Dialogue
Dialogue
TALKING ABOUT THE ELMONT UFSD ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Elmont
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TALKING ABOUT THE ELMONT UFSD ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
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Elmont
Elmont Union Free School District
135 Elmont Road
Elmont, NY 11003-1609 T
ALKING ABOUT THE
Dialogue
ELMONT UFSD ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Board of Education
Michael A. Jaime, President
Deniece Walker, Vice President
Tameka Battle-Burkett
Kevin Denehy
Patrick Emeagwali
Jon Johnson, Sr.
Anthony S. Maffea, Sr.
Nov. 11
Veterans Day
School Closed
Nov. 12
Board of Education Meeting
8 p.m. at Covert Avenue
Nov. 16
Elmont Dads’ Service Club Food
Drive
10 a.m. at Gotham Avenue
Nov. 28 & 29
Thanksgiving Recess
Schools Closed
Dec. 2
Evening Parent-Teacher
Conferences
Dec. 6
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Half-Day for Students
Dec. 10
Board of Education Meeting
7:30 p.m. at Elmont Public Library
Dec. 23-Jan. 3
Holiday Recess
Schools Closed
TALKING ABOUT THE ELMONT UFSD ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Arts Alive Winners Recognized
Superintendent of Schools
Al Harper
Colum P. Nugent, Attorney
Dates to
Remember
Dialogue
Fall 2013
Visit us online at www.elmontschools.org
Summer Academy Returns
Core Learning Standards and assessments
This past summer, students throughout the
through an enriched curriculum.
district had the opportunity to enhance their
“The Academic Summer School Program
education and support their learning by attending
the Summer Enrichment Academy and Academic incorporated the New York State Common Core
Summer School Program, both of which returned Standards through theme-based curriculum
maps,” explained Assistant Principal Cynthia
following a one-year absence.
Cameron. “As part of these Common Core maps,
The Summer Enrichment Academy offered
students a diverse outlet to explore an assortment students participated in local field trips within the
community to engage in hands-on activities.”
of creative, unique and innovative classes that
“The children also followed the On Core Math
provided them with a variety of new skills and
series in their classes,” added Assistant Principal
abilities outside of normal classroom learning.
Wellinthon Garcia. “The structure of the
Students participated in an open house for
program consisted of daily instruction in music,
parents and performed a talent show at the
art, physical education, library and computers.
conclusion of the program to showcase what they
Overall, the program aimed to provide solid,
learned.
well-rounded academic support that challenges
“Students in grades K-5 are able to expand
their horizons in authentic learning environments students to meet the Common Core Standards.”
in the arts, music, theater, sports,
literature and the sciences,” said
Summer Enrichment Academy
Principal Dennis Cowan of the
program. “Children performed
in plays, shows and concerts.
Many visited local museums,
universities and gardens.
Everyone had a truly enriching
extension of their core curriculum
through many different avenues.”
The Academic Summer School
allowed students to enhance their
literacy and mathematical skills
utilizing project-based learning
and technology, preparing them
Students work on a mural during the Summer Enrichment Academy in July.
to meet and exceed the Common
After being named the winner of the Arts Alive Long Island 2013 poster contest last
June, Gotham Avenue fourth-grader Oroboghene Ogbovoh, along with several other
Elmont students who won in their divisions, was formally honored at the launch party
for the second annual Arts Alive LI Festival held at the Cradle of Aviation Museum in
September.ALKING
The contest ABOUT
called for artists
THEof all ages to showcase their idea of what art
on Long Island means to them. All of the winners’ artwork is included in the festival’s
LMONT
LEMENTARY CHOOLS
commemorative
poster series.
Oroboghene’s poster was selected as the grand-prize winner from more than 100
submissions. She received an iPad Mini and $500 gift certificate courtesy of Bethpage
Federal Credit Union. Additionally, three Elmont students swept the third-to-sixth-grade
division, with first place going to Stewart Manor Class of 2013 graduate Clarissa Tallini,
second to Alden Terrace sixth-grader Ambika Persaud and third to Gotham Avenue
sixth-grader Karina Sandoval. Kathleen
Celestin-Parks, an art teacher at Stewart
Manor, took home second place in the
adult amateur division.
“Art inspires the imagination,
cuts across cultural and language
barriers, and promotes creativity,” said
Superintendent Al Harper, noting
that Elmont is fortunate to have a
New York State Regent Roger Tilles, Gotham Avenue
Board of Education, faculty and staff
art teacher Alice Katz, Superintendent Al Harper,
Gotham Avenue fourth-grader Oroboghene Ogbovoh
who wholeheartedly support a robust
and Principal Marshall Zucker.
education in the arts.
