December/January 2013/14

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www.whiteplainspublicschools.orgGW Community Newsletter • George Washington Elementary School • White Plains, NY

The George Washington

Principal Mungin's MessageWith old man winter quickly approaching, I'd like to remind all GW

families to ensure that students are appropriately dressed for the cold. Because temperatures in the building vary depending on the particular area, students are encouraged to wear layers. This will allow students to put on or take off a sweater or sweatshirt as needed. Please know that students will be going outdoors for recess if the temperature is above 32 degrees and the blacktop is clear. Stay warm!

From the President's DeskGreetings GW Patriot Family! We looked away for a split second and Jack Frost charged through the door. To

the delight of all our children the holiday season is here and so are many more fantastic school events for this coming New Year.

As another year comes to an end, the GWPTA would like to take this opportunity to thank our Faculty, Staff and Administration for all their hard work. We especially would like to acknowledge that we understand the many challenges presented in implementing the Common Core Standards and are ever grateful for their perseverance and commitment to our Patriot community. Thank you!!!

PTA has funded and coordinated the upcoming school assembly on December 17th, “The Cashore Marionettes”; exquisitely crafted wooden marionettes manipulated in a series of everyday life scenes, set to beautiful music by composers such as Beethoven, Vivaldi, and Strauss. This is sure to be a one-of-a-kind performance for our students.

Around the corner in January, we bring the PARP program (Parents As Reading Partners), which involves both parental, and student participation to continue to champion the love of literacy. The January 14th PTA meeting will welcome Mr. Greg Gorman, the District K-12 Math Coordinator who will explain the Envision Math program. Look for more info in backpack mail.

Thank you to our parents for your endless support and continued participation. Your involvement is what enables our PTA to provide enriching opportunities to our Patriot community.

May the joy and spirit of the holiday season follow your family throughout the year, bringing each of you happiness, good health, and prosperity!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!Best regards, Laura Reidy

DECEMBER EVENTS 12/3 GW PTA meeting, 7pm cafeteria

12/8 GW Senior Prom, 6:30-8:30pm

12/9 Board of Education Meeting, 7:30pm High School

12/13 noon dismissal, curriculum planning

12/13 Sports Day - Wear your favorite team's apparel

12/17 School wide Assembly - Cashore Marionettes Assembly

"Simple Gifts"

12/19 PTA Council Meeting, Ed House, 7:30pm

12/23-31 Winter Recess, Schools & Offices Closed

GW Cares Holiday gift card drive

As the Holiday Season approaches, many families in our community need our assistance. This year, we are accepting gift card donations to provide support. In addition, on Friday December 13th, all GW Patriots are invited to show how much 'GW CARES' by dressing in their favorite sports team apparel. A suggested donation of $1 will help purchase gift cards for families in need.

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HappyHolidays!

Season's Greetings and Happy New Year!from the GWPTA and General News Staff!g o

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Con el invierno acercándose rápidamente, me gustaría recordarles a todas las familias que se aseguren que los estudiantes vistan apropiadamente para el frio. ya que las temperaturas en

el edificio varían dependiendo de una área en particular, los estudiantes son exhortados a vestir en capas. Esto les permitirá a los estudiantes ponerse o sacarse una chompa o una camisa si lo

necesitan. Por favor sepa que los estudiantes están yendo afuera para el recreo si la temperatura es mayor a los 32 grados y el piso está limpio. Manténganse abrigados!

Del Escritorio del Presidente del GWPTA

El Mensaje de la Directora Mungin

¡Saludos Familia Patriota de GW! Apartamos la mirada por un instante y Jack Frost llegó por la puerta. Para el deleite de todos nuestros niños la temporada de fiestas ya está aquí y así mismo fantásticos eventos escolares para el próximo año nuevo.

Otro año llega a su fin y el GWPTA quisiera aprovechar la oportunidad para agradecer a nuestra Facultad, Personal y Administración por su arduo trabajo. En especial queremos reconocer que entendemos los muchos desafíos que se presentan en la implementación del Nuevo Programa de Aprendizaje y les agradecemos su perseverancia y compromiso con nuestra comunidad Patriota. ¡Gracias!

PTA ha financiado y coordinado la próxima asamblea escolar para el día 17 de Diciembre “Las Marionetas Cashore” marionetas de madera exquisitamente elaboradas y manipuladas en una serie de eventos de la vida cotidiana, acompa-ñada con la hermosa música de com-positores como Beethoven, Vivaldi y Strauss. Este será un concierto único en su clase para nuestros estudiantes.

