July 8 - 12

Bacon Bears,


We have selected our new theme for the 2013-14 School Year. 

It's all about respect!

How did we get to this theme? We looked at our data.... As a team, we decided, based on the PBIS data from last year and all of the feedback from teachers, that the area students are struggling most with is RESPECT. We are looking forward to integrating this theme into the classrooms and throughout the school this year. Have an idea? Email Dr. Cook at spike.cook@millvillenj.gov

Want to see the progress of our summer? Check out these pictures.... Progress

Reading Street materials have arrived!!!! 

Cafeteria is getting new walls! 

Mrs. Gandy's room with freshly painted walls! 

I made my first array with the Rhymes and Times with the summer success students 

Weekly Schedule
Monday - Office hours 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM 
Tuesday - Office hours 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM 
Wednesday - Office hours 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM 
Thursday - Office hours 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM 
Friday - Office is closed

July 1 - 5

Bacon Bears,

Office hours this week:
Monday - 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Tuesday - 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Wednesday - 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Thursday - July 4th Holiday - School is closed
Friday - 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM

The summer projects continue. Mr. Frank and his crew are moving through the third floor. So much progress has been made in such a short time.

Hallways are stuffed while classrooms get cleaned! 

The weather this summer has been quite volatile. The other day as I was leaving the school, I took this picture of an incoming storm:

The summer weather has been volatile 

Our summer program continues to inspire our students. Here are some pictures from this week as they learned about data-driven instruction, team work and math!

Here is a great video of my friend Adam Bellow (follow him on twitter) giving the closing remarks at this year's ISTE13 Conference. Not only does he display the new google glasses, he invites us to "change the world!" Who is ready to change the world?
(His speech begins at 22 minutes)



Over the weekend, I read a brilliant blog post by another friend, Jessica Johnson (follow her on twitter). Her piece really made me want to apply for a new job.... Lead Learner of RM Bacon Elementary... I put my request into Dr. Gentile and Dr. Moore. I am waiting to hear if I could be the Lead Learner. Take a few minutes to read this post and you will know why. 
What Does it Meant to be a "Lead Learner"? by Jessica Johnson

June 24 - 28

Bacon Bears

Summer is in full swing... Stay connected to RM Bacon all summer through our blog... 

Summer Hours - Monday through Thursday 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM 

The end of an era... Rocky Musarra retired after 35 years of service to our school... Good luck in Margaritaville, Coach! We will miss you!!!! 

Coach next to the new Cave sign 

The final puck drop of Coach's career! 

Check out some out the Summer projects already started:

RM Bacon's Summer Success Program! 

One of the major projects this summer.. A redesigned Cafeteria

Summer Hours - Monday through Thursday 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM 

June 17 - 21

Bacon Bears,

We are in the final days of the school year, but we want to ensure that our school rules are still followed:

-   Be Safe, Be Responsible, and Be Respectful

 3^rd Grade into 4^th Grade Only

Summer Assignments will be distributed this week. Any questions, email nancy.gandy@millvillenj.gov

Teacher Requests for 2013-14?

Teacher requests for next school year must be in writing to Dr. Cook by July 1, 2013

Weekly Overview:

Monday, June 17, 2013(Full Day)

10:00 AM Awards Ceremony and 5^th Grade Graduation

3:00 PM Student Only Dance Party for Coach Musarra

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

No Lunches will be served

5^th grade student only Farewell Ceremony

Early Dismissal 1:40 PM – There will be Latch Key

Summer Overview:

This summer there will be many changes to the building:

-         A newly redesigned cafeteria

-         New carpet in the Library

-         Redesign of the Faculty Lounge

-         White Boards installed in each classroom

-         Summer Program for selected 3^rd graders into 4^th grade

-         New WiFi throughout the entire building

Coach Musarra

Coach Rocky Musarra will be retiring after 35 years of service to the Millville Public Schools.

Coach began his teaching career as a shared teacher between Culver School and Bacon School. Soon after, he became full-time at Bacon and the rest is history!

Coach will leave a long legacy of students, teachers and administrators who he has impacted.

We are inviting everyone to attend a celebration of his teaching career on Saturday, June 22, 2013 from 1pm-4pm in the Cave.

Please stop by and wish him well! 

6/10/13 - 6/14/13

Bacon Bears...

You Matter!

Well, there are only 7 days left of the school year. With that said, we will continue to pursue our commitment to World Class Education throughout each day!

Weekly Recap:

Mrs. Simpson leading the Band 

The week began with a memorable Art Show and Spring Concert. The students did an excellent job of representing the Fine and Performing Arts of this great district! On Tuesday, the 3rd graders went to the Philadelphia Zoo. Want to learn more about their experience? See Mrs. Benson's Blog 

On Wednesday, Mrs. Simpson coordinated the Frog and Toad musical starring the 1st graders. Our 1st grade teachers did a great job of playing the characters Frog, Toad and Snail. Missed the musical? Check it out here:


Later in the evening, RM Bacon did a great job of representing at the annual Technology Showcase at Lake Side Middle School. Here are some of the pictures from the evening:

Cameron did a fantastic job presenting! 

