Gayhead Elementary School FEBRUARY 2012 · registration on Tuesday, March 7, from 6:30 – 8:30 pm at Myers Corners Elementary School. If you have not already done so, please call

Gayhead Elementary School 15 Entry Road

Hopewell Junction, NY 12533 Tel.: 845-227-1756

Fax.: 845-227-1764 FEBRUARY 2012

From Mr. Olavarría

Dear Parents and Guardians:

This has certainly been an interesting winter season –

weather wise. Last year at this time, I wrote to you

commenting that it’s been the snowiest January in

many years. This year, so far, it’s just the opposite.

With approximately two more months of winter ahead

of us, we may be looking at the winter with the LEAST

amount of snow (and ice) in many years!! I’ll keep my

fingers crossed for more of the same for this year!!

Report cards for the second quarter go home on

Tuesday, February 7th. The Board of Education meets

February 13th and February 27th. Please try to attend.

There is no school on Friday February 17th due to

Superintendent’s Conference Day and no school on

Monday, February 20th in observance of President’s

Day. Gayhead’s School Leadership Team will meet on

February 28nd at 8:00 a.m. Please check out our

calendar on the last page of this newsletter for

additional important dates.

IF YOUR CHILD WILL NEED BUS

TRANSPORTATION TO A DAYCARE OR

BABYSITTER NEXT YEAR

The Wappingers Central School District

Transportation Department reminds all parents that

transportation requests to private or parochial

schools, daycare facilities and babysitters must be

filed annually and be received by the District no

later than April 1, 2012 for the 2012-2013 school

year. These applications are available at all public,

private and parochial schools.

If you are new to the District, you will need to go

to our Central Registrar to register your child

before transportation can be given. Please bring

proof of residency. The Central Registration office

is located at the Laerdal Building, 167 Myers

Corners road, Wappingers Falls, NY Please call for

an appointment at 845-298-500, ext. 40132.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns,

please do not hesitate to call your child’s teacher or

the school.

Sincerely,

José Olavarría Principal

It’s Time for Kindergarten

Registration!!

Registration will take place at Gayhead Elementary

School on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday,

March 13, 14 and 15. The hours of registration will

be between 9:30 am - 11:30 am and 1:00 pm - 2:30

pm. The District is also providing an evening

registration on Tuesday, March 7, from 6:30 – 8:30

pm at Myers Corners Elementary School.

If you have not already done so, please call the

school at 227-1756 and press 0 for the main office

to obtain a packet of registration forms.

If you would like to receive weekly bulletins, the latest

information about special events at our building, and notification

about school delays and cancellations via e-mail, please subscribe

to Gayhead School News by visiting

http://groups.google.com/group/gayhead-school-news.

You may also access the registration screen for Gayhead School News by clicking on the link found on our school website.

This newsletter is accessible on our website. We ask that you

please look for it at the beginning of each month as we will

continue to post important dates and timely information in the

newsletter.

GAYHEAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL February 2012 PAGE 2

Science and Art Go Hand-In-Hand in Mrs. Messina’s Fourth

Grade Class

Mrs. Messina’s class has been working collaboratively with Ms. Monzet, one of Gayhead’s art teachers,

on a science research project which included making a paper maché model in art class.

The students selected an animal to write their report on and then worked to make a model of their

animal based on their research. The students then presented their reports in class and showed their

model. Models are currently on display in the display case by the gym. Projects are also on display

outside of room 39. Stop by and take a look.

Parent Connection – Something to Ponder Children who have been read to for 30 minutes a day from birth through age five receive over 900 hours of

brain food. Children who have been read to for 30 minutes a week from birth through age five receive 130

hours of brain food…which is great…but a 770 hour deficit when compared to the first group.

Children who are read to less than 30 minutes weekly enter kindergarten with less than 60 hours of the same

brain food -- fewer nursery rhymes, fairy tales, stories, etc. Even the most gifted teacher cannot bridge the

gap that exists between the cognitively undernourished and the young minds which have been saturated with

literacy. (Iowa Literacy Link volume 1 Number 8, April 2007)

The good news is that reading to your child is powerful, no matter what age they are! Experts recommend that

parents read to their children through high school. It is never too late to read to your child, no

matter what age they are. So grab the comics, the newspaper, or a really great novel, curl up on

the couch and read!!


Mrs. Muñoz, Mrs. Tarantino, and Mrs. Lombardo's class has been studying digestion and how taste

buds help us taste the foods that we eat.

We did an experiment where we tasted foods that targeted the four taste buds and tried to figure

out where on the tongue we tasted them. For salty we used potato chips, sour- gummy worms,

sweet- jolly ranchers, and bitter- tonic water. It's hard identifying the areas on the tongue but it

sure was fun trying! ... especially the tonic water. ;)

Gayhead School Takes a Stand Against Bullying

At Gayhead Elementary School in Hopewell Junction, we view bullying as a serious issue that many of our

children face today. We feel building character education is a foundation to a successful anti-bullying

program at our school.

The week of January 30th, Gayhead School participated in the national No Name Calling Week. Aside

from the series of lessons that were taught daily throughout the week, our school had a special event.

