MJT Weekly

 

This Week's Updates

1/30/26

 

MJT Fire Safety Lesson - Fall 2025

 

Dear MJT Families,

Your student will be coming home with their second quarter report card today.  Please take time to look through this with your child and praise them for their successes!  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact their teacher.  

 

Snowflake Shake

I look forward to seeing many of our UPK and K students next Friday, February 6th at the 3rd annual Snowflake Shake from 6:00-7:30! Please send in your permission slip, thank you.

 

Coats and sneakers available!

We have received some extremely generous donations!  We have a large amount of winter coats (all sizes) and sneakers for boys and girls (sizes 11-2).  All are brand new!  If your child needs a new coat or pair of sneakers, please reach out to Mrs. Taylor or Mrs. Blais, and your child can pick them out!

 

Here are a few friendly reminders:

- MJT has a no cell phone policy for school as well as the bus.  This includes electronic devices such as tablets or ipads.

- Only plain water should be in student's water bottles in the classrooms. 

 

Wishing you a good weekend,

Mrs. Taylor
Principal, Mary J. Tanner School
518-642-1051 Ext. 4201

btaylor@granvillecsd.org

 

Upcoming Events

February 

2/2 - 2/6 - Souper Sunday Donation Week - Vote for who you think will win the Super Bowl (Seattle Seahawks vs. New England Patriots) by sending in one canned good or non-perishable item for the PTO's Backpack for Hunger Item and placing it in the team's box. Preferred items are listed here, thank you. If you would like to participate, please drop off at main office of your building or send in with your student.

2/2 - 2/13 - Student Council's Project Cameron's Story - Donate a new baby book to the local NICU units at area hospitals for families to read to their babies who are too sick or small to hold or touch, they can still bond with reading. If you would like to participate, here is a link to the Granville CSD wishlist for Cameron's Story.

2/2 - Community Resource: Free Special Education Class for Families

2/3 - Community Resource: Free Parenting Class from the Comfort of Your Own Home

2/4 - Athletic Booster Meeting - All school families welcome to join 6pm, JSHS

2/6 - PTO Snowflake Shake, Free Family Fun Dance and Activities for Pre-K and Kindergarten, 6pm at MJT, Wear fun colors! Dress up if you choose! Please hand in your permission slip or email PTOgranvilleCSDny@gmail.com

2/7 - Community Resource: Free Winterfest Day at Lake Lauderdale Hosted by Washington County - All Day Family Fun

2/9 - Board of Education Meeting, 6pm, JSHS Library

2/10 - Community Resource: Free Parenting Class from the Comfort of Your Own Home

2/11 - PTO Meeting - All staff and families welcome! Volunteer whenever you can through this PTO Volunteer sign up sheet. 

2/13 - Jr/Sr High Jazz Band Tour at MJT with a free concert during school day

2/13 - Community Resource: Youth Basketball Deadline for March Twice Per Week Camps for K-2

2/14 - 2/22 - PTO Sponsored Bowling at Slate Valley Lanes - $5 for two games and shoe rental, PTO pays the rest. 

2/16 - 2/20 - NO SCHOOL: Mid-Winter Recess

2/24 - Community Resource: Free Parenting Class from the Comfort of Your Own Home

Here is the link to all event details in the district calendar.

 

Bus of the Month is Here!

Every month, one bus will win a Free School Snack Coupon for every student on board!

Here’s how to win:

Be respectful, be kind, and be a role model for younger students.

Which bus will win in January? 

Good luck!

To learn more about the Bus of the Month contest, visit this blog post.

 

Kindergarten Cafeteria Snack Update

Kindergarten students will be able to purchase snacks on Thursdays, and Ice Cream on Fridays. 

We've had to adjust this because recently due to the fact that we are finding out that a large number of students are throwing their entire/most lunch away and then going to purchase snacks. 

We are working with them to encourage healthy habits to eat more of their lunch rather than rushing for snacks. 

 

 MJT Winter Hallway Pictures

Classroom Exercise: Imagine that your snman came to life. What woudl the two of you do?

