“I CAN” ­ MOTTO OF THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

 

Beginning in October, the

“I CAN

program, rewarding academic achievement, will be continued in

Grades K­4. The “I CAN” award will be given to students who have completed a specific learning

task set forth by the t

eacher. The intent of this program is to encourage all to have self­

confidence and high expectations. Students may receive up to two such awards throughout the

year.

 

RIDING BIKES

 

Riding bikes to school by students in Grades K­4 is not allowed due to traffic congestion in our

parking lots and around our school.

October Newsletter

Williamson Elementary School

Elementary School Telephone #:

589­9668

ATTENTION:

During school hours, there is only one door unlocked. This allows us to assist all volunteers and

visitors. It also helps keep the building secure and safe. When coming into school, you must re­

port to the Main Office to check in and pick up a pass. There is a log on the counter where you

are asked to sign in as you enter the building and sign out as you leave. Even if you are working

in your child’s room each week, we ask you to wear a pass. We have

Visitor Passes

and

Volun­

teer Passes

. If you are bringing your child into school when school is in session, or you are pick­

ing your child up before dismissal, please check in at the Main Office, then report to the Health of­

fice for a Blue Slip. The Blue Slip procedure is the same as last year.

 

Your cooperation with this policy is greatly appreciated.

 

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Elementary School Main Office at 589­

9668.

 

Thank you.

 

Anne P. Ressler

Elementary School Principal, K – 4

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BIRTHDAY/HOLIDAY TREATS

The custom of sharing birthday and holiday

treats with other students and staff at school is

a long­standing and desirable part of the

school experience. However, due to the dis­

ruption to the instructional program, we have

found it necessary to cut back, somewhat, on

the practice. We are limiting the distribution of

treats to the child’s classroom (and teaming

partner’s room), the offices, and the “specials”

rooms. Please consider these limits when

preparing treats to be shared at school.

 

DISTRIBUTION OF PARTY INVITATIONS AT

SCHOOL

 

An established practice, here at Wil­

liamson and at most other schools,

involves the distribution of party invi­

tations by individual students. The

school has allowed this practice in recognition

that having friends and inviting them to one’s

home play an important part in the development

of social skills. However, this practice can also

lead to the loss of self­esteem and hurt feelings.

When invitations are distributed to members of

a class those not invited are likely to feel left out

and isolated.

 

In light of the possible negative consequences

we ask that the distribution of invitations be han­

dled in a careful and considerate fashion. Each

teacher has a preferred approach to this matter

and will inform you in a newsletter. Please fol­

low the teacher’s suggested approach so as to

avoid the damage that can result to those stu­

dents not invited to an event.

 

PAGE 2

OCTOBER NEWSLETTER

 

PROJECT TRY

 

Project TRY is the name for our Primary Men­

tal Health Project. This project provides coun­

seling for students who are identified as “at

risk” for school failure. Trained paraprofes­

sionals (called Child Associates) work with

small groups and individual students to work

through feelings and needs that may interfere

with school.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

 

The school is looking for substitute personnel in the following areas:

Classroom teachers, teacher assistants, student aides, clerical positions, monitors, and cafeteria

monitors.

 

 

Substitute Monitor

Part time (5 hours a day) position supervising students on the playground and working in class­

rooms to assist in the instructional program (Grades K­4)

Cafeteria Monitor

Part­time 2 1/4 hours per day (10:45­1:00)

Working with various classrooms in the school cafeteria – monitor student behavior and assist

with opening milk cartons and gathering needed utensils

Substitute Secretary

Full time day position working in the Main Office answering the telephone, receiving visitors, and

operating the intercom system

Student Aide

Full time (6 hours) working with one child within a regular education classroom

 

Apply to:

Anne P. Ressler

Elementary School Principal

 

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SCHOOL PICTURES

 

The dates for school pictures have been set.

Again this year we will have

Lifetouch

photographers.

The dates are as follows:

 

Picture Day

                

Friday,

October 6

Make­Up Day Thursday, November 9

 

PAGE 3

OCTOBER NEWSLETTER

 

DIANN ROFFE STEINROTTER SPEAKS TO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STAFF AND STUDENTS

 

On Thursday, September 7, Diann Roffe Steinrotter spoke to the entire student body and faculty.

In an inspirational message, the unassuming gold and silver medal winner spoke about her three

Olympic experiences. While wearing both of her medals, Diann stated, “I started kindergarten in

this school, I lived on Main Street, Mr. Minier was my high school soccer coach, and I won two

Olympic medals. I found something that I was good at and followed my dream. Any one of you

could do what I did if you are willing to work for what you want.” The Olympian inspired both the

students and the staff as she spoke about having to compete on three separate occasions before

she won her medals.

