Dear Harrison Families, 

Wow! What a hot weekend! I hope everyone stayed cool! It was amazing to see our 2nd graders performing their Butterfly presentation on Friday! I know all the parents would agree it was a pleasure to see our students excited about their learning! Thank you to our amazing 2nd Grade teachers and students for their hard work and enthusiasm!

Amazing job for all our Harrison artists that were represented at the District Art Show at the Livingston Mall! We have an amazing arts program in Livingston and it is special to see our student's creativity on display!

Multicultural Night is this Wednesday, May 25th from 5:00-7:00! Come out and enjoy the various cultures and countries represented by our Harrison Families! This event will take place on our Upper and Lower Blacktops! Food from the various cultures will only be served in our New Gym! 

This week on Tuesday, May 24th and Wednesday, May 25th Student Council will be holding a Spring Smencil and Eraser Sale. The Smencils come in a variety of scents and will be sold for $1.50 each. Erasers will also be on sale and prices range from 50 - 75 cents. Students will be able to purchase them during recess next to the New Gym on the Middle Blacktop. As always, the Student Council thanks you for your continued support! 

All students who were absent for NJSLA testing will be making up their missed units in the next two weeks on a rolling basis. If your child was absent for any days, please make sure that they bring a charged Chromebook to school! If your child missed multiple days of testing, they will test over multiple days. 

Great News! The PTA will be offering the Teacher Tailored supply kit program which offers pre-packaged, school supply boxes filled with the exact items your child needs for the 2022-2023 school year! All orders will be completed online and the portal will be open from June 1 - June 23.  The Harrison PTA receives 10% of sales.  This was a great fundraiser for the PTA last year! Order your kit before the summer starts and you won't have to think about it again.  Click on this link for pricing and ordering information. If you have any questions please contact Melissa Cetta (melissacetta@yahoo.com). Thank you Melissa for always supporting this program!

Also, please see the following flier for the district's Brain Camp program that takes place from July 11-July 28 if you are interested in signing up for the program. 

Upcoming Dates:

May 24 & 25 - NJSLA-Science - Grade 5
May 25 - PTA Multicultural Night
May 26 - PTA Multicultural Night Rain Date
May 27 - No School - Snow Day Give Back
May 30 - No School - Memorial Day

June Dates:

June  1 - Spring Concert, HMS, 7:00-9:00 pm. June  2 - Kindergarten Play
June  3 - Character Connections
June  7 - Field Day (Rain Date June 13)
June  8 - Incoming K visit
June  9 - Incoming K visit
June  9 - 5th Grade Camp Party, 12:30
June  9 - Incoming K Parent Meeting, 7:00 pm
June 10 - 5th Grade Orientation at Harrison
June 10 - 5th Grade Camp Party Rain Date
June 13 - PTA Meeting
June 14 - PTA Spring Book Fair
June 15 - PTA Spring Book Fair
June 17 - Juneteenth - No School
June 21 - Marking Period Ends - K-5
June 21 - 5th Grade Moving Up Ceremony (Invitation to Follow)
June 21 - 5th Grade PTA Powerhouse Studios  Event, 4:30
June 22 & 23 - 12:00 Dismissal Days
June 22 - 5th Grade Volleyball / Pizza Party
June 23 - Clap Out - Last day of school
June 23 - Report Cards on Portal

Warm Regards,

Daniel Garcia
"We all belong. We fly together."

Dear Harrison Families,

This week many of our 3rd graders have finished their NJSLA testing! We are so proud of these students for working hard every day. The NJSLA starts this week for our 4th and 5th graders! If you have a child who will be taking this test, it is important that they get a good night's sleep and follow normal routines for coming to school! Students should also arrive on time. If they are late, they will not be able to take the test for that day and must make it up on another day. It is also very important for all students to bring their charged Chromebooks to school.

Also, parents of 4th and 5th grade students for the 2022-2023 school year (Current 3rd and 4th grade parents), we are excited to announce that the application window is now open to express interest for both our Elementary Gifted and Talented Art program and Gifted and Talented Music program. Students previously enrolled in either GT Art and/or GT Music do not need to reapply. All applications must be submitted electronically no later than Thursday, May 26, 2022. Detailed information for both the GT Art and GT Music programs, along with the applications for both programs, can be found in the links below:

GT ART Elementary School Application

GT MUSIC Elementary School Application

Our Multicultural Night is just around the corner! This year on May 25 from 5:00-7:00 (rain date May 26), enjoy our community for a night of celebrating the many cultures represented at Harrison School. This event is successful due to parent volunteers! Thank you to all the families who have already volunteered to create a table displaying your culture/country! The PTA would also like to celebrate by having pictures or short video clips of our students in various ethnic attire or traditional clothing of their heritage. If you can, please send pictures to harrison.multicultural@gmail.com with the subject line MCE2022. In addition, we are looking for additional volunteers! If you are willing to help in any way, please email the above-mentioned address.

