May 1, 2013

 

SIWANOY EXPRESS

school

Siwanoy

Where Every Child Matters

Express Deadline

The Siwanoy Express is a weekly newsletter emailed to the Siwanoy community mid-week, each week. We welcome school-related content from students, teachers and parents. If you've got any announcements, news or photos from class trips, projects, parties, etc., please feel free to email me details by Friday, 5pm.
Thank you!
-Amie Hughes

Looking Ahead.....

Note: There's lots happening over the next two months so we've included all the important dates for the remainder of the school year.

Wed., May 1-May 3, 2nd Grade Gates-MacGintie Reading Testing
Mon., May 6, 7:00pm, PTA Candidates Forum with Interim Superintendent Dr. Wilson and the Candidates, Rockwell's
Tues., May 7, 8:00pm, BOE Meeting (Budget Hearing/Discussion of Safety Projects), Alumni Hall, PMHS
Tues., May 7, 9:15am, Band/Orchestra/Chorus Dress Rehearsal, Siwanoy Gym - Assembly for school  

Wed., May 8, 9:15am, Spring Concert, Siwanoy Gym- Concert for parents

Thurs., May 9, 10:30am, School Board Coffee, Bakery at 4 Corners

Fri., May 10, Mother's Day Plant Sale

Wed., May 15, 8:45am, K-2 Spring Sing, Siwanoy Gym

Fri., May 17, 2:15pm, Pre-K Story Hour, Siwanoy Library  

Mon., May 20, 8:00pm, BOE Meeting, Alumni Hall, PMHS
Mon., May 20-21,
Kindergarten Screening, Siwanoy Library

Tues., May 21, 7:00am-9:00pm, School Budget Vote & Board Election, HS Main Gym

Mon., May 27, School Closed for Memorial Day Holiday

Tues., May 28, 7:00pm, Grade 2 Parents - Orchestra Info. Night, Alumni Hall, PMHS

Mon., June 3, 8:00pm, BOE Meeting, Alumni Hall, PMHS

Mon., June 3, Grade 4 NYS Written Science Test 

Mon., June 3, 7:45pm, Dads' Club, Rockwell's

Tues., June 4, 7:00pm, Grade 3 Parents - Band Info. Night, Alumni Hall, PMHS   

Fri., June 7, 5:30pm, Siwanoy Spring Fling (rain date: June 10)

Mon., June 10, 2:00pm, Dance Festival, Siwanoy Playground  

Wed., June 12, 9:30am, School Board Coffee, J Cafe
Thurs., June 13, 6:00pm, Grade 5 Dinner Dance, Siwanoy Playground
Fri., June 14, 2:15pm, Pre-K Story Hour, Siwanoy Library
Mon., June 17, 8:00pm, BOE Meeting, Alumni Hall, PMHS
Mon., June 17, 5:00pm, 5th Grade Moving Up Ceremony, MS Gym
Tues., June 18, 5:30pm, Dad's Club BBQ, Shore Park
Wed., June 19-June 20, 12:00pm Dismissal
Fri., June 21, Last Day of School

Quick Links

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In this Issue...

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Click on Heading for Quick Links!
Siwanoy Vision and Mission Statements
Expressly Yours
Photo of Siwanoy Students
Toy and Book Drive
Town Meeting Photo
Save The Date! Siwanoy PTA & TIPS Event
May 10: Mother's Day Plant Sale
District Calendar
Budget Vote
Kindergarten Info Night
May Lunch Menu
School Calendar Approved
Access Important BOE Information
February PTA Meeting: Get Informed!
January Site-Based Council Meeting Minutes
Wanted! PTA Committee Members
PEF: Balloons Fly This Saturday!
Pelham Summer Rec Football Clinic
May 17: Newcomer's Event at Kinetic Sports
Pelham Little League Summer Camp!
Free Homework Help Available at Library on Wednesdays

