Dear Brayton Parents,

Well, here we are in the month of March, and it looks like our chances for any snow are very quickly dwindling! I cannot say that I enjoyed this winter as I wait all year for the snow to fall, so this year was extremely disappointing. However, I do know that many of you do not share my sadness!

March is Brain Awareness Month. Every year, we take this time to inform and teach our children about their brains and the important ways in which they can take care of them. I have attached a schedule of what will be happening throughout the month so that you can hopefully take some time to speak with your children about what they are learning.

I hope that many of you will be able to join us for our annual International Night on Wednesday, March 4th . The evening is always a wonderful celebration of the diversity of our Brayton community and the food is awesome!. Admission is free, and the children, especially enjoy seeing cultural exhibits from all of the different countries represented.

Practice NJSLA testing for grades 3, 4, and 5 will occur early in the month of March. This is a great opportunity for the staff to determine any remaining needs before the “real” testing in May. It also provides the teachers with some additional assessment information to better meet the needs of their students. Later in the month, 3rd graders will be taking the Cognitive Ability Test (CogATS). These are assessments of aptitude, not achievement, and do not require any preparation. Following administration, children’s scores will be mailed home to parents sometime in the late Spring.

Report cards will be going home on Friday, March 20, with information regarding children’s progress during the second semester. As always, teachers will be reviewing report cards with each individual child. I hope that you, too, will take the time to talk with your children about their progress and any areas where they might need to put in some extra effort.

Finally, a few staffing changes have occurred. Ms. Marissa Reynolds, full time instructional aide, is no longer at Brayton and Ms. Caitlin Stabler has moved into that position. Mrs. Dolores Sartorius has taken the part-time instructional aide position vacated by Ms. Stabler. Mrs. Maria Vogelsang will be joining us as a new playground aide. We are confident that each of them will do a very effective job in their new position.

March is a long month at school, but it is filled with lots of exciting events and challenges for our students. Be sure to speak with your children about everything happening at Brayton!

Have a Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Cheryl Moretz