roadrunner - · pdf fileco-presidents margaret costa recording secretary valerie davie leslie...
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Co-Presidents Margaret Costa Recording Secretary Valerie Davie
Leslie Cassidy Corresponding Secretary Laurie Weissman
1st Vice President Helen Travers Historian Bridgette Hogan
2nd Vice President Connie Irving Treasurer Lisa Field
3rd Vice President Kim Aquilino Past President Lynn D’Angelo
Delegates: Jackie Butler, Jeanne Del Grosso, Andrea Dempsey, Donna Gianaris, Roma Nowak, Gina Portello, Pam Sweeney
Lee Road PTA Executive Committee, 2010—2011
Welcome back to a new school year at Lee Road! We would like to ex-tend a warm welcome to all of the new families and faculty members that have joined our Lee Road Family this year.
The year is already off to a great start and we are proud of all. Every-one seems to have their routines in place at this point. With the daylight shrinking and the weather getting cooler, it’s time to dress warmer. Fall is officially here! The PTA is now also running in full swing. SO many activities and events as well as great fundraisers have been held or are underway. We would like to send out a great big THANK YOU to all of the committee chairpersons and vol-unteers that have made the start of the school year a success. We would also like to acknowledge all the par-ents and faculty members who have and continue to support the PTA. Without your support, we would not be able to provide our children with all of the many educational programs and family fun events planned. It is still not too late to help. Your PTA membership $ are crucial - consider joining if you have not already done so. Try to also get involved if your schedule permits - even donating 1 or 2 hours of your precious time will go a long way! There are many ways to stay connected to what is happening
with the PTA and your children. Come to a monthly meeting! If that’s not pos-sible - the PTA also has our monthly packet, weekly e-mail reminders and the new Connect Ed phone message that will go out twice a month. The school and district Web sites are also very in-formative and we encourage parents to visit them often: www.levittownschools.com. As your PTA Co-Presidents, we are here to help support and enrich the experience of your children during the school year. Please feel free to contact us with any thoughts, questions or concerns that you may have that will help us to do so. We look forward to hearing from you!
Have FUN with your children - re-member to read or even play a board game with them - these are the best memories you will have. Hope you had a sweet but safe Halloween! Enjoy the upcoming holidays as well!
Sincerely,
Margaret Costa and Leslie Cassidy
Lee Road PTA Co-Presidents
From your PTA Co-Presidents
Roadru
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Volume 10, Issue 3
November, 2010
Editor: Laurie Weissman
November 8 - 19: PARP
December, continued 15: Board of Education Meeting, LMEC, 7:30 p.m.
17: Board of Education Meeting, LMEC, 7:30 p.m. 18: Lee Road PTA Meeting, 9:00 a.m.
December 24—January 2: Holiday Recess
18: Thanksgiving Pie/Bread Orders Due January
18: PTA Council Meeting, LMEC, 7:30 p.m. 12: Board of Education Meeting, LMEC, 7:30 p.m.
19: Picture Retakes, DEAR, Reflections Projects Due 13: PTA Council Meeting, LMEC, 7:30 p.m.
23: Thanksgiving Pie/Bread Pick Up 17: Martin Luther King Day, No School
November 25-28: Thanksgiving Recess 20: Lee Road PTA Meeting, 7:30 p.m.
29: Teachers Conferences, No School for Students 25: Lee Road Winter Concert, Salk, 7:30 p.m.
December 2: Teachers Conferences, 1/2 day for Students, no School
for Kindergarteners
27: PTA Nassau Region Winter Conference
Mark your calendars!
