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January Newsletter 3K2 – 104A Mr. Jackie, Ms. Erika, and Ms. Esther
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For roughly the month of January, the children and their teachers will be exploring and studying the following unit – “Clothes.”
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Investigation 1: What do we know about clothes? What do we want to find out? o The children will begin their investigation by discussing and sharing what they already know about clothes. This will help gauge how our study will progress and what knowledge we are all bringing and working with. The children and their teachers will also take this time to develop any specific questions they have about clothes.
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Investigation 2: What different types of clothes are there? Why do we wear them? The children will look at and explore various types of clothing. For example, the children may explore clothing based on culture and tradition. In addition, the children and their teachers will look at and study the purpose behind clothes. For example, clothes for specific costumes, careers, jobs, safety reasons, etc.
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Investigation 3: How do we take care of clothes? o The children will have an opportunity to work with how to take care of our clothes, so they last longer and look better. During this time, the children and their teachers may work together to turn their “Dramatic Play Center” into a laundromat as well to better understand how to clean and care for our clothes.
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Investigation 4: Where do we get our clothes? o The children will now focus on where clothes come from. This includes exploring where the raw materials are found, how those raw materials are processed and then finally, turned into a completed, finished piece of clothing that we buy from stores and online.
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Investigation 5: How do people make clothes? o The children and their teachers will continue exploring how clothes are made. In addition, the children may have an opportunity to “make” their own clothes. They may have the chance to tie-dye their own piece of clothing or even use fabric markers/paint to design their own clothes as well.
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Simple Family Activities Related to Our Study
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1. Have your children help you do the laundry at home. Explain to them what is needed to do laundry and how a washing machine/dryer works.
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2. Take a trip to the local laundromat and give them the opportunity to put in the quarters, detergent, washing powder, clothes, etc. and give them some time to even just watch the washing machine spin and go through the cycles.
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JANUARY 3K102A NEWSLETTER
Happy 2025 from Ms Cristino, Miss Karol and Mrs. Nath!
WHAT WE ARE LEARNING:
We will begin working on our Creative Curriculum unit of CLOTHES. We have noticed that the children are very interested in clothes. They talk about clothes, put on and take off dress up clothes, compare clothes, and add clothing details to their drawings. We think clothing will be an interesting study. The children will learn concepts and build skills in language and literacy, math, science, social studies, the arts and technology. They will also use thinking skills to investigate, ask questions, solve problems, make predictions, and test their ideas.
REMINDERS:
Arrival time is between 7:50 and 8am in the annex. Students who arrive after 8:15 will be marked late.
Dismissal time is promptly at 2:00. Any student not picked up by 2:20 will be walked to the main building gym.
Please pack a water sippy cup and snack for your child, daily.
WE ARE A COMPLETELY NUT FREE CLASSROOM AND BUILDING. Please be sure not to pack any food items for your child that contains nuts. Thank you.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Thursday January 2- Back to school
Monday January 20: Martin Luther King Day – No school
Wednesday January 29- Lunar New Year- No school
Monday January 6-- Happy Birthday April!
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December Pre-K Newsletter
Mrs. Longo & Mrs. G
Mrs. Kelly & Ms. B
Ms. Mondesi & Mrs. Jenn
What We Are Learning..
Your children will be learning about clothing. We will be exploring different types of clothing and why we wear them, how to take care of clothes, where we get our clothes, and how people make clothes. At home, you may talk to your child about different types of clothing while getting dressed, and the different fabrics. You may look at the labels to find out where the clothes were made and identify the fabric. We will celebrate the end of the unit with a fashion show.
Reminders
• Please be sure to send a healthy snack and a reusable bottle of water each day.
• Blankets will be sent home for cleaning. Please be sure your child returns with a clean blanket the following week.
Kindergarten Newsletter January 2025
Hello Families!
Happy and healthy new year to all! In the month of January, the kindergarten classes will be learning about ways they can be healthy, including:
● What exercises they can do to stay fit
● Foods they can eat to be healthy
● How to keep themselves clean and not spread germs.
This is through our HMH literacy program, where the students will continue learning how to write their names, write words and sentences, and put “finger spaces” between their words. Students will also continue to learn how to blend 3-letter words (pan, fit, hop… etc.) and we are also continuing to practice our “Heart Words,” which are words the children should be able to see and know by heart. We are continuing to read “Decodable Books” through HMH, which continues to help our students practice reading their “Heart Words” and blending those three letter words.
