Category: General

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General Press PTA School School District Seth Boyden News

PTA Statement

October 8, 2021

SETH BOYDEN PTA STATEMENT ON ALLEGED RELIGIOUS BIAS INCIDENT

The Seth Boyden Parent Teacher Association believes that our schools should be inclusive spaces for learning and growth. Students should never face discrimination. We stand in solidarity with the student who was allegedly asked to remove her hijab, and support her family.

While this incident is being investigated by the school administration and the school district, we will support and collaborate with staff and administration to ensure that our school community remains a place of acceptance, belonging, and learning for all individuals.

2021-22 PTA Board Members

A Statement from Carey Smith, State of NJPTA, Region V Director

The State of New Jersey PTA, and National PTA stands firmly against racism in all forms and the culture of oppression that permeates the United States.

Continued respect for, and expansion of civil rights requires they be defended whenever threatened and that children and youth be taught the significance of civil rights and responsibilities in American Culture.

We support – Prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, gender, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, national origin, language, religion, age, physical and academic ability, and sexual orientation

While this incident is being investigated by the school administration, school district, and the local authorities, we will support and collaborate with staff and administration to ensure that our school community remains a place of acceptance, belonging, and learning for all individuals.

As an association that represents all children, we must listen, educate and advocate beyond rhetoric and rise to correct all inequities and injustices.

Categories
Community Building Events General PTA Seth Boyden News Uncategorized Volunteer Opportunities

Thank you Families & PTA!

Seth Boyden PTA Board: Right to Left, Jasmine Jones (VP), Katie Kaplan (Secretary), Anna Dunbar (VP), Allyson Murphy (VP), Nadine Hart (President), Sabena Khan (Treasurer), Mandy Tenner (Secretary) & Jen Warren (VP) are not pictured, though they are much appreciated!
Seth Boyden Meet & Greet
Principal Glander welcoming our families.

A special thanks to the PTA for organizing a lovely Seth Boyden First Day of School Meet & Greet! Thank you to all the families for showing up for our school and for taking the time to volunteer for so many activities!

The PTA is still looking for volunteers! Please sign up here.

Categories
General Outdoor Learning Center PTA School Seth Boyden News

First Day Coffee Meet and Greet!

Seth Boyden OLC

September 13, 2021 8:45AM at Seth Boyden Elementary School

Please join the PTA at the OLC (Outdoor Learning Center) to welcome Seth Boyden parents new and old back to campus!Right after drop off, there will be pastries from The Bread Stand and coffee. Masks are required when not eating. We will welcome new families, review upcoming activities and ways to participate in PTA! 

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General PTA School SOMA YMCA

YMCA Food Distribution – Oct 23 and Oct 30

In partnership with Seashore Produce, the South Mountain YMCA is distributing free food boxes on Friday, Oct 23, and Friday, Oct 30.  

Limited availability – first come, first served.

Pick up begins at 1 pm at Seth Boyden.

Pick up instructions:

  • Use the school’s circular driveway
  • Pop your trunk open
  • Do not get out of your car
  • Staff will load box
  • Masks required

If you don’t have a vehicle, please email [email protected] and the PTA will connect you with a volunteer driver. 

For information in Spanish – click here. 

For information in Creole – click here. 

Categories
General PTA

Supply Lists

Did you order a school supply kit via the PTA? If so, it will be distributed when the PTA gives out other materials at a date still being worked out. If you entered an email in the order, look for an email from Marianne about it as well. Thanks to those who ordered!

While we’re starting the school year virtually, our school supply lists are ready! Some of these items (like cleaning supplies) are for when we’re able to be back together safely!

Kindergarten Supply List 2020-2021

Zip top soft pencil case (no pencil boxes, please)

8 packs of glue sticks

3 boxes (8 – eight) pack of standard color Crayola Crayons

Children’s scissors

Tissues

Paper towels

Antibacterial Hand Sanitizer (not soap)

Last Name A-L: Gallon Ziploc Bags

Last Name M-Z:  Sandwich Ziploc Bags

Napkins

Lysol wipes

Baby wipes

1st Grade School Supply 2020/2021

2 heavy duty, plastic 2 pocket folders

2 8 packs of standard color Classic Crayola Markers (fat not skinny)

2 boxes of Crayola crayons

1 4-pack of glue sticks

1 Pack of pencils (if possible sharpened)

Teacher Wish List Items:

Tissues

Hand Sanitizer

Disinfectant Wipes

Paper Towels

Second/Multiage List Per Student:

