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December 17, 2009 Dear Parent(s), The holiday season is a great time to take a moment to reflect on those things for which we are appreciative. The students, parents, and teachers of Upper Saddle River are greatly appreciative of the dedication of Mr. Benevento, Cavallini’s art teacher, who is retiring in December. During his outstanding thirty-five years plus career in the district, he has shown thousands of children to look at the world through an artist’s eye. I know you join me in wishing Mr. Benevento a happy, fulfilling, and healthy retirement. The board of education will approve the new art teacher at their first meeting in January. At Cavallini, we are greatly appreciative of the PTO and Youth Guidance Council who give us many gifts during the year. The parents who help with lunch, the myriad of programs, the other tangible and intangible things provided by the PTO all make the Cavallini Community a better place. This year, the Youth Guidance Council is supporting an extension of the DARE message into the middle school. The delivery of this program will take many forms but Officer Bobby will continue to work with our students and teachers to reinforce the positive decision-making model that the students learned in the elementary school. Cavallini Middle School is very appreciative of the Upper Saddle River Education Foundation for their constant support of the schools. Recently, the organization announced its funding of eleven grants submitted by the Cavallini teachers. Each grant, in its own way, will make your child’s experience in Cavallini a richer and fuller one. The 2009-2010 funded grants are: SCIENCE LAB EQUIPMENT AND FURNITURE: The overall goal of the grant is to acquire the funding needed to purchase equipment for the newly renovated science labs. New glassware, microscopes, triple beam balances and scales will be purchased for the science labs. The labs are due to be ready by mid-January. Submitted by Stephanie Chamberlin, Darlene Pisano, Jason Dates, Patricia Kramer, Donna Moran and Andrew Kramar/Grant: $11, 302.24 CAVALLINI TELEVISON STUDIO (Phase 3): This grant continues the funding of the Cavallini Television Studio. The grant addresses the need to finish the updating of the television studio from analog to digital and also replace some outdated equipment. The main piece of equipment requested is for a new character generator. Submitted by: Bruce Reicher/Grant: $4,834.00
A HIDDEN CHILD’S HOLOCAUST: Ed Lessing, one of the surviving Hidden Children of the Holocaust, tells the compelling story of his two-and-a-half years in hiding and his experiences in the Dutch Resistance as a teenager during the Holocaust years. Mr. Lessing's story emphasizes the courage of his mother, father, and others who helped him survive. The grant also provides for materials about the Holocaust and genocides. Submitted by: Tracy Goodman, Eileen Tyburczy/Grant: $950.00 STUDENT SUCCESS THROUGH READER’S WORKSHOP: The grant will enable all sixth grade students the opportunity to be fully engaged in the Reader’s Workshop. Monies will be used to purchase books for classroom libraries. Submitted by: Kristin Martin, Jennifer Moss, Stephanie Chamberlin, Michele Marci, Marisa Silverstein, Karen Sullivan, Michelle Branagh, Kathy Perkins-Czander/Grant: $5,253.30 EIGHTH GRADE LAPTOPS: This grant will allow for the purchase of twelve additional laptops for the eighth grade laptop cart. Providing individual students with a classroom laptop will allow for a greater freedom to do a much wider variety of activities. Submitted by Melynda Bowie, Carlton Frost, Tracy Goodman, Bruce Haas, Mary Holbritter, Andrew Kramar, Donna Moran, Eileen Tyburczy/Grant: $13,584.00
KINDLES IN THE CLASSROOM: The purpose of the grant is to purchase 5 Kindles whose use will be piloted for classroom use this year. This will be beneficial for the Reader’s Workshop model where a teacher could be teaching up to 100 students all of whom are reading different texts. The Kindle will allow a student to have a range of books each of which is customized for that child. Submitted by Catherine Teehan/Grant: $1,994.95 CARDINAL CAMERA: This grant is to purchase a digital camera and kit for The Cardinal newspaper staff. The Cardinal is Cavallini’s award winning school newspaper. The students on The Cardinal take pictures continually throughout the entire school year. They take photos of sports activities, musical concerts, classroom activities, assemblies, and individuals of special interest. Submitted by: LouAnn Rounseville/Grant: $298.85 KEN BURNS’ NATIONAL PARKS: As part of the eighth grade study of the Reform/Progressive Era, students learn about Theodore Roosevelt and his vision of establishing a national parks system. The book will provide the students a visual sense of the various national parks currently in existence. It will be made available to students in the classroom and as a visual aid by teachers. The DVD set will allow students an even broader perspective on national parks and their beauty and purpose. These are direct ties to the curriculum and will enhance student understanding of this period in history. Submitted by Tracy Goodman and Eileen Tyburczy/Grant: $106.24
