Mendham Borough Schools Mendham, NJ WEEKLY BULLETIN

September 30, 2011

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page 1 ……………………………… Message from the Superintendent

Page 2 ……………………………… News from Hilltop School

Page 5 ……………………………… News from Mountain View School

Page 8 ……………………………… Home School Association Happenings

Page 11 ……………………………… Mendham Borough Library Happenings

Page 11 ……………………………… Community Happenings

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FROM DR. JANIE EDMONDS, SUPERINTENDENT… Greetings on the last day of September. Three weeks of school have flown by. They say time

flies when you’re having fun, and we are!

Are you as excited as we are about the Harvest Hustle and the

"Mountain View Family Fun Day" tomorrow?

Will our highly fit and motivated principals move faster than their highly fit and motivated

students in the Hustle? What color will Mr. Bigsby’s hair be next Friday? Will Mr. Heller

know the names of all of the Hilltop students who hustle? (He’s up to an amazing 75% of all

Hilltop names in only sixteen days!)

After the Hustle adventure, hurry over to Family Fun Day. It’s just a short walk, and the

plans are exceptional. This event starts at Mountain View at 11:00 a.m. What will your

favorite activity be? What will you win? You can help while having fun, such a great

combination. This is a once a year, special event, so we hope you are able to enjoy it.

Please go to www.mendhamboro.org to get the PowerPoint (PPt) report about the 2011 New

Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJASK) results. The first section describes

Mendham Borough schools in relation to other school districts in the state and nation, and the

second part tells you how the NJASK results are aligned with Board of Education goals for

2010-2011 and 2011-2012. You can also find the ever-lengthening chart with this year’s

grade-by-grade results alongside the averages of J-district results.

(J-districts are the 24 highest socio-economic=status (SES) districts in NJ, and, as illustrated

in slides 7-9, they are also among NJ’s top achieving towns.)

Best wishes and regards,

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The Principal’s Page – Mr. David Heller

Last Chance to Hustle with Mr. Heller

Tomorrow’s the big day! There is still time to register for the Kids Fun Run (only 1 mile) at

8 a.m. and the 5K run at 9 a.m. The HSA has put out an incentive for students – the class

with the most runners gets an ice cream party!

Be sure to come to the 8th Grade Fair following the hustle at 1 p.m. at Mountain View. This

is a major event for our 8th graders to fundraise for their annual trip to Washington, D.C in

the spring.

The Week of Respect

Character education is taught everyday at Hilltop School. All next week, our teachers will be

focusing their morning meetings on RESPECT. The “Week of Respect” is being

acknowledged by all schools in the state to highlight anti-bullying awareness.

Each morning, teachers and students will discuss respecting themselves, others, and their

classmates among others. Be sure to follow up with your children about how they can show

respect at home.

Walk to School Day, Wednesday, October 5th

Leave the car in the driveway, lace up your shoes, and do your part to support National Walk

to School Day. Walk to School Day is an opportunity to be healthier, improve our air and be

social with neighbors. Please join the Hilltop HELP Club in participating next Wednesday

by walking to school.

Animal School

I showed a video on Back to School Night entitled, "Animal School." It paints a picture of

the many different learners we work with everyday. Mendham Borough teachers strive to

meet the needs of all learners. We value differentiated instruction, and look for ways to show

all students that they can succeed. If you would like to see the video again, here is the link. http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/wp-content/themes/179/aschool122008.html

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From the Hilltop Library Media Center….

This year, on October 6th, students at Hilltop school will be participating in READ FOR THE RECORD.

On this single day, thousands of children will read or hear *Llama, Llama Red Pajama* to set a record.

Children across the country will login, with teachers or family members, to read the same online book,

for free! Penguin is making this book and 145 others favorite picture books available online, every

day, at no charge! Go to www.wegivebooks.org to view the digital books. We Give Books aims to

donate 50,000 copies of *Llama, Llama Red Pajama* to children in more than 200 school districts as a

part of the Read for Our Schools campaign! Hilltop students will be helping to set a new world record

for the most people reading the same book on the same day. Last year's record was more than 2

million people! Here is what you can do in order to participate from home:

• Go to www.wegivebooks.org and create an account

• Choose a campaign, and for every online book your read, We Give Books will donate a book, on your

behalf, to the campaign you selected. This is an ongoing opportunity to support literacy in your

home, while making a difference for students and school districts in need.

• READ FOR THE RECORD: Read *Llama, Llama Red Pajama* anytime on October 6th to help set new

records for the largest online shared reading experience.

