Making the Most of Parent Teacher Conferences

November 24 and 25 are our scheduled Parent Teacher Conferences. For many, it will be the first opportunity for you as parents to discuss your child’s academic and social development. We look at parent conferences not only as an opportunity to discuss your child, but also as an opportunity to nurture a positive partnership between home and school. 

Here are some tips provided by the National PTA that I thought might prove helpful in ensuring a successful conference:

Establish rapport—As an icebreaker, take time to share something that reflects well upon the teacher. For example, thank the teacher for having made thoughtful notes on your child's homework or for the special attention in helping your child learn to multiply.

Ask questions—Questions you ask during the conference can help you express your hopes for the student's success in class and for the teacher. It's a good idea to ask the important questions first, in case time runs out. The teacher's answers should help you both work together to help your child.

Make a list—Before you go to the meeting, make a list of topics to discuss with the teacher. Along with questions about academics and behavior, you may want to talk to the teacher about the child's home life, personality, concerns, habits and hobbies, and other topics that may help the teacher in working with the child.

Addressing problems—Parent-teacher conferences are a good time to discuss any difficulties (either academic or behavioral) a child might be having at school.

Develop an action plan—If the student needs help with a behavioral or an academic issue, you and the teacher should agree on a specific plan—that you both will work on—to help your child do better. Be sure you understand what the teacher suggests. If it's not clear, ask him or her to explain. Set up a way to check on your child's progress. You and the teacher can decide how best to stay in touch, such as through phone calls, notes, or additional meetings.

Ending the conference—End the conference by reviewing what you discussed and restating your action plan. This is also a good time to set up your next meeting if needed.

If you have further questions after your conference, please do not hesitate to contact me. I would be happy to sit with you to ensure everything is in place to make certain your child has a successful school year.

Using Technology in the Classrooms

Mrs. Gauzza's kindergarten classroom center time looks a little different on Tuesday mornings. 

During center time, the students still work with Mrs. Taylor, their Early Literacy teaching assistant, to master letters and sounds. They develop their fine motor skills during an independent work center, and read and write with Mrs. Gauzza. However, the students also rotate through a center with Instructional Technology Support Assistant Mrs. Gartner-Baca. 

"Mrs. G", as the kids call her, helps the students as they explore different educational apps on the iPads, especially one called Reading Eggs. Working in small groups with the children allows her to guide them through the lessons and activities as well as troubleshoot any issues as they come up. She has worked in each of the kindergarten classrooms this year and visits some routinely. Later in the school year, she will bring laptops into the rooms to introduce computers to the students. They will become familiar with using a mouse or a touchpad on a laptop, develop early typing skills, and basic webpage navigation. 

Later in the year, Mrs. G will visit classrooms in the first and second grades to help them use different technologies to research during the Winter Wonderland projects. In addition, she plans to go into second grade classrooms to give tips and tricks to students for using Microsoft Word.

Winter Weather is Here!

Though it is not yet Thanksgiving, as the storm that slammed the Buffalo area recently proved: winter weather is here. Please make sure that your child has appropriate clothing. Students not only walk to and from the bus, but also play outside for recess. We want to make sure they stay warm!

Important Dates to Remember

Monday, Nov. 24, Early Dismissal, 11:30 a.m. Parent Teacher Conferences (Elementary only)

Tuesday, Nov. 25, Early Dismissal, 11:30 a.m. Parent Teacher Conferences (Elementary only)

Wednesday, Nov.26 - Friday,  Nov. 28, No School Thanksgiving Recess

Thanks,

Lori

November Brings a Cool Blast of Excitement

It’s hard to believe how quickly the time is going by, you blink and it’s November! So far this month, children have participated in the Turkey Trot, tried their luck at Family Game Night, been recognized with HEDGE Awards, participated in an assembly depicting what it means to be thankful, and taken time to learn about and recognize our Veterans near and far!

They work diligently with their teachers each day to grow both academically and socially. It has been a wonderful first semester.  Thank you to all staff, PTA, and the countless volunteers it takes to support these experiences for our students. 

Give me a T-H-A-N-K-F-U-L-N-E-S-S

This month’s character trait is THANKFULNESS.  Mrs. Prosser, Mrs. Jackson, and Mrs. Lizzi’s second grade classes led the assembly with a cheer about thankfulness. Individual students shared what they are thankful for. Some student responses included, “family, nature, snakes, Nickelodeon, food and a favorite of the crowd, snow days!” (Are you listening Dr. Brown!)

All kidding aside, November is one of my favorite months as I am not heavily into the sometimes stressful holiday season, yet I seem to be surrounded by family and friends. To be thankful, you must be reflective.  It’s easy to get caught up in what’s not perfect in our life. It’s easy to forget about all those things we wanted so badly, like the spouse of our dreams or children to complete our family or that perfect job launching a meaningful career. All of which on any given day may be labeled as less than perfect!  It takes effort to stop and think about what is pretty close to perfect. I hope you find some time this month to smile about the imperfections in your life that make it so rich!

