CODE Assemblies Promote Healthy and Safe Behaviors

CODE Presentations Engage Students

Jami Ryan, community outreach and education specialist with the McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Center speaks with kindergarten students about their bodies. With Ms. Ryan are Officer Brand, and Lauren Penizotto and Derek Tefft (seated), also community outreach and education specialists. 

Officer Brand visited our school today with representatives from the McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Center to discuss a variety of topics with our students. The short, age-appropriate presentations were part of the district's Community Oriented Drug Education (C.O.D.E.) program. The serious nature of the topics will hopefully result in some important conversations at home. 

Topics included:

Kindergarten: Keeping My Body Safe and Healthy. The children were read the book, "Your Body Belongs to You."

Grade 1: Keeping My Body Safe and Healthy. The children were read the book, "Your Body Belongs to You." They also learned the difference between "secrets" and "surprises".

Grade 2: Bullying, Not Being a Bystander, Problem Solving Skills, How to be a Good Friend

The McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Center is non-profit organization dedicated to ending child abuse through intervention and education. Learn more on their website: www.mcmahonryan.org

Snow Days May Be Coming Soon

Though we were fortunate to have had a mild November so far, snow is just around the corner. When winter weather is predicted, stay tuned to Dr. Brown's twitter feed, the website, district Facebook page, the West Genesee app, and the local radio and television stations for information on delays and cancellations. In addition, 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!

Blackboard communications software allows us to send emails, texts, phone app notifications, and make phone calls. (Phone calls will be used for emergency situations only) Parent/Guardians and Staff will NOT need to sign-up to receive information from schools that you are registered for in Schooltool. (You will have the option to opt-out if you choose not to receive emails, texts, and/or phone calls.)

For more information and/or to sign-up (if you are not a parent/guardian or staff in the schooltool system) go to the website and click on the WG Communications logo from the home page, or logo above. For more information about the new system click here. 

We look forward to seeing parents for their conferences on Monday and Tuesday. Please remember dismissal is at 11:30 a.m. on both Monday, November 21 and Tuesday, November 22. There is no school on November 23-25 for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Please enjoy time with family and friends over the holidays!

~Lori

Thankful Times at Stonehedge

The 15th Annual Turkey Trot took place on Tuesday, November 1. Children in grades K-5 ran, walked, and trotted, along with teachers and family members. Encouraging students to stay active, even on the day after Halloween and in chillier weather, the event keeps the kids moving. This year, students walked 1,444 miles.

In addition, this year, students were asked to bring in donations to help local families have a brighter Thanksgiving holiday. Overflowing boxes lined the gym floor demonstrating what a generous and thankful community Stonehedge is.

Mrs. Barbuto, Mr. Gangemi, Mr. Mercado, and Mr. Yarnell worked very hard this year to coordinate the Turkey Trot and have our greatest thanks. All special area teachers dedicated their days to helping with the event from handing out Popsicle sticks, keeping students safe along the path, and sorting donations. Thanks to all.

These first graders were just some of the many who donated to the Turkey Trot food drive. 

These are just some of the boxes of food donations collected. 

These kindergarten friends couldn't wait to start their first Turkey Trot.

THANKFUL for our Students

This month’s character trait is Thankfulness. Mrs. Prosser, Mrs. Jackson, and Mrs. Lizzi’s second grade classes led our Character Education assembly with a cheer about thankfulness. Individual students shared what they are thankful for including “turkey, family, friends, Stonehedge, hearts, happiness, America, kindness," and more.

Students also watched a video by Kid President about being Thankful. Watch for yourself here:

Congratulations to our students who were given HEDGE awards for last month's character trait of respect.

Our Second Grade HEDGE award winners:

Cali Abear, Frankie Barbuto, Amelia Bleskoski, Mason Boyles, Madison Brigati, Hunter Briggs, Carter Brown, Zachary Channels, Michael Creedon, Elliot Flint, Sam Froio, Landon Germinio, Tyler Gorzka, Daniel Guglielmo, Cole Hamilton, Molly Humphrey, Sabeeh Islam, Vlad Kishov, Isabella Licamelli, Nikolas Lisovets, Archer Macholl, Evelina Mauro, Charles Mellan, Veronica Moss, Arionne Pinkston, Madelyn Root, Ava Vincentini, Lucas Walsh

Our First Grade HEDGE award winners:

Patrick Alfieri, Lilly Bullock, Laila Burgin, Lillian Burgin, Dylan Cardone, Nathan Corfield, Matthew Gomes, Jamison Huff,  Gavin Jackson, Kiley Johnson, Allison Landon, Riley Loy, Jackson Neuser, James O'Keefe, Ava Parker, Breanna Poppe, Andrew Prior, Max Pudney, Charlotte Retkwa, Aiden Schreyer, Leah  Sherwood, Jamison Smith, Maelin Tafel, Vincent Testa, Addison Thayer, Kaelyn Vargas, Lydia Walker

This Thursday, November 10, our school will honor our veterans with a special ceremony. The Fifth Grade Chorus will perform a selection of patriotic songs and servicemen and women will be recognized during the event. Paper stars honoring members of the Stonehedge family in the military (active duty or veteran) currently line our hallways.

Making the Most of Parent Teacher Conferences

November 21 and 22 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.

Please remember these important dates:
Tuesday, Nov. 8, Early Dismissal at 11:30 a.m., Professional Development
Friday, Nov. 11, No School, Veterans Day
Monday, Nov. 21, Early Dismissal at 11:30 a.m., Parent Teacher Conferences
Tuesday, Nov. 22, Early Dismissal at 11:30 a.m., Parent Teacher Conferences
Wednesday, Nov. 23-25, No School, Thanksgiving Holiday

~Lori