January Happenings

Authentic Application of the Positivity Strength Perseverance
At our P2 assembly last week we discussed how different famous people had to show perseverance in order to meet the goals they had set for themselves.

The staff and I have challenged all children with the following goal: Between now and the end of February, all students will strive to learn to tie their shoes! We talked about how proud we will be as a school community if all children accept and work toward mastering the art of shoe tying. We stressed responsibility, safety and a sense of accomplish.  Many children can already tie their shoes so they have been recruited to teach a friend.  Once successful, each child will put their signature on the bulletin board located in the gym.  Please support your child in this endeavour - our hope is to have every name on the poster.  Happy tying!

Winter Wonderland
Save the Date! The sixth annual Winter "Wonder"land Open House will take place on Wednesday, February 13, with kindergarten from 6:30-6:50pm, first grade from 6:50-7:10pm, and second grade from 7:10-7:30pm. We have staggered the times to encourage children to experience the fun with their grade level friends.  This will also help eliminate any congestion and ensure parking.  If you have more than one student, pick a time that suits your family. Be on the lookout for more information to come home in your student's folder.

Teachers will soon begin the researching process for Project-Based Learning (PBL). For this two week period of time, students engage in a rigorous, extended process of asking questions, exploring resources, and applying information. Students are required to gain knowledge and skills in order to investigate their own “wonders” and engage in authentic and challenging learning. Students will then create projects for an authentic audience –their peers and families! Students make decisions about the project, employ their creativity and work with others to represent their vision and knowledge.

Merry-Go-Round Theatre Performs for First Grade
The Merry-Go-Round Theatre made a visit to Stonehedge and performed The Boy Who Cried Wolf for first graders. Prior to the performance they were introduced to the language, characters, setting, and cultural context for the play which helped the students make their own predictions about the show, and allowed for critical thinking to continue throughout the performance. 

Important Dates
January 21 - No school - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 28 - No school for students - Professional Development Day
February 4, 6:30 pm - PTA Meeting - Stonehedge Library

Stay warm!
~Lori

Happy New Year!

I hope you and your family had an enjoyable break. It was certainly nice for me to spend time with family and friends within a whirlwind of holiday activities. Fast, furious, and good to be back.

Students were ready to return. Smiling faces tell the story as students arrived for our first day back.

Positivity Project
This week’s character strength is perseverance. Perseverance means you complete what you start despite obstacles. You never give up. The concept of perseverance can most often be found in one’s active pursuit in overcoming obstacles. Perseverance is a uniquely human characteristic that identifies an individual’s ability to spend long periods of time devoted to a single goal or set of goals. Those who persevere are able to set goals for themselves and then take active, calculated steps toward those goals. People demonstrating high levels of perseverance are able to handle significant, sometimes repeated, setbacks in pursuit of goals.

A Toast to the New Year

Grade 2 is setting New Year’s Resolutions! Students read the book Squirrel's New Year's Resolution, by Pat Miller. Then they wrote down some things they would like to improve on in 2019 in school and also at home. Our second grade students have set goals for themselves and will build on their strength to persevere in order to accomplish these goals.

Kindergarten Registration
Kindergarten Registration for the 2019-2020 school year has begun and will go until March 29 at the Central Registrar Office located at 300 Sanderson Drive, Camillus, NY 13031.

For information about registering your student, go to the Registration Section of the website.

Prior to coming in to register, you will need to make an appointment by clicking the appropriate link on the Registration web page or by calling the Central Registrar at (315) 487-4683.

When registering, parents should bring: proof of residency (ie. mortgage or property statement or signed lease agreement); proof of immunizations; and proof of age.

A physical examination is also required and a dental certificate is requested for entry into kindergarten. These examinations should be done up to one year prior to the first day of school. Children who enter kindergarten this fall must be five years of age on or before December 1, 2019.

For more information visit our website or email the Central Registrar at centralregistrar@westgenesee.org.

Important Dates

January 9, 6:30 pm - PTA Meeting - Stonehedge Library - 2nd grade and 5th grade teams are invited to talk about what is happening in their grades
January 11 - Kindergarten Spirit Day
January 21 - No school - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 28 - No school for students - Professional Development Day