BOWNE BYTES
A
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FROM THE
Winter Concert Reviews
PTA
Bowne-Munro
Elementary School
East Brunswick, NJ
February 2013
New Banner
By Jessica Soohoo
The winter concert was really good! The chorus, strings and
band all performed on January 14th, 2013. I was in strings and
chorus. I think everybody did a great job. It was also pretty fun
to perform in front of an audience. I hope everybody enjoyed
themselves whether they were watching or performing.
By Julianne Marmion
"Bravo! Bravo!" Great job to all the people who participated in
this year's winter concert. The concert is over and soon enough
the spring concert will be here. I can't wait!
The Planetarium
By Sarah Berger
The planetarium is awesome! You can see all the different
constellations in it. I want to thank Mrs. Leone and
Mr. Thompson for allowing us to go in the planetarium. It is so
cool. We are learning about Polaris (North Star, Camp Fire of
the North), Orion, Cassiopeia, Andromeda, Canis Major and
Canis Minor, (those are Orion's dogs), Cetus (that's the Sea
Monster). I really enjoyed my time in the planetarium and I
hope someday everybody gets to experience it.
5th Grade Science
By Michael Spehalski
In 5th grade, we have to invent a simple machine, conduct
experiments, present it to the class and try to get a patent for it.
When you present to your class, the class becomes the patent
committee. The patent committee, aka my classmates, will
vote on the best simple machine. The winner will get a patent
from the class. Stay tuned to see who is issued a patent.
Movie Night
By Gabriella Lendesma
The votes were counted and the two movies we decided to
watch on movie night were Yogi Bear and Tooth Fairy. Both of
these movies are filled with funny lines and excitement. It was
alot of fun to wear our pajamas and watch the movie with our
friend. I hope we do this every year!
Bingo & Basket Raffle
The PTA would like to thank everyone who donated so
generously to our event. The baskets look great and we really
appreciate your help. Here is a list of some of the businesses
who also helped us out so keep them in mind next time you go
shopping...
Cartridge World, Spotswood • The Clay Pot • John
Marmion, Pampered Chef • Cafe Amici • Charlie's Grill
(Brunswick Square Mall) • Ihop • A Healing Touch Health &
Wellness Center • Spiral Art Studio • Academy of Music on
Main (Spotswood) • Brunswick Zone •
Taverna Pizza • iPlay America • Nail Envy • Bensi Italian
Restaurant • The Cleaning Authority • Solace Day Spa •
Sweet & Sassy • Manhattan Bagel • Avon • Ulta
Have you seen the new banner in our school, yet? It looks great
and really brightens up our entrance. Special thanks to Express
Imprints who donated it to the PTA.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
By Sahil Malhotra
Who is he? A very good and brave man who changed the lives
of every living American. He was inspired by Rosa Parks. He
heard she went to jail and changed the laws to make black and
white people have fair and equal rules. When he was young,
Dr. King was separated from his white friends. Now he realizes
that everybody should be judged on behavior and not skin color.
He is considered a hero and we celebrate his day because he
changed everybody and made fairness come to America.
By Julianne Marmion
On January 21st, we celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Most schools had off that day but we did not have off. We spent
the day honoring Martin Luther King Jr. I know the 4th graders
made posters and we got to choose from an acrostic poem,
make a drawing for peace, freedom, or write 3 questions that
you would ask him if he was alive today. It was a nice way to
celebrate a great man.
Help Restart a School!
A Pre-K class in a Beach Haven lost all of the contents of their
classroom during Hurricane Sandy. Lets pull together like we
know Bowne-Munro families can do and help them get
restarted! We are looking to collect new or gently used toys
(blocks, doll houses, kitchen items, books, puzzles, games), art
supplies (crayons, glue sticks, crafts items), educational items
(pattern blocks, lacing beads), furniture (cubbies, child's
table/chairs, kitchen set), and of course, monetary donations
are always accepted. Please have all donations to Bowne by
February 14.
Come on, Bowne-Munro, we can do this!
Book Fair is February 26-28
The Scholastic Book Fair will be open for
business from 9-4 each day except Thursday
where it will close at 11:00 am. On Tuesday
night (2/26), we will host our annual Grand Event.
