Monday, February 1, 2016

Onondaga Road February Blog


Renovation Update

We’re on the move!  As I had previously announced, we are still scheduled to break ground in March for the new library in the courtyard.  Thanks, so far, goes out to Mother Nature for having the weather be so cooperative!  March is coming soon, so there are some necessary room moves happening within the building.  Without disrupting instruction, we have already moved several small-group instructional teachers into different rooms.  This allowed us to free up a classroom that will now become a kindergarten room. Because the construction will be directly outside Mrs. Vitale’s/Mrs. Severson’s kindergarten room, we will be moving that classroom directly next door, one room over, to minimize distraction. 

Keep an eye out for that driveway that will be constructed stretching from the front of the building to the courtyard!  It will be exciting for the children to see the stages and phases of construction.  Most of the work will be done while students are not here during the summer, but they will witness some of the movement!

Dates to Remember
  • OR Enrichment Day is this Saturday, February 6 at 9:30-11:30 a.m.
  • Open library research night for all students in grades 3-5 participating in the Science Fair is Wednesday, February 10 at 4:00-6:30 p.m. Parents must attend with their children.  You may come any time and do not need to stay the entire time.  Use the time as needed in the library!
  • Classroom Valentine celebrations will be on Friday, February 12. Times vary by classroom.
  • Winter break runs from Monday, February 15 through Friday, February 19.
  • The next PTA meeting will be held Wednesday, February 24.
  • The NYS English/Language Arts assessments for grades 3-5 will be April 5-7 and the Mathematics assessments, also for grades 3-5, will be held April 13-15. Please try to avoid scheduling appointments on these days if at all possible. There have been some changes to the testing, including a different vendor, greater involvement of teachers in the test development process, fewer numbers of passages and test questions, and a shift to untimed testing.

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Happy New Year from Onondaga Road



Happy New Year!!!

Looks like winter has finally made its way to Syracuse!  Stay warm, and maybe enjoy some good books as you settle in for a few cold weeks.

A few updates to keep you in the loop…

  • PTA will meet at West Genesee High School in the LGI (Large Group Instruction) on Wednesday, January 13 at 6:00 p.m..  Please note the time and location change.  Immediately following the PTA meeting, at 7:00 p.m., the Superintendent will host a question and answer session.  Feel free to join us for the annual Talk With the Superintendent!
  • Aside from these dangerously frigid days, we try to get our children outside for recess as much as possible.  Remember to send all the outdoor play clothes each day – boots, coats, hats, mittens, scarves, snow pants – and label your child’s clothes with his/her name.
  • Monday, January 18 is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.  Schools will be closed in his honor.
  • Friday, January 29 is a half day for students, as this is a Professional Development workshop afternoon for staff.  Students will receive their report cards on this day as well.  Half-day dismissal is at 11:20 a.m. 
If your child is missing an article of clothing, please have them check in the Lost and Found in the school lobby. Our collection box is getting full.

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Holiday Greetings from Onondaga Road


Holiday Greetings to All!

How did the holiday season sneak up on us without snow?  As the season is fully upon us, we tend to get wrapped up in the busy time and our schedules can get a little hectic!  Remember to reflect and enjoy the season, enjoy one another’s company, and be sure to keep the health and well-being of you and your family at the forefront.    


 Safety First

The well-being and safety of our students is always a priority, and your help is needed regarding safety protocols.  As a small school community, we tend to become lax about safety rules, until something drastic happens in the news calling for our attention.  At this time, it is necessary for me to remind everyone to be vigilant in adhering to these practices:
·         Always announce your arrival in the school.  Once you are “buzzed in” the front door, or if someone from inside opens the door to you, you must stop at the main desk.  Parents and guardians arrive at various times during the day to pick up a child, drop off an item, or bring a child in late, so stopping at the main office should always be a priority. 
·         NO visitors should be in the school hallways without a visible visitor’s badge.  Refrain from walking down the hallways unannounced.  While it may seem harmless to drop off something to your child at his/her classroom door or to go pick your child up from his/her classroom, this is a violation of our safety protocols.  As stated above, you must stop at the main office upon every arrival at school.
·         Dismissal should take place at the main entrance only.  Even if you have parked in the back parking lot, you must walk around to the front door for your child to be dismissed from there.
·         If you are picking your child up at the end of the day, remember that dismissal time is 3:15 and you should wait in the main lobby near the office.
·         You must sign your child out at the main office if he/she is being picked up from school for any reason, including dismissal.  This helps us to keep track of all students’ whereabouts.
Together we can keep our children safe, but everyone needs to follow the established guidelines!

Renovations Are in Our Not-So-Distant Future!

