Feelin' Lucky

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

The dancers performed traditional jigs and other dances. They even invited students up to teach them a few quick moves in front of everyone! We were also treated to a bagpipe performance by Mr. Cunningham.

 Second graders Enya (left) and Kylie showed their St. Patrick's Day spirit.

Each year, Mrs. Schweitzer's second grade students send Lucky Grams to prior teachers. The Lucky Grams are a letter letting their former teachers know how lucky they feel to have know them! In the photo above, Mrs. Vislosky stands with former students (from left) Angie, Julianna, and Kaelyn who wrote her a Lucky Gram.

Several little leprechauns made their way into school recently. Luckily, we didn't notice any mischief though!

Last week, our first grade students were treated to a morning spent with local maple syrup expert "Mr. G". Groups trekked through the deep snow 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. 

Focusing on Patience and Acceptance

This month we highlight patience and acceptance as our Character Education traits. Students in Mrs. Cunningham and Mrs. Mathewson's classes gave a clever demonstration on being patient with each other and accepting of each other's ability to make a basket while playing a game.

Students show patience by being flexible and tolerating a shift in plans without whining or complaining. Taking turns and sharing attention are also signs of a child who is developing patience. In this fast-paced world of ours, it is sometimes difficult to be patient, but remember, our children are always watching how we ourselves show patience.

Students in first grade on the left demonstrate how to be patient and supportive as their friends play basketball. Students on the left showed how NOT to be supportive and patient during the assembly.

Congratulations to our HEDGE award winners

         

Grade 1 HEDGE Award Winners

Lawrence Baiz, Michael Burdett, David Byrne, Harrison Card, Angelo Caruso, Alyssa Coon, Logan Dellow, Austin Fesinger, Anni Gilliam, Mikey Gomes, Luke Irvin, Braxton Kelley, Sophia Lawrence, Braydon Manley, Riley McAloon, Evan McCrohan, Isabella Morrell, Natalie Napoli, Dylan Noviello, Samantha Orr, Vinny Pruett,  Da'Lesha Rufus, Mikey Williams

Grade 1 HEDGE Award Winners

RJ Bartholomew, Ryan Begay, Garrett Bleskoski, Brooke Buza, Kayleigh Cherchio, Kyira Davis, Brooke Gourd, Joseph Mazzoni, Will Meade, Cathleen O'Keefe, Connor Pyer, Ty Rotblat, Trinity Smith, Ryan Tabaczyk, Luke Tremblay, Liam Tyler, Chris Watkins, Hannah Wood

We Have a Winner!

The PTA hosted a game night for grades two and three last week. We had a great turnout and each students went home with a prize. Special thanks to our PTA volunteers and our teachers who helped make the night special for everyone.

Important Dates

March 20, 11:30 a.m. dismissal for students--1/2 day staff development

March 25, Family Library Night, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

April 3 - 10, Spring Recess, No School 

Have a great day!

~Lori

                                        

Oh the Thinks You Can Think!

Stonehedge celebrated Dr. Seuss' birthday yesterday. And, as he does throughout the year, Dr. Seuss challenged us to 'think all the thinks we could think'. 

Students in Miss Elmer's first grade class wrote about their favorite Dr. Seuss stories. 

Ask your first grader about the new library goldfish, Otto, inspired by their reading of  Gustav the Goldfish and A Fish out of Water by Dr. Seuss.   

 Some kindergarten classes fashioned Cat in the Hat style paper hats. 

Celebrating 100 Days of School

Between several school delays, holidays, and snow days, it may have been difficult to track exactly when the 100th day of school fell. But that didn't stop our celebrating and learning dedicated to the number 100.

Some kindergarten classes took advantage of a fun app that can age your appearance. The app aged the children to appear 100 and students wrote about what they would like to do when they are 100 years old. 

Other classes drew pictures of themselves at age 100. 

Miss Kolis' students were greeted with a 100 day banner and door decoration they could walk through.

Winter "Wonder"land was a Success!

For the second year, the Winter "Wonder"land event drew record crowds as parents, students, and staff discovered projects and toured classrooms.

Please enjoy this short video that showcases some of the great learning, field trips, school guests, and teamwork that went into this year's Winter "Wonder"land. 

Click here to view the video.

How to Help our Animal Friends
One of Stonehedge's fifth grade clubs, called Let's Unite, is organizing a 'Pennies for Paws' drive now through March 13. Students are asked to bring in spare change and donate to the SPCA. Collection jars are in classrooms. 