This is a great night for students to invite a grandparent, parent
or any special person in their life to read a book together and
work on a few fun activities. This event will run from 7:00 - 8:30
in the school gym.
http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/homepage/bownemunroelementaryschool
http://teacherweb.com/NJ/Bowne-MunroSchool/PTA/newsflash.aspx
BOWNE BYTES
4th & 5th Grade Dance Party
This Month's PTA Events
By Julianne Marmion
Every year the 4th and 5th graders have a Valentine's party in
the gym at night. Unfortunately, last year it was cancelled but
this time, its not! It is on February 8th. I know everybody is
looking forward to it like me. I hope you can come!
Friday, Feb. 1
7:15 pm at the VFW
Coach Bingo
Mr. Dave Day is Feb. 22
There is still time to enter the contest to spend the day
with Mr. Dave. The lucky winner will get to see how
Mr. Dave keeps Bowne-Munro working in tip-top shape.
Zumba Night
Zumba is an exhilarating, effective , easy-to-follow, Latininspired, calorie-burning dance fitness-party! Join Jaye Kogut
and the rest of us on February 28th at 7:00 in the Bowne allpurpose room.
Theater Week is Coming
February 11 - 15
Once again, the PTA has hired Taubenslag Productions to
run our Theater Week program. Mike, owner of the production
company, will spend only ONE week with Bowne's actors and
produce a full-scale musical. Rehearsals will be in the gym:
Mon./Tues (3:30 - 5:30)
Wed./Thurs. (3:30 - 5:15)
Fri. (3:30 - 5:00)
The performance is Friday 7:00 pm at the East Brunswick High
School. Actors and actresses should arrive by 6:30 pm.
Roles are available for all students (grade 1-5) who wish to
participate. This year's performance will be The Brave Little
Tailor. Look for the flyer to come home this week with more
information
Box Tops Collection
Please send in all Box Tops as soon as possible. Our next
shipment will be sent on February 15th in order to receive
payment for the 2012-2013 school year. We are happy to report
that we just received a check for $572 for our last shipment.
Thanks to everybody who clips their Box Tops for us!
The January
Winning Class is
Mrs. Leone's
4th Grade Class
Monday, Feb. 4
7:00 pm in the Bowne Library
PTA Meeting - Heart Health
with Mrs. Ficke
(5th grade committee meeting
immediately following)
Friday, Feb. 8
7:00 - 9:00 pm in the Bowne Gym
4th & 5th Grade Valentine's Party
Monday, Feb.11 - 15
Bowne Gym
Theater Week
Thursday, Feb. 14
Valentine's Day
Class parties at 2:15
Friday, Feb. 15
7:00 pm in the EB High School Auditorium
Theater Week Production
Monday, Feb. 18
President's Day - SCHOOLS ARE OPEN!
Monday, Feb. 19
7:00 at Hammarskjold Middle School
Hammarskjold Orientation
(for incoming 6th graders)
Monday, Feb. 22
Mr. Dave Day
Tuesday, Feb. 26 - Thursday, Feb. 28
9:00 - 4:00
Book Fair
Tuesday, Feb. 26
7:00 - 8:30 pm in the Bowne Gym
Grand Event
Thursday, Feb.28
7:00 pm in the Bowne Gym
Zumba Night
They will be awarded extra
recess for sending in the
most Box Tops.
BowneMunroPTA
http://teacherweb.com/NJ/Bowne-MunroSchool/PTA/newsflash.aspx
BOWNE BYTES
What's happening in
By Mrs. Leone,
Fourth grade has been working closely with Sammy's Hope Animal Shelter. The students
and teachers offered to donate to this cause in lieu of receiving holiday gifts. We are
anxiously awaiting a second visit from Belle, the shelter's therapy dog.
In Science, the students are enjoying the Star Lab and learning about the stars and
constellations. It is amazing how knowledgeable about astronomy the students have
become. Ask a fourth grader to tell you about a constellation!