1 heavy duty, plastic 2 pocket folder

1-2 8 packs of standard color Classic Crayola Markers

1 8 pack of standard color Crayola Colored Pencils

2 boxes of Crayola crayons

1 pack of glue sticks

Tissues

Teacher Wish List Items:

Hand Sanitizer

Liquid Soap

Gallon Ziploc Bags

Sandwich Ziploc Bags

Index Cards

Sharpie Markers

Wipes

Paper towels

Band-aids

Third Grade List per student:

2 12 pack of Ticonderoga pencils

zippered pencil case

1 marble notebook

2 5 subject notebooks

2 plastic folders (1 for homework/ 1 for classwork)

1 box of Crayola crayons

1 box of standard color classic Crayola markers

2 highlighters

Pack of glue sticks

scissors

Teacher Wish List Items:

tissues

post-its

paper towels

1 box of Crayola colored pencils

Fourth Grade List per Student:

1 heavy-duty plastic folder for homework

3 boxes of Ticonderoga/Dixon #2 pencils

1 pencil case

5 boxes of tissues

1 1L hand sanitizer bottle

Teacher Wish List Items:

Pencil Top Erasers or bar erasers

Handheld pencil sharpeners

Highlighters

1 package of Post-It Notes

Clorox/Lysol/Store Brand Wipes

Paper Towels

Fifth Grade List per student:

1 sturdy plastic homework folder

2 100-page marble composition notebooks

24-48 Ticonderoga #2 pencils (the green boxes)

1 zipper cloth pencil case

3 large boxes of unscented tissues

Teacher Wish List Items:

Paper Towels

Hand Sanitizer

Baby wipes

Clorox or Lysol disinfecting wipes

Categories
Fundraising General PTA School Seth Boyden News SOMA

Shop SOMaGeneralStore.com

SOMA General Store

SOMA General Store

SOMaGeneralStore.com is a cooperative online marketplace featuring local stores and makers, which can serve as a sort of Amazon alternative: local goods and stores delivered to your door.

It’s a great place to buy gifts, clothes, toys, art, and those end-of-year teacher presents. Just write Seth Boyden in the notes section at checkout, and a percentage of your purchase goes to the PTA!

Categories
Community Building Events General Outdoor Learning Center PTA School

SB This Week 3.11.13

This Week
Monday, March 11th – 4Hr Day – Afternoon Parent Teacher Conferences
Wednesday, March 13th – PTA Meeting
Happy March, everyone!
 
A reminder that our next PTA meeting is this Wed at 7:30 in the Library. We’re in the home stretch for the year, but the final months of the school year are jam packed and we need you all to marshal your energies and get a second wind!
 
Please try to have AT LEAST 1 representative from your class at the meeting. We would love to see new and veteran PTA members – we welcome experienced and fresh voices!
 
We will be starting to fill the PTA Org Chart for next year, so if you would like to be more involved and serve on the Board or chair an event or committee, please let me know. It’s not as scary or time-consuming as you may think, and I promise that it will be more rewarding than you expect! Being involved with the PTA is one of the very best ways to get to know the staff, other parents, and our amazing kids.
I look forward to seeing many more of you at the meeting on Wed. We try to finish by 9 and we keep the meeting moving, covering lots of valuable information and news. Be informed, get involved! 1 school, 100%!!
 
Thanks,
Susie
Friday, March 15th – Our Biennial Sock Hop/Spaghetti dinner is here.  Join us!
Sunday, March 17th – Just a reminder to all Seth Boyden teachers, staff and family to get your ticket requests in for our upcoming Seth Boyden Series event with TIM GUNN (Project Runway) on Sunday, March 17th at 7:30pm. Tickets are selling well and we don’t want any of our Seth Boyden families to miss out!
All $50 Premium Seat ticket holders are invited to a pre-theater Private Cocktail Party at The Laurel, one of Maplewood’s newest restaurants. Show your $50 ticket at the door and you will be welcome at the party any time between 5:30pm – 6:30pm on Sunday, March 17th. Enjoy some drinks and appetizers and then head over to Columbia High School for an amazing evening of local food and entertainment.
ALSO – SOPAC has agreed to provide $5 off the box office price of upcoming SOPAC shows for Seth Boyden Series ticket holders!
Don’t wait! Get your ticket today. $25 per person for Seth Boyden Family tickets. $50 for Premium Seating in the first 5 rows of the theater. $35 for non-Seth Boyden tickets. Make your check out to Seth Boyden PTA – place in an envelope with your child’s name, teacher’s name and # of tickets you are purchasing. Send in your child’s backpack. Tickets will be returned via backpack!
Please spread the word! The more tickets we sell the faster we will build our Outdoor Learning Center! Non-Seth Boyden Family tickets may be purchased online at: http://sbseriesgunn.brownpapertickets.com
The read-a-thon started last week with a kick off of The Big Read and will continue until March 29th.  Please check your childs backpack for the packet with all of the info. Happy Reading.
Coming Up
Saturday, March 23rd Variety Show
To become a PTA member and receive a free copy of the SB Directory and smartphone access, please click here https://sethboyden.com/our-pta/become-a-member/
Categories
Community Building General PTA School