T
E
Dialogue
New York State Commissioner of Education Dr. John B. King Jr.
speaks to sixth-grader Jaylin Hinds at Alden Terrace.
Showcasing
Best Practices
New York State Commissioner of Education Dr. John B.
King Jr. made a special visit to Alden Terrace School, touring
the building and various classrooms with members of the
Board of Education, Superintendent of Schools Al Harper and
Principal Amy Buchanan. During his tour of the school, Dr.
King visited several classrooms spanning several grade levels,
observing a range of lessons.
The visit, which was facilitated by New York State Sens.
Dean Skelos and Jack Martins, enabled the Commissioner to
see the students’ learning in action. Both senators, along with
New York State Board of Regents Chancellor Merryl Tisch
and New York State Regent Roger Tilles, were also at Alden
Terrace during the visit.
“We are very proud of the fact that the Commissioner
and the Regents were able to come and visit us today to see
some of the wonderful things happening in Elmont,” said
Mr. Harper.
“It’s always great to visit a school that has an energetic
principal who is focused on instruction for the students,”
said Dr. King after touring the school, thanking the District,
faculty and staff for their dedication. “It’s an impressively
diverse student body where teachers are focused on making
sure every student is prepared for college and career success.”
UFSD E
S
Board Recognition Week
As part of the New York State School Boards Association’s
School Board Recognition Week, the District recognized its
Board of Education during the October 8 Board meeting. School
Board Recognition Week enables the schools and community
to thank Board members for their volunteer service. Students
from each of the District’s six schools expressed gratitude for the
Board members’ service by presenting them with personalized
decorative booklets and travel mugs.
Superintendent of Schools Al Harper thanked each Board
member for his or her endless dedication, hard work and
commitment to Elmont. “Thank you for all you do for the
community and our children,” he said.
Board President Michael Jaime honored former Board member Lorraine Ferrigno
for her 10 years of service (2003-2013) to the Elmont community, presenting her with an
award to commemorate the occasion.
Elmont UFSD serving the Elmont, Floral Park, Franklin Square, New Hyde Park, South Floral Park, Stewart Manor and Valley Stream communities.
A
Message
from your
Superintendent Al Harper
Dear Residents,
I want to welcome everyone back to the new school year; I hope you had a wonderful
summer. Over the summer months, the District worked diligently to enhance and expand
on its curriculum and technology, affording better learning opportunities for all of our
students, as well as completed capital work in the buildings. These upgrades will provide
numerous benefits to our students, both now and as leaders of tomorrow, creating a more
comprehensive educational environment suitable for modern learning standards.
In September, we were honored to have New York State Commissioner of Education
Dr. John B. King Jr. visit Alden Terrace, at which time he toured the building and visited
numerous classrooms to see learning in action. Dr. King was able to witness our students’
enthusiasm for learning as well as several pioneering classroom lessons prepared and taught
by our dedicated teachers, who are ensuring that all students will be college and career ready.
As we move forward in the school year, I believe that all of our students will remain
committed to their studies and extracurricular activities. Here in Elmont, we strive to
develop students into lifelong learners who have a desire for new and innovative knowledge
and ideas.
I am fully confident that all students, staff and faculty will continue to work together
throughout the year to achieve academic excellence and make this year the most
productive yet.
Johnny Appleseed Day
To celebrate Johnny Appleseed’s birthday, Stewart Manor kindergartners
in Jenna Ardolino’s and Mary Beth Walker’s classes held an apple taste test
that let them sample three varieties of apples – Granny Smith, Golden
Delicious and McIntosh. Proudly wearing the Johnny Appleseed hats they
had colored and created themselves, each student voted on their favorite
type of apple by placing an apple cutout on a classwide pictograph.
They later came together to share and discuss the results of their
taste test and survey.
Prior to this activity, both classes read a book on Johnny Appleseed
and learned about his historical significance. Integrating several
different subject areas and components of the core curriculum,
the activity acted as a supplemental lesson for the students’
upcoming science unit, reinforced their grasp on colors, highlighted
mathematical concepts and emphasized the use of their five senses.
“We feel that it is very important for the kindergarten children
to be exposed to historical figures and events, including Johnny
Appleseed,” said Mrs. Walker. “We incorporated science with our
Kindergartners Jaiden Vital and
Katerina Kakaounakis taste-test
senses and also read stories about how apples grow. “
apples to celebrate Johnny Appleseed’s
birthday.
