Constant Contact

Dear Families of Thomas Jefferson School students,

I hope this communication finds everyone doing well. Are we already only 1 month away from Spring? With much of the school year still left, we continue to focus on relationships. 

On Thursday night of this week, my son (who is in 7th grade) played in his semi-final basketball playoff game. In the town that we live in, Chase plays basketball for our town recreational league. Chase isn’t the start player on his team, but he isn’t too bad either---he’s about an average player. When the town created the teams, he found that 1 friend of his was on it, but all of the other kids were kids that he didn’t know that well and he was a bit uncomfortable. Chase is not a kid who easily opens up to other kids and is a little bit guarded, even. He is very unlike his twin sister who is very social and open. Fortunately, Chase had a great coach who did care about winning, but was also very positive with the kids. He genuinely liked kids and focused on teaching, along with the winning/losing (which is sometimes very hard to balance). 



In any event, my son’s team lost their playoff game last night. It was a close game from start to finish. Surprisingly, my son didn’t care much that they lost--he was quick to move on. But, what we saw was that he had a good experience, was talking to alot of kids that he has never talked to before and had a coach who we hope he gets to have again. We all know that winning and losing isn’t everything---it is important--but it isn’t everything. But what we are finding here, in school, especially after a few tough years, it’s those social interactions that we find our kids are struggling the most with. Kids need help with relationships and in connecting with other kids. Kids need adults to help them navigate through them--it’s normal for them to need help. Even we as adults sometimes need help with this--if we struggle with other adults, how can we expect to for our kids to know how to navigate through tough situations, too? We can’t, but we can teach them and it is important for them to learn. These are lessons which will pave the way for them in life. 

Thank you always for working with us and thank you for your partnership.

Be safe,

David Waxman

Thomas Jefferson School Principal

Please call us with any questions: (973) 625-8603

Join our Instagram to be in touch: @tjprincipal

Constant Contact Link

Nurse: 973 625-8603 ext. 305

Counselor: 973 625-8603 ext. 331

Virtual Backpack Link

Rockaway Borough District Website

SCOLIOSIS SCREENING AND WASHINGTON INFORMATION

All 5th and 7th grade parents: A letter regarding scoliosis screening will be going out the bbeginning of March. If you checked NO on your emergency card, your child will NOT be screened. All other students will be screened during their P.E. classes during the middle of March. Any questions please contact Mrs. Savercool via email.

All 8th grade parents: Washington DC medical forms will be going home the beginning of March. Forms must be completed and handed in by the due date of April 26th to Mrs. Savercool. Any questions please contact Mrs. Savecool via email.

FROM the Band Room & Drama

*Save the Dates*

on

Friday March 17 & Saturday March 18, 2023, 7 p.m. 

Sunday March 19, 2023, 3 p.m. 

as

The TJ Players

present 

Calling 7th and 8th Graders!

If you are interested and/or planning on joining the 2023 MH Marching Scarlet Knights Marching Band, here’s some information for you from Mr. Hartsuiker, the band director:

THE SHOW:

I’m INCREDIBLY excited about the show for next season! It was written by Jeff Chambers, and his title for it is Catch Me If You Can. I'm not sure if we'll stick with that title, but the rest of the staff and I will be meeting over the next few weeks/months to create the story that will become the 2023 production.  

Here's a link to the music: https://soundcloud.com/jeffreylukechambers/catch-me-if-you-can-marching-band-show

The musical selections for this show are:

-Gangsta’s Paradise by Coolio

-Smooth Criminal by Michael Jackson

-Dead or Alive by Bon Jovi

-Original Music by Jeff Chambers

-Hide and Seek by Imogen Heap

THE SCHEDULE:

While I'm still waiting on some information in order to finalize the schedule, here's what I can share:

...Summer Practices - one evening a week starting in July 

...Band Camp - August 7th through 11th at Morris Hills

...Two evening practices a week (we have to practice in the evening due to facility limitations) starting in September, ending at the end of October (possibly the first week of November)

...Occasional Friday evening football games

...Saturday competitions and football games in September and October (possibly the first weekend in November)

...Possibly ONE Sunday competition (for championships!)

*For note: high school sports teams typically operate, between practices and games/matches/meets, over 6 or 7 days a week throughout the fall. (I know this firsthand, as my oldest son is an athlete at MH!) The marching band meets 3 or 4 times a week!

HOW TO JOIN:

Here is the link to sign-up, and feel free to share this link with anyone you think would be interested: 2023 MH Marching Scarlet Knights Sign-Up Form

There is no experience necessary, and we can use members in all sections! Anyone in 8th through 12th grades is able to join, keeping in mind that any 8th grader interested must live in Wharton, Rockaway Township and/or Borough, or Denville.

BEHIND THE SCENES:

Here is a link to a GREAT video put together by one of our outstanding band parents, showing season highlights and “behind the scenes”: https://www.dropbox.com/s/g84r78sgfeeaz45/Final.mov?dl=0

Lastly, I’d like to share with potential new members (and their parents/guardians) a great article I found recently:  10 Lessons Your Child Will Learn in Marching Band. It’s a quick and informative read!

