Important Dates:
1/29 – District Closed – Lunar New Year
2/17 – District Closed – President’s Day
2/20 – Early Dismissal – 1:40 – Curriculum Meetings
Updates/Reminders:
Security Reminders – In light of what happened in our district last week, I am reattaching the safety protocols and procedures sheet for parents to review. Click Here to View
5th Grade Parents - Troop 12 of Scouting America (aka Boy Scouts of America) has its next Recruitment Meeting (for Students and Parents) on the evening of January 27th. Monday 1/27 at 7:00pm -- St. James Church on Bellevue & Valley (parents & students enter through Bellevue Ave church/salon parking lot entrance) And here is link for RSVP: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1R2ZgLyXkfMckrQFiOYD8Qc30w5a6ckx8CSiVqXnOFGI
Parking At Dismissal - I have sent several reminders about parents/guardians not parking on the eastbound side of Garden St) during dismissal. The cones have stopped vehicles from being parked directly in front of the building, but this reminder includes the entire eastbound side of Garden Street. This is very dangerous because last year emergency vehicles were not able to get down Garden Street. In the event of an emergency, those precious seconds can be vital. The Montclair Police Department has reached out to me that they do want to have to come down to the school to enforce the parking rules, but they will, if needed.
Montclair Public School Food Guidelines – Click here to view the BOE approved food guidelines for the MPSD. This includes NO food for student birthdays. Thank you for helping us to follow these guidelines.
Montclair Public Schools Digital Backpack Link - In response to parents’ and staff requests to “go green”, and thus limit the amount of paper copies being distributed, we created the digital backpack years ago. Click Here for the link
Fridge Facts – The Watchung Fridge Facts will give you the W’s of Watchung (who, what, when, where), all in one place. Click here to download
Montclair Public School's Anti-Bullying/School Climate information - Click Here for more information
Watchung School Family Handbook – Click Here for the 204-25 Handbook. It is in this handbook you can find all the ins and outs of the who, what, when & where at Watchung.
From the PTA:
Our annual MLK Day of Service was postponed due to weather, but that didn’t stop Watchung from getting some service hours in! Our SATp Equity committee organized the activities for each grade to participate on Friday. Following the brilliant 4th grade MLK assembly, Watchung students decorated and packed 300 art bags for youth served by Treehouse Cares’ community centers and soup kitchens throughout Newark.
BIG thanks to Mayuri Chandra, Mary Sok, and Beatriz Albini for working so hard to put together this years’ service activities! And big thanks to Coach for use of the gym!
Here’s what’s coming up:
2/5 – Watchung School Tour Guides Needed (6-7pm & 7-8pm) – We could use a few more Watchung Tour Guides for our elementary school tour on Wednesday, February 5th . These tours are for parents and caregivers of students entering the 2025-2026 school year. We’ll have a training session for all interested tour guides as well as provide talking points. It’s also a great way to get to know the inside of the school better! Register HERE to be a Tour Guide
2/14 – Watchung’s Sweetheart Dance (5:30-6:30pm K-2nd & 6:45-7:45pm for 3rd-5th) – Similar to a Daddy/Daughter or Mother/Son Dance, this dance is intended to be more inclusive so a student can attend with any parent or beloved adult. More details to come, but mark your calendar!
2/26 – PTA General Membership Meeting (7-8pm) – Join us to hear about our upcoming school-wide events like the Book Fair and Readathon, ASE, Family Skate, and the Derby Fundraiser.
3/1 - Book Fair Family Day - (9am-1pm) - Save the Date! The Watchung PTA and Watchung Booksellers present the Big Top Book Fair! This year's circus-themed Book Fair runs for a few days during the week leading up to Family Day on Saturday. This is one of Watchung's biggest events and we need your help to make it a success. Consider joining the Book Fair PTA Committee who will have their kick-off meeting next Friday morning (1/31). Email Chair [email protected] to be part of the Committee, even if you can't participate next week.
3/3-21 – Read-A-Thon – This is a great way to get kids hooked on reading, engage in some friendly competition between classes, and win prizes! Watchung students will see how many minutes they can read (or be read to!) from March 3-21st and collect pledges to support their efforts.
3/8 - Family Skate - (1-2:30pm) A family favorite winter activity, join us for a Family Skate session at Clary Anderson. More details to follow.
**SAVE THE DATE** Watchung DERBY Night – Friday, May 2nd
This year, the Watchung PTA will host their bi-annual Fundraiser with a fun and fabulous DERBY Night! Mark your calendars now and Get ready to place your bets on education! Tickets will go on sale soon! Be sure to get your early bird pricing!
We are now accepting Sponsors and donated items for this event. If you or the company you work for would like to sponsor the event or donate for the silent auction, please reach out to the Derby team at mailto:[email protected]
Quick Links:
PTA Website: https://montclairpta.org/watchung/
PTA Calendar: https://montclairpta.org/watchung/calendar/watchung/
PTA Membership: https://watchung.givebacks.com/store/items/23334
Your Watchung PTA Board,
Tracey, Elizabeth, Marisa, and Lauren
Enjoy your Championship Sunday!
Patrick Krenn
Principal
Watchung School