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Siwanoy School... 
Where Every Child Matters   
 

 At Siwanoy we strive to create a community in which everyone feels safe, welcome, and respected. Our goal is to develop the intellectual, emotional, social, physical, and creative capacities of each of our students, to enable them to become lifelong learners and engaged citizens in a complex and rapidly changing world. Our vision is of a school community in which everyone shares in creating a joyful, compassionate, and responsive environment where every child matters.
EXPRESS DEADLINE
The Siwanoy Express is a weekly newsletter emailed to the Siwanoy community. We welcome school-related content from students, teachers and parents. 
 
Please email news, photos or announcements by Friday @5pm.

Thank you!
-Amie Hughes
[email protected] 

June 4, 2014
- LOOKING AHEAD -
Grade 3 Band Information Night, 6/5, 7:00pm, Alumni Hall
Spring Fling, 6/6, 5:30-8:30pm, Siwanoy Playground
Spring Sing K-2, June 10, 9:00am, Siwanoy Gym
Family Time/Eat Together, 6/11
Dance Festival, 6/13, 2:00pm, Siwanoy Playground
PTA Meeting, 6/16, 8:30am, Siwanoy Library
Board of Ed. Meeting, 6/16, 8:00pm, Alumni Hall
Walkathon for Endangered Animals, 6/16, 1pm
Stem Day, 6/17
Grade 5 Dinner Dance, 6/19
Pre-K Story Hour, 6/20, 2:15pm, Siwanoy Computer Lab
Moving Up Ceremony, 6/23, 5:00pm, Middle School Gym
Noon Dismissal, 6/24
Noon Dismissal, 6/25
Last "Day" of School, 6/26, 8:30-Town Meeting, 9:30 -dismissal
- EXPRESSLY YOURS -
Dear Siwanoy Families, 
I have been writing about the uniqueness of this time of year.  Last night I was treated to such a special event- the annual fifth grade end of year performance-21st century style. Our students engaged in a residency with the Pelham Picture House and created a movie based upon students' reflections of their years at Siwanoy. Students wrote the script, acted, sang, and learned how to handle the film making equipment. There was a red carpet, live on-stage singing and narration and the movie.  Getting all the inside jokes, I thoroughly enjoyed myself and was also moved to tears- my idea of a perfect movie! Over the course of six years we know your children and you and this was such a lovely expression of their memories. At the same time, important learning was happening. It looks different than March, but just as important.

This afternoon, Julie Liebersohn, the district ELA staff developer joined me for the last Principal Coffee and Conversation on the topic of reading. She shared some interesting data on summer reading:

1.  Children who do not read over the summer lose 2-3 months of reading achievement.
2. Elementary school children who read 10-15 books over the summer gain as much reading achievement as children who attend summer school. (When I get the article from which this research came, I will make available to you.)

Summer reading should be fun, does not need to include logs, blogs, reports, or activities. Find genres and series your child loves. Read the classics and your favorites to your children. They will be able to understand and enjoy what they may not yet be ready for. A list of books at your child's independent level will be available at the end of the year and you can use it to guide you while picking up books with your child.
 

Have a wonderful weekend!
Happy Reading!
Sincerely, Susan
- SIWANOY NEWS -
Student Government Reps organized a can donation
and bracelet sale to help the American Cancer Society
and the Relay for Life that was held in Pelham on May 31.
With the guidance of advisors, Mrs. Sider and
Mrs. Rothschild, they successfully advertised and spread
 the word to encourage other students to help with this
charitable event. They once again sold purple HOPE bracelets
and hair ties and raised $151.00! In addition, they
collected over 50 tuna and pet food cans which were used
at the Relay event to secure the candles in the luminary
bags, instead of sand (later donated to the Mt. Vernon
Animal Shelter and local food pantries). Twice the donation
power - way to go SG reps!
~ Thank you generous Siwanoy community!
Save The Date - Friday, June 13
Siwanoy Dance Festival
The 15th annual Siwanoy School Dance Festival will take place on Friday, June 13 at 2:00pm on the playground. Each grade will present a folk dance they learned in their music classes, to live music. The event will last about forty minutes, and will culminate with the 5th grade students performing the Maypole dance. In case of rain, the event will take place in the gym.
Save The Date - Tomorrow
3rd Grade Band Information Night
Third graders will have the opportunity to choose an instrument for next year. The choices for 4th grade include continuing on a string instrument and/or beginning a wind, brass or percussion instrument in the Band. Students will also attend an in-school demonstration, and enrollment for 4th grade band lessons on flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, french horn, baritone, tuba or percussion will be completed in June for next year's band.

When: Thursday, June 5
Time: 7:00pm
Where: PMHS Alumni Hall
Save The Date - Friday, 5:30-8:30pm 
Spring Fling ~ Ticket Pre-Sale Tomorrow

Purchase your tickets at drop-off/pick-up on Thursday: 8:00-8:45am; 2:45-3:30pm.

