MARGARET A. CONNOLLY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL April, 2013 ...

AprilMARGARET A. CONNOLLY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLApril, 2013Newsletter #8A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPALDear Parents/Guardians:The Grade 3 – 5 English Language Arts State assessments are scheduled forApril 16 through and including April 18, 2013. Additionally, the Grade 3 – 5 MathState assessments are scheduled for April 24 through and including April 26, 2013.It is important that the youngsters come in well rested for these exams. As youknow, students have been working with their teachers throughout the year and arewell prepared for these exams.Please also be aware that during the State testing and the guidelines set forthby the New York State Education Department, the administration of the Statetesting includes the following change from prior years. All classroom teachers willnot be proctoring in their own classroom and with their own students. All teacherswill be assigned to, and proctoring for, a different classroom for the duration of thetesting period.

-2-The School Budget Vote is quickly approaching (May 21, 2013). Rememberto stay informed regarding the budget and to exercise your right by voting!Remember Spring means that students will usually be outdoors for recess. Pleasemake sure that you send your child to school in the morning (which can still be cool),appropriately dressed.Parent-Teacher Association (PTA)Please see the attached newsletter from the Connolly PTANotes from the Health OfficeIf your child has a fever, vomiting or diarrhea, the night before school or in the morning,please DO NOT send them to school. Children should be free from symptoms for 24hours before returning to school. Some illnesses must be treated with medication.PLEASE call your doctor to find out what treatment is best for your child.If you detect lice in your child’s hair, please call the school nurse. Lice/nits must betreated before returning to school.The SPRING ALLERGY SEASON is here. If your child suffers from seasonal allergiesand requires medication, PLEASE stop by the Health Office for the proper medicationforms. PLEASE DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL WITH ANYMEDICATION, INCLUDING OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATIONS unless theforms are signed by the doctor and on file in the Health Office. THIS INCLUDESSUNSCREEN PRODUCTS , COUGH/COLD AND THROAT DROPS OR ANYPRODUCT THAT STATES “KEEP OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN”.ANY QUESTIONS- SEE OR CALL MRS. CORTESE, RN (801-7360)Jean CorteseConnolly School Nurse

- 3 -From The Psychologist’s DeskApril is National Autism Awareness Month and the UN has proclaimed April 2 nd as the6 th Annual World Autism Awareness Day. To promote awareness, Autism Speaksinvited schools to have students and staff wear blue as part of their Light It Up Bluecampaign. Those interested in more involvement can attend the associated Long IslandWalk Now for Autism Speaks at Jones Beach on October 6.Board of Education Meetings- April 8, 2013 - Middle School @ 8:00 p.m.- April 22, 2013 - Middle School @ 8:00 p.m. regular scheduled Board ofEducation meeting discussion and adoption of the 2013-2014 school budget- May 6, 2013 - Middle School @ 8:00 p.m.- May 7, 2013 - Budget Hearing - Required, must be between 7 – 14 daysof budget vote - Middle School @ 8:00 p.m.- May 21, 2013 - Budget Vote and School Board Election -7:00 a.m. -9:00p.m.Site Committee UpdateThe Site Committee continues to work on goals related to improving studentachievement. We will keep you apprised of our progress through future newsletters.Student Council News1. Members were very busy with working at our Student Council sale. We raised$344.00 for cancer research. Thank you parents for all the delicious snacks yousupplied….Yum yum!2. Thank you all for donating non-perishable goods to our local soup kitchen. Wewere able to donate two boxes worth of food.

