Onondaga Road Update

Science Fair

Our second annual OR Science Fair was a big success.  Many students from grades 3-5 put their hypotheses to the test and demonstrated the wonders of science.  Congratulations to all of the student participants, and thanks to all of their parents for their support.  Thanks also to our OR PTA for sponsoring the event.

3^rd Grade Chorus Concert
For the first time ever, our third graders performed in a combined chorus concert with fellow third graders from Split Rock.  Our students traveled to SR to perform for their school, then SR students traveled to OR to perform for us.  Finally, we gathered together to perform The Sports Show at the high school auditorium for all of our families.  Thanks to everyone who made this show possible, and a special round of applause for our student performers!

Patience and Acceptance
We continually teach our children the meaning of different important, positive character traits. Each month we highlight a different trait and we teach children what that means and what it looks like to demonstrate that trait. We also hold a character education assembly (R2D2) each month designed to teach a lesson on that particular trait.  On the morning of March 20, all of our students participated in activities designed to highlight the traits of patience and acceptance.  Each grade level created a video demonstrating the importance of being patient and being accepting of others.  The settings for the videos included places in or around school where all of our students practice good character:  the lunch line, school bus, playground, locker room, and at breakfast.  Students watched the videos then discussed the scenarios and reasons why it’s so important to treat one another respectfully.  I’d like to extend a special thanks to our student actors and an extra thanks to Mrs. Cook and Ms. Randall for their support during the filming of the movies.  It was a job well done!

Recognize our Drivers!

I think we would all agree that the winter was especially long and cold.  Nobody deserves more credit for enduring the treacherous weather than our dedicated school bus drivers.  Please join me in thanking our drivers for an incredible job in keeping our children safe, day in and day out.

Dismissal Procedure

Please remember that our school day does not end until 3:20 p.m.  We have classes, special area classes, and chorus rehearsals in session until 3:10, and then preparing for dismissal is an involved process in a classroom full of children.  You can imagine the distractions when we need to call into a classroom interrupting the dismissal routine; teachers are going over assignments and giving last minute directions, and children are trying to gather belongings, pack their bags, and listen to directions.  A phone call into the classroom to call a child out a few minutes early disrupts the flow of the dismissal routine.  All walkers (and students being picked up) are dismissed at 3:17, and then the bus bell rings at 3:20.  Unless there is an emergency, and for the safety of our students passing in the hallways, I respectfully ask you to refrain from having us call students prior to dismissal.  Thank you for your support!

Dates to Remember:

Sunday, 3/29 – Flapjack 5^th Grade Breakfast at Applebee’s, 8:00-10:00 a.m.

Friday, 4/3 through Friday, 4/10 –Spring Break, No School
Tuesday, 4/14 through Thursday, 4/16 – NYS ELA Assessments, grades 3-5
Wednesday, 4/22 through Friday, 4/24 – NYS Math Assessments, grades 3-5
Wednesday, 4/22 – PTA Meeting at OR Library, 6:30 p.m.
Friday, 4/24 – Report Cards Distributed

March 2015 updates

Well, March certainly roared in like a lion, didn’t it?  Don’t forget that this Sunday we spring our

clocks ahead one hour.  Let’s hope Mother Nature becomes more cooperative!

One February snow day, while our little friends were off from school, snuggled safely at home, I stood in my office window at Onondaga Road staring in awe at the snow falling outside.  The traffic appeared to be moving in slow motion, silence was all around, and everything outdoors looked black and white.  To my amazement, a big, windy gust kicked up and Old Glory flew proudly behind the tree outside my window.  There in the midst of all that black and white flew the good old Red, White and Blue, proud as could be!  Full of pride, I got my camera as quickly as I could because I wanted to capture this awesome picture and share it with all of you!

Annual PTA Enrichment Day is a Success: A big thank you is extended to our PTA and all of our parents and friends who helped to make our annual Enrichment Day a huge success.  Students participated in a wide array of activities: cheerleading, karate, jewelry making, finger knitting, coin collecting, sports card trading, caricature drawing, Irish Dancing, wood working, visits from the MOST, Zoo to You, Wonder Works, and on and on!  A great time was had by all!

