Silvermine Elementary School News
February, 2012

Noticias en español

        Silvermine Elementary School News – February, 2012           

February Events:

Student Corner

Science Fair Recognition: Congratulations to all of the students who participated in the science fair this year. The following students’ projects will go to the citywide science fair at Ponus Ridge Middle School Februay 6 -8th: Eric Morales, Jason Torrealba, Kaia Ospina, Marques Singleton, Michael Connors, Emma Connors, Lianna Accettullo, Teejay Lopez, Isabella Crespo, Catalina Hendricks, Fernanda Partida, Merelyn Yanes, Brandon Mora, Ana Rosa Sforza, Samantha Pierre, Jahneek Robin, David Lamb, Tommy Essig, Chinmay Rao, Anthony Alatsas, Alicia Kurpinowicz, Derrick Ruiz, Anika Amann, Julia Connors and Katherine Connors.

Wall of Fame: congratulations to the following students who were recently added to the Wall of Fame: Kindergartener Anny Canahui and 1^st grader Ryan Zelaya.

Artist of the week: The student artists recognized for their excellent work this past month were. 5^th grader Cristopher Mendieta for his "Navajo Rug"; 3rd grader, Oguz Atli for his "Native American Story Map"; Kindergartener Eric Angione for his "Missing Mitten Mystery Snowman"; 2nd grader, Carol Samuel, for her "Winter Tree Silhouette" and 4^th grader Alejandro Navas for his "Positive Negative Space Design".

Physical Education Super Stars of the Week for this past month were: Ja’far Bullock, Terani Freeman – Jefferson, and Tommy Essig.  These students show high athletic ability, above average classroom skills, and the ability to follow the life skills of personal best, active listening, no put downs and mutual respect.

Perfect Attendance – Congratulations to the 52 students who have had perfect attendance and have never been late to school since November: Anthony Alvarado, Priscilla Alvarado, Eric Angion, Johnathon Angione, Isabella Aparicio, Christopher Aragon, Natalia Baginski, Andy Barrera-Discua, Elise Bell, James Bendtzen, Julian Benitez, Justin Benitez, Ellana Brancato, Jamye Calderon,Anny Canahui, Kaleigh Carrillos, Jason Casual, Vivian Chavez, Eivyn Deleg, Michael Elizer, Anthony Flores, Angel Galicia, Sherlyn Garcia, Jason Honorat, Nicole Jimenez, Isaiah Johnson, Daven Khanal, Ava Levitt, Leonardo Marin, Moises Mocha-Paccha, Eric Morales, Madeleine Morale and Fernanda Partida.

Thought for the Month: “Leave nothing for tomorrow which can be done today.”                                                    -Abraham Lincoln

CULTURE CORNER –This month the Committee for the Celebration of Cultural Diversity will be focusing on African American heritage. The Second Grade Team will be organizing the activities for this celebration.  If you would like to assist either school wide or on your child’s grade level, please contact one of the second grade teachers: Mrs. Colon, Ms. Brown and Mrs. Baldwin.

Human relations committee – In honor of the super bowl we would like everyone to wear team shirts for the Giants or the team you wish were going to the super bowl on Friday, February 3rd.

Jump Rope for Heart Day is February 23^rd 2:30 -3:15 in the gym. The children will be jumping rope to raise money for the American Heart Association. Thanks to all of those who sponsor the students in this worthy cause.

Study Island: The 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th grade students are now preparing for the upcoming Connecticut Mastery Tests in March. If you have a computer at home, encourage your child to visit the Study Island Website. Each student has a user name and password. Have your child ask his or her teacher if they are not sure of their name and password. Students from all grades can access Study Island for activities and games that meet their level.

Message from the Assistant Principal:

Dear Silvermine Families,

February is almost upon us - the days are beginning to get a little bit longer, the cold winter winds continue to blow, and we begin to look forward to springtime.  Here at Silvermine, our students continue to be hard at work and involved in many fun and exciting activities.  We just celebrated a very successful Science Fair this past January where our entire school enjoyed looking at the more than one hundred varied and interesting projects our students presented.  We were pleased to send many of these projects to the citywide science fair, which will take place at Ponus Middle School on February 7.  We wish good luck to all of our students who will be competing in this event.  Thank you also to fourth grade teacher Ms. Jill Picaso and First Grade teacher Mrs. Anna Harper who did an excellent job of organizing this yearly event.  A sincere thank you and congratulations as well to all of the boys and girls who worked so hard on their projects and to all of the teachers, support staff, and parents who assisted them every step along the way.  Everyone’s hard work and effort truly paid off!!

            Silvermine students are also busily preparing for some ongoing and upcoming assessments.  Our first, second, and third grade students have been taking a DRA Reading assessment over the course of the month.  This assessment gives teachers information about a child’s current reading level as well as more detailed data regarding his/her strengths and weaknesses as a reader.  Our third, fourth, and fifth grade students continue to work hard preparing for the CMT testing which will take place beginning on March 5.  As noted earlier in this newsletter, it is important to encourage your children to use Study Island as one instrument for preparing for these important tests.  Early in February, all of our third, fourth, and fifth grade students will participate in CMT workshops where they will learn or review key information about the tests and set grade level goals for mastery on this year’s test.  More detailed information about the CMT test will be sent home throughout the month of February and will be included in the March newsletter.

            Please also join us for our fun-filled February events, particularly Movie Night on February 16 and our first ever Silvermine McDonald’s McTeacher Night on February 8!!  Wishing everyone a terrific February (with 29 days this year!).     

Sincerely,

Ed Wachowski

Assistant Principal

Please remember that parking is NOT permitted along the driveway in the front of the school building during arrival and dismissal times. We need to be sure that the area is clear so that our buses can arrive and depart quickly and safely.

Parent Teacher Organization Report

McTeacher Night – at McDonald’s -  February 8^th, 531 Westport Avenue (across from the movie theater) – Please come and support the Silvermine PTO at our first McTeacher Night. 28 teachers and staff from Silvermine will be there to serve us between 5-8pm (with 2 teacher shifts: 5-6:30 and 6:30-8pm). Our school receives a percentage of the proceeds from the evening. The PTO would like to thank Ms. Brown for taking the lead on organizing this event.

Movie Night – February 16^th at 6:15– Come in your PJ’s bring a blanket and pillow and enjoy the movie “Rio”.  Admission is free. Refreshments and drinks will be sold.

My 3 Sons Night – The PTO raised $580 at this event last month. Thank you to all who attended and a very special thank you to Jim McDonald for organizing the event again this year!

President – Tina Brescia (203) 845-0826    tibr@optonline.net

Vice President – Darcy Amann (203) 956-5644  dkd28@hotmail.com

2nd Vice President (bilingual liason) -Teresa Brancato  (203) 247-9992    teresabr@live.com