Enero está a la vuelta de la esquina y traemos el programa PARP (Padres como socios de Lectura) que incluye tanto a padres y la participación de los estudiantes a continuar defendiendo el amor a la lectura. La reunión del PTA programada para el 14 de Enero, dará la bienvenida al Sr. Greg Norman, el

coordinador de Matemáticas del Distrito de grados K-12, él nos explicará el programa de matemáticas Envision. Busque más información por llegar en las mochilas de sus hijos.

Gracias a nuestros padres por su apoyo incondicional y su continua participación. Su participación hace posible que el PTA pueda brindar oportunidades enriquecedoras a nuestra comunidad Patriota.

¡Qué la alegría y el espíritu de la temporada navideña continúe con su familia durante todo el año, trayendo a todos ustedes, felicidad, salud y prosperidad!

¡Qué caiga nieve, que caiga nieve, que caiga nieve!

Saludos Cordiales, Laura Reidy

The GW MITTEN TREE will be in the school lobby for the month of December. Please send in new mittens, gloves, hats, scarves, or socks to hang on the tree. All the items will be donated to needy families in our community after the holidays.

Cold Hands, Warm Hearts

Winter Concert with Orchestra, Band & Choir

Tuesday, January 289:45 a.m. - Student Concert

7:00 pm Parent Concert (This is the only evening concert)

Wednesday, January 29 9:45 a.m. - Student Concert

The Tuesday evening concert is set aside for parents, family, and friends of the performers. If you can not attend the evening performance,

you are welcome to come to one of the morning performances.

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Book Fair

The Fall 2013 Book Fair-oh!!!...“Reading Oasis!!! A Cool Place to Discover Hot Books!!” took place the week of October 14th, and as always was a thrilling success! You should be proud of your children who truly appreciate their ability to read and opportunities to improve their reading! Thanks to the generosity of community parents and other supporters who fulfilled many of our faculty and administrators’ individual classroom wish lists. The PTA provided over 100 additional books to satisfy the balance of teacher and staff wish lists after the fair. The fair resulted in a $2,000.00 cash profit for the PTA, as well as $2,221.79 earned in "Scholastic Dollars". These “Dollars” enable our school leaders to acquire materials for our school programs and classrooms. Thanks to the generosity of our students, families and staff, we raised over $443.89 in "All for Books" which allows us to ensure that every student who

wanted a book was able to purchase a book. Scholastic will match that amount with contributions to national children’s charities in need.

The PTA also sponsored a raffle at the Teachers’ Preview event. Selected teachers were the lucky winners of $50 Scholastic shopping sprees, gaining the opportunity to purchase additional books and media items for their classrooms. Congratulations to our winners!!!: Ms. Yolanda Rodriguez, Ms. Gaudio, Ms. Cicchetti, Ms. Raneri, Ms. Presser, Ms. Cabrera, Ms. O'Connor, Mrs. Stone, Ms. Birch, and Ms. Rigaud. We hope you are enjoying your books!!!

Many thanks to all of the parent volunteers who donated their time to set up and staff the fair, and to those who helped to close up the fair and pack up the materials for pickup by Scholastic. Your efforts make this event possible and allow for consistent book fair success for the George

Washington's PTA, students and staff. Parents and teachers -- please feel free to email gwbookfair@gmail.com or call Yuki Haynes at 914-946-8385 with your suggestions and ideas on how we can make the Book Fair even more successful. We are looking for new Book Fair committee chairs to continue this great tradition at GW!!!! See you in the Spring!!

A

http://www.engageny.org (resource on NYS Common Core)

http://www.corestandards.org/assets/Appendix_B.pdf (Common Core State standards for English Language arts & Literacy in History/social studies, science, and technical subjects - Appendix B: text exemplars and sample Performance tasks)

http://www.readingrockets.org/guides/ (resource for parents)

http://www.k12reader.com (resource for parents)

http://colorincolorado.org (A bilingual site for families and educators of English language learners)

http://gws.ala.org (great websites for kids - from the American Library Association)

http://www.bookbub.com (free and highly discounted e-books)

http://www.commonsensemedia.org/ (links to thousands of apps, games and websites that let kids have fun and learn)