- 4 -JUMP ROPE FOR HEARTTo date we have raised approximately $1,000 for Jump Rope for Heart. Please send inany donations you may have received as soon as possible.CONNOLLY STUDENT “STARS”The following students have been selected as winners in the Glen Cove Center forNursing & Rehabilitation essay contest:Michael Farina – Mrs. StancoLily Hoffman – Mrs. ElliottCole Sanders-D’Alleva – Mrs. LeitmanAlexandra Figliuzzi – Mrs. BuehreKeith Callaghan – Mrs. PilewskiAmedea Cipriano – Mrs. AbramsonDominque Bencivenni – Mrs. FletcherGrecia Cisneros – Ms. BerkinMatthew Ladeairous – Mrs. FletcherNoemy Annunziata – Mrs. ChiarelloAnna Basil – Mrs. ElliottCara Luzynski – Mrs. LeitmanChristopher Obando – Mrs. BuehreKayla Perez – Mrs. AbramsonMelissa Herrera – Mr. ArnoneOwen O’Regan – Ms. BerkinDevyn Venegas – Ms. GielbedaPhil Aguilar - Ms. BerkinThere will be a recognition and award ceremony followed by a reception on Tuesday,April 9, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. at the Glen Cove Center for Nursing & Rehabilitation.Congratulations to all the students!CONNOLLY STUDENT MUSIC “STARS”On March 13 & 14, Connolly School music students participated in the New York StateSchool Music Association’s (NYSSMA) Solo Evaluation Festival held at Roslyn HighSchool. These students prepared a piece to play for a professional music educator, aswell as scales and sight reading. The feedback is to give them guidance on their musicaljourney. In addition, piano students will be performing their NYSSMA solos April 5 & 6at Great Neck North High School. Thanks to Mrs. Criblez, Mr. Guarini and Ms. Vigliottifor preparing the students. We are proud of all of the Connolly Students who took on thisadditional challenge and performed beautifully!4 th Grade Vocal Students: Ashlee Field, Angelina Holden, Lily Knobel, Isabelle Unger

- 5 -5 th Grade Vocal Students: Julia Abbondanza, Alex Beckhard-Suozzi, Elias Beglin,Dominique Bencivenni, Kelly Bruce, Caterina Carvelli, Sophia Chu, Ciara Doyle,Franmarie Hlatky-Rivera, Nyasia Jackson, Kylie Jenkins, Domenica Leotta, Elena Ortiz-Moreno, Julia Perfetti, Nicole Serrano, Eva Sunshine5 th Grade Band Students: Japnour Bhasin, Kylie Jenkins, Alexandra Martinez, EvaSunshine, Nicole Valensisi, Gregory Villafane, Victoria Xikis5 th Grade Orchestra Students: Christie Annunziato, Kristyn Cardali, Danny DaCosta,Gregory VillafanePiano Students: Eunice KangSUMMARYPlease remember to keep informed regarding the upcoming budget vote in May! Enjoythe beautiful days of Spring!Cordially yours,RS/acRosemarie SekelskyPrincipal

- 6 –DATES TO REMEMBERApril 1 – 30 - Mathematics Education MonthNational Poetry MonthNational Autism Awareness MonthMonday, April 1 - SCHOOLS REOPENTuesday, April 2 - HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SANDY VIGLIOTTI,GENERAL MUSIC AND CHORAL TEACHER!Monday, April 8 - Board of Education Meeting – 8:00 p.m. –Middle SchoolTuesday, April 9 - HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CONSULTANTTEACHING ASSISTANT, MISHEL WOWK!Wednesday, April 10 - SEPTA Clay Nation Parent Night Out – 7:00 –10:00 p.m.Thursday, April 11 - PTA Night Out – Cedar Creek 6:30 p.m.Tuesday, April 16 - PTA COUNCIL MEETING – 7:30 P.M. –HIGH SCHOOLTuesday, April 16 – Thursday, April 18 – GRADES 3-5 STATE ELA EXAM!Thursday, April 18 - HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GRADE 5TEACHER, NANCY COX!Saturday, April 20 - HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CONNOLLY/GRIBBINLIBRARY TEACHER, ROBIN SCHAPIRA!Monday, April 22 - Board of Education Meeting – Middle School8:00 p.m.Wednesday, April 24 – Friday, April 26 – GRADES 3-5 STATE MATH EXAM!Wednesday, April 24 - SECRETARIES’ DAY!

- 7 -Monday, April 29 - HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ED SMITH,INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC TEACHER!Tuesday, April 30 - Connolly PTA Meeting - 7:00 p.m.LOOKING AHEAD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wednesday, May 1 - PTA HS/MS/SEPTA Joint Meeting – 7:30 p.m. –High SchoolThursday, May 2 - HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SPECIAL EDUCATIONTEACHER, JUDY GALLAGHER!Sunday, May 5 - HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PAULA LUPARELLO,PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHER!Monday, May 6 - HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SANDRA BUEHRE,GRADE 3 TEACHER!Monday, May 6 - Board of Education Meeting 8:00 p.m. – MiddleSchoolTuesday, May 7 - Connolly PTA Staff Appreciation DayMonday, May 13 - Meet The Candidates Night – 7:30 p.m. –Middle School