Second Grade Students Enjoy Lively Performance
Our second grade students were entertained by the Merry-Go-Round Youth Theatre as they performed selections from Just So Stories, written by Rudyard Kipling. Selections included How the Whale Got His Tiny Throat, The Sing-Song of Old Man Kangaroo and How the First Letter Was Written. Students had the opportunity to learn about the stories prior to the actual performance by working with the actors to learn about the characters, setting, and text features. If laughter is any indication, the children loved the performance!

Stonehedge's own physical education teacher Steve Shoults is going bald! Well, more accurately, he's going to shave his head in an effort to raise money and awareness of childhood cancers. Mr. Shoults is collecting any size donation to go towards this great cause. Every student who makes a donation will be entered to win a drawing. The prize? The winner will get to shave Mr. Shoults' hair! Be on the lookout for more information.

Important Dates to Remember

Enrichment Day - Saturday, March 7

Library Night - March 11, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. 

Family Game Night for Grades 2-3 - Thursday, March 12, 6:30-7:30 in the ST Gym

Half Day of School for Students - Friday, March 20 Student Dismissal 11:30 a.m.

Open Library Night - March 24, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

~Lori

A few important reminders

Kindergarten Registration is Around the Corner
If you have, or know of, a child who will be starting kindergarten this fall, please be sure they register the week of February 23-27 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

For more information regarding immunizations and other requirements, please click here.


Congratulations to our PTA Founders' Day Award Recipients
Last night at our PTA meeting, four amazing volunteers were recognized for their tireless dedication to our students. Congratulations to Deb Abbott, Mickey Lannon, Debbie Quick, and Patty Searle. Thank you for everything you do for the Stonehedge community.

Congratulations to the 2015 PTA Founders' Day Award recipients (from left) Deb Abbott, Debbie Quick, Patty Searle, and Mickey Lannon.

Just a reminder that school is closed during the week of February 16-20 for mid-winter recess.

Keep an eye out for an upcoming video about Winter Wonderland!

Enjoy the time off and keep warm!

~Lori

Brrrr…. February Weather Sets the Stage for our 2nd Annual Winter Wonderland

I think we have the perfect amount of winter weather to get us all in the mood for Winter Wonderland. This Thursday, February 5, is the big night! Student projects will be on display from 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. We welcome families to view projects from all grade levels which will be displayed throughout the K-2 wing. You will have the opportunity to learn about mammals, snakes, penguins, and some very forceful natural disasters. A Winter Wonderland Map will be available to assist families in finding subjects of interest and assuring that nothing gets missed. Parking is available in all parking areas and should not be a concern.  Doors open promptly at 6:30 p.m.

Last week kindergarten students were treated with a trip to the zoo, sponsored by our PTA. The trip reinforced what they were learning about penguins and other birds. Students spent time up close and personal with some feathered friends, toured the enclosed exhibits of the zoo, and braved the cold for a quick journey to the see the penguins.  

First Graders Travel to Hospital Land

Our first grade students are taking field trips this week as well. They are visiting Hospital Land, a part of a community service program through Crouse Hospital. This unique program is designed to lessen the fears and confusion of young children who may have to visit a loved one in the hospital, or stay in a hospital themselves.

Report Cards Coming Home on Friday

Second semester report cards will be sent home this Friday, February 6. Please be sure to review this information with your child identifying areas of growth and areas that continue to present a challenge. It is a good time to set goals for academic improvement and determine an action plan to ensure success.  If you have any questions, please contact your child’s teacher or me.  We all know the impact that coordinated efforts between home and school can have on student growth

Suport our PTA through their Gertrude Hawk Sale 

Each year, our PTA sponsors assemblies, field trips, and activities like Family Fun Night, Enrichment, PARP and more for our students. Their main source of fundraising is through the annual Gertrude Hawk sale. The sale is well underway and is ongoing through Thursday, February 12. Please consider supporting the PTA through participating in the sale. 

Online orders can be placed at gertrudehawk.com. You will need to set up your child's online store prior to having anyone place online orders. Instructions were sent home on how to do this but feel free to post questions here or message us if you are having any problems. In order to set up your online store you will need our group number, which is 727017. If you have any questions regarding the Gertrude Hawk sale please contact Natalie Briggs at nbriggs2006@hotmail.com.

PTA is Honoring Volunteers 

Please join us at our very special next PTA meeting on Wednesday, February 11 at 6:30 p.m. PTA will be celebrating Founders' Day by honoring amazing staff and volunteers who make a difference in the lives of students in this school everyday. This year, the honorees are Deb Abbott, Mickey Lannon, Patty Searle, and Debbie Quick.

Bundle up and see you all on Thursday!

~ Lori