Friday January 27th was “Black-Out for Bullying Day” all across Gayhead Elementary School. All of the

students wore a black shirt to stand up to bullying and help make a difference. As a school, we recited our

Anti-Bullying Pledge, while forming a human chain. The first grade students sang a song called “Don’t Laugh

at Me”. We were covered by local Cablevision news and our activities and pictures were published in the

Southern Dutchess News. We want to help educate the community about bullying because together we can

make a difference.

Mrs. Kelly Hanna, Grade 1 Teacher/Co-Chair

Bully Prevention Committee

Gayhead School Anti-Bullying Pledge

Gayhead’s Anti-Bullying Pledge I make a COMMITTMENT to stand up against

bullying

I will treat others with RESPECT and KINDNESS

I will show EMPATHY towards others

I will have the COMPASSION to not be a bully

and the COURAGE to not be a bystander

It is my RESPONSIBILITY to help others being

bullied and to report bullying

The end of bullying begins with ME



Fifth Graders Study the Different Branches of Government

Ms. Smalley’s and Mrs. Neely’s students are enjoying social studies as they study the different

branches of the United States government – Executive, Legislative and Judicial.


February is Jump Rope For Heart Month!!

7 Second Quarter Report Cards Go Home

8 Gayhead PTA Meeting

9 PARP Kicks Off!

13 Board of Education Meeting –

Wappingers Jr. High Sch. Auditorium 7:30 pm

16 PARP Week 1 slips due--Vacation Shirt Day! 17 No School - Superintendent’s Conference Day

20 No School - President’s Day

22 SLT Meeting 8:00 am

23 PARP Week 2 slips due—Inside Out Day! 26(Sat) Hands On Science – 10:00 am-2:00 pm

27 Board of Education Meeting –

Wappingers Jr. High Sch. Auditorium 7:30 pm

Reminder: the date of the spring Superintendent’s

Conference Day originally scheduled for 5/14/12 has been

changed to 4/27/12 to accommodate the spring state

assessment and AP exam schedules.

School will not be in session for students on 4/27/12.

School will be in session for students on 5/14/12.

Upcoming Field Trips

The following classes will be visiting Locust Grove in the

coming weeks. This is an educational field trip that

addresses several academic subjects. Science: third and

fourth graders will learn about electricity, circuits,

inventions, simple machines, levers, inclined planes,

wheel/axles, pulleys. Social studies: communities, time

line, how inventions improve daily life.

2/22 Mrs. LeFevre/Mrs. Gilman’s and Mrs. Garcia’s

classes:

2/23 Mrs. Gardner’s and Ms. Scalzo’s classes:

3/14 Ms. O’Hearon’s and Mrs. Beaumont’s classes:

3/20 Mrs. Misch/Mrs. Ruppert, Mrs. Messina’s,

Mrs. Valentino’s, Mrs. Ryan’s classes

3/22 Mrs. Johnson’s, Mrs. Muñoz/Mrs. Tarantino’s,

Mrs. Cox’s, Mrs. Paglia’s classes

3/29 Mrs. Cerrone’s and Mrs. Farris’ classes:

From Mr. Olavarría:

I would like to ask for your help and cooperation.

It is extremely important for your child to be in attendance

for the entire school day, unless they are sick. With that said,

if it is necessary to pick your child up early from school for an

appointment, please write a note to the classroom teacher.

Please do not call the office—with our large population and

class schedules, it is often difficult to locate the teacher to

give them a verbal message regarding something as important

as changing your child’s dismissal.

If you are picking up at the end of the school day, the time

that you can pick up your child is 3:25. The place is in our

downstairs dismissal rooms. There is an important safety

reason for this. If we do not keep order, YOUR (OR

SOMEONE ELSE’S) CHILD IS AT RISK. Some children have

special safety issues and their well-being is just as important

as your own child’s safety. Please respect our procedures to

keep everyone safe.

In addition, it is absolutely necessary to write the first and

last name of your child AND the name of the person picking up

legibly. In order to keep your children safe from someone who

is not authorized to pick up, our secretaries create a list of

students being picked up and the name of the person picking up

each child. The secretaries need to be able to read your

writing. Please use the form on our website for your

convenience. We’ve also included it at the end of this

newsletter for your convenience to copy. Thank you for helping

us to keep your children safe!!

IMPORTANT NOTICE If you require bus transportation to or from a babysitter or

daycare for next school year…please read on.

The WCSD Transportation Department must receive all requests for Day Care/Babysitter transportation no later than April 1, for transportation to a daycare or babysitter for the 2010-2011 school year or transportation may not be available. Day care facilities registered under section 390 of the NYS Dept. of Social Services are entitled to transportation to and from the day care center WITHIN the District, provided application is received by the school district before April 1 of the preceding school year. Day care locations must be for five (5) days a week in and/or out. Otherwise it must be done with a daily note via the school and only to or from an existing stop on an existing run. Baby sitter locations NOT licensed or registered under section 390 of the NYS Dept. of Social Services are restricted to the attendance zone of the school attended. All day care/babysitter transportation applications must be filed annually by April 1st of the preceding school year or transportation may not be available. Day care/babysitter transportation forms are not carried over from year to year. A new form must be filed by April 1st for the next school year. Daycare/babysitter transportation applications are available in our main office.