Helpful Online Resources for Parents and Children

Once again, George Washington Elementary had its annual Harvest Food Drive. The fifth grade student ambassadors, along with the help of their

principal, Mrs. Laura Mungin, put in a lot of hard work to get everything ready for Saturday when the gift bags would be made. We received so many donations from many different classrooms that we barely had enough bags to carry everything to the storage room. On Saturday morning, the volunteers were able to make more than 30 gift bags to help families without food this Thanksgiving

and still had food left over that they donated. Why did we do this? Simple. In two words: GW cares.Written by Ayden Williams, 5th grade ambassador

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How long have you been at George Washington? What does it mean to be the "Instructional Specialist" at GW? I have been a part of the GW family since September of 2012. I was hired as an Instructional Specialist to support the fine work of my colleagues across all grade levels. In my role, I help teachers identify goals for their ongoing professional development and then support them in achieving these goals. I also work closely with our administration and the other instructional coaches across the district to support districtwide initiatives like our new math program.

What is your favorite part of your work day?While I work as an instructional coach at GW most of each day, my favorite time is when I get to work with children. I have the pleasure of teaching two periods a day. Last year I worked with kindergartners and third graders. This year, I work with third and fourth graders during I Block. The faces of your children remind me each day why I chose to become an educator.

How have you been involved in the implementation of Core Curriculum at GW?The new Common Core Learning Standards in ELA and Math have very quickly changed the expectations for students and teachers, and schools have had to respond rapidly to these changes. One way I have supported this work has been to write ELA curriculum aligned to the new common core standards that my colleagues will teach. When I write this curricula, I work hard to meet the expectations of the new standards but to do so in child friendly, developmentally

appropriate ways. It is exciting to see this curriculum come to life in classrooms and on bulletin boards around the school.

Do you have any favorite websites for elementary students or for parent education that would be helpful to our GW Community? Of course! One way students and families can support the learning each day at GW in mathematics is to build fluency with basic math concepts and skills. Math fact fluency is the ability to accurately and quickly recall basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts. The new Common Core standards would like to see first graders end the year being able to add and subtract within 10. By third grade, they are expected to add and subtract within 1,000 and know their basic single digit multiplication facts. By fifth grade, the end of year expectation is that students can complete multi-digit multiplication and division.The more practice our students have working with these math facts outside of school, the better they will be able to tackle complex problems in testing situations. Families with access to the Internet might want to check out the range of math games found at http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks1/maths/ or www.funbrain.com. But other families can prac-tice these basic number facts with homemade flashcards or family math games.

¿Cuánto tiempo ha estado en la Escuela GW? ¿Qué significa ser la Especialista de Instrucción de la escuela?He sido parte de la familia de GW desde septiembre de 2012. Fuí contratada como especialista de instrucción para apoyar el buen trabajo de mis colegas en todos los niveles de grado. En mi función ayudo a los maestros a identificar las metas para su desarrollo profesional constante y luego apoyarlos en el logro de estos objetivos. También trabajo de cerca con nuestra administración y los demás maestros de instrucción en todo el distrito para apoyar las nuevas iniciativas a nivel del distrito como el nuevo programa de matemáticas.

¿Cuál es la parte favorita de su día de trabajo?Mientras trabajo como entrenadora instruccional en GW la mayor parte del día, mi momento favorito es cuando tengo la oportunidad de trabajar con niños. Tengo el placer de enseñar dos períodos al día. El año pasado trabaje con niños de kindergarten y tercer grado. Este año estoy trabajando con

estudiantes de tercero y cuarto grado durante el Bloque I. Los rostros de los niños me recuerdan a diario porque elegí ser educador.

¿Cómo ha estado involucrada en la implementación del Programa de Estudios principal en GW?Los nuevos Estándares de Aprendizaje del Programa de Estudios en ELA y Matemáticas han cambiado rápidamente las expectativas para los estudiantes y los profesores, y las escuelas han tenido que responder rápidamente a estos cambios. Una de las maneras que he apoyado este trabajo ha sido escribiendo un currículo de ELA alineado con los nuevos estándares básicos comunes que mis colegas enseñarán. Cuando escribo el currículo, trabajo fuerte para cumplir con las expectativas de las nuevas normas y al mismo tiempo hacerlo favorable para los niños y apropiadas para su desarrollo. Es emocionante ver el plan de estudios tomar vida en las aulas de clase y en las carteleras de anuncio de toda la escuela.

