This year we will be celebrating Harrison School’s 90th Birthday as part of our Birthday Book Club event on November 12th!  We will have a few special activities for our students along with Readers’ Theatre and of course birthday cake! More information will follow soon! Until then, consider donating a book (inscribed with your child's name).  Click here for an order form.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We are continuing to focus upon kindness and how to build relationships as part of our October discussions. We have reviewed that simple acts of kindness often have the greatest impact:

 Including others.
Connecting by saying hello or smiling.
Using supportive statements when someone is struggling or unsure how to proceed.
Being patient with others or a situation. (Waiting in line.)
Cleaning up after oneself.
Using good manners.
Sharing items, space or attention.
Apologizing when you upset or hurt someone.

We would like you to review these concepts with your children as part of our greater community outreach. In particular, this week we would like you to focus on saying hello or greeting people. This seems to be more difficult for our student body than it has been in the past. Perhaps the nature of our fast-paced world where so often our adult models are on their cellphones as they walk or eat dinner plays a small role in this issue. The Sandy Hook Promise Foundation has this to say about a simple hello:

“……Start with Hello teaches students to make a difference with their peers in a simple, fun, and impactful way. They take small but powerful actions to promote connectedness and inclusion, and to identify and help lonely students who are showing signs of social isolation.”

Family Assignment

•  As a family discuss the importance of kindness and a simple gesture such as a smile or saying “Hello.”
• Review various ways we can greet others. If you speak another language please share greetings in that language.
• The student should choose one greeting. (Any language which is familiar to your child.)
• Your child should design a greeting card using whatever materials you wish. Make sure your “Hello”, “Ciao” or “Aloha” is easy to read. Have fun with this!
• Be creative –think of the child who will receive your card.
• Your child should bring his or her card to school on or before Monday, October 22^nd.
• We will share cards in homeroom.
• Later your child will present a card to another child in the building.
• This is designed to be a thoughtful activity and should reflect your child’s best effort.

We appreciate your efforts to support our shared educational mission!

Warmly,

Mrs. Healy

Dear Parents and Guardians,

October brings many opportunities to foster our students’ social and emotional learning. This year, we will be focusing on the term flexibility!  We introduced this flexibility theme at our annual pep rally which was held on September 27^th.  The teachers and student volunteers utilized short skits and songs to demonstrate that the ability to think flexibly can help students navigate social situations, participate effectively in groups, solve problems, and cope with change. The children had a great time as they strengthened their understanding of this SEL concept. Flexible thinking will certainly support the children as they grow into kind, confident and resilient young adults!

Harrison has a variety of community building activities planned to support October’s Week of Respect, School Violence Awareness Week and Red Ribbon Week. These weeks are designated to celebrate and reinforce SEL concepts such as respect, kindness, and conflict resolution, as well as the development of healthy habits.  Below is a list of the Character Education activities which will take place this month! Please visit our Harrison School website or follow us on Twitter HarrisonHawks90 to see photos from the various events.

WEEK OF RESPECT October 7^th - 11^th, October 15^th -18^th

• Feathers for Peacock

The children listened to our 5^th grade students read Feathers for Peacock by Jacqueline Jules during our first Hero Group session. This book tells the story of how the kindness of others resulted in the peacock’s beautiful feathers. Students will create a beautiful peacock and reflect upon the SEL vocabulary/concepts included within the story. These include terms such as community, empathy and compassion.

• Color A Smile

The children will Color a Smile to cheer up members of our community.

• Start With Hello

Families will work together to share how they say “hello” in their family.

• Classroom Lessons

Teachers will create classroom-based lessons and lead their students in discussions regarding self-awareness, social awareness, and responsible decision-making.     

SCHOOL VIOLENCE AWARENESS WEEK October 21^st- 25^th

• LPD Visit

The Livingston Police Department’s community officers will visit each grade level during School Violence Awareness Week. They will lead age appropriate discussions regarding digital citizenship, cyberbullying and internet/cellphone safety. They will also support our school’s kindness initiative by providing examples of how we can work together to create a positive, respectful, and sensitive community. Be the I in KIND will be the theme of the week!

