Dear Tioga Hills Families, I hope you all had a wonderful break with

Welcome 2015!
JANUARY 2 015
Vestal Central School District
Dear Tioga Hills Families,
I hope you all had a wonderful break with your children, filled with family fun, togetherness
and relaxation. I wish you all a happy and healthy 2015!
“We will open the book.
The book is called
Its pages are blank.
Opportunity
We are going to put
And its first chapter
is
Words on them ourselves.
New Year’s Day.”
~Edith Lovejoy Pierce
The entire staff at Tioga Hills strives to provide many varied opportunities for its students in this New Year! The opportunity to Table of Contents
learn more math, language, science and social studies. To sing, ap- Counselors’ Corner…..…………….…..4
preciate and make music. To play games, run, skip and be part of a Dismissal Time…………………………….8
team. To make friends and conversation, practicing social and life Morning Program Calendar……...14
skills. To communicate ideas and thoughts and to listen to others. Music Notes………………………...........5
To draw, paint and create art. To read, write, and reflect. To em- News from the Health Office ..8
pathize and learn to make a difference…
PE News……………………………………….11
I am sure the students returned this week renewed and refreshed, open for the new opportunities 2015 will bring! Thank you
for being the supportive families we value and appreciate!
PTA News…………………………..12 & 13
Happy New Year,
Spotlight on 5th Grade…………....9
Spotlight on Art…………………...…...7
Student Leadership Jobs….6 & 7
T.H. Picture Corner………………….10
Jane Hashey, Principal
T.H.E. Academic Corner.2, 3 & 4
Vestal Golden Bear Basketball.13
JANUARY SCHOOL CLOSING/HOLIDAYS
No school on Monday, January 19, 2015 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day)
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TAKE OFF WITH MATH!
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Character Education……..Making our ACTIONS COUNT
Thank you for helping in our Annual Holiday Food Drive…we collected almost 600 nonperishable food items for the Lions Club to help families in our immediate community!
We certainly made our Actions Count for the holidays! We also collected $32 in cash
that was used to donate to a family to help them with a holiday turkey and ham!
Banana Splits Update….
In December each group discussed family traditions and how some stay the same and some
change over the years. Students got to make a snowman ornament to commemorate this fun
time of year! It is never too late to join this group. Members are welcome throughout the
year!
In the classroom…..
DUSO & Kelso have a wonderful watching students become expert problem solvers and work to have healthy friendships. This dolphin /frog team will spend
the winter months in K and 1st grade!
As always please call if I can help in any way!
Rhonda Ruhm, M.S. Ed. C.A.S.
School Counselor
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Music Notes
Music Education Advocacy
Quote of the Month
Congratulations!
Congratulations to the following 5th
grade chorus members, who were chosen
to participate in the Broome County Music Educator’s Association Festival in the
spring:
Riley Altmire
Isabella Fairfield
Hailey O’Donnell
Ava Webster
“Music has a great power for bringing
people together. With so many forces in
this world acting to drive wedges between
people, it’s important to preserve those
things that help us experience our common humanity.”
Ted Turner, Turner Broadcasting System
Tioga Hills Music Events
Please join us for our upcoming performance!
NYSSMA Piano Solo Information
Students who take private piano lessons
and wish to sign up to play a solo for
NYSSMA (April 17th & 18th) should see
Mrs. Burczynski for the registration paperwork. Your child’s piano teacher will
have more information about what playing a solo for NYSSMA entails. Registration paperwork and fees will be due
back to Mrs. Burczynski by January 15th,
2015.
4th and 5th Grade Chorus and 5th Grade
Band
January 26 at 7pm
Tioga Hills Elementary Cafetorium
NYSSMA Piano Solo Information
Students who take private piano lessons
and wish to sign up to play a solo for
NYSSMA (April 17th & 18th) should see
Mrs. Burczynski for the registration paperwork. Your child’s piano teacher will
have more information about what playing
a solo for NYSSMA entails. Registration
paperwork and fees will be due back to
Mrs. Burczynski by January 15th, 2015.
