Holiday Happenings Around Stonehedge

December has flown by and with the upcoming holidays, it is an exciting time to broaden the typical elementary day.

Second Grade Brings Greek Gods to Life

Second grade students have been diving into the world of Greek Mythology. The gods and goddesses that ruled the day are making appearances throughout second grade classrooms in the form of voluntary projects that the students are making.

Hunter shares his project about Hephaestus which included a 3D volcano, a shield, facts, and pictures.

One student in Mrs. Mathewson's class made a Zeus figure entirely out of fondant. Others made posters, dioramas, and even wrote a book! Each child is given an opportunity to share their projects and knowledge with the class.

In Mrs. Prosser's room, the Gallery of Greek Gods and Goddesses is showcasing projects by Tyler, Frank, Avery, Archer, and Audrina. 

Teaching Kindness and Compassion to our Youngest Learners
Earlier this week, Mrs. Donahue and Mrs. Malbone's kindergarten students were treated to a visit from high school teacher Mrs. Deemer's Teaching Tolerance class. Mrs. Deemer, whose son Benjamin is in Mrs. Donahue's class, brought her high school students in and spent time in both classes reading to the kindergarten children about kindness. Prior to their visit, the older students fundraised so they would be able to purchase books to give each of the younger students in Mrs. Malbone and Mrs. Donahue's classes. The older kids gave every student a book as a gift and encouraged them to be kind. 

Celebrating Holidays Around the World
Our first grade students learned a sleigh full of information 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.

When students visited Mrs. Ross' room, they learned about the German tradition of the Christmas Tree, or Tannenbaum, and sang the famous carol "O Tannenbaum".

Students visiting Miss Munley's room left a shoe in the hallway during their presentation about Dutch traditions. When they were done, their shoes had been magically filled with goodies. 

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

 

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

Kindergarten Plays Their Reindeer Games
This morning was set aside for kindergarten reindeer games. Students rotated through classrooms and crafted paper hats, made reindeer food, and listened to a reindeer story.

These giggling reindeer just completed their paper hats.

Devin and his class played reindeer games like this one.

Dylan worked hard on his magic reindeer food.

Callie was more than prepared for today's festivities.

Spreading Holiday Cheer

District courier Larry Bednarczyk (center with hat) and Stonehedge Head Custodian Paul Burtch (to the left of Mr. Bednarczyk) take a quick break from their very busy days to grab a holiday treat with students before school. 

Important Dates to Remember

Monday, December 26-Monday, January 2 No School, Winter Recess

Monday, January 16-No School, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Monday, January 30-No School for Students, Professional Development Day

Thursday, February 16- Winter Wonderland Event, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Please have a safe and happy holiday recess. We look forward to an exciting 2017!

~ Lori

Caring, Compassion, and Communication

As December gets underway, we begin to have many conversations with students about compassion and caring. The season brings out the best in many, but we recognize the struggle many children (as well as adults) feel at this time of year. During this stressful and busy month, let's all make the time to have conversations with our children about what's really important.

Constant communication with students is one way our teachers, staff, counselors, and I keep in touch with our young ones. Conversations about everything from the new Trolls movie to what's for lunch to appropriate behavior on the playground, in the classroom, and on the bus happen every day.  When students find adults whom they trust, they are better able to ask for help and have their needs addressed.

If I speak to a child about an incident, I typically call parents to make them aware and to set the stage for a follow-up conversation at home. Please remember that children are learning how to conduct themselves within a school setting. When they make mistakes, we bring it to their attention as a teachable moment. We then move on with the hopes that the mistake will be corrected.

I always tell students that tomorrow is a new day, full of new opportunities to make good choices. Conversations with children, as you can imagine, are an important part of a principal's job and in many cases, it's the best part of my day!

Lunchtime cafeteria visits are a quick and easy way to check in with the kids as they munch along, chatting with their friends. 

Growing Our "Grinch" Hearts

At today's Character Education assembly, first and second grade students were recognized for their thankfulness. They were also challenged to work during the month of December to show their caring and compassion. Mrs. Keevil reminded students that being caring and compassionate doesn't have to cost anything. It is more about how to act towards each other. 

Miss Elmer's and Miss Kolis's classes helped with the short presentation built around the famous Dr. Seuss story, "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas".  Several students held up red paper hearts and read descriptions of how they could show caring and compassion. They took their hearts and pinned them to a big cut-out picture of the Grinch. 

Each teacher was given a picture of the Grinch to place on their classroom door. As students earn hearts, the hearts will be placed on the door to help the Grinch's own heart grow. 

Congratulations to our first grade HEDGE award winners (given for thankfulness):

Ethan Best, Lilly Bullock, Lennon Breen, Dakota Brown, Joshua Cohon, Isaac Corbacio, Liam Daley, Thomas Duncan, Ireland John, Hannah Licameli, Damien MacIntyre, Ethan Makarchuk, Audriana Moscibrodzki, Layla Nuzzo, Noah Offutt, Jimmy Patch, Caleb Pierce, Ben Petrik, Kiley Rivers, Jack Terry, Cameron Testa, Brady Vanderpool, Parker Vienne, Rick Vogt, Leah Voutsinas, Jayden Watson

Congratulations to our second grade HEDGE award winners (given for thankfulness):

Sarah Abumustafa, Jad Abdelqader, Olivia Astafan, Nikki Betts, Aidan Bosak, Liam Breen, Dominic Cieri, Sophie Castello, Lincoln Christopher, Chase Denman, Kendra Dudman, Gabriella Graham, Veronica Grobsmith, Frank Groth, Abbey Jacuk, Brody Knox, Avery Mathewson, Julia Nicolucci, Finley Prior, Ellison Schad, Abbey Smith, Lucas Strain, Madison Szabo, Rosemary Vrabel, Payton Wagner, Jack Werbeck

Please Support Our PTA's Giving Tree

You may have noticed the festive tree in our lobby. It is part of our PTA's annual Giving Tree program. Each year as the holidays get underway, the Stonehedge community turns its heart and thoughts toward others. The PTA's Annual Giving Tree drive is underway and collecting holiday gifts for families in need at Stonehedge. In an effort to meet the specific needs of these children, we are asking families of students in kindergarten, first, and second grade to please consider donating cash or Target gift cards. Please use the special collection envelope that came home with your child to return your donation to your child's teacher. Even a small donation can make a big difference to a child.The Giving Tree runs now through December 9. 

  

Important Upcoming Dates:

December 9: Giving Tree Drive ends

December 12: Holiday Concert (Grades 4 and 5), WGHS at 7 p.m. 

Monday, December 26-Monday, January 2: No School, Holiday Recess

~Yours,

Lori