Gayhead Elementary School 15 Entry Road

Hopewell Junction, NY 12533 Tel.: 845-227-1756

Fax.: 845-227-1764 March-April 2013

From Mr. Olavarría

Dear Parents and Guardians:

March certainly came in like a lion this winter with snow

and icy rain. I’m sure you join me in hoping it will be

leaving us ‘as a lamb’ with beautiful warm sunshine. As

we continue toward the end of March and into

unpredictable April, please don’t forget to check our

district website for cancellations and delayed openings

-- wappingersschools.org, click on “Delays and

Cancellations” on the left side of the home page for the

latest information and to learn about make-up days. In

addition, you can call the school and press ‘2’ for

cancellations and delays. I have it from a good source

though that beautiful weather is on the way.

We’ve already had kindergarten registration for next

September’s kindergarten. If you have a child, or know

of a family who has a child, who might be eligible to

attend kindergarten next year, please call the main

office as soon as possible to make an appointment to

register.

Our Open Houses are coming up on March 20th for

grades K-2 and on March 21st for grades 3-5. The time

is from 6:30-7:30 each evening.

Since we had to use an extra snow day this month,

there WILL BE SCHOOL on March 25th. School will

be closed March 26th through 31st for Spring

Recess. There’s a Board of Education Meeting on

March 27th. Please try to attend.

We’ll welcome everyone back from Spring Recess on

April 1st. There will be a PTA meeting on April 16th

and our SLT will meet at 8:15 on April 23rd.

We have state testing coming up in April – please

check the Gayhead calendar on our website for

details.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns,

please do not hesitate to call your child’s teacher or

the

Sincerely,

José Olavarría Principal

If you would like to receive weekly bulletins, the latest

information about special events at our building, and

notification about school delays and cancellations via e-mail,

please email Mr. Seipp at eric.seipp@wappingersschools.org

to ask him to add you to our googlegroups.

Upcoming Assembly Programs:

3/19 & 3/20 - 3rd Grade – Water Cycle

4/10 & 4/11 - 2nd Grade – Pond Studies

4/22 - 1st Grade-Pollution & Food Chain

5/10 – 3rd Grade - Butterfly Guy

Be sure to take a look at the

opportunities for students at the end

of this newsletter.

Jump Rope for Heart Update

Our school has raised the 2nd highest school total in the 22 years of Jump Rope for Heart, over

$31,775! The students beat our set goal, so on Friday March 1st the Physical Education staff was

very colorful!

Mrs. Hanna’s class raised the most money with a grand total of $2,428 and has earned a

catered lunch party.

Mrs. Sonnenberg’s class had the most students participating in JRFH at 65.4% participation

and has earned a recess prize pack.

Mrs. Johnson’s class was the 4th grade class that raised the most money with a grand total of

$1,240 and has earned a Heart Healthy snack party.

Mr. Nurre’s students were the 5th grade class that raised the most money with a grand total

of $1,999. They have earned an extra Physical Education class of their choice to be played

against Mrs. Irvin’s class who had the most 5th grade participants at 44%.

All students that raised $100 or more will be entered into a raffle for an Electric Razor scooter.

The winner will be announced this Friday! The prizes have been ordered and should arrive in mid

April. Thank you to all for making this year’s Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser a HUGE success. All

individuals that participated are truly heart heroes! Congratulations Gayhead!

GAYHEAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MARCH-APRIL 2013 PAGE 3

One of the most enjoyable and exciting memories that Gayhead’s fifth graders take with them is the fifth grade musical production. Our music teacher, Mrs. Banda and Mrs. Spinella, the director, work tirelessly with each year’s fifth grade

class to create a dazzling theater production with a large cast of characters. Every fifth grader who wishes to

participate is welcome.

This year’s Willy Wonka proved to be one of the best!! From costumes to lighting to stage management, script and music, the children enjoy a rich experience – most for the first time – on the stage or behind the scenes. In-school

performances for all the Gayhead students along with two evening performances for fifth grade parents show the dedication of the teachers and director as well as the students.