KORG M388 88 WEIGHTED KEY WORKSTATION: The intent of the grant is to enhance the 6th-8th grade jazz bands, 6-8th grade bands, and the Making the Band elective. With the purchase of this keyboard workstation, the students of these musical ensembles will be able to improve the sound quality and coloring of the rehearsals and concerts through sound it generates. They will be able to sample sounds heard in everyday life and play them back through the keyboard The purchase of this keyboard workstation will further enhance our sound quality and technological skills of the five instrumental ensembles. Submitted by Jonathan Kulhawy/Grant: $2,429.00 DON QUIJOTE’S IMPOSSIBLE DREAM: This grant is to obtain fifty “Las Aventuras de Don Quijote” communicative reader books for the eighth grade Spanish students. Don Quijote is a paradigmatic figure whose dream and the way he sought it has touched students around the world. Middle school students have the opportunity to get to know this important character in the target language while they are learning vocabulary, grammar, and forms of expression. Using these books allows students to read one of the most influential Spanish novels at their level in Spanish. Submitted by Melynda Bowie/Grant: $350.00 HISTORY THROUGH FILM: Many argue that film evidence is invalid because filmmakers are not historians. Their primary goal is to entertain and make money, rather than presenting the truth about the past. Nonetheless, it is the historian’s task to separate fantasy from fact. A major goal of this course is determining what is valid in contemporary films and historical dramas and what do these films say about the people who create them, the politics behind their creation, and how they reflect the values, ideas, and larger historical issues of the times in which they were created. Submitted by Eileen Tyburczy, Tracy Goodman/Grant: $132.50 All these grants are “perfect” gifts for Cavallini Middle School. The students and staff are greatly appreciative of the generosity of the USREF and the citizens of Upper Saddle River. People are often looking for the “perfect gift” this time of year. I would suggest that, whenever you can, that you give the gift of “consideration”….. one size fits all and no trip to the mall required! Please give consideration to the bus drivers who are dropping off the children in the morning. Please allow them to finish letting the children disembark before moving around the busses. Please give consideration to the other parents who are waiting on line for their children by pulling all the way up the drive, waiting patiently for your children, and by not cutting in. And, please consider the devastation that could occur if an accident happens while a driver is on the cell phone. Please be considerate of our staff and our neighbors by picking up your child(ren) on time. As we often say, nothing much good happens when kids are just hanging around the building unsupervised after school. Most importantly, please teach your children to be considerate of their peers. To this end, party invitations should not be distributed nor holiday gifts be exchanged in school. And, please be considerate of the children who did not attend a weekend party. You can do this by discouraging your child from coming to school on Monday morning with the wearable favor. It is so painful to see the faces of those children who were not included as they watch their classmates passing in the hall wearing “en masse” their sharp new outfits. It is a small but meaningful gesture to be considerate of others in this way. As we go through this holiday season, it is important to consider that Cavallini Middle School is truly a diverse community with students, parents, and teachers representing a wide range of ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds. This diversity helps make our school a rich and exciting learning environment. During fall and winter, many families celebrate Christmas, Ramadan, Dwali, Chanukah or Kwanzaa. Some students observe other holidays, some observe more than one, others none at all. It is hoped, that whatever your beliefs, your family enjoys the festivities and that your children cherish the positive values of your holiday(s) and customs and respect those of others. Let me close by saying that however your family celebrates its culture, religion, and ethnicity throughout the year, the faculty of Cavallini Middle School, Mr. McCusker and I wish you joy, good health and peace in 2010. Very truly yours, Gene Solomon Gene M. Solomon, Ed.D. Principal E. A. Cavallini Middle School Upper Saddle River School, NJ 07458