• Also, on October 6th , NBCs TODAY Show will be documenting the Read for the Record event.

Thank you, for supporting literacy at home, in Mendham Borough, and beyond!

Questions?? Email: lemay@mendhamboroschools.org

NEWS from H.E.L.P. (Hilltop Environmental Leadership Partners)

A special message from our 3rd and 4th Grade H.E.L.P. members:

Hilltop's H.E.L.P. club supports Walk to School Day! Wednesday, October 5th is National Walk to School Day, and Hilltop School is participating. Walk to School Day is an opportunity to be healthier. Increased physical activity can combat a host of health problems facing kids today. Reducing cars on the road will improve our air by reducing air pollution. Parents who walk to school with their kids get to be sociable. Nearly nine out of ten parents who walk their children to school see it as an ideal way to meet new people. Please join the HELP Club...Participate next Wednesday by walking to school!!!

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From the Hilltop Music Room: The music room has been in full swing in September!

4th Graders have begun Recorder Karate and earned their white belts by playing Gently Sleep. They've been learning how to ring hand chimes. They have reviewed rhythmic and melodic patterns from last year and have played pitched percussion instruments. We are developing the ability to play songs on pitched percussion while alternating mallets/hands. They have had the opportunity to conduct their classmates on pitched percussion instruments, too.

3rd Graders have reviewed last year's rhythm patterns and have added half notes to their rhythm repertoire. They've reviewed melodic patterns from last year and can sing and read a new melodic pattern on the treble staff. They have also improvised accompaniment on pitched percussion instruments. We are developing the ability to control the height of our mallets and make good tones by tapping the pitched percussion bars gently and with a light bouncing motion.

2nd Graders have been strengthening their knowledge of and ability to perform quarter notes, eighth notes, and quarter rests. They are preparing to identify and read simple melodic patterns of high sounds and low sounds. They've played a lot of non-pitched and pitched percussion instruments including cowbells, triangles, guiros, drums, tambourines, rhythm sticks, glockenspiels, metallophones, and xylophones.

1st Graders have been identifying high/low, fast/medium/slow, and high/medium/low sounds aurally and kinesthetically. They've used their voices as sound effects to the story of Humpty Dumpty and chosen non-pitched instruments to illustrate footsteps and a rain storm. They've enjoyed the following illustrated song books: Mommy Buy Me a China Doll by Margot Zemach, Howdi Do by Woodie Guthrie, How Much is that Doggie in the Window by Iza Trapani, and I've Been Working on the Railroad by Nadine Westcott. They have enjoyed the following singing games: Good King Leopold, Old King Glory, and Grizzly Bear.

Kindergarteners have been learning the routines of the music room. They have been finding their singing voices with Ralph the Mouse, vocalizing together in a chorus, guessing song titles from my “Secret Song Bag” and, then, singing those songs as a class while I accompany the students on piano. They’ve are learning to maintain a steady beat, an important fundamental of music education, with various body motions, both non-loco motor (in place) and loco motor (while moving around). They’ve also played the following instruments: a paddle drum, a tom-tom drum, maracas, and jingle bells.

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MOUNTAIN VIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL

October 1, 2011

With October, we have visible signs that Fall is upon us. Fall happens to be one of my favorite times of the

year. I love the weather. All the major sports are there for the choosing - baseball, football, basketball, and

hockey.

With October, we also settle down in school. All our students have made a nice transition into the school

year. REMINDER – Please remember to check JupiterGrades (SnapGrades). It is a great and convenient

way to monitor your child’s progress. In addition, do not hesitate to contact the teacher if you have questions

and/or concerns.

EEE began this week and as a reminder, the schedule is as follows:

Mondays and Wednesdays are dedicated to extension and support.

Tuesdays and Thursdays are dedicated to enrichment and elective.

Fridays are dedicated to student advisory. This month’s theme will be focused around Goal Setting.

Finally, with October, our first major family and community events bring us all together. Come join us for

the Harvest Hustle 5K and then stay for the 8th Grade Fair. Both events are brought to us by our H.S.A. and

8th grade parents. Please join me in thanking them for their efforts and energy.

SCIENCE

Seventh graders are finishing up Unit 0: “Laboratory Equipment and Safety”. In addition to typical refresher

lessons on science safety and lab equipment, students analyzed costs and benefits of behaving responsibly

and purchasing insurance. Throughout the year, all unit material will focus on science concepts, but will also

incorporate life skills and knowledge to reinforce the authenticity and importance of students’ learning.

