Happy Holidays!

Buddy Day Walk and Writing Activities Bring Together Friends
Our older students really got a chance to mingle with their younger buddies today during two different activities. During one part of the day, student buddies walked throughout the school chatting away the time as they learned more about each other. Later, they regrouped and wrote letters of holiday greetings to different organizations including patients at Golisano Children's Hospital, a veteran's group, and residents at The Centers at St. Camillus.
  

First grader Avery and her fourth grade buddy Kelly take a stroll through the school.

Emily, a fifth grader, walks with her kindergarten buddies.

Fifth grader Nathen and his kindergarten buddy J.J. get ready to head out of the gym and start walking.

Fifth graders and their kindergarten friends spontaneously joined hands and kept walking and enjoying each other's company.

First grader Anthony on left and fourth grader Aiden  (center) walk with first grader Kristian.

First grader Tori and her fourth grade buddy Brianna take a quick breather in between laps.

Rei, second grade, and her buddy get to know each other. 

These buddies pose as they take another lap. 

These lovely ladies put their heads together to write a caring holiday letter and draw pictures. 

Kindergartener Maxim and his buddy Hassan worked together to write a letter. 

First Graders Travel Around the World
Our first grade students learned about holiday traditions as part of a unit that studied Holidays Around the World. As each group visited different classrooms, they were told about a different country's traditions. They even created passports to document their journey.

These students learned about the Israeli tradition of spinning the dreidel.

Mrs. Mathewson stamps passports in her classroom after students learned about some German traditions and sampled gingerbread.

Vlad sampled some chips and salsa after learning about Mexican traditions. Here he is writing in his holiday booklet. 

Candy canes are big part of American traditions. Students crafted tissue paper canes.

Mrs. Cunningham, dressed as Sweden's Saint Lucia, taught the children about Swedish traditions.

Following a tradition from the Netherlands, students left one shoe in the hallway while learning about Dutch traditions. When they were done, their shoes had been magically filled with goodies. 

Liam shows off his passport. Every child received a stamp after visiting each classroom, filling up their holiday passports. 

Kindergarten Plays Their Reindeer Games

Mrs. Malbone's class proudly shows off their hand-crafted reindeer crowns. The morning was set aside for reindeer games. Students crafted the hats, made reindeer food, and read a reindeer story.

Stonehedge Cares
Our Stonehedge family is a generous one. With the combined efforts of our PTA's Giving Tree and staff donations, we were able to help dozens of Stonehedge families provide gifts for their children this holiday season. The Giving Tree drive also collected a trunkload of toiletries, socks, scarves, and other needed items to the Samaritan Center. Thank you for all who contributed to the Christmas Fund. Whether you gave a lot or a little, you made someone's holiday much brighter. 

Earlier this fall, one of our first grade students, Corinna, was very concerned when she and her family drove by some homeless people standing in the pouring rain. Corinna was determined to help. On her own, she came up with a holiday she named "Donate Eve". She emptied her piggy bank and asked her friends, family, and teachers to donate whatever they could to help the homeless on one night, Donate Eve.  Her efforts paid off and she raised $142 for the Samaritan Center. She learned that her donation provided dinner for 142 people that night. Way to go Corinna!

Corinna poses with Mary Beth Frey, Executive Director of the Samaritan Center, after donating her proceeds from "Donate Eve". She also received a tour of the facility and learned a lot about what goes on behind the scenes. 

Winter Wonderland is Around the Corner
Shortly after students return to school, they will be immersed in the world of Winter Wonderland. They will be exploring the continents, the solar system, and penguins. Thank you to those of you who will be volunteering. You will be receiving a schedule in the mail. Your presence for that scheduled time will be so important. 



Remember, school is closed Thursday, December 24 through January 1. Classes resume on Monday, January 4. We look forward to an exciting new year. 

Please enjoy this wonderful time with family and have a safe holiday break! ~ Lori