Teacher conferences this week!
11/29/2021 12:49 pm
Welcome back! Here’s to hoping that you had a restful Thanksgiving. Can you believe we are in the home stretch to the end of the calendar year?
Teacher conferences are this week. By now, you should have all signed up to meet (virtually) with your teacher and to find out what the first three months of the school year have been like for your Tuscan Tiger(s). Please reach out to your teacher if you haven't received a SignUp Genius link.
And because of conferences, Wednesday 12/1 through Friday 12/3 are half days with dismissal at 12:45pm. No lunch, pack a hearty snack!
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Tuscan Show Meeting
11/21/2021 3:20 pm
Just a reminder that the first parent (virtual) meeting about the Tuscan Show is happening on Monday, November 22 at 7pm.
Thinking of dipping your toe in the director pool? JOIN US! Want to support in another way? LOG ON! Go to www.tuscanshow.com for the meeting zoom link and all show info this year! Can’t make it? Check the site for more details after the meeting or email tuscanshow@gmail.com.
Read MoreThanksgiving Dinner Donation Drive Update
11/16/2021 10:28 am
UPDATE: As of Tuesday 11/16, we now have 101 donations totaling $5,300!! We will be able to assist all of the families as we were hoping to do with grocery gift cards, so we are going to close this fundraiser.
Our community is incredible - thank you!!
One of the many wonderful ways that the Tuscan PTA helps to support the community is through fundraising initiatives. With this in mind, there are 35 families we hope to help this year at Thanksgiving. Our goal is to raise at least $3,500 dedicated to this purpose by Friday, November 19. Any donations will be used by the PTA to purchase grocery store gift cards.
As of Monday evening, 11/15 we have received 35 donations totaling $2,510. Our goal is $3,500 and we need to buy the gift cards by this Saturday.
If you are able to help, there are three ways to give (we strongly prefer online donations if possible):
- by donating online here
- by sending a check to your child’s classroom made payable to the Tuscan PTA - please write ‘Thanksgiving Drive’ in the memo line
- by sending cash to your child’s classroom in an envelope marked ‘Thanksgiving’
Thank you for helping make our community stronger!
Read MorePTA and SEPAC meetings this week
11/8/2021 6:00 am
Welcome back Tigers! We hope everyone enjoyed the Fall Break.
A reminder that we have a few upcoming events (and that these are also listed in our PTA Calendar that you can subscribe to here).
PTA Meeting, Wednesday, 11/10 @ 7:30pm via Zoom
Find out what we're working on and see how you can get involved!
SEPAC SOMA Meeting, Thursday, 11/11 @ 7:45pm via Zoom
The ABCs of IEPs in Pre-K. Learn more about Special Education during the preschool years, led by Beth Cosentino, SEPAC VP of Policy (and Tuscan Parent!) They'll also have a breakout room for general discussion, questions and support for all grades.
Tuscan Show Parent Interest Meeting, Monday, 11/22 @ 7:30pm via Zoom
The Tuscan Show - the most highly anticipated Tuscan event - is on for the 21/22 school year! Come join the show directors to get all your questions answered. Find out how you can be part of the magic that is The Tuscan Show. Go to www.tuscanshow.com for the meeting zoom link and all show info this year! Can’t make it? Check the site for more details after the meeting or email tuscanshow@gmail.com.
Read MoreICYMI: The annual Tuscan Thanksgiving Drive is now open for donations!
11/2/2021 2:32 pm
Your generous donations will be used to purchase grocery store gift cards to help the Tuscan families whose finances are tenuous to help them with their Thanksgiving celebrations.
Our goal this year is to raise at least $3,500. Find out more on how to donate here.
Read MoreAutumn is here (finally)!
10/17/2021 5:22 pm
We now return you to your regularly scheduled autumn, already in progress
Pumpkin spice, red-gold leaves, a hint of chill in the air, and most pleasant of all -- our kids heading off to full days at school with their friends almost like in the Before Times. A parent could get used to this!
We met… we zoomed… we laughed… we talked
On October 13, we kicked off the year with our first PTA meeting. It was great to see so many faces and to start the year. We heard from PTA President, Ronni Schwartz, Ms. Majeed, Mr. Bertani, our SEPAC representative Kay Puthaaroon and more. The meetings are open to all, so please join us next time around. The next meeting is slated for Wednesday, November 10 - add the Zoom link to your calendar!
Oh, snap… lose your picture QR code? Read on
It’s very possible that the form with the QR code to access your kids’ photos may have gotten lost in the stack of art and drawings coming home in their backpacks. This comms person nearly threw hers out! If you’ve lost it, no problem! Just email Hi@iamacamera.net and the photo team will help. A quick note to say that they will also be circulating new coupon codes once the photos are ready. Keep an eye on your inbox!
