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

Snow Day Updates …

Two updates from Onondaga Road:

 The 4^th-5^th Grades Chorus & Orchestra Concert has been rescheduled for Wednesday, 12/17/14,  7:00 PM at West Genesee High School.

 Please plan to pick up your purchases from the PTA Cherrydale fundraiser sale at 3:00 - 6:00 on Thursday, 12/11.  In the event of a snow day or school closing on Thursday, the pick-up will be rescheduled for Monday, 12/15 at 3:00-6:00.

Onondaga Road December Blog

Onondaga Road Jump Rope Team

Our fifth grade Jump Rope Team put on quite a show at our November R2D2 assembly.  Students showed off their talents and various jump rope skills while onlookers watched in amazement!

Congratulations to the team and their coach, Mr. Lane, for a job well jumped!

 

Dunk Your Kicks!

Thanks to all who donated gently used sneakers to our Dunk Your Kicks donation drive.  Students are encouraged to bring sneakers that they may have outgrown from now through December 19.  For every pair of sneakers donated to the Max Cure Foundation, a recycler of affordable used clothing then donates funding to pediatric cancer research.  For more information, you are welcome to visit their website www.maxcure.org.  

Food Drive Continues 

 In an effort to make someone else’s holidays happy, we are accepting canned food donations for our Salvation Army Food Drive.  The bins are located in the Onondaga Road School lobby from November 17 through December 15.   Our community is always very giving and supportive, so thank you very much for your generosity.

‘Tis the Season…

The December calendar is busy.  Here are some OR updates:

Wed, 12/3 – 7:00 Board of Education Meeting
Mon, 12/8 – Grade 5 Multicultural Day
Wed, 12/10 – 7:00 at West Genesee High School – 4^th-5^th Grade Concert
Fri, 12/12 – Kindergarten gingerbread houses, 4^th grade Native American presentation
Mon, 12/15 – Last day to donate canned food for Salvation Army
Tues, 12/16 – CODE Lessons
Wed, 12/17 – 7:00 Board of Education Meeting
Fri, 12/19 – Holiday classroom parties, last day of school
12/22 through 1/2/15 – Winter Holiday Recess (no school)
Mon, 1/5 – Welcome back to school – Happy New Year! 

November happenings

November brings us to the beginning of the second marking quarter for the 2014-15 school year.   Report cards will be distributed to our students on Friday, November 14.  Please take some time to celebrate successes and to set goals as you move into the second quarter.  Students should be well into their study and reading routines, and as always, we encourage you to check your child’s backpack every day to partake in their daily school activities.

Congratulations to our fourth and fifth grade students who represented Onondaga Road at this year’s annual Spelling Bee.  These students work hard each and every day, and we are proud that they were able to represent our school:

• Sean Cipro
• Jon McDonald
• Colin O’Donnell
• Derek  Sweeney
• Caleb Williams

Each year as the holiday season approaches, our school community participates in a variety of Caring and Compassion Projects.  These are community service types of projects that allow our students to take part in giving back to various organizations in our local community.  Last year we participated in the Wounded Warrior Project as well as making ongoing donations to the local chapter of the Salvation Army.  Once again, we will join together to show caring and compassion to others in our community.  Watch for flyers to come home with your children about ways you can help!

WG  If you ordered any apparel from our PTA’s School Spirit Wear, you can pick them up in the main lobby of Onondaga Road School on Thursday, November 20, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. 

Important Dates to Remember:

• Tuesday, November 11 –Veterans’ Day (School is closed)
• Wednesday, November 12 – 6:30 p.m. PTA Meeting
• Friday, November 14 – Report Cards
• Wednesday, November 19 – 3:45 in the library - Fifth grade parents can preview the Growing Healthy videos which will be presented to students.  Watch for detailed information to come home in a fifth grade letter.
• Thursday, November 20 – 5:00-7:00 p.m. School Spirit Wear Pick-up
• Monday and Tuesday, November 24 and 25 – Parent –Teacher Conferences (both days are 11:30 half-day dismissals for all students)
• Wednesday – Friday, November 26-28 – School is closed for Thanksgiving Recess