Spring Happenings at Stonehedge

Sunshine and Syrup
Recently, on a beautiful sunny day, our first grade students were treated to a morning spent with local maple syrup expert "Mr. G". Groups headed outside to the beautiful row of maple trees behind the second grade wing to watch Mr. G demonstrate tapping 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. 

Congratulations to Our HEDGE Award Winners

During this month's Character Education assembly, Mrs. Cunningham and Mrs. Colburn's first grade class discussed how a person feels when he or she is accepted. HEDGE awards were presented to students who demonstrated honesty and trust throughout the month prior. 

First Grade Award Winners: Landon Albino, Delaney Burns, Ethan Casavant, Maggie Cohen, Addison Czarny, Lilyana Dantuono, Kodin Davis, Maeve Derbyshire, Amelia DiMeis, Joshua Dinis, Caleb Dominick, Andrew Dotzler, Makenna Dunham, Everleigh Falchi, Maria Froio, Jackson Gasparini, Carmela Giarrusso, Ella Greene, Rose Hennigan, Christian Hyde, Stone Kenna, Julie Martini, Damien McIntyre, Will Prior, Jada Seabrook, Matthew Tsvor

Second Grade Award Winners: Alex Bojarski, Nate Cammarata, Kyla Civello, Thomas Deemer, Adam Edler, Kasson Emery, Nadia Farino, Anya Kohut, Landon Germinio, James Glassford, Liam Hayes, Eva Lukacs, Marie Marono, Thomas McCarty, Madelyn Mignone, Evan Moscibrodzki, Amelia Mossotti, Olivia O'Connor, Nicholas Meluni, Charlotte Ponto, Isabella Serrant, Elizabeth Sherman, Christopher Shoults, Megan Steitz, Samantha Winton,Bryant Yackel, Timmy Zeleznock

CODE Program Concludes for the Year
The fourth and final CODE (Community Oriented Drug Education) presentation of the year was held last week. The age appropriate topics included: Kindergarten--What Police Officers Do, Physical and Emotional Safety, Self Esteem; Grade 1--Growing Healthy, Esteem Building, Celebrating Differences, "It's Okay to be Me"; Grade--2 Bullying, Not Being a Bystander, Problem Solving Skills, How to be a Good Friend. We thank Officer Brand and the Camillus Police Department and look forward to collaborating again in the Fall.

Second Grade Gets in the Spirit 
Thanks to the Stonehedge PTA, second grade students enjoyed a little popcorn and a lot of school spirit during the second grade spirit day.

Budget Time Already: The District has completed and presented the 2017-2018 budget to the Board of Education. The package falls within the tax cap, preserves any incentives that might be available to homeowners, preserves programs, and adds mental health support for our middle school students and families. You can access the presentation and other budget information from our website by clicking here, Dr. Brown will be giving the presentation again on the following dates:

April 25 - 7:00 p.m. at the High School Large Group Instruction (LGI) Room

May 3 - Budget Public Hearing - 7:00 p.m. at the High School Library

Thank you for your continued support.

Save the Date! The Second Annual Hoops for 'Hedge event will be held on Thursday, April 6 at 6 p.m. at the high school lower gym. 

• Watch coaches Dr. Brown and Mrs. Conboy lead two teams of teachers and staff from Stonehedge as they play a little basketball and have a lot of fun! 
• Don't miss the 5th Grade Jump Rope club performance at half-time 
• Fourth grade chorus will sing the National Anthem to kick-off the event. 
• The best part? All proceeds benefit the Stonehedge PTA. Hope to see you there. 

Important Dates to Remember:

April 6- Hoops for Hedge, 6 p.m., High School Lower Gym

April 14-21,  No School, Spring Recess
April 25, PTA meeting, 6 p.m. High School Library Classroom
April 25 - Budget Presentation, 7:00 p.m. at the High School Large Group Instruction (LGI) Room

~ Lori

Oh The Places You'll Go!

A Wonderful Wonderland

The fourth annual Winter "Wonder"land was every bit as exciting as in years past. Celebrating the conclusion of weeks worth of project work and research, the event highlighted everyone's hard work.

Guests began the night waddling through the blue cafeteria and exploring the kindergarten's world of penguins. 

From there, families headed into outer space and explored the planets in the first grade. 

Explorers wound their way through the planets and onto Symbols of America in the second grade hallway. 

Along the way, visitors were treated to fabulous works of art that the students created. 

Thanks to all who came out for the event and for everyone who helped make it such a success!

To view a great video about the entire project, please click here!

Click image above to view video.

"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go." ~Dr. Seuss

March 2 marks the birthday of one of children's literature's greatest authors, Theodore Geisel--otherwise known as Dr. Seuss. In his honor, students made Cat in the Hat hats and some were even lucky enough to have been visited by the top cat himself!

