Editor: Dawn Rubino

Mr. John Solimando, Principal Mrs. Catherine Tavormina, AP

January, 2014

Dear Berea Families,

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a fun filled winter break.

Our theme for January is “Have You Filled a Bucket Today?” This theme is all about helping others. When we say nice things to others or do good deeds, we fill their buckets with positive feelings. This builds self-esteem and self-worth. We should all remember to fill someone’s bucket each day.

During the months of November and December we had two special assemblies for all our students, called “A Bunch of Brass” and “Art is Everywhere”. These assemblies were sponsored by the ADAM group to help bring music and art into our school. We thank them for the many hours of hard work fund raising to provide us with these great experiences. Both assemblies were very well received. There are more of these assemblies to come in January and February.

As we start the new year with resolutions and new ideas for changes for ourselves, we should also look at our school goals. The goal that we strive for continuously is to improve the academic performance of all our students. January, February and March are strong preparation months for the New York State ELA (English Language Arts) and math tests. Teachers are working diligently preparing their students for these challenging exams. I must emphasize that ALL our teachers are preparing ALL our students as teachers in kindergarten and grades 1 and 2 lay the foundation for good reading and math skills that are then reinforced and built upon as students move into grades 3, 4 and 5. We ask families for your support in this important work to help our students become college and career ready.

January is Parents as Reading Partners month (PARP). Mrs. O’Brien and Mrs. Santangelo have been planning this month diligently. Please join the reading challenge and read with your child(ren) for at least 15 minutes each day. Everyone in school will be stressing the importance reading every day to improve fluency and comprehension. Students will also be reminded that reading takes us to great places in our imaginations and informs us about the world around us.

January has some important dates to remember:

  • January 6 – Parents as Reading Partners (PARP) begins
  • January 9 – Poem in Your Pocket Day
  • January 13 – Board of Education Meeting in Central Office 6:45 PM
  • January 16 – PTA meeting in the library 6:15 PM
  • January 17 – PTA Science Fair 6:30 PM (January 24 is the snow date)
  • January 20 – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – No School
  • January 27 - Board of Education Meeting in Central Office 6:45 PM
  • January 31 – PTA Book Bingo 6:30-8:00

Sincerely,

John M. Solimando

Principal

Dear Berea Families,

The spirit of the holiday season reflects love, miracles, magic, family, friends, food, wonder, giving, greetings, character, fun, and memories. Throw in a holiday to rest up, relax, and enjoy the things that mean the most to us, and we get the opportunity to reflect on the past year and plan for the new one.

Thank you for your continued support of your child’s education here at Berea. The memories and the time that you share with your child are treasured forever. You have the most influence on your child’s future and are their primary teacher. Here are some things parents have done over the past few years during the winter break.

  • Take a trip to the library and check out the books about your child’s favorite hobby or interests. Bugs, flowers, trucks, gardening, math, skateboarding, soccer, dolls, construction, science, BMX, crafts, history, planets, dinosaurs, jokes, jewelry, geography, collections, etc. The librarian will be glad to help!
  • Listening to fluent readers helps students become fluent readers. Consider audio books as a jump start to reading. There is a whole section at your local library. When you check one out, be sure to check out the book along with the CD, so your child can read along. They are also good for long car rides.
  • If your child loves art, get the list of books that are Caldecott award winners. These books have received the highest honors for their illustrations and artistic value.
  • If your child loves music, find the lyrics to his/her favorite songs and sing and read along with the song as it plays. There are also the bouncing ball videos with the words to the songs at the bottom of the screen.
  • Download a recipe, directions for making paper airplanes, or information about a favorite team or player. You can also get a jump start on a science fair project. Use the internet as a tool for reading and learning.
  • Using a ruler, have your child measure the height, width, and length of objects in the house. Have your child weigh the dog or cat by first weighing themselves and then holding their pet….
  • Give the gift of books. Have your child read to you while you prepare dinner or wash the dishes.
  • Plan a project together. Whether it’s building something, painting a room, creating art, or learning a new skill.
  • Visit a nursing home or volunteer at a soup kitchen. Then have your child write about the experience.
  • Count and roll the loose change in the house. Go to the bank and make a deposit.
  • Organize the cans of vegetables in the pantry in alphabetical order.
  • Go hiking, snow-shoeing or cross country skiing. Write a letter to a friend or relative about your experience.

During this holiday season remember that the memories you share will stay with your child forever. Have fun, enjoy, and savor the moments.