You may have noticed a new addition parked at the north end of our front yard.  Last week we welcomed the arrival of our contractors’ work trailer.  This trailer will remain on site for the duration of our construction project.  While the bulk of our school renovation will take place next summer, the work will begin after the holiday season.
In January, contractors will be creating a driveway into the courtyard.  This driveway will lead from the front of the building (the north end where the work trailer is located), around that side, and into the courtyard closest to the primary wing.
In February, we will be relocating some teachers and reconfiguring some small group teaching spaces.  I do not anticipate moving full classrooms at this time, but I will keep you informed if/when the time comes to move any classes.
Weather permitting, we anticipate breaking ground on or around March 1st.  Literally, this means digging the ground in the courtyard, which will eventually be the floor of our new library.  Recall that the existing library will be converted to a cafeteria, and a new library will be built as an extension into the courtyard.  The students will be excited to watch the trucks and equipment as we enter this phase of the renovation.
Please understand that as always, the safety of our students and staff remains a priority.  There will be very few contractors inside the building during the school year, but those who will be here have district-approved identification badges and access to the building.  This is not my first school renovation, and I am very familiar with the rules and safety regulations.  I will be working closely with the foreman, and I will do my best to keep you informed of the progress and phases of the project.  If at any time you have any questions about the construction, please do not hesitate to call me.  I will also give updates at our monthly PTA meetings, so be sure check the calendar for those dates.
Thank you for your continued support from home.  Have a wonderful holiday season with your family and friends!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Clark


Dates to Remember



  • Wednesday, 12/16 – Board of Education Meeting, 7:00 at WGHS
  • Wednesday, 12/23 – Whole-school Sing-Along - Students are welcome to wear pajamas to school!
  • Wednesday, 12/23 – Classroom Holiday Celebrations – Last day of school before holiday break.
  • Thursday, 12/24 through Friday, 1/1/16 – School closed for holiday break
  • Monday, 1/4/16 – Welcome back to school!  Happy New Year!
  • Wednesday, 1/6 – Board of Education Meeting, 7:00 at WGHS
  • Wednesday, 1/13 – PTA meets at 6:00 at WGHS, not at OR. *Please note the time and location change!
  • Monday, 1/18 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – Schools are closed.
  • Friday, 1/29 – Report Cards are distributed.  This is a half-day 11:30 dismissal for students.


Tuesday, November 17, 2015

News and Notes from OR…



Special Note: Spirit Wear and Cherrydale orders are here!  If you participated in the PTA Cherrydale fundraiser, or if you ordered West Genesee Spirit Wear, please pick up your merchandise from school on Wednesday, November 18, 5:00-7:00 p.m.

November brings us to a time when we are reminded to extend our thanks and gratitude to all who are special in our lives.  When I attended the Veterans’ Day Parade last week, I was especially moved, feeling great pride and eternally grateful to all who have so bravely served our country.  I would like to extend great thanks to all of our Veterans.  I would also like to thank the West Genesee High School Marching Band for their contribution in celebrating our Veterans.



Congratulations to our Spelling Bee participants:  Sophia Van Horn, Sean O'Neil, Caleb Williams, Annemarie Myers, and Julianna Russo.  After a written spelling test administered to fourth and fifth grade students, these students were our top five spellers from Onondaga Road.  From here they went to Camillus Middle School to participate in the district's annual Spelling Bee with other representatives from elementary and middle schools across the district.  Congratulations once again for your great efforts!



We’ve been lucky enough to enjoy this long stretch of warm fall weather, but we know how that can change in a moment’s notice!  Be sure to talk to your child about the importance of proper bus behavior.  The driver’s role becomes increasingly difficult when the weather takes a turn, and students need to be aware of their role in keeping each other safe on the bus. 



A time for giving…
We have several “Caring and Compassion” projects underway, and I am always touched by the generosity of our school community.  For the Thanksgiving season, we are in the midst of our annual Salvation Army canned food drive.  If you would like to make a donation, please send your canned goods to school by November 30. 


Additionally, we are excited to announce our Holiday Giving Projects.  This year we have opted to help two different organizations.  Our primary wing (K, 1, 2) has been introduced to a Books and Band-Aids project for a non-profit organization called Griffin’s Guardians.  Students can bring in new books and fancy, decorative Band-Aids to be donated to Golisano Children’s Hospital.  Our intermediate wing (grades 3, 4, 5) has “adopted” a family of six.  After reading The Mitten Tree, then plucking a mitten from our tree in the front lobby, students can help make another family’s wishes come true.  If you are interested in either of these giving projects, please see the details on flyers that are coming home with your children and give what you can.  Any and all donations are greatly appreciated and help to make others happy during the holiday season.  Thank you!



Dates to Remember
November 18 – Cherrydale Fundraiser Merchandise Pick-up, 5:00-7:00
November 18 – Bus Safety Drills at School
November 18 – Board of Education Meeting at WGHS, 7:00
November 23 – Half-day Dismissal at 11:30 for Parent-Teacher Conferences
November 24 – Half-day Dismissal at 11:30 for Parent-Teacher Conferences
November 25-27 – School Closed for Thanksgiving Recess