Please note that there is NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS on Friday, March 17. 

It is a professional development day for staff. 

Important Reminders:

March 4 - PTA Enrichment Day

March 10 - 2nd Grade Spirit Day

March 17 - No School For Students, Professional Development Day

March 21 - Third Grade Choral Concert, 7 p.m. WGMS

April 6 - Second Annual Hoops for Hedge event, 6 p.m. WGHS Lower Gym

Wondering About So Much!

Once again, Stonehedge Blue has been transformed into a winter "wonder"land of curiosity, research, and exploring. Our annual journey into project-based learning began this month with kindergarten friends waddling their way through some important facts about penguins. First grade students explored planets and space while second graders studied symbols of America in books and online research.

Teachers, staff, volunteers, and students rallied around ways to delve deep into their chosen subject matter. They searched for answers to what they were wondering.

"Does a penguin have legs?"

"What are stars made out of?"

"How many pets live at the White House?"

This week students began transforming all that research into some terrific projects that families are invited to view at the Winter "Wonder"land event on Thursday, February 16 from 6:30 - 7:30.

This first grader is reading a packet of information on planets.

In their happy spots, these first graders are diving into the world of Neptune facts.

Students are learning about researching with the help of educational websites like Pebble Go.

Second graders pour over written materials in their quest to answer their "wonder" questions.

Learning about America's most famous lady...these second graders discovered that when the Statue of Liberty was gifted to America, she was the color of a penny--made from copper.

The Liberty Bell has captured the attention of these second graders.

Mrs. Malbone reads a story about penguins to her kindergarten class.

This kindergartner figured out the secret to how penguins have to hold their eggs to keep them safe and warm!

These two budding kindergarten artists are drawing penguins.

You won't want to miss tonight's PTA meeting! Please join us at 6:30 in the Stonehedge library. It is the PTA's annual Founder's Day meeting where dedicated, amazing volunteers are recognized. This year,  Meera Corbin, Linda McManus, Leslie Petty and Paul Burtch, George Stoyan, Andrew Daeffler and the entire custodial staff will be honored for their tireless efforts for the benefit of PTA.

In addition to recognizing volunteers, speech pathologist and administrative intern Kara Lux, with teachers Stephanie Mathewson and Lynette Cunningham, will be presenting information about the "Growth Mindset". 

At the end of the last school year, the K-2 staff voted to explore the book Mindset by Carol Dweck, Ph.D for some of their professional development. Studying the book during faculty meetings, staff dove into the book and learned a great deal about the science of motivation, the value of meaningful feedback and the power of our words when we speak to our children in a school setting, at home and on the athletic fields. With effort, motivation, perseverance, and a variety of strategies and approaches, all of our students can achieve great things in school and in their other pursuits.

Please join us tonight for a brief overview about the incredible book that has captured our attention! 

The Class of 2030 is Welcoming Members!

Kindergarten Registration for the 2017-2018 school year will be held this year from January 3 to March 3 at the Central Registrar Office located at 300 Sanderson Drive, Camillus, NY 13031.

Prior to coming in to register, you will need to make an appointment by calling the Central Registrar at 315-487-4683. For more information, see the Central Registration webpage.

Cultivating Kindness in the New Year!

When the calendar flips to January, it seems everyone makes resolutions. Even in our Stonehedge building, we are making a big resolution. We are resolving to increase KINDNESS. Throughout our entire building, classrooms grades K-5, special area classrooms, in the cafeteria, on the bus, and on the playground, we are increasing our kindness!

What kindness looks like in each classroom is a little different and teachers are working with students to define what it is.

Our kindness campaign kicked off yesterday with performances from the group Vitamin L. According to Vitamin L’s website, “The purpose of the Vitamin L project is to spread love and goodwill through music... Our mission is to reach and positively influence as many children as possible.”

Our building-wide kindness campaign comes with a newly-revised Stonehedge Pledge. The new pledge has students actively promising to increase their kindness.

Kindness is what you feel in your heart,

Think in your head,

Show in your actions,

And

Say with your words. 

I pledge to be kind today and every day!

The new poster design was voted on by all students and will decorate hallways and classrooms.

As students demonstrate acts of kindness, they will be recognized by earning a small pom-pom for their classroom’s collection. Each week, the class will add their bag of pom poms to the school’s large “kindness container” housed in the library. The visual representation of kindness increasing throughout the building is a great motivator for the students.We look forward to watching our container overflow with kindness!

Please note the following important dates:
Wednesday, January 11- PTA Meeting, 6 PM High School Library Classroom

Monday, January 16-No School, Martin Luther King, Jr.

