Walter Stillman
Elementary
School
Kindergarten Orientation
June 5, 2017
Principal: Gayle Lander
Vice Principal: Jodie Craft
We Believe…
 In
providing your child with a safe and
stimulating learning environment in which
he/she can flourish.
 In educating the whole child by
addressing social, emotional, and
academic growth.
 In the importance of preparing your child
to be an educated, active, contributing
member of our global society.
School Climate: What is it?
“The beliefs, perceptions, relationships, attitudes, and written
and unwritten rules that shape and influence every aspect of
how a school functions. This encompasses the physical and
emotional safety of students and the degree to which a school
embraces and celebrates cultural diversity.” Hidden Curriculum (2014,
Aug. 26). In S. Abbott (Ed.), The glossary of education reform.
Traditions and shared experiences weave a school of individual
students, staff and families to maintain a positive school climate
and a strong community.
School Climate:
Stillman’s G.P.S. Club
Guiding. Positive. Safety
Students proactively
working to maintain
a positive school
climate.
.
Zippy & K-Friends
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Zippy
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K-Friends
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A character education program composed of stories that are
presented on a weekly basis that help children with their social and
emotional development. The lessons and activities cover topics such
as communication, feelings, friendship, coping with change and loss,
and resolving conflicts.
A six week small group social skills program that will assist children in
establishing strong connections with their peers. Lessons that are
introduced include: sharing, participation, problem solving, friendship,
listening and positive self-esteem.
Banana Splits

A social group for students who have experienced parental divorce
or death. We provide a safe place to express and normalize feelings
through sharing and activities which allow students to increase their
ability to problem solve and to increase their self esteem in a
comfortable setting with peers experiencing similar situations.
Stillman School
Values
Stillman Values

At a Glance:
•
School wide program recognizing students demonstrating
exemplary character through identified character traits /
values
•
Familiarity with character traits / values gained through:
 Whole group guidance lessons in the classroom (monthly)
 Lessons taught by the classroom teacher (daily)
 School-wide assemblies (as scheduled)
•
Individual recognition of students in the classroom by the
teacher and principal
•
Community-wide recognition through inclusion in the “Hall of
Fame” displaying student pictures and synopsis of each award
for all to see
Stillman School
Declaration of Values
•
•
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Love of Learning
Consideration
Respect
Open
Mindedness
Involvement
Honesty
Wall of Fame

The objective is to
create a comfortable,
productive learning
community which allows
us to learn and live in an
environment of mutual
respect, compassion
and understanding of
others.
 Ted
Talks on Grit
Your Teacher
 Teachers
assignments are available
through the Genesis Parent Portal in late
August.
 Maximum 20 students per class
 HSA will organize a summer get together
 Early dismissal days for the first week of
school.
Our Terrific Teachers
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Preschool
 Dr. Benz
Kindergarten
 Ms. Wellman
 Ms. Schwartz
 Ms. DeWitt
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First Grade
Ms. Berg
 Ms. Nowak
 Ms. Zawadzki
Second Grade
 Ms. Emma
 Ms. Friedman
 Ms. Harris
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Third Grade
 Ms. Kushner
 Ms. Pita
 Ms. Lee
Fourth Grade
 Ms. Bailey
 Ms. Warshaw
 Ms. Shenloogian
Fifth Grade
 Ms. Eisenberg
 Ms. Lynch
 Mr. Nissenbaum
Our Spectacular Specialists
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Physical Education
 Mr. Gansel
 Mr. McIntosh
Art
 Ms. Slezak
Vocal Music
 Ms. Cassidy
 Mr. DeJoseph
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Instrumental Music
Mr. Carolan
Library
 Ms. Shaffer
Spanish (2-5)
 Ms. Mayz
School Nurse
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Ms. Hess
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Special Education
 Ms. Agner
 Ms. Sussman
 Ms. DiTursi
English Language Learning
 Ms. Grady
 Ms. Yi
Basic Skills Instruction
 Ms. Lyons
 Ms. Brave
Guidance Counselor
 Ms. Stark
Child Study Team
 Ms. Sutton
Meet the Specialists

Alycin Slezak, Art

Lorraine Cassidy, Music

Bobby Gansel/David McIntosh, P.E.

Charlotte Shaffer, Library
Bobby Gansel, P.E.
In Physical Education class
your child will experience a
wide variety of exciting and
challenging physical skill
development activities. There
is always an emphasis on
fitness and nutrition. Most
importantly I want your child
to have fun in P.E. and
constantly be on the move. On
P.E. Day make sure your child
wears sneakers and
appropriate clothes for moving!
Andrew DeJoseph, Lorraine
Cassidy Music
In Music your child will
move, create, and sing all
while having fun!
Stillman School
Kindergarten Orientation
Alycin Slezak, Art
In Art class students will have the
opportunity to use their creativity,
problem solve, and express their
emotions, in producing original works
of art. All lessons will also focus on
learning about a variety of artists'
masterworks as well as developing an
understanding of the Elements of Art
and Principles of Design. Be sure to
send in a smock for art days.
Charlotte Shaffer, Library
One of my favorite quotes is
from Dr. Seuss:
“The more you read, the more
you know. The more you learn,
the more places you’ll go”
Sharon Hess, Nurse
I provide classroom
instruction on health
and safety as well as
taking care of all
medical needs.
Please make sure to
submit all required
health documents to
the nurse’s office in a
timely fashion.
Barbara Barzelatto, Secretary
Taras Fedak, Head Custodian
Arrival and Dismissal

School begins at 8:30. Those who
arrive after 8:40 are considered late
and need to report to the office.