Next on the list is Unit 1: “Life System Genesis”. Students will challenge their definitions of “life”, develop

models for explaining how life started, analyze factors influencing life sustainability, and evaluate the costs

and benefits of increased system complexity.

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SOCIAL STUDIES

In social studies class, 7th grade students have proven their proficiency with the skills that will be required

this year and have created the timeline that will serve as an anchor for sequencing the diverse people, places,

and events that they will study. They are prepared to begin the thematic work that will make up the bulk of

the year. After the problem of the year is introduced, they will begin to examine how culture effects the

development of individual identities.

LANGUAGE LITERATURE

In Language Arts Literacy, seventh graders successfully “launched” their first reading and writing

workshops, beginning their journey into new books and new ideas. The first “tool” or strategy added to our

learning toolbox was the strategy of making inferences. Students pushed themselves to “read between the

lines” and think deeply and critically about what they read. In our writing, we began by collecting and

developing ideas in our writer’s notebook, and are now revising and editing them for our first publication.

We are looking forward to celebrating the variety of wonderful writing being produced! Next up in October,

we will form book clubs and delve into the genre of biographies.

MATH

In 7th grade Algebra we are just finishing up a Geometry Unit. During the unit we celebrated International

Peace Day by applying our skills and knowledge learned throughout the unit to making Pin Wheels for

Peace. Students did a fantastic job! Next we will be moving forward and challenging ourselves to apply our

pre-algebra skills through word problems.

7th & 8th Grade

Magazine Drive Thank you to everyone for

supporting the Magazine Drive! The 7th & 8th graders did a great job raising money for their class trip.

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Dates to Remember:Dates to Remember:Dates to Remember:Dates to Remember:

SeptemberSeptemberSeptemberSeptember

30303030 7/87/87/87/8thththth grade magazine drive ends grade magazine drive ends grade magazine drive ends grade magazine drive ends

OctoberOctoberOctoberOctober

1 1 1 1 8888thththth Grade “Family Fun Day” Grade “Family Fun Day” Grade “Family Fun Day” Grade “Family Fun Day”

HSA Harvest Hustle RaceHSA Harvest Hustle RaceHSA Harvest Hustle RaceHSA Harvest Hustle Race

5555----7777 6666thththth grade Environmental Ed Trip grade Environmental Ed Trip grade Environmental Ed Trip grade Environmental Ed Trip

7 7 7 7 MV Outdoor Movie Night 6:30MV Outdoor Movie Night 6:30MV Outdoor Movie Night 6:30MV Outdoor Movie Night 6:30

10101010 School closed (in service day for teachers)School closed (in service day for teachers)School closed (in service day for teachers)School closed (in service day for teachers)

12121212 Fire Prevention Month AssemblyFire Prevention Month AssemblyFire Prevention Month AssemblyFire Prevention Month Assembly

13131313 School picture daySchool picture daySchool picture daySchool picture day

25 Board of Education Meeting 25 Board of Education Meeting 25 Board of Education Meeting 25 Board of Education Meeting

31 31 31 31 Halloween Spooktacular Halloween Spooktacular Halloween Spooktacular Halloween Spooktacular

NovemberNovemberNovemberNovember

6 Daylight saving time ends 6 Daylight saving time ends 6 Daylight saving time ends 6 Daylight saving time ends

7,8,97,8,97,8,97,8,9 Parent Teacher ConferencesParent Teacher ConferencesParent Teacher ConferencesParent Teacher Conferences

9 First marking period ends 9 First marking period ends 9 First marking period ends 9 First marking period ends

10, 11 10, 11 10, 11 10, 11 School Closed (Teachers Convention)School Closed (Teachers Convention)School Closed (Teachers Convention)School Closed (Teachers Convention)

15 15 15 15 Board of Education MeetingBoard of Education MeetingBoard of Education MeetingBoard of Education Meeting

16 16 16 16 HSA General Meeting 6:45 pm MV CaféHSA General Meeting 6:45 pm MV CaféHSA General Meeting 6:45 pm MV CaféHSA General Meeting 6:45 pm MV Café

18 Report cards distributed 18 Report cards distributed 18 Report cards distributed 18 Report cards distributed

25 25 25 25----25252525 School Closed (Thanksgiving)School Closed (Thanksgiving)School Closed (Thanksgiving)School Closed (Thanksgiving)

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HSA HAPPENINGS…

LAST CALL FOR HARVEST HUSTLERS!!

