Gayhead Elementary School, 15 Entry Road, Hopewell Junction, NY 12533 845-227-1756

Dear Families,

It’s December already! Everyone is getting into

the full swing of the holiday season !!

First off, there is some exciting news to share

with you! I am very happy and proud to tell you

that Mr. Nurre, fifth grade teacher at Gayhead

School, has been appointed to the position of

Assistant Principal at Gayhead!! Mr. Nurre has

been with us since September 2001. From early

on he became a strong and valued member of our

staff. Mr. Nurre has a great rapport with

students, staff and parents alike. I know you will

join me in congratulating Mr. Nurre as he begins

his new administrative position here at Gayhead

on December 4. Mrs. Zumbrook will be joining us

in fifth grade taking over for Mr. Nurre. Mrs.

Zumbrook taught at Gayhead for several years

and we are so happy to have her return.

Our December calendar is full of exciting events.

On December 2nd , there is a Board of Education

meeting at 8:00pm. On December 13, our second

graders will be thrilling to the beautiful

“Nutcracker Ballet” at the Bardavon Opera House

in Poughkeepsie. The trip is tied into our music

curriculum and the children will be doing

extensive activities both in preparation for and

following the trip. What an enriching experience!

On December 10, the PTA will meet at 7:00 pm;

there is another Board of Education meeting on

December 16. Our music staff is proud to

present the Gayhead Winter Concert on

December 19 at 7:00 p.m. at John Jay High

School. The evening will showcase the Fourth

Grade Chorus and the Fifth Grade Chorus. On

January 14th the PTA will meet at 7:00 pm. On

the 16th our orchestra and band will present an

informance at 7:00 pm in the John Jay

auditorium,. In addition, the teachers will speak

about what the children are learning. Our Winter

Recess is December 23 through January 1. We all

return on January 2 to the year 2014!!.

From Mr. Olavarría

December 2013

Newsletter December,

On November 20th Gayhead School held its annual

Spelling Bee. The first place winner was Ethan

Robertson. The second place winner was Kevin

Lee ; and the third place winner was Patrick Wu .

Congratulations, Ethan, Kevin and Patrick !! Ethan

will move on to compete in the WCSD District

Spelling Bee on January 6th.

As we head in to winter weather please remember

you can check the WCSD home page for delays

and cancellations and also keep up with school

cancellations, delays or emergency dismissals

by pressing 2 when you call school. We will

record up-to-the-minute information as soon as

we hear from our Superintendent of these

occurrences. .

At this time of year we reflect on what brings us

happiness, what we are thankful for, what is

important and how we can share our blessings

with others. I have so much to be thankful for –

a loving family, great friends and the privilege of

being Principal of Gayhead Elementary School

these past seven years. It is an honor and a

privilege to work in so fine a school community

with such supportive parents and a great staff on

behalf of the children entrusted to our care.

I wish you all a healthy and happy holiday season

and a joyous new year.

Sincerely,

José J. Olavarría

15 Entry Road Hopewell Junction, NY 12533 Phone: 845-227-1756 Fax: 845-227-1764

Our children…

Our future

We’re on the Web! See us at:

www.wappingersschools.org

School Phone Numbers 845-227-1756 To reach one of our offices, please press one of the numbers listed below. They are also repeated on our phone menu: Report student absence, please press 1 Closings/Delays 2 Main Office 0 Nurse 3 Special Educ. 4 Kitchen 6 Mr. Seipp, Asst. Prin. 8 Mr. Olavarría, Prin. 7

Our fifth graders visited the State University of New York in Purchase, Westchester County, to see the opera,

“Hansel & Gretel.”

As part of the fifth grade music curriculum, the children have been studying opera. They listened to a recording of

the opera in class while reading along with the libretto to “Hansel and Gretel.” This was a great experience!!

In class with Mrs. Banda, the children learned the storyline, the music and about the composer and aspects of the

musical production. As part of the audience, they learned proper audience etiquette and how to be attentive and still,

to dress appropriately and show appreciation. As part of the post-field trip activities, the children will compare and

contrast the different parts and performers.

From the A. I. S. Department

Reading to and with your child every day…even (and especially) once they can read on their own.

During reading, make sure your reading is “reflective.” Promote inquiry by pausing during the

reading and listening to your child’s questions or by simply asking, “What are you thinking?”

After reading, have a conversation and discuss what you and your child have read. Ask your

child probing questions about the book and connect the events to his or her own life. For

example, say "I wonder why that girl did that?" or "How do you think he felt? Why?" and "So,

what lesson can we learn here?"

