PARP: We owe a giant debt of gratitude to our PTA and families for supporting so many activities for our students. Our Parents as Reading Partners (PARP) program has been going strong all month. PARP is a collaborative effort among parents, staff and community to build a reading partnership between home and school. PARP programs encourage parents to have FUN reading with their children for at least fifteen minutes each and every day. Stonehedge students and faculty have enjoyed visits to their classrooms by guest readers and Open Library Nights for the whole family to enjoy.
Olweus: The Olweus bullying prevention program that West Genesee has adopted has taken root and we are seeing the benefits to our school. The Stonehedge bus drivers came into our school to hear more about Stonehedge’s “I Stood Up” initiative and our PTA provided coffee and a breakfast snack for them. This is in-sync with the district-wide Olweus program. Our drivers are eager to recognize students who display good character and respect for others on the bus.
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Family Game Night:Every one was a winner at our 4th and 5th grade Family Game Night. The gym was packed with students and their families enjoying conversation, refreshments and lively games of BINGO. It might be easy to underestimate the importance of having family game nights, but these nights provide one of those special times when kids of all ages feel like they’re on a level playing field with their parents and siblings. Family game nights communicate clearly to children about how important and loved they are because their parents are taking the time just to play and interact with them.
C.O.D.E.The Stonehedge 5th grade class graduated from their C.O.D.E. program on March 14th. Officers Brand and Flint of the Camillus Police Department led the ceremony which filled the WGMS gymnasium. Dr. Brown was there to congratulate our students and Camillus Police Captain Rotunno reminded the students of the core values that the program reinforces. Earlier in the day the 5th grade students received C.O.D.E. t-shirts and enjoyed an ice cream social sponsored by our PTA. The students took the opportunity to thank Officers Brand and Flint for coming to their classes to teach several times over the previous weeks.
3rd Grade Chorus: On March 19th, Mrs. DeMartini led our 3rd Grade Chorus as they performed in our gym for a standing-room-only audience. The children sang wonderfully. Hearing and seeing our students in the early stages of their music education makes it clear how the West Genesee School District earns a Best Communities for Music Education Award year after year. Last week students were treated to an impromptu concert performed in the Gold lobby by the Stonehedge Elementary Orchestra conducted by Mrs. Cheney.
New York State Testing: The NYS ELA assessments will be administered April 16th, 17th and 18th and the NYS Math assessments will be administered April 24th, 25th and 26th. Our teachers and students have been working very hard all year and are well prepared for these exams. Please take extra care to ensure that your children arrive well rested and ready to show their best on these days. A good night’s sleep and a healthy breakfast can make a huge difference in a child’s performance. Make-up test days must be arranged for students who are absent. Please don’t schedule appointments or any other events that would cause your child to miss school on the test days.
Thank you,
Brent Suddaby
3-5 Principal
Stonehedge Elementary
