“Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm possible'!” – Audrey Hepburn
Week Eighteen:
We hope everyone had a wonderful winter break and a joyful start to the New Year! Although this week was brief with just two days, it was the perfect way to ease back into the swing of things and set the tone for an amazing remainder of the school year.
Students and staff returned with energy and enthusiasm, sharing heartwarming stories about their winter breaks. From holiday traditions to exciting adventures, it was wonderful to hear about the special moments that made this season memorable for everyone. Teachers created fun and engaging activities to help students reconnect with their peers, such as storytelling circles, writing prompts, and creative artwork inspired by their vacations. These activities not only brought smiles to faces but also fostered a sense of community and excitement for the months ahead.
Our teachers did an incredible job helping students transition back into their school routines while keeping the atmosphere light and welcoming. We’re excited for our first full week back and can’t wait to see the great things this new year will bring!
We also want to take a moment to recognize and thank two exceptional bus drivers, Shari Gast and Karen Bruseo, who retired as of January 1, 2025. Shari and Karen have been dedicated members of our transportation team for many years, ensuring the safety and well-being of countless students. Their professionalism and care will be greatly missed. We extend our deepest gratitude for their service and wish them both all the best in their future endeavors!
Here’s to a fantastic start to 2025, let’s make it the best year yet!
With gratitude,
Christopher Perruso
Principal
Monday starts our SPECIALS on Day 3
Upcoming Events:
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
1/20- Yearbook Sale Launch Date
1/24- PTO Snow Ball Dance 6:00PM @ BAC Cafetorium
2/4- SEPAG Meeting 7:00PM @ LVMS Library
3/21- Cucinella Talent Show 6:00PM @ BAC Cafetorium
3/31 Start of Spring Break- Schools Closed through 4/4
Welcome, Mrs. Antonella Lind!
We are thrilled to officially welcome Mrs. Antonella Lind as our new Superintendent of Schools! Mrs. Lind began her tenure with us upon our return from winter break, and we couldn’t be more excited for the future of our district under her leadership.
With a proven track record of dedication to education and a passion for student success, Mrs. Lind brings a wealth of experience and fresh perspectives to our school community. We look forward to working together to continue fostering a supportive and enriching environment for all our students and families.
Please join us in giving a warm welcome to Mrs. Lind as she leads us into this exciting new chapter for our district!
A Note About Bus Transportation
As we settle into the new year, we kindly ask for your patience and understanding with our bus schedules. With new drivers joining our team and the added challenges of inclement weather, there may occasionally be delays. Our drivers work diligently to stay on time, but safety always comes first. You can also help out by making sure your chidren are ready to load onto the bus without delay when it arrives at your stop.
For updates on any major delays, please visit the Transportation Department’s website at https://www.wtschools.org/page/bus-delays, where information will be posted as needed.
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!
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!
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. Our deadline for picture collection is January 21st. 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