By Ms. Bubnis
Did you know that not all insects can be called bugs? It's true! Ask a fourth grader and
they can tell you why. In ILA, fourth graders have been focusing on nonfiction. In reading,
we are learning new information as we read articles and books on many different topics including insects. We are using what we have learned in reading to help us to write our
own nonfiction books in writing.
http://teacherweb.com/NJ/Bowne-MunroSchool/PTA/newsflash.aspx
BOWNE BYTES
This month, we sat down with Bowne's
awesome Music Teachers...Ms. McNally
(Music), Ms. Donatelli (Orchestra), and
Ms. Vanzini (Band):
Alyssa: Where did you grow up?
Ms. McNally: I lived in Pittsburgh when I was very little
and moved to Texas when I was 4. At 12 years old, I
moved to Princeton, NJ but Texas is still my favorite.
Sahil: In school, was Music your favorite subject?
Ms. McNally: No, actually I liked Math.
Brianna: Did you play sports as a child?
Ms. McNally: I didn't play any team sports but I was a
competitive baton twirler. You guys might think that's not
a big deal but it's not as easy as it looks.
Michael: Did you play any instruments as a child?
Ms. McNally: I have played the flute since the 6th grade.
Since I know how to play the flute it actually helps me
play the recorder since the fingers are the same.
Julianne: Do you have a favorite instrument?
Ms. McNally: I really like the flute.
Max: What is your favorite season?
Ms. McNally: Summer! I prefer the hot, hot weather which
is why I love Texas and Arizona so much.
Julianne: What is your favorite place to go besides Texas?
Ms. McNally: Bar Harbor, Maine. There is so much to do
there. I love the seafood and to go whale watching.
Julianne: Who is your favorite Disney character?
Ms. McNally: Dopey from Snow White and the Seven
Dwarfs.
Brianna: Do you have a favorite roller coaster?
Ms. McNally: I love Bizarro at Great Adventure...the one
that used to be called Medusa. I have been on that ride
more times than I can even count. I am so excited that
this year, my son is big enough to go on it with me.
Sarah: What is your favorite food?
Ms. McNally: I love sushi. I love Mexican food. Too often, I
love ice cream.
Max: What is your biggest fear?
Ms. McNally: I am deathly afraid of spiders.
Julianne: Which is your favorite football team?
Ms. McNally: I am supposed to be an Eagles fan but they
had such a terrible year that it was tough to root for them.
I am a huge Clay Matthews fan so I find myself routing for
the Packers.
Max: If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you
go?
Ms. McNally: I would go to Great Britain to watch
Wimbledon and the British Open.
Erin: Do you like the new banner in the hallway?
Ms. McNally: I do like it. It is still hard to get used to
because I looked at those bulletin boards for 14 years.
The banner is a nice, happy thing to see when you walk
into Bowne.
Max: Do you have a favorite "pop" song?
Ms. McNally: No, not right now.
Sarah: Do you have a favorite student?
Ms. McNally: You are all my favorite students.
Brianna: Who is your favorite singer?
Ms. McNally: I love country music and my favorite singer
is Carrie Underwood.
Brianna: If you could teach another special, what would it be?
Ms. McNally: I would teach gym. I always loved sports
even if I didn't play them growing up. I like to watch
sports on TV...especially football. I love to sit and watch a
football game with my kids.
Gabriella: Do you have a favorite song from the 1950's?
Ms. McNally: "Rockin' Robin".
Julianne: What is your favorite color?
Ms. McNally: Green.
Gabriella: Do you have a favorite animal?
Ms. McNally: I love horses. I used to ride horses when I
was a little girl.
Brianna: What is your favorite holiday?
Ms. McNally: Christmas became my favorite holiday a few
years ago when my son was born on that day. Yes, he
gets double the amount of presents that day but then he
has to go an entire year before he gets presents again.
Sarah: What do you like better...art or music?
Ms. McNally: I like both although I am not very good at
art. I can only draw stick figures which isn't very
impressive once you guys are past the 1st grade.
Michael: Did you always want to be a music teacher?
Ms. McNally: Yes, except if you count the time when I
wanted to be Wonder Woman.
Michael: Who is your favorite composer?
Ms. McNally: It used to be Mozart but I would say my
favorite composer is now George Gershwin. I love
"Rhapsody in Blue."
http://teacherweb.com/NJ/Bowne-MunroSchool/PTA/newsflash.aspx
BOWNE BYTES
Julianne: What is your favorite musical?
