Spring Has Finally Sprung

Photo courtesy of cnycentral.com

It's been a wild week since we've returned from Spring Break. Snow on Monday and record highs Wednesday. Staff and students alike were thrilled with the change in the weather and took advantage of sunny skies and warm temperatures. 

Second grade students found themselves outside digging up small grasses and weeds and studying plant roots. Coinciding with their unit of study, the adventure outside allowed book learning to turn into hands-on learning in a way these students won't soon forget!

Other teachers and students took advantage of the beautiful day with a well-deserved extended recess.

Budget Vote Coming Up On May 15
Please be sure to vote on Tuesday, May 15 from 6 a.m. - 9 p.m. in the High School auditorium lobby. For more information about this year's proposed budget, visit the budget webpage.


Don't Miss Our Spring Open House
Be sure to mark Thursday, May 17 on your calendar. Save the date for our annual Spring Open House from 6:15 - 7:15 p.m. The evening is an opportunity to visit the school with your child(ren) and view recent projects and speak with teachers. Don't miss student artwork on display throughout the building. More information will be coming home shortly. 


Important Dates:
Monday, May 14 Stonehedge PTA meeting, officer installation, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, May 15 6 a.m. - 9 p.m., Budget Vote- High School auditorium lobby
Thursday, May 17 Special Olympics
Thursday, May 17 6:15 - 7:15 p.m., Spring Open House

Springing Towards Break

Even this wintery April weather can't dampen our spirits! We're springing into fun this week and getting ready for some rest and relaxation over break!

It's not too late! First graders and their families still have time to RSVP for Thursday night's (4/19) bingo night from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. in the Blue cafeteria. There's still room! Call 315-487-4633 to RSVP today! 

Second Graders Measure Up
Second grade students recently dove...and jumped...and hopped...into their unit of study on measurement. They took to the hallways and jumped like a "frog" "rabbit" and "kid". They then measured with non-standard units. Sounds like a mile of fun! 

Welcome to Kindergarten Class of 2031!

We are trying something new this year, it’s our Get Ready for Kindergarten program and it is intended to make the transition to kindergarten a pleasant experience for both the incoming kindergarten parent and the new student! At each session, students will meet our kindergarten teachers, school principal, and many other staff members who will be working with their child in kindergarten and beyond.  Children will participate in fun activities focusing on kindergarten readiness skills, meet the teachers, and meet their classmates.

The first session was held last week and was very well attended!

Families of incoming kindergarteners are encouraged to attend the additional sessions. The next one will be held Thursday, May 24, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Children will visit a new set of centers with our kindergarten staff.  While they are learning and having fun, parents will join the principal and other school staff for an overview of the following: Understanding your child’s transition to kindergarten, socially and emotionally (school counselor); Kindergarten readiness skills (kindergarten teacher / speech therapist); Beginning literacy and numeracy (instructional specialist); and other important information (principal).

Using Technology in the Classrooms

Mrs. Donahue's kindergarten classroom center time looks a little different on Monday mornings. 

During center time, the students still work with Mrs. Ryan, their Early Literacy teaching assistant, to master letters and sounds. They develop their fine motor skills during an independent work center, and read and write with Mrs. Donahue. However, the students also rotate through a center with Instructional Technology Support Assistant Mrs. Gartner-Baca. 

"Mrs. G", as the kids call her, helps the students as they explore different educational apps on the iPads and Chromebooks and will even introduce basic coding! Working in small groups with the children allows her to guide them through the lessons and activities as well as troubleshoot any issues as they come up. She works in three kindergarten classrooms a day, rotating through all six kindergarten classrooms throughout the week. Routinely visiting classrooms for support in both math and English Language Arts, Mrs. G. guides students as they become familiar with using a touchpad on a Chromebook, develop early typing skills, and basic webpage navigation all while reinforcing math and language skills. 

First Graders Digging Into Data Collection!

"In the game of Rock, Paper, Scissors, would you rather be the rock or the scissors?"

During a recent math unit, students in Miss Elmer's first grade class created questions, polled their classmates, collected data, and then graphed the results! Students polled their friends on the important issues facing six-year-olds like, "Would you rather have pizza or spaghetti for dinner every night?"

Dates to Remember
Tuesday, April 17 - PTA meeting 6 p.m. at High School library classroom
Tuesday, April 17 - District Budget Presentation 7 p.m. High School LGI
Thursday, April 19- First Grade Bingo, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Blue Cafeteria
Friday, April 20- Half day for students, dismissal at 11:30 a.m.
Monday April 23-April 27 - No School, Spring Recess

The Positivity Project

Stonehedge students have learned about humor, integrity and forgiveness as our P2 character strengths this month. Hopefully, you can see the humor in a 2-hour delay in the month of April!  Below you will find an explanation for each of these traits.

Humor is our character strength focus this week. According to Positivity Project co-founder Jeff Bryan, Humor is a sense of playfulness and lightness. It is a way of looking at and describing the world that brings laughter to people. 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. People with this strength don’t specifically need to be joke tellers, although many are.