Upcoming Dates:
May 16-20 - NJSLA Testing - Grade 4 & 5
May 16 - PTA Meeting
May 18 - District Art Show, Livingston Mall, 6:00 PM
May 24 & 25 - NJSLA-Science - Grade 5
May 25 - PTA Multicultural Night
May 26 - PTA Multicultural Night Rain Date
May 27 - No School - Snow Day Give Back
May 30 - No School - Memorial Day

Warm Regards,

Daniel Garcia
"We all belong. We fly together."

May 8, 2022

Dear Harrison Families,

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers in our Harrison Community! I hope everyone enjoys a relaxing day! Thank you to the PTA for organizing our Plant Sale on Friday and adapting to bring it inside for our children! It was wonderful to see our children walking around to pick out gifts to share with the important people in their lives. Not only was this a valuable lesson on the gift of giving, but this was also an important fundraiser! Thank you to all who supported it!

The New Jersey Standards Learning Assessment (NJSLA State Testing) starts this week for our 3rd grade students and during the week of May 16 for our 4th and 5th graders! If you have a child who will be taking this test, it is important that they get a good night's sleep and follow normal routines for coming to school! Students should also arrive on time. If they are late they will not be able to take the test for that day and must make it up on another day. It is also very important for all students to bring their charged Chromebooks to school.

Beginning tomorrow, May 9, 2022, parents should report early dismissals in the Genesis Parent Portal.  Parents are no longer required to call or email their child’s school if a student needs to leave early.  As of May 9th, all attendance reporting including absences, tardies and early dismissals should be reported using the Genesis Parent Portal.  Attendance reporting instructions can be found on the front page of our school website. View instructions for how to report early dismissals in Genesis.

As you all may be aware already, on Friday,  May 27 there will be no school, due to the extra snow day that we did not have to use! Please use this extra day off to enjoy your Memorial Day weekend! Thank you to all the servicemen and women in our Livingston community who serve in the armed forces and also those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. 

Kindergarten registration for the 2022-2023 school year has been opened! If you have or know of a family who has a Kindergarten aged child next year, please let them know to register ASAP. For more information about Kindergarten registration please click HERE. 

Upcoming Dates:
May   9-13 - NJSLA Testing - Grade 3
May 16-20 - NJSLA Testing - Grade 4 & 5
May 16 - PTA Meeting
May 18 - District Art Show, Livingston Mall, 6:00 PM
May 24 & 25 - NJSLA-Science - Grade 5
May 25 - PTA Multicultural Night
May 26 - PTA Multicultural Night Rain Date
May 27 - No School - Snow Day Give Back
May 30 - No School - Memorial Day

Warm Regards,

Daniel Garcia
"We all belong. We fly together."

Dear Harrison Families,

It was wonderful to celebrate with families after school on Tuesday for our Food Truck Fundraising Festival! The food and company of other Harrison families, while we are in Springtime bloom, was quite memorable. Don’t worry if you did not make it this year, I am sure the PTA will be planning it for next year! Thank you to all the PTA parents who worked hard to put together such an event for our community!

We are looking ahead to an eventful May and June! Our PTA has been working hard planning for our Harrison Multicultural Festival that will take place on Wednesday, May 25 from 5:00-7:00. The event will take place on our Middle and Back blacktops. This event gives students the opportunity to “visit” the multiple countries in the world that are represented by our Harrison families. This event is successful due to parent volunteers! Thank you to all the families who have already volunteered to create a table displaying your culture/country! The PTA would also like to celebrate by having pictures or short video clips of our students in various ethnic attire or traditional clothing of their heritage. If you can, please send the picture to harrison.multicultural@gmail.com with the subject line MCE2022. In addition, we are looking for additional volunteers! If you are willing to help in any way please email the above-mentioned address.

As you all may be aware already, on Friday,  May 27 there will be no school, due to the extra snow day that we did not have to use! Please use this extra day off to enjoy your Memorial Day weekend! Thank you to all the servicemen and women in our Livingston community who serve in the armed forces and also those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. 

Kindergarten registration for the 2022-2023 school year has been open! If you have or know of a family who has a Kindergarten aged child next year, please let them know to register ASAP. For more information about Kindergarten registration please click HERE. 

Upcoming Dates:

May   6 - PTA Plant Sale
May   9-13 - NJSLA Testing - Grade 3
May 16-20 - NJSLA Testing - Grade 4 & 5
May 16 - PTA Meeting
May 18 - District Art Show, Livingston Mall, 6:00 PM
May 24 & 25 - NJSLA-Science - Grade 5
May 25 - PTA Multicultural Night
May 26 - PTA Multicultural Night Rain Date
May 27 - No School - Snow Day Give Back
May 30 - No School - Memorial Day

Warm Regards,

Daniel Garcia
"We all belong. We fly together."

