our celebration of Neurodiversity & Autism Acceptance Month, we had a second author visit! This week had the honor to be joined by New York Times bestselling author, storyteller, and advocate Tiffany Hammond. Tiffany shared her story, A Day with No Words. This story told Tiffany’s personal experiences with Autism and parenting two teen boys with the same diagnosis to guide others on their journey. You may learn more about Tiffany and acquire copies of her publications for your own library here. We extend another heartfelt thank you to Alliah Agostini Livingstone and Laura Schrager of our SATp for making this month’s wonderful literacy experiences for our learners possible!

This week, we also focused on learning about Arab American culture by taking a virtual visit to the Arab American Heritage Museum in Dearborn, Michigan. Learners took a sneak peek inside the museum and learned that it is the only museum of its kind in America. They also had a chance to listen to an ensemble of traditional Arabic instruments: the riqq, the nay, the oud, and the tabla in an interactive exhibit. Additionally, students learned the importance of kitchens, coffee, tea, and markets to Arab culture. Please see the handout in your child’s backpack for more resources and a chance to create a colorful geometric art design for our Arab American heritage display for all to see!

Please join us this evening, Friday, April 19th from 6 pm-8 pm for the annual Nishuane Art Show. This event will showcase the creative and beautiful work from our inhouse artists! A big thank you to Ms. Daniels for transforming the first floor into an art gallery for our community to enjoy! We are also very excited for the PTA Fireball Fundraiser event that will take place tomorrow, Saturday, April 20th from 7 pm-10 pm at The Brookside Banquets. We would like to extend our gratitude to everyone for their generous contributions that made this event possible. Thank you!

We also invite the Nishuane community to participate in our next SATp General Meeting which will be facilitated on Thursday, April 25th at 7 PM. This meeting will be held in a hybrid format (In-Person: Nishuane Library/Virtual: Zoom). Please see below for additional details.

Passover begins at sundown on April 22nd and ends at sundown on April 30th. We wish all families celebrating a very happy Passover!


Important Nishuane School Arrival & Dismissal Safety Reminders!
● Please remain mindful to maintain the flow of traffic, particularly when traveling down Cedar Avenue and/or when making a left onto High Street after dropping off your child(ren) on the car line.
● Please remain mindful of pedestrians and the crosswalk at all times.
● It is strongly recommended not to park on both sides of Cedar Avenue. You are strongly encouraged not to park across from the car line on Cedar Avenue. Parking on the opposite side poses a safety hazard and disrupts the flow of the car line.
● Families are encouraged to use the carline during drop off as a safe option.
● Always stop when you see a bus stop sign.
● If crossing Cedar Avenue, please always use the crosswalk. As a reminder, the crosswalk must be used to ensure that you are legally crossing the street. Not using the crosswalk poses a major safety hazard.
● K turns cannot be made on Cedar Avenue when the car line is underway.
● Only allow your chil(dren) to exit your vehicle on the right passenger side of your vehicle directly onto the sidewalk in front of Nishuane.  Similarly, only allow your child(ren) to exit your vehicle directly onto the sidewalk when dropping off on High Street for the YMCA before and after care program. When buses are not present, it is strongly encouraged to drop off on the side of the street closest to the school building.
● Do not block driveways.
● Please do not park in the staff parking lots as spaces are needed for staff to park. Please also do not block the entrance to the staff parking lot on High Street.
● Carefully monitor your vehicle speed at all times.
● Cones are set up each morning along the curb of Cedar Avenue across from Nishuane. These cones help to prevent parking/stopping in critical areas and maintain the flow of traffic.

*The Montclair Police Department enforces all traffic laws pertaining to buses and traffic. The Montclair Police Department will support with monitoring the car line, as well as to ensure that everyone is legally parking and crossing Cedar Avenue.

Lost and Found Spring Cleaning
Our Lost & Found is becoming quite full and is in much need of a good spring cleaning! Beginning in late-April we will donate all unclaimed items. We encourage students and families to visit the Lost & Found prior to this time. The Lost & Found containers are set up between the custodian’s office and the art room in the basement. Items that children have misplaced are placed in the containers/on the table. Your children are welcome to check the containers/table for lost items after school until 4:30 pm.

Aesthetics Requests
Hello Kindergarten and First Grade Families,
It is almost time to pick Aesthetics Courses for your child(ren) for the 2024-2025 school year!

We will open up Genesis for the Aesthetics requests from Wednesday, April 24th through Friday, May 17th. Scheduling of these classes will take place over the summer.

We will be holding a Parent/Caregiver Information Session about the Aesthetics requests process via Zoom on Wednesday, April 17th at 6:30 pm to go over how the process will work this year.