Help your child make connections between what he or she reads and similar experiences he has

felt, seen in a movie, or read in another book.

Help your child monitor his or her understanding. Teach her to continually ask herself whether

she understands what she's reading.

Help your child go back to the text to support his or her answers.

Read material in short sections, making sure your child understands each step of the way.

Discuss what your child has learned from reading informational texts, such as science or social

studies type materials.

Your participation is essential to your child’s success in school!

On November 26, 2013, the students in Mrs. Speidell and Mrs. Ruppert's second grade class got a very

special lesson about Hanukkah.

Mrs. Roland, a Gayhead parent came into the classroom and taught the students about the Jewish

Holiday. She started out by reading them a book and then they played a dreidel game.

The students learned what the different symbols on the driedel stand for and took turns spinning their

dreidels. The highlight was when the students made their own dreidels out of a pretzel stick,

marshmallow, chocolate frosting and a Hershey's kiss. They got to eat it when they were finished! If

you have any questions about Hanukkah, ask the students in room 11!

Jump Rope for Heart will be held in January 2014. Over the winter break ask your

family and friends to sponsor you in this community service opportunity.

The American Heart Association is offering new prizes including some very popular

ducks! The Winter Olympics will run from February 7th-23rd, Gayhead students will

be participating in some "Winter Olympic" events.

We encourage our families to get involved in these two exciting events; jumping rope is a

great heart healthy activity for the whole family. Make sure to take some time and

enjoy watching the Olympics together.

We look forward to a busy winter in Physical Education.

Happy Holidays to all our Gayhead Families !!!

Mrs Boccini

Mr. Piggott

Mr. Russo

For the most part, we do not experience much absenteeism, however, the

winter months can bring colds, etc and cause people to be absent from

work.

The people who are normally assigned in our pick up areas may know you but

the substituting staff member may not. We thank you for your

cooperation, patience and understanding.

Citizen of the Month Trait: Respect 10 PTA Mtg Sm Caft 7-8 pm 16 BOE Regular Mtg 7:30 WJH 19 Gayhead Winter Concert @ JJ 7 pm 23-31 No School – Holiday Recess

Citizen of the Month Trait: Kindness

1 Happy New Year -- No School 13 BOE Workshop/Special Voting Mtg WJH 7:30 14 PTA Mtg Sm Caft 7-8 pm 16 5

th Grade Instrumental Informance @ JJ 7 pm

20 Martin Luther King Jr Day – No School 27 BOE Regular Mtg 7:30 WJH

Picking Up Children At Dismissal

In the interest of every child’s safety,

please do not pull into the playground parking

area until after 3:15. Classes are enjoying

recess outside on the lower playground and

on the blacktop area. Please have your

photo identification ready for signing out

students.

Mrs. DiDiego/Ms. Burger's class enjoyed an afternoon reading with their

second grade buddies from Mrs. Speidell/Mrs. Ruppert's class.

A great time was had by all!

Caution!

Our staff members are on duty

in the student drop off area for

your children’s safety as well

as yours.

When the weather is bad and you’re in a hurry, please

remember that they are enduring whatever weather is

thrown our way to make sure your children get in to

school safely and that you enter and leave our school

grounds without a mishap.

Please remember, the speed limit on the driveway is 10 mph and to please stop at the stop sign at the corner.

And, as you pass our staff members in the morning, give

them a bright smile and a friendly wave.

Please also remember, especially at dismissal time, that it

is illegal to pass a school bus with its red lights flashing.

They are made up of a group of wonderful and talented doctors, nurses, and paramedics. The entire organization is 100% volunteer. If there is anyone in the Gayhead ES community that would be interested in donating to their organization, it would be greatly appreciated! If you have any ability to spread the word-- that would be great! I have contacted virtually everyone in order to help gain support for them...they truly are incredible! http://www.nycmedics.org/

Please read more about the efforts of this extraordinary organization along with their “Global Efforts and

Current Mission” on their website.

In the wake of the devastation left by Typhoon

Haiyan/Yoland a NYCM Disaster Assessment Team

will depart for the Philippines on Monday (11/11).

Mobile medical teams, comprised of NYCM

volunteers, have been activated and essential

resources and equipment are being positioned for

potential response.

The father of one of our kindergartners is the Co-founder and

Director of Operations for NYC Medics. Recently the teacher

received an email note from the child’s mother:

I am writing to let you know that my husband will be leaving to the Philippines on Saturday for medical relief efforts, following the recent devastation there in the wake of the recent Tyhoon .Haiyan. Phil is co-founder and Director of Operations for NYC Medics -- a non-profit international disaster relief organization.