In math, our students have been learning number fluency for numbers 1-10, and how to compare those numbers. This means that they will be able to count and identify how many are in a group of objects, and determine which group of objects has more or less between those groups. They are also learning “Ways to Make 10,” which means they will be learning that if there are 8 in a group, they need 2 more to make 10, or 5 and 5, 7 and 3 etc.
Special Dates: *January 1st (School Closed for New Year’s Eve)
*January 20th (School Closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day)
*January 29th (School Closed for Lunar New Year)
Thank You,
Mr. Lenneberg & Ms. Kozlowsky Class K-211M
Ms. Richman & Mr. Young Class K-204m
Mrs. Vozzolo & Mrs. Feller Class K-202A
Ms. Markov Class K-202M
January 1st Grade Newsletter
Mrs.Villalta, Mrs.Frydel, Mrs.Scherr, Ms.Oro, and Mrs.Benenati
Dates to Remember:
· No school, January 1st, 2025.
· No school, January 20th, 2025.
· No school, January 29th, 2025.
· Animal Habitat program, January 9th,2025.
Reminders:
· Please check your child’s folders every day.
· Please check homework every day.
· Arrival is in the gym at 8:00 am on Bleecker St.
· Dismissal is in the gym at 2:00pm on Bleecker St.
A peek at what we are learning:
MATH: Students will learn how to work with subtraction and addition equations. Students will find the unknown number in the equation, determine if the equation is true or false, find the missing equation and use different equations to solve word problems.
Phonics: Students will continue to learn how to print upper & lower-case letters. Students will learn the digraph ch & wh, and trigraph tch. They will continue to practice using CVC words and creating sentences.
ELA: Students will listen to and read stories and informational texts about getting along and being a good citizen. They will discover that playing games is a great way to spend time with friends and get healthy exercise, too! As the students explore this
topic, they will also learn about the importance of playing fairly and persevering when things get challenging. Students will then conduct a procedural text on how to make a friend.
Second Grade Newsletter
Ms. Garcia, Ms. Olivo, Ms. Ululati, Ms. Arias, Mrs. Saleh, and Mrs. McKenna are thrilled to share that the school year is off to a fantastic start!
We’ve loved getting to know your children and can’t wait to continue learning and growing together in the months ahead.
What we are learning: ● HMH Into Reading: Students will read about all the qualities that make a good leader.
● Math: In Unit 5, students will learn about subtracting within 100. Using strategies such as a hundred chart, a number line, and place value.
● Writing: Children will write a personal essay describing their character traits and what makes them unique in comparison to others. Reminders:
● Please check your child's folder and homework daily.
● Arrival is at 8:00 a.m ● Dismissal is at 2:00 p.m
● There are spelling tests every Friday Important dates: ● No school December 23-Januray 1st ● Swimming continues until the second week of Jaunuary. ● No school Jaunuary 20 Martin Luther King Jr
January 2025
Terrific Third Graders
Happy New Year!
W.I.N- What I Need?
W.I.N begins promptly at 8:10 every day. It is so important our children come in on time. This will help our students become better readers and writers. W.I.N will begin this month.
Math- Students will focus on the connection between multiplication and division. In previous topics, students learned multiplication facts. In this unit, students will learn how to use multiplication facts to help them divide numbers. Multiplication and division have an inverse relationship.
Reading- Module 5 Teamwork
Over the next three weeks, our class will build their knowledge about the concept of teamwork, with a focus on the realistic fiction genre. We will read texts and view videos about how sports can bring people together to work as a team.
Writing- Children will write a letter persuading a new student to be their friend. They will take the position as to why they should be your friend and give supporting details why.
Science- Bridges
In this 8-week module, students identify the characteristics that make a bridge unique and learn the basic differences between an arch, a truss, and a suspension and the forces that act on them. For the final project, students will use this knowledge to construct a six-foot-long truss-suspension bridge.
Writing- We will work on subject-verb agreement, Pronoun verb agreement, and verbs in the past, present, and future tenses.
Social Studies- Teamwork in the Community
Social studies will be tied into our HMH curriculum. In this unit, students will be reading and writing about athletes who work together to achieve a goal. They will discuss what teamwork means, both in sports and in life.
