Weekly Notes from the Desk of Mrs. Espinoza -- September 27, 2026

Posted Date: 09/27/26 (02:31 PM)

WEEK

LY NOTES FROM THE DESK OF MRS. ESPINOZA
WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 28, 2026

Dear Villano Families,

As we approach the beginning of October, we are starting to feel cooler temperatures, especially during morning line-up. Please remind your child to grab their jacket or sweatshirt as they head out the door. Students line up outdoors in the morning and also participate in thirty minutes of outdoor recess each day. Dressing in layers is always a good idea this time of year, as the afternoons do tend to warm up. To that end, please label all jackets and sweatshirts with your child's name. Students often forget these items as the day warms up.

Parking and driving around Villano School can be tricky. Couple that with many students walking home or to a vehicle parked in the neighborhood, and it is vitally important to drive slowly and follow the rules of traffic in the area. As a reminder for all families, below is a map of the area around Villano School and the designated one-way streets during school hours. Please keep in mind that dismissal is at 3:10 PM. Villano students should be picked up by 3:15 PM each day, and all students should be supervised by a caregiver while waiting for younger siblings to arrive on the Memorial shuttle bus.

map

Beginning Wednesday, Ms. Binetti will be hosting Villano's Homework Club on Tuesday-Thursday mornings. Students wishing to attend Homework Club can ask any of the teachers supervising morning line-up to go indoors to work on homework.

Have a wonderful week.

Warmest regards,

Jessica Espinoza
Principal

SCHOOL AND CLASSROOM HAPPENINGS

Sixth grade science students used LEGOS as models for atoms to demonstrate how matter can change form. By building various creations from the same set of pieces, they began to understand how the same atoms and elements can be combined in different ways to form everything in our world.

We welcomed the Bright Star Touring Theatre Company to Villano School on Friday, courtesy of the Emerson Elementary PTA! Students embarked on a vibrant cultural journey through the rich storytelling traditions of Spain and Latin America. Filled with music, laughter, and timeless lessons, this interactive performance was a wonderful celebration of literacy and Hispanic heritage during Hispanic Heritage Month, which is celebrated September 15th through October 15th. Alongside this assembly, we are highlighting different Hispanic Americans who have made significant contributions to our society each morning during our morning announcements. Ask your child to share any small nuggets of information they learn about these individuals.

This week, Villano School enjoyed our first "O" Show of the school year. At this month's "O" Show, all students were reminded of how they can participate in the monthly celebration at our school; we went over important school announcements and shared this month's holiday spotlight. Former Villano student and current seventh grader Alexa P. modeled the holiday spotlight for our younger students.

A big shout-out of thanks to the Emerson Elementary PTA, who provided these STEM Bins as enrichment for students in Grades 4 to 6. The bins come with supplies and task cards that give scholars fun, hands-on ways to build, think creatively, and solve problems within a set of rules. These students are working to build a symmetrical item using only 12 pieces from a particular bin. boxes

New Jersey’s annual Week of Respect begins next Monday! The week kicks off our year-long commitment to keeping Villano School free from harassment, intimidation, and bullying. Students will participate in interactive lessons focused on positive behavior, respect for diversity, and standing up for one another.

We will conclude the week with one of Villano's engaging community events: Villano Walk to School Day. Students are invited to wear their Emerson best as they walk to school behind the Marching Cavos! Sixth grade symphonic band students will be invited to march alongside the Marching Cavos for this event. Mr. Gibbs will share more details.

LUNCH INFORMATION

Lunches will be available for purchase beginning the first day of school from our food service provider, Pomptonian. Click HERE for the back-to-school packet directly from Pomptonian.

There are three choices daily: a hot meal, a selection of cold sandwiches, or a bagel/yogurt bag. Students must have money in their accounts to purchase a meal. Information on how to add money to your child's lunch account can be found HERE.

The monthly menu will be posted on the school website and shared in my weekly emails.

Click HERE for the monthly menu

OCTOBER LUNCH INFORMATION
The October lunch menu has been posted. On Tuesday, October 13th, Villano Students will have the option to have a Sushi Lunch. All Sushi Lunch orders MUST be preordered HERE. All preorders must be received by Tuesday, October 6th.

STUDENT ACTIVITIES

Villano Book Talks

PTA-sponsored monthly book talks will be held in the Villano Learning Lab for grades 4-6 at 8:00 a.m.

The first book talk, Wings of Fire: The Dragonet Prophecy (book #1), will be held on Friday, October 23rd.

Book Talk Schedule

Villano Online Newspaper
Click the image to visit our online news.

IMPORTANT DATES TO NOTE

Click HERE for the full calendar of events.

THIS WEEK
Monday 9/28/26
Fifth Grade Chorus Rehearsal -- 7:50 AM
Portrait of a Graduate Meeting -- 6:00 PM -- EJSHS Media Center

Tuesday 9/29/26
Concert Band Rehearsal -- 7:50 AM
Safety Patrol Meeting -- 8:15 AM
Student Congress Applications are DUE

Wednesday 9/30/26
Morning Homework Club Begins
Camden D. -- Superintendent for the Day
Symphonic Band Rehearsal -- 7:45 AM
Go Gold Emerson Cavo Cancer Crushers -- Popcorn and Italian Ice Sale at Dismissal

Thursday 10/1/26
Beginner Band Rehearsal -- 7:50 AM
Sixth Grade Chorus Rehearsal -- 7:45 AM

Friday 10/2/26

LOOKING AHEAD
WEEK OF RESPECT
Monday 10/5/26
Express Yourself -- Wear Your Favorite Color
Fifth Grade Chorus Rehearsal -- 7:50 AM

Tuesday 10/6/26
Dress to Impress and Smile Big!
Concert Band Rehearsal -- 7:50 AM
Villano Picture Day
Last day to complete Google Form for Sushi Order

Wednesday 10/7/26
Embracing Our Differences -- Mismatch Day -- dress in your most mismatched, wacky outfit
Symphonic Band Rehearsal -- 7:45 AM
Villano View Meeting -- 3:15-4:15 PM -- Villano Learning Lab

Thursday 10/8/26
No Drama Pajama Day -- Wear your pajamas to school and put bullying to bed
Beginner Band Rehearsal -- 7:50 AM
Sixth Grade Chorus Rehearsal -- 7:45 AM

Friday 10/9/26
Emerson Pride -- Show respect for the Emerson community by wearing red and black
Walk to School Day 2026

SCHOOL NOTICES AND FLYERS

GO Gold with Emerson Cavo Cancer Crushers -- RESCHEDULED FOR THIS WEEK -- SEPT. 30th

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfppSltdK5zQYvzRFZijjt-uYfgMby9F5a454iLu5BDuZzzog/viewform

Emerson Community School
Our Fall Emerson Community School Catalog is now live! Registration is OPEN! Check out all the wonderful classes offered for adults and children beginning in October! Visit our ECS website for all the details: https://www.emersonschools.org/emerson-community-school