“No man knows what he can do until he tries.” — Carter G. Woodson

Week Twenty Four:

Another amazing week in the books! We kicked off Monday with incredible team spirit as students proudly wore their Eagles gear to celebrate our Super Bowl win, an energetic start that set the tone for a week full of achievement and enthusiasm.

Our teachers also had a productive day, participating in a professional development session for our new Eureka Math program led by our implementation coach. This training is equipping our educators with fresh strategies to further enhance math instruction and support every student’s growth.

Midweek, our 2nd through 5th grader students completed their reading benchmark assessments. The valuable data gathered from these assessments helps our teachers track progress and tailor instruction to meet each student’s unique needs, ensuring that everyone continues to thrive academically.

We ended the week on a sweet note with festive Valentine's Day celebrations throughout the school. A heartfelt thank you goes out to our PTO volunteers who came by on Friday to set up treats for our staff, your support truly brightens our days!

Looking ahead to next week, please note that our school will be closed on Monday in observance of Presidents' Day. Additionally, our 2nd grade students will be taking the CogATs from Wednesday through Friday. As a reminder, please send your child with their headphones and computer mouse, and ensure they get a good night’s sleep to be ready for these assessments.

To add a little extra fun, all of next week we will be celebrating Random Acts of Kindness Week with different themed dress-up days. And to top it all off, our Therapy Dogs will be visiting on Friday, ready to spread joy and bring smiles to our students once again.

Thank you for your continued support and for being a part of our vibrant school community. We look forward to another fantastic week of learning and growing together!

With gratitude,
Christopher Perruso

Principal

Tuesday starts our SPECIALS on Day 1

Upcoming Events:

2/17- SCHOOLS CLOSED- Presidents' Day
2/18-2/21- Random Acts of Kindness Week
3/5- LVMS Honor Society Students to Visit as Reading Buddies 10:00 – 2:00 pm
3/12- End of Trimester 2
3/17- School Spirit Day - Wear Green for St. Patrick's Day
3/21- Cucinella Talent Show 6:00PM @ BAC Cafetorium
3/22- Washington Township Schools STEM Expo, 12 - 2:20pm, Long Valley Middle School
3/31- Start of Spring Break- Schools Closed through 4/4
4/24- ARTS-rageous 6:30-8:00PM @ BAC Cafetorium
4/28- Harlem Wizards vs. Cucinella Fundraiser Game 6:00PM @ WMCHS Gym

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- Matteo Riviezzo

Kindergarten- Mae Callahan

1st Grade- Evan Oh

2nd Grade- Dean Pinnola

3rd Grade- Olivia Tutela

4th Grade- Emma Ogle

5th Grade- Madison Reeves

Random Acts of Kindness Week

The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation mission statement is "to inspire people to practice kindness & to 'pass it on' to others, aiming to make kindness the norm." The organization seeks to support kindness in homes, workplaces & schools. Next week at Cucinella, we will incorporate themed dress up days in support of this message of kindness.

SRO Appreciation Day

February 15 was SRO Appreciation Day and we want to shine a spotlight on one of our most dedicated and inspiring community members, Sgt. Jim Burns. Sgt. Burns goes above and beyond every day to keep our school safe, and his active involvement in classroom lessons and school activities truly makes a difference. His presence not only ensures a secure environment but also serves as a positive role model for all our students.

We are incredibly grateful for his commitment to our Cucinella School Community. From his vigilant safety efforts to his genuine interactions with our students, Sgt. Burns exemplifies the spirit of service and community engagement. His kindness, enthusiasm, and unwavering dedication remind us all of the importance of coming together to support one another.

Thank you, Sgt. Jim Burns, for your outstanding service and for making our school a better place every single day. We appreciate everything you do!

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:

Child must be 5 years of age on or before October 1, 2025 – no exceptions.

Child’s original birth certificate showing that he/she is five years old on or before October 1, 2025.

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

It's time to order your yearbooks, use the link here to purchase: https://www.canva.com/design/DAF56oNZhBk/U61ISVKtcwABwzrE8RaObg/edit?utm_content=DAF56oNZhBk&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton

If you're running into issues purchasing a yearbook, try this handy cheat sheet for help: https://www.canva.com/design/DAGc85wGKgA/krUl3XEq3FLFavNo9WfPwA/edit

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, March 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

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: