Brayton Cares Visits Pillar School

Brayton Cares spent an afternoon with special needs students at Pillar School in Livingston. It was inspiring to see kids of all ages and abilities connecting over crafts and remote control cars! We also checked out the incredible facilities (on-site pool and sensory gym!) and tried some of the special equipment their students use to communicate. 

Pillar School loves student volunteers. Check out some opportunities below! For more information, contact Corry DeMarco at cdemarco@pillarnj.org. 

  • Volunteer in the classrooms during spring break! Pillar is open April 6th-9th. They are also open the month of July and first two weeks of August.
  • Sponsor a student for the Wheelin n Walkin Challenge. Volunteers choose a student to sponsor. Profiles/pics are provided. Volunteers fundraise on behalf of the student and assist the student in completing the walk. Additional visits with the student are arranged throughout the year when possible. 
  • Volunteer on the weekends at an adult community residence (Great activity for families!). The residents are very social and enjoy friendly visits to play games, make crafts or just chat. Homes are located in Maplewood and near the Seton Hall campus.  

Valentine’s Box Top Contest Running until 2/21!

Fill your heart with Box Tops and support Brayton! Print out this Box Top sheet and then tape or glue each heard and return to school by 2/21!
The top 3 winners will get prizes!
Make sure to label Box Tops with your name and class!

Brayton’s Got Talent was a success!

We want to take this opportunity to give a well deserved standing ovation to our Brayton’s Got Talent coordinators, Tina O’Connor, Becky Muston and Lisa Virelli!  The applause and laughs that filled the gym are a testament to the enjoyment our community gets from this program and we couldn’t possibly do it without you, your easy smiles and amazing outlook!  Thank you as well to all our lead parents, parent volunteers, 8th grade volunteers and hardworking custodial staff!  Bravo all!!

Conflict Resolution Steps

A big thank you to those PTO members who attended our PTO meeting last month where Erica Dorsey shared about steps to conflict resolution. There was interest in the cards she had for print. You can print your set here!

February Letter from the Principal

Dear Brayton Parents,

Happy February! Even though the groundhog didn’t see his shadow, most of us are hopeful that Spring is just around the corner. Of course, those of you who know me well, know that I am still waiting for that promised blizzard, loving snow the way I do!

School is busy. Staff and students are back into a routine after the winter break, and the classrooms seem to be buzzing with learning and fun. Now that mid-year assessments are completed, teachers are “getting down to business,” challenging and interesting your children in learning and reaching their academic goals.

Continue reading February Letter from the Principal

International Night Set for March 4th

The 8th annual International Night is set for Wednesday, March 4th! This is a fun, all-ages event that celebrates Brayton’s diverse, international roots and cultures through food, games, crafts, and entertainment.

Countries are represented by Brayton families at tables set up throughout the gym. Children visit each table and learn about different countries, sample delicious, authentic foods, do a craft, or take a fun quiz. 

We would love to have you and your student represent a country at a table. To volunteer to host a table, or to learn more about it, contact Karin or Ni at karin_bonello@yahoo.com  or Niliu828@gmail.com by Feb 17th. 

When: Wednesday, March 4th from 6:30-8 
Where: Brayton Gym
Who: Awesome Brayton International Families (If you know any new families who might be interested, please reach out or let us know.)

We are looking forward to having another great International Night with your help!

The Creativity Corner Needs Donations

Help us stock the Creativity Corner at Brayton! We are looking for your recycled or used items, specifically:

  • Duplo blocks (large lego blocks)
  • large foam building  blocks
  • large cardboard tubes (gift wrap tubes, carpet roll tubes)
  • newspaper (in desperate need of this)
  • soup cans
  • measuring cups
  • tablespoons & teaspoons
  • tennis balls and/or ping pong balls
  • marbles
  • yarn
  • bottle caps 
  • hardware (nails, screws, washers, cable ties, picture hanging wire, etc.)
  • twist ties
  • packing peanuts
  • lego mini figures
  • ribbon 

Please contact Chelle Donnelly with any questions.

The Harlem Wizards Are Coming March 22nd!

Last year this was a big hit and sold out quickly! The Harlem Wizards will join us for a game on Sunday, March 22nd at 4pm (the doors open at 3pm) at Summit High School. Be sure to purchase tickets in advance, they will be sold at the door only if there are any left!

More Info and Ticket Purchases >>

Order Variety Show 2019 T-Shirts NOW!

Orders Close: 5pm Wednesday, January 22

This year’s Brayton’s Got Talent T-Shirt is available online for just $12. They are for everyone, not just those in the Show, and there’s a full range of youth and adult sizes to choose from.

It’s a fantastic souvenir of one of Brayton’s most popular annual events so don’t miss out – order yours today! Click to read more and ORDER!