Page 2
Principal’s Message
ROADRUNNER
EXPECT THE BEST Due to the collective efforts of our school community, we are off to a terrific beginning! As a unit, we will to work together to help our youngsters reach great heights in their learning. As a matter of fact, setting high expectations for our children is a key to their success. As a parent, you can set the tone for a highly successful year by letting your child know what you expect – and helping them see what he/she can expect from themselves. Be realistic Match expectations to your child’s abilities and interests. For example, if they are strong in math and science, you can expect them to earn good grades in those subjects. Then consider overall standards, such as finishing their work on time, listening to their teachers, and doing his/her best. Be clear Remember to communicate your expectations to your child. You can weave them into everyday conversations. Ex-ample: “We’ll play catch after you do your homework” or “The science fair is coming up; I can’t wait to see your project.” Talk regularly about your long-range expectations, too. Your child will see himself/ herself as a future college student when you say things like, “You’ll be able to learn more about that when you’re in college one day. Be supportive Work with your child to help them meet your expectations. For instance, provide materials for their projects and help them set aside time to work on them. Also, let your child know that you expect their best and that you’re cer-tain they can do it. You will build confidence and encourage them to make it happen. Accept mistakes Some children are afraid of trying new things because they think making a mistake means they failed. When your child is unsuccessful, tell him/ her you believe in them, and give them a chance to try again. Treating mistakes as opportunities instead of failures show that you value effort, not just achievement. As a school community, we will endeavor to maintain a positive, caring and nurturing environment that will inspire our students to make great strides in their learning. Finally, if you have not already done so, please consider joining our Parent Teacher Association. Your participation will allow you to take a more active role in your child’s educa-tion at school. The year has begun with much promise and I look forward to working with all of our stake-holders to facilitate a year of learning and growth for our children. Sincerely, Anthony Goss
From the School Nurse
NOVEMBER, 2010 Page 3
Faculty News
LEE ROAD CLUBS 2010‐2011
Our clubs provide a great avenue for our children to explore their gifts and talents. Below you will find a list a clubs that will be running at Lee Road this year. You will receive specific details regarding each club once our clubs begin.
Drama ‐ Opportunities are available for students to participate in this year’s drama production, “The Wizard of Oz” and our annual Lee Road Talent Show.
Get‐A‐Voice‐ Participants will engage in activities that promote the ideals of the Get‐A‐Voice Program.
Chess‐ Students will learn basic strategies and etiquette while playing the game of chess with their peers.
Mathletes ‐Students will have an opportunity to strengthen their math skills by learning problem solving strategies designed to challenge and motivate.
Healthy Lifestyle Club‐ Students will engage in fitness activities that promote overall health and nutrition.
Science Club‐Students will engage in a series of “hands‐on” science related experiments and activities.
Student Council‐ As council members, Lee Road 4th and 5th graders will learn the civics involved in representing their peers and school leaders.
Dear Parents, Welcome back to another exciting school year! The children have gotten off to a great start already and we are look-ing forward to a healthy and productive year.
Deciding whether to keep a child home from school when he or she is sick is a decision that all parents have to make at one time or another. As a general rule, a child should remain home from school:
If they have a fever of 100 degrees or higher Has recurring diarrhea or vomiting Has a rash of unknown origin (Doctor’s note needed to return) Cough or sore throat severe enough to cause discomfort or disruption to the classroom environment Any redness or drainage of eyes
As a general reminder, mandated screenings for vision, hearing, scoliosis, height & weight have already begun. If a referral is warranted for further evaluation, you will be contacted by mail.
Please remember to call the Health Office as soon as you know if your child is going to be late or absent from school.
Please be aware that physicals are mandated for all students in grades K, 2 and 4 and all new entrants. They were due in the Health Office by October 1st. If I do not receive a physical exam report, your child will be examined by the school physician.
Looking forward to another wonderful year. If you have any questions or concerns feel free to call me at 783-5190 ext. 3.
Looking ahead… the
District Calendar shows two
dates for the Lee Road Spring
Concert.
The correct date is
June 7, 2011, at
MacArthur High School.
Page 4 ROADRUNNER
THE GET A VOICE PROJECT 2010-2011
The Get.A.Voice Project raises awareness, intercepts hurtful language and empow-ers students to stand up and challenge others in a kind, respectful way.
A student who can use her or his voice to speak up against a school bully, or to in-vite a fellow student ostracized by a clique to join him or her at lunch takes skill and, no doubt, courage ... a lot of it! With GET.A.VOICE™ students love the fact that when others use their voices, too, then they are no longer alone to do—or say -- the right thing.
We invite you to explore the power of language in your home as well. We hope you received the family pledge card as part of our home school partnership. This year we are looking for 100% of the cards to be returned.