¿Tiene sitios web favoritos para estudiates de primaria o para educación de los padres que pueda ser útil a nuestra comunidad de GW?¡Por supuesto! Una manera que los estudiantes y las familias pueden apoyar el aprendizaje cada día en GW en matemáticas es construir la fluidez de los conceptos y habilidades bási-cas. La fluidez de las operaciones matemáticas es la habili-dad de recordar con precisión y rapidez operaciones básicas de suma, resta, multiplicación y división. Los nuevos es-tándares del programa de estudios quisiera ver a estudiantes de primer grado finalizar el año pudiendo sumar y restar dentro de 10. En tercer grado se espera que puedan sumar y restar en 1000 y saber las tablas de multiplicación básicas de un dígito. En quinto grado, las expectativas al finalizar el año es que los estudiantes puedan completer multiplicaciones y divisiones de varios dígitos. Entre más práctica tienen nuestros alumnos con estas operaciones matemáticas fuera de la escuela, serán más capaces de resolver prob-lemas complejos en situaciones de exámenes. Familias con acceso al internet deberían chequiar la variedad de juegos de matemáticas que se encuentran en http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks1/maths/ o www.funbrain.com . Sin embargo otras familias pueden practicar operaciones numéricas básicas con tarjetas hechas en casa y juegos de matemáticas de familia.

Q&A with Ms. Laurie Pastore, Instructional Specialist

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George Washington School PTAinvites you to a

“Senior Prom”Celebrating our Grandparents,

Senior Guardians & Caregivers!Saturday, December 7, 2013

6:30 pm - 8:30 pmGW Gymnasium

Dinner, dancing, refreshments & Prom picture

Children under 4 are free

Let’s celebrate our seniors!

5th Grade Ambassador Chaperones

Questions or to volunteer contact Laura Reidy LauraMReidy@gmail.com or (914) 843-3128

Get ready to "Be A Reading Sleuth" and participate in GWPTA's first Parents As Reading Partners (PARP) Program. Our reading mission will start on Monday, January 6 and run through Friday,

January 24. The program will be full of fun and incentives as well as educational

elements pertaining to being a "detective". The goal is to get the students excited to read and share that

experience with them. We ask that any adult who plays an important role in a child's life - parent, grandparent,

caregiver, older sibling, read or listen t o the child read for at least 15 minutes a day. You will receive a PARP log and other activities weekly starting the first week of January. More information to follow.

SUPER SECRETO¡Prepárate para “Ser un detective de la lectura” y participar por primera vez junto a GWPTA en el Programa de Padres como Socios de Lectura (PARP) por sus siglas en inglés. Nuestra misión de lectura comenzará el lunes, 6 de Enero hasta el viernes, 24 de Enero. El programa será lleno de diversión e incentivos, así como elementos educativos correspondiente a un “detective”. El objetivo es que los estudiantes se entusiasmen por la lectura y compartir esa experiencia con ellos. Pedimos que cualquier persona adulta que desempeña un papel importante en la vida de un niño - padre, abuelo, tutor, hermano mayor, lean o escuchen a los niños por al menos 15 minutos al día. Usted recibirá un registro PARP y otras actividades semanales a partir de la primera semana de Enero. Más información a seguir.

Basketball and SoccerSkills & Drills Clinic Wrap-UpCoach Sean Reidy and Coach Jorge Porras coordinated a wonderful new event. With the help of Pepe Rodriguez, Pete Overzat, Barbara Carter & Laura McDade they worked on conditioning, moving with and without the ball, positioning and shooting. In total over 60 children participated and enjoyed the opportunity to work on their basketball and soccer skills. The children had so much fun! We hope to host another one soon.

~ Save the Date ~

Bingo NightJanuary 10, 2014

6:30-8:30 pm

Gift prize donations NEEDED!!!

Are you an artist and have something you’ve created that you can donate?

Perhaps, you have a service you can donate?

Do you work for a companythat can donate their product?

Do you have a brand new Holiday gift you can donate?

Please support PTA!To donate please contact: Laura Reidy

(914) 842-3128/LauraMReidy@gmail.com

TOP SECRET

THE ADVERTISEMENTS ON THIS PAGE ARE PAID SPONSORSHIP ADS. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON

ADVERTISING, CONTACT DEIDRE KIMBLE AT 914-686-0157 OR DEIDRE_KIMBLE@YAHOO.COM

oteworthy & InterestingN

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Next GWPTA meeting: Tuesday, January 14, 7:00 pm • Babysitting • Door Prizes • Refreshments TOPIC - Math Envisions, and Core Curriculum: What does it all mean and where is it heading?