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HALLWAY HELPERS
STUDENT ANNOUNCERS
As part of our Actions Count program we are
having “hallway helpers” at the end of day. They
are students who will smile and are friendly, remind students to walk, keep hands and backpacks
to themselves, and report any dangerous behavior.
In December our helpers were:
Riley Altmire
Mallory Duff
Thomas Bowen
Marcus Fairfield
Cole Burdick
Victor Fairfield
Arianna Condie
Nicholas Poulton
A GREAT job was done by the
following students who helped
us out in December with morning announcements:
Anthony Balaci
Nick Poulton
Arianna Ford
Abby Parke
Jordan Gannon
Zoe Pilarchik
Billy Gorman
Alyssa Stucky
Andrew LaClair
Tad Sullivan
THANK YOU’S TO JARED CAMPBELL
The following students wrote thank
you’s to Jared Campbell for visiting us
on Tuesday, Nov. 18th and for a wonderful performance! It was enjoyed by all!
STUDENT FLAG RAISERS
The following students helped Mr. Doolittle raise the flag during the month of
December:
Logan Avery
Victor Fairfield
Alex Bernstein
Camden Gendron
Maryka Bleir
Billy Gorman
Thomas Bowen
Johnny Gorman
Carter Adams
Jessica LaClair
Logan Bennett
Madison Lilley
Alex Bernstein
Owen Majka
James Broderick
Norah Milligan
Katelyn Blachowiak Madison Kliment
Colin Brubaker
Hannah Nemecek
Jimmy Broderick
Tess Labosky
Chloe Burkhard
Gregory Quick
Colin Brubaker
Owen Majka
Stephen Cerquone
Aidan Ruhm
Stephen Cerquone
Gracie Mones
Frank Consolazio
Jamaryanna Sihalathavong
Sophie Coker
Colin Mott
Beth Egan
Addison Stockwin
Lauren Cropp
Gemma Nelli
Marcus Fairfield
Samara Struble
Bella Daino
Morgan Radicchi
Camden Gendron
Cole Subulski
Leah Daino
Jamaryanna Sihalathavong
Billy Gorman
Christine Tran
Anna Howell
Lucas Tran
Beth Egan
Alyssa Stucky
Megan Howell
JJ Williams
Alonnie Ellis
Lucas Tran
Cameron Jones
Benjamin Wilson
Isabella Fairfield
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Student Leadership Jobs con’t on pg. 7
THANK YOU’S TO MR. WILKES
& MS. PETERS
the dancers from Perkins School of Dance
for their wonderful performance of the
Nutcracker on December 17th:
The following students wrote thank
you’s to Mr. Wilkes & Ms. Peters
thanking them for coming to Morning Program
and speaking to us about the meaning of Veteran’s Day:
Libby Abashian
Tess Labowski
Brianna Albert
Ethan Lilley
Kate Blachowiak
Owen Majka
Maryka Bleir
Raymond Mattice
Thomas Bowen
Megan McLaughlin
Colin Brubaker
Angus Milligan
Chloe Burkahrd
Norah Milligan
Stephen Cerquoni Grace Mones
Sophia Coker
Hunter Morrison
Arianna Condie
Gemma Nelli
Lauren Cropp
Hannah Nemecek
Bella Daino
Molly Pompeii
Leah Daino
Julia Sage
Mallory Duff
Jessie Secord
Victor Fairfield
Michelle Secord
Anastasia Feyder Jamaryanna Sihalathavong
Ariana Ford
Addison Stockwin
Calista Ford
Leo Stockwin
Billy Gorman
Cole Subulski
Johnny Gorman
Tyler Tebo
Jenna Holleran
Olivia Thomas
Tess Labosky
Alex Bernstein
Andrew Laclair
Katelyn Blachowiak
Ethan Lilley
Maryka Bleir
Madison Lilley
Colin Brubaker
Vincent Lucenti
Chloe Burkhard
Kayleigh Marsh
Sophie Coker
Raymond Mattice
Lauren Cropp
Gracie Mones
Leah Daino
Gemma Nelli
Camden Gendron
Hannah Nemecek
Billy Gorman
Grace Peretore
Johnny Gorman
Molly Pompeii
Jenna Holleran
Julia Sage
Amelia Howell
Jessica Secord
Anna Howell
Addie Stockwin
Gavin Howell
Leo Stockwin
Megan Howell
Samara Struble
Mackenzie Ingersoll
Olivia Thomas
Milly Jemmott
Lucas Tran
Cameron Jones
Don’t forget to check out the awesome artwork in the T.H.E. office gallery! Featured
artists are Lauren Mitchell and Adam Mancinelli.
