Thankfully the two did not have to meet over this past weekend! I wanted to let everyone know how successful the PTO Bright Beginnings Tricky tray was this past weekend. Everyone who attended appeared to be having a very good time! Thanks to all of our volunteers who contributed to the event!
Thanks also to the Oxford rescue Squad for their kindness in helping the Archery team parents fundraiser this past weekend. The day was hot but very successful. Thanks to Ms. Hissim and Mr. Meyer for their dedication to this fundraiser!
As soon as I can get a picture to load on to this site I will include a copy of myself at the Tricky Tray with my twin brother!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
State Assessments and other things...
Well it is almost here, and I don't mean the end of the year! The assessment season is upon us!
Next week will mark the beginning of more than a month of testing using the NJASK or the Oxford testing Program. The NJASK will be administered in grades 3-8 and the OTP will be given to our students in KG-2 grade. The OTP is an end-of-the-year test that analyzes the progress students have made in the KG, first and second grade curricula this year. This will be the third year we are giving this test that we designed to resemble the NJASK in structure and sequence. Please help the students prepare by ensuring that they get to bed earlier, eat as well as they can and remind them of the importance of performing to the best of their ability.
I and a few staff members are in the early stages of reading two books that deal with engaging boys in active literacy: enjoy reading, writing, etc... The books are very interesting and shed some light on how we can continue to address the issue of boys and reading/writing.
One of the early findings I came across is the importance of encouraging our young boys to express their FEELINGS! Not an easy task and one that I struggled to develop in my own son at a young age. However, this is one of the many elements that comes up in literacy development and this is a key step in developing better writing and reading skills in our boys. In fact this year the NJASK asks all students to write an essay describing how they would react or how they would feel if presented with a particular situation. We have been addressing this for the past few weeks here in school.
Till next time...
Next week will mark the beginning of more than a month of testing using the NJASK or the Oxford testing Program. The NJASK will be administered in grades 3-8 and the OTP will be given to our students in KG-2 grade. The OTP is an end-of-the-year test that analyzes the progress students have made in the KG, first and second grade curricula this year. This will be the third year we are giving this test that we designed to resemble the NJASK in structure and sequence. Please help the students prepare by ensuring that they get to bed earlier, eat as well as they can and remind them of the importance of performing to the best of their ability.
I and a few staff members are in the early stages of reading two books that deal with engaging boys in active literacy: enjoy reading, writing, etc... The books are very interesting and shed some light on how we can continue to address the issue of boys and reading/writing.
One of the early findings I came across is the importance of encouraging our young boys to express their FEELINGS! Not an easy task and one that I struggled to develop in my own son at a young age. However, this is one of the many elements that comes up in literacy development and this is a key step in developing better writing and reading skills in our boys. In fact this year the NJASK asks all students to write an essay describing how they would react or how they would feel if presented with a particular situation. We have been addressing this for the past few weeks here in school.
Till next time...
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Sexting: Fun or something else?
The latest weird use of technology: sexting! Stories in the newspapers, on television and of course, on the Internet, concerning teens and the unsettling practice known as sexting--the practice of electronically sending nude or semi-nude images of themselves to others--usually via the cell phone. Despite the student claims of innocent intentions, this type of image distribution of underage children is, in many states viewed as a crime--a Megan's Law crime! However, today's newspapers have stories of state's around the country that are downgrading the severity of the punishments for this type of e-mail or text.
A recent survey that was conducted by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy reveals that 40% of teens admitted to having sent sexually suggestive text or e-mail messages. More than 1,200 teens were surveyed and more than 20% also said they knew someone who had sent these types of messages, or had even sent them out using their own cell phones!
What the heck is going on?! Why is this so common? I think the prevalence of cell phones and the ease of technology lends itself to some students being more openly aggressive and forward because the technology removes them personally from the communication. But this is a problem that our society and our community must face! Students mistakenly believe that the picture they may send to one person will only be viewed by that person--but the stories are out there-one picture being viewed by 100's of students, their parents, grandparents and even pedophiles. From this growing phenomenon, it is clear that most young people do not grasp the seriousness of this practice. Cell phone and texting are such a routine part of their lives they do not see the potential harm "sending a picture" can cause.
Please talk to your children about this practice. Most studies show that the humiliation, bad reputation or parental scorn can have a lasting impact. The threat of embarrassment, parental involvement and our on-going emphasis on education programs that promote smart choices will hopefully begin to stem the sexting tide.
Check their phones. If you don't someone else might!
till next time...
A recent survey that was conducted by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy reveals that 40% of teens admitted to having sent sexually suggestive text or e-mail messages. More than 1,200 teens were surveyed and more than 20% also said they knew someone who had sent these types of messages, or had even sent them out using their own cell phones!
What the heck is going on?! Why is this so common? I think the prevalence of cell phones and the ease of technology lends itself to some students being more openly aggressive and forward because the technology removes them personally from the communication. But this is a problem that our society and our community must face! Students mistakenly believe that the picture they may send to one person will only be viewed by that person--but the stories are out there-one picture being viewed by 100's of students, their parents, grandparents and even pedophiles. From this growing phenomenon, it is clear that most young people do not grasp the seriousness of this practice. Cell phone and texting are such a routine part of their lives they do not see the potential harm "sending a picture" can cause.
Please talk to your children about this practice. Most studies show that the humiliation, bad reputation or parental scorn can have a lasting impact. The threat of embarrassment, parental involvement and our on-going emphasis on education programs that promote smart choices will hopefully begin to stem the sexting tide.
