CLINTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DECEMBER 2014 NEWSLETTER STEVEN MARCUS, PRINCIPAL. Important Dates: Dear Family,

CLINTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DECEMBER 2014 NEWSLETTER STEVEN MARCUS, PRINCIPAL Important Dates: Dec. 5 K-5 Report Cards go home Dec. 11 Elementary Holid...
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CLINTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DECEMBER 2014 NEWSLETTER STEVEN MARCUS, PRINCIPAL

Important Dates: Dec. 5 K-5 Report Cards go home Dec. 11 Elementary Holiday Concert 7:00 p.m., Theatre Dec. 16 Board of Education Meeting 7:00 p.m., Board Room Hanukkah Begins at Sunset Dec. 17 CCS Foundation Meeting 7:00 p.m., Board Room Dec. 22-Jan. 2 Holidays Recess NO SCHOOL Dec. 25 Christmas Day Dec. 26 Kwanzaa Begins Jan. 1 Happy New Year Kwanzaa Ends Jan. 14 PTA at 6:45 in h.s. library Jan. 19 Martin Luther King Day NO SCHOOL Jan. 21 CCSD Foundation Meeting 6:30 Board Room Jan. 27 Board of Education Meeting 7:00 p.m., Board Room Feb. 16-20 Mid Wi t R

Dear Family, Happy Holidays! On behalf of the entire school faculty and staff, I wish you and your entire family peace, joy, happiness, and excellent health. We really have so much to be thankful for and you (hopefully) enjoyed an excellent Thanksgiving. During Halloween trick or treating for UNICEF our students collected over $510. This is a very generous donation to help children from around the world. Our community makes a difference. Mrs. Broccoli, Mrs. Russo and third through fifth grade students counted the money. You will also notice the donations of food on our front hallway table. Staff and students are encouraged to make donations to help those who need a little extra assistance, especially during the holiday season. Donating what you can helps your children learn the values of caring and compassion while helping others. Our Character Building theme for this month is Tolerance and Generosity. This follows our other monthly themes of responsibility and determination. Tolerance is when we are patient with others even if they have different beliefs from our own. We want our students to show respect for the practices and traditions of others, whether they are the same or different from our own. We are also focusing on all students learning to make positive choices. While serious bullying is at a minimum in our school, including on the bus, we strive for it to be non-existent. Our focus is on training students to not allow themselves to be bullied as well as students being “Active Bystanders.” One of many websites that will help you define this term while offering strategies is http://web.mit.edu/bystanders/strategies/index.html. Our Emergency Go Home Drill was implemented on Tuesday, November 25. The school staff will follow our procedures to promote the greatest amount of safety in the event of a real emergency. Please review your procedures on a regular basis throughout the year. If your address, phone number or emergency information changes please notify the school office immediately. Please make sure we know what to do with your child in the event of an unplanned emergency early dismissal. All students should have returned the Emergency Go Home form. You cannot depend on telephone communication during an emergency closing. Most elementary school students should not be left at home without supervision. Planning and preparation are essential. Let’s always hope that we will never have a crisis due to insufficient emergency procedures. We strive to have a safe and happy environment. We will continue the use of Global Connect software to electronically call parents and guardians. This system will be used to notify parents of special events, notices and emergencies.