Mackenzie Ingersoll Ava Webster
Cameron Jones
Sophia Altmire
Abigail Wesner
The following Tioga Hills’ students have their
artwork on display in the Annual UHS Children’s Holiday Art Exhibit: Norah Milligan,
Jordan MacDonald, Maci Tokos, Garrett
Potter, and Guiliana Santobuono. Congratulations on your outstanding work!
THANK YOU’S FOR THE NUTCRACKER
PERFORMANCE
The following students wrote thank you’s to
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News From The Health Office
School Physicals Reminder……For Parents
A BIG Thank You…….
There are still students in kindergarten,
second and fourth grades who need physical exams with their own physicians. If you
indicated on the Physical Examination Permission Form that you wanted your child to
have his/her own health care provider complete the physical exam, please send the
completed form to the Health Office. It is
due.
To everyone who donated all the clothing
items for the Tioga Hills Clothes Closet. It
is filled to the brim!
Just Another Friendly Reminder…….
If you would like your child to now have
the school physical exam, just send a note
stating that your child can have the school
physical. I will be scheduling them after
winter break.
If your child needs medication, both OVERTHE-COUNTER and PRESCRIPTION, parents should bring in the medications and give
them directly to the school nurse-teacher.
Each medication must have a medication
form filled out by the doctor and parent.
These forms are available in the Health Office.
Thanks!
Thanks!
A Cold Weather Advisory from the Health Office
Please remember to check your children’s outerwear daily during the cold winter
days. Warm jackets, hats, scarves, boots and an extra pair of dry gloves in their
pockets will protect them during very cold temperatures.
Also, please check if your child is properly dressed for the school day. Long sleeve shirts,
sweaters, and sweatshirts are suitable attire for class.
It is also a good time to review the danger signs and risks of cold temperatures with your
children.
DISMISSAL TIME
In order to increase safety at dismissal time, I have requested that all buses be inside the loop. There will be no buses by the flag pole, which will provide a wider area
for parents to enter the parking lot and increase visibility as people cross the lot by the flag
pole. (Please DO NOT park in the area by the flag pole during dismissal—it would defeat the
purpose of the change. You will be asked to move your vehicle.) I appreciate the input from
the parents who suggested this change. We’ll give it a trial run and see if it makes a difference. I believe it will…
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Mrs. William’s class: “Hour of Code”
Kindergarten Turkey Day Celebration!
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Congratulations to Julia Sage who placed 3rd in her age group in the local district
level of the National Elks Hoop Shoot Contest.
The hoop shoot contest is a basketball free throw shooting contest sponsored by
the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks. The program builds character
while promoting integrity, hard work, and good sportsmanship. These life skills help
students face the challenges of today to become responsible, caring adults.
A message from your PE Teachers and the American Heart Association
Remember to Stay Physically Active!
When the temperature drops, our motivation to be physically active often drops too. Fight
the holiday bulge with these tips for keeping physically active when the weather gets chilly.
• Go sledding. Running up a snowy hill, sliding down and repeating is a great way to get the
whole family physically active. If you don’t have a sled, don’t worry – a cardboard box, trash
can lid or skateboard without the wheels will work great!
• Ice skate. This is a great workout for your legs and heart. You’ll also help strengthen your
core, which is engaged when trying to keep you balanced.