Please note: T-Shirt sales are ONLY available online and sales are only open until 5pm Wednesday, January 22. You can order up to 3 T-shirts in one transaction, with payment collected via Paypal or Credit Card. If you need more than 3 T-shirts, you can place multiple orders. All orders must be received by 5pm Wednesday, January 22, so Click the link below and place your order now. Financial assistance is available by contacting Dr. Moretz.  Stay tuned for distribution details.

Please have your PayPal account information or Credit Card handy, and use the form below to place your T-shirt order(s). Do not fill out the form and submit it until you are ready to proceed directly to Paypal and complete your payment. Orders with incomplete payments will not be processed. You will receive an email confirmation of your order.  If you do not receive a confirmation email within 6 hours, or for other site-related issues, please contact Beccy Muston.

ORDER NOW!

MLK Jr. Day of Justice, Equality & Service to Others

Brayton is part of Summit’s MLK Jr. Day of Justice, Equality and Service to Others.  We are giving back to the community by donating new or gently used reusable shopping tote bags of any size and color to pass on to GRACE and SHIP.  The collection box will be located outside of the main office until January 22nd. 

SEE FLYER

Upcoming Brayton Cares Events

January 24 | 3:00-4:30PM
Community Kindness Event

Student spots are full! There are a few parent volunteer spots available. See sign up. If you would like to be added to the waitlist, please email braytoncares@gmail.com.


February 3 | 12:30-2:45PM
Horizon School Visit

Student spots are full! If you would like to be added to the waitlist, please email braytoncares@gmail.com.

The Brayton Musical Needs You!

Unfortunately, the Brayton Musical Chairperson is not able to coordinate the Musical this year. We need YOU to step up and make this year’s production a success! Now’s your chance to grab your Golden Ticket! This is typically a co-chair position, so get a friend and bring your creative vision to life.

The production, Willy Wonka, has already been chosen and will be performed on March 27th and 28th.

Continue reading The Brayton Musical Needs You!

Submit Your Technology Questions for BOE District Supervisor of Technology, Doug Orr

Wondering about your 4th or 5th grader’s Chromebook? Curious about the BOE’s stance on privacy and online security? Summit Board of Education’s District Supervisor of Technology will answer your questions at the Brayton PTO meeting on January 10th. We ask that you please submit any technology-related questions anonymously via this form.

After School Enrichment Registration Opens 12/10!

Registration will open tomorrow at 9am for Brayton’s After School Enrichment program. Have a look at the offerings this year and then watch this space for registration information tomorrow!

View Course Offerings

Thank you to our Holiday Shop Volunteers

We want to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU to the amazing Holiday Shop committee led by Alison MacMillan, Rosemary Callahan, Jody Sargeant and Kiera Mathey. The 2nd annual event was quite a success! So many smiling happy shoppers eager to surprise family and friends with special treasures. Thank you to the committee chairs and many volunteers who helped make this week’s shopping experience so wonderful.

Missing some addresses for your holiday cards? Try the Brayton Directory…

Are you looking for addresses to send your holiday cards? Check out the Brayton Directory…and while you’re there, complete your own information as well so friends can reach you too!

It take 2 minutes to register!

Register now

It’s Cyber Monday! Time to shop Amazon.

When you log on to get great deals today, don’t forget to use the Brayton link for shopping on Amazon and support the PTO!

Roll up! Roll up! ‘Brayton’s Got Talent’ The Variety Show 2020 needs YOU!!

Act Registration

Calling students from ALL GRADES who would like to to showcase their talents in a 2-minute performance on stage in the Brayton gym – Friday, February 7th at 7:00pm. Sing, dance, tumble, act…whatever makes you shine! Get your acts together and register now! Numbers are limited to 30 Acts, so get in quick so you don’t miss out. And don’t be shy – especially first and second graders! If you’re not ready to get on stage on your own this year, gather a fun group of friends together and show us your best moves.

Registration is now closed.

Please contact Becky Muston if you would like to have your act added to the waitlist.

Continue reading Roll up! Roll up! ‘Brayton’s Got Talent’ The Variety Show 2020 needs YOU!!

Brayton Holiday Shop 2019!

Brayton’s Holiday Gift Shop will be open Thursday, December 5th (8:30 am – 1:00 pm) and Friday, December 6th (8:30 am – 3:00 pm).

We need you to help make the holiday shop a success. Please click here to sign-up for a shift. We need help with set-up, sales shifts, and clean-up/inventory both days. The class schedule is included in the sign-up genius.

The shop will have a variety of items for moms, dads, siblings, grandparents, teachers, pets, and more. There will also be Christmas and Hanukkah themed items.

Price points are typically between $1 and $10, with many items $6 and under!