December 2014 9 the HUGHES TIMES Mrs. Kathleen Carney, Principal E.R. HUGHES WWW.NEWHARTFORDSCHOOLS.ORG/HUGHES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WHAT’S COMING UP PHONE: 315-738-9350 FAX: 315-724-1899 12/1/2014 TOYS FOR TOTS BEGINS TODAY 340 Higby Road New Hartford, NY 13413 12/11/2014 PTA MEETING 6:30 PM 12/12/2014 From the Desk of the Principal TOYS FOR TOTS PICK UP DEAR HUGHES SCHOOL FAMILIES 12/15/2014 Dear E.R. Hughes Families, 6TH GRADE HUMANE SOCIETY PICK UP TODAY I would like to thank all of our Kindergarten through third grade students for an outstanding performance at the Veteran’s Day program. It is always very 12/17/2014 humbling to watch students express their gratitude to those men and women WINTER CONCERT DRESS REHEARSAL 1:40PM HUGHES who currently serve or have served in the Armed Forces. GYM As we enter into the Holiday season, E.R. Hughes students continue to show WINTER CONCERT 7:00 PM JAMPAC their generosity. I would like to applaud all of our students who participated in 12/18/2014 the food drive for the Salvation Army, the coat drive, and board game drive. Students are encouraged to continue this spirit of generosity during the holiday HOLIDAY PARTY 2:00 PM season and help those less fortunate by donating a toy for the Toys for Tots 12/22/2014--1/2/2015 program. We also have several musical groups spreading some holiday cheer WINTER RECESS NO SCHOOL to local nursing homes and centers. These small acts of kindness help shape RETURN TO SCHOOL 1/5/2015 our students into empathetic and compassionate citizens. The E.R. Hughes PTA continues to play an active role in our school and community. Thank you to all those parents who continually assist with school events and help bring our students and community together. After the Fall Family Dance, I am looking forward to the Winter Carnival in January! 1 December 2014 9 As I continue to assimilate into this amazing school and community, I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the students, staff, and parents who have been so supportive and welcoming. I’d also like to wish all of our families a very happy holiday season and Happy New Year. I look forward to moving into 2015 and continuing the excellence that exists within the district. Please do not hesitate to call the main office if you have any questions or concerns. Educationally yours, Mrs. Kathleen A. Carney Student Of The Month Congratulations to the physical education students of the month at Hughes Elementary. These students have worked very hard to achieve this accomplishment. To receive this award, students must try their best in PE class, follow directions, always come to class prepared with athletic sneakers, demonstrate good sportsmanship, and follow safety procedures. Students must also perform the fitness stations with good form. These activities include biceps curls, squats, triceps extensions, various stretching, agility, and core exercises. We are very proud of our hard working students at Hughes! October 2014 PHYSICAL EDUCATION STUDENT OF THE MONTH Front row:Kindergarten:Lilly Pimpinella and Michael Barres 1st grade:Felicia Huang and Rocco Mastrovito-Smith 2nd grade:Kylie Thomas and Dennis Blom Back Row:3rd grade:Sherry Haider and Michael Linder 4th grade:Chloe Glatt and Boston Tolmei 5th grade:Gianna Yacobucci and James Bisaccia 6th grade:Brynn Stetson and Roman Kimball Kindergarten Registration Tuesday, January 20th and Wednesday January 21st 9:30 am to 11:30 am and 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm Please bring: Original Birth Certificate Immunization Records Proof of Residency Registration packets are available on-line. http://www.newhartfordschools.org Please register your child at the school that he or she will attend. If you have any questions please call 738-9350. Please call 738-9350 if you have any questions or would like a registration packet mailed to you. 2 December 2014 9 Recess A reminder for all parents that students do go outside for recess daily during the school year. Students should come to school each day dressed for the weather with coats, boots, hats, gloves etc. Also, please mark each item of clothing, book bag and lunch bag with your child’s name and their teacher’s name. Please mark all items such as birthday treats, sneakers, gym clothes, book bags, lunch boxes and any other item brought in for your child/children with their name and their teacher’s name. Thank your for your help in this matter. Hughes Winter Concert December 17, 2014 JUST A REMINDER: 7:00 pm at the James A. Meyer Performing Arts If we use a snow day please remember to adjust Center at the Bradley your school calendar regarding the DAY of instruction. Complex. The snow day will not be counted. Concert rehearsal will be in the Hughes Gym at 1:40 pm on