I wish you and your family joy and peace during this magical time of year.

Sincerely,

Catherine R. Tavormina

Dear members of the Berea family:

It seemed like yesterday that it was 50 degrees and warm! Now we have already had two snow days, and more snow in the forecast for the next few weeks.

The PTA continues to be actively involved in planning programs for our children. Although we had to cancel the Wish tree lighting because of bad weather, the Wish Tree itself was very successful and resulted in many local families having holiday presents this year. We wish to thank everyone who contributed to that worthwhile project.

Last week’s Holiday Shop was also very successful, and we hope everyone had an opportunity to check out our holiday merchandise and make a small purchase to benefit the PTA’s activities.

We are continuing to plan for some of Berea’s upcoming events, including Parents as reading partners (PARP) a three week reading program in which we engage our students in the love of books, with our Book Bingo event scheduled for Friday, January 31. In addition, the PTA sponsors the annual Berea Science Fair, scheduled for Friday, January 17. And don’t forget the next PTA meeting on Thursday, January 16 at 6:15 pm in the Berea Library.

We hope that you have a wonderful holiday season. Keep reading with your children!

Best regards,

Kathleen Monessen

PTA President

December 2013

Kindergarten:

Mrs. Herman (am)Aurora Ullmeyer

Mrs. Herman (pm)Kaden Harvey

Mrs. HolloranKyle Kimmey

Mrs. KedzielawaEdgar Munoz

Mrs. PrimaveraAlyssa Heid

First Grade:

Miss Hackett Jesus Martinez Mrs. Skahen Brianna McPhillips

Mrs. Weiner Marius Rudy

Second Grade:

Ms. SickNoah Conroy

Mrs. StoraskaKellen Teutul

Ms. ThorpArianna Sosa

Mrs. Vermilyea Zackerie Boepple

Third Grade:

Mrs. Abbruscato/WalkerKadyn Uke

Mrs. CrownZackary Ryan

Mrs. GrammasJayden Robinson

Mrs. HoytRichard Gonzales

Mrs. SalinovichTim Thornton

Fourth Grade:

Mrs. CookAbbey Stout

Mrs. Scott Javen Griffith

Fifth Grade:

Mr. Carter/Mrs. SoslerSamantha Taggart

Ms. FloodNaomi Francois

Mrs. KinsleyJulian Wala

Ms. Van ZantenMadison Vohl

Mrs. ViandenGianna Rader

Berea’s Theme of the Month Program

“Have You Filled a Bucket Today?”

Berea has a special “Drop for Your Bucket” program that we use to foster respect throughout our school. This program is based on the book “Have You Filled a Bucket Today: A Guide to Daily Happiness for Children,” by Carol McCloud. This wonderful book explores how our daily interactions with others affect how everyone feels.

This month, Mrs. Gusmano, our Student Assistance Counselor, will work with the students in each class to complete a “bucket” filling activity.

General “Bucket” Concepts

Listed below are some key concepts from this book:

  • Each of us walks around carrying an invisible bucket.
  • The bucket’s purpose is to hold our good thoughts and good feelings about ourselves.
  • We are happy and feel good when our buckets are full and sad and lonely when our buckets are empty.
  • We fill other people’s buckets by “putting drops” in their buckets. We do this by saying and doing kind things.
  • We “dip” into other people’s buckets when we are mean or ignore others.
  • It is important to have a “lid” for your bucket to protect the good thoughts and feelings in your bucket from someone who is trying to dip into your bucket.
  • If you “dip” into someone else’s bucket it makes both you and the other person feel bad.
  • If you “put a drop” in someone else’s bucket it makes both you and the other person feel good.
  • Drops must be individual, specific, and deserved. Giving drops when they aren’t deserved makes drops less meaningful.

Facts of Living

It is important to understand that you can’t control everything. There are some situations that you must accept and then move on. Here are ten Facts of Living from Carol McCloud’s book, “Growing Up with a Bucket Full of Happiness”:

  1. Some people will be your good friends, and some will not.
  2. Sometimes even good friends and family will let you down. Sometimes you’ll let them down, too.
  3. Sometimes you’ll make the team, and sometimes you won’t.
  4. Sometimes you’ll win, and sometimes you’ll lose.
  5. Some people you like won’t like you back.
  6. Sometimes you’ll work hard and get a good grade, and sometimes you’ll work hard and not get a good grade.
  7. Some people will judge you even before they get to know you.
  8. Some people will say or do things that hurt you very much.
  9. Some things in life are just not fair.
  10. No one gets to choose the body or the talents they are born with, only what they do with them.

