'Tis The Season for Kindness

We Want to Hear from You! Standards-Based Grading and Reporting

We are hoping that you have found our new report cards to be informative as well as easy to read and understand. We would like to get your feedback regarding our new report cards. Please take a minute to complete this short, five-question survey about the report cards as well as the timing of parent conferences. Your honest feedback is appreciated.

Save The Date: Parenting Wisely Workshops

On Tuesday, January 16 the Prevention Network, in conjunction with the elementary school counselors, will be offering a night on parenting. Prevention Network educators will offer sessions derived from a researched-based program called ParentingWisely. Three different topics will be offered. The evening will be hosted at Stonehedge Elementary. Pizza and child care will be provided. More information on this important night will be sent home soon.

There is no better place to be than an elementary school the week before the holidays. 

This month we studied the Positivity Project's character traits kindness and self-control. We recently had a "buddy day" where older students were paired with younger students to complete some fun projects. The projects demonstrated their kindness in working together and that #OtherPeopleMatter because their hard work was given away to help brighten another's holiday. Working together kindergarten and fifth grade students colored placements that will be brought to the Samaritan Center. First and third grade students colored holiday cards for Saint Camillus Nursing Home. Second and fourth grade students teamed up to create cards for Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital. 

Mrs. Schweitzer's second grade class teamed up with  Mrs. Lilienthal's fourth graders.

Mrs. Leonardis' first grade class teamed up with Mrs. LoBello's third grade students.

Mr. Ramsden's fifth graders worked with Mrs. Stalter's kindergarten friends. 

CODE Presentations Offer Great Opportunities for Family Discussions

Last week Officer Brand, of the Camillus Police Department, provided our second CODE assembly of the year. She spoke on different topics at each grade level.

Kindergarten – Students today had a presentation with the staff at The McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center co-presenting with Officer Brand. The children learned a safety plan called “No, Go, Tell” to help them deal with situations that make them feel unsafe or uncomfortable.  They learned the importance of reporting certain situations to trusted adults. The children were read the book “Your Body Belongs To You.”

First Grade – The theme of this assembly is esteem building and the importance of positive self-esteem.  Accepting ourselves, and others, the way we are was discussed.  Being a good friend, and making good decisions, tie into self-esteem.  Officer Brand read the book “I’m Gonna Like Me” and showed a Sesame Street video titled “I Am Special.”

Second Grade – The theme of the presentation was on bullying and bullying behavior, and being a bystander and being an “upstander.”  The students watched a video titled “Haines Elementary School” which showed how the children can properly handle bully situations.  The students also learned about the importance of reporting certain situations to trusted adults.

Dates to Remember:
Monday, December 25-Monday, January 1: No School, Winter Recess
Tuesday, January 16: Parenting classes

Warmest wishes to you and your family this holiday season,

~Lori

Positivity Project: Learning Kindness and Self-Control

Happy December!

As a reminder, report cards go home this Friday, December 8.

Friday's Positivity Project assembly was a great opportunity for students to learn more about the character traits we are all studying this month, Kindness and Self-Control.

Principal Keevil spoke with children about the PTA's Giving Tree collection, encouraging students to be kind and reminding them that #OtherPeopleMatter.

From there, second grade students in Mrs. Prosser and Mrs. McIntyre's and Mrs. Bailey's classes performed skits demonstrating what self-control looks like...and what it doesn't!

Check out a brief video from Friday's assembly! Click here.

Is this what self-control looks like?

That's better!

As a reminder: The Annual Wreath and Poinsettia pick-up will be tomorrow, Tuesday, December 5 in the Blue Lobby between 3:15-5:45 p.m.

Please come by the school to check for your child's lost clothing, backpack, or lunch boxes. Clothing and other items will be on display through parent-teacher conferences, Dec. 15. All remaining items will be donated after that. 