Check their phones. If you don't someone else might!
till next time...
Friday, April 10, 2009
Autism Awareness Month
This month at school we have been presenting information to the students about Autism: what is it? Why does it occur? How can we help?
The students have been discussing this in their health classes and the Student Council has come up with a great idea to raise some money and some awareness about this developmental disorder that strikes 1 out of every 150 children in America and 1 out of every 94 boys (for some unknown reason these numbers are even higher here in NJ). The students have come up with an interesting way to raise money that can be donated to the Parents of Autistic Children (POAC) local and state chapters. We are hosting a Cow Pie Bingo on Monday April 27th! The Student Council is looking for donations form the community of $1.00 per block that will be part of a grid that we are going to line on the field behind the school. A local bovine, courtesy of Hart Farm, will be allowed to meander the grid to find a comfortable place to conduct their business. The person, or family, who is lucky enough to have that square will be rewarded with a $25.00 prize. The students are also getting some other prizes that will further promote Autism Awareness. If you remember last year we created a huge puzzle of Autism Awareness puzzle pieces that we hung around the school. This is certainly a different twist on trying to raise money for this important cause.
On Sunday April 26, 2009 the Archery Parents along with the Oxford First Aid Squad will be participating in a "Bucket Drop" at the intersection of Routes 31 and 46! Your support would be appreciated!
Till next time...
The students have been discussing this in their health classes and the Student Council has come up with a great idea to raise some money and some awareness about this developmental disorder that strikes 1 out of every 150 children in America and 1 out of every 94 boys (for some unknown reason these numbers are even higher here in NJ). The students have come up with an interesting way to raise money that can be donated to the Parents of Autistic Children (POAC) local and state chapters. We are hosting a Cow Pie Bingo on Monday April 27th! The Student Council is looking for donations form the community of $1.00 per block that will be part of a grid that we are going to line on the field behind the school. A local bovine, courtesy of Hart Farm, will be allowed to meander the grid to find a comfortable place to conduct their business. The person, or family, who is lucky enough to have that square will be rewarded with a $25.00 prize. The students are also getting some other prizes that will further promote Autism Awareness. If you remember last year we created a huge puzzle of Autism Awareness puzzle pieces that we hung around the school. This is certainly a different twist on trying to raise money for this important cause.
On Sunday April 26, 2009 the Archery Parents along with the Oxford First Aid Squad will be participating in a "Bucket Drop" at the intersection of Routes 31 and 46! Your support would be appreciated!
Till next time...
Monday, April 6, 2009
Assorted ramblings...
Couldn't think of a witty one liner to start off the blog this week!
We are heading into Spring vacation in a few days. Because a few people asked: Thursday, April 9 will be a FULL day of school and school will be closed on Friday, April 10th. The last quarter is upon us now and we are heading down the home stretch. Thanks to the more than 500 people who came through our doors on April Fools' Day to celebrate the annual Pasta Dinner Night! I have heard about this event from many people and they all comment on the huge amount of food they ate and how nice the students were! Certainly the best part of the evening is seeing the students, their teachers and their parents working side by side! Thanks to all our volunteers.
Remember there will be no school starting April 10th and we will reopen on April 20th. The PTO Spring Photos will be taken on April 20th. Lifetouch will be taking them and you may choose to purchase the pictures if you so choose.
Try not to eat to much candy Sunday!
Till next time....
We are heading into Spring vacation in a few days. Because a few people asked: Thursday, April 9 will be a FULL day of school and school will be closed on Friday, April 10th. The last quarter is upon us now and we are heading down the home stretch. Thanks to the more than 500 people who came through our doors on April Fools' Day to celebrate the annual Pasta Dinner Night! I have heard about this event from many people and they all comment on the huge amount of food they ate and how nice the students were! Certainly the best part of the evening is seeing the students, their teachers and their parents working side by side! Thanks to all our volunteers.
Remember there will be no school starting April 10th and we will reopen on April 20th. The PTO Spring Photos will be taken on April 20th. Lifetouch will be taking them and you may choose to purchase the pictures if you so choose.
Try not to eat to much candy Sunday!
Till next time....
Thursday, April 2, 2009
the tulips are coming up...
The tulips are starting to break through as the days of sunshine start to last a little longer. Now that March has officially gone away and April is here, I can see the end of the school year! In the last few days we have had students travel to participate in county-wide competitions, demonstrating a high level of team and school spirit, competitive attitudes and some good old fun! The Battle of the Minds teams competed last week and our 5th grade team came in first in the county! Our sixth grade team finished a very respectable ninth in the county(keep in mind, just about every elementary school sent two teams each)!
Our Battle of the Books 5th grade students also competed and did quite well this week--they finished a scant seven points out of the top three!
Congratulations to those teams. It is good to see the academic recognition!
The Archery Team was named NJ State Champions for the 3rd year in a row! This year is especially sweet because we outscored 18 other teams--including some HS teams.
Don't forget the upcoming PTO Tricky Tray--Saturday April 25th!
Till next time...
Our Battle of the Books 5th grade students also competed and did quite well this week--they finished a scant seven points out of the top three!
Congratulations to those teams. It is good to see the academic recognition!
The Archery Team was named NJ State Champions for the 3rd year in a row! This year is especially sweet because we outscored 18 other teams--including some HS teams.
Don't forget the upcoming PTO Tricky Tray--Saturday April 25th!
Till next time...
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