Have a fun and safe summer!

As they have done every year, all teachers bid a fond farewell to students on the last day of school. This year's soggy weather didn't deter teachers from wishing everyone a wonderful summer.

Even though the rain kept up all morning, students and teachers alike didn't let it dampen their spirits. Everyone managed to have a wonderful last day of school! They signed yearbooks, danced, had moving up ceremonies, and celebrated a hard year's worth of work.

Mrs. Barbuto stops to sign yearbooks this morning.

Miss Elmer is surprised with a present.

Mrs. Donahue hugs a student who brought her flowers.

Second grade students check out the awesome yearbook.

Our second grade students are ready to move on to the Gold Side. Wish wish them all luck!

Our kindergarten students are now official first graders!

Mrs. Sherlock waves good bye during bus duty. Throughout the year, she gave students a magical goodbye with Mickey Mouse hands. 

Check your child's backpack!
Summer reading packets are going home with each child today. Manila envelopes filled with summer reading suggestions and activities will be in everyone's backpacks. Look through them to keep your child entertained and engaged throughout the summer. Please be sure to find a letter from Mrs. Keevil with specific information about returning parts of the packet. Thank you.

The first day of school for the 2014-15 school year is Tuesday, September 2. It is a half-day with dismissal at 11:30 a.m.

Wishing you a safe and happy summer,
Lori

It has been a busy and fun-filled week at Stonehedge Blue!

Our second grade classes finished up their field trips to Baltimore Woods. The PTA sponsored the trips which allowed students to explore nature trails and learn about the animals native to the area. Students also learned about plant life and photosynthesis.

The Physical Education Department and the PTA coordinated the water carnival this week. While the weather was perfect for the younger students, the older kids delayed a day and got a beautiful day as a reward. Students in all grades got to play, splash, and slide their watery way outside. Thanks to the dozens of volunteers who helped out...and got soaked!

A Few Reminders:

Please remember that next Tuesday and Wednesday are half-days for elementary students. Dismissal will be at 11:30 a.m. If your child will have a change in transportation plans, please write a note and send it in the morning.  Report cards will be distributed on Wednesday. Remember that you will be receiving a letter in mid-August identifying your child’s classroom teacher for the fall.

Monday, June 23 is a full day of school with lunch served.

Tuesday, June 24, half-day, dismissal 11:30 a.m.

Wednesday, June 25, last day, half-day, dismissal 11:30 a.m.

~Lori

End-Of-The-Year Wrap Up

It's hard to believe it is the middle of June already. Our building has been very busy during these last few weeks of school.

Stonehedge Celebrates Flag Day
June 14 marks the national Flag Day celebration. Today, Stonehedge students honored the flag. Parading out to the school's flag pole, kindergarten classes were decked out in red, white, and blue. They carried hand-colored flags and wore hats decorated in honor of the day. They gathered around the flag pole and recited the Pledge of Allegiance, sang "Grand Old Flag", and stated facts about the American flag. 

To learn more about Flag Day click here. 


HEDGE Awards Presented

Today, our last group of HEDGE Award recipients were recognized for their kindness and cooperation. 

Grade 1 Recipients      

Elijah Apps, Kaelyn Ashby, Sofia Barba, Ryan Begay, Garrett Bleskoski, Christian Bower, Gracie Burns, Brook Buza, Ty Buza, Kyira Davis, Gwen DeMass, Erik Dombroske, Mark Gabello,  Ally Geiger, Inna Guleva, Zachary Hann, Braedon Keller, Collin Khammer, Riley Kittle, Will Meade, Matthew Pietrafesa, Christopher Ramones, Paul Toumbacaris, Jayden Torrance

                                

                                                                

Grade 2 Recipients

Jameson Bard, Madison Barrett, Lauren Battaglia, Alex Cammarata, David Desko, Bridget Dunham, Dakota Grant, Maura Hennessy, Jordan Kolar, Justin Lisovets, Peyton Long, Geonna Macknail, Nicole Mavente, Abigail Moore, Devon Moses, James Mungro III, Tyler O'Brien, Claire Petty, Dreonna Pullium, Ali Robertson, Landyn Shaw, Tristan Timson, Robert Tucciaroni, Quentin Wallis

NYS Champion West Genesee Girls Lacrosse Team Visits First Grade

First grade students in Miss Elmer's class were treated to a special group of guests earlier this week. The Varsity Girls Lacrosse team, coached by Mr. Elmer, Miss Elmer's father, visited the class and were read to by students. The older girls were recently crowned NYS lacrosse champions. The class was given an opportunity to ask questions about lacrosse to the team as well as read their favorite books to the older young ladies. 

