Happy Snowy Days!

Looks like winter is upon us in full force! This is a good time for us to emphasize the importance of school bus safety.  We had one of our many annual bus safety drills as students arrived at school this morning.  In addition to the safety drills we conduct at school, it is important for you to help reinforce your child's responsibilities while riding the bus.  And remember as you drive near and around school buses, always stop and wait for a bus with flashing red lights!  

  Here are some expectations you can help reinforce at home:

Be Respectful

 - Greet your driver and friends.
 - Listen to and follow the driver's directions.
 - Use a level 2 talking voice.

Be Responsible
 - Sit in your assigned seat.
 - Watch for your stop.
 - Take all of your belongings when you leave.
Be Safe
 - Stay seated while the bus is moving.
 - Keep your hands, feet, and backpack out of the aisle.
 - Leave snacks and drinks in your backpack.

A Season of Giving and Gratitude

I cannot begin to express the gratitude I feel, thanks to your generosity.  Thank you for the outpouring of support, as we have three community service projects underway from Onondaga Road.  Your caring and kindness help to teach our children that they are important members of a greater community.

Join us!
Tonight is our November PTA meeting, 6:30 in our library.  We will talk about our community service projects and the many up and coming events planned for our students.  All are welcome!  There is no PTA meeting scheduled for the month of December.  

Other dates to remember...

• Fri, 11/30 - School store
• Wed, 12/5 - 3:20-4:00 - Fifth graders who return a permission slip stay after school for gift wrapping.
• Wed, 12/5 - 7:00 - Board of Education meeting
• Fri, 12/7 - School spirit day - Wear blue and gold!
• Fri, 12/14 - 2:00 - Kindergarten gingerbread day
• Fri, 12/14 - School store
• Mon, 12/17 - Grades 3, 4, 5 go to SU Women's Basketball Game
• Wed, 12/19 - 7:00 - Board of Education meeting
• Thurs, 12/20 - 7:00 Grades 4-5 Concert at WGHS
• Fri, 12/21 - Classroom winter celebrations

Take Time to Express Thanks...

Sometimes our day to day lives get so busy, we forget to take time to tell the people who mean the most to us that we are grateful for them.  At Thanksgiving time, I hope you can reflect upon all the little things for which you have to be thankful, and remember to tell the people who matter most to you!

I am overwhelmed by the generosity of our Onondaga Road families and staff.  We support one another, and we respect one another, which is truly admirable.  As we have done in years past, we will participate in a few greater community service projects.  After Thanksgiving break, you will receive details about our Salvation Army food drive, our Books and Band-Aids  drive, and our Family Wish Come True project.  Please understand we are most grateful for any contributions, and our students take great pride in helping others!

 Final Dates of November to Remember:
- Schools are closed Wednesday, 11/21 through Friday, 11/23 to celebrate Thanksgiving.     See you on Monday, 11/26!

- Thursday, 11/29 at 6:30 - PTA meets in the library.

Happy Halloween from Onondaga Road

Creativity Shines at OR!

Positivity Project...
This week students learned the character trait of creativity through the Positivity Project.  Students in all classes participated in a creative display of pumpkins for the season.  They're amazing! 

First Grade

Second Grade

Third Grade

Fourth Grade

Fifth Grade

Kindergarten

Staff

ABC...
Congratulations to these students who will be representing Onondaga Road at the district's annual Spelling Bee:  Ethan Gage, Grace Banish, Michael Francis, Emma Congdon, and Natalia Fiacchi.  Fourth and fifth graders participated in a difficult written spelling test, and these students will move on to the next level which includes fourth through eighth graders.  Good luck, OR Spellers!

Dates to Remember - It's November!

• The PTA meeting for November has been changed from November 1 to Thursday, November 15.  Please note this calendar change.
• Friday, 11/2 - School Spirit Day - Wear blue and gold!
• Tuesday, 11/6 - Election Day
• Tuesday, 11/6 - Half-day dismissal for students (11:30 a.m.)
• Wednesday, 11/7 - School picture make-up day
• Wednesday, 11/7 - Board of Education meeting, 7:00 p.m. at WGHS
• Thursday, 11/8 - Spelling Bee, 9:45 at CMS
• Monday, 11/12 - Observance of Veterans' Day (Schools are closed)
• Thursday, 11/15 - PTA meeting, 6:30 p.m. at OR library
• Friday, 11/16 - School store
• Monday, 11/19 and Tuesday, 11/20 - Half-day dismissals for students (Parent-Teacher Conferences)
• Wednesday, 11/21 through Friday, 11/23 - Thanksgiving recess (Schools are closed)

October Update from Onondaga Road

Dunk Your Kicks!
Do you have any old sneakers at your house that nobody wears any more?  How would you like to put those sneakers back to good use?  It's simple... Just tie the pair of shoe strings together, send that pair of sneakers to school, and have your child "Dunk Your Kicks" into our collection bin!  Dunk Your Kicks is a donation program, and all sneaker donation proceeds go to the Max Cure Foundation which helps advance cures for pediatric cancers.  Used sneaker donations will be accepted at school from October 1st through the 12th.  Your donations will be much appreciated!

Fall means Halloween is in the air…

We encourage all interested families to attend the district sponsored Halloween Carnival being held on Monday, October 29, 2018, at 4:00-7:30 p.m. at West Genesee High School.  All are welcome!  You will receive additional information about the carnival soon. 

Keeping school safety at the forefront of our decision-making, thank you for understanding that West Genesee elementary schools will no longer hold outdoor Halloween costume parades.  We will, however, continue to have classroom parties where student Halloween costumes are encouraged but optional.  Halloween parties will be on Halloween Day, October 31 at 2:15.  ONLY parent volunteers who are working at the parties will be permitted into the building.  We will Blog and Tweet photos for you to see at home, too!

P2…
This week we have learned about the character strength of “open mindedness.”  Being open minded means you like to consider new ideas and try new things. You examine things from all sides and don’t jump to conclusions.  Next week we will continue to discuss how other people matter, and how to identify the good in others.

Smile!

If your child missed our school picture day on October 3^rd, don’t worry!  We have a make-up picture date on November 7^th.

Dates to Remember…

• Monday, 10/8 – Columbus Day, no school
• Wednesday, 10/10 – Parent Night for English Language Learners, 6:00 at ST
• Thursday, 10/11 – PTA meeting, 6:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, 10/16-Thursday, 10/18 – Scholastic Book Fair (during school hours)
• Thursday, 10/18 – Reading Night and Book Fair, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
• Friday, 10/26 – School Store
• Monday, 10/29 – Halloween Carnival / Fall Festival, 4:00-7:30 at WGHS
• Wednesday, 10/31 – Halloween classroom parties, 2:15