“The time is always right to do what is right.” — Martin Luther King Jr.
Week Twenty Three:
What an inspiring and action-packed week we’ve had at Cucinella! We kicked off the week with our cherished “Party with the Principals,” where our January Bucketfillers of the Week were celebrated with a special lunch. These outstanding role models enjoyed games, creative drawing sessions, and lively socializing with their peers—a true testament to their commitment to making our school a welcoming and uplifting community. Keep up the great work, Bucketfillers!
Our Kindergarten students also reached an important milestone as they wrapped up their writing benchmarks. This critical data not only highlights the progress each student is making but also enables our teachers to tailor targeted instruction for those needing additional support. It’s heartwarming to see our youngest learners flourish in their literacy journey.
Midweek brought a little pause for rest when we experienced a snow day on Thursday. While school was closed, the wintry break provided everyone a chance to recharge before diving back into our exciting school activities.
Friday was extra special as we celebrated the 100th day of the school year! Teachers and students engaged in a variety of fun, creative activities centered around the number 100. From art projects to interactive math challenges, every classroom buzzed with excitement as we marked this significant milestone together.
Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up this week:
2nd Trimester Reading Benchmark Assessments (Grades 2-5):
Our 2nd through 5th grade students will be taking their 2nd Trimester reading benchmark assessments. These assessments are an important tool for guiding our instruction and helping us support each student’s growth. Please ensure your child gets a good night’s rest and is prepared for testing.
Valentine’s Day Celebration (Friday):
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! We encourage your children to exchange Valentines to celebrate friendship and kindness. Please note that, due to food sensitivities, candy exchanges are not allowed. If you’re participating, kindly have your child create a Valentine for each classmate to ensure everyone feels included.
Extended Weekend Reminder:
School will be closed next Monday in observance of Presidents’ Day, giving everyone an extended weekend. Enjoy the extra time with your family and come back refreshed for another week of learning!
Thank you for your continued support in making Cucinella a vibrant, joyful place for learning and growth. We’re proud of all our students and staff for their hard work and community spirit, and we look forward to another inspiring week ahead!
With gratitude,
Christopher Perruso
Principal
MONDAY starts our SPECIALS on Day 1
Upcoming Events:
2/10- PTO General Membership Meeting 7:00PM @ BAC Media Center
2/11- Reading Benchmark begins (Grades 2-5)
2/11- Board of Education Meeting 7:00PM @ LVMS PAC
2/12- Love the Bus Day- Wear Yellow
2/14- Valentine’s Day- Wear Red, Pink, or ❤️Hearts❤️!!!!
2/17- SCHOOLS CLOSED- Presidents' Day
2/18-2/21- Random Acts of Kindness Week
3/21- Cucinella Talent Show 6:00PM @ BAC Cafetorium
3/31- Start of Spring Break- Schools Closed through 4/4
4/28- Harlem Wizards vs. Cucinella Fundraiser Game 6:00PM @ WMCHS GYM
The Super Bowl Blues
In the wake of the Super Bowl, we kindly ask that you take a moment to speak with your children about the importance of good sportsmanship. It’s natural for kids to have strong feelings about the winners and losers, but teasing or making fun of others over the outcome can hurt feelings, detract from the fun of the game, and cause issues here at school that interfere with our students' ability to learn.
This is a recurring issue each year on the Monday following the Super Bowl, and your support in addressing it is invaluable. By discussing how to handle both victory and defeat gracefully, we can help our students develop a respectful and positive attitude toward competition.
Thank you for your continued partnership in fostering an environment of kindness and sportsmanship among our students.
Party with the Principals
100th Day of School
February is Love the Bus Month!
This month we will take time to appreciate our student transportation vehicles - school buses of all sizes and colors. We send our appreciation to the many hard working school bus drivers and aides who spend their time making sure our students get to school and back safely. Lastly, we want to recognize those who work in student transportation offices behind the scenes ensuring each day runs smoothly.
To celebrate we have deemed Wednesday, February 12, 2025, as wear yellow day. Show your support of student transportation by showcasing your favorite yellow clothing, shoes, or accessories. We thank you for your support!
NJ Dept. of Education - Office of School Bus Safety
PTO Grants Help ESL Program
We are incredibly grateful to our PTO for their generous grant, which has enabled our ESL teacher, Mrs. Sorchini, to purchase multisensory games designed to enhance our ELL students’ English language skills. These interactive tools have brought a new level of engagement and fun to the classroom, allowing students to learn through play while developing their language abilities. This initiative not only enriches our curriculum but also highlights the PTO’s unwavering commitment to supporting innovative and effective educational practices. Thank you, PTO, for your continued dedication to making a positive impact on our students’ learning journeys!
Kindergarten Registration - SY 2025-2026
Online Kindergarten Registration for the 2025-2026 SY, is now open!
If you are the parent/guardian of a child eligible for kindergarten, or know of any township residents with eligible kindergarten children for the 2025-2026 school year, please note the following:
Four (4) proofs of residence. One (1) of the following; deed or a rental/lease agreement and three (3) of the following; property tax bill, voter registration card, drivers license, homeowner insurance bill or utility bills.