Seth Boyden Opens Doors to 2012-13 School Year

On Thursday, Sept. 6, a freshly scrubbed and brightly decorated Seth Boyden School threw its doors open to the 2012-13 class of elementary school children. An excited crowd of 531 students from kindergarten through 5th grade bustled through the halls and into the portables to start a new year. Meanwhile, Principal Mark Quiles and Vice Principal Raquel Horn and representatives from the PTA welcomed parents at the Back to School Coffee in the cafeteria. See the photo essay here on Patch.

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Community Building Events Files Fundraising General Holidays Outdoor Learning Center PTA School School District

2012-2013 PTA Calendar

For those of you who like to plan ahead, here is the PTA calendar for next year’s events.

PTA calendar 2012-2013 (pdf)

PTA calendar 2012-2013 (word)

Of course, dates may change between now and the fall (and beyond), so always check the calendar on this site for the latest information.

 

Categories
Files General PTA

Welcome to Summer!

Well, this is it folks!! The final post for the 2011-2012 school year! Of course, you’d be kidding yourself if you think you won’t be hearing from us over the summer 🙂

First, congratulations to the Seth Boyden Class of 2012!! Yesterday was their Moving Up Ceremony and they performed and represented themselves, their families, and the school beautifully! All the best in Middle School and come back to visit us often!

Now, some important info for those families returning next year…

2012-2013 PTA Board

President – Susie Adamson
Vice President – Tia Swanson
Treasurer – Sherina Larrier
Assistant Treasurer – Donna Cabrera
Co-Recording Secretaries – Anastasia Tsioulcas, Josh Sherman
Ex-Oficia – Rhonda Wilson-Duncan
Fundraising Co-Chairs – Dina Coughlan, Caryn Emmons
Outdoor Learning Center Committee Chair – Heather Puglisi
Class Captain Coordinators – Julia Ribicoff, Maggie Tuohy, & Lesley Schiftic
Administration – Mark Quiles, Raquel Horn
Teacher Reps – Jennifer Rollin, Shayna Sackett

Sincere thanks to outgoing Board members: Jeanine Heriveaux, Fazeela Gafoor, Kattlyne Dameus, Peri Smilow, Maureen Davenport, Eliza Minot-Price

School Supply Lists

Here are the school supply lists for 2012-2013.

Please note that if your child is entering 1st grade, you will need to wait until you receive your teacher assignment letter(s) in order to know which list to use. The lists for the 1st grade teachers vary slightly. Additionally, if your child is in a multi-age class, she/he will have a different list of supplies to purchase.

If your child is already in a multi-age class, please use the 2nd grade supply list for your supplies.

Open PTA Positions

  • Safety Committee Coordinator – new committee!
  • Fall Book Fair Family Fun Night Coordinator (dinner and bake sale)
  • Pie Sale (before Thanksgiving)
  • Artist in Residence Coordinator (typically, but not necessarily, 5th grade parent)
  • Boyden Buzz Art Director (familiarity with Pages program a plus)
  • Recess Supplies Coordinator
  • Musical Manager – Programs, Ticket Sales, etc. (NOT responsible for the production; typically, but not necessarily, a 4th grade parent)
  • Pool Party Coordinator – Snacks, Chaperones (5th grade parent)
  • PTA Room Coordinator

If any of these positions pique your interest, please contact Susie Adamson for more information.

Strawberry Fields E-Loop

First, many thanks to our ever level-headed Julie Burch for serving as the e-loop coordinator for several years! We will miss you and your family!

Second, this summer, we will be rebooting our e-loop. We will continue to use an e-loop to communicate to our broader community (current families, alums, other interested parties) but we are taking the opportunity to clean up the member list. This will likely require you to go through a very quick re-registering process. Stay tuned!

**********

On behalf of the Seth Boyden PTA, thank you for another GREAT year! Have a fun, relaxing, safe summer!

Susie Adamson
PTA President

Categories
General School

Don’t forget the Specials teachers!

Please remember to honor our amazing specials teachers this week (and throughout the year!). They do an incredible job of teaching our kids to love learning and engaging their multiple intelligences!