Ms. McNally: My favorite Broadway play used to be "Les
Miserable" but now it's "Wicked."
Sahil: If you couldn't be a music teacher, what would you be?
Ms. McNally: I would probably want to work on ESPN but
that's not really practical.
Sahil: So, you never had a Plan B?
Ms. McNally: I guess not.
Jessica: What is your favorite thing to do in class?
Ms. McNally: I love to listen to your beautiful voices
singing...It's the best sound.
Brianna: What is your favorite song that we sing in class?
Ms. McNally: My favorite song is "Winter Frost" but "I'm
H-A-P-P-Y" is the song that always gets stuck in my head
for the entire day. I need a cure for that.
Erin: What is your favorite part of being a music teacher?
Ms. McNally: I love just being in class with all the
students...from Kindergarten to 5th grade.
Brianna: What was your favorite song in the Winter Concert?
Ms. McNally: I loved "Winter Frost". I thought the melody
was so pretty.
Erin: Have you given any thought to the songs we will sing in
the Spring Concert?
Ms. McNally: Not yet. Now that the Winter Concert is
done, I will start to do some online research, look through
catalogs, speak to some other Music Teachers and start
preparing for the Spring Concert. I expect to have the
songs picked out in the next 2 weeks.
Erin: Will there be any 5th grade solos in the Spring Concert?
Ms. McNally: Yes.
Erin: In the Spring Concert, will we sing "We Shall
Overcome?"
Ms. McNally: We sang that song recently in honor of
Martin Luther King Jr. Day. That's a song about the civil
rights movement and probably won't be one of the ones I
choose for the Spring Concert. I usually choose a slow
song, a fast song and a make your parents cry song.
Michael: Did you start thinking about the songs for the 5th
Grade Moving Up Ceremony?
Ms. McNally: Not yet. Mrs. Ferrara and Mrs. Ferrante are
usually the brains behind the moving up ceremony. There
will, without a doubt, be a make your parents cry song for
that performance too.
Sahil: What is the funniest thing to happen to you?
Ms. McNally: Every day at work, there are funny things
constantly happening...especially with my kindergarten
and 1st grade classes. If I wrote a book, it would be a
great seller.
Jessica: Did you play any sports as a kid?
Ms. Donatelli: I played softball and did alot of swimming.
Gabriella: What is your favorite Disney movie?
Ms. Donatelli: Beauty and the Beast.
Julianne: Who is your favorite "pop" singer?
Ms. Donatelli: I like Adele.
Julianne: Do you like One Direction?
Ms. Donatelli: I have heard some of their songs and I
think they are good.
Julianne: Did you see The Hobbit?
Max: That was a great movie!
Ms. Donatelli: I haven't seen it yet because I wanted to
read the book first.
Julianne: What is your favorite animal?
Ms. Donatelli: I love pandas.
Sahil: Do you have any pets at home?
Ms. Donatelli: No, I used to have a fish but he died
recently.
Max: If you could have a pet, what would it be?
Ms. Donatelli: A puppy.
Gabriella: What is your favorite type of dog?
Ms. Donatelli: Dachshund.
Gabriella: What is your favorite color?
Ms. Donatelli: Green.
Sarah: What is your favorite shoe color?
Ms. Donatelli: I like black shoes but I have a great pair of
gold sparkly shoes that I also like wearing.
Gabriella: What is your favorite board game?
Ms. Donatelli: I love Bananagrams.
Max: If you could go anywhere, where would you go?
Ms. Donatelli: I would go to Italy and see concerts, visit
the art museums and eat lots and lots of Italian food.
Sarah: What is your favorite food?
Ms. Donatelli: Pasta!
Gabriella: What is your favorite ice cream?
Ms. Donatelli: Cookies & Cream.
Sarah: Do you have a favorite restaurant?
Ms. Donatelli: I love this Thai restaurant in my town.
Brianna: Do you have a favorite roller coaster?
Ms. Donatelli: I haven't been on a roller coaster in a long
time but I did like Superman.
Sahil: Do you like water slides?
Ms. Donatelli: Yes. I like anything with water.
http://teacherweb.com/NJ/Bowne-MunroSchool/PTA/newsflash.aspx
BOWNE BYTES
Julianne: Did you ever go to the Poconos?