Suggested Home Activities

Listed below are some activities you can try at home:

  • Review the key concepts and the Facts of Living with your child.
  • Have each family member share two examples of:

-When someone “dipped” into his/her bucket

-“Drops” that people put in his/her bucket

-When he/she “Dipped” into someone else’s bucket

-“Drops” that he/she has put in someone else’s bucket

  • Talk about how it feels to get or give a “drop.” Talk about how it feels to “dip” or get “dipped.”
  • Use the “drop/dip” terminology. When someone does something nice, point out that they “put a drop” into the other persons bucket. Also, point out when someone is “dipping” into a bucket. You can look for examples in books and movies, on television, and in your daily interactions with others.

From our Nurse’s Office

Dear Berea Families,

The cold weather is again upon us. Please remember that we will be going outside daily for recess, weather permitting. Please send your children to school dressed appropriately for the weather with jackets, hats, scarves, and gloves.

We understand you concerns regarding the health of your child when they have colds and coughs, etc. If your child has temporary health issue and you would like him/her to remain inside for recess, we will honor that request with written note from you for one day. He/she will also sit out of Physical Education for that day. For requests lasting longer than one day, a note will be needed from your doctor stating how long he/she will need to remain indoors. If your child has a health issue that is contingent upon a specific temperature threshold, that temperature must be stated in the note.

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to call me at

845-457-2400 ext. 11700.

Sincerely,

Patricia Luongo, RNJohn Solimando

School Nurse Principal

Math Connections:
PARENTS -
Looking to better connect with the
Common Core Math Curriculum?
Check out the following link!

This link will bring you to Valley Central’s own Elementary Curriculum web page. On the right you will see a column of math links organized by grade level. Within each grade level there are helpful resources for the Common Core Math Curriculum.
The first link will bring you to the New York State web page where you will find the math modules used for instruction in your child’s classroom.
Below the Modules link, you will see a link for the Common Core Standards. This will bring you to a web page filled with descriptive information regarding what each student is expected to do by the end of this school year. This information is again organized by grade level.
Finally, you will see a Resources link. This will open a document that was constructed by teachers here at Valley Central. For each New York State Module, the right hand column of this document provides specific resources that may be used to support the instructional content. Many of these resources are web links that you can use at home.
For more ways to connect with the Common Core Curriculum look for Math Connections in future issues of the Berea Times!

Polar Express Day

On Thursday, December 19th, Berea students participated in a Polar Express Day. Everyone wore his or her pajamas to school. Many fun activities were planned; including reading the book The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg, and viewing the movie. A “conductor” came to each class to bring the students to get on the “train”. “Chefs” delivered hot chocolate to each classroom. Jingle bells were given out for students to take home at the end of the day. Classes completed hot chocolate graphs, story maps, venn diagrams comparing the book and the movie and sequenced story events. It was an exciting way to bring literature alive.

KEEP ME IN A SAFE PLACE, I’M IMPORTANT . . .

PLEASE DON’T RECYCLE UNTIL AFTER PARP!!!

Berea Elementary PTA Proudly Presents:

2014ParentsAsReadingPartners

“Team Up and READ Be a Team Reader!”

Dear Parents,

January 6thbegins our 15th annual Parents As Reading Partners program. The PARPprogram encourages parents, guardians or designated partners to read together with their children at least 15 minutes per day during the length of the program. This year, the PARPprogram will begin on Monday, January 6, 2014, and conclude on Wednesday, January 29, 2014. Our theme this year is “Team Up and Read; Be a Team Reader!” It showcases the idea that you team up with you child to really experience the wonder and joy reading can bring! We are hoping to help promote good reading habits as well as instill a love of reading which will continue long after the program’s completion.

All participating students MUST read, sign and return their contract by January 8th

as well as their time sheet by January 31st in order to successfully complete the program. Also included in the January issue of the Berea Times were extra forms that are being sent home in this original packet today. These forms are the contract(January 8thdeadline), Family Reading Night response form (January 29th deadline) and the PARP time sheet (January 31st deadline) just in case you misplace this original! In addition, the choice boards for all grade levels are available. They all can be accessed online within the Berea Times link.

We hope that you will find this PARP program enjoyable and rewarding. With your help and encouragement, this event can be most successful! If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please feel free to call me at 567-8390.