Please come out and support the 3rd annual Harvest Hustle 5K and 1-mile Kids' Fun Run Saturday, October 1st. It's not too late to join the fun! You can even register at the event.

Hosted by the Mendham Boro H S A, this annual 5K and 1 mile Fun Run raises money for our schools (like the recent improvements to the MV gym). It is held in commemoration of Sergeant Richard Morales' appreciation of health and wellness. All proceeds benefit our kids, so please help us spread the word around town and to your friends and family in the area. Together with more than 30 sponsors and local businesses, the H S A is committed to making this another successful event in Mendham Boro.

Need more incentive? Mountain View principal Mr. Bigsby has challenged the Mountain View students to outrun him in the 5K. If 100 MV students and their family members register and beat him, you can expect to see him around town sporting a new hair color, chosen at the students' discretion.

Fun Run begins at 8 am, 5K at 9 am.

A sponsor fair, tech race shirts, prizes,

awards and goody bags abound!

Register today at mendhamboro.org

or eliteracingsystems.com or sign up at

Mendham Boro Park the morning of the event.

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From the HSA:

This is ABSOLUTELY and FINALLY your LAST CHANCE to be in this year’s HSA directory! Deadline is Monday, October 3.

Please go to www.mendhamborohsa.org/registration to join HSA or correct your entry in the directory. Corrections and new books will be issued in the next couple of weeks. We apologize for the kinks in the system this year as we went to electronic registration. We’ve been working diligently and already have ideas for a better system next year....

AFTER SCHOOL ENRICHMENT

MORRIS COUNTY ARTS WORKSHOP PROGRAM

Many of the offerings for the fall will have to be cancelled for our after school enrichment programs. There is a minimum number of six children required for classes to go forward. If you have not enrolled, please do so by Friday, September 30. If you have enrolled, call a friend or two to join in. Classes begin October 3, so don't delay. To browse the selections and to enroll, please link to the following site:

MCAW/course descriptions: http://www.mcartsworkshop.com/Mcaw.aspx?f=106&l=EN

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Mendham Borough HSA

Come spend an evening under the Harvest Moon at the 3rd Annual Chili Cook-off!

When: Saturday, November 5th, 4 – 7 p.m. Where: Alstede Farms, Harvest Hall

Bring the whole family and enjoy: Hayrides DJ, dancing and musical games Hot dogs and beverages Bonfire and S’mores Bring a flashlight and explore the Corn maze (additional cost at door) Chili Cook-off entry requirements: Prepare a large crock pot (approx 3 quarts) of your favorite chili (don’t forget the fixins). Please indicate on the form below what type of chili you will be entering. Decorate your table (optional). You may arrive ½ hour before event for set up. Coolest Cake Contest: Get the kids, channel your inner Betty Crocker and enter a really cool cake.

People’s choice and 1st Place prizes will be awarded for the Best Chili and Coolest Cake.

Volunteers needed!! Please email Beth Bierals at bierals@verizon.net if you are interested in helping.

**********************************************************************************

Chili Cook-off RSVP and Entry form

Family Name: __________________________________ # in party: _______ Contact #:______________________ E-mail:_________________________ Chili entry: Spicy ___ Non-beef (turkey, chicken, pork) ___ Vegetarian ___ Classic ____ Will you be entering a cake? Yes ____ No ____ Price: $20 per family with chili entry, $30 per family without chili entry, $40 per family at the door Bring a friend for $5/person Total $ included:_________ Please make checks payable to Mendham Borough H.S.A. – Return to school with your child in an envelope marked “H.S.A. Chili Cook-off” or mail to Anne Parker – 15 Forest Drive.

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MendhamMendhamMendhamMendham Borough LibraryBorough LibraryBorough LibraryBorough Library Ongoing Programs

Sing-A-Long with Mary Kornick Mondays: Toddlers at 10:30 am

Preschool Story Time Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

After School Book Clubs

Kindergarten Kids – Tuesday from 3:15 – 4:15 pm

1st Grade – Thursdays from 3:15 – 4:15 pm

2nd Grade – Mondays from 3:15 – 4:15 pm

3rd and 4

th Grade Book Club – Wednesdays from 3:15 – 4:15 pm

Middle School Book Club – Thursdays from 3:30 – 4:30 pm

Teen Group For middle and high school students. Have fun discussing books, previewing new books, and planning fun

activities. Volunteer opportunities also available to this group throughout the year. This group meets the

first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 pm.

Chess Club Returns this Fall: Thursdays Oct. 13th, Nov. 3

rd and Dec. 8

th 6:30-7:45.