Parent lunch volunteers should be… parents (or primary guardians)
It is SO MUCH FUN volunteering at lunch but volunteers should be Tuscan Tiger parents/primary guardians and not anyone else. So, have a keen grandmother visiting from Biloxi? An eager grandad making a trip from Grand Rapids? Sorry, they can’t take a lunch volunteering slot. It must be parents/primary guardians only.
BOO! Made you look
The Tuscan PTA is hoping to add some scare back into the fun of Halloween with an event on October 29 from 5-7pm at the school. Info can be found here. Want to scare… I mean… help? Please email jennifer@melonearchitects.com to volunteer.
Make a difference at CHS
Have a few spare hours and looking to help make a positive impact on SOMA? The Columbia High School Scholarship Fund (CHSS) is expanding its board of trustees. The CHSS is a need-based fund that helps CHS students to pursue their dreams of post-secondary education, including two- or four-year colleges, trade or technical schools, and graduate schools. Interested? Email chssf@chssf.org.
November 2 is voting day
There. I said it. November 2 will see NJ take to the polls to decide on everything from the Governor all the way to representatives in the community, including Sheriff, Township Committee, Board of Education and the Maplewood Capital Improvement Proposal. Away? You have until October 26 to vote by mail. Download the form here.
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.
And finally…
Have a story idea? Know someone who is doing something wonderful? Want to talk about your own initiatives helping people in the area? Get in touch! TuscanSchoolPTA@gmail.com
Read MoreTuscan PTA updates, there's a lot so read carefully!
10/10/2021 8:16 pm
I’m not going to lie. This is a big one, folks. There is just so much going on. Which is great on these wash-out October days. Read below to find out how to access your kids’ pics; a reminder of some important guidelines; more about the upcoming Board of Education election; and details on a very important event… the PTA Halloween party. Read on!
REMINDER: This Tuesday, October 12 is a half day of school for all SOMSD schools. Remember to pack a bigger snack than usual and to plan for the 12:45 pm dismissal/pick up.
It’s the MOST wonderful time of the year… 
Halloween is JUST around the corner! And if you’re like us, you’ll remember what fun Tuscan and Maplewood were at Halloween in the before times. Well, the Tuscan PTA is hoping to add some scare back into the fun of Halloween with an event on October 29 from 5-7pm at the school. Don your scariest costume, practice your ghoulish moves, and get ready for sugar overload. More info to come. We need some help with this event - if you’re interested, please email jennifer@melonearchitects.com to volunteer.
Pictures, please! Get a hold of your kids’ pic
Phew! Picture day went off with a hitch...sort of. Despite the rain day last Monday, our kids posed and gave their best smiles. Desperate to see how their pics turned out? Each child should have been sent home with a form in the backpack that allows you to view the result of the day online and gives you the option to purchase prints. If you cannot find the form, please email hi@iamacamera.net to get information to log in to see and order your child’s pictures.
The PTA supports picture orders for families who may need assistance. Please contact Tuscan’s Social Worker, Ms. Buggy at ebuggy@somsd.k12.nj.us or call our photographer at 908-228-5674 for confidential assistance and ask for the PTA package. Missed the week entirely? Make-up picture day is on November 19.
PTA Meeting - via Zoom this Wednesday, October 13 at 7:30 pm
Zoom in to join us for a virtual meeting to discuss our budget for the year, events that are coming up, and help us vote (you must be an official member to vote) to make our Equity and Inclusion position an official executive board role. There are also many opportunities to be as involved as you’d like to be. When else can you be in a meeting in your pajamas?! Oh, right...
We need YOU to help make our yearbook awesome!
A cute first day of school pic? A class playdate? Halloween? We want your pictures! Send them to tuscanyearbook@gmail.com to be included in this year's schoolbook! Order your book before October 31 to get 5% off, using this link. Also, you can create custom pages with your child’s best pictures to make it extra special and two are included in the basic price!
Try not to lose it… we need help with the Lost and Found
The school is seeking volunteers to manage the school’s Bermuda Triangle of water bottles, socks, and sweaters. This person will work with a staff member to coordinate bringing the lost and found outside on occasion so grown-ups can try to locate their child’s items. To volunteer, please put on your life jacket and email TuscanPTAPres@gmail.com.
Keeping hydrated and staying that way
If your Tuscan Tiger forgets their water bottle or runs out of water, don’t worry! There is a supply of water bottles at school for kids who forget and there is a water bottle filling station (with filtered water) in the cafeteria.