4th Grade
Reading
We are still working on Module 4 in our HMH reading program. The topic is Heroic Feats and the essential question we review everyday is What makes someone a hero?
After Christmas we will continue working on Module 4. Over the next few weeks, they will build and strengthen their reading, writing, listening, speaking, and thinking skills as they explore facing challenges. Titles include
● Smokejumpers To the Rescue
● St. Augustine: A Story of America
In this module, students will listen to, read, and view a variety of texts that present them with examples of what makes someone a hero. A genre focus on fairy tales and myths provides students with opportunities to identify text and graphic features, point of view, and themes in order to better understand unfamiliar texts. Students will also encounter narrative nonfiction to build knowledge across genres. As students build their vocabulary and synthesize topic knowledge,
they will learn that with personal courage and confidence, people can face any challenge.
Writing
The next writing task the students are working on is a story.
Writing Prompt: Story
Students will READ the following sentence: It takes courage to make a difference.
Students will THINK about someone they know who has made a difference.
Students will WRITE a story about how that person made a difference.
Students need to be sure to —
• identify the person who made a difference
• explain what happened and how the person made a difference
• use adjectives and verbs to describe people, actions, and places
• use correct spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and grammar
Please encourage your children to read every night
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5th Grade Newsletter
January
Classroom News: Mrs. Ramos – Cordero, Mrs. LaVolpe, Mrs. Tibbets, Mrs. Tarricone, Ms. Resendez, Ms. Delgado and Mrs. Morel
Important Dates:
January 1st – New Year’s Day, school Closed (Happy New Year)
January 2nd – School resumes (Back to School)
January 20- Martin Luther King Jr. Day, school closed
January 29- Lunar New Year, school closed
Important Future Dates:
Ballroom Dancing: Very exciting! We will begin Ballroom Dancing on January 3RD. Students will dance every Wednesday and Friday. Performance to be announced at a later date.
HMH Module 3 Natural Disasters-Assessment due by January 9
Mid-Year Exams: Will be administered in Math and Science this month as well as simulated NYS computer-based exams in ELA. Math and Science.
Trip to MOMA: January 15th - Mrs. Ramos 5-401
January 22nd - Mrs. La Volpe 5-402
January 22nd - Mrs. Tarricone & Ms. Resendez 5-412
January 23rd - Ms. Delgado 5-510
January 30th - Mrs. Tibbets 5-406
ELA: In HMH, we have completed Module 3, Natural Disasters. We will start the Module assessment at the beginning of January. It is due by January 9TH. In Module 5, the topic is Project Earth. Over the next few weeks, the 5th grade classes will build their knowledge about our planet, with a focus on Persuasive text genre. We will read texts and view videos about different things people do to care for the Earth and its living things. Children will also write an opinion essay about what they think people can do to make Earth a better place today and in the future.
Math: We finished Topic 5, which was dividing whole numbers. Starting in January we will begin Topic 6, which is dividing decimals. Students will use models and different strategies to divide decimals. We will start different strategies to aid us in developing skills in the new computer-based NYS math exam. We cannot express the importance of knowing from memory the multiplication tables. This is a third-grade standard, and MANY students still have not mastered this. Fifth grade math is much more difficult without this basic math skill mastered. Please take the time daily to reinforce/ memorize/ review this with your children. It will make them stronger mathematicians.
Social Studies: We will continue learning about different cultures, and holidays that are celebrated during the Month of January. We will discuss Martin Luther King and Lunar New Year.
Physical Education
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January 2025Welcome to the second half of the school year. Hopeful that everyone had a wonderful break from school and ready to get MOVING. As our winter months are here please be mindful to move your BODY for 60 minutes days. This time can be all at once or in different increments.Our entire school will be participating in a throwing a catching until with a variety of physical education equipment. We will use everything from balloons, to bean bags, to playground balls and even our ‘snow balls’. All students should wear sneakers on their physical education days. Crocs and slippers are not safe for participation.Our 4th and 5th graders simultaneously will be testing for the fitnessgram that they have been preparing for. You will be able to access their score upon completion in your students profile with DOE.