• Chalk Day

Community building continues as every class works together to create their own beautiful peacock adorned with respectful words which will be this year’s kindness symbol.

RED RIBBON WEEK October 28^th – 30^th

• Healthy Habits

We will reinforce that we need to be kind to our bodies by developing healthy habits. These include getting plenty of sleep and physical activity as well as fruits and vegetables.  Since we often discuss how these positive habits keep our bodies and brains healthy, we will bring the message full circle by this week’s theme -Let’s grow our brains, not hurt our brains. Don’t do drugs! Each child will create a “brain” identifying the positive steps or actions they will take to grow their brain.

• Red Ribbon Days 

Monday, October 28^th-Peace Out to Drugs

       Wear your neon, tie-dye and peace sign apparel.

Tuesday, October 29^th - Team Up to Drugs

       Wear your favorite sports team or school spirit apparel.

Wednesday, October 30^th -Show You Are Red-dy To Take a Stand Against Drugs

      Wear red. We will take our aerial school photo if the weather permits.

      We are hoping for 100% participation.

• October Outreach Projects

     Please support our drives. More information will follow.

          Socktober  Donate new socks for Essex County Shelters.

         UNICEF   Help children across the globe. 

It was wonderful seeing all of you at Back to School night! We are off to a great start! A few reminders regarding school procedures:  

• School begins at 8:05. Attendance is taken in the classroom by 8:10. Please make every effort to be here before the 8:05 bell. The drop-off line is long; however if you arrive before 7:50 you will not have an issue. Children are considered late if they are not in the building by 8:05.

• School Dismissal begins at 2:40. If you have an emergency dismissal change please call the office by 2:00. Whenever possible please handle afterschool planning before your child comes to school. We have many moving parts as we dismiss the children and need to avoid last minute changes whenever possible. 

It will be a busy and exciting month. There are several opportunities for you to be involved this month. Be on the lookout for blasts from the PTA regarding the next PTA meeting, Book Fair Preview Night and Game Night. Additionally, more information will to follow from my office regarding Halloween procedures.

 Have a great day!

Warmly, Mrs. Healy

Upcoming Dates:

Oct 7-11 Week of Respect
Oct  8 - 5^th Grade Leaders
Oct  9 - No School Yom Kippur
Oct 10 - Game Night
Oct 11 – Livingston Fire Department visit, K-2
Oct 14 - Professional Day - No School for Students
Oct 15 - 4th Grade Leaders
Oct 18 – 1^st Grade Trip 
Oct 21-25 School Violence Awareness Week
Oct 22 – Police Visits K-5 Digital Citizenship
Oct 22 - 3^rd Grade Leaders
Oct 22 - PTA Meeting-Book Fair Preview
Oct 22-24 PTA Book Fair
Oct 24 - Author Visit
Oct 24 - 2^nd Grade leadersOct 25 – Chalk Day
Oct 28-Nov 1  Red Ribbon Week
Oct 29 - 1^st Grade Leaders
Oct 30 – Kindergarten Trip
Oct 31 - Halloween Parade

Dear Parents/Guardians:

We had a wonderful Back to School Picnic on Thursday! If you were not able to make it –don’t worry! We have an End of the Year Picnic in June! That event has a few more bells and whistles for the children while bringing the school community together for one last time before summer! A special thank you to our PTA for hosting this first big event!

We will begin fundraising for our playground renovations this year. PLEASE assist us in this endeavor since our grounds are enjoyed by all!

We are collecting used sneakers. Gently used ones will be donated and those that have been worn-thru will be recycled! Please send in any pairs you have! This is a wonderful opportunity to support our fifth grade while modeling kindness for your children! See our flyer here.

We will have our first Pep Rally on Friday. Please have your children wear Harrison colors (blue and yellow) or Harrison gear. We will also be starting our walking initiative so we ask that all children wear sneakers! We will film the event for your viewing pleasure!

Our Back to School Night will take place on October 3^rd! Please see the schedule here. This event is for guardians and parents only.

Enjoy your week!