Important Dates to Remember:

December 8  Report Cards Go Home

Now through December 8 Giving Tree Drive
Thursday, December 7 Kindergarten Family Get Together 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. (Blue Cafeteria)
Thursday, December 14 Early Dismissal, Parent-Teacher Conferences, Dismissal 11:30 a.m.
Friday, December 15 Early Dismissal, Parent-Teacher Conferences, Dismissal 11:30 a.m.

~Lori

Report Card and Parent-Teacher Conference Information

Report Card and Parent-Teacher Conference Information

Report Cards will be sent home Friday, Dec. 8.

Parent-Teacher conferences are scheduled for the afternoons of
Thursday, December 14 and Friday, December 15.

Dismissal for all children will be 11:30 am on both days.  

A conference form reminder including date and time information will be sent home by the end of this week.

More on Standards-Based Grading

We have changed how we grade and report on student progress for this school year. The new standards-based approach will give you more accurate, detailed information about your child’s performance in relation to State and District Standards. It will allow teachers to better meet the needs of individual students and will give students a clearer picture of their strengths and areas in need of growth.

Report Cards:

Our report cards are aligned to the Common Core Learning Standards. You will find:

1. Category titles and descriptions reflecting the NYS Common Core Learning Standards.

2. Grading keys reflecting student progress toward State and District Standards.

3. Behaviors of the learner that reflect student skill necessary to be a successful learner (Behaviors that Support Learning).

Standards-Based Report Cards:

1. Describe what a student should know and be able to do at an identified point in time.

2. Reflect grade-level standards and expectations, so families gain a clearer understanding of student progress.

3. Provide consistent evaluations throughout the year based on individualized instruction information.

Academic Achievement Key:

Key	Grading Guidelines
3	Meeting New York State and District Standards
2	Working toward New York State and District Standards
1	Not meeting New York State and District Standards
NA	Standard not assessed at this time

Behaviors that Support Learning Key:

C	Consistently Meeting Expectations
W	Working Toward Expectations
D	Experiencing Difficulty with Expectations

Special Area teachers in Art, Music, Library and Physical Education will also use this same rating scale when reporting on student progress.

  

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your parent-teacher conference, please do not hesitate to contact the classroom teacher.

~Lori

Feeling Grateful All Around Stonehedge

One thing becomes pretty clear this time of year...we have some amazing students and we are so grateful for each and every one of them.

As our students have been studying the character trait Gratitude this week as part of the Positivity Project, they have demonstrated some ways they can be thankful and express gratitude in their lives.

You are aware of and thankful for good things that happen.

Many classes read "My Gratitude Jar", by Kristin Wiens. After reading the story, Mrs. Malbone's kindergarten class made a gratitude jar and each student wrote something they were thankful for on a slip of paper. When the class is having a rough day in the future, they will turn to their gratitude jar and remind them of all the wonderful things they are thankful for.

Brightening a Meal

Students in grades k-2 took time last week to color paper placemats with a "Happy Thanksgiving" message on them. The placemats will be delivered to both the Rescue Mission and Meals on Wheels to help brighten the table on Thanksgiving Day. 

These second graders did a wonderful job coloring!

Hard at work! Second graders put the finishing touches on their placemats.

It's Cheetah Time!

Students in Miss Kolis and Mrs. Colburn's first grade class roared into Cheetah Central recently in celebration of earning 25 compliments. Students got to choose what they would like to learn about for a day and they chose the cheetah! They made cheetah masks and played cheetah-themed games throughout the day all while learning all about their favorite large cat. Among other facts, they learned that the cheetah is the world's fastest land animal, it is an endangered species, and it is a mammal. 

Positivity Project to Focus on Gratitude, Humility/Modesty, and Kindness

As Thanksgiving approaches, it is fitting to study the character traits of Gratitude, Humility/Modesty, and Kindness as we approach the holiday season. 

Throughout the last week of November and into December, students will be exploring what each of these traits mean:

WHAT DOES HUMILITY/MODESTY MEAN?

You do not seek the spotlight. You let your actions speak for themselves.

