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

Fire Safety Education is in Full Swing Today

Firefighters Dave Mazzoni and Zach Mason spent valuable time educating all children in grades K-2 about fire safety and responding to an emergency. Children were able to see  firefighters in their gear and hear the sounds the oxygen tank makes when in use. Children learned how to gain the attention of emergency responders if they are in a house and need help. Our youngest students in grades K-1 spent additional time with several volunteer firefighters from The Fairmont Fire Department learning about the equipment found on a fire truck. As you can imagine, students have several questions!

Each family should have received a packet of Fire Safety activities they can do with their children at home. Be sure to review your Fire Escape Plan and check those smoke detectors!

Thank you to our ST PTA for sponsoring a lunch for all those volunteers who took time out of their day to keep us safe.

Members of the Fairmount Fire Department help with fire safety day

Firefighters Mason and Mazzoni with Mrs. Farella our PTA representative, Mrs. Keevil, and Mrs. Barbuto 

Ms. Elmer's first grade class getting up close with a fire truck

Kindergarteners learning about fire gear

Second graders practicing banging on a window to call for help

Halloween
Keeping school safety at the forefront of our decision-making, thank you for understanding that West Genesee elementary schools will no longer hold outdoor Halloween costume parades. We will, however, continue to have classroom parties where student Halloween costumes are encouraged but optional. Halloween parties for the Blue team will be on the morning of  Halloween Day, October 31. We invite all interested families to attend the district-sponsored Halloween Carnival being held on Monday, October 29, 2018, from 4:30-7:00 p.m. at West Genesee High School. All are welcome! A flyer with  additional information about the carnival is being sent home with your child today.

Plans to Honor our Veterans and Stonehedge Active Service Members
On Friday, Nov. 9, we will welcome veterans from the VFW Post # 8664 of Camillus and the Camillus American Legion Knifetown Post #1540, on the morning announcements. We would like to invite any veteran or active servicemen and women to join us for the morning announcements and tribute. We ask that if you plan to attend, that you RSVP via the form previously sent home or you can call either main office at 487-4633 or 487-4631. The event kicks off with coffee and donuts in the library at 8:30 followed by our 9:00 celebration. Your student is welcome to join you for all of this celebration. Students are often thrilled when they see individuals wearing their service uniform!

Thank you for helping our children realize that the veterans, active servicemen and women we honor on Veterans Day, are part of our families and community.

Upcoming Dates
Halloween Classroom Parties K-2, October 31, ~10:00 a.m.
Turkey Trot, November 1, 9:30-2:30 p.m.
Picture Retake, November 1, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., Gold Lobby
Half Day for Students, November 6, 11:30 a.m. dismissal
Veterans Day Celebration, November 9
PTA Meeting, November 14, 6:30 p.m., Stonehedge Library
Parent / Teacher Conferences, November 19 & 20, 11:30 a.m. dismissal both days


~Lori

Stonehedge Families Carved time out for our First Annual Pumpkinhedge Fall Celebration

Last Friday, Stonehedge families enjoyed a leisurely stroll around the building as the lights of  hundreds of jack-o-lanterns and luminaries lit up the grounds. It was certainly a sight to see! A very big thank you goes out to each of our teachers and their students who designed and carved a pumpkin to represent their classroom. Each child also decorated a white bag with fall themed pictures. We used hundreds of tealights which allowed visitors to see the creative efforts of all involved. Music was playing, children were dancing, laughing and enjoying the opportunity to be a part of our Stonehedge family. We would not have been able to provide such a successful event without the leadership of our PTA as well as the many adults and students who helped with set up and clean up at the end of the night.

SOCKTOBER a Success!
Last week we kicked off our Socktober collection of socks. Stonehedge families showed tremendous generosity and we were able to fill two tall boxes of socks for all age levels. The socks have made their way to the Rescue Mission just in time for the arrival of the colder weather. Thank you to all who not only donated socks but also took the time to talk with children about the importance of helping others.

New Cafeteria Tables
This year we were able to purchase new tables for both cafeterias. The new set-up provides much needed space for students to easily maneuver their way around the cafeteria. The chairs are attached to the tables making it much more time efficient for our custodial staff to set up, tear down and clean the cafeteria. Of course, the tables are sporting the West Genny blue color! Enjoy the pictures of the first students to sit at our new tables!

Second Grade Scientists
Second graders became engineers and designed two different models to stop erosion. Groups chose between using a retaining wall (popsicle sticks), trees (bolt and sponge), grass (toothpicks), and sandbags (cotton balls) to test out how to stop water from moving land! They used teamwork and open mindedness to complete the task.

Important Dates:
Monday, October 29 -  Halloween Carnival, 4:00 - 7:30 p.m., West Genesee High School
Wednesday, October 31 -  Halloween Classroom Parties
Thursday, November 1 - Turkey Trot (informational flyer has been sent home)
Tuesday, November 6 - Half day for students with dismissal at 11:30 a.m.
Friday, November 9 - Veterans Day Celebration
Monday-Tuesday, November 19-20 - Parent/Teacher Conferences - 11:30 a.m dismissal for students

Enjoy this beautiful WINTER like weather!