The system will call multiple numbers that you submitted to our school. If your phone has a delay with music on your phone after it connects, the message will be incomplete since it starts as soon as the connection is made. Formal and mostly informal (formative) tests are going well. I appreciate the cooperation of all families in supporting the overall school program. The most accurate assessment of your child’s growth will come from you and our teachers. We are working diligently to determine if our students’ daily work corresponds with formal assessments. Our focus is always on the skills and content learned, as well as social skills, work ethic, discipline, grit, and responsibility. This year, our N.Y.S. English language arts and math tests will be administered during the weeks of April 13 and April 20, 2014 to all students in grades 3-8. Please plan for your child in grades 3-8 to take the exams during this period. We greatly appreciate the learning and support parents are investing in the education of our students. Parent math nights are currently being planned. We are looking at a new design for parents by presenting individual grade level parent workshops vs. an aligned k-5 workshop. Each program will be by grade level to give parents a more in-depth look at what your child is doing. The PTA will sponsor childcare making it easier for parents to attend up to two grade levels at the same time. Your trust and investment will greatly benefit your child. Change is often uncomfortable, exciting and an opportunity. The benefit will be our children being prepared for their future. If you wonder about predicting the future and how to be best prepared, simply think about the changes that occurred during the past 20 years. I know the next 20 years are hard to predict and preparing learners to learn with deep understanding will prove to be of great benefit in all circumstances. If you are interested in knowing more about state guidelines and assessments log onto www.NYSED.Gov for information about state assessments and engageny.org. Parent Teacher Communication Parent teacher conferences went very well. Developing a strong team effort between your child, you, and our school will enhance the academic and social growth of your children. Thank you for being an excellent team member. Out of respect for our teachers, please attend all scheduled meetings. This year we have a report card that is similar to last year. Focus on growth from one period to the next. The higher standards have had a different impact on our older students compared to the younger children. Within a few years everyone will see that together, we can and will make excellent progress! Lost and Found Lost items continue to increase, although it has gotten a little better. We still have unclaimed items and would love to see lost items reunited with the owners. Please check the Lost and Found as needed. It is highly suggested that you write your child’s full name on the inside of outerwear, lunch boxes, etc. Character Building We are very proud of the character lessons that are taught throughout the year and especially during the holiday season. The entire school works on food donations and gifts for families in need. One of the most heartwarming projects is the kindergarteners’ Coins for Caring. Students in kindergarten donate money that they earn at home through chores and savings. The money is used to purchase meal boxes from our Hannaford with all food donations going to our local Food Bank, to serve people in need within our school district communities. All of our kindergarten students will take a trip to Hannaford to see the depth of their donation and get to scan the boxes that are purchased. We are so proud of the students, families and teachers. The donations are truly needed and appreciated. Trout in the Classroom For the fourth year, Mrs. Moshier (school social worker) and Mr. Trevisani (physical education teacher) have teamed-up to continue an exciting enrichment opportunity in our school. With the financial support from the

Clinton Teachers’ Association and the Mohawk Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited, we have a variety of fourth and fifth graders raising trout, which will be released “when the time is right.” Fertilized eggs were donated in November and are now being cared for as they grow in their new home (tank). Most are doing very well and seem quite happy and healthy. In addition to conducting this project for environmental reasons, we are also teaching students about responsibility, the environment, discipline, caring, and teamwork. Bravo and good luck to our fish raisers. Outside Recess Winter weather has arrived. Here are a few reminders regarding recess: • Please make sure your child is prepared for outside play during recess. We will continue to go outside unless it is extremely wet or it is below 20°. Wind chill is taken into consideration. • There is to be no throwing of rocks, snowballs and ice on school property due to the potential harm to students and property. Students caught throwing snowballs will most likely face 3 days of lunch and recess detention. • Students may not destroy anything built from snow unless the student(s) who built it want(s) it destroyed. • Aggressive behavior is dangerous and is not tolerated. Tackling is not permitted. • We love to have students having fun and enjoying their school friends. By all students following these simple rules for safe play all students will enjoy their recess period throughout the school year. Also note that in some cases teachers assist students with their work during recess, especially if there is an absence. Please note that the teachers have been told that the academic work of students is a priority over recess play. I thank the teachers for their diligence and desire for every child to succeed. While we expect children to remain home when ill, vacationing and leaving school early is more detrimental than ever before. Arriving late or leaving school early disrupts learning for the entire class. Enrichment Mrs. Russo is coordinating the Continental Math League and Mathematical Olympiads challenges. A sample of each is found under the Student link on the CCS website. Feel free to enjoy higher level mathematical reasoning. We encourage students to seriously participate. Many students are also enjoying the IXL math challenges available on your home computer and in school. Some classes have already solved thousands of additional math challenges. No matter where students complete IXL challenges the teacher will know the number of problems completed by each child and the class. Curriculum Council Our Elementary School Curriculum Council is lucky to have one parent representative as well as three teachers, one non-instructional representative and one administrator. Feel free to contact any team member c/o the elementary school. The following are team members: Parent member Kristen Matteson, Chairperson Kelly Landry, Teacher Representatives Jody Chandler and Adrian Pollock, Non-Instructional Staff Representative Cheryl Fitzpatrick, and me, Principal Steven Marcus. The shifts in the curriculum have produced a lot of work for this team and all teachers. Our goal is to equip and support our teaching staff in order to guide students to meet or exceed expectations. Hamilton College For the third year Hamilton College and many student volunteers are sponsoring the Sidekicks Program. The purpose of the program is to integrate our students with Hamilton College students. There are some college students who are still looking for a student match. If you are interested in having your child join a college student for some fun college campus activities and outings please contact Monica Moshier or me. We also appreciate the college students who have been offering Spanish enrichment to students in grades k-5 during recess. A fairly high number of our students enrolled in this opportunity during lunch and recess, which is fantastic for everyone.

Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act In accordance with the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Act of 1987 (AHERA), a copy of the Clinton Senior High School, Middle School and Elementary School building inspection report and Management Plan is available for review between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. or by appointment. Please contact George Hula at 557-2390 if you need to set up an appointment or if you have any questions. During the last year, Oneida-HerkimerMadison BOCES has performed the required six-month surveillance.

Pesticides Information Our district uses current Integrated Pest Management practices to reduce the pesticides in our buildings and on our grounds. It may be necessary, however, to use pesticides periodically during the year. New York State law requires that schools maintain a list of staff and parents who wish to receive written notice forty-eight hours prior to a pesticide application at their school facility. If you wish to be included on this notification list, or for further information on the district’s pesticides program, contact George Hula, Building and Grounds Supervisor, at 557-2390. Enjoy your family and the season The faculty, staff and I appreciate the hard work and kindness that we observe on a regular basis. Thank you for your collaboration and team effort. This is truly a very special community to live in and work. Believing in good values and education will always be beneficial to your child, your family and our school communities. On behalf of the entire faculty and staff, we wish you a joyous holiday season. If you celebrate the holidays that fall within this season, Happy New year, Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah and Happy Kwanza. If any holidays were left-out please inform me for the future.

Yours truly, Steven Marcus, Principal

Physical Education News

Dear Parents, In 2008, Michelle Obama launched the Let’s Move campaign to encourage American youth to be physically active (http://www.letsmove.gov). The National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) applauds these efforts, and has launched its own campaign titled Let’s Move in School to focus specifically on getting students active in schools. Students spend a majority of their time in school, and the physical activity habits formed there can have lasting implications. That’s why it’s so important students to engage in physical activity throughout the school day, especially when studies show that physical activity has positive outcomes for academic performance, physical health, emotion well-being and socialization. We encourage you to visit the NASPE Let’s Move in School website at http://www.aahperd.org/naspe/advocacy/letsmoveinschool . It is divided into three parts: 1) Get the Facts explains the difference between physical education (PE) and physical activity, how much PE there is in schools, obesity trends, and physical activity guidelines. The Department of Health and Human Services recommends 60 minutes of physical activity daily. 2) Resources provide information for parents, school administrators and policy makers. I encourage you to download the assessment of your child’s physical education program. 3) Get Involved offers ideas for you to take action locally by joining the school wellness committee, becoming a fund raiser, and encouraging policy makers to require more physical education in school. Of course promoting physical activity starts at home. A few ways you can promote good habits: • organize whole-family activities (biking, hiking, camping) •

encourage children’s physical activity habits (help build skills, provide equipment)



set a good example by being physically active yourself



limit screen time spent with TVs, computers, and phones



advocate for daily/quality physical education in your school



buy movement oriented game systems such as Wii Fitness



provide toys that encourage physical activity (jump ropes, kites, bikes)



go to local parks and playgrounds to not only play but connect with other children



volunteer to help during recess of physical education



Join the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award program.

Also note that we are making excellent use of a local gem that will inspire another lifelong enjoyable activity, ice skating. Through our physical education department students in grades 3-5 will go to the Arena as part of their physical classes from December 12 through 19. Students who have not skated will be given instruction. We strongly encourage you to check out the NASPE Let’s Move in School website and make physical activity a part of your child’s life every day. Start small, have fun, and watch your life change for the better. As always, contact us if you have any questions or comments. Sincerely, Your CCS Health and Physical Education Teachers: Darcey Cross, Doug Scoones, Thad Lawrence, Heather Hillage, Tom Trevisani Mary Beth King, Steve Sanderson, Christina Buschmann

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NO SCHOOL

See you on January 5, 2015!!!!

Kate Dorr, R.D. MBA Asst. School Lunch Director [email protected]

(315) 266-3315

Nutrition Notes: December 2014