Have your child write them a nice note, bring a flower or some other small token to each, go out of your way to show them your appreciation. They are a vital part of our childrens’ education!

Mrs. Elman – art
Mrs. Nelson & Ms. Favia – Physical Education
Mrs. Sciaino – Library
Mrs. Yesowitz – Music

Categories
Community Building Events Files Fundraising General PTA School School District SOMA

Upcoming Dates & PTA News

PTA General Meeting

TOMORROW, 4/13, 7:30pm
Library

I know that it can be challenging to get out on a weeknight, but we will be discussing important matters relating to the PTA budget, upcoming events, and next year. We need more of you to represent our membership! Please join us if you can.

Chorus Concert — This THURSDAY, 4/12, 7:30pm

From Mrs. Y:

Please join

The Seth Boyden Chorus for a
wonderful evening of singing
THIS Thursday, April 12th, at 7:30 p.m.
Seth Boyden School Auditorium

We look forward to seeing you there!

Important Meetings About Special Ed
The district will be holding two meetings next week on special education issues:

4/16 – Understanding Inclusion in the Elementary Schools

The invitation flyer and a FAQ on inclusion are attached.

4/19 – Special Education and Changes to the Secondary Schools

The changes referenced in the attached invitation are outlined in this section of the district website:   http://tiny.cc/l5dicw

Some parents and guardians have asked how the implementation of IB-MYP in the middle schools and changes to academic placement in the middle schools and high school may impact students with special needs. The meeting will provide an opportunity to discuss this with administrators and school leaders.

Download flyers here. Hope to see many of you there!

GET OUT THE VOTE!!!

Fewer than 10% of our townspeople vote in the Board of Ed elections! Which is shocking and alarming considering how much of our two towns’ budgets are allocated to the schools. There are 6 candidates vying for 3 positions, so your votes really matter!!

Please educate yourselves on the candidates’ positions and VOTE on Tuesday, April 17. Polls are open from 2pm-9pm.

The candidates’ websites:

Amy Higer: http://www.amyhiger.org/
Madhu Pai, Wayne Eastman, Jeffrey Bennett: http://www.votesoma2012.com/
Karen (Tia) Swanson & Jennifer Payne-Parrish: http://www.payne-parrishandswanson.org/

Patch coverage:

http://maplewood.patch.com/elections-2


Spare Change Fundraiser

From Rhonda Wilson-Duncan:

Many thanks to all that contributed to the Spare Change Fundraiser. We raised $2,581.11!!

The winners are:
1st Place – Brody $283.62  Pizza Party & trip to bank
2nd Place – Zwieg $209.80  Ice Cream Sundae Party
3rd Place – Smith $158.02  Gift bags from TD Bank

Congratulations to our winners!

Plant Sale, Yearbook, 5K

Don’t forget to turn in those order forms and registrations!! If you’ve lost your order or registration forms and need new ones, email us.

Hope you all are enjoying this beautiful spring weather!

Susie Adamson
PTA President

Categories
Community Building General PTA

1 School, 100%

 

Hello Seth Boyden Families!

At the beginning of the school year, we set a goal and a “battle cry” for the PTA – 1 School, 100%. Working together, ALL of us, to keep our school as amazing as it is, and make it even better. I’ve worked alongside many of you this year – assembling 1st day packets, enjoying the Harvest Festival, planning the improvements to our Outdoor Learning Center (and celebrating the installation of the Hexamid!), being entertained by the incomparable talent of our parents and teachers, rewarding the voracious reading of our students during the read-a-thon, and on so many other occasions!

We pride ourselves on being a different kind of school. That means different things to each of us, but let’s make one of our greatest differences that 20% of our families don’t do 80% of the work, as in most places. 1 school, 100%! We’ve made tremendous progress in this goal this year. It really does feel like most of our families are getting involved in some way. This doesn’t just matter to the “grown ups,” it makes a big difference for and to your kids.

But the year is NOT. OVER. YET!

There are many more events coming up for which we need family support:

3/24 Variety Show
4/9-13 Plant Sale (delivery 5/11)
4/21 2nd Annual 5K and Fun Run
4/18, 4/25 Family Math Nights
5/11 Teacher Appreciation Luncheon

and SO much more!

Every little bit counts and works toward making our school the best it can be, and uniting us in that effort.

I’m so proud to be part of this community. I look forward to meeting and working alongside many more of you. It’s been a great year so far! Let’s finish off strong!