Hannah Elmer, senior, is read to by Anna Biggs while Carson Berg listens.

Kaylee Kick, junior, reads with Gracie Burns.

Mackenzie Baker, freshman, listens as Lukas Kohut reads to her. 

End of the Year Reminders

As the year draws to a close, please note that the last full day of school will be Monday, June 23. Tuesday, June 24 and Wednesday, June 25 will both be half days with dismissal at 11:30 a.m. 

Thank you,

Lori

                                 

Stonehedge Stands Proud for our Special Olympians

Today, several of our students took part in the Special Olympics held at the Cicero-North Syracuse High School.  Upon their arrival, students were met with cheers of encouragement and then took part in a parade around the stadium to kick off the festivities. Students competed in a variety of track and field events and returned with several ribbons for their accomplishments. 

Once they arrived back at Stonehedge, our athletes were again met with cheers of encouragement, but this time by Stonehedge students and staff. Classmates made signs and cheered as the parade traveled throughout the hallways. Congratulations to all our athletes for a job well done and to our student body for this display of love and compassion for each other. You allmake us so proud!

Dishing up the fun at the PTA Ice Cream Social and Stonehedge Open House

Last night Stonehedge held its annual Spring Open House and Ice Cream Social. Our attendance was amazing!  Thank you to students and teachers for the unbelievable display of student work! All were very proud to share what they have learned and what they have created. It's always a wonderful night as I watch students explain their projects and provide a tour of their classroom. Many grandparents were also an important part of the evening sharing their love of learning with their grandchildren. 

Thank you to our PTA for coordinating and sponsoring the Ice Cream Social part of our evening. Enjoy the photos included! 

Dozens of volunteers including Kohl's Cares volunteers, parents, and middle and high school students helped to dish up the fun at the Ice Cream Social and Open House.

Families stopped in the art room to view the pieces showcased there. The same pieces were recently on display in Maxwell Library.

HEDGE Award winners announced
Congratulations to our HEDGE Award winners for the month of May. During the character education assembly, students were treated to a performance from the fifth grade jump rope club. Members of the club dedicated themselves to practicing jump roping and came early to school many times over several months to hone their skills. Club advisers Mr. Shoults and Mrs. Barbuto discussed perseverance with the audience and how the fifth grade jump rope club members  exemplified determination and perseverance.

First Grade HEDGE Award Winners, Citizenship

Angelina Allen, Justyna Apps, RJ Bartholmew, Lianna Basila, Tucker Bealer, Johanna Betchel, Liam Boyles, Alex Cardone, Kayleigh Cherchio, Maxx Fesinger, Inna Guleva, Emma Holmes, Janie Kang, Lukas Kohut, Brooke Owens, George Ponto, Greta Propper, Jonathan Shoults, Chad Smith, Randal Smith, Ryan Tabaczyk, Chris Watkins

Second Grade HEDGE Award Winners, Citizenship

Bella Abear, Autumn Ambrusko, Samantha Bowles, Dillon Collier, Conor Driscoll, Emmett Jacuk, Maura Hennessy, Mia Kehoskie, Karolina Lata, Ella McIntyre, Zaynah Mere, Dylan Radcliffe, Jameson Seeber, Allison Shortslef, Luke Skardinski, Henry Steitz, Leah Todeschini, Robert Tucciarone, Nicole Vasilev, Quentin Wallis, Erin Wheeler, Madison Wolfe

Thinking Ahead to Student Placement for 2014-2015

It’s hard to believe that we have already begun to think about student placement for next year. Teachers work diligently throughout this process to create well-balanced classrooms by considering many factors.  Requests for a specific teacher are not accepted.  However, if you have additional information about your child’s personality or learning style that you would like taken into consideration during this process, please send a letter directly to me no later than Friday, May 23. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact me directly.

Please remember that Friday, May 16 is a half-day. Dismissal is at 11:30 a.m. We encourage students to ride the bus!

Please remember that the West Genesee School District budget vote will be this Tuesday, May 20 at the high school. Click here to learn more. 

Cockroaches, pill bugs, and guppies oh, my!

First grade students have been studying living versus non-living things in classes. They have been able to get up close with living things like cockroaches, pill bugs, guppies, and more.

Thank you and enjoy your weekend,

Lori

On Thursday, our generous PTA sponsored a field trip for our first grade students to see the new Disneynature documentary, Bears. The Bears movie perfectly complemented the first grade curriculum studying large mammals and living versus non-living things. The children loved the movie. They were fabulously behaved and received many compliments from the theater personnel. Click here to learn more about this documentary.

