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MONTCLAIR PUBLIC SCHOOLS THE CHARLES H. BULLOCK SCHOOL 55 WASHINGTON STREET ~ MONTCLAIR, NEW JERSEY 07042 WWW.MONTCLAIR.K12.NJ.US

NAMI KUWABARA Principal Principal’s Weekly Update May 21, 2021

Dear Families and Caregivers,

Summer has arrived, and so has the energy level increase amongst our students. It is perfect timing that we have been given the green light to use the playground equipment during the school day. Masks will continue to be worn and social distancing is required, but beginning Monday, May 24th, students will be able to spend some time on the playground equipment during their snack breaks. I know they are looking forward to trying out the new slide!

❖ More Playground News - Beginning June 1st, the playground will be open to the community, after school hours. We are waiting until then so we can complete the last days of After School Enrichment. Please be mindful of YMCA after-care staff and students when your children are playing.

❖ Annual PTA Envelope Fundraiser - Here is my shameless plug for the PTA’s Annual Envelope Fundraiser. During this unprecedented school year, Bullock students experienced virtual field trips, author visits, artists in residence, assemblies and more, thanks to the generosity of our community when we fundraise. We can’t thank you and the PTA enough for supporting staff development with Teachers College, too. Our teachers received high quality professional development on how to provide rigorous reading and writing instruction in a virtual and hybrid classroom. Please consider all the ways your children benefit and choose an envelope so the PTA can continue to support these great initiatives. Click here: PTA Envelope Fundraiser and choose any amount.

❖ From Asian American Pacific Islander, Montclair - Please join us tonight for AAPI Montclair's first annual Lantern Festival for Justice and Remembrance. On this night, we will be illuminating the park with hundreds of paper lanterns as a memorial to all of the souls who have died because of racial injustice, inequity, and violence. We grieve for those killed not only by COVID-related xenophobia, but by police violence, white supremacy, and systemic inequities and failures. In addition to being a symbol of hope and light, the lantern, in many Asian cultures, is a sign of welcome to the spirits of the departed. In a year of great tragedy coupled with few opportunities to mourn or celebrate those lost, we look forward to gathering as a community for what we hope will be a beautiful and heartfelt memorial.

Telephone: 973.509.4255 ~ Fax: 973.509.4247 ~ Email: [email protected] The “Green” School www.montclair.k12.nj.us Bullock School PTA website: www.bullockpta.org ❖ MFEE Amazing FundRACER 4.0 - As with everything during the pandemic, there is a new spin on the beloved MFEE race. The Montclair Fund for Educational (MFEE) Amazing FundRACER 4.0: Clash of the Quaranteams is coming on Sunday May 23rd. Charles H. Bullock Elementary School has 4 teams racing around Montclair in a mini-version of the competition show The Amazing Race: Kiarie-Wright Dream Team, Team H-P, The Wanderers, and Hermer Heroes. These teams will be supporting MFEE and its vital racial equity work. A large portion of the funds from this race will be used to fund and expand programs like PEEPs, Navegadores Escolares, Montclair Learning Circles on Race, Excellence in Equity grants and coaching team and more! Visit https://givebutter.com/MFEE_AmazingFundracer_4 to sponsor these teams and show them your CHB support! And for every $125 a team raises over $500, they earn Leg-UPs - a special coin that buys them a clue, an advantage, or an opportunity to gently sabotage another team in the race. While they can’t buy their way to victory, a few Leg-UPs can give these CHB teams a nice boost.

❖ Community Food Service - Toni’s Kitchen provides free weekly delivery of groceries serving Montclair and Bloomfield. If you would like to sign up, email your name, phone number, and address to [email protected] It’s easy, free and nutritious!

Looking ahead: Monday, May 24th, Tuesday, May 25th —Mountie rotation days Wednesday, May 26th, Thursday, May 27th—Bulldog rotation days Thursday, May 28th and Monday, May 31st - District closed for Memorial Day Weekend

Have a wonderful weekend! Be safe.

Warmest regards,

Nami Kuwabara Principal

2 Telephone: 973.509.4255 ~ Fax: 973.509.4247 ~ Email: [email protected]