Weekend Update April 24, 2020

Happy Friday!
Here are the Stonehedge Weekly Shoutouts

Poem In Your Pocket!

Click here to check out this video in honor of Poetry Week!

Next Thursday, April 30th is National Poem in Your Pocket Day. Usually, Stonehedge would be celebrating by encouraging staff and students to find a poem they like, put it in a pocket, and share it with as many people as possible during the day. And some years, we’ve even held “Poetrypalooza”, an open mic poetry night.  This year, we obviously can’t do things the traditional way, but we have a fun alternative. Check out next week’s library lesson on the WG Learning Portal Page for an opportunity to explore fun poems and then share them via Flipgrid (which is really fun and easy to use). Together we’ll have a virtual Poem in Your Pocket Day that we can share with all of the elementary schools of West Genesee! 

Online Distance Learning

Please be sure to check the online portal for PE, P2, Counseling Notes, Enrichment Art and Music activities.

P2 Character Strength: Purpose and Connection

This strength gives us the sense that we are connected with others and our world. People who possess a sense of purpose believe that they were put on earth for a reason. Having the strength of purpose can show in a variety of ways: friendships, the joy of music or evening raising others to be good people. Those that possess this strength have a true calling.  Brene Brown is someone who is new to me.  I found her podcast, the Unlocking us podcast, during this closure.  She is very relatable and her words have helped me to find purpose during these difficult times. Maybe you will check her out??? (The podcast is an adult thing... the kiddos won't have any interest!)

PTA

Looking for some new books? The PTA is hosting an online book fair for students. Scholastic is offering FREE Shipping on BOOK purchases totaling over $25. The books will be shipped to the student's home.  Mrs. Abbott has done daily book talks posted to the Stonehedge Elementary PTA Facebook page.

 PTA Virtual Bookfair

Kindergarten Registration

Kindergarten registration for the 2020-2021 school year has been extended until May 15th. These students will be the graduating class of 2033! Wow! Registration takes place at the Central Registrar's 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.

Pics from Around "School"

Nico and his new pogo stick!

Anthony "pogo sticking" for PE!

Look at those letters! And, that smile :)

Vinny, Gr 1, is doing some additional work with his siblings

Sofia and her bug study!

Nico working hard! Keep up the good work :)

From the eyes of a Kindergartener

Keep it up, Randy!

Weekend Update April 17

Check this special video out Secret Life of Stonehedge Pets

Last week, I read Dogs Don't Wear Sneakers by Laura Numeroff.  Several students sent me ideas of activities animals do not do.  Jaden says "Cats don't play pianos." And, kindergarten student, Matthew thinks that squirrels wearing clothing would be pretty darn funny!  My dog, Rudy, would love to see a squirrel in clothing.  Rudy loves to watch and chase squirrels all day long.  As a twist, I saw a video this week of a grown man pretending to act like his dog.  He ran up to a fence and started yelling (barking) at people walking by "This is my house. You are walking near my yard.  This is my yard..."  Maybe, I'll email Laura Numeroff and suggest she write a book about people acting like their pets (People don't bark at the UPS man)! 

Distance Learning

I hope you have been able to get into the swing of things and have been able to establish a workable routine/schedule at home.  I am still working on getting into a good schedule with my children, but it is not easy and I am not sure we are there YET! We continue to receive positive feedback about assignments.  As a reminder, students should still visit the online portal at westgenesee.org to access their library, PE, and P2 activities. I believe all issues with opening up the Positivity Project slides have been resolved. I know that some families continue to be a bit overwhelmed and that is understandable. We are in this together. Again, just do what you can do. Your best is good enough!

P2 Trait of the week

Appreciating beauty and excellence means that you take note and value the world’s beauty and people's skills. You identify and enjoy things that are admirable in the world. You might notice and appreciate a song, a sunset, architecture or someone's personality.  Appreciation of beauty gives joy and purpose.  This week... take a minute to jot down or reflect on the beauty around you.  Maybe we'll have a rainbow or a sunset.  Might you notice trees starting to bud?  Or will you laugh with a loved one who always shows you positivity, humor, and whit?  I am going to daydream of my camp in Hamilton, NY.  I can't wait to go there and appreciate the beautiful hills.

Virtual Spirit Week, #2

West Genesee will again be participating in a Virtual Spirit Week next week. Here is the flyer with more details. The week is as follows:

4/20   Movie Monday
4/21   Travel Tuesday
4/22   Warm-Up Wednesday
4/23   Thoughtful Thursday
4/24   Fresh Air Friday

Check out Mrs. Abbott's Stonehedge Shoutouts

Pictures from Around School

Kindergartener, Jase, learning all about butterflies.

Tyson and Reading Eggs

Readers and Writers at work!

Playdough Math

1st Grade Math Lesson!!!!

Weekend Update April 10, 2020

Here is a video of the Stonehedge Shoutouts!

Yearbooks

Yearbook sales will end on April 13th. Yearbooks may or may not be available for purchase at the end of the school year. 

Gertrude Hawk 

Orders are being shipped to your home! If the order contains a mistake, please call customer service 1-800-706-6275 ext. 384.

Parent Survey

Two members of the Odyssey Program at the high school are doing a research-based project exploring how increased technology use is impacting elementary students in our community. We are interested in getting feedback from parents so they produced two short questionnaires on Survey Monkey. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SG5768Q


Pictures from Around School!

Weekend Update April 3, 2020

Virtual P2 Assembly:

This week would have been our P2 Assembly focused on Social Intelligence in honor of World Autism Awareness Day which was yesterday, April 2nd.  To prepare, students were going to watch this video before the assembly (Please have your child check it out here).  P2 Assemblies are my favorite part of school! We all wear our matching P2 shirts and we open with a song, This Little Light of Mine.  Then, we have a special presentation related to one of the traits of the month.  Since we can't gather together the teachers have put together a video for you and we have included a short video on Austim in place of our guest speaker.  We hope you enjoy our virtual P2 Assembly!

Stonehedge Staff Virtual P2 Opening

Virtual P2: Social Intelligence Video on Autism

Spring Break:

As you are aware, Governor Cuomo issued a new Executive Order which states that school districts must continue plans for alternative instructional options (as well as, distributions of food) and "continue to first use any vacation or snow days remaining." This means for all of us that we will no longer have Spring Break which was scheduled for next week.  We will continue to provide remote instruction for all students.

I'm sure this news will bring mixed emotions for many of you; some families will likely be happy that an instructional plan will be provided for their children to keep them productive and engaged while others were likely looking forward to the break. It looks like we will all just need to continue to be flexible during these uncertain times!

Beginning next week your child will be directed to visit their teacher's Google Classroom for literacy and math activities; all other activities will be linked to the document on the portal. If you have any questions please contact your teacher directly, email me (asimmons@westgenesee.org), or call the office and leave a voicemail that will be automatically forwarded to me (315-487-4633).

Pictures from "Around School"

Miss Cizenski has been learning about this fox and her babies!

Also, just a quick note...to let you know that the Kindergarten and 2nd grade trip to Lemoyne theater has been canceled and you can expect a Refund for Field Trips coming by the end of the year.