Monday, January 30-No School for Students, Staff Development

Thursday, February 16-Winter Wonderland Event

~Lori

Holiday Happenings Around Stonehedge

December has flown by and with the upcoming holidays, it is an exciting time to broaden the typical elementary day.

Second Grade Brings Greek Gods to Life

Second grade students have been diving into the world of Greek Mythology. The gods and goddesses that ruled the day are making appearances throughout second grade classrooms in the form of voluntary projects that the students are making.

Hunter shares his project about Hephaestus which included a 3D volcano, a shield, facts, and pictures.

One student in Mrs. Mathewson's class made a Zeus figure entirely out of fondant. Others made posters, dioramas, and even wrote a book! Each child is given an opportunity to share their projects and knowledge with the class.

In Mrs. Prosser's room, the Gallery of Greek Gods and Goddesses is showcasing projects by Tyler, Frank, Avery, Archer, and Audrina. 

Teaching Kindness and Compassion to our Youngest Learners
Earlier this week, Mrs. Donahue and Mrs. Malbone's kindergarten students were treated to a visit from high school teacher Mrs. Deemer's Teaching Tolerance class. Mrs. Deemer, whose son Benjamin is in Mrs. Donahue's class, brought her high school students in and spent time in both classes reading to the kindergarten children about kindness. Prior to their visit, the older students fundraised so they would be able to purchase books to give each of the younger students in Mrs. Malbone and Mrs. Donahue's classes. The older kids gave every student a book as a gift and encouraged them to be kind. 

Celebrating Holidays Around the World
Our first grade students learned a sleigh full of information about holiday traditions as part of a unit that studied Holidays Around the World. As each group visited different classrooms, they were told about a different country's traditions. They even created passports to document their journey.

When students visited Mrs. Ross' room, they learned about the German tradition of the Christmas Tree, or Tannenbaum, and sang the famous carol "O Tannenbaum".

Students visiting Miss Munley's room left a shoe in the hallway during their presentation about Dutch traditions. When they were done, their shoes had been magically filled with goodies. 

Mrs. Cunningham, dressed as Sweden's Saint Lucia, taught the children about Swedish traditions.

 

Liam shows off his passport. Every child received a stamp after visiting each classroom, filling up their holiday passports. 

Kindergarten Plays Their Reindeer Games
This morning was set aside for kindergarten reindeer games. Students rotated through classrooms and crafted paper hats, made reindeer food, and listened to a reindeer story.

These giggling reindeer just completed their paper hats.

Devin and his class played reindeer games like this one.

Dylan worked hard on his magic reindeer food.

Callie was more than prepared for today's festivities.

Spreading Holiday Cheer

District courier Larry Bednarczyk (center with hat) and Stonehedge Head Custodian Paul Burtch (to the left of Mr. Bednarczyk) take a quick break from their very busy days to grab a holiday treat with students before school. 

Important Dates to Remember

Monday, December 26-Monday, January 2 No School, Winter Recess

Monday, January 16-No School, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Monday, January 30-No School for Students, Professional Development Day

Thursday, February 16- Winter Wonderland Event, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Please have a safe and happy holiday recess. We look forward to an exciting 2017!

~ Lori

Caring, Compassion, and Communication

As December gets underway, we begin to have many conversations with students about compassion and caring. The season brings out the best in many, but we recognize the struggle many children (as well as adults) feel at this time of year. During this stressful and busy month, let's all make the time to have conversations with our children about what's really important.

Constant communication with students is one way our teachers, staff, counselors, and I keep in touch with our young ones. Conversations about everything from the new Trolls movie to what's for lunch to appropriate behavior on the playground, in the classroom, and on the bus happen every day.  When students find adults whom they trust, they are better able to ask for help and have their needs addressed.

If I speak to a child about an incident, I typically call parents to make them aware and to set the stage for a follow-up conversation at home. Please remember that children are learning how to conduct themselves within a school setting. When they make mistakes, we bring it to their attention as a teachable moment. We then move on with the hopes that the mistake will be corrected.

I always tell students that tomorrow is a new day, full of new opportunities to make good choices. Conversations with children, as you can imagine, are an important part of a principal's job and in many cases, it's the best part of my day!

Lunchtime cafeteria visits are a quick and easy way to check in with the kids as they munch along, chatting with their friends. 

Growing Our "Grinch" Hearts

At today's Character Education assembly, first and second grade students were recognized for their thankfulness. They were also challenged to work during the month of December to show their caring and compassion. Mrs. Keevil reminded students that being caring and compassionate doesn't have to cost anything. It is more about how to act towards each other. 

Miss Elmer's and Miss Kolis's classes helped with the short presentation built around the famous Dr. Seuss story, "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas".  Several students held up red paper hearts and read descriptions of how they could show caring and compassion. They took their hearts and pinned them to a big cut-out picture of the Grinch. 