For kids in 3rd – 8

th grade. Join chess instructor Marty Sobin and learn new tips, improve your game and

have fun playing with friends. This group meets one Thursday evening a month and meetings will begin in

October. Please call or stop by the library to register.

LEGO Club Have fun building your own Lego creation at the library. Bring your imagination and we’ll supply the Legos.

This popular group meets one Saturday a month –Next meeting Saturday, Oct. 29th from 1-2 pm. Please call

of stop by to register. All ages welcome!

COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS… MENDHAM PATRIOTS BASKETBALL – TRAVEL AND REC PROGRAMS

Registration for Mendham Patriots Basketball for Travel, Recreational and Clinic Basketball is now open

for kids in Kindergarten through 8th grade. This year our registration form is online on our website at

www.mendhambasketball.com. Registration and payment will be only available online.

The website will have the schedule for Travel Team Tryouts, which will begin in mid October. If you

plan on trying out for a Travel Team, you must register before you try out.

Rec and clinic registration is open as well. The date for the rec league evaluations will be posted on the

website. Register now for all divisions, and find out more information, by going to our website at

http://www.MendhamBasketball.com

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Play It Safe – An AED for Every Field

Mendham Junior Women’s Club has placed 14 AEDs on the fields in Mendham.

9 more are needed to ‘Play It Safe’ To donate, please send checks payable to MJWC to Dawn Nutt 4 Deerfield Road, for credit

card payment or for more information go to www.MJWC.org

Flag Football Registration

Open to all children entering Kindergarten through 2nd Grade

Fun, Non Contact way to learn Football

Individual teams for each grade level

1st and 2

nd Grade teams play 8+ game Schedule

Register now or find additional information at

www.twinborobears.com

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All About OWLS!

Thursday, October 20, 2011 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Mendham Township Library

Bring the entire family to discover all of the facts about these beautiful nocturnal birds of prey. The Raptor Trust will come to the library with a live owl and collection of mounted specimens to teach us everything we ever wondered about owls. Learn about the Screech Owl, the Great-Horned Owl, the Barn Owl, the Snowy Owl and more! How do owls survive in New Jersey?

*What do they eat? * Where do they live? * What threatens these powerful birds?

Revolutionary War Stories

Thursday, October 13 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Mendham TownshMendham TownshMendham TownshMendham Township Libraryip Libraryip Libraryip Library

Come learn about local history. Eric Olsen, Park Historian of the Morristown National Historical Park will tell stories of veterans of the Revolutionary War from their perspective. Many are direct accounts from primary sources, especially the stories of Joseph Plumb Martin who served at Morristown.

ThThThTheseeseeseese event event event eventssss areareareare free & open to the public. free & open to the public. free & open to the public. free & open to the public.Registration is recommended:Registration is recommended:Registration is recommended:Registration is recommended: √ Sign up at the Library √ email Programs@mendhamtwplib.org √ Call 973-543-4018

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New to Mendham? Been here for years?

Newcomers and Neighbors of the Mendhams Come to the

Open House Tuesday, October 4th

7:00pm to 9:00pm Brookside Community Center

Come and find out about our programs, including:

Visit our www.mendhamnn.com, and click on “Open House” for details.

Newcomers & Neighbors of the Mendhams is a social organization which provides activities and special occasions where members

can get together for fun and friendship.

Bunco Tennis

Walking Playgroup

Book Club Book Club

Family Events Santa’s Breakfast

Ladies’, Men’s & Couples’ Nights Out

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Halloween Poster ContestHalloween Poster ContestHalloween Poster ContestHalloween Poster Contest

Sponsored by the Mendham Junior Women’s Club

Do Ghosts and Goblins bring out your Do Ghosts and Goblins bring out your Do Ghosts and Goblins bring out your Do Ghosts and Goblins bring out your creative side?creative side?creative side?creative side?

We would like to see!We would like to see!We would like to see!We would like to see!

Contest Rules

• All entries must be students in K – 4th grades (only one entry per student)

• Create a unique Halloween work of art on 8 8 8 8 ½½½½” x 11” paper” x 11” paper” x 11” paper” x 11” paper using any materials

you would like. Be imaginative but don’t go any bigger!

• Send your entry with your name,

grade and school written clearly on

the back to your school office no

later than Friday, October 14th.

• Please indicate on the back that it

for “MJWC’s Halloween Poster

Contest”

It’s that simple!

Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd

place, for each grade level and winning

entries will be displayed in Mendham!

Questions? Email colella24@yahoo.com