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 5^th Grade Breakfast Fundraiser, 3rd Grade Chorus Concert, the Kindergarten / 5^th 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 23^rd 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 4^th 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 4^th 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!



Marching Along!!!





Daylight Savings Time

I don’t know about you, but I am loving the extra hour of daylight at the end of the day. My body clock is still adjusting however to the shifting of the hour.  We notice this in our students as well, but I am happy to report that as of today they seem to be adjusting to the point where their energy for the day is up and running!

A Couple of Items for Info

• If you know of anyone who did not get to register his/her kindergartner, please tell them we are still “open for business” between 9:30 and 2:30 each school day.  If they need information on what to bring, they should still call the office at 487-4653.
• Just a reminder that the 5^th grade class will be serving breakfast at Applebee’s on Sunday March 24 from 8:00-10:00 a.m. to raise money for their end-of-the-year activities.  Tickets are $5.00 each if purchased ahead and $6.00 at the door.
• Thanks to the “many hands” that made the recent Team Marissa event a success this past Sunday. Approximately 375 people attended.  What a wonderful community we have at West Genesee!
• Did you know that the PTA School Store is still open to students on a few Fridays per month when the Art Room is available?  On these days students are allowed to visit the “store” after they finish their lunches to purchases fun pencils, erasers and other items.  Items are priced quite low so a dollar or two is plenty to send with your child if you choose to have them go. The next date for the store is Friday, March 22. 

New York State Testing

The ELA’s and Math Tests will be administered in April as follows:

-NYS English Language Arts Assessment: Tuesday through Thursday April 16-18 and the

-NYS Math Assessment: Wednesday through Friday April 24-26

Children have worked hard with their teachers throughout the year to master the concepts and skills that will be assessed.  One of the most important ways to help your child prepare is to ensure an extra good night’s rest, a healthy breakfast and positive words of confidence as you send him/her to school for these tasks.  Also, please avoid appointments or any other  events that would cause your child to be absent on these days.

Here’s What’s Been Happening at School…

As promised here are some more pictures of the many events and learning opportunities our students have enjoyed over the past month or so.  Looking forward to many more to come!

Enrichment Day!

Wood Working



Bag Making





Sports Card Collecting



Pillow Making



Fun in the Gym



Karate



Irish Step Dancing



School Events this Past Month



First Graders present on the topic of
Patience and Acceptance



Fourth Grade Teachers enlighten parents
about the "New Math"



Mr. Fuller reads to the school on the topic of
Honesty and Trust

 

First Grade Students perform a Reader's Theater
selection for classmates

Team Marissa Community Event



Caitlin Barry



Erin Byrnes



Dance Mania!



Musical Chairs



February Happenings!



100's crown and number projects
at work in Kindergarten



It’s been a fun February so far with Enrichment Day, our 100 Day celebrations, ELA Extravaganza, and Valentine’s Day. I will always marvel at elementary students’ joy at giving and receiving these “Be Mine” and “U R Special” messages. Being able to collect and distribute Valentines in class is right up there with birthday recognitions and Halloween- the joy is contagious! 

Enjoy the pictures  in this blog highlighting these three wonderful events!



100's Fruit Loops necklaces in colors by 10!!



  



Concepts with the number 100





Mrs. D-L and R demonstrate an "I Read, You Read" read-aloud
to kids and parents


 

Reading with moms and dads



  

                                     

                                              Spelling Basketball

    



Reading Comprehension
"Make and Take"



Exploring Library Resources





Letter Games




Helping children build reading fluency



Valentine Projects





Filling Valentine bags with their special messages!

In Other News...

 

Strategic Planning

Our Strategic Planning Committee just completed its annual meeting. As facilitator for this event, I feel honored to have worked with such dedicated District and WG Community members. They worked tirelessly to refine this important plan, which serves to guide initiatives over the course of the coming school year.

  

Lexile Levels

If you have a student in grades 2-5, you recently received a letter that contains your child’s current Lexile Reading Level. If you access the website using the directions in the letter, you can enter this number (based on recent screening results) along with your child’s age.  You may also select topics of interests and “voila” - up will pop a list of book titles at just the right reading and interest level for your child. Please don’t hesitate to call the office if you need some help with this.

  

What is going on with this “New Math”?

Recently Mrs. Kupiec met with 5^th grade parents to help increase their understanding of the concepts being stressed in the new Math Common Core Learning Standards. Fourth grade teachers (Mrs. Chomyszak, Mrs. Gauthier, and Mrs. Gipe) will also present on this topic on Monday, March 4^th at 6:00 pm in the Library. This session will focus on concepts at grade 4.  However, parents from other grades are welcome to attend also (For example, parents of 3^rd graders may find this session informative regarding what is ahead!)  We are hoping for a great turn-out so we can help ease some of the "angst" associated with the recent changes in math instruction.

  

It’s hard to believe the Winter Recess is already upon us.  Here’s hoping you can fit in some fun family moments this coming week!



Happy Valentine's Day from Onondaga Road!



Happy January!

I hope your 2013 is off to a great start and that you are enjoying this mix of winter / spring weather.  We picked up right where we left off upon our return from the holiday recess and are in “full swing” here at Onondaga Road!

Check it Out...

If you have not yet had a chance, be sure to check out the Animoto videos at the Onondaga Road home page from our recent events, Math Mania and Reindeer Games. These video clips are a fun way to see highlights from these events.  MEGA KUDOS to our Publications Director, Bonnie Russell, for putting these together.  Here is a link to the page – just scroll down and click on the videos and ENJOY!

http://www.westgenesee.org/OnondagaRoadES/onondagaroad_home.cfm

Dancing up a Storm

Through our PEP Grant, we have acquired an interactive dance pad system for Mr. Lane to use in his classes.  The kids are very motivated to complete the steps and they don’t even know they are exercising!

PTA Grants

Many thanks to the PTA for purchasing a communication subscription for kindergarten to use with parents AND fraction tiles for our fifth graders.  Your generosity in enhancing our classroom practices is greatly appreciated!

Coming Events

Just a few reminders on some items on our January newsletter calendar…

• There is no school on Monday, January 21^st due to Martin Luther King Day.
• PTA Enrichment Day is coming- Saturday, February 2^nd from 9:30-11:00.  A sign-up sheet has been sent home.  Please return it with your child’s choices. 
 


• ELA Extravaganza- Information will be sent home soon about  this event to be held on Monday February 11^th from 6:00-7:30

To our “Soon-To-Be Onondaga Road Families” now attending other schools in the district…Don’t forget that we would love to have you join us for the two events listed above.  Just call the office and leave your name, address and phone number and we will be sure you get the information!

Now, for a Personal Message

It is with very mixed emotions, that I inform you that last night, the Board of Education accepted my letter of retirement to be effective on July 1, 2013.  After what will total 29 years as an educator in a variety of roles at West Genesee, I have a lifetime of fond memories and have been inspired by a multitude of colleagues, students and families.  As a West Genny graduate and a parent to two graduates, I feel blessed to have been part of a school district that is also HOME to my family. 

My decision was a difficult one after all these years.  But life is short and my “bucket list” is quite long, so it is time to get moving onto the next phase.  I will be pursuing interests that have been neglected due to a lack of time and I also will stay involved in the field of education in ways yet to be determined.

Regardless of my pursuits, the people that make West Genesee so unique and successful will continue as a source of pride and affection to me.  I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the opportunity to serve the families in this wonderful community that is the West Genesee Central School District.  I look forward to enjoying the remainder of this school year with all of you.

Sincerely,

Debbie Geiss