Ms. Donatelli: Yes, actually I vacationed in Pocono Pines
last summer.
Brianna: What is your favorite holiday?
Ms. Donatelli: Thanksgiving because I get to spend time
with my family.
Sarah: Do you like art?
Ms. Donatelli: Yes, although I am not very good at it. I do
like sculpting.
Jessica: Did you always want to teach?
Ms. Donatelli: Yes...ever since I was in elementary school.
Jessica: How long have you been teaching?
Ms. Donatelli: This is my first year teaching in a school
but I have been teaching the violin for awhile with private
lessons. I also used to teach students in the city of
Philadelphia at an after school program while I was
studying to be a music teacher at Temple University.
Gabriella: What is your favorite band instrument?
Ms. Donatelli: I like the oboe although we don't have that
instrument in our band. You have to wait until middle
school if you would like to play the oboe.
Max: What is your least favorite instrument?
Ms. Donatelli: I love all of them!
Erin: Is it hard to teach string instruments?
Ms. Donatelli: Sometimes it is a bit challenging, but
mostly we have a lot of fun! It's something that is brand
new to the students and it takes time and commitment to
learn to play an instrument. The winter concert this year
has made strings class very rewarding for myself and
students.
Alyssa: What was your favorite song in the Winter Concert?
Ms. Donatelli: I thought they did a great job with "Ode to
Joy" so that was probably my favorite.
Michael: Do you only teach at Bowne-Munro?
Ms. Donatelli: No, I also teach at Memorial.
Sahil: What is your favorite orchestra song?
Ms. Donatelli: I have a few favorites. I like Tchaikovsky's
4th Symphony, Beethoven's 9th Symphony, and pieces
by Shostakovich.
Sarah: Do you go on the computer every day?
Ms. Donatelli: Yes. Mostly so that I can communicate with
other teachers.
Sarah: If you got fired, what would you do?
Ms. Donatelli: I would probably play my violin in an
orchestra...maybe for a Broadway show.
Jessica: If you could teach something else in the school, what
would it be?
Ms. Donatelli: I would probably want to teach general
music like Ms. McNally does.
Sahil: If time stopped now, what time would want to be frozen
in?
Ms. Donatelli: I would want to be in the 4th grade when I
first fell in love with the violin.
Jessica: What if you couldn't teach music?
Ms. Donatelli: I would probably want to teach High School
Writing.
Erin: What is your favorite thing about Bowne-Munro?
Ms. Donatelli: I love how everyone is so supportive of
each other and how eager and excited the students are to
learn.
Jessica: What was the first instrument you played as a kid?
Ms. Donatelli: I learned to play the recorder in 3rd grade
and then I started to play the violin in 4th grade.
Sahil: What is your favorite instrument in the orchestra?
Ms. Donatelli: I love all of the string instruments but I love
the violin the most because I am a violinist myself.
Michael: Besides violin, what other instruments do you like?
Ms. Donatelli: I also like the cello. It has such a beautiful
sound.
Michael: Do you know how to play every instrument in the
orchestra?
Ms. Donatelli: Yes but I know how to play string
instruments best.
Sarah: Who taught you how to play all the instruments?
Ms. Donatelli: In college, my violin teacher was a violinist
with the Philadelphia Orchestra. I learned how to play all
the other instruments in group classes with people
studying to be music teachers like me.
Max: If you could have super powers, what would they be?
Ms. Donatelli: I would want the ability to make sure all the
instruments never go out of tune.
Julianne: What team do you want to win the Super Bowl?
Ms. Donatelli: The 49ers!
Alyssa: What do you like to do in your free time?
Ms. Vanzini: I like to read, walk and spend time with my
family.
Brianna: Did you ever play any sports as a kid?
Ms. Vanzini: I actually did not.
Alyssa: Where did you grow up?
Ms. Vanzini: Falls Church, Virginia, which is very close to
Washington, D.C.
Jessica: Where do you like to go on vacation?
Ms. Vanzini: My family goes to Wildwood every summer. I
also love to visit National Parks.
http://teacherweb.com/NJ/Bowne-MunroSchool/PTA/newsflash.aspx
BOWNE BYTES
Gabriella: What is your favorite color?
