"It's not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves." - Sir Edmund Hillary
Week Sixteen:
What a bustling and exciting week it was here at Cucinella as we inched closer to the holiday season. A heartfelt thank you goes out to all the parent volunteers who made this year’s PTO-sponsored Holiday Gift Shoppe a fantastic success! Running from Tuesday through Friday last week, this cherished tradition gave our students the joy of choosing thoughtful gifts for their loved ones. Seeing their excitement as they carefully selected items brought smiles to all of our faces. Not only did this event create lasting memories for our children, but it also helped support our PTO—what a win-win!
A special shoutout goes to Kristi Daggett, who has led this magical event for the past four years. As she steps down from this role, we want to recognize her incredible dedication, creativity, and effort in making the Holiday Gift Shoppe such a treasured experience for our students. Thank you, Kristi, and thank you to every parent who contributed to this wonderful event—you are the heart of our school!
Last Friday, our 2nd Grade Colonial Day was another highlight of the week. It was an amazing experience for both students and their families, as history truly came to life! Parents joined their children in celebrating all they’ve learned about Colonial America through hands-on activities like making dolls, beaded necklaces, home-made butter, and punched tin crafts. The students’ enthusiasm and knowledge were on full display, and their pride was palpable as they shared these special moments with their families.
A big thank you to our incredible 2nd-grade teachers for bringing this educational experience to life. Your creativity and dedication made the day not only engaging but also unforgettable for our students and families alike.
As we look ahead, winter break is almost here, just one more full week before we head into the holiday season! The excitement is building, but meaningful learning and creativity continue to take center stage. Here are this week's special events:
On Wednesday, we can’t wait to enjoy the 5th Grade Concert, where our talented students will shine on stage.
Finally, on Friday, we’ll wrap up the week with festive class parties before an early dismissal as we head into winter break.
This season is a magical time for our school community, and we’re so proud of the effort, enthusiasm, and joy that our students bring to every moment. Let’s make this final week of 2024 one to remember.
Wishing you all a wonderful week filled with warmth, happiness, and holiday cheer!
Warmly,
Christopher Perruso
Principal
Monday starts our SPECIALS on Day 1
Upcoming Events:
12/18- 5th Grade Vocal Music Performance 7:00PM @ BAC Cafetorium
12/20- Early Dismissal Day- Start of Winter Break
12/2- WTS SEPAG Game Time Event- Sign Up Here 2:30-3:30 WT Public Library
12/23- 1/1- SCHOOLS CLOSED- Winter Break
1/2- Schools Reopen
1/6- PTO General Membership Meeting 7:00PM @ BAC Media Center
1/7- Board of Education Meeting 7:00PM @ LVMS PAC
1/13- School Spirit Day Wear Cucinella Gear or Red, White, and Blue!
1/20- SCHOOLS CLOSED- Martin Luther King Jr. Day
1/24- PTO Snow Ball Dance 6:00PM @ BAC Cafetorium
2/4- SEPAG Meeting 7:00PM @ LVMS Library
Safety Reminder for Our Parking Lots
Lately, we’ve noticed some concerning trends in our parking lot during drop-off and pick-up times, and we’d like to ask for your support in ensuring everyone’s safety. Sgt. Burns has observed several safety concerns, including cars not stopping at stop signs, passing illegally, and speeding in the parking lot. We have had too many close calls lately, including a car almost hitting a school bus head-on. More officers will be on premise to enforce traffic safety if conditions do not improve.
For the safety of our students, staff, and visitors, we ask for your cooperation in adhering to traffic laws at all times. Your attentiveness and care help ensure a safe environment for everyone.
Safety Comes First
Please remember that regular traffic laws apply in our parking lot and driveway:
Two lanes only: Crossing over the yellow lines is strictly prohibited.
Drive carefully: Unsafe driving puts our students, staff, and community at risk.
The long lines can be frustrating, but patience and adherence to traffic rules are essential for everyone’s safety.
How You Can Help
To improve the process and make our parking lot safer and more efficient, we kindly ask for your cooperation with the following:
Use the Bus: If your child is eligible for district-provided busing, we encourage you to take advantage of this service. Fewer cars in the parking lot mean shorter lines and a safer environment for all.