To further our project in spring, the students will be taking the animal they have chosen and creating a fictional story about that animal. The children are having a blast with this project and are looking forward to sharing the projects with their peers

GAYHEAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MARCH-APRIL 2013 PAGE 4

Part of the fourth grade curriculum is the study of Colonial America. Gayhead fourth

graders have several enriching experiences during Colonial Days. Outside presenters visit

our school and work with the children on activities that would have been part of daily

colonial life in America. The Battle of Saratoga, candle making, dame school,

spinning/weaving, and, as you can see, dance. If you have a fourth grader in your family,

ask them about Colonial Days.

All across the Wappingers Central School District during the month of March we celebrate Music in Our Schools

month. In fact, our school district was selected as a 2011 Best Community for Music Education in America by the

National Association for Music Education Foundation. (This marks the 3rd year in a row!). March is the month when

the importance of music education becomes the focus of schools and communities across the nation. Arts education

develops the skills students need to meet the challenges of a competitive, global society.

The Roy C. Ketcham chamber choir is coming to Gayhead to celebrate music in our schools month on Wednesday, March

20th to sing for our fourth and fifth graders in our large cafeteria.

GAYHEAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MARCH-APRIL 2013 PAGE 5

If you require bus transportation to or from a babysitter or daycare for next school

year…please read on.

The WCSD Transportation Department must receive all requests for Day Care/Babysitter transportation no

later than April 1, for transportation to a daycare or babysitter for next school year or transportation

may not be available.

Day care facilities registered under section 390 of the NYS Dept. of Social Services are entitled to

transportation to and from the day care center WITHIN the District, provided application is received by the

school district before April 1 of the preceding school year. Day care locations must be for five (5) days a week

in and/or out. Otherwise it must be done with a daily note via the school and only to or from an existing stop on

an existing run.

Baby sitter locations NOT licensed or registered under section 390 of the NYS Dept. of Social Services are

restricted to the attendance zone of the school attended.

All day care/babysitter transportation applications must be filed annually by April 1st of the preceding

school year or transportation may not be available. Day care/babysitter transportation forms are not

carried over from year to year. A new form must be filed by April 1st for the next school year.

Daycare/babysitter transportation applications are available in our main office.

GAYHEAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MARCH-APRIL 2013 PAGE 6

The Mitten – a Kindergarten Play

Mrs. Dodge’s and Mrs. Ratajczak’s kindergartners treated their parents and each other to a favorite winter story – ON STAGE!!

Two rabbits, a raccoon, a wolf, a fox, a lion, and a bear and a mouse, Grandmother, the Grandfather, Nikki, ten "Snowflake Cheerleaders," and six Bouncing Snowballs are the

characters in this stage adaptation of Jan Brett’s The Mitten. The children were wonderful as the characters and chorus in this magical story. The parents beamed as their children presented a vibrant stage performance. If you have not read the beautifully illustrated story of The Mitten to your child, look for it at the library or book store.

MARCH

20 Open House for grades K-2

21 Open House for grades 3-5

22 No school - Superintendent’s Conference Day

25 Monday, March 25 is a make-up day

Classes are in session at all schools

26-31 Spring Recess

27 Board of Education Mtg @ WJHS

APRIL

1 Welcome Back!!

Board of Education Mtg 7:30 @ WJH

4 PTA Council Mtg @ John Jay High School

8 Board of Education Mtg 7:30 pm

16 PTA Meeting 7:00 pm

23 Board of Education Meeting 7:30 pm

Upcoming Field Trips

3/12 Mrs. Johnson’s, Ms. Paglia’s, Ms. Cox’s,

Mr. Kennedy’s class is going to Locust Grove

3/13 Mrs. Valentino’s, Ms. Misch’s/Mrs. Ruppert’s,

Mrs. Ryan’s, Mrs. Guerriero’s classes are going

to Locust Grove

3/14 Ms. Scalzo’s and Mrs. Gardner’s class is going

to Locust Grove

3/20 Ms. Cerrone’s and Mrs. Farris’ classes are going to

Locust Grove

4/2 Mrs. O’Hearon’s, Mrs. Garcia’s, and

Mrs. LeFevre’s classes are going to Locust Grove

4/25 The kindergartners are going to

The Bardavon to see “The Gruffalo”

3/20 Mrs. Misch/Mrs. Ruppert’s, Mrs. Messina’s,

are going to Locust Grove

GAYHEAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MARCH-APRIL 2013 PAGE 7

WHEN IS IT?