Students got comfortable in the theater seats prior to the start of the movie.

Miss Munley's class drew a card to thank the PTA for sponsoring the field trip.

The PTA is also sponsoring field trips for all grades in Stonehedge. In May, second and third grade classes will go to LeMoyne College and see a production of the Cat in the Hat.

Incoming Kindergarten Reminders

If you have an incoming kindergarten student and still need to submit some of your documentation, please do so as soon as possible. Please keep in mind that kindergarten screening will take place on June 27, June 30, and July 1. If you need to schedule an appointment or have questions regarding registration, please call the Blue Office at 487-4633

Save the Date

Please keep in mind these upcoming events:

Tuesday, May 20, School District Vote at the high school. Learn more by clicking here.

Wednesday, May 14, Open House/Ice Cream Social, 6:15-7:45 p.m.

Thursday, May 15, 4th/5th grade Band/Chorus/Orchestra Spring Concert, 7 p.m. High School Auditorium

Friday, May 16, Half-Day for students. Staff Development. Dismissal 11:30 a.m.
Wednesday, May 28, General PTA meeting, installations for next year's officers and volunteer recognition, 6:30 p.m. 

Have a great weekend,
Lori

Students Recognized with HEDGE Awards 

During our character education assembly today, where we learned about citizenship, Nancy Graham from the SPCA spoke to students with a special friend-- Grizzly the dog. Grizzly was all too happy to accompany her human to speak to students about the responsibility, caring, and compassion needed for pet ownership.

Students asked questions about Grizzly and how the SPCA operates. Ask your child if they remember what SPCA stands for, hopefully they can tell you!

Below are our HEDGE Award winners for the month of April. Congratulations to all these students who demonstrated patience and acceptance!

First Grade HEDGE Award Winners

Sofia Barba, Luke Beck, Noah Bell, Kiera Braun, Gracie Burns, Gianna Caraccio, Riley Cook, Iliana Dafoe, Audrey Diddle, Erik Dombroske, Makayla Dunham, Tommy Gozzi, Sidney Hamilton, Gabriella Hinman, Thomas Levison, Carly Mathewson, Madison Mayer, Joey Mazzoni, Cathleen O'Keefe, Jacob Orozco, Rowan Prior,  Jacob Service, Michael Vetter, Angelo Vrabel

Second Grade HEDGE Award Winners

Camille Bohli, Aiden Bovenzi, Maria Brandt, Owen Coleman, Peyton Cooper, Wyatt Corbin, Noah Cosamano, Jesse DeSena, Chanllin Ginty, Jamison Gorzka, Hannah Kenna, Andrew Landon, Joliana Paratore, David Petercsak, Dylan Radcliffe, Yazen Salman, Emily Schiffer, Charlie Searle, Landyn Shaw, Robert Tucciarone, Madison Wolfe

Tapping the Sap Right on School Grounds

Recently, our first grade students were treated to a morning spent with local maple syrup expert "Mr. G". He walked the classes outside and showed them how to tap a tree to get sap out. Upon returning to the classrooms, the students were shown how to boil down the sap and turn it into syrup. Everyone got to sample the sweet treat. Don't let the snow on the ground fool you, these pictures were only two weeks ago! 

Budget Presentations are Scheduled

Superintendent Dr. Christopher Brown will be giving a visual presentation to explain the proposed 2014-2015 school budget at the Stonehedge PTA and public meeting on April 28 - 7:00 p.m. at the High School Large Group Instruction (LGI) Room. To access the budget presentation and supporting documents please click here.   

Don't Forget to Register Your Child for Kindergarten

Parents of children entering kindergarten in the Fall are encouraged to register their child(ren) now. We look forward to welcoming our newest additions to the Class of 2027 in September. If you missed registration call the Blue Office at 487-4633 as soon as possible to arrange for an appointment. Learn more by clicking here. 

Spring Weather Reminder
Now that the snow has finally melted and the weather is warming, please remember that students will go outside for physical education classes and play time as much as possible. With the ground as wet as it has been, it's easy to get muddy while playing outside. Sending in a change of clothes is a great idea in case your child gets muddy! 

Have a great weekend,
Lori

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Stonehedge was fortunate enough this St. Patrick's Day morning to have several students from the Harrington School of Irish Dance perform for our students.

The dancers performed traditional jigs and other dances. We were also treated to a bagpipe performance by Mr. Cunningham.

Thanks to dancers Sophia Barba, Katelyn Channels, Molly Channels, Meghan Christie, Meghan Cook, Nora Emery, Erin Fortune, Sarah Hardin, Abbie Korzeniewski,  and Maria Toumbacaris. 

~Lori