Here are some power phrases:
School News
That’s really inappropriate! Do you realize what you’re
saying? Knock it off! Thanks for noticing! We don’t talk like that
around here
Language! What do you really mean by
that? She/he is my friend don’t say
that! Listen, I didn’t do anything to
you, so can you please stop!
PTA Committees are listed on the next page. Please reach out to committee chairs for more information, and see the Lee Road PTA web site (levittownschools.com/lee/pta) for committee definitions.
Please volunteer to help with the following committees which cur-rently do not have chairpersons:
Auditing Get-A-Voice Book Fair Legislation & Advocacy By-Laws Mother’s Day Plant Sale Corporate Collections—Toner/Ink School Beautification Corporate Collections—Cell Phones SEPTA Council Budget Working Procedures Family Fun Events
Contact Kim Aquilino for more information about these committees at [email protected] or at 735-3445.
Parent Volunteers needed to help out the Community Service Committee with their Blood Drive on December 7th 3:30-8:30pm.
Anyone interested can contact Jennifer Jennings at [email protected]
Our children can use our support. Thank You.
Committee News
NOVEMBER, 2010 Page 5
COMMITTEE NAME Chairperson
BJ's Angela Mumolo
Bridge Books Valerie Davie
Bulletin Boards Betty Mullane
Lori Shapiro
Class Parents Selection Bridgette Hogan
Kim Lopes
Communications - Roadrunner Laurie Weissman
Communications - Website Roma Nowak
Community DEAR Time Jackie Butler
Diane Byrnes
Community Service Jennifer Jennings
Corporate Collections - Box Tops & Campbell's Anna Razza
Cultural Arts Helen Travers
Carolyn Szydlowski
Dollars for Scholars Andrea Dempsey
Drama Betty Mullane
Lori Shapiro
Elementary Curriculum Lynn D'Angelo
Excellence & Accountability Helen Travers
Carolyn Szydlowski
Field Day T-Shirts Connie Irving
Fifth Grade Luau Pam Sweeney
Valerie Davie
Fifth Grade Recognition Lynn D'Angelo
Andrea Dempsey
Fifth Grade Terrific Kids Anna Razza
Kim Lopes
Fifth Grade T-Shirts Valerie Davie
Kim Lopes
Fifth Grade Yearbook Laurie Weissman
Valerie Davie
Food Service Gina Portello
Fundraising – Back to School Bake Sale Lynn D’Angelo
Fundraising - Kid Stuff Books Tracy DellItalia
Kim Aquilino
Committee List
E-mail is a great tool for the Lee Road PTA. Important infor-mation can be shared via e-mail including community news, school issues, meeting
reminders and lots of other topics. Stay “connected” and join the Lee Road PTA e-mail database. The Lee Road PTA e-mail
address is: [email protected]
Please send your name and e-mail
address to us and we will add you to the distribution list. Thank you!
On behalf of the Lee Road PTA
Executive Committee,
have a very Happy
Thanksgiving!
Committee List, continued
Page 6 ROADRUNNER
Fundraising—Thanksgiving Pies Kim Angieri
Lisa Jimenez
Health, Safety & Environment Lynn D'Angelo
Holiday Boutique Bridgette Hogan
Jackie Butler
Honorary Life Award/Scholarship Dinner Dance MaryLou Miller
Kindergarten Orientation Lynn D'Angelo
Kindergarten Signs Roma Nowak
Kindergarten Social Michelle Gallela Leslie Cassidy
LEADD Andrea Dempsey
Memorial Scholarship Andrea Dempsey
PARP Helen Travers
Carolyn Szydlowski
Picture Day Marie Mendes
Reflections Bridgette Hogan
Jackie Butler
RIF Valerie Davie
Carolyn Szydlowski
School Store Roma Nowak
School Supply Boxes Laurie Weissman
Secondary Curriculum Carolyn Szydlowski
Staff Recognition Tracy DellItalia
Walk to School Day Andrea Dempsey
Gina Portello
COMMITTEE NAME Chairperson
DEAR Time
Thank you to all of our readers who participated in October DEAR time! Our next DEAR time is on November 19… notices will be coming home soon!