Ms. Kassnove, Mrs. Ululati, Mrs. Bakke
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iteracy kindergarten through first grade. School will be closed:
Wednesday, 1-1-25 - New Years Day
Monday,1-20-25-Martin Luther King Day
Wednesday, 1-29-25- Lunar New Year
Happy 2025! Welcome back! We are so excited to start a new year!
Kindergarten: Will be finishing up Module 4 Health and fitness. They will start working on Module 5 which is learning about a character’s traits and feelings.
First grade- will be finishing up Module 3 and starting module 4 whose main focus is Narrative procedures or How To’s. Please speak to your children about how to follow step by step directions.
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Happy New Year to all families. It is really exciting to see the children's faces as the English language is becoming more familiar to them. Our Kindergarten children are still focusing on letter sounds and blending. We are also discussing different ways of being healthy. Our 1st graders are also working on letter sounds and blending. They are reading and learning about different animals. They are taking all of their knowledge on what they have learned to start writing their reports. The second graders are working on decoding with vowel teams. They are also continuing to work on their narratives. Please be sure your children continue to read every night.
January
Library Newsletter
Happy New Year!
Students in the lower grades will be conducting an author/illustrator study of Jan Brett. Students will listen to a variety of stories (The Mitten, The Hat, The Gingerbread Baby and The Three Snow Bears) and read a biography about the author. They will compare and contrast many of her stories and find common themes and details found throughout her books. As a culminating activity, students will identify their favorite Jan Brett story and create a class graph showing the results.
Students in the upper grades will continue to work on reading comprehension, vocabulary development and research skills . To achieve these goals, students will listen to classic winter themed stories, research Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and learn about Lunar New Year. Students will continue to have ample time to choose books from the library to borrow and enjoy while at home or in their classrooms.
“A book is a gift you can open again and again.” -Garrison Keillor
MUSIC NEWSLETTER FOR JANUARYWe have started new musical topicsTHIS MONTH:Kindergarten - Happy New Year Song, January songsFirst Grade - Carnival of the Animals unit, how to listen to a song (Lions, Hens and Rooster)Third Grade - Music Around the World Unit (Jamaica, Australia)Fourth Grade - Learning how to play The RecorderFifth Grade - Music Essentials for Middle School, Graduation songs (Let There Be Peace on Earth, Star Spangled Banner, Kindness)How Do We Learn a New Song in Music? LISTEN REPEAT SINGHAPPY NEW YEAR! Did you make your resolutions yet? A New Year is a great time to make a promise of something you will accomplish this year!JOKE OF THE MONTH: Why should you put your calendar in the freezer?To have a cool year!!! -
January Yoga & Mindfulness Newsletter
Dear Parents,
Happy New Year! We’re excited to share what’s happening in our yoga and mindfulness sessions this January. These practices are designed to help students feel calm, focused, and ready to learn, especially after the holiday break.
This Month’s Yoga Pose: Tree Pose
Tree Pose which is perfect for improving balance and focus. Students will practice standing tall like a tree, with their arms reaching toward the sky. It’s a great way to strengthen their bodies while encouraging a calm and steady mind.
Mindfulness Activity: Gratitude Journaling
We are teaching students to take a moment to reflect on things they’re grateful for each day. This simple activity helps promote a positive mindset and reduces stress.
Breathing Technique: Balloon Breath
This month, we’re focusing on Balloon Breath. Students imagine inflating a balloon as they take a deep breath in and deflating it as they exhale. This technique helps them relax and improves concentration during their day.
How You Can Support at Home
• Encourage Movement: Practice Tree Pose with your child and make it a fun family activity!
• Daily Gratitude: Ask your child to share one thing they’re grateful for at dinner or bedtime.
• Practice Breathing: Try Balloon Breaths together when your child needs to relax or refocus.
We’re thrilled to see how these activities are positively impacting students’ focus, confidence, and well-being. If you have any questions or would like to know more about our program, feel free to reach out.
Wishing you and your family a peaceful and joyful January!
Warm regards,
Ms. Savage
Yoga & Mindfulness Educator
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Coding and Robotics
Grades 4 and 5
January will have the Upper Primary grades continue working with the Animal Research Center computer science program. In this part of the progression, students are focusing in developing and using coding concepts, such as loops, conditionals, and debugging, with consistency in with Minecraft: Education Edition. Students are also building out their digital fluency skills as they analyze the credibility of different sources when researching to find out more information about animals. Students will have multiple opportunities to manipulate and build out their own programs within Code Builder to solve problems and accomplish tasks. Students will also continue to have opportunities to collaborate during their multiplayer experiences and provide one another with feedback during program development.
