Mrs. Rogers’ winter creations
Happy New Year! Thank you for sharing your children with me- they bring joy to our school every day and are a blessing! Below are some highlights of instruction and activities going on at Cedar Mountain in January….
I asked some of our first-graders their thoughts on 2017 and the New Year to come…here’s what they said…
What is your favorite memory from 2017?
Caileigh: My teacher from kindergarten, Mrs. Czergovits; she is a great math teacher.
Frankie: Being in school, I love school!
Sophia: When my baby sister was born and when my tooth came out on Christmas.
Tyler: Seeing my Pop and Autie in North Carolina.
Abigail: When my daddy taught me how to dive.
What did you learn in 2017?
Marcus: I learned how to read.
Leonie: I learned how to subtract, it was really hard at first.
Mason: I learned how to write.
Mia: I learned about different animals like the lemur.
Leah: I got stronger in gymnastics.
Tommy: I learned new trick words.
What is your 2018 New Year’s resolution?
Melissa: drink more milk to get strong
Lily: make cards for people to say hello
Annika: get good at playing tennis
Philip: to see my aunt more and to help people
Sarah: to go sledding with my sister
What advice do you have for grown-ups in 2018?
Serena: make new friends and be nice to each other
Deanna: to help friends that are sad
Alison: to be nice to people
Isabella: celebrate!
What do you wish for others in 2018?
Ethan: that everyone is nice to each other
Molly: that people don’t litter and help pick up trash
Samir: to be nice to each other and help each other
Gaius: to help others
Mrs. Talerico and Mrs. Ollert’s first-grade class recently conducted an engineering experiment with marshmallows and toothpicks. This “Think-Pair-Share” activity had students build a house that would not blow down. Students worked together to draw blueprints and discuss which design might be a better for their marshmallow house to withstand “wind”. The house had to go through multiple tests: blowing on it with one’s breath and then the ultimate test of blowing a hairdryer on the house using different temperature settings. In a final discussion, students made connections to this engineering activity and the story The Three Little Pigs.
Our December First Grade Students of the Month
Dakota
Meet: Dakota
Favorite:
Sport: Soccer Food: Spaghetti (with no sauce)
Singer: Taylor Swift Book: Pete the Cat
TV Show: “Mickey Mouse” School Subject: Art
Name of Sister and Brother: Lydia and Schyler
Dakota’s teacher should know that she enjoys her class!
When Dakota is not in school, she likes to play with her America Girl dolls with her sister.
Dakota is really good at math and being kind to others.
When Dakota grows up, she wants to be a worker.
Kaylie
Meet: Kaylie Nickname: KK
Favorite:
Sport: Football Food: Pizza
Singer: Ed Sheeran Book: Elephant and Piggie
TV Show: “Spirit” School Subject: Music
Kaylie’s teacher should know that she likes her a lot (Mrs. Hyche).
When Kaylie is not in school, she likes to play outside in the snow.
Kaylie is really good at math.
When Kaylie grows up, she wants to be a horse rider.
Jack
Meet: Jack
Favorite:
Sport: Basketball Food: Chocolate
Singer: Mumford & Sons Book: Harry Potter
TV Show: “Pokémon” School Subject: Art
Jack’s teacher should know that he got a kitten this year.
When Jack is not in school, he likes to play, draw, and go to karate.
Jack is really good at climbing and drawing.
When Jack grows up, he wants to be an astronaut.
Layne
Meet: Layne Nickname: Peanut
Favorite:
Sport: Soccer Food: Sushi
Singer: Dierks Bently Book: Harry Potter
TV Show: “House Hunters” School Subject: Math
Name of Sisters and Brothers: Olivia, Matt, Taylor, Ryan, and Emma
Layne’s teacher should know that she thinks she is the best (Mrs. Battista).
When Layne is not in school, she likes to play with her sister.
Layne is really good at running.
When Layne grows up, she wants to be in the Air Force.
Evan
Meet: Evan
Favorite:
Sport: Soccer Food: Pizza
Singer: Motley Crue Book: Pete the Brave
TV Show: “Sponge Bob” School Subject: Gym
Name of Sister: Karen
Evan’s teacher should know that he is good at math.
When Evan is not in school, he likes to play soccer and video games.
Evan is really good at being a goalie.
When Evan grows up, he wants to be a construction worker.
Deanna
Meet: Deanna
Favorite:
Sport: Basketball Food: Clams
Singer: Herself! Book: Penguins Love Colors
TV Show: “Lion Guard” School Subject: Gym
Name of Brother: Matthew
Deanna’s teacher should know that she loves penguins.
When Deanna is not in school, she likes to play with her brother.
Deanna is really good at cuddling.
When Deanna grows up, she wants to be an astronaut.
Logan
Meet: Logan Nickname: Logi
Favorite:
Sport: Football Food: Pizza
Singer: Pharell Book: Dr. Seuss
TV Show: “Paw Patrol” School Subject: Reading
Name of Brother: Evan
Logan’s teacher should know that he loves to read books.