Susie Adamson
PTA President
Mom of Ben (MA-Kelly) and Noah (1-Tager)

Categories
Community Building Events Fundraising General PTA

Calendar Reminders

March Events

3/8 4-Hr Day, Evening Conferences
3/9 4-Hr Day, Afternoon Conferences
3/12 4-Hr. Day, Afternoon Conferences
3/12-3/30 Spare Change Fundraiser
3/14 PTA Board Meeting
3/24 Variety Show

April Events (save the dates!)

4/2-6 Schools CLOSED – Spring Recess – Good Friday
4/9-13 Plant Sale (delivery 5/11)
4/11 PTA Board Meeting
4/13 SCHOOL SPIRIT DAY
4/18 K-2 Family Math Night
4/21 2nd Annual 5K & Fun Run
4/25 3-5 Family Math Night

Categories
General School School District

School Back in Session Tomorrow (11/2/11)

Seth Boyden, along with most of the District schools, will be open tomorrow, 11/2/11. For more details, see the letter from Superintendent Brian Osborne.

Categories
Events General PTA School

School Pictures

Hello Seth Boyden Families!
School Pictures will be taken on
Monday, September 19, 2011
Order forms will be in backpacks on
Monday, September 12th
Please return your order forms and payment by
 Friday, September 16th.
Note for Kindergarten Parents –
The kindergarten students will be taking their pictures just after the bell rings at 8:45
If you would like to stay while your little one(s) get their pictures taken;
please feel free to come to the front of the auditorium after the bell rings
Please let me know at 908-358-8100 or [email protected] if you have any questions.
Categories
General PTA

E-list reminders

I hope everyone is settling in for a new, wonderful year.

As we start off the new year, I want to remind everyone to read or review the E-List Guidelines and emphasize a few key points to keep the list effective.

1) The E-List is intended for rapid and efficient (no “lost” flyers) communication within the school community. It is not a general discussion or general publicity list.

2) The E-List is an activity of the PTA, and thus bound by the national PTA charter which prohibits political or commercial uses. I know many parents have or are associated with local businesses, but this list cannot be used to announce such commercial activities. Likewise, political messages or announcements are prohibited.

3) General comments, questions, or discussions of individuals — staff or students — are not appropriate. The exceptions are informational (“who do I ask…”), announcements of accomplishments, and thanks for contributions to school events.

4) Finally, if you have “graduated” from SB, we wish you and yours happy trails and you can find simple instructions for unsubscribing at the end of the Guidelines. Please remember to unsubscribe from the e-mail address you joined with.

The complete Guidelines (and instructions for using/leaving the list) are downloadable from the Yahoo site at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SBstrawberryfields/files/

(click on TermsofUse.doc)

Feel free to contact me directly with any list-specific questions or problems.

Julie Burch
E-List Moderator

Categories
General

Welcome new families!

A hearty hello to all of you with students starting at Seth Boyden this year! Whether you are new to our school and community, or veterans, we hope you’ve had a wonderful summer and are looking forward to the start of a great new school year.

A few things that we wanted to share with you before the first day of school:

* We hope that most of you have already joined our school e-loop. While it is not our only method of communication, it is one of the primary ones. Please go to our yahoogroup page and click on “Join this group” at the right of the screen.

* If you haven’t yet, please bookmark this new web site or make it your homepage. We plan to keep the site regularly updated with news and information. There is some helpful info for new families – take a look! If you haven’t seen them yet, the preliminary school supply lists are available from the site.

* Please plan to join us at the kindergarten/new student picnic on Thurs, 9/1 at 6:30pm in the playground area. Bring some dinner for your family, Mr. Quiles will provide the popsicles! Kindergarteners will be able to meet their teachers and see their classrooms.

* After you drop off your child(ren) on the first day of school, please don’t rush off! Join us in the cafeteria for a cup of coffee, have some breakfast, and meet other parents!

* New parent, Heather Puglisi, has generously taken up the charge of coordinating a kindergarten playdate! Here’s her invitation:

Come join us for an informal playdate for all incoming Kindergarteners on Wednesday, August 17th at Maplecrest Park Playground at 4:00 PM. If you can’t make it but would like to meet another time, contact Heather Puglisi Inserro (mom to Max Inserro) at 862-216-8559 or [email protected].

Please RSVP to Heather so we have an idea of how many to expect.  Hope to meet you soon.

There will likely be another playdate scheduled for any families who can make this one. Stay tuned!

We look forward to seeing you all soon! Please let me know if you have any questions, thoughts, suggestions, etc.! We welcome your input and participation!

Susie Adamson
PTA President

Categories
General PTA School

Come on in!

Welcome our new school and PTA web site!  We hope to keep this site full of useful and timely information. We’ll be tweaking this website as we go. If you see something wrong with this new site, please contact us and we’ll do our best to fix it. Thank you!