 

Two students from each grade level formed the Olympic rings symbolizing the unity between the

grade levels while I spoke of the similarities between the Olympics and school.

 

Next, Mrs. Christi Byron taught us to sing a new song with an Olympic theme and hearing the en­

tire student body sing along brought tears to many of the faculty members’ eyes.

 

Mrs. Patty Sheridan, our art teacher, entered the gymnasium holding the torch she carried in the

relay prior to the Atlanta, Georgia Olympics four years ago. The torch was then passed on to each

teacher as I spoke about the teachers setting their minds on fire for learning. One student from

each grade level and a faculty member then stood in a circle while the torch was lit to begin the

school year.

 

Having Diann Roffe Steinrotter speak to the students and staff is sure to be an experience that we

will long remember!

 

 

ROLLERSKATING PARTIES

 

Listed below are the dates for the roller­

skating parties at the Elementary

School. These parties run from 3:30 –

4:45 p.m. We ask that parents report to

the school

promptly

at 4:45 p.m. to pick

up students.

   

Grades 1 & 2:

Grades 3 & 4:

Wed., Oct. 4

              

Wed., Nov. 1

             

 

Wed., Dec. 13

Wed., Jan. 3

 

Wed., Feb. 7

Wed., Mar. 7

Wed., Apr. 4

Wed., May 2

             

 

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PAGE 4

OCTOBER NEWSLETTER

 

 

SCHOOL BREAKFAST PROGRAM

 

Williamson Central School is continuing the School Breakfast Program in the Ele­

mentary School.

 

The Breakfast Program is part of the Federal Nutrition Program, established and

regulated by the USDA. Each morning breakfast served at the Williamson Elemen­

tary School must meet the nutritional requirements set by the Federal government.

The cost of the breakfast meal to students is based on the financial ability of the

household to pay. Those students eligible for free or reduced price lunch will auto­

matically be eligible for a free breakfast or $.25. Breakfast at school for all other stu­

dents will be $1.00. You may elect to pay in advance for your student’s breakfast by

sending in a check or cash. For example: $1.25 for 5 reduced breakfasts or $5.00

for 5 full price breakfasts. Advance payments should be sent to your child’s teacher,

in a separate envelope, clearly marked with your child’s name and BREAKFAST.

 

All K­4 students are welcome to participate in our Breakfast Program. Breakfast will

be available in the cafeteria before class starts. Any student wishing to eat breakfast

at school must depart from their morning bus and walk directly to the cafeteria line.

Each student will pickup their breakfast and go into the cafeteria to eat their break­

fast. Students will be expected to go immediately to their classroom as soon as their

breakfast is finished.

 

If you have any questions about the Elementary Breakfast Program, please feel free

to call Yvonne Forget, School Lunch Manager at 589­9621, ext. 114

 

STUDENT LUNCH PRICES

 

Hot Lunch … $1.00

 

Milk

… $.30

PTA SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR

 

October 17, 18, 19

9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. during class

 

Family Night, October 19

5:30 – 8:00 p.m.

Elementary School Cafeteria

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FROM THE NURSE’S OFFICE

 

STAYING AHEAD OF HEAD LICE

Occasionally, in the fall, head lice make an appearance. Here are some helpful tips in dealing

with them.

1

Watch for signs, such as frequent head scratching. Head­to ­head contact, sharing of brushes,

hats, headrests, etc. can spread them.

2

Check family members in bright light, especially at the crown, neck, and behind the ears.

Look for nits, which are the eggs attached directly to the hair shaft near the scalp.

3

Continue to check on a regular basis; lice infestation is much easier to treat if caught early.

4

When you find a case of lice, notify the school and day care, as well as parents of playmates.

This is the best way to protect your family and community.

5

Be sure to follow all of the directions on the packaging carefully. Many treatments require us­

ing shampoos that do not contain conditioners. Removing all nits and cleaning the environ­

ment thoroughly will prevent re­infestation.

Please call Mrs. Judy Plyter (School Nurse) if you would like more information.

EARLY DISMISSAL

Please plan for a 10 min­

ute check­out process.

This will allow you ample

time to follow the sign in

process in the Main Office.

Please send a note in the

morning if you will be pick­

ing your student up early

or at dismissal. This way

“blue slips” can be made

out ahead of time, avoiding

back­up and confusion at

the last minute.

PAGE 5

OCTOBER NEWSLETTER

GOOD HAND WASHING

 

 

In the K­4 classes, we are emphasizing the importance of good hand washing. This simple pro­

cedure is essential in preventing illness. Please encourage your child to wash often, especially

after bathroom trips and before eating.