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Siwanoy News

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 Siwanoy Vision and Mission Statements 
At Siwanoy School everyone feels safe, welcome and respected. We develop the
intellectual, social, emotional, physical, and creative growth of each student. We ensure
our students have the skills and competencies needed to apply learning to new
and ever-changing challenges. Our students become life-long learners and engaged
citizens. All members of our school community share in creating a joyful, compassionate,
and responsive environment where the whole child matters.
Siwanoy School...Where Every Child Matters

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Expressly Yours...From the Principal's Desk   
 
 Dear Siwanoy Parents, 

 

One of the most important tasks at this time of year is the formation of classes for the new school year. It is a process carried out over many weeks, as our classroom teachers, support staff, and I consider many factors in the creation of new learning environments for the coming year. Siwanoy is unique in that all but two of our current grades have only two sections, making this task additionally complex, Our goal is to form classroom communities that are balanced across many indicators such as student learning styles, academic profile, social and emotional development, age and individual developmental issues, cultural diversity, peer interactions, special needs, teacher-student relationships, and special extenuating circumstances.

 

Most importantly, we strive to create balanced classes in which children will have academic peers and friends, as well as the opportunity to develop a strong relationship with his or her teacher.  Your child may or may not have the same teacher as his or her brother or sister.  We consider each child's individual needs in making our decisions.

It is fair to say that not all of the criteria indicated receive equal weight or consideration in our decision making. While the composite criteria may seem to be important, some criteria may have to be emphasized over others. Due to the complexity of this process, we cannot accept any requests for specific teachers since this would compromise our ability to create balanced classes.

 

We ask that you please support our faculty and principal who work closely together to make thoughtful, well-considered placements for each and every child.  We are very fortunate to have such a strong teaching staff in our school, and we look forward to your child having a successful, happy year wherever she or he is placed.

Thank you. As always, please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns. Teacher assignments are made at the end of May and will be published in the June 5th Express.

 

Have a wonderful week!

Sincerely, Susan

 

 

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Kindergartners Henry Yuen and Lila Walsh perform a poem at Town Meeting last week.

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The Fifth Grade Girl Scout Troop 2369 is collecting new toys, art supplies and books for
The Pelham Children's Center 
Deadline: Monday, May 13 
The girls will hang reminder posters around the school this week...
A bin will be placed in the front hallway for any donations.
Thank you! 

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Joyful Noise at Town Meeting!

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Save the Date: Wednesday, May 8 
Siwanoy PTA & TIPS to Provide Free Dinner, Information on
Promoting a Healthy Body Image for Your Children & Game Night!
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Join the Siwanoy PTA on Wednesday, May 8 for TIPS (Topics and Information for Parents at Siwanoy) and Game Night, two great events combined for the first time.

Topic: An Evening with Leslie Goldman, Nationally Recognized Expert on Body Image
When: 5:30-8:00pm
Where: Siwanoy Gym
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Dinner will be provided for the whole family!
PTA babysitters will look after your children (if they are out of diapers).
Children will participate in a Siwanoy favorite - "Game Night" - featuring Bingo and other popular games. Parents will go to the library for the discussion with Leslie Goldman.
For questions, or to RSVP, please contact one of our TIPS Committee members:

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Save The Date: Friday, May 10
Mother's Day and the Siwanoy Plant Sale are Just Around the Corner....Spring has Arrived!
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Beautiful hanging baskets, potted geraniums, violets, impatiens, herbs and garden tools will be available for students to purchase for Mother's Day gifts. Prices range from: $2-$15.  Classes will go to the sale during the day, so please remember to send in money and a re-usable bag with your child if they are planning on buying.
 
Needed: Volunteers to Transport Plants on Thursday Morning, May 9

 Please contact Melanie Tolan if you can drive the sale plants from the nursery back to Siwanoy for plant sale set-up. This job takes approx 1.5 hours: from 8:30-10:00am.
We need 8-10 Volunteers with Cars or Vans. 
Thank you! -The Plant Sale Committee,
Laura Hupprich, Christine Spana & Melanie Tolan

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DISTRICT NEWS 
The District Calendar is available...
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On the Pelham School District website: pelhamschools.org  

 In the  "Quick Links" section of the Siwanoy Express, below "Looking Ahead" 

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All You Need to Know About the Budget Vote -  
Please Click on the Links Below for Important Information!

