'Tis the season for Positivity Project Character Traits

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

We were very fortunate to have a special guest speaker for our Positivity Project Assembly,  Alamin Muhammad.  Four years ago, our guest established a group called, We Rise Above the Streets.  It was a dream of his to give back to the community.  His goal is to make sure the homeless, poor and anyone who needs help in our community experiences genuine care. His mission encompasses what we talk about every day with our positivity project and #otherpeoplematter. Ask your child why accomplishing this dream was so crucial to Alamin.

Classroom teachers donated bread, granola bars, and other supplies in support of his organization. A special thank you goes out to Miss Emily Carlson for coordinating this experience for our children. Miss Carlson is a Social Worker intern working with Mrs. Sheehan here at Stonehedge.

CODE Presentations

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 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 was 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 "It's Okay To Be Different" 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.

PTA's Giving Tree

I am very grateful for the generous outpouring of support for our Giving Tree project. With the donations provided we are going to be able to help make the holidays a little brighter for many Stonehedge families as well as supporting the Samaritan House. The Giving Tree project is a great way to teach the students kindness and that #otherpeoplematter.

Spirit Week

This week is Spirit Week.

• Monday 12/17 - Tye Dye Day - Wear colorful tye dye or bright colors
• Tuesday 12/18 - Twin/Triplet Day - Dress like your friends
• Wednesday 12/19 - West Genesee Day - Wear blue and gold
• Thursday 12/20 - Team Day - Support your favorite team or a team you are on
• Friday 12/21 - Ugly Sweater Day - Wear a silly sweater or create your own silly shirt

Important Dates to Remember

Classroom Celebrations - 12/21 (morning)

Holiday Recess, 12/24 - 1/4

School Resumes, 1/7/19

Warmest wishes to you and your family this holiday season.

~Lori

Building Character at Stonehedge

This week the Positivity Project's character trait that we studied was kindness. Aristotle defined kindness as, ”helpfulness towards someone in need, not in return for anything, nor for the advantage of the helper himself, but for that of the person helped.”

I spoke with children about the PTA's Giving Tree collection, encouraging students to be kind and reminding them that Other People Matter. Our two community projects include supporting Stonehedge families and supporting the Samaritan House.  I am very grateful for the generous outpouring of support already for our Giving Tree project. Please keep the donations coming as many ST children benefit from the kindness we generate as a community.

Mrs. Prosser's 2nd Graders created a kindness reindeer

A Special Night for our Kindergarten Children and their Families

A snowy winter night was the perfect scene for our Kindergarten December Get-together. Children had the opportunity to mingle with their classmates and introduce their families to their new friends.  Our PTA created a station approach in which they played board games (favorites included Pop the Pig and Shark Bite!), listened to a sweet story entitled "I Need My Monster" by Amanda Noll, made a popsicle stick snowman, and topped it off by frosting and decorating a cookie. Enjoy the pictures below.

Fun in the Kindergarten classroom:

Students in Kindergarten classes are learning about shapes. Ask your child about using Geoboards! They've also been able to get outside at recess and enjoy the fresh air and the snow!

Mrs. Erwin's class has fun with Geoboards

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 until the Holiday Recess. All remaining items will be donated after that. 

As a reminder, report cards go home today.

Important Dates to Remember:

Report Cards Go Home - 12/7

Giving Tree Drive - through 12/10

Classroom Celebrations - 12/21 (morning)

Holiday Recess, 12/24 - 1/4

School Resumes, 1/7/19

~Lori

Feeling Grateful All Around Stonehedge

Out Of The Mouths Of Babes
Ever wonder why so many people in our world are unhappy or disenchanted? Perhaps it's because we need to increase the amount of time we spend reflecting on what is good in our lives. Take a look below at the many ways in which students here at Stonehedge are grateful. They had no trouble completing "I am thankful for..."

• "my friends" - Jaxon, 1st grade
• "my family" - Alana, Kindergarten
• "dinner" - Mason, Kindergarten
• "everything, just not the bad stuff" - Riley, Kindergarten
• "my family" - Layann, 1st grade
• "food" - Avant, Kindergarten
• "my parents" - Alisha, Kindergarten
• "my dog" - Jason, 2nd grade
• "Fortnite" - Bowen, 2nd grade
• "my dog, family, and toys" - Mia, 2nd grade
• "cats" - Marlee, 2nd grade
• "food and toys" - Bennett, 2nd grade
• "hockey" - Dominick, 2nd grade

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.

Positivity Project to Focus on 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. 

Kindergarten classes working hard on their turkey headbands

Mrs. Malbone's class modeling their finished headbands

Mrs. Stalter's class picks feather colors for their turkeys

First graders decorated placemats to be donated to the rescue mission

Kindergarten classes also disguised some turkeys. Shh, no turkeys here! 

Attention Kindergarten Parents:

You are invited to join your friends and classmates for a fun

Kindergarten Get-Together

Thursday, December 6, 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 6 in the Blue Cafeteria!

Winter Has Arrived

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 sign-up/school app link.

Important Dates

Wednesday, Nov. 21-23 - No School, Thanksgiving Break

Thursday, Dec. 6 - Kindergarten Get-Together, 6:30-7:30

Enjoy this special time with your family and friends,

Lori

Happy Halloween!

Stonehedge is in the Halloween spirit today!

Blue side staff dressed as storybook characters

Mrs. Lauricella's class sharing their costumes 

Kindergarten students parading for their classmates 

Mrs. Donahue's class enjoying some treats at their party

Mrs. Kolis's class leading the way down the Halloween catwalk

First graders strutting on the catwalk

Mrs. Leonardis's class coming down the catwalk

First graders posing for the camera

Mrs. Kolis's class enjoying ice cream sundaes

Mrs. McCarthy's class doing a Halloween craft

Second graders participated in a Costume Catwalk in the cafeteria

Second grade superheros

Officer Gucciardi joins the community helpers group

Movie characters group

Mrs. Prosser, Mrs. Klaben, and Mrs. McIntyre dressed as characters from Harry Potter

Snow White and her seven dwarfs

The Turkey Trot Is Tomorrow (Thursday, November 1)

The 17th annual Turkey Trot will be held tomorrow. Please remember that Turkey Trot is held outdoors, so please dress children accordingly in warm clothing and footwear. Unless it is a downpour we will be going outside. 

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

Please see below for information on Turkey Trot times and remember to send in candy donations:

Kindergarten, 12:55-1:35 p.m.

Grade 1, 1:40-2:20 p.m.

Grade 2, 2:25-3:05 p.m.

Have a safe and Happy Halloween,

Lori