A reminder…
If you are a lunchtime volunteer (thanks!), please remember that taking pictures and videos of the children is absolutely not allowed and masks are mandatory…
...Speaking of lunch, many of you have been asking about what the guidelines are for eating lunch when it’s raining buckets out there. Those can be found here.
Also, here are the District’s guidelines for quarantining when you have traveled out of the state.
Who’s who in the BoE election
Next month, three of the nine seats on the Maplewood South Orange Board of Education are up for election. Want to learn more about the candidates? There are a series of events planned so that we can all get to know the candidates better.
They are as follows:
- October 11 at 7:30pm: The President’s Council and the League of Women Voters is holding the first debate. Click here to register.
- October 20 at 7:30pm: Hilton Neighborhood Association. The Zoom link will be available on the HNA Facebook page ahead of this open-to-all event.
- October 26 at 7:30pm: South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race. Click here for more info and to register for this virtual event.
Harvest up some fun
Next Saturday, Seth Boyden is holding its annual Harvest Festival to celebrate the season and all things local. Held on October 16 from 12-4pm in the Seth Boyden playground, there will be food trucks, performances, pumpkins, games and much much more. Masks are mandatory.
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.
And finally…
Have a story idea? Know someone who is doing something wonderful? Want to talk about your own initiatives helping people in the area? Get in touch! TuscanSchoolPTA@gmail.com
Read MoreGet ready for a busy week at Tuscan - Week of RESPECT, Picture Day and PE week!
10/3/2021 7:54 pm
On the eve of The Week of Respect at Tuscan, it’s a good moment to remind ourselves of our school’s motto: R.O.A.R. Don’t know what it means? Ask your Tuscan Tiger! They know it and live it every day they grace the halls or log into virtual school. (psst: Respect Others and Act Responsibly)
R.E.S.P.E.C.T that is what this week is for me
From October 4 to 8, schools across the great state of New Jersey will recognize “The Week of Respect”, which is aimed at preventing instances of harassment, intimidation, and bullying. At Tuscan, there are a number of exciting initiatives planned, see below for a quick list but don't forget to read Tuscan Tidings carefully for info on what’s happening every day.
- Monday 10/4 - Light it up Blue: Wear BLUE today, the national anti-bullying color
- Tuesday 10/5 - Superhero Day: Wear your favorite superhero gear to show admiration for your favorite superhero
- Wednesday 10/6 - Sock-It to Bullying: Wear crazy fun socks to show that we are "socking-it" to bullying in our school!
- Thursday 10/7 - Tuscan Spirit Day: Wear your favorite Tuscan gear to show respect for your school community!
- Friday 10/8 - Pajama Day: Show that you are "putting bullying to bed" by wearing your favorite PJs to school!
We’re particularly excited about PJ day… oh… that’s just for the students? Shame.
Picture This…
It is supposed to rain most of the day on Monday, October 4, so we’re moving Monday’s picture day to Thursday, October 7. Classes scheduled for Tuesday, October 5th are still scheduled for that day as planned. You can find the schedule for your child(ren) here.
Let’s get physical, physical
Who knew the first week of October would be so busy? It’s also PE week. And oh boy, the weather is looking… decent. A list of suggestions is here, and if it rains, there are plenty of suggestions for indoor activities.
SEPAC SOMA is meeting
Do you have a child with an IEP or 504? Do you have questions about Special Education or want to connect with other families? Join SEPAC SOMA's first community meeting of the school year on October 6 at 7:30pm! Sign up for meeting notices (and to get the Zoom link!) at www.sepacsoma.org
Board of Education Candidate Debate hosted by The League of Women Voters and the SOMSD President’s Council Tune in to watch some Talking Heads debate
Interested in who is vying for the Board of Education? The candidate debate is taking place on October 11 at 7:30pm. Register here to attend.
Hola, Hispanic Heritage Month! Ho-la la la
Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations continue, and on October 9 from 3-6pm, the festivities come to Memorial Park. Music, dancing, and a screening of Coco all under the sky will mark the day’s events. The festival is hosted by SOMA Cross Cultural Works and Maplewood Township, NJ, and sponsored by several organizations including our main event sponsor, Sacks Orthodontics Livingston NJ.
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.
And finally…
Have a story idea? Know someone who is doing something wonderful? Want to talk about your own initiatives helping people in the area? Get in touch! TuscanSchoolPTA@gmail.com
Read MoreThe Tuscan PTA Needs You!
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Outdoor Recess & Lunch Volunteers
Upcoming Events
- Tuesday, November 26
- Wednesday, November 27
- Thursday, November 28
- Friday, November 29
- Wednesday, December 4