Order Your Spirit Wear Online: Our PTA, in collaboration with other schools, is featuring a Spirit Wear sale. The flyer for the spirit wear free shipping promo is now on the website by clicking here. Note that only orders placed between February 25-March 11, 2015 will have free shipping to school (Orders must be submitted by Wednesday, March 11, 2015 for the free spring shipping promo. Pick-up will be before the holiday break). The website for direct online ordering is: http://shop.company-store.net/ore/. If you  have access questions, you can contact Lisa Mondello at ldmondello1@gmail.com. 

Speaking of PTA, did you know that there is never a deadline as to when you can become an official member?  Remember that your support and participation is always appreciated.  If you would like another copy of an enrollment form, please just ask!

Dates to Remember:

March 11 – 6:30 p.m. – PTA meeting at OR library
March 17 – 9:30 a.m. – Bagpipes and Irish Dancers visit OR
March 17 – 1:15 p.m. – 3^rd grade chorus goes to rehearse at SR
March 18 – 10:00 a.m. – 3^rd grade chorus performs for their peers at OR
March 18 – 7:00 p.m. – Board of  Education Meeting at WGHS
March 18 – 4:00-6:00 p.m. – Science Fair participants can drop off projects in the gym at OR
March 19 – 6:00-8:00 p.m. – Second Annual 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th Grade OR Science Fair
March 20 – 11:30 a.m. – Half day dismissal for all students
March 23 – 7:00 p.m. – 3^rd grade chorus concert at WGHS (OR and SR combined chorus)
March 29 – 8:00-10:00 a.m. – 5^th grade Flapjack Breakfast at Applebee’s
April 3-10 – Spring Break Week – No school

OR Blog for February 2015

Happy February!  Don’t forget to mark your calendars with these OR reminders…

Attention Fifth Grade Parents

If you are interested in helping with any of the traditional fifth grade culminating activities, please plan to attend a fifth grade parent meeting immediately following next week’s PTA meeting at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 11, 2015.

PTA Time Change:

Please note, the monthly PTA meeting will be on Wednesday, February 11, but we will begin at 6:00 p.m. instead of 6:30 p.m.  All are welcome!

Kindergarten for Fall 2015

Kindergarten registration begins the week of February 23^rd.  Register by calling the school for specific information or stopping by the main office to get your registration packet.  Please call with any questions, 487-4653.

Fun with Science!

The second annual OR Science Fair is just around the corner.  Any third, fourth and fifth grade students who plan to participate in the Science Fair are welcome to come to the school library, accompanied by an adult, 4:00-6:00 on Wednesday, February 4.  This gives students the opportunity to do some research for their science project.

How was school today?

Have your ever asked your child that question?  I’m guessing you’ve gotten the response “Fine.” 
Or maybe you asked, “What did you do in school today?”  You may have heard, “Um, nothing!”  Or maybe, “It was too cold to go outside for recess!” 
These may not have been the deep responses you were waiting to hear!  As a parent, you want some details, right?

Now that we’re beginning the second semester of the school year, perhaps you can use a different strategy to get more out of your conversation about the school day.  Here are some questions you might like to try instead of the old “How was school today?”

• What was the best (or worst) thing that happened in school today?
• Tell me something that made you laugh today!
• If you could choose the one person in your class you’d really like to sit with, who would it be?  Why?
• Where is the coolest place inside the school?  Why?  What do you do in that room?
• Tell me a weird word you heard today.  Where did you hear it?  Who said it?  Why?
• If I talked to your teacher tonight, what would s/he tell me about you today?
• How did someone help you today?
• Tell me about a book you read today.
• What were you happiest about today?
• Tell me a time during the day that you felt bored.
• Who is someone you would like to play with but have never played with before?
• What do you think you should do more of (or less of) when you’re at school tomorrow?
• Who in your class do you think you should be nicer to?  Why?
• Tell me about three different times you used your pencil today.
• If you got to be the teacher tomorrow, what’s one thing you might do differently?
• What’s something you talked about in school today that you wish you could talk about even more?

Upcoming Events…Mark Your Calendar!

