Friday, September 24, 2021

Weekend Update Sept 24


Happy Friday, Stonehedge.  Can you believe October is almost here? I hope you have noticed arrival and dismissal have gotten a bit more smooth each day.  The district is continuing to develop a long term plan to assist with the congestions between STE and WGMS's dismissals.  Just a reminder about dismissal procedures.  PLEASE help us and abide by your car pick up time.  

 Car tag #0-50: 3:00 pm

Car tag #51-100: 3:05 pm

Car tag # 100+ 3:10 pm

Next Week:

  • Oct 1- 4th Grade Spirit Day.  Everyone wear your Blue and Gold 

In the Near Future:

  • Oct 5-7 from 4-7 pm-  Scholastic BOOK FAIR.  
  • Oct 5 - Talk with the Superintendent - 7:00 - 8:00 pm - WGHS LGI Room
  • Oct 6 - Board of Education Meeting - 6:00 pm - WGHS Library
  • Oct 11- Warrior Factory Fundraiser for the PTA
  • Oct 15- 3rd Grade Spirit Day. Everyone wear your Blue and Gold 
  • Oct 29- Pumpkinhedge
  • Nov 2 from 6-8 pm- Picture retakes

PTA News:

We had a great turn out at this week's PTA meeting. Here are some highlights--just in case you missed it. 

  • The PTA is in need of volunteers--please... to sign up. 
  • Special Thank you to the PTA for Exhale Pastry and Coffee truck during our first week back!
  • Spirit Wear Sale is open check out actionprintwear.com 
  • We are in need of Vice President of Health and Education. Please contact Katie Hayes if you are interested in helping out.
  • Please come to the next meeting October 19th.  There is child care coverage!

Positivity Project:

Last week we learned about about teamwork.  Next week's character trait is Open-mindedness

Around School:

Can’t make it to the Book Fair? You can still participate with the Online Book Fair. The Online Book Fair runs from October 5 - 7.  Books are shipped directly to your home!  Discounts are not available through the Online Book Fair.

Can you hear that?  It's the beautiful sounds of INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC at StONEhedge!  We are so excited to welcome back an important part of our curricular offerings at school with the return of 4th grade orchestra and band. It's never too late to sign up for our award-winning and innovative programs!  We welcome all students at any time. 

This week, West Genesee's newest musicians began to explore and play their new instruments in their first lessons! 








If your student would like to join the orchestra (violin, viola, cello, or bass), please email Mrs. Ta at KTa@westgenesee.org or Mrs. Mercer at MMercer@westgenesee.org. If your student would like to join the band (flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, french horn, trombone, baritone, tuba, or percussion), please email Mrs. Astafan at CAstafan@westgenesee.org.

 

 

Spirit Wear Flyer

 


Teamwork makes the dream work in Mrs. Hesler's class!

Kindergarten Math Centers

Reading a story to friends!

Johnny Appleseed Day!

Music with Mrs. DeMartini

Kindergarten Art Class

2nd graders reading on Amplify

3rd Grade Amplify 
True!


3rd grade reading lesson



3rd grade Mathematicians









Saturday, September 18, 2021

Weekend Update September 17

It's hard to believe our second week of school has come to an end.  I am sure your child is a bit tired this weekend! They have been working hard at school.  Ms. Ratcliff and I are blessed to walk the halls, stop into the classroom and see the many great things taking place. This week, we continued to teach school wide expectations, dug even deeper into curriculum, and completed our fall universal screeners for all students. Next week, our grade level teams will have their first organizational meetings to prepare for our Collective Responsibility approach to all instruction.



Yesterday, we had an exciting P2 Kick-off Event.  StONEhedge held an outdoor parade to share our hopes, dreams, and wishes for our new school year. Bubbles represented those positive wishes! It was an amazing school community building event.  We shared our school wide goal focusing on two traits: Teamwork and Love of Learning.  We want to work as a TEAM to build our K-4 StONEhedge community while focusing on our LOVE OF LEARNING. Students shared personal hopes and dreams and classwide goals, too. To add to the excitement, the Varsity Cheerleaders joined us leading us in several cheers. Thank you to Mrs. Klefbeck, Superintendent Bills, and Assistant Superintendent Mr. Kesel.  Check out more pictures below!


Next Week:

Picture Day 

Tuesday, September 21-- Students in grades K, 1 & 2 

Wednesday, September 22-- Students in grades 3 & 4

Your school code for ordering online at mylifetouch.com is EVTCP9DKG. 

If your child is absent during these dates make-up pictures will be taken November 2nd, 6-8pm.



In the Near Future:

The PTA Welcome Back Meeting is Monday, September 20th at 6:30 pm in the Library.

PTA functions/meetings are opportunities to meet other parents and teachers, build rapport and discuss issues that are on your mind. Joining the PTA also means you get a “VOICE and a VOTE” in helping to shape the education of your child at Stonehedge Elementary. Fill out and send in this online membership form.  $6 individual, $10 family.