This student's snowman reads "If I was a snowman, at night I would drink cold chocolate. Then I would walk my snowman dog." 

 

Aidan's Penguin Drawing

 

Here are some MJT students dreams in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

To teach gymnastics...

To be an actress...

To be a doctor... 

To be a rapper... 

To be a singer... 

To be a firefighter... 

To be a farmer... 

To be a police officer and a doctor... 

To be a Youtuber and singer... 

 

Winter Gear Reminder

Winter Gear Reminder:

Please be sure to send your student with boots, warm jacket, hat, and mittens daily, as most classes go outside to play in the snow at recess and label all items with their name. 

If you need help obtaining any of these items, please contact Nurse Blais: jblais@granvillecsd.org as we have many donations to share. 

Here is the link to all event details in the district calendar.

 

February Healthy Heart Challenge

MJT and GES P.E. Teachers are leading a healthy heart challenge for the month of February. Be on the lookout for a letter with details, how to get involved and fun activities aheads. 

You can also get started right away by registering today and completing Finn’s Mission with your child. 

Learn the lifesaving skill of Hands-Only CPR and how to recognize a stroke.

Here are the next steps to take today and be one of the first to complete your mission:

Sign Up Here and download the free “AHA Schools” app.

Raise funds to help kids with special hearts and start earning thank-you gifts.

Complete Finn’s Mission: Learn Hands-Only CPR, earn your lifesavers cape and be entered to win two Super Bowl tickets!

Let’s work together to build heart-healthy habits and help kids with special hearts!

Go Horde!

 

Principal Taylor's Tips

Screen Time Alternatives

The winter months can be challenging to find engaging activities for children to do at home. 

Often, students fall into the "screen time routine" when they can't get outside to play as much. 

Too much screen time can affect their sleep and behavior patterns in many ways. 

Screens provide instant gratification, which children then expect in all aspects of their lives. 

As a result, this can create challenges at both home and school. 

Here are some alternative ideas to consider that can increase your family time while helping them to practice how to share and take turns.

- Board games: Candy Land, Chutes and Ladders, Trouble, etc

- I spy: Try playing it different ways such as "I spy something that starts with the letter__"

- Card games: Go fish, War

- Sight word or letter hunt: write students trick/sight words on post-it notes and put them all around the house for students to find and practice.  This can also be done with individual letters.

- Reading books: Bedtime stories are a calm, soothing way for children to unwind before going to sleep.

Visit this page and look for the "Better Screen Time" tips to learn about low-stimulation vs high-stimulation screen time ideas.

 

First Grade Tips

Below are two links to help teach your student how to tie their shoes.  This is a skill for students to begin working on in first grade:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/A3P4aM3MlT0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2KcPbhSfBo

Read More Principal Taylor's Tips
 

PTO Staff Member of the Month for December

December and January are incredibly busy at school. Mrs. Taylor made time to nominate a staff member of the month on behalf of the PTO. 

Please help us celebrate Second Grade Teacher, Mrs. Duvernoy!

"Mrs. Duvernoy has been enthusiastic and proud to join our team here in Granville, and consistently goes above and beyond for her students. 

She demonstrates flexibility each and every day, and rises to the occasion when new initiatives or demands come about. 

Mrs. Duvernoy displays a calm and professional demeanor at all times, and is a true cheerleader for her students. 

Her collaboration with her grade level and team colleagues is commendable. 

In addition, she has volunteered for extra activities outside of school hours, and is one of the last vehicles here in the parking lot on any given night. 

We are grateful to have her as a valuable member of our MJT team!"

- Principal Taylor 

Mrs. Duvernoy received a beautiful slate frame and a gift card to Indulge Pizza from the PTO. 

 
 

Please Pack a Daily Snack

Please pack a healthy, filling snack each day!

Here are some great ideas. 

Here are the cheap and healthy snack ideas (consider putting them in small plastic baggies than you can reuse each week): homemade trail mix, small apple or easy to peel small orange like a clementine, mandarin, crackers and pepperoni slices or nut butter for dipping, baby carrots and dip like flavored hummus, cheese stick (with a ice pack), nutrition bar or popcorn.
 