• Tuesday, 2/3 through Thursday, 2/5 - Grade 1 visits Hospital Land
• *Wednesday 2/4/15, 4:00 -6:00 p.m. - Open library research night for grades 3-5 students participating in the Science Fair (must be accompanied by a parent)
• Thursday, 2/5/15, 8:15 a.m. - Band rehearsal begins in the gym
• Friday, 2/6/15 - Second quarter report cards are distributed
• Saturday, 2/7/15, 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. - Enrichment Day at OR, sponsored by the PTA
• *Wednesday, 2/11/15, 6:00 p.m. - PTA meeting in the library (note the time change)
• *Wednesday , 2/11/15, 7:00 p.m. - Fifth grade parent meeting for volunteers to help plan fifth grade end of year events.
• Friday, 2/13/15 - Classroom Valentine's Day parties
• Week of February 16-20 - Winter Recess, no school
• Tuesday, 2/24/15 - Grade 5 luncheon at Wegmans

OR Blog for January 2015

January has been a cold and quick month!  Try to stay warm, and stay informed with school happenings…

Thank You Again and Again! 

Your generosity does not go unnoticed.  During the holiday season, our students participated in several donation drives that helped to bring comfort and happiness to our greater community.  Food donations were made to the Salvation Army.  We donated coats, hats and mittens to children in other schools.  We collected blankets and donated them to homeless shelters.  We also participated in a “Dunk Your Kicks” sneaker drive that donates the funds raised from the sneakers for pediatric cancer research.  Thank you for your continued generosity.

Calling Parents of Fifth graders…

It’s time to start thinking of the end-of-year festivities for fifth grade students.  There are many events for which we need parent support and participation:  flapjack breakfast at Applebee’s, field trips, recognition ceremony, video production, etc.  If you are interested in helping with any of the traditional fifth grade culminating activities, please plan to attend a fifth grade parent meeting immediately following the February PTA meeting, 7:00 on Wednesday, February 11, 2015.

Become a Member Today!

Did you know that becoming an official member of PTA only requires $4.00?  Becoming a member is a great way to show your support for PTA and all of the programs PTA has to offer our school.  Although we always welcome volunteers, becoming a member does not necessarily require additional time, duties or meetings. Being a member allows you member benefits (like the right to vote for certain PTA inspired initiatives).  Currently 64 of our 385 Onondaga Road families are official PTA members.  You can become a member, too, by simply filling out a membership form and contributing just $4.00.  We need YOU!  Please consider becoming an official member of PTA today.  Look for membership forms to come home with your child, and let’s see how many more of our families we can get on board before our February break! 

Thanks to our Onondaga Road PTA for providing continued support to our children and classrooms.  PTA recently distributed “Indoor Play Grants” allowing each grade level to purchase indoor play toys and games for our children.  We also received new sleds for outdoor playtime.  Watch for news about the upcoming Enrichment Day (February 7) and Science Fair (March 19), and don’t hesitate to call if you have any questions.

Kindergarten for Fall 2015

If you or any family you know of has a child who is kindergarten age, it is time to think about registering your child for kindergarten.  Kindergarten registration begins the week of February 23^rd.  Register by calling the school for specific information or stopping by the main office to get your registration packet.  Please call with any questions, 487-4653.

Upcoming Events

Please be aware of time changes, denoted by *, and any additional calendar activities which are included here!

·         Friday, 1/30/15 – Professional Development Day (no school for students)

·         Tuesday, 2/3/15 and Wednesday, 2/4/15 – Grade 1 classes visit Hospital Land

·         *Wednesday, 2/4/15, 4:00-6:00 p.m. – Open library research night for grades 3-5 students participating in the Science Fair (must be accompanied by a parent)

·         Thursday, 2/5/15, 8:15 a.m. – Band rehearsal begins in the gym

·         Friday, 2/6/15 – Second quarter report cards are distributed

·         Saturday, 2/7/15, 9:30-11:00 a.m. – Enrichment Day at OR, sponsored by PTA

·         *Wednesday, 2/11/15, 6:00 p.m. – PTA meeting in the library (note the time change)

·         *Wednesday, 2/11/15, 7:00 p.m. – Fifth grade parent meeting for volunteers to help plan fifth grade end-of-year events

·         Friday, 2/13/15 – Classroom Valentine parties

·         Week of February 16-20 – Winter Recess, no school

·         Tuesday, 2/24/15 – Grade 5 luncheon at Wegmans