December 17, 2014. Daily Schedule 8:45 AM Students may enter school 8:50 AM First bell 3:00 PM Dismissal 3 December 2014 9 A Note From Ms. Cianfrocco School Social Worker The E. R. Hughes Elementary Banana Splits groups started in November. Q. What is Banana Splits? A. It is a program for children whose families are coping with the stress of a significant change, such as separation (for any reason, including employment, deployment, incarceration), divorce, adoption, or an illness or death of a loved one. Q. Why should my child attend? A. The program is considered a peer support group in which children realize that they are not alone in their feelings or concerns. This is accomplished through activities and discussions. Q. When do students meet? A. Banana Splits meets by grade level, 2 times per month during lunch. Students can decide for themselves if they would like to attend once they join. Students can join at any time during the year. Parents must sign a permission slip. Did you know? Banana Splits was developed in the 1070’s by a School Social Worker, Elizabeth McGonagle who worked in the Balston Spa School District. Bully Blockers Monthly Tip: Q. What is Dignity for All Students Act? A. The Dignity Act was established with the intent to provide a school Environment free of discrimination and harassment. “HARASSMENT” MEANS THE CREATION OF A HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT BY CONDUCT OR VERBAL THREATS, INTIMIDATION OR ABUSE THAT HAS OR WOULD EFFECT A STUDENTS EDUCATIONAL PERFORMANCE, OPPORTUNITIES, EMOTIONAL, PHYSICAL OR MENTAL WELL-BEING. IT MAY ALSO CAUSE A STUDENT TO FEAR FOR HIS/HER SAFETY. Watch here each month for more bully prevention tips. 4 December 2014 9 Holiday Stress and Anxiety in Children: How Parents Can Help Set a calm example: Try to keep things relaxed as much as possible. Set up conditions for good behavior: Avoid taking your child to places such as the mall or holiday gatherings when he or she might be hungry or tired. Remember the importance of routines: If your schedule is different than what your child is used to, this can add to their stress. Get back to a routine as quickly as possible. Watch what your child is eating: Extra sugar without regular meals can add to stress and anxiety. Offer healthy snacks and minimize sweets in the home. Get your child moving: Exercise can boost your mood and lessen anxiety and stress. Avoid over-scheduling: Too many parties or activities can be overwhelming. The Toys for Tots drive will run from December 1 to December 12. We will again be collecting toys for the program which will stay in this area and go to families in need of help this holiday season. Toys must be new and unwrapped when donated. 1,964 toys have been collected in the seven years we have had the toy drive here at E. R. Hughes Elementary School. Last year, we collected 358 toys for families in need! Will you help us beat last years total? - Amber Wagner Reports on emergency school closing or delayed openings are given over the following media: WIBX, WLZW, WFRG, WODZ, WIXT, WOUR, WUMX, WNTQ, WKTV, WTVH, WXUR, WIXT, WSYR, HOT 107.9, OBSERVER-DISPATCH~www.uticaOD.com, NBC 3 Action News, WTLB, WRNY, WUTR/WFXB/WPNY, YNN 5 December 2014 9 6 December 2014 9 Library Corner DELTA Reading students, grade 4, show off their biography skills with the Paper Bag Project. Using the “Who Was” series, each student chose their own person of interest to read about. After they had become experts on this famous person, they filled a paper bag with props that represented this person’s life and personality. Things like crazy mismatched socks for Albert Einstein, a lock for Harry Houdini, a railroad track for Harriet Tubman, and a horse and scroll for Paul Revere helped the students to relate to their biography subject on a more personal level. I can’t wait to see what they come up with next! October/November Library Superheroes: Kindergarten:Emerson Smith, JoLee McCraith, Michael Brucker, Claire Friedel, Gabrielle Graziadei, Sofia Pejcic, Nathan Spatuzzi, Charlyanne Peters, Richard Chambrone, Lilly Pimpinella, Delaney Simmons, and Avery Evans. First Grade:Madeline Appler, Joseph Talarico, Emma Schara, Gavin Thomas, Amedeo Scarchilli, Geovani Frattasio, Madison Scranton, Emma Hall, Anthony McRill, and Olivia Weissinger. Second Grade:Ian Evans, Olympia Pratt, Gabriel Holmes, William Simmons, Ava Brazier, Kylie Thomas, Grace Bisaccia, Julia Battaglia, Abigail Kantor, Taylor Scranton, Sophia Vitullo, and Ashton Giambrone. Third Grade:Ethan Daley, Jordan Wingert, Eleanor Davis, Brock Morrill, Jack Tucker, Rosalia Fornino, Abigail O’Connor, Morgan James, Katie Butler, Micah Malowicki, Sophia Talarico, Matthew Franco, 7 December 2014 9 Nurse’s Notes KEEPING YOUR FAMILY HEALTHY THROUGHOUT THE HOLIDAYS AND ALWAYS.