Calling all Brayton volunteers! We have openings to chair some of our favorite committees. Grab a friend and sign up. Co-chairs are a great way to make the work more fun. While we do not know what fall will bring, we still want to be prepared to support the best student community experiences. More details here. Please contact Amanda McConnon or Kristine Nukk with your interest or questions.
Committee Chairs Art in the Classroom Open House Yearbook Learning Garden SEF Liaison Bingo Night Coordinators (different than Bingo Baskets/Auctions) After School Enrichment Chess Club (Co-Chair) Brayton Cares (Co-Chair)
Somehow, we have reached the end of the 2019-2020 school year. There is no question that this is definitely one that will “go down in the books!” We have faced more challenges than we could have ever predicted.
Thankfully, we have come through the worst and are now looking forward to an end to this horrible pandemic. I know that by now you have received Mr. Gardella’s (our acting superintendent) letter explaining some of the possible scenarios for a return to school in September. We all know that it is much too early to assume to put any plan in place yet, as we wait direction from the state, Regardless, we know that September will look “different.” As Mr. Gardella stated, we will certainly inform you once we have a definitive plan in place.
In the meantime, summer looms ahead. I hope that you will all be able to take some time to relax and enjoy your families. I know that the past months have been difficult for many of you, but I hope that in the months ahead you are able to enjoy some free time. Even if you are unable to get away on a “real” vacation, take some time to do things that are fun and everyone enjoys. We all need some time to recuperate, rejuvenate and relax. I am looking forward to at least some lazy days with nothing scheduled if only to sit out in the sunshine!
I do hope that we will all be back together at Brayton come September. I miss seeing the children, the staff and all of you on a daily basis. Brayton is such a special place – it’s no wonder that we want to be back there.
As this school year comes to a close, we wanted to take a moment to thank all of you for supporting your children, teachers, staff (and us!) throughout this entire school year! The PTO is only as good as the parents & families that get involved, however you get involved, and we have an amazing community!
We want to give a special thank you to our executive board members, Amanda McConnon, Kristine Nukk, Stephanie Spinner, Kerry Dillon, Kari Barraneche, Lauren Post and Allie Kaspersetz for their hard work. We are so very lucky to have had all of your guidance and support as we took over the reigns this year. You rock!
A HUGE round of applause and many thanks to all of our brilliant chairpeople this year! We appreciate all that you do to make Brayton a wonderful place to be. Bravo!
Unfortunately, we had to miss out on quite a few of our favorite Brayton events like the Musical, Harlem Wizards and Field Day and our 5th Graders didn’t have the opportunity to enjoy their traditional end of elementary school celebrations. Although, our amazing teachers & Dr. Moretz took the time to parade to each 5th grader’s house to do some celebrating!! If this crazy year has taught us anything, it is to appreciate the little things, hug your kiddos just a little more and take this time to make some memories.
We don’t know what our school year will look like in the Fall, but it will most likely be different than what we are used to. The PTO will need creative minds and ideas to keep our Brayton Community strong and connected! Please do your best to get involved, help the PTO think outside the box, and continue to make those memories with your kids and families!
I realize that all of you received a letter from Mr. Gardella this morning regarding the current events occurring in our country.
I wanted to assure you that at Brayton School, the staff and I are certainly aware of what has been occurring, and in our own homes have had to respond to our own children about what has happened, why it has happened, and how people are reacting. These are not easy questions for any parent to answer. I believe that Mr. Gardella stated it well when he said,
“ The death of George Floyd was devastating, and remains very difficult to process. The tragedy of his death, as well as many other incidents of violence against Black people, has ignited long overdue conversations about systemic and institutionalized racism. The peaceful protests happening around the country have been very powerful and in turn, are inspiring communities to reflect and demand change. As this has deeply impacted so many of us, I can only imagine how confusing and troubling it is for our students. I want the families and students of our community to know that we are here for you, and we are ready to help.
Please take a look at Brayton’s Virtual Library for Summer Reading. Each book can be clicked on and it will bring you to either a trailer for the book or the publisher/authors’ website with more details. Happy Reading!
Recognition Ceremony/Drive By On Friday, June 12th, principals and fifth grade teachers from each school will drive, in a caravan, to each fifth grader’s home. The caravan will arrive in front of your house, honk horns, clap hands, hoot and holler and post a “graduation” sign on your front lawn. This will be a surprise. A time frame of arrival will be provided as the date gets closer.
Balloons for Graduates Party Line, on Springfield Ave., has designed a Brayton Bouquet of balloons, including one Graduation mylar and two latex balloons for $10. To order please call (908-273-8777) from now until June 9th. They will be available for pick June 12. Don’t forget to tell them you are with Brayton.
Brayton 5th Grade T-Shirts Each 5th grader gets a graduation/recognition t-shirt. Arrival date TBD. These will need to be picked up.
Medicine Pick Up Contact the new nurse, Elizabeth Sharp, esharp@summit.k12.nj.us, to set up a time on 6/15 between 9-12 to pick up medicine you have left at Brayton.
Library Books Hold until fall or until further notice
DON’T MISS OUT – ORDER YOUR SCHOOL SUPPLIES! Click Here.
**Since each grade consists of three different teams and students have a variety of courses and teachers throughout the year, it is possible that the school supply box you order may not include every item your child will need.**
We anticipate there will be two pick up dates at LCJSMS in late August.
Brayton has received many grants over the years from the Summit Educational Foundation that have led to exciting programs and improvements. Their annual fundraiser will take place virtually this year, starting on April 30th. Please consider donating or joining in the auction to ensure the SEF will have funds to cover next year’s grants.
The format will be a little different this year given the cancellation/postponement of class photos and some events but it will still be GREAT and a wonderful memory of the year.
The current meal distribution program will be suspended during Spring Break (April 6-10). Meals will not be distributed at Summit HS or Jefferson School during the week of Spring Break (April 6-10, 2020). During this time, please reach out to community groups. District meal distribution will begin again on Monday, April 13 at both locations.
For more information about Covid-19 in our district, including instructional plans for virtual learning, digital resources and meal options for students, please see the district’s Covid-19 website.
The New Jersey Department of Education announced starting Monday, April 6, children throughout New Jersey will be able to tune into NJTV, New Jersey’s public television network, for NJTV Learning Live, a program featuring lessons taught by New Jersey teachers. You can learn more here.