Sincerely,
Al Harper
Superintendent of Schools
Raising Money for Diabetes
The entire student body of Covert Avenue recently
gathered for the school’s first annual diabetes walk,
which raised money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research
Foundation. Several students in the school are living with
Type 1 diabetes, making this an especially poignant and
important community-focused event for the school.
Students in grades 4-6 raised money before the walk,
collecting a total of $5,387 for the JDRF, with 10 percent
of the funds being returned to the school. During the
walk, students received a healthy dose of exercise while
learning about diabetes and helping the JDRF. Students Third-graders participate in Covert
passed through a number of exercise stations, learning
Avenue’s diabetes walk.
facts about diabetes and gathering tips on healthy living.
At the “Eating Healthy Is a Balancing Act” station,
students had to keep their balance while walking on a snaking chain of brightly colored blocks.
“Stepping Stones” required students to make their way along a path of stepping stones to
illustrate that they are taking steps to a healthy lifestyle. The “Knock Down & Pick Up” station
required two teams to work together, with one team knocking down cones while the other
team picked them up, reminding them all to knock down the time they spend on video games
and pick themselves up and get
active instead.
“At Covert Avenue, we embrace and support our students and families who deal with
diabetes,” said Principal Mary Natoli. “We, and the other schools in our District, are united in
supporting the effort to find a cure for diabetes. Educating our students to be compassionate
and caring is part of our unspoken Common Core Learning Standards.”
Around
the
Schools
Grandparents’ Day
Fourth-graders in Beth Calciano’s class at Clara H. Carlson
marked Grandparents’ Day by inviting their grandparents and other
special guests to the classroom for a craft activity and breakfast. The
day provided the students with a platform to better understand and
recognize the important role that grandparents play in their lives.
Students created rainbow loom bracelets and showed their guests
how to make their own bracelets during their visit. Grandparents
and special visitors watched as the fourth-graders carefully wove
the small, colorful rubber bands together, later helping the students
create a second bracelet. At the end of the activity, students
and guests gave the bracelets they had made to one another as
a token of appreciation and shared a bagel breakfast together
in the classroom.
Clara H. Carlson School
“We are celebrating grandparents as special people in our lives,”
fourth-grader Sanaa Abrahams
helps her grandmother, Marie said Ms. Calciano, noting it is essential her students appreciate and
give thanks for the endless dedication and support grandparents
Valentine, make a bracelet
provide. “We thought this was a great way to honor our history and
during a Grandparents’ Day
celebrate a special part of our lives.”
activity.
Encouraging a strong sense of
community from the moment students
enter their respective schools, Dutch
Broadway and Gotham Avenue hosted
special events for parents in September.
Dutch Broadway’s Kindergarten Tea
enabled parents and students to come
together and enjoy a craft activity and
snack, while Gotham Avenue’s New Parent
Tea introduced newcomers to the school.
Dutch Broadway’s annual kindergarten
tea, organized by Assistant Principal
Shawnée Warfield and the PTA, invited
parents into their child’s classroom to work
on a fall-related activity. Afterwards, the
children and their parents enjoyed iced tea
and healthy snacks. Students from all six of
the school’s kindergarten classes were able
to take part in the tea. The event allowed
parents to connect with one another and
children to socialize with their peers.
“Having a kindergarten tea was a great
way to bring families together,” Mrs.
Warfield said. “Parents were able to meet
Laleta Muneshwar assisted her son, Videsh, with
and socialize with other kindergarten
a fall-related coloring project at Dutch Broadway.
parents that they might not meet otherwise.
It also allowed time for parents to take part
home. Assistant to the Principal Dennis
in a creative activity with their child.”
Cowan spoke about the districtwide Dads’
Gotham Avenue’s breakfast, sponsored
Service Club and how parents can get
by the PTA, familiarized new parents
involved, while PTA President Sherrika
with the school’s vision, expectations
Fuller explained the resources available
and resources. Principal Marshall Zucker
to the parents at the school and reviewed
introduced several key staff members and
guidelines for class parents.
explained their roles at the building.
“We welcome the participation of all of
Emphasizing the importance of fully
our parents to help us in the education of
comprehending the curriculum, Assistant
their children,” said Mr. Zucker. “We also
Principal Michelle Richards provided an
invite them to assist the PTA with their
overview of the Common Core Learning
activities. This year especially, we need
Standards and how they are implemented
their assistance in helping their children
into the classroom curriculum at Gotham
by encouraging the work they have to do,
Avenue. Parents were provided with
specifically helping with math facts and
grade-specific ELA and math roadmaps
providing English language experiences
to assist with the learning process at
every day.”
Parents attended the New Parent Tea at Gotham Avenue.