Thomas Jefferson School

March 4, 2022

Hello to all of our Thomas Jefferson Families,

As this find you, we have celebrated two tremendous accomplishments from our athletics and sports programming and are seeing a big change with the COVID guidance.

First, we mujst congratulate the Lady Rams, our girls basketball team, on their championship win against Assumption. We are incredible proud of this group of young ladies coming together as a team, for one goal--and then achieving that goal, together. We thank Coach Longo for his great work with our girls every year--and espcially in this crowning moment.

We must also congratulate our Club Volleyball team for their 7th consecutive title. SEVEN!!! Our Club Volleyball team started as a passion project from Mr. Onischuk and Mr. Leahey and has blossomed into an incredible program. Being that there is so much turnover with students over such a long period of time, makes it even more impressive to win 7 consecutive titles. This is another group of young men and women who came together and had a great time achieving incredible results.

And finally, we now have new guidance regarding COVID mask wearing in school. Please see the district website for more detailed information. What you must know is that masks are now optional for our students and staff. It is also important to note that while some families have made the decision to nt wear masks any longer, some families have decided to continue their mask wearing. And no matter the choice, we respect all decisions, equally. Again, please see the district website for more detailed information.

Thank you, as always, for your partnership,

David

Facebook: Thomas Jefferson Middle School-Rockaway Borough
Instagram: tjprincipal
Twitter: Principal of TJ
Phone Number Main Office: 973 625-8603
Nurse: 973 625-8603 ext. 305
Counselor: 973 625-8603 ext. 331


Nurses Corner


DILIGENT URGENT CARE
ON-SITE TESTING HOURS

Monday and Tuesday 10:30-4
Wednesday and Thursday 1-5
Friday 10:30-4















































COVID VACCINE REQUEST-Any students who have been vaccinated completely with 2 doses of Pfizer for Covid, please make a copy of the vaccination card and send in to the Nurse's Office as soon as possible.


CURRENT COVID-19 INFORMATION FOR STAFF AND STUDENTS


Please read through the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) attendance and exclusion guidelines for students that the district must follow. Please understand these guidelines, including length of quarantine, are subject to change at any time upon recommendation from our local health department.   

Students with Covid-19 Compatible Symptoms (at least two of the following symptoms: fever, chills, shivers, muscle aches, headache, sore throat, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, congestion or runny nose; OR at least one of the following symptoms: cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, new loss of sense of smell, or new taste disorder) must not come to school until they receive a negative Covid-19 test, have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications, and other symptoms have improved, regardless of the student’s vaccination status. If the student is not tested for Covid-19, they must remain home for five days from the date of symptom onset. 

Any other unvaccinated children in the household who attend district schools must also remain at home until the ill child tests negative for Covid-19.  

If an unvaccinated student is a household member of someone who is ill with Covid-19 Compatible Symptoms*, the student must remain at home until the ill individual tests negative for Covid-19. If the ill individual is not tested, the unvaccinated student must remain home for 5 days from the date of their last exposure to the ill person.  Vaccinated students do not need to remain home if they are not having any symptoms.

The NJDOH is permitting pre-existing conditions to be taken into consideration when determining if symptoms warrant Covid-19 exclusion criteria. Per the NJDOH: "For students with chronic illness, only new symptoms or symptoms worse than baseline should be used to fulfill symptom-based exclusion criteria". Documentation of pre-existing conditions/chronic illness must already be on file with the school nurses.

Parents/Guardians: Please review this form daily before sending your child to school and report your child’s information to your child’s school nurse, (Mrs. Denise Jacobus, RN, at djacobus@rockboro.org or 973-625-8602 for Lincoln School, or Mrs. Linda Savercool RN at lsavercool@rockboro.org or 973-625-8603 for Thomas Jefferson School), if any of the symptoms or close contact/exposure fields are checked off.

Section 1: Symptoms
Any of the symptoms below could indicate a COVID-19 infection in children and may put your child at risk for spreading illness to others. Please note that this list does not include all possible symptoms and children with COVID-19 may experience any, all, or none of these symptoms. Please check your child daily for these symptoms:

Column A  (Two or more symptoms)      Column B  (One symptom)

 ___ Fever (100.0F or higher)             ___Cough
___ Chills                             ___ Shortness of breath
___ Rigors (shivers)                    ___ Difficulty breathing
___ Myalgia (muscle aches)             ___ New loss of smell
___ Headache                          ___New loss of taste
___ Sore throat                                                                        
___ Nausea or Vomiting
___ Diarrhea
___ Fatigue (feeling tired)
___ Congestion or runny nose

Students who are sick (e.g. fever, vomiting, diarrhea) should not attend school in-person, regardless of vaccination status. If TWO OR MORE of the fields in Column A are checked off, or AT LEAST ONE field in Column B is checked off, please keep your ill child and any unvaccinated siblings or household members attending district schools at home and notify the school for further instructions.













































































STUDENT GOVERNMENT NEWS

"100 Day" Items Collection

Our annual collection of basic supply items for "100 Day" will be running until March 30th.
Grade level donations are as follows:

4th grade - Shampoo
5th frade - Conditioner
6th grade - Dishwashing Liquid
7th grade - Wrapped rolls of Toilet Paper
8th grade - Paper Towels



AND.........


March is READ ACROSS AMERICA

Our SGO officers and representatives will be reading selections to students at Lincoln School.


From Ms. Selikoff's MEDIA ROOM






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2021-2022 REVISED/UPDATED SCHOOL CALENDAR



































Day of the Cycle for
March

























The TJ

Players

present


 Friday March 18 & Saturday March 19, 2022, 7 p.m. 