Jackie Butler & Diane Byrnes, Chairpersons
Committee News Secondary Education Curriculum:
The district has purchased the Springboard curriculum for 6th grade Language Arts. Springboard is a pre-AP curricu-lum. At the end of October, after 2 teacher development sessions, all 6th grade Language Arts classes (including Spe-cial Education) will begin to integrate the Springboard curriculum with the existing Language Arts curriculum. It is the hope of the district that if they see advances in student learning they can then integrate the Springboard Curriculum with other areas of study and the teachers who are currently taking the professional development days can help train the other teachers. As for state tests, the state has discontinued the Social Studies Assessment for grades 5 and 8. It has also discontinued the 8th grade foreign language proficiency exam but the state has said that the district can ad-minister a local exam and still give the one high school credit to the students who pass.
Carolyn Szydlowski, Chairperson
BJ’s fundraising
I just want to thank all who participated in the Fall BJ’s fundraiser. Don’t despair if you missed the October 22nd deadline, we will be doing this two more times this year. We will hold it next in January and again in the spring. Please don’t forget to ask your family and friends to re-new their membership through us!! It’s a great deal and we receive $5 for every new membership or renewal.
If you have any questions, email me at [email protected], or phone 516-679-8850 (evenings) Angela Mumolo – BJ’s Fundraiser Committee Chairperson
NOVEMBER, 2010 Page 7
5th Grade Yearbook Update Valerie Davie & Laurie Weissman, Chairpersons Our committee will soon be getting together to start designing our yearbook pages, and we need YOUR help! Each 5th grader needs to bring in a toddler photo, a recent photo of them now and any candid pictures they have of themselves in a
school activity. Their deadline is November 30th. “Boosters” will be on sale soon, so start thinking about wise advice you’d like to leave for your favorite 5th grader. Watch for more information soon!
Sharpen your pencil, Dust off your camera, Break out the paints
It’s time for Reflections
This year’s theme is “Together We Can”
This is a cultural arts program run through the PTA’s local, state and na‐tional levels.
There are 6 categories:
Visual arts, photography, dance choreography, music, lit‐erature, film/video
Program rules are available at www.ptareflections.org
Any questions contact:
Jackie Butler, 297‐8660
All entries are due November 19th
The 'Kindergarten Social' is a night designed to provide the opportunity for all incoming kindergarten parents to meet and spend time getting to know each other [without their children]. We held this year's event on October 5th in the Lee Road All Purpose Room. It appeared FUN was had by all! Talking and sharing 'interesting facts' about each other during a game of Bingo opened the evening. PTA information was then communicated. The impor-tance of PTA membership was explained to all and details provided on some of the committees that are funded through the PTA. Many have already decided to become involved and have volunteered to join various committees - THANKS! We finished the night with a tour of the school [which included the library - computer room - art room - music room] and raffle prizes / gifts for all attendees. These parents will travel together for the next 6 years - hopefully - they now feel more connected to enjoy the ride! — Leslie Cassidy & Michele Galella, Chairpersons
Back to School Bake Sale
The bake to school bake sale was a suc-cess! The PTA earned $232 from the sale.
Thank you to all the families who baked or brought in a treat and to those who volun-teered their time
to work at the bake sale table that night. Your help was very much appreciated.
Lynn D’Angelo, Committee Chairperson
KidStuff Thank you for supporting Lee Road PTA's KidStuff Cou-pon Book fundraiser! We raised over $2,000 to support educational programs and family fun events for the chil-dren. We hope you save plenty of money with the variety of coupons offered. Keep the book in your car so that you have access to the coupons while on the road! - Kim Aquilino & Tracy Dell’Italia, Chairpersons
Page 8
Kids Corner
ROADRUNNER
Lee Road By Samantha Jennings Grade 2, Mrs. Torre Lee Road is Fun ! Lee Road is Cool ! I Love Lee Road. Lee Road School Rules !
Columbus Day weekend I went camping with my family at Nick-erson Beach. It was a Halloween theme weekend. I went trick or treating with my friends who camped there. It was the best weekend ever!