Please visit us on Twitter. HarrisonHawks90.

Upcoming dates:

Sept 27 – Pep Rally, 1:45               
Sept 30 –Oct 1   No School Rosh Hashanah
Oct  3 - Back to School Night
Oct  4 - Hero Groups
Oct  4 – World Smile Day J
Oct  8 - 5^th Grade Leaders
Oct  9 - No School Yom Kippur
Oct 14 – No School - Professional Day for Staff
Oct 15 - 4th Grade Leaders
Oct 15 - Game Night
Oct 22 - 3^rd Grade Leaders
Oct 22 - PTA Meeting-Book Fair Preview
Oct 22-24 PTA Book Fair
Oct 24 - Author Visit
Oct 24 - 2^nd Grade leaders
Oct 29 - 1^st Grade Leaders
Oct 31 - Halloween Parade, 1:00 PM

Dear Parents,

We have been involved with Crayola Create Ed project for the last year. It is a teacher professional development program aimed at increasing the use of the arts and multi-literacies to build student insight and creativity. It is directly tied to our building based STEAM initiative. We have had great results and the staff has embraced the training and methods! I am very proud of their hard work and enthusiasm.

I am so pleased to announce that we are finalists for a school grant through this program. This grant will help fund additional opportunities for the teachers to bring exciting educational experiences to their classroom and for us to add a family arts night to our repertoire.

We must have parent permission for our students to be photographed if we should win before we enter the next phase.  We are sending home the slips today-please send back the slips on Monday.

I truly appreciate your help in this area!

Thank you in advance. 

We are celebrating our 90th birthday this year! Please save the date -Harrison’s 90th Birthday Party will take place on November 12th ! We will have activities for the students as well as a parent presentation! More info to follow.

Also please follow us on Twitter!

HarrisonHawks90.

Don’t forget we have two Muffins and More meetings scheduled for next week on Sept 17th!

One in the morning at 10:00 and another at 6:00 before our PTA meeting. We hope this accommodates our communities’ varying family schedules! Please RSVP to Mrs. Fernandez at pfernandez@livingston.org or 973-535-8000, ext. 8111.

Warmly,

Mrs. Healy 

Dear Parents and Guardians,
We had a fantastic first few days of school! Our hallways are once again filled with little voices laughing and singing !

Today we had our first mandated monthly security drill! Officer Mullaney from the Livingston Police Department joined us and everything went smoothly. The children were in lockdown for less than five minutes and easily transitioned back to their classroom activities.

September will be a very busy month for both our students and their families. Please see the list of important dates at the end of this message. Please note that our first Muffins and More Meeting with take place on September 17, 2019 in our Media Center.  There will be one meeting during the school day from 10:00 AM – 11:00  AM and one before the PTA meeting from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM in order to meet the varying needs of our parent community. These meetings are for parents/guardians only. The sessions are informal, open conversations with me regarding procedures and life at Harrison! We do ask that parents RSVP to Mrs. Fernandez at pfernandez@livingston.org or 973-535-8000, ext. 8111 if they will be attending the daytime session. Please be on the look-out for more information.

Warmly,

Mrs. Healy

September Dates:

Sept 17 – Muffins and More
Sept 17 – PTA Meeting
Sept 19 – Family Picnic
Sept 26 - Picnic Raindate
Sept 27 – Pep Rally         
Sept 30 –Oct 1   No School Rosh Hashanah

October Dates:

Oct  1 – No School Rosh Hashanah
Oct  3 - Back to School Night
Oct  4 - Hero Groups
Oct  4 – World Smile Day 
Oct  8 - 5^th Grade Leaders
Oct  9 - No School Yom Kippur
Oct 10 - SEPAC Meeting, 7:00
Oct 14 - Professional Day No Students
Oct 15 - 4th Grade Leaders
Oct 15 - Game Night
Oct 22 - 3^rd Grade Leaders
Oct 22 - PTA Meeting-Book Fair Preview
Oct 23-24 PTA Book Fair
Oct 24 - Author Visit
Oct 24 - 2^nd Grade leaders
Oct 29 - 1^st Grade Leaders
Oct 31 - Halloween Parade, 1:00 PM

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As we embark on another school year, our excitement is growing as both students and staff look forward to this new beginning. Each grade level provides unique opportunities for our children to learn, create, contribute and grow. The first week will be filled with new materials, new friendships and new routines!

