Happy Birthday Johnny Appleseed!

September 26 marked the anniversary of Johnny Appleseed's birthday. John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed, was an American pioneer who introduced apple trees to different locations throughout the United States and Canada. Kindergarten students learned about the legendary Johnny Appleseed, made applesauce from scratch, tasted a variety of local apples, and described the taste by using adjectives such as sweet, sour and tart. Each student voted on their favorite kind and shared their opinions with each other. There was a lot of apple talk going on around here. 

Students take turns peeling apples

Mrs. Stalter's class celebrating Johnny Appleseed's birthday

P2 Kick-off
"#Other" "People" "Matter" was the chant that could be heard throughout the building at our Positivity Project kick-off assembly. Children were given a scenario and were asked if the students involved were kind and respectful in their actions. If not, students offered suggestions for fixing the problem to demonstrate that how we act and what we says affects others.

Keeping an Open Mind Wherever You Go
This week's character strength is open-mindedness. According to the project's website posproject.org, open-mindedness means that you like to consider new ideas and try new things. You examine things from all sides and don’t jump to conclusions. Students have been learning the importance of open-mindedness and what it means to have an open mind. 

Stay open-minded. Things aren’t always what they seem to be. -Scottie Waves (author and poet)

Fall Scholastic Book Fair
Please plan to join us at our first Scholastic Book Fair of the school year October 2-4, 3:45 p.m - 7:00 p.m. in the Gold Lobby. It’s a great way to kick off our PARP season.

New October PTA Sponsored Event, “Pumpkin”hedge
You should have received a flyer/sign-up sheet yesterday from PTA advertising the 1st Annual “Pumpkin”hedge to be held Friday, October 12. Join us as we light up Stonehedge with Jack-o-Lanterns and luminaries.Your family will have the opportunity to enjoy an atmosphere of magic and enchantment, but nothing scary, as you explore a short trail of Jack-o-Lanterns.We are asking each family to carve a pumpkin, bring it to Stonehedge as outlined on the flyer, and come visit our collective carving abilities that evening. Cider and donuts will be served. Each classroom will also have a pumpkin along the trail. We have staggered times to encourage children to experience the fun with their grade level friends. Times for attendance will be as follows: 
        6:30-7:00 Kindergarten and Grade 1
        7:00-7:30 Grade 2 and Grade 3
        7:30-8:00 Grade 4 and Grade 5
If you have more than one child, pick a time that works for everyone. The cost is $1.00 per person/$5.00 max per family.

Dates to Remember:
Book Fair - October 2 - 4 from 3:45 p.m. - 7 p.m. in the Gold Lobby
"Pumpkin"hedge - October 12, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. 
PTA Meeting - October 15, 6:30 p.m. Stonehedge Library 

Have a great week.
Lori

Sharing Curriculum Information

Fall Open House a Huge Success
It was wonderful to see so many parents at Open House last week. The evening is always a well received opportunity for parents and teachers to get to know each other and for parents to gain additional insight into what their child will be learning for the year. 

Last week at Open House, parents were introduced to Mrs. Colburn as a new classroom teacher.

Mrs. McCarthy gives parents a mini-lesson on the important components of our reading instruction: Systematic Phonics, Tricky Words and the end result of Fluency.

During Open House, kindergarten parents, like these in Mrs. Fisselbrand’s classroom learned more about their child's day and how the adjustment to kindergarten is going.

It’s Picture Time
Get those smiles ready for school pictures. 
Students in grades K-2 will have their pictures taken 
throughout the day on Wednesday, September 19.
 

Important Dates
Tuesday, September 18 -  Picture Day Stonehedge Gold (3-5) 
Wednesday, September 19 - Picture Day Stonehedge Blue (K-2)
Monday, September 24 -  PTA Welcome Back Meeting, Blue Cafeteria, 6:30 p.m.


Have a wonderful week!
Lori

First Full Week of School

Open House / Curriculum Night
Children are excited about parents visiting the classroom and meeting their teacher at our upcoming Open House/Curriculum Night Thursday evening, September 13, 2018. Again, the schedule for the evening is as follows:

• 6:00 - 6:25 p.m. Kindergarten & First Grade Presentations
• 6:30 - 6:55 p.m. Second & Third Grade Presentations
• 7:00 - 7:25 p.m. Fourth & Fifth Grade Presentations

At this time, you will receive information regarding grade level curriculum and expectations and be asked to reserve a date/time for Parent - Teacher Conferences. Please consider becoming a room parent or party helper. Our teachers look forward to meeting you!

A Warm Stonehedge Welcome to Mrs. Colburn
Stonehedge Blue is happy to welcome Mrs. Colburn into her new position as a first-grade teacher. If her name sounds familiar, it’s because she has been a special education teacher with us for the last 4 years. 

