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