Stonehedge Supports Autism Awareness Day and the SPCA

During our character education assembly today, where we learned about citizenship, Nancy Graham from the SPCA spoke to students with a special friend-- Kenya the dog. Kenya was all too happy to accompany her human as she spoke about the responsibility, caring, and compassion needed for pet ownership.

In addition, members of the "Let's Unite" club at Stonehedge presented a check for more than $500 to the CNY SPCA. The donation was raised through the recent Pennies for Paws drive. 

Members of the Let's Unite club present a donation check to Nancy Graham from the CNY SPCA.

Ms. Graham speaks with students while Kenya surveys the crowd. 

Congratulations to Our HEDGE Award Winners

First Grade

 Nasser Amer, Isabella Apps, Dominic Carbone, Renee Clukey, Mia Coppola, Colin Crinnin,  Sofia Earl, Elizabeth Friers, T. J. Griffin,  Alexis Houser, Michael Koltakov, Mikenna Komuda, Lilly Lundborg, Necessidy Odom,  Kaitlin Jones, Yana Melnik, Mariana Robert, Audrianna Reed, Colby Rienhardt, Nicole Sanderson, True Sims, Vincenzo Trapasso, Gregory Wood, Ryan Zeleznock 

Second Grade

Luke Alfieri, Kaelyn Ashby, Luke Beck, Lilyanna Garzone-Baker, Aubrie Gleason, Inna Guleva, Sidney Hamilton, Jack Hayes, Emma Holmes, Riley Kittle, Thomas Levison, Carly Mathewson, Ryan O'Hern, Brooke Owens, Alexa Pallone, Diana Petrovets, Rowan Prior, Donivin Roache, Brian Short, Hailey Soutar, Aiden Tucker, Lizzy Windhausen, Sophia Xiao

Stonehedge Lit it Up in Blue for Autism Awareness Day

Students and staff at Stonehedge were encouraged to wear blue today to honor World Autism Awareness Day. According to the website, World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD), celebrated each year on April 2, was adopted by the United Nations in 2007 to shine a bright light on autism as a growing global health crisis. Autism is one of only three health issues to be recognized with its own day by the United Nations. WAAD activities increase world knowledge of autism and impart information about the importance of early diagnosis and early intervention. Additionally, WAAD celebrates the unique talents and skills of persons with autism around the world.

Stonehedg Blue Team supports Autism Awareness. Clockwise from Principal Keevil (left rear), Mrs. Colburn, grade 1; Miss Scheutzow, grade 2; Mrs. Farrella, Blue Team Secretary; and second grade students Maxx Fesinger and Jack Wade. 

 Just a reminder that we are on Spring Break from tomorrow (Friday, April 3) through Friday, April 10. School resumes on Monday, April 13. Enjoy the break and hopefully we'll get some nice spring-like weather!

~Lori

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