 

 

BUS PASSES

When writing notes for bus passes, please remember

to include the following information:

∗

the student’s first and last name

 

∗

the teacher’s name

 

∗

the name and address of where the student is

going (and the bus number if known)

 

∗

Mrs. Faye Ticconi, Health Office Aide, is responsi­

ble for filling out bus passes for your child.

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NO SCHOOL

 

Superintendent’s Conference Day

Oct. 27

Columbus Day

                     

Oct. 9

Superintendent’s Conference Day

Nov. 10

Thanksgiving Holiday

           

Nov. 22, 23, 24

PAGE 6

OCTOBER NEWSLETTER

 

FIRE HALL TRIP

 

As part of our Fire Safety Education, students in Grades K, 2, &

4 will be visiting the Williamson Fire Hall on

Tuesday, October

3.

Under the direction of the Fire Department, members will

display and explain fire company procedures. The firemen

dress up and familiarize the students with the look and sounds

of a fireman a work. Fire safety practices at home and at school

are stressed. Students are encouraged to wear long pants on

this trip.

WILLIAMSON WOMEN

 

When school opened this fall we

were privileged to have four gen­

erations of women working or at­

tending school at the Elementary

School. Radah Wacenske is a

retired nurse who has spent the

last 13 years volunteering in the

school library. Her daughter,

Judy Wooster, has spent the last

17 years safely driving a school

bus for the district. Judy Woos­

ter’s daughter, Mary­Jay Alward,

has skillfully driven a school bus

for the last 9 years. Kayla Jean

Alward, Mary­Jay’s daughter,

started her first year of school as

a Kindergartner in Mrs. Robusto’s

class on September 5, 2000. It is

a true pleasure to have four gen­

erations with ties to the Elemen­

tary School. Kayla will always re­

member the commitment that her

mother, grandmother, and great

grandmother made to support the

school in her education!

SCHOOL­TO­CAREER PROGRAM

 

The Williamson Elementary School welcomes eight WCS High School seniors who will be working

with mentor teachers each afternoon this semester. Mr. Jeffrey Van Deusen, School­To­Career

Coordinator, has arranged the following placements:

Liz Mangieri

             

­ Mrs. Emerson (Kindergarten)

Molly Wilson

             

­ Mrs. Carlson/Mrs. Worthington (Kindergarten)

Dan Verdine

             

­ Mrs. Taft (1st Grade)

Sarah Bouwens

­ Mrs. Gardner (2nd Grade)

Mitch Wissick

­ Mr. Parker (2nd Grade)

Dave Reetz

             

             

­ Mrs. Velte (3rd Grade)

Erika Eaton

                

             

­ Mrs. J. Miller (3rd Grade)

 

These students will participate in a two week orientation/observation experience with Mrs. Wilkins

before beginning work with classroom assignments. The activities planned for the semester em­

phasize understanding the concept of “work.” The goals is to begin at the Elementary level to in­

corporate the New Regents Action Plan CDOS (Career Development and Occupational Studies)

and SCAN (Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills) goals, which are designed to

ensure success in the workplace of the next millennium.

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NEWS FROM THE LIBRARY

 

If you have not visited the Elementary School Library, please do! We are fortunate

to have a beautiful facility with an outstanding and growing collection of children’s

books, both fiction and non­fiction.

 

I am delighted to be in my third year as library teacher. Using my experiences as

a classroom teacher, storyteller, and a lover of children’s books, I hope to both in­

spire and instruct students in the many uses for reading and the library. Weekly

classes include stories, poetry, finger plays, interactive games, as well as a full K­4

curriculum on library skills. In time, we would like to provide our students with the

necessary skills to use technology effectively in accessing, evaluating, and using

information from the library as well. I hope to build into this year’s program more

time for students to just read!

 

During September and October, kindergarten classes have been learning how to

care for library materials while enjoying stories and games to reinforce early lan­

guage skills. First grade students have been introduced to several Caldecott win­

ners. This award is given annually to an outstanding picture book with exceptional

illustrations. Discovering the various sections of the library has been the task of

second graders, while also enjoying read or told stories weekly.

 

Although third and fourth grade students exchange library materials weekly, their

formal library lessons are scheduled in one hour blocks sporadically throughout

the year to correspond with classroom units and objectives. Their lessons support

independent access to library materials, research skills, introduction to several ref­

erence sources, and book talks.

 

Mrs. Shultes and I are very excited to see the enthusiasm of all the students and

appreciate your continued support for the care and returning of library materials as

dated. If I can be of any help to you, please do not hesitate to call or write. For

any of you interested in using the internet to further reading and learning, an excel­

lent web site to explore at home is

www.ala.org/parentpage/greatsites/amazing.

html.

 

 

Mrs. Mary Jo TenEyck