When Logan is not in school, he likes to play outside.
Logan is really good at scoring touchdowns.
When Logan grows up, he wants to be a police officer.
Lexie
Meet: Alexandra Nickname: Lexie
Favorite:
Sport: Softball Food: Salad
Singer: Neil Diamond Book: I am Invited to a Party!
TV Show: “Elena of Avalor” School Subject: Gym
Name of Brother and Sisters: Brandon, Jenna, and Kayla
Lexie’s teacher should know that she loves dogs.
When Lexie is not in school, she likes to color and play school.
Lexie is really good at creating art.
When Lexie grows up, she wants to be a Veterinarian.
Kaya
Meet: Kaya
Favorite:
Sport: Swimming Food: Mac & Cheese
Singer: Herself Book: Cat in the Hat
Movie: “Nightmare before Christmas” School Subject: Center time
Name of Sisters: Trinity and Serene
Kaya’s teacher should know that she likes pandas and koala bears.
When Kaya is not in school, she likes to color and do art with her friend Jai.
Kaya is really good at building Legos with her little sister.
When Kaya grows up, she wants to be a Veterinarian.
Mia
Meet: Mia Nickname: Peanut
Favorite:
Sport: Gymnastics Food: Mac & Cheese
Singer: Her Mom! Book: Frozen
School Subject: Math
Name of Brother and Sister: James and Melissa
Mia’s teacher should know that she likes being in her class!
When Mia is not in school, she likes to go swimming, play games and go to gymnastics class.
Mia is really good at signing and doing gymnastics.
When Mia grows up, she wants to be a teacher.
Layla
Meet: Layla
Favorite:
Sport: Tumbling Food: Cupcakes
Singer: Taylor Swift Book: Pete the Cat
TV Show: “Shop Kin” School Subject: Math
Name of Brother and Sister: Mason and Bella
Layla’s teacher should know that she likes tie-dye!
When Layla is not in school, she likes to play outside.
Layla is really good at math.
When Layla grows up, she wants to be a teacher.
SCA Meeting: Our next SCA meeting will be held on Monday, January 8, 2018, at 9:30. We thank the SCA for all the wonderful programs they bring to the students of Cedar Mountain, especially last month! We appreciate your dedication to our school and students; your countless hours of volunteer time do not go unnoticed! There are many upcoming SCA activities this winter, please see the Cedar Mountain calendar. At January’s meeting, Mr. Joseph, Media Specialist, will be making a presentation on how to help you select books for your child for home reading. The SCA has an opening for a treasurer. If interested, please complete this form and return in January.
If you missed our SCA meeting on January 8th, here is Mr. Joseph’s presentation on Interest vs. Reading Level– it’s a must see!
In early January, kindergarten students will be administered the Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA2) and will begin working in guided reading groups shortly after the assessment is completed. Guided reading is an instructional method where students work in small groups as they read texts at their instructional reading level that review or enhance the skills and strategies taught during Reader’s Workshop.
School Closed: on Monday, January 15, 2018, in observance of Martin Luther King Day
Student Teachers: In January, Cedar Mountain will be hosting three student teachers for the spring semester. Here is an introduction to all of them:
Miss Ashley Annicaro: Miss Annicaro is a graduate student at Ithaca College studying Speech-Language Pathology. Miss Annicaro recently earned the Cecilia Shimer Award for Academic Excellence in Speech-Language Pathology. Miss Annicaro will be doing her student teaching with Mrs. Kim Gibson, Speech Pathologist.
Miss Jennifer DeBlock: Miss DeBlock is completing her teaching degree at William Paterson University. She will be student teaching in Mrs. Czergovits’ kindergarten classroom.
Miss Lori Welcome: Miss Welcome is completing her degree teaching degree at William Paterson University. She will be student teaching in Mrs. Talerico’s and Mrs. Ollert’s first-grade classroom.
It’s First-Grade Fun Fridays in the winter at CMPS! Please see this linked letter for information regarding our First-Grade Fun Fridays event after lunch in the gym. Students are invited to share their skills and talents as dancers, singers, cheerleaders, musicians, poetry readers, magicians, and even comedians!
Outdoor Recess: As a reminder, our students will go outside for recess as long as the temperature stays about 25 degrees. Please make sure your child wears a warm coat, hat, and gloves daily in preparation for playing outside. We try as often as possible in the winter months to have our students go outside for physical activity.
As we settle into the winter months, I would like to remind you to update your personal information on the School Messenger database. It is important for you to be informed of emergency school closings, early dismissals or delayed openings. If you did not receive a call, text or email from last month’s test of School Messenger, this means you are not signed up for this program. Please call the main office at 973-764-2801, if you need assistance creating an account for School Messenger. You can also find our school closings, delayed openings, and early dismissals on the main page of the VTSD site. If you haven’t done so already, check out the Vernon School District App…add it to your device to have VTSD information at your fingertips. The app will have you stay connected to all schools in our district.
Sincerely,
Rosemary Gebhardt