September 23, 2009 Gene Solomon August 24, 2009 Dear Parents and Students, Welcome to the 2009-2010 school year! A special greeting to our incoming 6th graders and new students! And, a warm welcome back to our 7th & 8th graders. If the building project is any indication, it is certainly going to be an exciting year! During the past two months tremendous progress has been made with the construction. the science labs are in the process of being renovated. The new roof has been installed. This will alleviate the buckets and drips seen around Cavallini the last few years. The solar panels and HVAC for the gym are being added “as we speak”. The new exterior doors will be phased in during the fall. That work will be done after 3:00. The new roof, lighting censors, and energy efficient doors demonstrate the district’s commitment to conserving energy, lowering costs, and contributing the preservation of our environment. An energy usage monitor will be installed in the lobby so students, parents, teachers and community members can see the effect the panels are having on our energy consumption. Because of the extreme amount of rain this summer and the age of the building, there were some unexpected repairs that need to take place. We are in the process of replacing the gym floor and doing some hallway work in the Unified Arts wing. Though this may require us to move some physical education, health and Family and Consumer Science classes to different places in the building, it will not interfere will the function of the school. Of course, the health, well-being and safety of the students continues to be of paramount importance and the completion of all work will be scheduled with that in mind. To support this goal, the district is bringing in additional crews to thoroughly clean the building before the students and teachers arrive. We are well on are way and I am looking forward to welcoming the parents and community when the district formally presents the improvements to Cavallini later in the fall. I will be happy to address your questions about the various projects at any time. The transition to a new school, new grade, new teachers, and new friends is a significant challenge to some children. Parents may hear comments like, “This teacher is too hard!” or “That class is too easy!” or “I don’t have any friends in my class!” It is important to listen to your child’s concerns but also to help him or her recognize that it takes time to adjust to a new situation. The faculty and counselors will work with the children and parents to help ease the transition. A number of parents have asked about the accelerated math program. Please refer to “What is the Accelerated Math Program?” under Frequently asked Questions on the Cavallini website for information about it. The website provides details about the accelerated math program and the criteria for selection. Students will be assigned to the class in September. Please do not call before that time to inquire about your child’s status. Once the school year begins, the counselors {Brigette Uzar Gr.7 & Gr. 8 (A-K) and Margaret Donnelly Gr.6 & Gr.8 (L-Z)} will be glad to review your child’s rubric with you. In fairness to all students, the criteria are the deciding factor for a student’s eligibility. I would like to draw your attention to some issues that are plaguing Cavallini and middle schools throughout the country. They deal with the Internet and cell phones. Though powerful tools when used appropriately, cell phones and the Internet have become increasingly problematic for students and schools. The challenges take on many forms. One challenge is that of Internet predators. The concern is that young people tend to disregard the dangers involved in sharing personal information and photos on line and they do not recognize that the information is open to the entire world. The PTO will be sponsoring a program for parents and students again this year. Details of the presentations will be made available when they are finalized. An equally disturbing problem is what children do to each other. There is increasing number of incidents during which students send hurtful and “sexting” messages via Internet social networking sites such as Facebook and texting. The term “sexting” describes messages and pictures of a sexual or harassing nature. We have seen the harmful results of such exchanges between students. We are also aware of students posting photos, inappropriate comments and other material of themselves and others. These can be very hurtful. Children do not recognize the potential consequences because the postings cannot be removed and may be referred to by college admissions officers and future employers. In addition, cell phones have become increasingly disruptive to the school environment. Students are very tempted to text, call and take pictures during school day. The school policy is that students may NOT use or have their phones on during the school day AND before and after school when the offices are