East Coldenham Elementary School EC TIMES December 2011 Principal’s Corner Dear East Coldenham Families, This month, we have the privilege of honoring East Coldenham Elementary School’s 50 th Anniversary. This is a special milestone and we would like to share this celebration with our families and community. On Tuesday, December 6 th , there will be an event at 7:00 PM devoted to the history of our wonderful school (Snow Date 12/7). We hope you can join us for some reminiscing words, museum of EC history, and a slide show filled with great memories. Please feel free to call the school with any questions. November was another great month at EC. The students were educated through an exciting PTA assembly titled “Great Reptiles.” Students saw a live snake, turtle, alligator, and water monitor. The children enjoyed this event and learned a lot about reptile life. The PTA also sponsored a Family Fitness Night. It was great to see all of the parents visiting the school during American Education Week on November 14 th . Please review some important dates for December: Tuesday, December 6 th – 50 th Anniversary Celebration (Snow Date 12/7) Wednesday, December 7 th – Half-Day for Students (Dismissal at 12:10) Thursday, December 15 th – Select Chorus and Grade 1 Holiday Concert Thursday, December 15 th – Progress Reports Distributed Tuesday, December 20th-5th Grade Band Concert Wednesday, December 21 st – Kindergarten Holiday Show (Snow Date 12/22) Friday, December 23 rd – Winter Recess Begins Tuesday, January 3 rd – School Resumes Thank you for attending Parent/Teacher Conferences on November 21 st and 22 nd . This is a great opportunity to speak candidly with your child’s teacher to review their successes and where further support is needed. If you were unable to attend, please contact your child’s teacher to discuss your child’s progress.. Thank you for reading with your children each night and for ensuring that they are in school each day. I hope you have a nice winter recess, enjoying this time with family and friends. Everyone at East Coldenham wishes you the best that this season has to offer. Respectfully, Gregory Heidemann Principal
Transcript
East Coldenham Elementary School
EC TIMES December 2011
Principal’s Corner
Dear East Coldenham Families,
This month, we have the privilege of honoring East Coldenham Elementary School’s 50th Anniversary. This
is a special milestone and we would like to share this celebration with our families and community. On
Tuesday, December 6th, there will be an event at 7:00 PM devoted to the history of our wonderful school
(Snow Date 12/7). We hope you can join us for some reminiscing words, museum of EC history, and a slide
show filled with great memories. Please feel free to call the school with any questions.
November was another great month at EC. The students were educated through an exciting PTA assembly
titled “Great Reptiles.” Students saw a live snake, turtle, alligator, and water monitor. The children enjoyed
this event and learned a lot about reptile life. The PTA also sponsored a Family Fitness Night. It was great
to see all of the parents visiting the school during American Education Week on November 14th.
Please review some important dates for December: Tuesday, December 6th– 50th Anniversary Celebration (Snow Date 12/7)
Wednesday, December 7th – Half-Day for Students (Dismissal at 12:10)
Thursday, December 15th – Select Chorus and Grade 1 Holiday Concert
Thursday, December 15th – Progress Reports Distributed
Tuesday, December 20th-5th Grade Band Concert
Wednesday, December 21st – Kindergarten Holiday Show (Snow Date 12/22)
Friday, December 23rd – Winter Recess Begins
Tuesday, January 3rd – School Resumes
Thank you for attending Parent/Teacher Conferences on November 21st and 22nd. This is a great opportunity
to speak candidly with your child’s teacher to review their successes and where further support is needed. If
you were unable to attend, please contact your child’s teacher to discuss your child’s progress..
Thank you for reading with your children each night and for ensuring that they are in school each day. I hope
you have a nice winter recess, enjoying this time with family and friends. Everyone at East Coldenham
wishes you the best that this season has to offer.
Respectfully,
Gregory Heidemann
Principal
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Kindergarten News
Wow….time sure flies when you are having fun! It is hard to believe it is December. We have been so busy and
learning so much! We have spent time learning about Thanksgiving, sharing/gratitude, sight words, counting, letter
and number formations, and so much more!
Much of what is taught in kindergarten revolves around social interactions and communication; morning routines
and informal conversations are encouraged. This independent socializing time is very beneficial in developing the
community atmosphere in our rooms.
As the weather is getting colder, please dress your child in layers. We go out for recess EVERYDAY!
Please make sure to label ALL items.
Mark your calendar….our annual Kindergarten Holiday Show is scheduled for Dec. 21, 2011 at 10:30- 11:00. A
small celebration will follow in our rooms.
More information to come!
We look forward to an exciting December; full of learning, fun and memories!
See you on December 21!
Sincerely,
Julie Ardito
Angela Ciruzzi
Bridget Demar
December News from Mrs. Cooper’s Class
Summer is a mere memory, fall is almost over, and winter is on the way; our calendar times are
helping us learn about the seasons! We are practicing many calendar skills in class; learning that there
are seven days in a week, including two weekend days and five weekdays. We talk about what happened
yesterday, what is going on today, and what to expect tomorrow. The students’ improving number skills
help them read and form the correct number for the date each day, and we have learned to read “2011”
for the current year. We also talk about the weather each day, which helps reinforce what we are learn-
ing in science about what causes different types of weather and how the weather is related to the water
cycle. The children have enjoyed learning about the water droplets that make the clouds and then fall
down to the earth when they get heavy enough. Most of them have even learned how to pronounce
“evaporation,” “condensation,” and “precipitation.” Those are long words, so we also counted how
many syllables are in each one of them. The students have been very busy learning, and are doing a great
job working hard!