DANCE, DANCE, DANCE !

Mark your calendar! The 8th grade class is hosting a

BACK TO THE 60'S DANCE

When: Friday, March 10th

Where: TJ Gymnasium

Time: 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Cost: $4.00 if dressed as a Soc or a Greaser

$5.00 if dressed in plain clothes

Day of the Cycle for March

HOME AND SCHOOL NEWS

Rockaway Borough School District Annual Tricky Tray- Friday, April 28th at the White Meadow Lake Clubhouse doors open at 5:30pm. 

Tickets will go on sale in February. We are currently accepting donations from the community and businesses as 100% of proceeds go towards enriching the education for Pre-K-8 students and teachers in the Borough.

Please consider donating products, services, or monetary support. To coordinate pick up, please email rbhsafundraising@gmail.com to connect.

Our next meeting is March 15th at 7:30pm in the TJ cafeteria.

GIRLS In Grades 5 - 8

8th GRADE FUNDRAISERS

LOCAL ACTIVITIES

Monthly Programs for March

BASKETBALL TRIVIA NIGHT*

Wednesday, March 1 ~ 6:30pm-7:15pm. Kids 8 and up. *Registration required.

Hello, sports fans! Join us for a night of basketball trivia. Test your knowledge of basketball players, teams, history, rules, and more for an opportunity to win a small prize.

STRATEGIES FOR A SUCCESSFUL INCOME IN RETIREMENT*

Monday, March 6 ~ 6:30 pm. *Registration required.

Join speaker Mark Lange for an in-person program. Strategies for a Sustainable Income in Retirement: Establish retirement goals, Estimating retirement income, Tax Advantaged Savings Vehicles, Investment Considerations

REMEMBER THE LADIES: WOMEN DURING THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION*

Wednesday, March 8 ~ 6:30 pm. Ages 16 and up. *Registration required.

Historian Joel Farkas presents a comprehensive look at the lives of women in the American Revolution.From the expectations of women to their legal rights, their role in health and medicine, to an in-depth look at the “First Ladies” and First Mother of the time period, this is a fascinating look at the lives of the women who played a crucial role in the founding of our country. Attend in-person at the library or via Zoom. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

SPRING STORYTIME & CRAFT w/Ms. GERI*

Tuesdays, March 14, 21, 28 & April 4, 11, 18 ~ 11:00am. Ages 2-6. *Registration required.

Ms. Geri starts 6 weeks of Spring Storytime and Craft beginning Tuesday, March 14 through Tuesday, April 18.

KNIT AND CROCHET CLUB

Thursday, March 16 ~ 11:00am-12:30pm. Adults 18 and up. Registration is no longer required.

TIME FOR TOTS w/Ms. LAUREN*

Friday, March 17 ~ 11:00-11:45am. Ages 1-4.*Registration required.

Meet friends for books, coloring and play time. Wear green for a prize.

DND CAMPAIGN: WATERDEEP DRAGON HEIST*

Fridays, March 17, 24, 31 ~ 3:45pm-5:45pm. Ages 13-17. *Registration required.

Take to the streets of the fictional city of Waterdeep, where you’ll need your wits to survive. Unravel the mysteries this illustrious city holds, and see what friends (or enemies) you make. A hidden stash of incredible wealth is hidden somewhere in the city, and it will be up to you and your adventuring party to find it before it can fall into the wrong hands.

MANDALA WINDOW CLINGS*

Saturday, March 18 ~ 10:30am-1pm. Ages 9 and up. *Registration required.

Sign up then stop in to color a Mandala cling for glass and mirrors.

BOOK LOVERS MEETING*

Wednesday, March 22 ~ 6:30pm. Adults 18 and up. *Registration required.

Registrants will receive a notification when the selected book is ready to pick up at the library. We will discuss the specific book at the meeting and share other great book suggestions.

AN HOUR OF CODE: MINECRAFT!*

Saturday, March 25 ~ 11:00-12:00. Ages 7-12. *Registration required.

Join Ms. Debbi to learn some of the fundamentals of coding, using Blockly. It’s fun and easy, especially when coding in the world of Minecraft with Steve or Alex. Previous attendees can pick up where their last hour left off.

LET'S DISH!*

Monday, March 27 ~ 1:30pm. NEW TIME! Adults 18 and up. *Registration required.

Geri will discuss recipes & share tips. Bring a copy of a recipe you love!

PAJAMA STORYTIME w/Ms. GERI*

Tuesday, March 29 ~ 6:30pm. Ages 2-7. *Registration required.

Join Ms. Geri for stories and crafts ~ be sure to wear your pajamas and bring a stuffed friend.

--

Melissa Okerblom

Library Director

Rockaway Borough Public Library

82 East Main St

Rockaway, NJ 07866

973-627-5709

http://www.rblibrary.org/