WHAT DOES KINDNESS MEAN?

You are generous to others and you are never too busy to help out. You enjoy doing good deeds for other people. 

Attention Kindergarten Parents:

You are invited to join your friends and classmates for a fun
Kindergarten Get-Together
Thursday, December 7, 6:30 – 7:30 pm.

Let’s play games, listen to a story in the library, make a craft, and enjoy a snack together.  Kindergarten children and their family members will have the opportunity to mingle with other families and get to know one another. 

Hope to see you on December 7 in the Blue Cafeteria!

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. 

Important Dates:

Wednesday, Nov. 22-24--No School, Thanksgiving Break

Enjoy this special time with your family and friends,
Lori

This Week was Filled with Fall Fun

This week's soggy weather tried its hardest to dampen our spirits, but we wouldn't let it!! Our quick-thinking and flexible physical education staff worked together with other special area teachers and pulled off a fabulous Turkey Trot. Walking outside while weather permitted, then indoors when the rain began, collectively students walked 800 miles. Or, the equivalent of walking from Stonehedge to sunny Myrtle Beach, South Carolina!

We were once again humbled by the generosity of our Stonehedge family. Boxes and boxes were filled with donated food items which will go to families in need right in our own community. 

These kindergarten students walked in their first Turkey Trot!

First graders trotted inside once the rain started.

Second graders made the most of the day, walking and laughing the whole time.

Carving in Time for Some Special Learning

Porter, like many other kindergarten students, helped carve a pumpkin this week. Teachers tied the fun activity into learning about the five senses. "What does the pumpkin smell like inside? What do the seeds feel like?"

Stop, Drop, and Roll

"Get Out! Stay Out!' was just one piece of life-saving advice our students in grades K-2 received when firefighters from the Fairmount Fire Department came to school. Firefighters discussed what to do should there be a fire at home. Students learned:

• To get out and stay out!  
• To stop, drop, and roll if their clothing catches on fire, 
• To stay low and crawl to avoid smoke and heat, 
• And the importance of establishing a meeting place so all members of a family can be accounted for.  

Austin and Alyssa in Mrs. Donahue's kindergarten class helped Firefighter Mazzoni demonstrate how to Stop, Drop, and Roll.

Thank you to all the Firefighter Mazzoni and all the firefighters from Fairmount Fire Department who came out to the school and led our assemblies as well as tours of the firetruck! Special thanks to Mrs. Barbuto for organizing the visit and supplemental materials for teachers. 

Stonehedge's annual Veterans Appreciation Day  event will be on Thursday, November 9. As a reminder to families of veterans and active duty servicemen and women who will be joining us, your student is welcome to join their family in the library as early as 8:30 a.m. However, they must report to their homeroom teacher before moving on to the gym after the bell rings (or else they may be marked absent). If your child will ride the bus and then meet family in the gym, please ensure they report to their homeroom first, and then go to the gym. 

Positivity Project to Focus on Bravery, Gratitude, and Humility/Modesty

At this time of year, it is fitting to study the character traits of Bravery (Veterans Day), Gratitude (Thanksgiving), and Humility/Modesty as we approach the holiday season. 

Throughout November, students will be exploring what each of these traits mean:

WHAT DOES BRAVERY MEAN?

You act with mental, moral, or physical

strength even when you know things are

difficult or scary.

WHAT DOES GRATITUDE MEAN?

You are aware of and thankful for good things

that happen.

WHAT DOES HUMILITY MEAN?

You do not seek the spotlight. You let your

actions speak for themselves.

Upcoming Dates:

Sunday, November 5 -- Daylight Savings Time Ends, Set clocks back 1 hour

Tuesday, November 7 --Early Dismissal at 11:30 a.m. (Professional Development half-day)

Thursday, November 9-- Veterans Appreciation Day 

Thursday, November 9 -- PTA Meeting, 6:30 p.m., library

Friday, November 10 -- No School, Veterans Day

~Lori

Happy Halloween and Remember Turkey Trot Tomorrow!