Shannon Haller Mrs. Smith 4th Grade
Last year I started dancing at a different dance studio. It is AMAZING ! I think it is amazing because my dance teacher is the sweetest dance teacher ever and be-cause she is also very, very funny! I take Tap, Jazz, and Modern at the studio. I love going there every time! We do two dance recitals a year and they are so much fun! She give us the best songs ever and does the greatest dance moves! She also does dance camp, which is in the summer and it is the best camp in the world! At the end of the week she gives out shirts that
say Marianne Anderson's School of Dance and also brings in a famous dancer too! I love my new dance stu-dio and my new dance teacher!
Kathryn Mercaldo 4th Grade, Mrs. Rabinoff
Our New Rug
By Mrs. Cacamis’ First Grade Class
We have a new rug.
It is very cozy.
It is very colorful.
We can each sit in our own square.
Two people share a square but
it works out just right.
We use our rug for reading, listening,
learning and all kinds of lessons.
We love our new rug.
I am Special By Mikey McKenna First Grade, Mrs. Cacamis
My name is Mikey. I am special because I love my family.
Fall By: Joseph Pardi First Grade, Mrs. Cacamis
Fall is squirrels
turkeys,
pumpkins,
apples,
and mums.
Fall is fun.
NOVEMBER, 2010 Page 9
Kids Corner Fall By Julie Weitner First Grade, Mrs. Cacamis
I see pumpkins.
I hear geese flying south.
I smell apple pie.
I feel wind blowing.
I taste hot chocolate.
Fall is here! I love it!
Spiders By: Joseph Parascondola First Grade, Mrs. Cacamis
Spiders are wonderful.
They eat harmful insects.
They help gardens.
Most spiders have eight eyes.
Spiders are wonderful.
My trip to Disney World
Over the summer I went on a trip to Disney World in Florida. I rode there on a big airplane. I got to meet the pilot and sit in his special chair.
When we got to the resort I ate a yummy dinner. The next day we went to the Magic Kingdom and we went on a lot of rides. My favorite ride was Snow White’s Scary Adventure. We visited the Magic Kingdom a lot and I met Mickey Mouse and Belle. I also went to Epcot and then swam in the hotel pool. It was the best trip ever.
Grace Alduino A.M. Kindergarten, Ms. Kelly
Halloween By Nicole Weber 4th grade, Mrs. Smith
Skeletons crackling up and down the streets.
Ghosts glowing in the moonlight. Spiders hanging from trees. Dracula hiding behind bushes and pops out
saying “Muh ha ha haa.” Frankenstein stealing candy from kids. And people going door to door saying
“Trick-or-treat” to get candy. That is a fun Halloween!
Page 10 ROADRUNNER
PTA Halloween Party Trick or Treat Lee Roaders!!! The first ever Lee Road Halloween Party was held on Friday, October 29th. Over 100 ghosts, pirates, fairies, and prin-cesses arrived to dance and have fun. The night went quick and ended with an all-time favorite, Trunk or Treating. Trunks of cars and SUVs were decorated and filled with sweets for the children. A great big Thank You to DJ Gerard Del-Grosso for providing the music, and to the many moms who helped make the night a fun one for all. We hope to see many of you again next year! — Margaret Costa
PTA Membership Form WE NEED YOU! Your membership $ will help the Lee Road PTA fund all of the many wonderful
programs that your children will enjoy throughout the 2010 - 2011 school year!
PTA Membership Information
Mom’s Name: Email Address: Dad’s Name: Email Address:
Address:
Phone: Alt Phone: Best Time to Call:
Child: Grade/Teacher: Child: Grade/Teacher:
Child: Grade/Teacher: # People: Amount Paid:
If given the option would you prefer to receive information about PTA sponsored events:
via e-mail via flyers sent home with your child
*** INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP: $10 · ADDITIONAL FAMILY MEMBERS: $4 · BOTH PARENTS: $14 ***
Checks Only · Payable to Lee Road PTA · Return in Envelope Marked “Membership”
Are you available to volunteer two hours of time to the Lee Road PTA this year? It would be GREATLY appreciated! If so - what are the times that work best for you? Please check all that apply.
Fall Spring A.M. P.M. At Home At School
If you are interested in assisting with a specific committee please let us know. Descriptions of all committees are on the Lee Road website: www.levittownschools.com/lee/pta.
Committee Name:___________________________________________________________________