Stonehedge Blue Busy Wondering and Researching

The hallways and classrooms have been filled lately with curious students and parent volunteers as the K-2 grades work on their Winter "Wonder"land research projects. 

Students have been wondering and researching everything from penguins to the Olympics, the human heart to different types of rocks, cheetahs, lions, and much more!

Over the next two weeks, students will be focusing on their presentations. Students and teachers have many interesting and unique ideas of how they would like to represent their learning. It's all very exciting!

As a reminder, students will deliver oral presentations to their classmates and projects will be on display as we celebrate learning on the evening of Wednesday, February 12 from 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm. Families will be invited to view the finished products in a format similar to that of a science fair.  

Our Winter “Wonder”land promises to be an exciting experience for all involved. Please mark your calendar for this evening event as students celebrate their learning.

The pictures below capture a few great moments during research. 

REMINDER: There is NO SCHOOL for students on Friday, January 31. It is a professional development day for staff.

Stonehedge Blue teachers are collecting paper towel and toilet tissue tubes as well as old newspapers for use in projects. If you have any of these items, please send them in with your child. 

Winter weather is here, 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!

Second and Third Grade Families Enjoy Game Night

I would like to thank all the families who attended Family Game Night last night. Mr. Suddaby and I enjoyed watching students win and then scan the book table for just the right book to take home. Thank you to all the parent and teacher volunteers and to our PTA for selecting and purchasing such an awesome array of books for our prizes. The gym was filled--impressive for such a cold night!

Stay warm and enjoy the weekend!

Lori 

It's a Winter "Wonder"land at Stonehedge Blue

We certainly have had more than a taste of winter weather over the past few weeks. Sometimes our local weather can make us feel cooped-up and in turn, we experience the winter blues. K-2 teachers and I have been working hard to bring some excitement to our learning environment and we think January is the perfect time!

Beginning this week, Stonehedge students K-2, faculty, staff, and several parent volunteers began a Project Based Learning experience that will run through February 13, 2014.

Students in Miss Dusart's second grade class work with parent volunteer Colleen Fesinger to research their I "wonder" questions.

Many times students have “I wonder” questions that motivate them to learn more. Students will have the opportunity to research a topic of interest under the guidance of their teacher. My hope is that your child’s enthusiasm for learning will spill over at home, and as a family, you will support him or her in his or her quest for knowledge.

I encourage you to search for additional materials on your child’s topic by visiting your local library and searching online sources together. Please label all materials you send to school to ensure all resources are returned to their rightful owner.

Students will not only become an expert on their topic, they will also be responsible for sharing their findings through a self-directed presentation. They will deliver oral presentations to their classmates and projects will be on display as we celebrate learning on the evening of Wednesday, February 12 from 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm. Families will be invited to view the finished products in a format similar to that of a science fair.  

Our Winter “Wonder”land promises to be an exciting experience for all involved. Please mark your calendar for this evening event as students celebrate their learning.

Character Education and Students Recognized with HEDGE Awards 

*Those that show perseverance work hard toward goals, overcome obstacles, do not give up easily, and are resourceful in reaching a goal.

Our character education trait for this month is perseverance. This is perfect as students take the lead on their Winter “Wonder”land research projects. During our assembly last Friday, I stressed the importance of working through the challenges they may face as they take on a more intense level of responsibility for their own learning. Making mistakes or facing obstacles can be a valuable opportunity to learn and grow, especially when we persevere and reach our goals.

We also discussed ways in which each student should strive to function within their cooperative group. Being a respectful listener, accepting others’ opinions, and taking turns will all be important contributions of a top notch working partner. Please be sure to discuss daily progress with you child and offer ways in which they can persevere and operate as a positive and productive group member. 

Below are our HEDGE Award winners for the month of December. Congratulations to all these caring and compassionate Stonehenge students!

First Grade HEDGE Award Winners

Justyna Apps, Kaelyn Ashby, Carson Berg, Johanna Betchel, Christian Bower, Sydney Buckhout, Enya Dafoe, Kyira Davis, Rachel Hann, Janie Kang, Jacob MacCaull, Yuliana Melnik, Marissa O'Connor, Brooke Owens, George Ponto, Greta Propper, Peyton Rosenthal, Randal Smith, Trinity Smith, Ava Spraker, Aiden Tucker, Jack Wade, Christopher Watkins, Hannah Wood 

Second Grade HEDGE Award Winners

Noah Austin, Mia Barnello, Christian Bishop, Dominick Caraccio, Jenna Carr, Dillon Collier, Tyler Elmer, Quinn Frese, Logan Furbeck, Andrew Landon, Peyton Long, Zaynah Mere, Joliana Paratore, Dreonna Pullium, Emily Schiffer, Landyn Shaw, Jameson Seeber, Hannah Sparks, Waverly St. Louis, Tristan Timson, Karna Warner, Reyann Zahran

Dr. Brown to Host Dialogue With Superintendent

Please remember that the Dialogue with the Superintendent will be held this Wednesday, January 15 from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. in the high school large group instruction room.  The first hour will be for regular questions and the second hour will be a discussion on the common core learning standards and all that surrounds them. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Winter weather is here, 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!

Important Dates to Remember

Just a reminder that there is no school on Monday, January 20 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. In addition, Friday, January 31 is a professional development day for staff and there is no school for students.