"Give me a U!" 

During the Character Education assembly, students cheered as they spelled out the word thankfulness and listed all they were thankful for. 

First Grade HEDGE Award Winners

Alanna Bowman, Ryan Boyer, Sarai Card, Isaiah Coleman, Jakob  DiMauro, Jack Dotzler, Lila Hennessy, Giorgia Hess, Annalin Hyatt, Liliana Ippoliti, Allison Ivery , Lena Kent, Addison Maddery, Jocelyn Moses, Hayden Muller, Emily Neves, Michelle Nuzzo, Nash Oudemool, Jack Panek, Evan Pompo, Devin Reed, Rei Riggall, Jacob Skardinski, Gloria Valenzuela, Alex Vincentini

Second Grade HEDGE Award Winners

Gracie Burns, Norah Emery, Sofia  Barba, Lianna Basilia, Tucker Bealer, Johanna Bechtel, Noah Bell, Samantha Bullock, Ty Buza, Rileigh Cook, Gwenyth  DeMass, Rachel Hann, Carly Mathewson, Kylie Murphy, Grace  Napierski, Jack Neves, Connor Parker, Diana Petrovets, Rowan Prior, Greta Propper, Christopher Ramones, Krishna  Sharma, Zakaria Zagha

Veterans Honored At Stonehedge

Stonehedge students paid tribute to our local veterans and active duty service men and women with a special ceremony that featured the fifth grade choir singing a selection of patriotic songs.  Students in the primary grades worked together to write letters and poster-sized letters to the veterans. The posters were hung throughout the library. Each veteran is related to a student in our school community and some are members of the Honor Guard.

Game Night a Big Success

We had a great turnout at our first PTA game night of the year. Nearly 200 people enjoyed playing games together and all the students left with a book. The event was for the families of our kindergarten and first grade students. 

  

 
Special thank you to all the teachers and staff who volunteered at the kindergarten and first grade game night. 

  

Important Dates to Remember

November 14, Report Cards Go Home 

November 19, 6 p.m., PTA meeting

November 24 and 25, Early Dismissal, 11:30 a.m.

November 26-28, Thanksgiving Recess, No School

~Yours, 

Lori

Parading and Trotting, Stonehedge Stays Active!

The past week has been jam-packed with engaging activities at Stonehedge! From the Halloween Parade to the Turkey Trot, students and parents paraded and trotted around with excitement. 

Gobble, Gobble, Gobble: Turkey Trot A Great Success
Yesterday's sunny, crisp weather for the annual Turkey Trot helped to motivate students, parents, and teachers to walk, jog, and run 4,779 laps around the Stonehedge parking lots!  With each lap averaging a 1/4 mile, that's1,194.75 miles-- or nearly the equivalent of walking from Stonehedge to Disney World in Orlando, Florida! Way to go Stonehedge! 

In addition to teaching lessons to the students on thankfulness and becoming physically fit, the event generated dozens of overflowing boxes worth of donated food for local food pantries. Thank you to everyone who contributed. Donations will be accepted throughout the week. Special thanks to the physical education department for coordinating and the many parent volunteers and staff who helped out during the day.  (See below for many more pictures from the Turkey Trot.)

Honoring Our Veterans
In November we celebrate "thankfulness" as an important character trait. Again this year, we are highlighting our appreciation of the veterans of the armed services and active servicemen and women. On Monday, November 10, we will have veterans from the VFW Post #8664 of Camillus and the Camillus American Legion Knifetown Post #1540 on the morning announcements. A celebration will be held beginning at 8:30 a.m. in the Stonehedge library for veterans and their families.

The 7th Annual CNY Veterans Parade and Expo will be held on Saturday, November  8 at the New York State Fairgrounds. The purpose of the event is "Thanking Our Veterans" of every generation and conflict.

The one and one-half hour long parade features more than 90 veterans and military organizations from throughout Central New York and beyond. The parade is based on the old-fashioned military style parades that featured military vehicles, local military units, Veterans of Foreign War Posts and American Legions. Every branch of the armed services and every conflict since WWII are represented.

The VA and other organizations present information about services available to veterans of any age. There will once again be a presentation about TRI-Care for retirees and a Kids' Area, Sponsored by TOPS, that will feature activities, games, displays and even face painting.  For more information, go to www.cnyveteransparade.org or click the image above.

Halloween Parade Was a Treat

There were plenty of Princess Elsas, zombies, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles happily marching during this year's Halloween Parade. 

Important Upcoming Dates:

PTA Game Night for Kindergarten and First Grades, Thursday, November 6,  6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

School Picture Re-Takes: Thursday, November 6, 6- 8 p.m.

No School, Tuesday, November 11, Veterans' Day

 

More great pictures from the Turkey Trot!