Tuesday, April 16, 2013

April Greetings from Onondaga Road!


I realize there has been a good deal of info in the news about NYS Testing.  Well, I am pleased to report that our students are handling these testing days well.  Teachers are providing a relaxed atmosphere where students can perform to their optimum personal levels.  I am proud of our teachers’ instruction throughout the school year and our students’ eagerness to learn.  Thank you as well for your help at home and for helping your child feel confident and ready to put forth his/her best effort.

3rd graders sing to a packed crowd at their recent concert.

And…lest you think it’s all about testing these days, let me assure you that fun and learning are rocking at O Road as well!  I have highlighted several activities in this blog– such as the African Dance and Drum Troupe, Applebee’s 5th Grade Breakfast Fundraiser, 3rd Grade Chorus Concert, the Kindergarten / 5th grade R2D2 Assembly, and last but certainly not least, the recent Earth Day Spring Clean-up.
Applebee's Grade 5 Breakfast Fundraiser
Can't get enough of that bacon!
Budget Vote
This May 21st, you will be asked to vote on the West Genesee Central School District Budget for 2013-2014.  You have an opportunity to learn more about the proposed budget by attending an informative presentation by Dr. Brown for Onondaga Road parents on Tuesday, April 23rd at 7:00 in the Large Group Instruction Room at West Genesee High School.  I urge you to attend this meeting, so you may ask questions and gain insight into the budgeting decisions being made to benefit your children.
Also, I would like to take this opportunity to remind our room parents that you will be given names of a few families to call to remind them to vote. Thank you for your willingness to complete this brief task.  You will be receiving more information soon.
5th graders (Mike Miccio, Katie Panek,
Elizabeth Purcell, and Lucas Traver)
 present their SPCA Powerpoint
to the school.
 Colonial Days
You may have heard that we will not be holding the District-wide 4th Grade Colonial Days this year.  Our teachers are in the process of planning an in-school event for this school year to replicate some of the activities.  In addition, I am pleased to announce that we have added a new field trip for our 4th graders to visit Fort Stanwix in Rome, NY in early June.

New Principal Announced
Jeanette Clark, current principal at Smith Road Elementary School in North Syracuse has been approved by the Board of Education for the position of Principal at Onondaga Road to begin in July of 2013.  I will be meeting and speaking with her over the next few months to help make this transition a smooth one.  Also, I will let you know when there is an opportunity for you to welcome Principal Clark before the end of the school year!
And now, enjoy some additional photo highlights from the past month at Onondga Road!


Always room for another cup of coffee
at Applebee's.

The Barnellos enjoy being waited on by students.




Third Graders reach out in song!


Accompanied by percussion instruments called, "boomwhackers"




 
The African Dance and Drum Troupe

 
 
Students join the fun!



Teachers got into the act as well!

Mrs. Hudson's Kindergartners sing to the school on the topic
of "Citizenship".


Thanks to Mrs. Wells for organizing an
Earth Day Spring Clean-up at Onondaga Road!

Showing good citizenship

Thanks to all the families who joined the clean-up efforts-
Great turn-out!