Posts Tagged ‘manalapan’

Doesn’t Charlotte look beautiful in her patriotic red, white, and blue.  Her outfit and artwork represent one of the themes for this month.   Amazing Dave The Magician will help us honor our Dads.  For our Moms we have a special day planned so we can enjoy some time together.  That is just a little of what’s happening at Bridges.  For the whole scoop, please click here: May Newsletter

Leprechauns, shamrocks, rabbits, and jellybeans are all around.  Each teacher is planning something special.  To find out what surprises are in store for your child, click here…March Newsletter

It might be cold outside, but we’ve warmed things up in school by practicing for “Grandparents’ Day”.  There is so much to do in February, it’s a shame it only has 29 days.  To read about what we’ve planned for this month, click February Newsletter

Victoria and Michaella are eighth grade students in Manalapan Englishtown Middle School.  They are working toward achieving membership in their school’s National Honor Society.  Part of this process involves planning, executing, and completing a leadership project.  I am proud to say they chose their former school, Bridges Nursery School & Kindergarten, to accomplish this goal.  The girls planned a story, art project and song centered around our theme of hibernation.  They arranged to be at school to meet and teach Ms. Emy & Ms. Kathy’s Pre-K children.

When they arrived I was surprised to see how mature they were and pleased to see they still had that inner beauty that was theirs so many years ago.

I asked them what they remembered most about Bridges, and Michaella said she remembered Santa Claus visiting the school while Victoria fondly recalled the visiting dentist and his tooth fairy assistant.

The girls immediately set to work greeting each child and settling them down for a fun afternoon.  They read, colored, sang and laughed with their new friends.  I thought back to “just yesterday” when these young ladies occupied those small chairs and worked so diligently on each assignment.  I smiled as I realized I was witnessing the benefit of good work done so many years ago.

These girls will be wonderful representatives of their school and excellent candidates for the National Honor society. How lucky and proud I am.

To see what Victoria and Michaella looked like when they were in Bridges and to see how much the children enjoyed their time together, please visit our “Gallery“.  A picture is worth 1000 words.

I was recently asked to explain what achievements I thought my Manalapan Pre School had accomplished in the last 20 years of operation.

I was tempted to go on about the high standard of academics, our customized curriculum, or any other number of “educational” accomplishments. Then, I remembered, there is so much more than just learning going on at Bridges.

There are lives being shaped, personalities being guided, friendships being formed, and memories being made. I think this is our greatest contribution.

In just the last few months, I have been fortunate enough to witness the past being honored in the present.

One of the moms in our school brought in the Christmas card her brother had made in Bridges, 17 years ago. It was bent, worn, and beautiful. It has been a part of their Christmas celebration for 17 years.

A former student of ours, who has returned to complete her student teaching, brought in the photograph album her mother made for her depicting her nursery school and Pre-K years. I delighted in seeing the pictures of her first day at school, her Christmas show, Grandparent’s Day, Mother’s Day and graduation. (I did not delight in the fact that I looked much younger then!)

She was so proud of these snippets of her life. Her goal is to provide her future students with these same gifts.

Last Christmas I was invited to my daughter-in-law’s parent’s home for dinner. When I arrived I was so touched to see familiar yet long forgotten Christmas decorations adorning their tree and mantle. Her sister (who is a freshman in college) used to attend Bridges. Our projects served as a reminder of simpler times.

This week I attended a funeral service for a man whose children attended our school. I thought about how difficult this would be for his family. As I entered the visitation room, I was struck by the number of faces I recognized. So many of the friends his wife had made were there supporting her. These families had continued their friendships long after their children had left Bridges.

So when I am asked to explain my greatest achievements, I think the long term effect of our work speaks for itself.

We are making memories and building relationships.

Could there be anything more worthwhile?

During this busy season when free time is at a minimum, here is a worthwhile way to spend your limited supply.  It requires little, but has great dividends.  To learn how to invest, click December Literacy

Look at the pictures in the Gallery to see what a wonderful time we had enjoying Thanksgiving.  As the season of Christmas begins, the students of Bridges have much to celebrate.  To see what is happening click:   “December_Newsletter“

Due to shortage of vaccines the Department of Health has CANCELLED the requirement for the mandatory flu shot for the 2009-2010 school year. Please read below if you would like more information.

FROM:                        Heather Howard Commissioner

SUBJECT:                        Immunization of Pupils in School

The purpose of this memo is to provide guidance for all schools, preschools, or child care facilities concerning the requirement at N.J.A.C. 8:57-4.2 that a principal, director or other person in charge of a school, preschool, or child care facility shall not knowingly admit or retain any child whose parent or guardian has not submitted acceptable evidence of the child’s immunization.

Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 8:57-4.22(d), the Commissioner of the Department of Health and Senior Services (the Department) determined that due to limited vaccine availability it is appropriate and reasonable to temporarily suspend for the 2009 – 2010 academic year the mandatory requirement for children six months through 59 months of age attending any child-care center or preschool facility to receive at least one dose of influenza vaccine.

This temporary suspension is based on delays in vaccine production with a resultant delay in delivery and supply shortage within New Jersey.  The Department received multiple inquiries concerning influenza vaccine, difficulties in locating seasonal vaccine, and the requirements for evidence of immunization to admit or retain a child in a school, preschool, or child care facility.  Furthermore, the CDC stated in a November 9, 2009, briefing that up to 114 million doses of seasonal flu vaccine may be produced this year but did not know the exact timetable for getting the doses.  Because timing of influenza vaccine production and distribution is unpredictable, availability of the vaccine supply does not always coincide with peak demand.   In New Jersey, influenza typically occurs any time between October through early April. However, the peak season of occurrence is during January and February.

Influenza is a highly infectious acute viral respiratory disease that annually causes moderate or severe illness to persons of all ages. The major complication of influenza is pneumonia. Children less than two years of age have comparable high rates of hospitalizations to those adults 65 years of age and older. Infants and preschool-aged children are considered to be among the most efficient incubators and transmitters of this disease to other susceptible healthy or high risk persons with certain medical conditions.   The Department strongly recommends that all children six months through 59 months of age attending any child-care center or preschool facility receive at least one dose of influenza vaccine contingent on vaccine availability.  The Department believes that widespread use of influenza vaccine among preschool-aged children will decrease the incidence of influenza among children and adults.

The principal, director or other person in charge of a school, preschool, or child care facility may request information to document compliance with the vaccine requirement and enter the information in an appropriate vaccine record.  Individuals should be directed to the Department’s website specifically the Find a Flu Shot Locator for vaccine clinics.  In addition, the Department implemented a toll-free hotline (1-866-321-9571) operating every day to provide general information about vaccine availability information.

Earlier this week, in collaboration with the federal government, Google Inc. launched a flu shot finder to provide individuals with the locations of clinics that offer vaccines. This site can be accessed through the Department’s website at http://nj.gov/health/flu/h1n1.shtml.  It allows the public to search by town, county and zip code to find flu shots at locations such as major retail pharmacies and supermarkets.  The site also includes the public health clinics that have been listed on the DHSS “Find a Flu Shot” button. The website can also be accessed at www.google.com/flushot.

The DHSS is also recommending that individuals contact their physician, community health center, local pharmacy, local or county health department, hospital or school to check for available seasonal vaccine.  Many doctors, health clinics and schools are providing vaccine to their patients and students, while local health departments, pharmacies and some hospitals are offering clinics to the public.

The Department continues to recommend seasonal flu vaccine for all children age 6 months to 18 years because children are vulnerable to flu-related complications, including death.

Date:  November 24, 2009                                                        /s/ Heather Howard

Heather Howard

Commissioner

For anyone who is interested in learning more about the H1N1 Influenza virus you are invited to attend a meeting given by Dave Richardson a Manalapan Township Health Officer.  Below is a copy of the invitation I was asked to pass along to you.

***AN IMPORTANT REMINDER***

SEASONAL FLU VACCINES ARE NOW MANDATORY FOR ALL STUDENTS UNDER 59 MONTHS OF AGE!

Hi all.

I just want to share with you that, at that the invitation of the Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District , I will be making 2 presentations to the community about H1N1 influenza.  They are scheduled for Thursday, September 24^th and Wednesday, October 7^th.  Both presentations will be at the Manalapan-Englishtown Middle School (MEMS) starting at 7:00pm.  The presentation will cover the current knowledge of the disease, the control efforts – including stay-at-home policies – and the upcoming vaccination campaign.  The presentation is open to all residents.   Please feel free to share the information with the parents of your students.

Wm. David Richardson

Health Officer

Manalapan Township

120 Route 522

Manalapan, New Jersey 07726

(732)  446-8345

fax (732) 446-1576

drichardson@twp.manalapan.nj.us

Each day my mailbox is filled with bills, solicitations, notifications of regulation changes, notifications of changes to the changes, and other mind numbing information.

Today, as I sorted through the mail, there was an envelope that stuck out.

It was addressed by hand. I looked at the return label and smiled when I saw the name. I remembered the family as their child was at Bridges from Mommy & Me through Kindergarten. I estimated him to be about age 7 by now.

I reflected on how quickly time moved and how much I missed our daily discussions. Joey always had something to tell me. I opened the envelope and read his letter.  I have always been proud of the fact that people say Bridges Nursery School & Kindergarten  is like a family.

This to me was a great example.

Thanks Joey!