Bobcats In Brief: Weeks of 12/9 and 12/16

Dear Bobcat families,

We’re heading into December and feeling festive! The Scholastic Book Fair and Parent Teacher conferences end today. We hope your bobcats enjoyed the new format and you were able to make it to the open houses and the social last night. As we enter the giving season, we ask our Bobcats to consider some of our local community drives and we’ve shared information about that below. Read on to learn more about upcoming events.

EVENTS

SEPAC SOMA WINTER BLUES : Navigating Winter Recess for Special Education Families

When: Dec 9th, 6 - 7 PM

Where: Clinton Elementary School, 27 Berkshire Rd, Maplewood

Holiday breaks are exciting, but often difficult — the change in routine, cold weather, travel, family plans, extra screen time — leading to frazzled kids and parents. This in-person Parent Workshop, geared toward PreK-5 and open to all South Orange-Maplewood families, will focus on tips and resources to help create a less stressful holiday break for the whole family. Join us to hear more about:

• Tips on handling winter recess transitions and return to school
• Activities and community resources to explore during winter recess
• Ideas for setting up routines during winter recess

Presented by SEPAC SOMA’s Parent-Teacher Partnership Subcommittee: Casey Dickson, Clinton Special Education Teacher; Cara Lesperance, Clinton Special Education Teacher; and Ifeoma Nwigwe, Clinton PTA/SEPAC Liaison. The mission of the subcommittee is to provide helpful and informative workshops for families in order to better support their children at home and be effective partners with their children’s teachers. Childcare available - please register here to reserve a spot.

EARLY DISMISSAL (STAFF DEVELOPMENT)

When: Dec 10th

Students will be dismissed at 11:59 am on Dec 10th for staff development.

BEYOND THE BELL REGISTRATION

When: Dec 11th, 7 AM

The YMCA is piloting a winter mini-session of Beyond the Bell! Registration opens on Wed 12/11 at 7 am - it will be online at https://www.metroymcas.org/south-mountain-ymca/beyond-the-bell/ . More class information and how to register can be found at this above link as well.If you have questions, please reach out to Jonelle at BTB directly at beyondthebell@metroymcas.org. If you need language assistance to register for Beyond the Bell, please contact the school office. Scholarships for Beyond the Bell are available to students who qualify for Free & Reduced Lunch or qualify for YMCA Financial Assistance.

WINTER WONDERLAND VARIETY SHOW

When: Dec 14th, 1 PM (Dress rehearsal on Dec 13th)

Where: Seth Boyden Auditorium

The Bolden Variety Show is on December 14th and ticket information will be available soon with priority going to the families of performers. Look out for an email with more information!

SUPER SCIENTIFIC CIRCUS SCHOOL ASSEMBLY

When: Dec 17th

Mr Fish, of Omnium Circus and who was also in the Big Apple Circus for many years will be presenting physics through the lens of circus in two assemblies for the entire school. More information about Super Scientific Circus is available here: https://www.superscientificcircus.com/.

PTA MEETING

When: Dec 17th, 7:30 PM

Where: The Community Cafe on Laurel Ave.

Delia Bolden PTA Meetings are open to all members of our school community.  You can join us to learn about what the PTA does and how to get involved. If you cannot make it in person you can join the meeting online HERE .

SEPAC SOMA INCLUSIVE EDUCATION

When: Monday, December 17, 7 PM
Where:  Virtual via Zoom Or, dial in by phone: +1 646 558 8656
Meeting ID: 833 2581 8173, Passcode: 924072
Learn more about the laws, research and best practices in public schools that lead to inclusive learning communities where students with disabilities and learning differences are welcomed as classmates, valued as learners, and empowered to succeed. Presented by Michelle Gardner, Executive Director of the New Jersey Coalition for Inclusive Education. The NJCIE is a nonprofit organization that works with school districts across the state to improve inclusive opportunities for students with disabilities.

EARLY DISMISSAL (LAST DAY BEFORE WINTER BREAK)

When: Dec 20th

Students will be dismissed at 11:59 am on Dec 20th.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ANNUAL HOLIDAY TOY DRIVE

Now in its 27th year, the South Orange Maplewood school district’s Parenting Center & Rent party’s annual toy drive provides gifts for children in our district. Last year, the toy drive benefited over 400 children in our two communities. This year, we are once again counting on you to help us bring the spirit of the holidays to those in need in our community. Contributions/Donations are being accepted via:

• Make an online tax-deductible contribution at: https://gofund.me/81826e70
• Donate an item from the wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1XA0R5BKXQ90G?ref_=wl_share
• Drop off a new toy at one of our drop-off bins at any district elementary school (11/25-12/13)
• Buy one, donate one at Sparkhouse Toys

SOMA SHARES COAT DRIVE

Bolden is partnering with SOMA Shares to collect freshly laundered and gently used kids and teenage (including adult sizes) teenage coats and boots, as well as new hats and gloves. We have a drop off bin located at the school by the front office.

REMINDER TO CHECK LOST AND FOUND

Bobcat parents, please stop by the lost and found if you are at the school for the conference today December 6th and pick up anything that belongs to your child. Unclaimed items will be donated at the end of the month.

JOIN THE BIKE BUS

The final date for the Bike Bus for 2024 would be on Dec 13th - Friday morning, starting at 7:20am, with the route beginning at the corner of Hoffman and Kendall. Each bike bus is made up of students and their designated adult riders (a parent, friend, or neighbor) along with adult volunteers who help shepherd our riders of all ages along the route. You can find them on Instagram @boldenbikebus and @somabikebus and on WhatsApp at https://chat.whatsapp.com/FqUe1oli6buDLN9eBBGlz8.

Find us on Facebook or Instagram.

Learn more about the PTA 

Thanks

Delia Bolden PTA

communications@bolden-pta.org