Integrity is doing the right thing when nobody is watching. People with integrity practice what they preach and maintain a consistent pattern of behavior aligned with their values. They have the courage not to follow the crowd if it means going against their beliefs. Integrity is closely aligned with the terms of honesty and authenticity. People with integrity tell the truth and have alignment in their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, or forgiveness

Forgiveness is the ability to move past being injured, and allow yourself to reconcile with the person who hurt you. Forgiveness can often be seen as a selfless act, but it also carries many benefits for those who practice it. Those who demonstrate forgiveness have the ability to move forward after someone has hurt them. Forgiveness is often rooted in the idea that all people are valuable and worthy of a second chance. Many who forgive have the ability to consider things from another’s perspective.

Kudos to Grade 2!

Our Library staff has something very excited up their sleeves for our second grade students. Teachers on our Grade 2 Team are so proud of how students have worked during their reading block to become proficient and fluent readers. For many students, the process of decoding the author’s words and making meaning out of those words is becoming effortless! Stay tuned to see how our fabulous Library staff plans to capitalize on these skills and help our second graders read like rock stars!

First Graders Build Banjos and Learn about Sound

First grade recently completed a science unit on sound. They learned that sound is caused by vibrations. Students made banjos and then used them to play a game where they had to use the banjos to cross a river without being seen by Brian the Beaver. 

Welcoming the Class of 2031!

We are trying something new this year, it’s our Get Ready for Kindergarten program and it is intended to make the transition to kindergarten a pleasant experience.  Parents and children will meet our kindergarten teachers and many other staff members who will be working with families in kindergarten and beyond.  Children will participate in fun activities focusing on kindergarten readiness skills, meet the teachers, and meet other children who will be entering Kindergarten in the fall. We are asking families to RSVP. The first session is scheduled for Thursday, April 12, 6:00 -7:00 pm. We will meet in the Blue Cafeteria.

Let's Go Blue 4 Kids

Did you know that April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month? Throughout the month of April, the McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Center is joining the National Children’s Alliance and its thousands of members and supporters across the country to bring much needed attention to the issues of child abuse intervention and prevention. As the leading agency in Onondaga County for the prevention of child abuse, McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Center is planning a number of activities and events to recognize the importance of community education on child abuse prevention.

The West Genesee PTA/PTO District Council is asking for your support during the April awareness campaign Go Blue 4 Kids.

By donating $1, you can help the WG community go BLUE and support the McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Center’s important work. For each $1 donated, the school will receive a pinwheel. Please send donations by April 12 in an envelope marked “Pinwheels for Prevention” and have your child put it in the collection box in the Main Office.

On April 19, all pinwheels will be placed outside of each of the schools in the district. The McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Center works to prevent child abuse through intervention and prevention education.

Upcoming Events

Thursday, April 12, Get Ready for Kindergarten, 6:00 -7:00 pm. (Please RSVP)

Tuesday, April 17 ST PTA Meeting, 6:00 pm-7:00 pm High School Library Classroom

Thursday, April 19 Grade 1 BINGO 6:30-7:30 pm

Monday, April 23- Friday, April 27 School Closed, Spring Break

~Lori

Our Busy Week

Though the weather didn't want to cooperate much, we still had a busy week!

Our first graders enjoyed the annual Tap for Sap day. Some years it has been sunny and warm for their journey to the maple trees behind the second grade wing. However, this year was snowy and made for some excellent sap gathering. Students were treated to a morning spent with local maple syrup expert "Mr. G". Groups headed outside 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. 

Many first grade students headed to Hospital Land this week for a field trip. 

P2 Assembly Steps It Up!

At this morning's Positivity Project assembly, students learned about integrity as well as humor and forgiveness. We were then treated to a performance by the Roisin Academy of Irish Dance featuring some of Stonehedge's own students! It was a lively and entertaining performance. 

Special thanks to Mr. Cunningham for serenading us with bagpipes!

"Buddy Day" Pairs Up Students

Today was also "Buddy Day". It's a day when younger students are paired with older students and they work together on projects. Today's theme was Earth day. 

 Have a great weekend! Lori

Marching in like Lions

March may have begun with a snow day and some wild weather, but we continue to enjoy lots of different activities and learning.

Thank you to everyone for your patience and cooperation with our procedures at both arrival and dismissal times. As a reminder, no adults are allowed past the Main Office. At dismissal, all individuals picking up students should report directly to the Blue Cafeteria. Any other time during the day, visitors need to report immediately to the Main Office. Please be prepared to show identification and continue to send in written notes with any transportation changes.

Last week's P2 character strength of Social Intelligence (you are aware of other people's thoughts and feelings. You understand why people do things) was demonstrated as three faculty members raised money for St. Baldrick's Foundation . Students donated money and were entered in a raffle for the opportunity shave a teacher's head! They learned about the organization and the needs of children their age who have cancer. 