Read Each Day


Did you know?

Reading with your child helps them understand new words, improves speech and helps children feel calm and confident about learning new things. 

Start with 10 minutes per day.

Here is a link to winter book ideas to read with your child. 

Here is the link to the Pember Library and Museum - they are open from 10am - 1pm on Saturdays and library cards are free.

Reading is Snow Much Fun
 

Showing Up Matters

Thank you for showing up on time, every day! We love seeing your students in school and appreciate your efforts.

Here are tips for deciding when to keep your student home and when to send them to school. 

Here is a link to this resource on AttendanceWorks.org https://www.attendanceworks.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Attendance-Works-When-Is-Sick-Too-Sick-092524.pdf
 

District News

You can now subscribe to all of the Board of Education updates and they will arrive in your email inbox. 

The Board of Education has a new, online platform (formerly called Board Docs) for sharing meeting agendas, policies, upcoming meetings and more in an easy-to-access manner.

This will ensure the school community - parents, community members, staff, and more can keep up to date with the Board of Education happenings. 

This is a direct result of listening to the community's request.

Here is the direct link to the subscribe with an email address.

And here is the link to the general overview of the Granville CSD Board of Education website.

 

Run for Board of Education - April 20th, 2026 Deadline

Please note, three Board members terms end 2026.

Here is more information about how to run for BOE including dates, deadlines and more.

Meet our volunteer Board members here.

 

Surplus Bids

Here is the link to Surplus Bids - Deadline 2/3

Welcome to our new full-time, Special Patrol Officer, Ben Hover! Officer Hover (pictured on left) will be moving around all our buildings, ensuring the safety of our campus and being a friendly, reliable and secure presence to our students and staff. He will be working with Officer Jim Gallagher (pictured in the middle).

Officer Hover is a GCSD alum, and has family in the district. Superintendent Michael Hall is pictured as well on the right. 

 
 

School Tips 

Get the App! Search "Granville CSD" on any App store and download today.

All Family Resources -
Visit the A-Z communications page here.

Who to contact? Try our District Contact Guide.

eSchool Parent Portal - Check your child's grades, attendance, and tardies.

Snacks! Please pack a healthy, filling snack everyday for your student to help them focus and feel good. Twice per week, students are introduced to new fresh fruit or vegetable.

Parent Rooms - Family-Teacher chat and classroom updates all in the mobile Granville CSD App. Learn more about Parent Rooms at this link.

Free Breakfast and Lunch Each Day - Arrive 15 minutes early to school and come enjoy breakfast before school starts. No registration needed.

Come Cheer On Our Teams - Attend a Jr/Sr High Home Game with your family for a fun, free outing. Here is the link to the game schedule.

Educational Resources - Try our community school page here.

 

Community Resources 

PTO Newsletter - Here is the link to the current newsletter.

Cub Scouts - Looking for new parent-leaders for Cub Scouts. Contact Ashlee Zinn: azinn@granvillecsd.org

Discover Granville NY.com

Youth Programs - This Granville CSD Athletics webpage includes local Youth Program Information for grades K - 6.

The Pember Library in Granville - Get a free library card, free books, movies, free wi-fi and computer use and more. Here is a link to the library to learn more. Here is the link to the Libby app (free with a library card).

Volunteer - Here are Granville organizations looking for volunteers. To add additional details to this list, please contact krozell@granvillecsd.org

Clothing and More - Kid's Korner Consignment Shop, Granville NY, 67 Church St, Granville

 
 

Contact Info

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Mary J. Tanner Primary School

9593 State Route 22

Granville, NY 12832

Phone: 518-642-1051

Fax: 518-642-9594

District Contact Guide

 

School Nurse: Jennifer Blais 518-642-1051 Ext. 4204

School Social Worker: Andrea Smith 518-642-1051Ext. 4205

School Psychologist: Renee Forbes 518-642-1051 Ext. 4147


Here is the link to the District Calendar on our website.

Here is the link to the District App.

A-Z Everything Granville CSD