Each teacher was given a picture of the Grinch to place on their classroom door. As students earn hearts, the hearts will be placed on the door to help the Grinch's own heart grow. 

Congratulations to our first grade HEDGE award winners (given for thankfulness):

Ethan Best, Lilly Bullock, Lennon Breen, Dakota Brown, Joshua Cohon, Isaac Corbacio, Liam Daley, Thomas Duncan, Ireland John, Hannah Licameli, Damien MacIntyre, Ethan Makarchuk, Audriana Moscibrodzki, Layla Nuzzo, Noah Offutt, Jimmy Patch, Caleb Pierce, Ben Petrik, Kiley Rivers, Jack Terry, Cameron Testa, Brady Vanderpool, Parker Vienne, Rick Vogt, Leah Voutsinas, Jayden Watson

Congratulations to our second grade HEDGE award winners (given for thankfulness):

Sarah Abumustafa, Jad Abdelqader, Olivia Astafan, Nikki Betts, Aidan Bosak, Liam Breen, Dominic Cieri, Sophie Castello, Lincoln Christopher, Chase Denman, Kendra Dudman, Gabriella Graham, Veronica Grobsmith, Frank Groth, Abbey Jacuk, Brody Knox, Avery Mathewson, Julia Nicolucci, Finley Prior, Ellison Schad, Abbey Smith, Lucas Strain, Madison Szabo, Rosemary Vrabel, Payton Wagner, Jack Werbeck

Please Support Our PTA's Giving Tree

You may have noticed the festive tree in our lobby. It is part of our PTA's annual Giving Tree program. Each year as the holidays get underway, the Stonehedge community turns its heart and thoughts toward others. The PTA's Annual Giving Tree drive is underway and collecting holiday gifts for families in need at Stonehedge. In an effort to meet the specific needs of these children, we are asking families of students in kindergarten, first, and second grade to please consider donating cash or Target gift cards. Please use the special collection envelope that came home with your child to return your donation to your child's teacher. Even a small donation can make a big difference to a child.The Giving Tree runs now through December 9. 

  

Important Upcoming Dates:

December 9: Giving Tree Drive ends

December 12: Holiday Concert (Grades 4 and 5), WGHS at 7 p.m. 

Monday, December 26-Monday, January 2: No School, Holiday Recess

~Yours,

Lori

CODE Assemblies Promote Healthy and Safe Behaviors

CODE Presentations Engage Students

Jami Ryan, community outreach and education specialist with the McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Center speaks with kindergarten students about their bodies. With Ms. Ryan are Officer Brand, and Lauren Penizotto and Derek Tefft (seated), also community outreach and education specialists. 

Officer Brand visited our school today with representatives from the McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Center to discuss a variety of topics with our students. The short, age-appropriate presentations were part of the district's Community Oriented Drug Education (C.O.D.E.) program. The serious nature of the topics will hopefully result in some important conversations at home. 

Topics included:

Kindergarten: Keeping My Body Safe and Healthy. The children were read the book, "Your Body Belongs to You."

Grade 1: Keeping My Body Safe and Healthy. The children were read the book, "Your Body Belongs to You." They also learned the difference between "secrets" and "surprises".

Grade 2: Bullying, Not Being a Bystander, Problem Solving Skills, How to be a Good Friend

The McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Center is non-profit organization dedicated to ending child abuse through intervention and education. Learn more on their website: www.mcmahonryan.org

Snow Days May Be Coming Soon

Though we were fortunate to have had a mild November so far, snow is just around the corner. When winter weather is predicted, stay tuned to Dr. Brown's twitter feed, the website, district Facebook page, the West Genesee app, and the local radio and television stations for information on delays and cancellations. In addition, please make sure that your child has appropriate clothing. Students not only walk to and from the bus, but also play outside for recess. We want to make sure they stay warm!

Blackboard communications software allows us to send emails, texts, phone app notifications, and make phone calls. (Phone calls will be used for emergency situations only) Parent/Guardians and Staff will NOT need to sign-up to receive information from schools that you are registered for in Schooltool. (You will have the option to opt-out if you choose not to receive emails, texts, and/or phone calls.)

For more information and/or to sign-up (if you are not a parent/guardian or staff in the schooltool system) go to the website and click on the WG Communications logo from the home page, or logo above. For more information about the new system click here. 

We look forward to seeing parents for their conferences on Monday and Tuesday. Please remember dismissal is at 11:30 a.m. on both Monday, November 21 and Tuesday, November 22. There is no school on November 23-25 for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Please enjoy time with family and friends over the holidays!

~Lori