April 10, 2022

Dear Harrison Families, 

What a Talent Show this past weekend! Our students showcased their talents as well as their bravery to perform in front of our community at Mount Pleasant Middle School and I couldn't be prouder! Thank you to all the parent volunteers who made running an event like this possible! Special thanks to Stacy Falcone, Priscilla Baute, and Sarah Bilancia who planned extensively to allow our children to feel the pride of showing off their talents!

This coming week is unique. Teacher conferences are from April 12-April 14. All of these days are 12:00 dismissal days for students (Kindergarten dismissal is 11:53) to allow time for teachers to meet with all of you! Teachers have already shared sign-ups!

Our rescheduled PTA meeting is on Tuesday, April 12th at 7:00 pm! This will be in-person for all who would like to attend.  The meeting will be held in the old gym.  Please enter through Door 4.

Schools will be closed on Friday, April 15th in observance of Good Friday as well as the following week, April 18th through April 22nd, for Spring break.  

Our first Food Truck Fundraising Festival is happening at Harrison School on Tuesday, April 26th! Thank you to our PTA for organizing. Please see our communication from Friday, April 8 for more details! 

Kindergarten registration for the 2022-2023 school year is open! If you have or know of a family who has a kindergarten-aged child next year, please let them know to register ASAP. For more information about Kindergarten registration please click HERE. 

Upcoming Dates:

Apr 12 - PTA Meeting (In-Person)
Apr 12-14  Teacher Conferences - 12:00 Dismissal Days
Apr 15-22 - Schools closed - Good Friday and Spring Break
Apr 26 - PTA Food Truck Event

Warm Regards,

Daniel Garcia

"We all belong. We fly together."

April 3, 2022

Dear Harrison Families,

Our Student Council School Spirit week was very successful! Thank you to all our student council members in grades 1-5  and our teacher coordinators, Mrs. Piegari and Ms. Daugherty for developing a fun-filled week! 

Report cards for the 2nd Marking Period are ready to view in the parent portal for grades 1-5. 

Teacher conferences will be on April 12, 13, and 14. All of these days are 12:00 dismissal days for students to allow time for teachers to meet with all of you! Teachers will communicate sign-ups and more information tomorrow, April 4. 

Kindergarten registration for the 2022-2023 school year has been open! If you have or know of a family who has a Kindergarten aged child next year, please let them know to register ASAP. For more information about Kindergarten registration please click HERE. 

Upcoming Dates:

Apr  5 - PTA Meeting (In-Person)
Apr 12-14    Teacher Conferences - 12:00 Dismissal Days
Apr 15-22 - Schools closed - Spring Break
Apr 26 - PTA Foodie Truck Event

Warm Regards,

Daniel Garcia

"We all belong. We fly together."

Dear Harrison Families,

Another wonderful week at Harrison and a lot to look forward to as well!

This past week all students attended a special assembly focused on the "magic" of eating 5 fruits and vegetables a day! Have a discussion with your children about what they learned and I am sure they can share the health benefits! This assembly is so important and I was happy that this year we were able to bring it back! Thank you to Mrs. Goldberg for organizing it for our community!

A very important reminder regarding our carline procedures. For morning dropoff, it has come to my attention that there are many cars that arrive very early so that children can be the first ones to enter when the doors open at 7:35 am. Please be advised we also have early morning programs that require the use of the carline at 7:15 am. Please make sure that if you are arriving very early that you allow parents of students in early morning programs to enter and exit the parking lot. Also, children can only exit their cars in the designated drop-off areas. It is dangerous for children to get out of vehicles in the parking lot. If you are dropping off please make sure it is near the carline staff.

Report cards for Grades 1-5 will be open to parents on Friday after school. Please make sure to check the parent portal to access your child’s report card.

Conferences are scheduled for April 12, 13, and 14. All these days are half-day dismissals for students. Parents, please be on the lookout for conference sign-ups for zoom conferences with your teachers. If this arrangement or the times do not work for you and your family, please let your teachers know.

Thank you to our PTA for purchasing a second Gaga Pit and for much-needed repairs to our playground equipment! The equipment will be arriving in the near future!  As the weather is getting warmer, these additions are definitely going to be enjoyed by all students during and after school! Thank you to our entire community for supporting our fundraising efforts throughout the year.

The weather will be a little colder this week! Please make sure to bundle up your children so they can enjoy some outdoor recess days!

 Upcoming Dates:

Apr  1 - Report Cards on Portal - Grades 1-5
Apr  1 - Talent Show Rehearsal - MPMS
Apr  3 - Talent Show - MPMS 12-4pm
Apr  5 - PTA Meeting
Apr 12-14    Teacher Conferences - 12:00 Dismissal 
Apr 15-22 - Schools closed - Spring Break
Apr 26 - PTA Foodie Truck Event
Apr 27 - PTA Foodie Truck Event - Rain Date

Warm Regards,

Daniel Garcia

"We all belong. We fly together."