Special thanks to fifth grade teacher Mr. Ramsden, teacher assistant Ms. Lopez, and physical education teacher Mr. Mercado who once again raised money for the St. Baldrick's Foundation.

The character trait for March 11-17 is Zest/Enthusiasm. It means you approach life with excitement and energy. You energize the people around you.

The character trait for March 18-24 is Forgiveness. It means you forgive those who have done wrong. You accept that people make mistakes. 

The character trait for March 25-31 is Humor. It means you like to laugh and bring smiles to other people. 

PTA's Enrichment Event was a Success!
March 3 was Stonehedge PTA's annual Enrichment event. The half-day event featured several different sessions that students could take for free. Topics ranged from balloon-animal making to sewing to self defense and soccer. With everything from cupcake decorating to wooden sign making to physics, the day held a ton of fun and learning for the many students who took advantage of the day. Special thanks to event organizers, volunteers, businesses, and organizations who allowed the PTA to provide such a rich day of learning for free.

Merry Go Round Playhouse Entertains Students with The Golden Goose

First grade students were recently treated to in class instruction by actors and a special assembly built around fables. The tale of The Golden Goose captivated the students as they saw their lessons come to life!

Students Earn a Swimmingly Good Reward

 First grade students in Miss Kolis and Mrs. Colburn's class earned a special treat for their good behavior and hard work. They had a sea turtle party! We watched videos and read books about sea turtles. We also did a guided drawing of a sea turtle. Mrs. Colburn visited the Georgia Sea Turtle Museum over winter break and she brought us back sea turtle pencils, a sea turtle stuffed animal reading buddy, and a lucky sea turtle. We had so much fun learning about sea turtles!

Reminder: Kindergarten Registration Closes March 29

Kindergarten registration is going on now through Thursday, March 29, 2018. Please click here for more information about registering your child for the upcoming school year at the Central Registration Office. Thank you!

Dates to Remember:

Wednesday, March 14- Staff Development-- Half- day for students, dismissal 11:30 a.m. 

Thursday, March 15 - Gertrude Hawk Pick-up 4-7:30 p.m. Gold Lobby

Friday, March 23- Report Card Distribution

~ Lori

Welcome Back!

Welcome back!
I hope everyone had a wonderful week off. Whether you traveled to warmer weather or enjoyed the time together here at home, I hope it was an opportunity to spend time with loved ones.

There is a lot of fun to be had in the upcoming weeks as well as some hard work on behalf of our students. Our next report card will go home on March 23. Between now and then students will enjoy field trips, assemblies, and this Saturday, March 3rd is our PTA's Enrichment Day, and the District's Culture Fair.

Safety in Our Building
In light of recent events, I wanted to take a moment to let you know that I understand concerns you may be having and assure you that safety is our top priority. I am sure you have heard this same message from Dr. Brown.

It is hard to predict what our children may have seen or heard. Please assure your children that we are here to keep them safe. If your child seems overly consumed with safety, please let your child's teacher know and we will have our school counselor Mrs. Sheehan or school psychologist Mrs. Messer reach out to offer support. As a staff, we will be keeping a special eye out for any students who may be appearing more anxious or needing more support. 

I thought I would take a minute to review a few of our most important safety procedures and expectations. To start, all doors around the building are locked.  As always, during the school day, each visitor must push the call button at the main entrance. You will be asked to state the nature of your visit to school prior to gaining entry. 

Arrival  
For our arrival procedure, students enter the building when the 9:00 a.m bell rings. At this time, parents say goodbye and children enter the building. Please do not drop children off prior to the 
9:00 a.m. start time as teachers are busy preparing for the day.  

Dismissal
For dismissal, parents may enter the building at 3:10 p.m. and report to the cafeteria to sign the pick-up sheet. At times, this process becomes delayed when a parent does not send in a written note notifying the teacher that they will be picking up their child. When this happens, the classroom teacher must be called and notified of the change in plans. I cannot stress enough the importance of sending a note to the classroom teacher that she receives first thing in the morning.  Teachers have a morning routine that they follow to keep track of transportation changes and to prepare in advance for afternoon dismissal. If a note is not received, and you decide last minute to pick up your child, the teacher must be called. As you can imagine, last minute changes cause a great deal of stress for children and teachers. The teachers and I hope that this reminder will encourage parents to reserve last-minute changes for emergencies that can not be avoided. 

As you may have heard, Dr. Brown has been communicating about school security and safety. You can feel free to call him with questions at 1-315-487-4562, email cbrown@westgenesee.org or ask him in person at a special board meeting scheduled for this Wednesday, February 28, in the High School Library at 7 p.m.

It is of the utmost importance for all parents and staff to adhere to our arrival and dismissal procedures in an effort to keep our school community safe. It takes a village to ensure the safety and happiness of our students. Please feel free to reach out to me directly should you have questions or concerns (315-487-4633).

~Lori