Prices:
Pre-sale wrist band - $25
40 tickets - $25
On-site prices - $30

The Spring Fling Committee still needs the following items:
  • Snack foods (peanut/nut free)
  • Cupcakes
  • Water
  • Soda
  • Juice
Please contact Tiffany Cipriano or Kara McLoughlin if you can help.
Order Next Year's School Supplies Today!
Deadline: Midnight, June 27
Each year the PTA partners with a company that invites parents to purchase school supplies for their children in advance of the new school year. This is not a fundraiser and it's completely optional. If you would prefer to purchase your own school supplies you can do so before school starts (supply lists will be sent over the summer).

Each grade is pre-packaged and is offered to you at the price School Kidz sells them to us. Additional products, such as backpacks, water bottles and lunch bags are also available at an additional cost. Please click here for more information relating to pricing and more.

Please go to www.shopttkits.com and enter our school account number -- 32447 -- then follow the instructions. Make sure to order for you child's grade in September. All supplies will be delivered to your child's classroom on the first day of school. If you choose to order supplies through this program, you can only do so online. No orders will be accepted after midnight on June 27. Please contact Kara McLoughlin with any questions.
- DISTRICT NEWS -
Save The Date - Saturday, June 7
Pelham Civics Summer Olympics
Good news for Pelham kids Grades K-5 who like to win prizes by running, jumping, kicking and throwing -- and generally having a good time.

The 30th annual Pelham Summer Olympics will be held at Glover Turf Field on Saturday morning, June 7. The annual competition -- sponsored by the Pelham Civic Association -- has proven over the years to be the Town's most popular and well-attended sports event for the younger set. Civics members run the events and Civics "shepherds" escort the kids around the field to the various competitions.

The activities will run from 8:30am to noon at the Glover Field track. There will be free refreshments, T-shirts and plenty of medals!

Pelham Civic Olympics Co-Chairman Tom Imperato and Scott Brown said, "It's a chance for Pelham kids to come together under one banner of FUN.  It doesn't matter what sport you prefer, the Olympics is a day of fun and games and stress-free competition. Everybody wins.''

The registration fee is $5 per child (maximum $10 per family). Registration forms are available at the Pelham Recreation Office, 20 Fifth Avenue, Pelham. For more information, contact Pelham Rec at 738-0153.

Hot Off The Press
2014-2015 Calendar Confirmed
Please click here to access the newly-announced 2014-2015 scholastic calendar.
Summer 'BEPT' Program For Grades K-8
Course Catalog & Dates Announced
The Teacher Institute of Lower Westchester has announced details for its annual Summer enrichment program. Courses offered in science, arts, reading/writing, history, drama, technology, mathematics, music and hands-on hobbies. For more information please click here.

Week One: June 30-July 3 (four day week)
Week Two: July 7-July 11
Week Three: July 14-18
Week Four: July 21-25

Mornings: 8:30 am-11:30 am
Afternoons: 12:00 pm-3:00 pm

Course fee: $235, plus an all-inclusive materials fee. You will find full course descriptions on our website, www.bept.org, where you will have the ability to search for courses by week, session and grade level. The registration process is also online for your convenience. All classes are located at the Pelham Middle School. Please click here to request additional information or call (914) 738-7352.
- PTA NEWS -
Stay Informed!
Click here to read the Minutes from the April 2014 PTA Meeting.
- COMMUNITY NEWS -
Save The Date - Saturday, June 21
Pelham Rec to Offer Cheerleading Clinic
When: Saturday, June 21, 10:00-1:00
What: Cheerleading Clinic
Where: Pelham Memorial High School Blue Gym
Who: Girls & Boys, grades K-8 who reside or attend school in Pelham
Why: Our vision is to grow the sport of cheerleading within the Pelham community. Our mission is to provide commitment and spirit to all youth cheerleaders in a safe and fun environment that promotes a happy and healthy image while teaching discipline, teamwork, leadership and core values. Our goal is to attract and develop all youth cheerleaders at all ability levels.

Please click here for additional information and the registration form.
On May 28, 15 Junior Girls Scouts from 5th grade troop 2792 completed their journey to become Cadettes! They also received their Bronze Award, the highest honor a Junior Girl Scout can achieve for their "Support Our Troops" project. This year the girls have held collection drives at the schools, personalized letters and cards, packaged mailings to Pelham soldiers on active duty, created paracord 'survival' bracelets and delivered treats and cards to our Veterans. The Girl Scouts wish to thank Mrs. Gilbert, the Siwanoy Student Government, Mrs. Sider and Mrs. Rothschild who helped with the collections. 
~ Congratulations Scouts - well deserved!


Siwanoy School   |  489 Siwanoy Place  |  Pelham Manor  |  NY 10803  |  
T 914.738.7650  |
 
F 914.738.8199


Principal: Susan Gilbert [email protected] 
PTA President: Clay Bushong [email protected]       
Siwanoy Express Editor: Amie Hughes [email protected]               
Express Photographers: Erin O'Neil [email protected]  & Karen Teller [email protected] 



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