*Course information is on our website at: https://nishuane.montclair.k12.nj.us/academics/c_i_aesthetics

*Registration Information and an FAQ are posted on our website at:
https://nishuane.montclair.k12.nj.us/academics/c_i_aesthetics/c_i___aesthetics_registration_2022-2023

Summer Enrichment Camps
Summer Enrichment Camps registration is now open! There are a variety of affordable programs being offered to the community. One of these camps is the Nishuane Summer Spectacular run by our very own Mr. Eder! Please click here to learn more regarding the district’s summer enrichment camps! Please reach out to Valerie Hampton ([email protected]) via email should you need any assistance with the registration process.

Montclair Disability Pride Parade
The fourth annual Montclair Disability Pride Parade will take place on Saturday, May 18th from 1 pm-4 pm (Raindate: Sunday, May 19th from 1 pm-4 pm). The event will begin at Heningburg Field. Please click here for additional details
 
Pennies for Pages & Literacy Night
“Pennies for Pages,” Nishuane School’s literacy outreach project in which students will read and raise funds for the Montclair Public Library, is underway! Pennies for Pages began on Monday, March 4th and will end on Friday, May 17th.  Please click here for the family letter that was sent to families.

Nishuane Visitor Form & Protocols
Please click here to review Nishuane’s visitor protocols. Visitors must complete the visitor form prior to a visit.
○ Please remember that visitors must report only to the location of the building that was indicated on the visitor form. Visitors may not visit other locations in the building. Thank you for your support with this important safety measure!
○ Please wear a visitor’s badge for the duration of your visit. The visitor’s badge must be visible at all times.
○ Please do not prop doors open under any circumstance.
○ Please do not hold open the door for anyone behind you when entering or exiting the building.

 
Nishuane Instagram
Nishuane is on Instagram! Follow us @nishschool for a peek into the learning and fun we have in our community. Our account is private for everyone's safety. When requesting to follow us, please send a message with your child's name and we will accept you.

Spirit Wear Fridays
Every Friday at Nishuane is School Spirit Day! On Fridays students may participate by wearing blue and white, as well as Nishuane spirit wear. Spirit wear is available for purchase through our PTA.

Nurse’s Notes
Please see the below reminders from Nurse Anne Ndungu
(Phone: 973-509-4236 or E-mail: [email protected]):
Friendly Reminders from the Health Office:

*****Please click here for a spring update from Nurse Anne Ndungu!*****

Important Dates: Mark Your Calendars! 

Pennies for Pages: March 4, 2024-May 17, 2024
Arab American Heritage Month: April 1, 2024-April 30, 2024
Autism & Neurodiversity Acceptance Month: April 1, 2024-April 30, 2024
Art Show: April 19, 2024 6 pm-8 pm (Nishuane)
PTA Fireball Fundraiser: April 20, 2024 (Additional details to follow)
Earth Day: April 22, 2024
Passover: April 22, 2024-April 30, 2024
Aesthetics Requests Open: April 24, 2024
Ready Set Grow Before School Program Begins for Students: April 23, 2024 at 8 am-9 am (Nishuane)
Administrative Professionals Appreciation Day: April 24, 2024
SATp General Meeting: April 25, 2024 at 7:00 pm (Hybrid: Library & Zoom)
PTA Spring Explorers Begins: April 29, 2024
Second Grade Field Trip to Turtle Back Zoo: April 30, 2024

School Action Team for Partnerships (SATp) News & Upcoming Events
https://nishuane.montclair.k12.nj.us/administration/school_action_team  
SATp General Meeting: Our next SATp General Meeting will be facilitated on Thursday, April 25, 2024 at 7 pm. This meeting will be facilitated in a hybrid format (In Person: Nishuane Library/Virtual: Zoom). An agenda for this meeting is forthcoming. We hope that you join us!
Topic: SATp General Meeting
Join Zoom Meeting: https://mpsdnj.zoom.us/j/8137333502
Meeting ID: 813 733 3502 Passcode: 9SJt7M


● Questions? Ideas? You may contact the SATp at the following email address: [email protected]

PTA News & Upcoming Events
www.nishuanepta.org 
PTA Calendar: https://montclairpta.org/nishuane/calendar/

Join the Nishuane PTA Facebook group!
Join the Nishuane PTA WhatsApp group!

THE PTA NEEDS YOU!
Pancake Breakfast
Explorers
Fireball
Family Dance

These are only some of the enriching activities that the families and students at Nishuane are at risk of losing if we cannot fill key roles in the PTA for 2024/2025.