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News from Mrs. Tsopelas’ Class
Where is the time going? The holiday season is here already! We’ve been learning about
different world communities in Social Studies, and are discussing where our relatives and ances-
tors came from. Students enjoyed placing a sticker next to their ancestors’ country of origin on
a world map. As readers we are asking ourselves questions when we read (who, what, where, why,
when, and how). We know when we can answer questions starting with these prompts we under-
stand what we’ve read! We are also learning about fact families in math. Busy, busy, busy! Last
but not least, on behalf of our class, have a joyful and restful holiday season!
Student Council Newsletter
I would like to introduce you to our 2011-2012 Student Council:
Patrick Conan (President)
Jonathan Jurgens (Vice President)
Daniel Harrington (Secretary)
Nate Walker Nicholas Russo Megan Frank
Matt Walker Nicholas Serrao Jason Valenza
Matthew Slovitsky Colin Wagner
Megan Guidry Owen Delaney
Ella Jane Mahon William Susta
Kelly Conan
The Student Council hosted the first “special day” of the year in November…Crazy Hair Day! What a great day!
The students were all so creative and looked great!
In December the Student Council will be hosting “Rock and Roll Day”. Keep your eyes open for the flyer. It’s
sure to be a rockin’ time!
Thank you for all who donated to the Thanksgiving Baskets. What a great success!
Happy Holidays!
Jen Guidry
Student Council Advisor
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The holidays are a time to reflect and be thankful for everything that we have in our lives.
The third grade took some time to reflect on what they are thankful for.
I am thankful for …
• My brothers because without brothers or sisters you would be lonely. By Isabel
• Lemons. By Megan
• A bed to sleep in. By Matthew H.
• My family for giving me food to live. By Eduardo
• Electric so I can see in my house and other reasons. By Patrick
• Space because I like to learn about it. By Colin
• Mrs. Mitchell and Mrs. Danon. By Kyleigh
• My family always being there for me. By Jasmine
• Games because I enjoy playing them. By Damon
• My mom, my dad, and my teacher. They all help me learn. By Kassyann
• My teachers, my mom, dad and my brother. I am also thankful for my dog Spike. By Melisa
• My family. My dad helps me with my video games when I need it. Mom helps me with my homework. My sister Amber
plays with me when I want her to. Zachary is my little brother. I love to play with him. By Johnny
• My dad and my mom because they help me learn and do well in school too. That’s why I moved here to E.C. By Eva
• My family Paul, Laurie, Patrick, Riley, me, and also my cats Noisy, Rico, Oreo, Max, Boy, and Karen. They love me so
much and I love them back. I don’t know how I could live without them. By Kelly
Hello from the 4th Grade
We’ve move into the 2
nd marking period after a very successful first quarter. We continue to explore the different
genres of both fiction and nonfiction and to identify the specific features of each. We’ve been expanding our vocabu-lary by compiling a list of character traits as they are illustrated in the stories we read. In math we are studying the properties of multiplication and division and using different strategies to solve problems using all four operations. Continue practicing at home to build speed and accuracy. This will be necessary as problems become more com-plex. We just finished our science unit, on plant and animal adaptations. We learned about the many special parts and behaviors that help living things survive in the world. In social studies we’re starting to learn about the earliest people who inhabited NY State including where they came from, how they came to live here and how their way of life still influences us today. Look forward to information about the longhouse project to be coming home in the next few weeks. The next few weeks will be a busy time. We wish everyone health and happiness through the holidays.
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News from the Music Room
Teachers who have walked by the music room have noticed holiday music coming through
the door since September. The first graders and Select Chorus have been busy preparing for
the holidays. Their show is going to be held on Dec. 15 at 2:15 for the school. Parents are in-
vited to attend the 7:00 show which will be held later the same day.
The first graders are singing such selections as "Listen to the Jingles" and "La Navidad."
The Select Chorus will sing "Santa is a Merry Old Soul" and "Christmas Jubilation." Together
they will perform three songs including "A Holiday of Music."
Please join us on December 15 at 7:00 for a wonderful holiday experience!
What’s new in Fifth grade?
It is hard to believe that the first quarter of the year is over already! It was a pleasure to
meet all of you for your child’s report card conference. Remember you can help your child by
checking his/her agenda and homework each night and studying a little each night for upcoming
tests and quizzes.
Many thanks to those of you who participated in the Yankee Candle fundraiser. You
will be notified as soon as it is ready for pick-up.
In January we will hold an evening informational meeting about our trip to Greenkill in
the spring. Mr. Jason Marker, educational director of Greenkill, will be here to answer any
questions you may have. Please watch your child’s Thursday folder for the date! Our fifth
grade will be holding another fundraiser, the sale of Hershey candy bars, in January. More in-
formation will follow soon pertaining to this as well.
We wish all of you and your families a very happy holiday season and a Happy New
Year!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Ethier
Mrs. Garrison
Mrs. Bacon
Mrs. Sahl
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December 20th is the East Coldenham Elementary School's Fifth Grade Band Winter Concert! Our
band members have been working very hard preparing our winter concert program. We will be perform-
ing a song that highlights each section of the band, “Sweet Sounds of Christmas”, “Jingle Bells” and
“My Dreydl”. Please help us celebrate our musical progress by being a part of our audience!
We will have a daytime performance on Tuesday, December 20th at 2:15 and an evening perform-
ance on Wednesday, December 21st at 7 PM. All performers will need to arrive at 6:40 to the music
room to warm-up. Please note that concert attire is black on the bottom and white on the top. Also,
feel free to wear seasonal accessories in addition to the concert attire. However, please do not send in
students with reindeer antler headbands.
Thank you for your continual support. If you wish to contact me, please feel free to email me at
E A S T C O L D E N H A M E L E M EE A S T C O L D E N H A M E L E M EE A S T C O L D E N H A M E L E M EE A S T C O L D E N H A M E L E M E N T A R YN T A R YN T A R YN T A R Y