Happy Holidays from Stonehedge Blue

Congratulations to those students who received a Hedge Award this month for November’s character trait thankfulness. Those honored are pictured below:

1^st Grade HEDGE AWARD Winners-Thankfulness

Camille Bohli, Samantha Bowles, Gracie Bserani, Alex Calkins, Jacob Casselman, Kendall Fenn, Patrick Ford, Erin Fortune, Tyler Jacopelle, Mia Kehoskie, Hannah Kenna, Jordan Kolar, James Logano, Anthony Mangano, Devon Moses, James Mungro, Tyler O’Brien, Henry Steitz, Leah Todeschini, Olivia Wake, Madison Wolfe, Afaf Zawahreh

1^st Grade HEDGE AWARD Winners-Thankfulness

Ali Abu-Mustafa, Khalid Alrkaies, Elijah Apps, Luke Beck, Liam Boyles, Samantha Bullock, Brooke Buza, Alex Cardone, Max Conboy, Prince Eudell, Maxx Fesinger, Mark Gabella, Allyson Geiger, Tommy Gozzi, Amahri Harvey, Aidan Johnson, Ben Matus, Kylie Murphy, Aaron Perry, Krishana Sharma, Brian Short, Paul Toumbacaris, Jayden Torrance

Giving Tree Demonstrates Compassion and Caring

The Stonehedge annual Giving Tree shows the compassion Stonehedge families feel for one another. Because of your generosity our committee was able to sponsor several families this holiday season. Generous gifts of toiletries, hats, scarves, mittens, gloves and socks overflowed the donation boxes for the Syracuse Samaritan Center. Thank you to all who had a hand in supporting the Giving Tree!

Second Grade Students Show Their Compassion

Second grade students made cards, gingerbread cutout decorations, and hallway decorations for young patients at Golisano Children's Hospital.

More than 70 gingerbread decorations will be added to meal trays for young children at Golisano Children's Hospital.

Some of the many cards created by second graders for the patients.

Students Take Part in CODE Presentations 

Thank you to Officer Brand, Officer Grace, and Maureen Foran-Mocete from the McMahon /Ryan Child Advocacy Center for talking with students today. 

Topic were as follows:

Kindergarten - My Body Belongs to Me

Grade 1 – Building Self Esteem 

Grade 2 - Bulling Awareness.

First Graders Travel Around the World
Our first grade students learned 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.

Mrs. Cunningham, dressed as Saint Lucia, told her visitors about Swedish traditions.

Students enjoyed applesauce and potato latkes in Mrs. Vislosky's room.

Mrs. Vislosky discussed both Hanukkah and Kwanzaa in her room.

In Miss Munley's room, students learned about Dutch traditions including how St. Nicholas leaves candy and small treats in shoes. Their shoes in the hallway were visited by St. Nicholas and filled with goodies.

Visitors to Mrs. Vincentini's room learned about the origins of the German tradition of the Christmas tree.

Emergency Closing Information is Important!

Announcements about school closings, delayed openings, or early dismissal will be posted on the News Headlines section of the District website home page.

Also, School News Notifier (SNN) is an opt-in alert system where parents can sign up to receive text alerts about school closings, delays, and other time-sensitive emergencies; and e-mail notices about school programs and district news. Parents may choose to receive any or all of the alerts, and they can unsubscribe at any time.

Push-out notifications will be made from the West Genesee Mobile Phone App. (You can also access news, the parent portal, calendars, menus, sports information, directories, social media, and our tip line.) You can download to your android or iphone from your App store from the links to the right.

They are also broadcast on twitter, facebook, and the following stations... MORE

New Year may ring in changing circumstances

As the new year begins, financial circumstances may change. If you find that you need information on the Free and Reduced Lunch program, please click the links below to learn more.

Letter to Parents for School Meal Programs

2013-2014 Application for Free and Reduced Price School Meals/Milk 

There is no better place to be than an elementary school during the month of December. Our students and teachers have been busy incorporating winter-themed ideas into everyday learning. Take a peek at our hallways during this snowy and magical month.

Wishing you all a warm holiday season and a Happy New Year!

Lori

Happy Thanksgiving!

As we approach the end of November and the Thanksgiving holiday, I cannot help but think about the many reasons I have for being thankful. 

It has been wonderful to see all the parents visiting the school for parent and teacher conferences. Every opportunity we have to build a home and school connection is one for which we are all grateful.

As principal, I am certainly thankful for 
• the support parents have given to the school and the district. Each day you send us children who are well rested and ready to learn.

• the many parents who volunteer at school, or help through the PTA. 

• our students who represent Stonehedge as young children preparing to be upstanding citizens. Children who respect themselves and each other.

• the teachers and staff at Stonehedge who give their all to create to a warm, welcoming, and productive learning environment.  

Please enjoy the photos provided below of students partaking in Thanksgiving activities. I wish you all a safe, relaxing and wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!

Mrs. Keevil 

Students in Mrs. Donahue's class enjoy a feast while wearing some pretty turkey-rific hats!

Native American and Pilgrim hats helped to dress up Mrs. Leonardis' students.

Students throughout the school acknowledged what they were thankful for.

Mrs. Shepard's class got ready for some Stone Snack, a take-off of the popular book, Stone Soup.

This is one smart turkey--color coding math problems!

Students in second grade and kindergarten sent in paper turkeys disguised in a variety of costumes to hide from hungry diners.

Mrs. Gauzza's class wishes everyone a happy Thanksgiving.