Weekend Update December 20th

Holidays Around The World 

Our first-grade classrooms each transformed into different countries for the day! Students traveled from room to room, where they learned of the holiday traditions in England, Sweden, Germany, Mexico, Israel, Holland, and the United States.

The tradition of caroling is said to have started in England. While visiting Mrs. Yaegle's classroom the students listened to, and even sang, some carols such as "We Wish You a Merry Christmas".

In Mrs. Cunningham's classroom they learned how in Sweden, on December 13th, they celebrate St. Lucia Day which is also called The Festival of Lights.  First graders made puppets of Swedish boys and girls dressed in a white gown with a red sash for St. Lucia Day.

The tradition of Gingerbread houses comes from Germany.  Ms. Kolis' room was transformed into an actual gingerbread house, and while inside, first graders had a treat of a gingerbread man cookie and colored their own gingerbread man.

Mrs. Lawrence's classroom is where students learned that Feliz Navidad means Merry Christmas in Mexico.  They were also very excited to learn that the breaking of a piñata on Christmas is a Mexican tradition.

While in Mrs. Colburn's room, we learned that in Israel they celebrate Hanukkah, or the Feast of Lights.  We enjoyed learning how to play a dreidel game.

In Holland, they celebrate the birth of St. Nicholas on December 6th,  Before going to bed, the children leave out their shoes, hoping to find them filled with candy and small gifts in the morning.  When the students entered Mrs. Vislosky's room they left their shoes outside and in the hallway and were surprised to find a small treat in their shoe when they went to move on to the next classroom!

Mrs. Leonardis' room represented the United States.  Here the children watched a short video about Rudolph the red nosed reindeer and then they were able to do a coloring sheet depicting Santa and some reindeer!

5th Grade Buddies

Our 5th grade buddies visited Kindergarten classrooms where they read Holiday themed stories and enjoyed candy canes!

Reindeer Day

Kindergarteners joined in reindeer games this week. Students, made reindeer food, read a reindeer story, and crafted Rudolph and a reindeer hat.

Holiday Parties

This morning students celebrated the holiday season with classroom parties! They played games, made crafts, and enjoyed a holiday treat.  Thank you to the parents who volunteered their time to plan and help with the festivities!

Happenings Next Week

Monday, December 23 - Friday, January 3 - Holiday Recess

Happenings When We Return

Wednesday, January 8 - BOE Meeting 7:00 pm - High School Library

Thursday, January 9 - Kindergarten Spirit Day

Friday, January 10 - Blue P2 Assembly - 9:30 am

In the Near Future

Tuesday, January 21 – Stonehedge PTA Meeting 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm – High School Library

Classroom

Tuesday, January 21 – Talk with the Superintendent – 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm – High School

LGI Room

Weekend Update 12/13/19

Community Oriented Drug Education (CODE) Assemblies
Yesterday, Officer Brand of the Camillus Police Department visited Stonehedge-Blue for 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 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 books “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 the difference between 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 learned about the importance of reporting certain situations to trusted adults. The students watched a video titled “Prevent Bullying From The NED Show.”

Concert
On Tuesday our K-2 students were able to attend a festive concert put on by our 4th and 5th grade chorus.  The chorus did an amazing job and our K-2 students were a wonderful audience.

Around Stonehedge...
Mrs. Colburn's students were so excited to build pyramids like in Ancient Egypt at playtime. I'd say they are loving this listening and learning unit!

This week, December 9-15, is Computer Science Education Week.  Mrs. Ritch visited Mrs. Leonardis' class to do an Hour Of Code activity. According to hourofcode.com "The Hour of Code started as a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify "code", to show that anybody can learn the basics, and to broaden participation in the field of computer science. It has since become a worldwide effort to celebrate computer science, starting with 1-hour coding activities but expanding to all sorts of community efforts." When Mrs. Leonardis' asked students what they learned Katie Pier said, "I learned to do my best and persevere!"

Strategic Plan 
Every year, the Strategic Planning Team comes together to review our progress toward improvement and make recommendations for continued growth. One of the key pieces of feedback is from our staff, students, and community. The district is looking for commentary regarding it's Strategic Plan.  Please click on the link to give your thoughts.