Sunday March 20, 2022, 3 p.m. 

Thomas Jefferson Middle School Gymnasium
95 East Main Street
Rockaway, NJ

Tickets will be sold before and after school beginning March 14th as well as at the door on performance dates.
Prices: Adults ~ $10
Seniors and Students ~ $5

Thank you for all your support of the TJ Musical!



HOME AND SCHOOL NEWS
RBHSA's Tricky Tray 2022 Update

Cash bar only! No outside adult beverages allowed. 
However, you may bring your own food!
Doors will open at 6:30 pm.


Kristin Williams, Co-President
Jessica Hensal, Co-President
Erin DeMiceli, Treasurer
Michelle Sorce, Secretary
8th GRADE FUNDRAISERS










TJ Discount cards will be sold March-April, cost $10 and don't expire until 4/1/23. 



Shoprite gift cards will be on sale until further notice. Denomination options of $25, $50 and $100 and these cards will be delivered every Friday. 



LOCAL ACTIVITIES




MARCH 2022
LIBRARY PROGRAMS



LUCKY TREA$URE BOOK $ALE
There are many treasures to find in the Friends of the Library Book Sale Room.
Fill a bag of books, pay $5.00 for your bag of treasures, then pick a Lucky Envelope to win an additional prize. Prizes include: candy bar, extra books, free DVD, 50% off your bag of books, gift card, etc. All month long.
 
READ ACROSS AMERICA BINGO*
Wednesday, March 2 ~ 6:30pm. Ages 4-10. *Registration required.
Celebrate Read Across America with a fun game of Bingo. Win prizes.
 
MINDFULNESS FOR KIDS AND TEENS (virtual event)
March 7 at 6:30 pm  *Registration required.
This program is presented by New Jersey Hope and Healing counselors.
 
SELF-CARE JEOPARDY FOR KIDS AND TEENS (in-person)
March 9 at 3:30 pm. *Registration required.
Join us for an interactive way to learn about self-care techniques while participating in a fun game of Jeopardy. This program is presented by New Jersey Hope and Healing counselors. Registration is required.
 
INTRODUCTION TO MINDFUL YOGA*
Friday, March 11 ~ 11:00am. Ages 18+. *Registration required.
Join instructor Nancy Candea for an in-person chair yoga class. Funded by an American Rescue Plan Act grant.

STUFF AN EMERALD BEAR WORKSHOP*
Friday, March 11 ~ 4:00pm. Ages 5 & up. *Registration required. Space is limited.
Join Miss Amanda to stuff an adorable Emerald Bear just in time for Saint Patrick's Day.
 
DROP-IN RAINBOW CRAFT
Saturday, March 12 ~ 10:00am-12:00pm. Ages 5+
Drop in to create a rainbow themed craft. While supplies last.
 
KINDERGARTEN READINESS BAGS
Ms. Debbi's preschooler bags will be available during the weeks of March 14 & 28. While supplies last.
 
IRISH DANCE DEMONSTRATION
March 14 at 6:30 pm  *Registration required.
Students from the Wick-Hegarty School of Dance in Denville will give a demonstration followed by a Q&A about Irish Dance.

SPRING STORYTIME & CRAFT*
Tuesday, March 15, 22, 29 ~ 11:00am. Ages 2+. *Registration required.
Six-week program with Ms. Geri begins March 15 through April 19.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
Wednesday, March 16 ~ 7:00pm
Meeting will be held at Community Center for Board Members. Open to the public. Zoom link available.
 
KNIT AND CROCHET CLUB*
Thursday, March 17 ~ 11:00am-12:30pm. Ages 18+. *Registration required.
 
NIGHT OWLS STORYTIME
Friday, March 18. Ages 2+. Watch Miss Amanda as she reads a story on Facebook.
 
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY MEETING
Monday, March 21 ~ 6:30pm. Ages 18+.
The Friends of the Library is a volunteer group devoted to promoting and supporting the library as a vital part of the community through fundraising and promotional events. Membership in the Friends is open to all persons who actively support the purpose and activities of the group.
 
LEAP INTO SCIENCE*
Friday, March 25 ~ 3:30pm. Ages 5-8. *Registration required.
Come explore light and shadow in this fun workshop with Ms. Lauren.
 
LET’S BUILD THINGS THAT FLY!*
Saturday, March 26 ~ 11:00am-11:45am. Ages 5-7 and 12:00pm-12:45pm. Ages 8-12
Join Ms. Debbi to build an incredible hoop glider, a paper helicopter, and a straw rocket! *Registration is required.
 
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE PROGRAM*
Monday, March 28 ~ 6:30pm. Ages 18+. *Registration required. Zoom link provided 24 hours before program. Basic training program of Emotional and Social Intelligence which is key to mental health and getting along with others at work and in the world. Part of a monthly series on mental health topics sponsored by the Mental Health Mondays & More grant.
 
BOOK LOVERS MEETING*
Wednesday, March 30 ~ 6:30pm. Ages 18+. *Registration required.
Pick up a copy of the selected book title before our meeting. Bring a book suggestion or two to share with the group.

Visit http://rblibrary.org/ or call 973-627-5709 to register for library programs.

Masks are required for all indoor library programs.










































What's New in Our Schools and in Our Community
Respect Yourself and Others
Achieve Excellence
Make Good Choices
Stay Safe
Thomas Jefferson School - 95 East Main Street, Rockaway NJ 07866 - Phone: 973-625-8603
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