July 22nd

– 25th

9:00 am - 1:00 pm

WHAT IS IT?

The John Jay Lady Patriots will hold a summer basketball camp covering all aspects of the game of basketball. This will be a great opportunity for young players to work with the Varsity team and coaching staff to help build proper fundamentals and become a better basketball player. WHO CAN ATTEND? Any girl entering 2

nd - 9

th grade.

WHERE IS IT?

John Jay High School HIGHLIGHTS OF CAMP:

- Free t-shirt & basketball to first 50 registrants

- Individualized instruction for players of any level and experience

- Players grouped appropriately by age and ability

- Individual evaluations - Fun, skill, and competitive

games - Chance to meet and work with

the John Jay Varsity players and Staff

Space is limited so register ASAP!!! Dear Campers and Parents,

The John Jay Girls Basketball team would like to invite you to a week filled with basketball, fun, and friends. The camp is run by Larry Brooks; Girls Head Basketball Coach, Aaron Brooks, Dianna Bianco, Cara Plitsch, Sean Keenan, CJ Greenwood, & CJ Knight. It is our goal to help each and every girl become better at the game of basketball while having fun with fellow players and counselors. We look forward to meeting and working with you at our upcoming camp. Sincerely, The John Jay Girls Basketball Coaching Staff

WHAT IS THE COST? $100!!! Be one of the first 50 people to

register and get a free John Jay T-shirt and basketball!!!

*Have more than one child? $5 off for each additional child!

Signup for both the John Jay Camp and the Fishkill Recreation Girls Basketball

Camp and receive $10 off! WHAT DO I NEED? Campers should come prepared with shorts, a t-shirt, basketball sneakers, and a lunch. A concession stand will be available for pizza, snacks, and drinks so bring some extra money. TYPICAL DAY AT CAMP:

9:00 Free shooting 9:10 Morning meeting, Camp Stretch, and test a counselor challenge 9:30 Skill Improvement Stations 10:30 Competition of the day 11:00 Lunch 11:30 Team meetings 11:45 Competitive Games 12:30 Skill games 12:50 Afternoon meeting, test a counselor challenge 1:00 Camper pick-up

Name: Address: ________ _______________________ Phone: Emergency Phone: _______________________ Grade Entering in the Fall:______ T-Shirt Size (Adult Sizes) (Circle):

S M L XL

Don’t feel like packing a lunch? -Pizza and snacks will be available at

our concession stand!!!

*Please make checks payable to John Jay Girls Basketball Booster

Club*

*There is limited space so please register ASAP and guarantee your free

shirt and basketball* How to Register:

*Bring completed order form and money to Mr. Brooks at Van Wyck Junior High School. *Contact Mr. Brooks; 227-1700 Ext. 20102. *Mail to:

Lawrence Brooks Van Wyck Junior High School 6 Hillside Lake Road Wappingers Falls, NY 12590

I, undersigned, hereby agree that I will not hold the Basketball Coaching Staff or the WCSD liable in the event of injury to my daughter. It is further understood that if an accident occurs the parents primary insurance will provide the necessary care. Parent/Guardian Signature: ______________________________

Wednesdays April 17- May 1

4:00-5:30 p.m.

Gayhead Elementary School - Room 36

Students in 3rd, 4th & 5th grades will create a collectible action figure

of their own, using cardboard and paper maché techniques.

Cost includes all necessary supplies.

A parent/grandparent is welcome to attend class with the student

& need only pay a $10 materials fee.

To register go to www.wappingersschools.org and click on the link for Continuing Education.

Class information & registration form are listed under the link:

"Winter/Spring 2013 Continuing Education Class Schedule."

Or call 298-5000, ext. 40137.