And just like that, it’s February. While February is typically the coldest and hardest of the winter months, this PTA Corresponding Secretary loves this month of celebration. Not only is the Lunar New Year in February (and it’s the year of the Tiger!), but so is Black History Month. There is a lot happening around us to celebrate both, so read on friends!

Vaccination records

If you haven’t already uploaded your child’s vaccination records, please do as a matter of urgency. Sadly, teachers and administrators are not able to accept a hard copy of the card at the door or view an image of the card on your phone, or on the Docket app. It must be uploaded to the district's google form tool. You can do that here.

Show some love

Celebrate our love for Tuscan on Spirit Day, Tuesday February 15! Wear your blue and yellow or tiger best. Need new spirit wear? T-shirts, sweatshirts (in youth and adult sizes!), pop-its, and magnets are available online.

The last chapter

The Tuscan Book Fair ends today. Here is a link to the e-fair. Families will also have an opportunity to purchase books for our teachers’ wish lists, which you can access here.

Dial in, check it out

Our next PTA meeting is on February 9 at 7:30pm. It is open to anyone who is interested to attend, so put the date in! Here’s the Zoom link.

Celebrate Black History Month

Throughout the month of February there are a number of fantastic events taking place across Maplewood to celebrate Black History Month, and in particular, this year’s theme of “Black Health and Wellness”. From virtual book discussions to in-person discussions about art and beyond, you can find everything you need to know here and here. All events are free and open to everyone.

Welcome the Lunar New Year

February 1 marked the beginning of the Lunar New Year, and the Year of the Tiger. Celebrations began in Maplewood on January 23 at The Woodland, and will continue in Essex County and New York throughout the remainder of the month. Join the Family Fun Day on February 12 at The Liberty Hall Museum in Union or head into the city on February 20 for the Chinatown Lunar New Year parade and festival. Info on that can be found here.

Tune into SEPAC

On February 16 at 7:30pm, Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (SEPAC) SOMA will hold a virtual panel discussion alongside the Schools Committee of the Community Coalition on Race on Black Family Voices and Special Education in SOMSD. Interested? It’s open to everyone. Find out how to sign up for its newsletter and to get updates here.

Coming soon to a school near you

Be on the lookout for Beyond the Bell registration information and class choices. SOMSD will be sending packets of information home with children this week and registration is anticipated to be February 15 for Tuscan.

For 2022

We need your stories! We want to know what’s happening in and around the school. Who is doing something wonderful? We want to write about it! Get in touch via TuscanSchoolPTA@gmail.com.

Join us! Meet us!

Please join the PTA - we’d love to have you. We’ve upgraded our platform designed for PTAs, which will make it easier for you to use and us to operate. Instructions for how to sign up can be found here, but even if you don’t join the PTA (please, please join!), it’s still important to sign up for an account on our new site so that you can have access to information you’ll need.

SUBJECT: PTA Newsletter 2/6