Students enter school through the
library door. They will be dismissed
from Mrs.Wellman’s door at 3:10.

Safety First! Please adhere to the
carpool procedures.
SACC in the Library in the morning—
Gym in the afternoon

Lunch and Recess
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Students can purchase lunch or bring in a “ready to eat” lunch
from home.
School lunch is offered through the H.S.A. and must be preordered.
 Organized by trimester
There are two student lunch periods. Each period is divided so
that 20 minutes is devoted to recess.
The first lunch period is 11:30-12:15
Kindergarten classes eat lunch and then
have recess during the second lunch
period:
12:20-1:05
Odds and Ends…
 Any
changes in arrival or dismissal needs
to be communicated to the office staff.
 Forgotten items may be dropped off in
the main lobby cubbies.
 Call in all absences before 8:30AM
 Discipline, Code of Conduct, and Support
 Your support creates the TEAM

All I Really Need To Know
I Learned In Kindergarten
by Robert Fulghum
- an excerpt from the book, All I Really Need To Know I Learned in Kindergarten
All I really need to know I learned in kindergarten.
ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW about how to live and what to do
and how to be I learned in kindergarten…
Share everything.
Play fair.
Don't hit people.
Put things back where you found them.
Clean up your own mess.
Don't take things that aren't yours.
Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
Wash your hands before you eat.
Flush.
Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
Live a balanced life - learn some and think some
and draw and paint and sing and dance and play
and work every day some.
When you go out into the world, watch out for traffic,
hold hands, and stick together.
Be aware of wonder.
Remember the little seed in the styrofoam cup:
The roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody
really knows how or why, but we are all like that.
Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even
the little seed in the Styrofoam cup - they all die.
So do we. And then remember the Dick-and-Jane books
and the first word you learned - the biggest
word of all - LOOK.
Everything you need to know is in there somewhere.
The Golden Rule and love and basic sanitation.
Ecology and politics and equality and sane living.
Take any of those items and extrapolate it into
sophisticated adult terms and apply it to your
family life or your work or your government or
your world and it holds true and clear and firm.
Think what a better world it would be if
all - the whole world - had cookies and milk about
three o'clock every afternoon and then lay down with
our blankies for a nap. Or if all governments
had a basic policy to always put thing back where
they found them and to clean up their own mess.
And it is still true, no matter how old you
are - when you go out into the world, it is best
to hold hands and stick together.
And also…
Technology: Ipads for each student
Reading: Mondo/Schoolwide Reading and Writing Program
Phonic instruction:
• Whole Class
• Guided instruction
• Independent exploration and practice
• RTI
Everyday Math:
• Computation
• Exploration
• Application
Science and Social Studies:
• Units which emphasize real life connections and inquiry
Community building:
• Develop a love of learning
• Workshop approach
• 5th Grade Buddies
The Home School Association

The H.S.A. is an organization comprised of dedicated
parents who work tirelessly to help our school and
enrich the Stillman experience!
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The Lunch Program
Clubs
Cultural Arts Programming
Guest Speakers to support curriculum
School Directory
Student Planners
School Supply Packs
Class parents
Family Day/Field Day
Book Fairs
International Week
And much, much, more!
H.S.A. Meetings
 The
H.S.A. open meetings are held at
Stillman.
 Meetings are held in the morning and
evening to accommodate as many
people as possible.
 Meeting dates will be posted on the
Stillman website.
After School Activities
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
School Aged After Care (SAAC)
 This program is available before school and
after school. Specific information is located on
our website under the “district” tab.
Clubs!
 The H.S.A. sponsors and organizes a variety of
clubs in which your child can participate. Clubs
are offered Monday through Friday and take
place immediately after school. Pick up time is
4:10. More information will follow regarding club
offerings.
Communication is Key
 You
can request a meeting with your child’s
teacher or principal at any time during the
year.
 Fall Conferences in December
 Spring Conferences in March
 Speak to your child’s teacher about their
preferred method of communication.
The Race…
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQ4
GjqNT-l4
Contact Information

School Office:
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Email

[email protected]
[email protected]

(Firstinitiallastname)@ tenafly.k12.nj.us
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
Website


201-816-7711
www.tenafly.k12.nj.us/st/index.htm
Honeywell

Sign up for the Honeywell alert system and Genesis parent portal
by going to the district website and clicking on the tab for “Web
Resources.”