Important Information:


Dismissal
It is important to remember that if your child's primary source of transportation is the bus and you happen to need to pick him/her up at dismissal time, you must send in a note with your child indicating that. This is because buses are now being dismissed simultaneously and if there is no note, your child's teacher is under the impression they are taking the bus.

Early Pick up
If you need to pick your student up early for an appointment, please be sure to send in a note.  Please be sure to schedule your early pick up by 2:30 pm.  After 2:30, picking up becomes extra challenging due to buses in our front loop. 

Safety Drills
In accordance with state regulations, we must complete a certain number of safety drills throughout the fall season. These drills started last week and will continue next week. The staff at Stonehedge takes the time to explain the procedures and prepare the students so they are as comfortable as possible. 


Promise Zone Student Engagement Specialist

Last year, county officials decided to make an investment in the social emotional well-being of our students as they transitioned back to in-person instructionStonehedge is fortunate to have Alanna Reilly as our Promise Zone Student Engagement Specialist.  Promise Zones’ vision is ” to increase the capacity and efficacy of service delivery to all students to ensure social, emotional, and academic achievement.” 

Special Referendum Project 2021

At the Board of Education meeting Wednesday, Assistant Superintendent for Management Services, Christine DeMass, kicked off the Special Referendum Capital Project along with architects from King & King sharing details about the project.

Information about the Special Referendum can be seen in each school lobby on poster boards and also more detailed information is available on the website at: https://www.westgenesee.org/…/special-referendum-project-2…/. Be on the lookout for more information about an upcoming Community Forum to be held on Monday, November 15, and please save the date for the vote on the referendum which will be held on Monday, December 6.


P2 Trait of the Week: Teamwork 

Teamwork is the ability and willingness to place overall group success as a higher priority than individual achievement. Citizenship is a willingness to work towards the common good as opposed to one’s own self-interest. Those who demonstrate strengths in teamwork and citizenship often work to help all group members find success. These individuals are willing to commit time and resources in order to further group goals and help toward the greater good.

Pictures from our P2 Kick Off Celebration:

















Sunday, September 12, 2021

Weekend Update 9/12/21

 Dear Families, 

Our first week of the 2021-2022 school year is officially in the books!  It was great to see our excited students all together again.  I truly believe it is going to be a wonderful school year for our students and our Stonehedge community!


Open House

Our Stonehedge Open House will be held Tuesday, September 14.  Per guidance regarding indoor mass gatherings from the Onondaga County Health Department and our desire to keep families safe, we will be conducting our Curriculum Night virtually.  Teachers have sent zoom links to each family in his/her classroom.  Meetings for K-2 will be 6:00-6:30 pm and grades 3-4 will be from 6:30-7:00.  Please contact your teacher with questions. Information regarding Title 1 services and our Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) will be emailed on Tuesday. 


Arrival and Dismissal Adjustments

Thank you for your continued support as we work to make arrival and dismissal a smooth operation. We are hopeful the updates below will aid in this effort and we appreciate your attention to these protocols. Some of these changes may only be temporary as we work with the District Office for more long-term solutions.

The following changes will take effect on MONDAY, SEPT 13, 2021:

Morning Drop Off:

  • Temporarily, at 8:45 AM we will bring students from the front loop into the cafeteria. Please be sure your student has a book to read or something independent to do. Students will report to classrooms at 9:00am.
  • The building officially opens to bussers and self-transport vehicles at 9:00am.
  • At 9:00 am drop off for KINDERGARTEN students (and their siblings) will take place at door 18, the side K entrance (as if you’re driving to the District Office).  All other cars will drive through the front loop where students in grades 1-4 will be unloaded.
  • If you arrive after 9:10 AM, please bring your child to the Main Office (door #1) to sign them in.

Afternoon Dismissal

Car Dismissal/self transportation will be staggered by car tags as follows (PLEASE DO YOUR BEST TO ADHERE TO YOUR DESIGNATED TIME):

Car tags #1-50 at 3:00pm

Car tags #51-100 at 3:05pm

Car tags #100 and above at 3:10


  • If you plan to pick up at least once a week, you’ll need a car tag. Please contact the Main Office at (315) 487-4633 to do so.
  • If pick up is only occasional, send a note to your child’s teacher indicating the person who will be picking up.
  • Pick up for Grades K-1 (and their siblings) will take place at door 18, at the side K entrance (as if you’re driving to the District Office). NOTICE the different location for Grade 1 dismissal.
  • Pick up for Grades 2-4 will take place in the back parking lot. NO CARS WILL BE ALLOWED IN THE FRONT LOOP OF THE SCHOOL once buses begin arriving at Stonehedge.
  • Bus Dismissal will begin at approximately 3:20pm.

Please refer to the graphic for car drop off traffic flow.