Be Prepared: Have your child ready to exit the car when you pull into the drop-off line. Backpacks, lunchboxes, and other items should be on their lap and ready to go. This small step prevents delays and keeps the line moving smoothly.
Say Goodbye in the Line: Please say your goodbyes while waiting in the drop-off line so your child can exit promptly when it’s time.
Avoid Cutting the Line: We’ve observed some parents bypassing the drop-off line by parking in the visitor lot and walking their children across the driveway. Unfortunately, this creates additional delays as drop-off traffic must stop to allow students to cross safely. Additionally, when these cars re-enter the flow of traffic, it causes further disruptions. We kindly ask all families to follow the designated drop-off process to keep things running smoothly and safely for everyone.
We understand mornings can be a rush, but safety must always come first. Let’s work together to ensure our students arrive at school safely and without unnecessary stress. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Thank you for your anticipated cooperation in keeping our school community safe!
Bucket Fillers of the Week
Our Bucket Filler initiative, inspired by Carol McCloud's book Have You Filled a Bucket Today?, celebrates students who consistently demonstrate our core values of responsibility, respect, kindness, persistence, and safety. When a teacher observes a student embodying these values, they earn a “bucket filler” ticket, which enters them into a weekly raffle with their peers. Every Friday, we draw a winning ticket from each grade level’s bucket, and the selected students get a special shout-out on the morning announcements! Plus, these students are invited to join the monthly Party with the Principals, where we celebrate their positive impact on our school community. This initiative reinforces the message that we can all contribute to a positive and supportive environment by filling each other's buckets with good deeds!
PreK- Dakota Keyworth
Kindergarten- Michael Ficacci
1st Grade- John Lird
2nd Grade- Phineas Freeborn
3rd Grade- Ryan Ackerman
4th Grade- Natalie Draghi
5th Grade- Olivia Pricci
Dress for the Weather!
As the temperatures drop, we want to remind families about the importance of sending students to school dressed appropriately for the weather. We try to go outside for recess whenever it’s not below freezing, and students who come without jackets will still be sent outside to enjoy fresh air and playtime. Additionally, during fire drills or other unexpected events, students may need to be outside briefly, so having a warm coat, gloves, hats, and scarves is essential.
Please help us keep your child comfortable and prepared for the day by ensuring they’re bundled up before heading to school. Thank you for your cooperation in helping us prioritize both safety and fun during these chilly months!
Colonial Day
Kite flying with Mrs. Rosato's and Mrs. Ellard's Class
Mrs. Rosato's first-grade class had an exciting and windy adventure this week as they explored the science of wind through hands-on kite experiments! Students designed and built their own kites, adding a creative and collaborative element to this engaging activity. Once their kites were complete, they headed outside to test them, watching in awe as they soared through the air. This hands-on project gave students a deeper understanding of how wind works while sparking curiosity and pride in their creations. Great job, first graders, for diving into this breezy lesson with such enthusiasm and excitement!
Mrs. Burrow’s and Mrs. Tedona’s Kindergarten
The kindergarteners in Mrs. Burrow’s and Mrs. Tedona’s classes have been hard at work mastering their vowels in the most fun and interactive ways! Using a multisensory approach, students are engaging all their senses to make learning vowels exciting and memorable. One of the highlights has been singing and dancing to the energetic and catchy Vowel Song! Their enthusiasm fills the room as they move, groove, and confidently learn the sounds and importance of vowels. Way to go, kindergarteners—you’re making learning a joyful celebration every day!
2nd Graders Engineer Their Way to Success!
Mrs. Plumbo’s 2nd graders had an exciting opportunity to collaborate with our Gifted & Talented instructor, Mr. Dauchert, on a hands-on STEM engineering project. Using the engineering design process, students brainstormed, built, tested, and refined their creations, showcasing creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills at every step.
From initial ideas to the final product, the classroom was buzzing with energy and enthusiasm as students worked through challenges and improved their designs. This project not only fostered critical thinking but also gave students a real-world glimpse into the iterative nature of engineering.