Positivity Project

• The Positivity Project (P2) strength for next week is “Self-Control”.

WHAT DOES SELF-CONTROL MEAN? You have the ability to control your emotions and behaviors. You think before you act. Self-control is the act of managing behavior in a way that positively influences goal attainment and living up to standards. Possessing this strength protects people from destabilizing emotional extremes. Those with self-control are able to limit impulsive behavior. They have the ability to experience and navigate difficulty while remaining poised. They understand that through discipline and restraint, there are greater, long-term goals that they can accomplish. Self- control is related to prudence, in that people with this strength are able to implement extended planning techniques in pursuit of difficult task completion. Self- control does not mean a lack of thoughts, feelings, or impulses; it just means you have command over them.

Happenings Next Week
Monday, December 16 - 3rd grade speaker on ancient Rome
Tuesday, December 17 - 5th Grade Cookie Day for the Samaritan Center
Tuesday, December 17 - Last day of PTA “Giving Tree”
Wednesday, December 18 - Board of Education Meeting - WGHS Library - 7:00 pm
Thursday, December 19 - CODE Assembly - Grades 3-5

In the Near Future
Monday, December 23 - Friday, January 3 - Holiday Recess
Wednesday, January 8 - BOE Meeting 7:00 pm - High School Library
Thursday, January 9 - Kindergarten Spirit Day
Friday, January 10 - Blue P2 Assembly - 9:30

December 6, 2019 - Weekend Update

Stonehedge Weekend Update

December 6, 2019

Positivity Project

This morning we had a wonderful Positivity Project assembly where we discussed the recent character traits that we have been learning about.  A student in each grade level spoke about a time in which they showed kindness.  Then we watched an amazing performance where fifth grader Mckenna Vallely sang the Israel Kamakawiwoʻole version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" while accompanied by Mr. Mercado on ukulele. Mckenna showed us an example of the character trait bravery by performing in front of all of us! 

We Celebrate Learning

Ms. Kolis' class met their goal of receiving 25 compliments from other teachers or staff throughout the building.  This accomplishment earned them a day to celebrate learning! The students voted and chose to learn about wolves for the day.  They learned about their habitat, what they eat, and how they travel in packs.  They made some wolf masks and wrote about their favorite wolf facts. 

Happenings Next Week 

Student Council Spirit Week (see schedule below)

Tuesday, December 10 - Stonehedge 4th & 5th Grade Winter Concert - 7:00 - 8:00 pm - High School  Auditorium

Thursday, December 12 – CODE Assembly Grade K-2 

Thursday, December 12 - 3rd Grade Spirit Day

Friday, December 13 - Report Card Distribution

In the Near Future

Monday, December 16 - 3rd grade speaker on ancient Rome

Wednesday, December 18 - Board of Education Meeting - WGHS Library - 7:00 pm

Thursday, December 19 - CODE Assembly - Grades 3-5

Student Council Spirit Week 12/9 – 12/13

Monday - Team Day 

Tuesday - Character Day (no costumes, no pajamas)

Wednesday - Wacky Wednesday

Thursday - Wildcat Day

Friday - Ugly Sweater or Tye Dye Shirt 

We hope you will all join in the fun and support our Student Council as they launch their first project.

November 22, 2019 - Weekend Update

What's Happening Around Stonehedge?

Positivity Project

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." ~John F. Kennedy

We'll continue to focus on gratitude as our P2 character strength next week.  Yesterday, I dropped off Thanksgiving placemats to a local shelter that serves meals to those in need.  The mats were decorated by students during our November Buddy Day.  Fifth graders work with Kindergarteners, Fourth graders connect with Second graders and Third graders partner with First graders.  Stonehedge is full of kind, caring, and grateful humans! 