open (usually 7:45-3:30). Besides being disruptive to the educational process, there have been examples of students in many schools taking untoward pictures in locker rooms or bathrooms. Students who send or receive calls during school hours will have their phones confiscated. If you need to reach your child or your child needs to reach you, the office will accommodate that request. Please seriously consider if your child needs to bring a cell phone to school. When you are discussing the dangers of drugs, alcohol, bullying, sexual conduct and other adolescent issues with your child, please include Internet and cell phone use. Unfortunately, it seems there is no end to the challenges to children and their parents but education is the most powerful way of protecting our kids. At Cavallini, most information is transmitted to you electronically unless you specifically request a hard copy. Please call Mrs. Pansy if you choose NOT to receive your information via your home computer. Please refer to our web page (www.usronline.org) for announcements and the calendar of events (sports schedules, special projects, etc.) HOMEWORK HERO is linked to the school home page and most of the teachers’ web pages. The purpose is to give the students and parents an idea of work being covered. Students are still expected to write down their assignments in the agenda book provided by the school. Because the classroom is a dynamic environment, students should not rely solely on the web page for the most current assignments. Again, wishing all an exciting new school year! Looking forward to sharing these new experiences with you and taking you on tour of the new facilities! Very truly yours, Gene M. Solomon
Gene M. Solomon, Ed.D. GMS/amp FYI – The Cavallini Curriculum Open House (aka Back to School Night) is September 10, 2009. NJASK 7&8 will be given the week of April 26th. NJASK 6 will be given the week of May 3rd. Please mark your calendar and plan accordingly! In addition, please review an important message about Internet safety, and the parking, traffic, and dismissal information provided. PARKING AND TRAVEL FLOW Although the situation is not ideal, I implore you, for your sake and the sake of the children, that you follow the guidelines below; be alert when driving on the campus, and be very patient during drop off and pick up. Please turn off the car ignition when waiting for your child. Never park, stand, pick up or drop off in the fire lane. CARPOOLING IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED! IN THE MORNING *Drive to the farthest point on the circular drive to drop your children off. Do not stop by the 7th grade wing. It backs up traffic on West Saddle River Road and the buses cannot make the turn into the driveway. 6th graders should be dropped off at the steps past the flagpole and enter Cavallini through the doors by the basketball courts. *ALWAYS yield to the buses. They are on a very tight schedule and need to have easy access and egress from the schools. *ALWAYS drop your child at the curb (using the curbside door). It is very dangerous for your child to cross lanes of cars. * Even if you are making a left turn out of the circular drive, pull up past the flagpole to merge into the left hand lane. Cars should allow these cars to merge into traffic. IN THE AFTERNOON *There are two lanes for traffic in the circular drive. The one closer to the building is for pickup and drop-off. The other one is for pass through ONLY. There is no stopping in the pass through lane. *When you pull into the circular drive, pull up as far as you can. Do not stop by the 7th grade wing, the benches or the door by the flagpole. It causes a bottleneck behind you. *Children are not permitted to play on the blacktop after dismissal. They should be waiting on the sidewalk for pickup. If you are picking up more than one child, have them wait in one place (i.e., by the flagpole, steps, etc.). *Always have your child enter on the school side of the car. It is extremely dangerous for children to be crossing between traffic. *Never leave your car. If your child is not outside waiting, continue around the driveway and reenter through the parking lot entrance. The traffic flow should be smooth and continuous. If you need to drop off something at school, please have your child meet you at your car to get it. If you want to come into the building, park your car in the lot. *Do not make social plans during pickup. This slows down traffic and impedes pickup for others. *Never pickup or drop off your child on West Saddle River Road. *Just a reminder that children can be dropped off and picked up on the Valley Lane extension at the back of the school, or at the Bogert-Reynolds complex PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! DO NOT TALK ON YOUR CELL PHONE WHILE DRIVING ON SCHOOL PROPERTY. ONE MOMENT OF INATTENTIVENESS CAN LEAD TO A LIFE ALTERING DISASTER!
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