Immunization records for measles, mumps, rubella, DPT, polio (including one dose of DPT and polio vaccine on or after the child’s fourth birthday), varivax, hepatitis B, and HIB vaccinations.
If your child is currently enrolled in the district preschool program, you do NOT need to register your child for kindergarten. Their record will transfer to kindergarten.
Register ONLINE HERE.
Should you have any questions, you may contact the school your child will be attending.
Benedict A. Cucinella Elementary School - (908) 850-3161
Flocktown-Kossmann Elementary School - (908) 850-1010
Old Farmers Road School - (908) 876-3865
At anytime, enrollment forms can be downloaded from our website by clicking HERE.
2025-2026 Integrated Preschool Registration
We are excited to announce that registration for our Integrated Preschool Program will open soon! This program offers a wonderful opportunity for preschool-aged children to engage in a nurturing and inclusive learning environment that supports social, emotional, and academic growth.
Key Details:
Eligibility: Children ages 3-5 who reside within the district are eligible to enroll.
Registration Process: Registration will be on a first-come, first served basis this year.
Registration Opens: Friday, January 17, 2025 and you will be notified by Tuesday, January 28, 2025 if your child met the eligibility requirements and has been accepted.
You will need to submit a nonrefundable deposit of $950.00 which will be applied toward your tuition. Once received we will provide you with the link to complete the registration process.
Our integrated preschool program blends general education students with students who have special needs, providing rich opportunities for peer interactions, skill-building, and individualized attention. Spaces are limited, so we encourage families to register as soon as possible once registration opens.
The integrated preschool program will be held in all district elementary schools five days a week. The integrated preschool program at the Benedict A. Cucinella Elementary School and Flocktown-Kossmann schools will run from 7:35 am to 2:10 pm and at Old Farmers Road School from 8:40 am to 3:15 pm.
The daily schedule includes circle time, small and large group activities, centers, snack, story time and teacher facilitated play time. The class would also participate in assemblies appropriate for this age group as well as play outdoors when weather permits. Learning activities are based upon the New Jersey Department of Education’s Preschool and Teaching Learning Expectations as well as designing activities based upon the individual needs and abilities of each child.
The classes will be taught by a dual certified teacher in Special Education and P-3 General Education. A teaching assistant will provide additional instructional support. The integrated preschool program uses the Tools of the Mind Curriculum. This program provides activities sequenced in a developmental trajectory and scaffolds to support children based on their current levels of development. Focusing on self-regulation, the curriculum supports children's underlying cognitive skills, social-emotional school readiness, and foundational skills in literacy, mathematics, and science.
There will be tuition for non-classified students. A monthly fee of $950.00 per month. Parents are responsible for the transportation, snacks and lunch for the preschool students without special needs.
If you have any questions or need assistance with the registration process, please contact Dr. Denise Scairpon, Director of Special Education at 908-876-9211 ext. 2300 or dscairpon@wtschools.org.
We look forward to welcoming your child to our Integrated Preschool Program and embarking on an exciting journey of learning and discovery together!
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!
Yearbook News
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, February 10th @ 7:00PM in 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
Long Valley is lucky to have one of the biggest and best youth track programs in NJ. Our youth program (9-15) and clinic program (5-8) had more than 275 runners last spring! Our league, which consists of teams from all over Morris County, had an astounding 2,400 runners last year!
We welcome athletes of all abilities and have something for everyone — sprinting, distance running, jumping, and throwing !
Please check out our website to register and find more information. www.longvalleytrack.com
Smart Watch Policy Reminder
Since returning from winter break, we’ve noticed an increase in students using smartwatches with cellular capabilities during the school day, likely due to these devices being given as holiday gifts. While we have no issue with students wearing watches to school, some students have been using them to send and receive text messages or even make calls. As a reminder, texting or taking calls during the school day is strictly prohibited by school policy.
Similar to cell phones, which are kept in students’ cubbies during the school day, smartwatches being used inappropriately will be subject to the same consequences. Teachers may confiscate the device for the remainder of the school day. If a student continues to misuse their smartwatch, the device will be brought to the main office, and a parent or guardian will need to come to school to retrieve it.
If you need to contact your child during the school day, we kindly ask that you do so by calling or emailing our main office staff and/or their teacher. This ensures that we can relay important messages, such as changes to dismissal plans, accurately and promptly. Additionally, it allows us to properly update PickUp Patrol and notify the appropriate staff of any changes.
We ask for your assistance in reinforcing these guidelines with your children at home to help avoid any unnecessary disruptions during the school day. We truly appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we work together to maintain a focused learning environment for all our students.
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
Benedict A. Cucinella Elementary School
Principal: Mr. Christopher J. Perruso- cperruso@wtschools.org
Assistant Principal: Mr. Dan O'Connor- doconnor@wtschools.org
Secretaries: Mrs. Deanna Dargel- ddargel@wtschools.org and Mrs. Boomi Varatharajan- brajan@wtschools.org
Website: https://www.wtschools.org/o/bac
Location: 470 Naughright Road, Long Valley, NJ, USA
Phone: (908)-850-3161