Happenings Next Week 

• Monday & Tuesday, November 25 & 26 - 1/2 Day for Students - 11:30 dismissal
• Monday & Tuesday, November 25 & 26 - Parent-Teacher Conferences
• Wednesday - Friday, November 27-29 - Thanksgiving Recess

In the Near Future

• Wednesday, December 4 - Board of Education Meeting - WGHS Library - 7:00 pm
• Thursday, December 5 - Kindergarten Family Night - 6:30-7:30 pm - Blue Cafe
• Friday, December 6 - Blue P2 Assembly 
• Friday, December 13 - Report Card Distribution

Weekend Update Nov 15

As I think about all that I am thankful for... the Stonehedge students, faculty and community is certainly high on my list.  I feel blessed everyday to be able to learn and lead here.  Thank you for sharing your children with me.  It is an honor. ~ Amanda

Drop Off

To assist us with arrival and dismissal:

If you have to get out of your car, please park out front to escort your student in.  If you are picking up, the doors open at 3:10 and students will be dismissed at 3:17.  For safety reasons, please plan to pick up your child and make your way out of the building.  We exit busers from the same door and we are having some congestion. 

PTA Updates

Your help is needed... many of our PTA board members will be moving up to middle school.  Please consider joining and helping out.

One immediate opportunity--Stonehedge is in need of a parent to volunteer who will assist in coordinating the Yearbook this year with the intent of taking over yearbook next year.  Please reach out to the Blue or Gold office if you are interested.

Additionally, if you are interested in helping out at Kindergarten night please contact the office to sign up!

Finally, please consider attending the Open Forum.

Winter Has Arrived
When winter weather is predicted, stay tuned to the @WestGeneseeCSD 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.

Coming up Next Week...

Wednesday, November 20 - Board of Education Meeting - WGHS Library 7 PM

In the near future...

Monday, November 25 & 26 -  1/2 day Parent Teacher Conferences dismissal 11:30 AM

Wednesday - Friday, November 27-29 -  Thanksgiving Recess

Weekend Update November 1

WOW... November certainly whipped in, didn't it?  November is going to be a busy month. Be sure you are doing everything you can to BE IN SCHOOL AND PRESENT! Attendance is an important focus at Stonehedge.  If you are not in school you are not learning!

What's happened at Stonehedge this week?

Pumpkin Hedge

Pumpkin Hedge was a huge success.  Thank you to all of the parents and volunteers who set up, attended, and cleaned up.  What a great school community we have!  Honestly, I am already looking forward to next year!

Halloween

The kids had a great time catwalking with their classes and celebrating in the classroom.  Thank you to those parents who were able to volunteer to assist during the parties.  It was a very exciting and busy day!

Turkey Trot

The PE staff is full of great ideas!  The Turkey Trot was an awesome way to spend the day after Halloween.  Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate with us and we had to walk/jog inside.  However, the kids did great and got to work off some of that Halloween candy.  Thank you to all of you who donated sweet treats.  The donations will go to Dr. Paciorek's office who is sending candy to Troops overseas and supporting our PTA! WIN, WIN.

News And Announcements

Arrival

Safety is so very important to all of us.  If you are dropping off your little one, remember doors open at 9:00 AM.  If you have to get out of your car, you have to park your car.  Please do not try to park in the drop-off lane.  Also, please abide by the cones and DO NOT pass in the drop off lane.

Math Bedtime Routines

I have suggested millions of times... that parents should read to their children every night because reading improves literacy skills. I have no idea why I have been leaving out math!?!  Check out this cool site our Math Coach, Joe Curtain, shared https://mathbeforebed.com

Positivity Project, Bravery and Veterans' Assembly

Next week's trait is Bravery.  We'll be celebrating Bravery and Veterans' Day with a special assembly.  We have invited students to bring their family members who are serving or who have served in our Armed Forces.  We will have a reception in the Library before school and the celebration will be held in the gymnasium.   

Upcoming Dates: 

Next Week:

Tuesday, November 5 - 1/2 day with dismissal being 11:30 AM.

Wednesday, November 6 - BOE meeting 7 PM

Thursday, November 7 - District-wide Spelling Bee Camillus Middle School 9:30 AM

Friday, November 8 - Veterans' Day Celebration 8:30 AM

In the Near Future: 

Monday, November 11 - NO SCHOOL Veterans' Day

Wednesday, November 13 - PTA Meeting 6:30 PM

Monday, November 25 & 26 -  1/2 day Parent Teacher Conferences dismissal at 11:30 AM

November 27-29 -  Thanksgiving Break