Here’s a look at our young engineers hard at work along the process—great job, everyone!
Festive Fridays!
Our first "Festive Friday" was a great success with many students and staff members wearing their Grinch Gear around the building. It was a great way to get into the spirit of the holiday season. Join us in celebrating our next "Festive Friday" by wearing your favorite "Holiday Wear" this Friday, December 13th.
Yearbook News
Toddler Picture Submission Time:
It is that time of year where the yearbook needs to start collecting those amazing toddler pictures of your kids for the 5th Grade feature section. Please see the link below for directions to upload and guidelines for picture selection.
Guidelines/Directions: https://www.canva.com/design/DAGYSN59I5Y/15G440yNk4bB3U3XGov5sg/edit
Direct Link for Toddler Picture Submission: https://uploads.picabooyearbooks.com/9931313
Thanks,
Liz Schwartz
Yearbook Advisor
Cucinella PTO Happenings:
Nellie's News Flash: Click here for this week's version of Nellie's News Flash.
Order your Spirit Wear HERE: https://cucinella-spirit-wear.printify.me/products
Next General Membership Meeting:
Monday, January 6th @7pm
BAC Library
Memberships 2024-2025 School Year
PTO Memberships for the 2024-2025 School Year are still available! Follow the MemberHub link below to pay for a Family or Staff Membership. We are looking forward to another fantastic year!
https://www.cucinellapto.com/membership
https://cucinella.ptboard.com/formvw?store=5542&form=2
Preschool Openings
Notice: Openings in Washington Township Integrated Preschool Program
Washington Township Schools are pleased to announce remaining openings in the Integrated Preschool Program at both Benedict A. Cucinella Elementary School and Old Farmers Road School. This unique program offers a nurturing, developmental learning experience for children aged three to five, integrating typically developing children and children with special needs to promote readiness skills, language development, and social/emotional growth.
Program Details:
Locations & Times:
Activities Include: Circle time, group activities, snack, story time, and teacher-guided play, designed around the NJ Department of Education’s Preschool Learning Standards and tailored to each child's developmental level.
Curriculum: The Tools of the Mind curriculum focuses on self-regulation and foundational skills in literacy, math, and science, with activities adapted to support each child’s growth.
Additional Information:
Tuition for non-classified students: $950.00 per month.
Parents are responsible for transportation, snacks, and lunch.
Children must be three years old by September 1, 2024, to be eligible.
Interested families are encouraged to contact Dr. Denise Scairpon at DScairpon@wtschools.org or (908) 876-3434 x 2300 to learn more or to enroll.
Spaces are limited, so reach out soon to secure a spot in this enriching preschool program!
Parent Drop Off and Pick Up Procedures:
To ensure the continued safety of our students and staff, we are making a few updates to our morning drop-off procedures. We kindly ask for your cooperation with the following guidelines:
Please remain in your car: Parents and guardians should stay inside their vehicles during drop-off to help keep the process moving smoothly.
Be prepared ahead of time: Have all items (backpacks, lunch bags, etc.) ready and accessible before arriving at the drop-off area.
Independent exit: If possible, encourage your child to open the door on their own and exit the vehicle from the passenger side, closest to the school, once you’ve pulled up to the furthest spot available.
Patience is appreciated: We understand mornings can be busy, but please wait for the cars in front of you to move rather than driving around. Our top priority is the safety of our students and staff, which is worth more than a few seconds saved.
Respect the Handicapped spaces: Please avoid parking in the Handicapped spots to drop off children. We want to ensure that all students enter the building safely, and we do not have a crosswalk or staff member to assist them across the drop-off lane.
We truly appreciate your understanding and support in following these procedures. Together, we can create a safer and smoother drop-off experience for everyone.
Student Dress Code
As we move into the school year, please take a moment to review the board approved dress code for students. It can be found here. Our dress code is enforced to ensure the safety and security of all students and staff. If you have any questions after reviewing please do not hesitate to reach out.
Items of Note:
No hats/bandanas/hoods
No bare midriffs
No sunglasses indoors
No indecent material