• Shovel the snow. Someone has to do it, and it’s a great way to get the heart pumping and
the other muscles working. But don’t overdo it!
• Go for an afternoon or evening walk, jog or run – and bring the dog! As long as you’re
dressed warmly, any time of day can be enjoyable weather for taking a stroll or a jog. Winter days are shorter, so start early enough to finish before it gets dark.
• Visit the local community center for a game of indoor basketball with friends and family.
This is also a great way to entertain out-of-town guests. Grab a basketball, some jump ropes
or a volleyball for a couple hours of fun physical activity!
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Dates to remember:
January 7th- PTA Meeting at 7pm in the cafeteria
January 23rd- Game Night @ Tioga Hills
January 26th- Grade 4/5 Chorus and Grade 5 Band Concert @ 7pm
Our Tioga Hills
game night will
rd
be on Friday, January 23 ! Mark your calendars as there will be a life size Candy-land
and Balloon Lagoon. Refreshments for everyone….hope to see you there!
This January is going to be a
busy month for Pack 43, with
Winter Tubing at Greek
Peek, Winter Skies Astronomy Trip to Kopernick, the annual Pine Wood Derby race
and Scout Night Sleepover at the Binghamton Senators Hockey Game.
Cindy Tebo & Ramona Mazzeo
Game Night Co-Chairs
The Pack Meets weekly on Thursday nights
at 6:30pm at Tioga Hill Elementary and welcomes new boys from 1st through 5th grade
who might be interested in learning new
skills and having fun while doing it. For contact
information
Email:
[email protected] for more information.
The Cub Scouts of
Pack 43 made Christmas Cards for the Veterans Home in Oxford
NY. Once again, bringing a bit of the Holiday
Cheer to those men and women who served
our country and need a little extra thank you
this time of year.
Stephen Majka – Cub Master
Jeff Bahr – Committee Chair
At the end of November Willow Run Foods
brought a new CNG 18
Wheeler out to show
the boys. After learning about Compressed
Natural Gas as an alternative Green Fuel, in
place of diesel, the boys were able to climb
through the truck and see what it’s like to be
a long haul driver. Maybe you even heard
them blowing the air horn that night!
Thank you for all the support this
year so far with the Yankee/
Cherrydale fundraising and Kards by Kids.
We are going to be doing a school cookbook in late January/
February. Stay tuned for
more information.
Thank you!
The boys of Den Five toured the Roberson
Museum and Science Center learning about
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Vestal Golden Bear
Cagers’ Basketball
Green & Gold Night
As we are aware, there are many families in
our community who struggle with everyday
things that we sometimes take for granted
including having access to healthy food over
the weekend and/or school breaks. If you are
one of these families, there is still time to enroll your child in the "Food for Thought" program. This is a FREE service to Tioga Hills
students who may need additional help with
obtaining nutritious snacks and small meals
over the weekends or longer school breaks.
Simply return the enrollment form in the
marked envelope which was sent home in Friday folders several weeks ago or contact our
school counselor, Rhonda Ruhm and request
your child(ren) be enrolled. This is a confidential program and your child's name / information will only be known to our school counselor, your child's teacher and Mrs. Hashey. We
will begin sending home food in your child's
bookbag on Fridays beginning after Winter
recess. I'd also like to take this opportunity
to thank everyone who generously donated
funds to start this program or requested to
volunteer. Look for emails to come shortly.....
Have a wonderful Winter Break and Happy
Holidays!
Melissa Jones & Gretchen Blachowiak
Community Resources Co-Chairs
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Come support your JV and Varsity
Basketball teams and show off your
golden bear spirit. All students will
receive free admission in to both
games. Elementary students must be
accompanied and supervised by a paying adult.
JV games start at 5:30 and varsity
games start at 7:00.
Prizes given away with FREE raffle
for all students in attendance.
Boys - Friday January 9th Girls Friday January 16th
JANUARY MORNING PROGRAM CALENDAR
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