Ms. Vanzini: Green.
Sarah: What is your favorite animal?
Ms. Vanzini: Dolphins.
Sarah: What is your favorite book?
Ms. Vanzini: I don't think I could choose just one!
Jessica: What is your favorite food?
Ms. Vanzini: chocolate.
Gabriella: What is your favorite board game?
Ms. Vanzini: Scrabble.
Jessica: Did you always want to be a teacher?
Ms. Vanzini: Not until I was about halfway through
college. When I was growing up, I wanted to either be a
clarinet player in an orchestra or a biologist. I worked
with younger students while in college and realized that I
would rather teach them than do anything else.
Jessica: How long have you been teaching?
Ms. Vanzini: This is my 23rd year.
Michael: Is teaching kids how to play instruments very hard?
Ms. Vanzini: It may seem difficult to people who do not
have musical training, but it really isn't different than
teaching other subjects.
Erin: Did you always like music...even as a child?
Ms. Vanzini: Yes. I took ballet classes in 1st and 2nd
grades, and my favorite part of the class was not the
dancing, but the classical music that was played. I would
go home and ask my mom to buy recordings of the
songs.
Jessica: How many schools do you teach at?
Ms. Vanzini: 4
Alyssa: When did you first start playing an instrument?
Ms. Vanzini: I joined band in 5th grade, just like students
at Bowne Munro can do.
Erin: What is your favorite thing about Bowne-Munro?
Ms. Vanzini: Bowne Munro is like a family. The teachers
care so much about their students, and they do
everything they can to help them and to make learning
fun.
Sarah: What is the first instrument you learned how to play?
Ms. Vanzini: clarinet
Michael: How many instruments do you know how to play?
Ms. Vanzini: I can play all of the instruments in the band,
though some not as well as others.
Sarah: Who taught you how to play?
Ms. Vanzini: I don't remember the name of my first band
teacher, but my first private clarinet teacher, who taught
me for 6 years, was Dr. Robert Little.
Alyssa: What was your favorite song from the Winter
Concert?
Ms. Vanzini: Bile Them Cabbage Down
Alyssa: Is hard to teach different bands in different schools?
Ms. Vanzini: Not really. I do have to be very organized
and I have to be sure to go to the right school each day!
Max: If you could have super powers, what would they be?
Ms. Vanzini: To fly.
Julianne: Who do you want to win the Super Bowl?
Ms. Vanzini: The Ravens!
Michael: What is your favorite instrument?
Ms. Vanzini: Just like books, I can't decide!
Michael: Of the three saxophones, which is your favorite?
Ms. Vanzini: I love the really low sounds of the baritone
saxophone.
Michael: Did you ever play instruments professionally, like in
a band?
Ms. Vanzini: As an adult, I have played in orchestras,
bands, woodwind quintets, woodwind trios, and I've
given recitals (playing a clarinet solo with a piano
accompaniment).
Michael: What marching band did you play for and what
instruments did you play?
Ms. Vanzini: I played in the Northwestern University
Marching Band (known as NUMB). I played clarinet one
year, alto saxophone two years, and baritone one year. I
also played tenor saxophone in the Falls Church High
School Marching Band.
Jessica: Do you have a favorite singer?
Ms. Vanzini: Not really.
Good News Group
The Good News Group, consists of the following 4th and
5th graders:
Victoria Albert
Alyssa Caroselli
Gabriella Ledesma
Julianne Marmion
Lucy Milligan
Hailey Schaffer
Jessica Soohoo
Sarah Berger
Max Frederick
Sahil Malhotra
Ellie Milligan
Erin O'Kane
Brianna Sliwinski
Michael Spehalski
Next meetings:
2/19, 3/19, 4/23, 5/28
http://teacherweb.com/NJ/Bowne-MunroSchool/PTA/newsflash.aspx
A B C D E F G H
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Use the chart above to solve this cryptogram below.
Insert the letter above the corresponding number to solve the puzzle.
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Box Tops
Collection Sheet
Thank you for helping! Every Box Top you collect is worth 10¢ for Bowne-Munro.
To see more ways to earn cash for our school, go to www.btfe.com/earn
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