We are recruiting for: PTA President, Corresponding Secretary, Events VP.
This is your opportunity to help shape next year’s PTA AND work closely with the school to the benefit of your child(ren) and their experience at the school.

Please submit your name and/or another dynamic parent as a candidate to join the Nishuane PTA board for the 2024/25 school year.

Here's the process:
1. Review the descriptions for the open roles in the form below.
2. Submit your interest here.
3. You will be contacted by a Nominating Committee member to discuss your submission.
4. The Nominating Committee will present a slate of candidates to the Board in May.
5. PTA Members will vote on the leadership slate at the June PTA meeting.

Please email the PTA Nominations Committee with any questions [email protected]

🔥Fireball Fundraiser is Saturday, April 20th (7p-10p)🔥
THE BROOKSIDE BANQUETS (41 Broughton Ave, Bloomfield, NJ 07003)
Fireball FAQs https://bit.ly/3TwkuSW

Fireball Silent Auction:
Use the FIREBALL silent auction website to view the amazing items we will have up for auction. EVERYONE can participate in the silent auction - you do not need to be in-person at the Fireball fundraiser to participate.

MAYFAIR 2024: ANNOUNCING NISHUANE’S INAUGURAL PIE EATING CONTEST!
Nishuane’s 2024 Mayfair is Saturday, May 11, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine!

This year Mayfair will be putting teachers, staff and caregivers against each other in our Inaugural Pie-Eating Contest! Click here to sign up to compete!
**Pie Eating Contest sponsored by Pure Love Pies of East Orange
**Pie flavor not-yet decided…stay tuned
**Contest held during Mayfair…most likely around 1pm

Mayfair offers a range of activities for kids including arts and crafts, bouncy houses and slides, rides, performances, carnival games, community booths, food concessions and a silent auction. Click here to buy your tickets now. Click here if you'd like to help out during the event.


SPRING EXPLORERS
registration is open until MIDNIGHT tonight (April 19th). Classes start the week of April 29th. Class schedule and descriptions are available: https://bit.ly/3VQ8dKH

Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week is May 6th-May 10th
Volunteers needed to help with the Thank You lunch for the teachers and staff on Friday, May 10th.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0A49AFAB2CA0FB6-49130872-teacher

SPIRITWEAR ONLINE!
The PTA is happy to announce that you can now purchase Nish SpiritWear online https://nishuanespiritwear.square.site/. Please email questions to Ayana Stewart at [email protected]

Please join the PTA. Visit the Nishuane MemberHub store to activate/reactivate your PTA membership. Our mission is to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children

2023-2024 PTA Meeting Schedule


● Thursday, May 2 at 7:30pm
● Friday, June 7 at 9:30am

District-Wide Updates 

Montclair Public Schools
https://www.montclair.k12.nj.us/
Pre-Kindergarten: Information pertaining to the district’s Mini-Mounties Pre-Kindergarten program may be found at this link. This helpful webpage contains helpful resources pertaining to the Pre-K program in the MPS.
Montclair Public Schools Adult Spring English as a Second Language Classes: Please click here for information about the Montclair Public Schools ESL Classes for adults that will be offered this spring.

MFEE
https://mfee.org/
Register for MFEE’s Amazing FundRACER 5.0: The Quintessential Race
The Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence has school leaders, longtime supporters and first-time racers registered to compete in this year's Amazing FundRACER a mini-version of the competition show Amazing Race. We want YOU to join them for this spectacular town-wide event! Grab a teammate, ask your friends, family and neighbors for support, and get ready to compete like all 6,000 Montclair Public Schools students are depending on you. (Hint: They are!) This event raises crucial funds that we send back into our schools through innovation grants, equity initiatives, teacher support, and more. We promise it'll test your wit, grit and sense of humor. It'll also bolster pride in your community and fuel excellence in public education. Visit MFEE.org to race, support a team, volunteer or sponsor this event.

● SEPAC
https://montclairpta.org/sepac/
SEPAC Liaisons: Lynn Mendelsohn & Marisa Lazatin are the SEPAC Parent Liaisons for Nishuane. Please reach out to them directly by either emailing Lynn at [email protected] using this Google Form for any questions or concerns you have about Special Education at Nishuane.
Some celebratory dates to put on your calendar include:
Teacher Appreciation Week - May 6 -10
Disability Pride Month - July

Digital Backpack: Please click here to view community and organization events in town.
Housekeeping: Please check the district website for district policies and school procedures (In our Family Handbook on our website).

Our Vision: Nishuane School is a diverse school that develops creative, curious, and confident learners through academic exploration, healthy relationships, and exposure to the arts.



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