Grades k through 3
January will have the students working on several projects that are similar to games that they have play before, such as Pacman, Maze, and memory games. The students will use scratch to code their own interactive stories, animations, and games. In the process, they learn to think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaboratively all are essential skill for everyone in today’s society. As we advance through the curriculum we will be integrating Scratch across many different subject areas including math, science, and English language ar
January Newsletter
Mrs Fanning- Science
Grade 2: Scientists have been exploring the properties of known substances. They created salt paintings and salt crystals. Ask them where salt comes from and how it is used!
Grade 3- Scientists have been exploring traits that help various animals survive. They know the difference between adaptive and non-adaptive traits. We played a "pocket mouse game' and a "Marmot survival game" to explore how animals can camouflage to survive.
Grade 4- Scientists continue to study sedimentary rocks and fossils. They experimented with an erosion model to see the parts of the rock cycle: weathering, erosion and deposition.
Grade 5- Scientists continue to explore ecosystems and the importance of food chains and food webs to the survival of plants, animals and ecosystems. They are learning about how animals grow by taking in matter from plants and animals for energy and growth.
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Speech-Language Therapy
Speech and Language – January
Word of the Month - snowman
Books:
The Mitten, written by Jan Brett
Owl Moon, written by Jane Yolen
No Two Alike, written by Keith Baker
Ten on the Sled, written by Ken Norman
Tracks in the Snow, written by Wong Herbert Lee
Language At Home:
Language Extension is a technique that 'extends' a child's utterances (i.e. L
words, phrases, simple sentences). It can be used to support language acquisition in any activity or environment. Language Extension involves repeating your child's utterances in the manner in which an adult would s a y it, by adding 1-2 words.
Language Extension Examples:
•Child: 'Milk.'
Adult: 'Want milk.'
•Child: 'Up.'
Adult: 'Pick me up.'
•Child: 'Dog.'
Adult: 'Soft dog.'
•Child: 'More paper.'
Adult: I' want more paper.' •Child: 'She happy."
Adult: 'She is happy.' •Child: 'Cat pretty.'
Adult: I' like the pretty cat.'
Practice using Language Extension while your child tells you what they have done at school each day.
Activities
Fill a bowl with snow and bring it inside. Have your child describe how the snow looks, feels, and tastes. Microwave the snow for 15 seconds. Talk about how the snow looks, feels, and tastes now.
Sing 'I'm a Little Snowman' to the tune of 'I'm a Little Teapot:'
Winter At-home activities
-Make snowballs out of white, crumpled paper. Take turns throwing the snowballs around the room with your child. Have your child tell you where they will throw the snowball or where it lands such as ‘in the basket,’ ‘on the chair,’ ‘under the table,’ or ‘between the bed and the dresser.’
-While playing in the snow with your child, discuss the props you use to make each body part of a snowman. Talk about the size of each person’s snow angel.
-Make hot chocolate with your child. Label the ingredients as you gather them. Give your child 1-2 step directions throughout the process. Count the marshmallows as you add them one at a time.
Winter Books We Love:
The Snowy Day, written by Ezra Jack Keats
The Gingerbread Man, written by Jim Aylesworth
Jessica Amato, Jaclyn Castaneda, Rose Ann Mascia, Cristina Quintanilla and Noelia RosenthalJANUARY
Counselor’s Corner - Josephine D’Amico
Happy New Year! 2025! As we start this new year, it’s the perfect time to reflect on what we’ve accomplished and set new goals for the months ahead. January is all about fresh starts, and I’m excited to work with your children to help them achieve their personal and academic goals.
Focus of the Month: Goal Setting & Resolutions
This month, we’re focusing on the importance of setting goals. During our classroom sessions, students will learn how to set SMART goals. We’ll discuss how setting goals can help them stay focused and motivated throughout the school year.
Wellness Tips: Starting the Year Strong
January is a great time to establish healthy habits that will set the tone for the rest of the year. Encourage your child to get enough sleep, eat well, and stay organized with their schoolwork.
Contact Information:
If you have any questions or would like to discuss how to support your child’s progress, please feel free to contact me at ([email protected]) or call (718-821-9800)