Dear Harrison Families,

I hope everyone has enjoyed the beautiful weather that is beginning to shine through and that the first day of Spring is a sign of good things to come!

Spring Pictures and Class Pictures will be taken this Thursday, March 24. It is great that this year the class will take a picture together as a community to remember the year. We will also take Club Pictures on Friday, March 25. All these pictures will be featured in the annual yearbook! 

A friendly reminder  that Teacher Conferences were moved to April 12th, 13th, and 14th. All of these days will be early dismissal days.  More information to follow from me and your child’s teacher. 

Thank you to all the families who have already created Double Good Popcorn accounts and have raised money for our 5th Graders! The sale finishes at 5:00 pm on Monday, so make sure you get your last minute sales in before then. If you do not have time to set up your own account to sell, please consider purchasing some popcorn through our general  Harrison Popcorn account. Thank you for your support!

The student council has organized a Spirit Week for all of our students to celebrate the week of March 28th. Please see the attached flyer for your reference throughout the week.

Upcoming Dates:

Mar 24 - Spring Pictures
Apr  1 - Report Cards on Portal - Grades 1-5
Apr  1 - Talent Show Rehearsal - MPMS
Apr  3 - Talent Show - MPMS 12-4pm
Apr  5 - PTA Meeting
Apr  6 - All Township Concert - LHS, 7pm
Apr  7 - All Township Concert - Rain Date
Apr 12-14    Teacher Conferences - 12:00 Dismissal Days
Apr 13 - GT Art Show at Livingston Library - Grades 4-8
Apr 15-22 - Schools closed - Spring Break
Apr 26 - PTA Foodie Truck Event
Apr 27 - PTA Foodie Truck Event - Rain Date

Warm Regards,

Daniel Garcia

"We all belong. We fly together."

Dear Harrison Families,

Thank you to all the Media Volunteers who have been supporting our library all week! I have noticed a steady stream of volunteers and it makes a difference for our kids with all the parent support in our school! I look forward to seeing volunteers for our Art Appreciation lessons as well. Be on the lookout for more information from our PTA and your class parents!

On Friday, I sent a message on behalf of our PTA - 5th Grade Committee explaining our Double Good Popcorn Fundraiser! This fundraiser was highly successful last year and the money raised helps support our end-of-year activities that benefit our 5th graders! Every family,  in every grade level,  can sign up and create their own individual pop-up store and email it to family and friends! This is only a 4-day fundraiser that starts on March 17 @ 5:00 pm and ends on March 21 @ 5:00 pm.  Let's send our 5th graders off in an amazing way! It is great to know that when you have children in 5th grade they are supported by the entire community through these types of fundraisers!

Overall, our students have adjusted amazingly to our optional mask policies! Please continue to do what you and your family are comfortable with when making the choice. We are no longer asking for proof of vaccination for all our visitors during the day; however, all visitors must remain masked. We have also started our normal procedures, where parents must enter the building to sign children in and out of school. 

March Dates

Mar 14 - PTA Meeting
Mar 17 - Marking Period Ends - Grades 1-5
Mar 24 - Spring Pictures

Warm Regards,

Daniel Garcia
"We all belong. We fly together."

March 6, 2022

Dear Harrison Families,

What an amazing week at Harrison School! Our students had the opportunity to experience a STEAM assembly. Each grade level had a designated time to engage with multiple centers that all focused on developing a hands-on approach to learning and it further enhanced the concepts we are teaching in our new STEAM classes.  I hope that the children came back home to tell you how much fun they had working in centers and exploring different activities. Thank you so much to our amazing PTA for organizing and planning a great event! 

This week, we also celebrated Read Across America Week! The kids enjoyed some special activities in each of their classrooms and also had fun on all our themed days! Thanks to our team of teachers who put together a nice program for us to celebrate this year!

If you have not read or watched Dr. Block’s message for masking already, please do so. Attached is the script of his video where he outlines that masks will be optional starting on Monday, March 7th in our district.  To help your child prepare for this transition, please also read over Mrs. Siti’s, our school counselor, letter with resources to help support this transition at home with your child whether they choose to wear a mask or not.

For anyone who would like to volunteer their time to decorate our bulletin board in the front hallway for Women’s History Month, please contact Suchita Godhia (suchita.godhia@yahoo.com). 

I hope you have all had an enjoyable weekend and are looking forward to warmer and warmer weather!

March Dates

Mar 14 - PTA Meeting
Mar 17 - Marking Period Ends - Grades 1-5
Mar 24 - Spring Pictures

Warm Regards,
Daniel Garcia

"We all belong. We fly together."