The district will continue to follow a Six Day Rotation Schedule. Homeroom teachers will send home their specific special schedules on the first day of school.  To assist you with planning, we will also post the schedules on our website. Please note that our first day of school (September 4^th) is Day 1 of the rotation. 

School begins promptly at 8:05 AM and ends at 2:40 PM.  Please be cognizant of the length of our drop-off line and plan to arrive early. Please do not arrive before 7:35. Parking is at a premium so many parents find it easier to walk in or use the drop-off line.

• We will line-up outside for the first week. This will allow families time and space for that last picture, kiss or hug.
•  Kindergarten and fifth grade students will line up on the blacktop nearest the Media Center.
• First, second, third and fourth grade classes will line up on the middle blacktop.
• Class lines will be identified by signs with each homeroom teacher’s name.
• If the weather does not cooperate we will send a detailed email regarding rainy day procedures.

Aramark will continue to be our lunch program provider. During homeroom each day, the children will order lunch. Parents will be able to pay through an online account or by sending the exact amount in an envelope to school each day. We are hoping that many parents choose to use the online program as it will be easier for the children. We will send and post a September menu along with directions on how to use the online option. As in the past, students are always welcome to bring lunch from home.

There is much to be joyful about this year, beginning with some exciting additions to our outstanding staff.  Please join me in extending a warm welcome to the following professionals:

Third Grade Teacher - Julie Becker

Third Grade Teacher - Sara Calabrese

Fourth Grade Teacher - Lauren Daugherty

School Psychologist - Alexis Finley

Behaviorist - Hazel Fraiter

Gifted and Talented Teacher – Kelley Miller

I look forward to introducing our entire faculty to you at our Back to School Night, which will be held on October 3, 2019.   

We have attached the following information to ensure a smooth transition to the 2019-2020 school year.

School Dismissal Form -- Please fill out the attached form and send it to school with your child on the first day. We find that this added form helps with dismissal during the first busy days of a new year.

2019-2020 Academic Calendar -- Please note that this year's calendar includes delayed opening for students on January 21, 2020 and March 10, 2020 for professional development. 

6 Day Rotation Calendar -- Please remember to complete the acknowledgement form on Genesis when you go into the portal.

Also attached (see below) are the following:

• Free & Reduced Lunch Application and Instructions
• Student Voluntary Insurance
• Aramark Parent Letter /Lunch Information
• Harrison Celebrations Information  

Please don't hesitate to call if you have any questions. 

We look forward to a wonderful year!

Mrs. Healy

Click on the links below for additional information/needed forms:

• 6 Day Rotation Calendar
• Free & Reduced Lunch Application
• Free & Reduced Lunch Instructions
• Student Voluntary Insurance
• Aramark Parent Letter
• Lunch Information
• September Menu
• Harrison Celebrations Information  
• Academic Calendar
• Dismissal Form

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Happy Back to School!  It is hard to believe that another year is upon us.  I could not be more excited.  I have loved this time of year since I was a school girl.  It is marked by new beginnings – new clothes, school supplies, teachers, and friends!  However, some things remain the same, like our commitment to providing your children with the best experience and education possible.

This begins by cultivating an environment of kindness.  We believe in the moral of Aesop’s The Lion and the Mouse fable, “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”  We will continue to value and promote kind words and kind deeds.

To help your children reach their full potential, we will also be teaching and stressing the importance of flexible thinking.  We want your children to know that there are many ways to approach life, to respond to circumstances, and to figure their way through a problem. Korean novelist, Kazuki-Kaneshiro, said it best, “A tree that is unbending is easily broken in a powerful storm.  But not grass.”  We want your children to be prepared to grow in the sunshine and to withstand the storms.

Here's to a wonderful 2019-2020 school year!

Warmly,

Mrs. Healy