Guest speaker is Greg Gorman the K - 12 Math Coordinator for WP school district

Looking Forward1/1 New Year's Day,

Schools & Offices Closed

1/6 Kindergarten Choice Period Begins

1/10 GW Family Bingo, 6:45-8:45pm (Snow Date, 1/17)

1/13 Board of Education Meeting, Ed House 7:30pm

1/20 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Schools & Offices Closed

1/24 Family Dance Night, 6:45-8:45pm (Snow Date 1/31)

1/28 Winter Concert, 9:45am & 7pm

1/29 Winter Concert, 9:45am

1/30 PTA Council Meeting, Ed House, 7:30pm

Please visit www.myGWPTA.org for a complete list of GWPTA events, meeting dates, and contact information.

GWPTA Executive BoardPresident ................................ Laura Reidy* 914-843-3128 lauramreidy@gmail.comVP Membership ............... Beatriz Alvarez* 914-882-1531 beatriz@westgreenandassociates.com

VP Class Parents ............Michelle Garceau 914-437-8366 michelle.garceau@gmail.comVP Programs ......................Silvia Andrade* 646-302-1591 sviciedo@hotmail.comCorresponding Secretary .....Gina Norfleet 914-831-1395 gina.norfleet@gmail.com Recording Secretary .........Kristine Holden 914-323-8639 kristine_holden@hotmail.comTreasurer ..................................Lena Urmey 914-426-1656 lenaurmey@yahoo.comVP Special Needs .....Stephanie Bellantoni 914-424-3860 6bellswp@gmail.comVP Bilingual Liason ...... Belen Fischbach* 914-609-8209 belefisch29@gmail.comVP Faculty Representatives: Marybeth Stefano 914-422-2380 mstefano@wpcsd.k12.ny.us Patricia Della Penna 914-422-2380 patriciadellapenna@wpcsd.k12.ny.usPast President ..................... Deidre Kimble 914-686-0157 deidre_kimble@yahoo.comPTA Council Representatives: Colleen Rodriguez* 914-328-9333 colleen.rodriguez@permira.com Joy Overzat 914-831-7476 joyoverzat@gmail.com

*Bilingual

The General News is published monthly during the school year and is made possible with funding from the GWPTA. Thank you for your contributions! Deadline for submissions for the February 2014 issue is January 10.Editor: Deidre KimbleDesigner: Andrea Caridi

Ideas, Comments, Suggestions? WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Contact Deidre Kimble at 914-686-0157or deidre_kimble@yahoo.com

General NewsThe George Washington

Box Tops = Cash For Us!Place them in an envelope clearly marked with your child’s name and teacher, and have your child drop them in the PTA box in the GW office by January 31. Visit boxtops4education.com for coupons, recipes, special offers and information about this great program from General Mills.

GW Talent Show

Get your Acts together for the Annual GW Talent Show....

Coming in February.... Contact Holli Tirado at 914-473-0111

or office@hvfc.org for more information or to volunteer!

Gymnastics Dress

January is gymnastics month in physical education. For maximum comfort, the Physical Education staff at GW encouragesall children to wearloose fitting clothing.Footwear will be removed during the Gymnastics Unit.

Friday, January 24, 2014 (SNOW DATE 1/31)

6:45-8:45 pm GW Cafeteria and Gym

*Please note: this is NOT a drop-off event.

Hip Hop dance instruction will be provided by Harrison dance studio,

NYPAC and a live DJ.

Admission is free. Refreshments will be available for purchase.

Volunteers are needed to help set up, serve refreshments, and clean up.

Questions? or to volunteer, please contact Gina Norfleet at 914 831-1395

gina.norfleet@gmail.com or Silvia Andrade sviciedo@hotmail.com or 646-302-1591.

5th Annual GWPTA Family

Dance Night!ATTENTION!

PARENTS OF CHILDREN BORN IN 2009

Registration begins January 6 Choice Forms due by February 28

If your child was born in 2009 and you have not yet received a letter regarding

registration, or if you have any questions about the choice process, call the Family

Information Center at 422-2038.

52 Lake Street, White Plains, NY (914) 285-9077

52 Lake Street, White Plains, NY (914) 285-9077

George Washington School Coupon:10% off any order $20.00 or more