Mrs. Colburn and her new students

Mrs. Sheehan, ADA-PEP Counselor Meets with Kindergarten Children

Mrs. Sheehan visited kindergarten classrooms and described her job to the students by comparing a school counselor to Mrs. Potato Head! Just like Mrs. Potato Head needs ears to listen and a mouth to talk, so does Mrs. Sheehan. 

Mrs. Sheehan speaks with kindergarten students.

Important Dates:

• Open House: Thursday, September 13, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
• Picture Days: 
• Tuesday, September 18, Grades 3-5
• Wednesday, September 19, Grades K-2
• Welcome Back PTA Meeting: Monday, September 24, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Blue Cafeteria

See you all Thursday.

~Lori

And We're Off...

Students arrived off the bus excited to start the school year. Many caring students,( siblings, friends and neighbors) escorted some of our youngest students down the sidewalk and into the building. There was definitely a sense of caring and compassion within our Stonehedge community.

Sights from the First Day

Fall Open House
Our Fall Open House will be held next  Thursday, September 13 from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. This "curriculum night" is a time for you to meet your child’s teacher as well as learn about  grade level curriculum for the school year. Parents will also sign up for Parent Teacher Conferences to be held in November.  We pride ourselves on high attendance at this event and strive for 100%! This event is for parents and guardians only. The schedule for grade level presentations will be as follows:

• Kindergarten and First Grade runs from 6:00-6:25 p.m., 
• Second and Third Grade runs from 6:30-6:55 p.m., and 
• Fourth and Fifth Grade runs from 7:00-7:25 p.m. 

We hope that by staggering our grade level presentations it will allow parents to meet all of their children's teachers.

Welcome Back PTA Meeting
Our PTA will hold their Welcome Back meeting on Monday, September 24 at 6:30 p.m. in the Blue Cafeteria. We have many exciting events in the planning stages. Come and meet new people and connect with friends as we kick off the new school year. More information to follow

Important Dates:
Fall Curriculum Night-Thursday, September 13, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Picture Days-September 18-19
Welcome Back PTA Meeting-Monday, September 24, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Blue Cafeteria

Yours,
~Lori

Welcome Back!

We have been treated to some beautiful yet steamy weather the last few weeks! It looks like the first day of school will be no different. Even if it feels like summer outside, rest assured that inside the walls of Stonehedge teachers and staff are ready for children! 

Our dedicated staff and teachers have been working to prepare the school to greet new students and welcome back returning ones.

As we kick off a new school year, it is a great opportunity to mention a few policies in our building.

Our District's Wellness Policy
The West Genesee Central School District recognizes children need access to nutritional foods and opportunities to be physically active in order to learn, grow, and thrive. Good health fosters school attendance and educational achievement. School district personnel, in partnership with parents, significantly influence the lifelong nutrition and physical activity habits of children. To learn more about the District's policy, please click here.


Making Snack Time Safe and Health For All  

In order to promote healthy eating and taking into consideration students with food allergies, we are asking that you only send in a snack for your child from the list of foods provided by your child's teacher. We have found in the past that this policy has worked well to keep our students healthy and safe. Since our students may rotate classrooms throughout the day for different learning opportunities, it is essential that all rooms remain free of peanuts and nut allergens.

Please follow the snack guidelines provided by your child’s teacher. Guidelines might be slightly different at each grade level to preserve classroom time. You can't go wrong with fruits, vegetables, and cheese!

PLEASE NOTE: These guidelines only refer to foods eaten during snack time in the classroom. Your child may bring whatever foods he or she wishes for lunch that is eaten in the cafeteria. 

Stonehedge learning is the goal. We strive to keep every child happy, healthy, and safe to help achieve that goal.

Welcoming the Class of 2031!
Last week, we welcomed some very special people to Stonehedge! More than 140 members of the class of 2031 and their parents met with teachers and rode a bus at the annual Kindergarten Orientation. We can’t wait to see everyone again for the first day on September 5.

Dates to Remember:
September 5, FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL (Full Day)

September 13, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m., Fall Open House for Parents

September 24, 6:30 p.m., Welcome Back PTA Meeting - Blue Cafeteria

September 18 and 19, Picture Day

Looking forward to seeing you all soon!
~Lori

Have a Great SUMMER!

The end of the year is always bittersweet. As we close one school year, we look forward to another: more opportunities for growth, learning, friendship, and new experiences.

As part of a welcoming tradition, our first grade students visited second grade classrooms to talk about what second grade is really like. Likewise, our youngest students visited first grade classrooms to get the low down on what the "big kids" do every day in first grade.  

A beautiful day calls for some chalk drawings! Second graders decorated the sidewalk leading to the buses with happy messages for the last day. 

Kicking A Reading Goal Out of the Park

As a reward for meeting and BEATING their reading goal in the "Read Like a Rock Star" program with the library, the entire second grade participated in a kickball tournament!

Have a wonderful summer! We can't wait to see you again on September 5, 2018!

~Lori