What a crew.. Mrs. Sinone's kids ROCK! 

Mason did a great job talking about Dung Beetles 

On Thursday, the 1st graders went to Ocean City for their annual field trip. A fun time was had by all and we had the highest percentage of parental support we have ever had! Thanks parents! Also on Thursday, the 5th graders went to see their new school... Lakeside Middle School! We look forward to seeing them grow into middle school leaders!

5th graders visited Sahara Sams on Friday. Despite the crazy weather they had a great time because it is completely indoors! 

This week:
Monday - 5th Grade Level Meeting, Lakeside MS
Tuesday - Leaders Trip to OC
Wednesday - Kindergarten trip to OC 
Thursday - Last Staff Meeting of the year, 8:00 AM; 5th Grade Luncheon 
Friday - Autism Awareness Pizza Party 

Impossible is Nothing! 

June 3 - 7

Bacon Bears,

You Matter!

There are 12 days of school left! We are ready to make each day, hour, minute count! 

Last Week's Recap:
After several days of rainy weather we finally were able to have Olympic Day and Fun Day. A great time was had by all and everyone was a winner. Students and teachers did an amazing job of shifting gears during the transition times (was it on? off?). I want to thank everyone involved with the hard work of planning and organizing with special acknowledgements to Coach Musarra (Olympic Day) and Mrs. Markel (Fun Day)!


During the week we were visited by the new Bacon Bears! Prospective students from the Child Family Center visited RM Bacon on Wednesday to see what we had to offer. Our Club 21 students visited New York and were able to experience the "big Apple." On Friday our Honor Roll students were treated to a Bowling Party! 

Ms. Spiels, coordinator of the SPCA fundraiser, hosted two representatives from the local SPCA. They presented to the students about the SPCA and showed the kids how to properly take care of their animals. The fundraiser will be going until June 14 and the student who raises the most money will earn a prize. Buy your WaWa hoagies!!! 

This week:
Let's end the year on a good note and attend the Spring Concert and Art Show. On Monday, the Art show begins at 6:00 PM and the Spring Concert begins at 7:00 PM. We are very excited about this special evening. 

The Club 21 students will be going on another trip... This time they will visit Medieval Times in Lyndhurst, NJ. On Tuesday the 3rd graders will be visiting the Philadelphia Zoo. Our staff meeting will be on Wednesday at 8:00 AM. On Wednesday afternoon the 1st graders will be presenting Frog and Toad. On Thursday, the 1st graders are visiting Ocean City and the 5th graders are visiting Lakeside Middle School. On Friday, 5th graders will be visiting Sahara Sams and the Kindergartners will be visiting Ocean City! 


Weekly Overview:
Monday - Club 21 trip to Medieval Times; Art Show, 6:00 PM; Spring Concert, 7:00 PM
Tuesday - 3rd grade to Philadelphia Zoo; 4th grade teachers meeting, all day; 
Wednesday - Frog and Toad, 3:00 PM; HSA Meeting, 4:00 PM 
Thursday - 1st grade to Ocean City; 5th grade to Lakeside (9:30 - 12:00) 
Friday - 5th grade to Sahara Sams; Kindergarten to Ocean City; 3rd grade teachers meeting, all day

May 28 - May 31

Bacon Bears,

You Matter!

Well, the end of the week ended on a wet, rainy note. Both the Fun Day and Olympic Day activities were postponed until Tuesday. We completed our NJASK make-ups. We can't wait to get the results back! I am sure they are going to be fantastic!

Coach Musarra recently announced his retirement. Here are some pictures from his last Olympic Day Parade

Olympic Day - Students will begin competing at Memorial HS at 10:00 AM and will be returning to Bacon by 12:30 PM.

Fun Day - We will be following the same schedule as in the past. 

Video of the Week:

Cumberland County SPCA Fundraiser
Support our local SPCA by participating in the Wawa Sub Sale. For 4.00 you can make a difference and enjoy a delicious sub from Wawa. Fundraiser will be going on from May 31 - June 12. Wawa sub tickets will be distributed one time on June 17th. Prize for top seller! For more information, see Miss Spiels! 

Coming soon!

Save the Date! Monday, June 3 Art Show (6:00 PM) and Spring  Concert (7:00 PM) 

Weekly Overview:
Monday - Memorial Day - No School
Tuesday - Wiffle Ball Playoffs (Angles vs. Yankees) 8:00 AM; Olympic Day and Fun Day
Wednesday - Dare to Be Fit, 8:00 AM; RTI Screening; Child Family Center Visits, 9:30 AM
Thursday - RTI Screening; Club 21 Field Trip
Friday - RTI Screening; Honor Roll Trip; SPCA Assembly 10:00 AM; PBIS Meeting, 1:00 PM; Bear Buck Store, 2:30 PM