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Incoming Kindergarten Parents: Save The Date! 
Wednesday, May 8 is the Kindergarten Informational Meeting
Join us for an informational meeting and a chance to ask questions. You'll find out about the kindergarten program taught at the Pelham Schools, goals and expectations for your children and a typical day in the life of kindergartners.
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Where: Prospect Hill Auditorium
Time: Wednesday, May 8, 7:00pm

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 Click  here for the May lunch menu.

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Pelham 2013-14 School Calendar is Confirmed
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Click here for next year's school calendar. School starts Monday, September 9.

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Click on the Links Below to Access Important BOE Information 

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PTA NEWS 

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February PTA Meeting Minutes: Get informed!
Click here to read the Minutes from the February 13 PTA Meeting.  

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January Site-Based Council Meeting Minutes 
Click here to read the minutes from the SBC's January meeting.
SBC meetings are open to the public.   

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WANTED!  
PTA Committee Members 
Are you a thoughtful parent with an interest in education? Do you want to advocate for students in Siwanoy and in New York state?
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Know what's going on. Let your voice be heard.  Gain insight on how the schools, teachers, BOE and parents work together for the student body. There are levels of time commitments.  Look for our committee listings in the upcoming Express!
 

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Community News

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2013 Pelham Fall Rec Soccer
Click here beginning May 4 to Register a player and/or coach
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Fall 2013 Programs
Kindergarten Co-ed
Grades 1-2 Boys & Girls
Grades 3-4 Boys & Girls
...Also Grades 5, 6 & 7*
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Program Dates: Saturdays, September 7 - November 9
Program Cost: $65 for Kindergarten, $75 Grades 1-9
(plus $25 late fee starting June 15)
Eligibility: Must live or go to school in Pelham
 *Click here for more information and also to learn how the program has been changed from last year in order to create a more vibrant, competitive program for the older grades.

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Pelham Summer Football Clinic Details Announced
When: July 15-July 19
 Time: 9:00am-12:00pm
 Where: Glover Field
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Open to all Pelham boys going into third grade through eighth grade.
Program Overview: Speed and agility development; skill development; tournament play. 
Cost: $125 for the session or $30/day
Click here  to view the flyer with additional details.

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Save the Date: Friday, May 17 
Pelham Newcomers & Neighbors Invite You to Check Out
Kinetic Sports Club
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Time: 9:00am-11:00am
Where: 872 Pelham Parkway (in BJ's shopping center) 
Cost: $20 per person 
Take a class, meet a friend, have a bite to eat! 
$20 per person 
Please rsvp here by May 14
Note: You don't have to be a "newcomer" to attend - just say hello to one!  

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Pelham Little League Summer Camp Details Announced 
The Pelham Little League and Pelham Girl's Softball Programs supervise the Pelham Little League Summer Camp.  It is independently administered with the help of the Pelham Recreation Department and the Pelham School District.
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Sessions:
Option A: Monday, June 24-Friday, 28; Time: 9:00am-12:00pm
Option B: Monday, July 1-Wednesday, July 3;
Time:  9:00am-12:00pm
Cost: $125 for the session or $30/day
Click here to view the flyer with additional details.

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Free Homework Help Available!
Pelham Library Invites Students to Drop by  
Wednesdays,3:30-5:00pm
Volunteers are on hand to help students study for tests, answer questions, provide homework help and explain topics. Students in grades 1 through 8 are welcome. Snacks will be provided and there is no sign-up required.   

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Siwanoy School
Pelham Manor NY, 10803
(914) 738-7650
Fax:738-8199 
Principal: Susan Gilbert  [email protected]                 
PTA  Co-President: Romina Levy  [email protected]          
PTA Co-President: Clay Bushong [email protected]    
Siwanoy Express Editor: Amie Hughes [email protected]              
Express Photographers: Erin O'Neil [email protected] & Karen Teller  [email protected]