Weekend Update March 27

Positivity Project Character Trait for Next Week is HUMOR! (How fitting!?!)

A person with the strength of humor is skilled at seeing the funny side of things, bringing smiles and laughter to others, and identifying and communicating the absurdities in life.

Report Cards Available Online

Your child's 2nd marking period report card is now available to view online. Click here to access the viewing instruction. Here is a short video that also explains how to access the report card online. If you need to update your email or phone number on Schooltool, please click this link.

Distance Learning

My, oh my!!!!!!!!  Reality looks very different than it did even months ago.  I admit, once upon a time, I wondered what a "work from home" job would be like.  I envisioned leisurely coffee mornings, doing laundry throughout the day and having extra time to help my kids. Boy, oh boy, was I wrong. My laundry is backed up, dishes are overrunning the sink and I work until late into the night. Usually, I tell my daughter to "Skip it!  I'll help you later!"  I am 100% certain I chose the right career at the right school. Being the Stonehedge K-2 Principal is my dream come true and I can't wait to get back to it. I so miss our kiddos.  I can not wait... to never work from home again! 

At this point, you and your child should have been able to access the distance learning portal. We have received a lot of feedback about the activities provided for your children. The feedback has ranged from, "This is awesome! Thank you!" to "This is not enough. When will more learning be provided by the teachers?" to "We are overwhelmed! This is too much!" All of these feelings are normal and understandable. As I indicated in last week's blog, these first two weeks of activities before the break are intended to help ease the transition to online learning. All activities for these two weeks are review and are intended to keep your child engaged and productive. We are also using these two weeks to make sure every family has access to the technology necessary for online instruction and to ensure that our teachers and families are comfortable with the necessary technology. Instruction that will include new learning, versus review, will begin after the break (if necessary) and will continue via the distance learning portal as well as Google Classroom.  At that point, teachers will be looking to give the students feedback on their learning rather than grades. If you need any help with accessing anything, please call the office (315-487-4648) or email me (asimmons@westgenesee.org).

I hope you enjoyed Virtual Spirit Week!

PJ Day

Goofy Outfit Day

 Crazy Hair Day

Reading Day

It's a Great Day to be a Wildcat: Blue and Gold Day

Pictures from around "school:"

Weekend Update March 20

Online Learning is Available

West Genesee Online Learning Portal

The online learning link is now available.  Thank you for your patience as we took a few days to provide you with consistent, organized review materials to support learning from home. We hope this provides you easy access (all WG students will be able to access through this one link).  I have provided the link here, but it is also the first thing you see when you go to our district home page.

Virtual Spirit Week is Next Week

If you'd like to participate in our virtual spirit week, we'd love to see pictures.  Please feel free to send them to the PTA at stonehedgepta@gmail.com and/or post to their Facebook page (Stonehedge Elementary PTA).

Pictures from around "School"

Typically, I like to add pictures from around the school to my blog.  Since that isn't possible at the moment, I'd love to add pictures of our students learning in their new setting.  I sincerely hope this helps to keep us all connected and in touch with each other.

Mrs. Erwin's children practicing spelling words in shaving cream.

Go Noodle with Mrs. Leonardis' kids

Before we left, 2nd graders were doing a distance learning project for St. Patty's Day!

Simmons' babies showing Appreciation for Beauty and Excellence

Mrs. Simmons working from home!

Please tell your children I miss them.  It is difficult to be home while balancing work and taking care of children.  I miss the hustle and bustle of the school day.  I miss the children's laughter at recess and the jokes they tell me in the cafeteria. I hope you are well.  Please don't hesitate to email me with questions, needs or concerns. I thought you might find this article helpful 4 ways to help kids relax as the coronavirus upends everyday life

Be well,

Amanda

Greetings from my home office...

Hi Stonehedge Families,

I hope you will have your child watch my video above!  I miss seeing those sweet faces! I hope this finds you well as you begin to adjust to your new schedule. I wanted to update you on a few things.

First, the building is now closed until further notice. Previously I indicated that the building would be open this week, but the decision was made to close the buildings to all non-essential personnel beginning yesterday afternoon. Building principals are now working from home. If you need to contact me, you can either email me at asimmons@westgenesee.org or call the building, 315-487-4633 and leave a voicemail. Your voicemail will go directly to my email.  I will get back to you.

Next, I know some of you are anxious to begin home instruction and many of you already have! I wanted to let you know that you will be receiving another communication from me at some point Friday, March 20th that will provide you with information regarding remote learning. We will have a page off of the district website that will be updated weekly with suggested activities and learning for our students. This page will provide you with reading and math activities, as well as special area activities (art, physical education, library, and music). We have also included P2 which I believe, unfortunately, you will only be able to fully access if you have a Gmail account. All activities for the first two weeks were put together by the instructional coaches and administrators. If it is necessary to continue instruction remotely following our scheduled spring break, the teachers will be in charge of populating the remote instruction page with new learning.

The intent for remote learning, over the next couple of weeks, is to minimize potential instructional slide. We do not want to add any additional pressure to families during this stressful time. Rather, we want to help families by providing activities that will keep students productive and engaged. Stay tuned for more information regarding the remote learning opportunities.

Mrs. Susan Sheehan, our school counselor, is here to support students and families.  Please email her at ssheehan@westgenesee.org.  She will email or call you back. (Pictured here in case students need a visual)

Finally, if you have technological needs, please see the District website (westgenesee.org) and the note from Superintendent Bills.