IMPORTANT NOTICE

If your child will require bus transportation to or from a babysitter or daycare

for next school year…please read on.

The WCSD Transportation Department must receive all requests for Day Care/Babysitter transportation no later than April 1, for transportation to a daycare or babysitter for the 2012-2013 school year or transportation may not be available. Day care facilities registered under section 390 of the NYS Dept. of Social Services are entitled to transportation to and from the day care center WITHIN the District, provided application is received by the school district before April 1 of the preceding school year. Day care locations must be for five (5) days a week in and/or out. Otherwise, it must be done with a daily note to the school and only to or from an existing stop on an existing bus route. Baby sitter locations NOT licensed or registered under section 390 of the NYS Dept. of Social Services are restricted to the attendance zone of the school attended. All day care/babysitter transportation applications must be filed annually by April 1st of the preceding school year or transportation may not be available. Day care/babysitter transportation forms are not carried over from year to year. A new form must be filed by April 1st for the next school year. Daycare/babysitter transportation applications are available in our main office.

Did you know that every morning your child can buy a “grab ‘n go” breakfast right in the

main lobby of the school to take to the classroom. While other students are getting settled

and the teacher is taking attendance, students can eat their “grab ‘n go” breakfast and toss

out the wrapper right in the classroom. This is an easy, healthy and energizing way to start

the day?

If your child wants to purchase breakfast, your child should go to the main lobby straight

from the bus. He or she can get off the bus at the 2nd Gayhead bus stop (Main Entrance)

and come directly into the lobby. One of our servers is there with a cart stocked with

“breakfast to go bags.” The children can chose items for their “grab ‘n go” bag, then head

right to their classroom where they’ll eat and drink what’s in their bags as students settle

down to start the day. Wrappers and containers go back in the bag which are then are

tossed in the trash.

GRAB AND GO BREAKFAST -- $1.15

Choose One*:

* Egg Sandwich on Whole Wheat Bagel or Roll

OR

* WW Bagel/Roll w/Cream Cheese or Butter

OR

* Breakfast Bar

OR

* String Cheese with ½ Bagel or Roll

Choice of Juice – Apple or Orange Choice of Milk

Breakfast may be purchased with cash or your child

may use his or her account (PIN number).

If your child is eligible to receive a free or reduced price lunch, he or she is eligible for

free or reduced price breakfast. The reduced breakfast meal price is $ .25.


February is Healthy Heart Month

Gayhead School will again be participating in the

American Heart Association’s

Jump Rope for Heart Campaign.

Besides the usual Jump Rope For Heart(JRFH) incentives, we are offering:

The class raising the most money in the school will earn a Heart Healthy lunch.

The class with the most participants will receive a bonus Recess Equipment Pack!

The 4th grade class raising the most money will earn a Heart Healthy Snack party!

The 5th grade class raising the most money will earn an extra PE class of your

choice vs. the 5th grade class with the most participants.

Poster contest: Posters are due by February 16th. Winners will receive a surprise prize.

“In Memory of…” or “In Honor of…” hearts will again be on display in the gym lobby. Bring in

names of a family members or friends who have or had heart disease or stroke to be added to our

Heart Wall.

Checks may be made payable to American Heart Association (AHA) and are due Feb. 24th.

Thank you in advance for your support in this worthy endeavor. We could not succeed

without your support! Further details are on the Phys Ed website.


Gayhead Elementary School Student Pick-Up Form

Dear Parents and Guardians, If you wish to pick your child up from school at dismissal (3:25 pm), we ask that you send a note each day the pick up will occur. Parent/guardian sign-out is on our lower level near the first playground as you drive up the driveway. In order to keep everything safe and organized, we ask that you please park your car in one of the three designated lanes. Then, you will enter through the lower level lobby near the primary playground. Please have your photo identification ready! A note is required each day you pick up. There is no “same day of the week list.” The only exception is if your child is always picked up every day. If your child needs to be picked up at dismissal, please use the form below and send it with your child each day the pick-up will occur. (Please make additional copies as needed so you have them handy if the need should arise again – forms are also available on our school website.) Your cooperation will make the dismissal procedure swifter and safer if this form is used all the time.

------------------------------------------------------------------Tear Here--------------------------------------------------------------

Student Pick-Up Form Please give this form to the classroom teacher with morning notes.

Teacher will forward to the main office. Date: _____________ Child’s Name: ________________________________ Teacher:____________________ Grade: _______ Room: ________ Dear Mr. Olavarría (Principal), It is necessary that my child be picked up from school today at dismissal (3:25 pm). If the person picking up my child is other than me, the parent/guardian, I have indicated that person’s name below and their relationship to my child. I am aware that photo proof of identification is required. Name of person picking up student _____________________________________ Relationship _______________________(if other than Parent/Guardian) __________________________________ Signature of Parent / Guardian


Documents

Gayhead Elementary School FEBRUARY 2012 · registration on Tuesday, March 7, from 6:30 – 8:30 pm at Myers Corners Elementary School. If you have not already done so, please call