~Lori

TEAMWORK Makes the World Work

Last Friday, we had our monthly assembly which was led by Mrs. Jackson, Mrs. Prosser and Mrs. McIntyre’s classes. They solved a problem led by Mr. Mercado where PE equipment was left strewn around the gymnasium. Students in these classes showed that by using TEAMWORK and the old adage that many hands make light work, the gymnasium was picked up, organized, and ready for the next class. 

Mrs. Jackson, Mrs. Prosser and Mrs. McIntyre leading the assembly on teamwork

Students deciding if the pictures presented depict teamwork or not

Students in Mrs. Stalter's kindergarten class using teamwork on game day

More game day fun in Mrs. Stalter's class

Working together in Mrs. Stalter's class

Introducing SOCKTOBER!

Students know that the premise for the Positivity Project is built upon an awareness that our daily thoughts and actions show that other people matter - #otherpeoplematter. We will show our compassion again this year 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 12) and donations will be delivered to our local Rescue Mission. Keeping feet dry and warm during our central New York winters is certainly a challenge and our collective efforts will surely help! Thank you in advance for talking at home about the good in this project!

Our strength this week is Identifying & appreciating the good in others. Again Kid President has a Pep Talk for the World with a message about appreciation. You can view it at A Pep Talk for the World
         Character Strength Calendar:
         October 15-21 Integrity
         October 22-28 Perspective
         October 29 - November 4 Creativity

Halloween 

The excitement centered around Halloween has begun!! Children are already making decisions regarding costumes and neighborhood trick or treat plans. Grade level teams are planning the contents of the morning celebration. I will be sure to send pictures via twitter so you can see our little friends in their costumes.

Here are a  few simple guidelines to 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 makeup.  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. 

For additional fun, please visit our annual district  Halloween Carnival sponsored by the R2 Program on Monday, October 29, 2018 from 4-7:30 p.m.,  West Genesee High School. More information coming soon. 

Important Dates:
Tuesday, October 9 - Fri., October 12 - SOCKTOBER Sock Collection
Tuesday, October 9 - Open Library Night 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Friday, October 12 - First Annual ”Pumpkin”hedge Celebration
K-1: 6:00 - 6:30 p.m.
2-3: 6:30 - 7:00  p.m.
4-5: 7:00 - 7:30  p.m.
Monday, October 15 - PTA Meeting, 6:30 p.m. in the Library
Monday, October 29 -  Halloween Carnival, 4:00 - 7:30 p.m., West Genesee High School
Wednesday, October 31 -  Halloween Classroom Parties

Enjoy this beautiful summer like weather!

~Lori

Happy Birthday Johnny Appleseed!

September 26 marked the anniversary of Johnny Appleseed's birthday. John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed, was an American pioneer who introduced apple trees to different locations throughout the United States and Canada. Kindergarten students learned about the legendary Johnny Appleseed, made applesauce from scratch, tasted a variety of local apples, and described the taste by using adjectives such as sweet, sour and tart. Each student voted on their favorite kind and shared their opinions with each other. There was a lot of apple talk going on around here. 

Students take turns peeling apples

Mrs. Stalter's class celebrating Johnny Appleseed's birthday

P2 Kick-off
"#Other" "People" "Matter" was the chant that could be heard throughout the building at our Positivity Project kick-off assembly. Children were given a scenario and were asked if the students involved were kind and respectful in their actions. If not, students offered suggestions for fixing the problem to demonstrate that how we act and what we says affects others.

Keeping an Open Mind Wherever You Go
This week's character strength is open-mindedness. According to the project's website posproject.org, open-mindedness means that you like to consider new ideas and try new things. You examine things from all sides and don’t jump to conclusions. Students have been learning the importance of open-mindedness and what it means to have an open mind. 

Stay open-minded. Things aren’t always what they seem to be. -Scottie Waves (author and poet)

Fall Scholastic Book Fair
Please plan to join us at our first Scholastic Book Fair of the school year October 2-4, 3:45 p.m - 7:00 p.m. in the Gold Lobby. It’s a great way to kick off our PARP season.

New October PTA Sponsored Event, “Pumpkin”hedge
You should have received a flyer/sign-up sheet yesterday from PTA advertising the 1st Annual “Pumpkin”hedge to be held Friday, October 12. Join us as we light up Stonehedge with Jack-o-Lanterns and luminaries.Your family will have the opportunity to enjoy an atmosphere of magic and enchantment, but nothing scary, as you explore a short trail of Jack-o-Lanterns.We are asking each family to carve a pumpkin, bring it to Stonehedge as outlined on the flyer, and come visit our collective carving abilities that evening. Cider and donuts will be served. Each classroom will also have a pumpkin along the trail. We have staggered times to encourage children to experience the fun with their grade level friends. Times for attendance will be as follows: 
        6:30-7:00 Kindergarten and Grade 1
        7:00-7:30 Grade 2 and Grade 3
        7:30-8:00 Grade 4 and Grade 5
If you have more than one child, pick a time that works for everyone. The cost is $1.00 per person/$5.00 max per family.

Dates to Remember:
Book Fair - October 2 - 4 from 3:45 p.m. - 7 p.m. in the Gold Lobby
"Pumpkin"hedge - October 12, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. 
PTA Meeting - October 15, 6:30 p.m. Stonehedge Library 

Have a great week.
Lori