The rain and cold couldn't dampen our Halloween spirit today!

The Turkey Trot Is Tomorrow (Wednesday, November 1)

The 16th annual Turkey Trot will be held tomorrow. Stayed tuned for further information about the event. Please remember that Turkey Trot is held outdoors, so please dress children accordingly in warm clothing and footwear. 

Notification will be sent by 9 a.m. on Wednesday, November 1 if the Turkey Trot will be cancelled or rescheduled. 

Please see below for information on Turkey Trot times and suggested donations:

Kindergarten, 12:55-1:35 p.m., $10.00 gift cards from Wegmans, Tops, or Wal-Mart

Grade 1, 1:40-2:20, Instant mashed potatoes, gravy

Grade 2, 2:25-3:05, Boxed stuffing, canned vegetables

Have a safe and Happy Halloween,

Lori

SOCKTOBER and Other Fall Fun at Stonehedge

Introducing SOCKTOBER!

Last week we kicked off our monthly Positivity Project assembly with an invitation for students to help show that #otherpeoplematter by participating in Socktober! Socks are one of the most needed, but least donated, items in homeless shelters. Students were shown a short video by Kid President (click here to view) introducing the idea of the sock drive. Stonehedge is collecting socks through the end of this week (October 20) and donations will go to the local Rescue Mission. 

During the assembly, teachers, teacher assistants, and staff all showed students what character trait was their strength by raising their hands as Mrs. Keevil read through the list of 24 traits. Kids cheered along as teachers came forward to showcase their different strengths. It demonstrated that even "grown ups" have different strengths and abilities. 

Welcoming New Staff to Stonehedge

Stonehedge is happy to welcome several new faces to our family.

Speech Pathologist Mrs. Dunham joins us full time after being in the district for four years in several different buildings. 

Physical Education teachers Miss Cizenski and Mrs. Klink join our physical education department alongside Mrs. Barbuto and Mr. Mercado. This fantastic team will lead the Turkey Trot on November 1. Stay tuned for more information on that fun and important day. 

Halloween is almost here!! Costumes are being decided and candy is at the ready.  The Stonehedge Halloween Parade will begin at  10 a.m. on Tuesday, October 31, 2017.  We hope you will be able to join us by lining the parade route out in front of our school. The children love to see you there! No need to sign in for parade viewing.

A few simple guidelines will make the day a safe and happy one for all of the children. 

1.  Please send your child’s costume to school in a bag.  Do not send your child to school in costume or wearing make-up.  All scary, bloody masks, weapons, spears or other dangerous accessories must remain at home. Our youngest students can be frightened easily, and we want them to have a positive experience.

2.  Classroom party times will be determined by the teacher and announced ahead of time. Due to health and safety concerns only adults who are designated helpers will be permitted in the classrooms during the parties. Helpers are asked not to bring younger children.

3.  If you are going to join the festivities and dress up, please avoid masks. Naturally, we need to be able to recognize everyone who is interacting with the children.

4.     We will follow normal dismissal procedures.  Please encourage your child to ride the bus home.  If you must pick up your child due to appointments or other business, be sure to sign him or her out in the main office.

5.    In the event of inclement weather, the parade will be cancelled and a text will be sent out via Parent Link. 

We look forward to a wonderful holiday with the children. Your cooperation and assistance is very much appreciated.

For additional fun, please visit our annual district  Halloween Carnival sponsored by the R2 Program on Thursday, October 26, 2017 from 4-7 p.m. in the West Genesee High School LOWER GYM. Click here for more information. A “spooktacular” night is sure to had by all! 

Important Dates:

Mon., October 16 - Fri., October 20 - SOCKTOBER 

Wednesday, October 18 - PTA Meeting, 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, October 31 - Halloween Parade, 10 a.m.

Character Strength Calendar:

October 15-21 Teamwork/Citizenship

October 22-28 Creativity

October 29 - November 4 Bravery

~Lori