Again, I can be reached via email (asimmons@westgenesee.org) or voicemail 315-487-4633. Please stay safe and healthy. Please tell your children that I miss them!!

My warmest regards,
 Amanda

School Closure Update

While we abide by the health and safety recommendations, I will truly miss our children for the next few weeks.  I hope that you and your family use the time to reconnect in positive ways...Read some good books together.  Dust off those old board games and play together!  Have meals at the table together.  Most importantly, take care of one another...

I hope these updates help, and we will keep in touch as much as possible.  Please note:

• We will NOT have school this Friday, March 20.  This is the latest update in the attendance schedule.
• We will let you know as soon as possible about report card distribution and whether they will be available to you online.
• As of now, we will not be taking the NYS English Language Arts Assessment, but will let you know of any changes.
• The Gertrude Hawk Candy Sale Distribution still needs to be determined. 
• We anticipate returning to school on Tuesday, April 14, 2020.  Again, this is subject to change, but we'll keep our fingers crossed!

And a few other odds-n-ends, as I anticipate your questions:

• Within the next few days, you will receive information regarding alternative learning experiences for your child while we are not in regular attendance.  Stay tuned while we finalize plans for you!
• If your child was not here today (Monday) and you need to pick up his or her personal belongings, the building will be accessible Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week from 8:30-3:30 each day.  Please know that you will still need to bring ID and buzz in at the front door if you need to retrieve something from your child's locker. You will not need to come for school books or materials, but we will make learning accessible online.  See the District website and note from Superintendent David Bills if you need information about accessing a Chromebook for your child, or call the technology office at 315-487-4677.

I will be in touch!  Most importantly, stay safe and take care of your health.  Think spring!

Respectfully, 

Amanda Simmons

Weekend Update March 13, 2020

Today, we had dancers from the Roisin Academy of Irish Dance.  The performance was awesome.  Too, it was so exciting to see several of Stonehedge students dancing.  Thank you for joining us.

Positivity Project
The Positivity Project (P2) strength for next week is…..Love of Learning

Happenings Next Week
Tuesday, March 17 - Merry Go Round Theater - Grades K-2
Wednesday, March 18 - Board of Education Meeting - 7:00 pm - WGHS Library
Thursday, March 19 – CODE Assembly - Grades K-2

In The Near Future
Wednesday, March 25 - 3rd Grade Chorus Perform for K-2 - 10:00 am - 10:30 am - Blue Gym
Wednesday, March 25 - 3rd Grade Chorus Concert - 7:00 - 8:00 pm - WGHS Auditorium
Thursday, March 26 - Gold Code Assembly - Gold Cafe
Friday, March 27 - 4th Grade Book Club - 8:00 am - 9:00 am - Library

Weekend Update March 6, 2020

It's been a BUSY WEEK!!!!!!!!

I Wonder STEAM Showcase
We hosted our 1st STEAM Showcase on Thursday night.   The Showcase is a combination of our school traditions of Science Fair and Winter Wonderland. The purpose of the STEAM Showcase was to give students the opportunity to share what they’re passionate about in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. There were presentations from a variety of ages and student abilities. Every K-2 student had artwork on display. It was simply awesome. I was moved to tears to see all of the creativity and passion.  I felt overwhelmed to see the night come together so beautifully.  I already can't wait until next year's event.

P2 Assembly
This month's P2 Assembly focused on "Cheering On Others' Successes." Can you imagine anything more appropriate than the Varsity Winter Cheerleaders leading us in cheer?  It was awesome.  The students then gave the cheerleaders a cheer as they head to Rochester for their championship competition today!  And, we closed the assembly with a special song, This Little Light of Mine, lead in song and sign by Mrs. Lauricella and Mrs. Boyle's Kindergarten students.

Enrichment Day
Reptiles, Bracelets, Mining, and Rockets... OH MY!!!!!!!!!! Today, the PTA sponsored our Stonehedge Enrichment Day.  There are so many different activities for students to choose from.  Thank you to all of the instructors and volunteers who helped make the day a HUGE success!!!!!!!  These activities are not offered at every school and we here at Stonehedge are so lucky to have this event.

Yearbook
Reminder to order a 2020 Stonehedge Yearbook. The book is $16.00 and can be purchased online at ybpay.lifetouch.com school ID code 8399620. If you don’t have access to a computer please contact Loryn Petrik 315-487-4631. Don’t let your child’s memories fade away! The deadline was March 6th, but you can get it in this weekend!

2nd graders have an extra incentive to get reading.  They are earning FREE Activities at Apex Entertainment at Destiny. To earn the bookmarks, students must log three nights of reading for two consecutive weeks.

Positivity Project
The Positivity Project (P2) strength for next week is…..Social Intelligence

Happenings Next Week
Sunday, March 8 - Daylight Savings Begins
Monday, March 9 - 1st Grade Tapping For Sap with Mr. G
Wednesday, March 11 - ½ Day for students- staff workshop day - dismissal at 11:30 am
Wednesday, March 11 – WG Special Ed PTSA Meeting - 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm - WGHS Library
Thursday, March 12 – 5th Grade Jump Rope Club – 8:00 am
Friday, March 13 - Irish Step Dancers - 9:30 am - 10:45 am - Blue Gym
Friday, March 13 - 3rd Grade Planetarium

In The Near Future
Tuesday, March 17 - K-2 Merry Go Round Theatre Presentation - 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm - Gym
Wednesday, March 18 - Board of Education Meeting - 7:00 pm - WGHS Library
Thursday, March 19 - CODE assemblies K-2 - Blue Cafe