TOOKER AVENUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

INKSPOTS

SUMMER 2014—FOURTH EDITION

2

Inside This Issue:

Message From Our Principal  3  Student News  11‐22 

Executive Committee 2013/14  5  Click On This  25 

Diamond PTA Members  6 Box Tops For Education & Collection Sheets 

26‐29 

PTA Information  7  Summer Fun Activities  30‐31 

A Word From Our Committee Chairs  8‐9  Brick Order Form   32 

Message From The PTA President  4  Smartie Artie  23‐24 

14/15 Yearbook Information  10  Look Ahead  33 

3

MESSAGE FROM OUR PRINCIPAL

Charles J. Germano

Tooker Avenue Principal

June, 2014

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Our 2013-2014 school year will soon come to a close. Each day, I am continually impressed with the level of dedication that I see in the students, staff, and parents. It is truly a pleasure serving as the leader of this exceptional school, and I have already started to work with the staff and the PTA in planning for the 2014-2015 school year.

As I’m sure you know, the children are making significant progress and are growing physically, academically, socially and emo-tionally. They are well on their way to being very prepared for their next grade level. The administration of all state and local assessments went very well, and I can assure you that our students and teachers worked very hard in their preparation. I would like to thank all of the parents for helping and supporting your children this school year!

Congratulations to our fifth grade students who will be leaving Tooker and moving up to the Junior High School in September. May your years ahead be characterized by hard work, compassion, and success. I look forward to the Moving up Ceremony at the PAC on June 19th and the 5th Grade BBQ on June 20th. I’m sure that these events will be very memorable for all of those involved.

We have had several exciting events at Tooker this school year, and I am always amazed at the level of school spirit I see on a daily basis. As usual, our PTA has been very hard at work this Spring, and I know that the staff and students really appreciate these efforts. Recent events such as PTA Staff Recognition Luncheon, Parent’s Day Sale, Parent/Teacher Volleyball Game, Kin-dergarten Orientation, and many June/end of the year events would not have been possible without the support and efforts of our volunteers. I urge you to get involved as much as possible next school year to help us provide the children of Tooker with the best possible school experience.

Please remember the importance of reading regularly during the summer months. It is critical for students to incorporate this into their daily routine, and also practice math skills as well. This summer, each child in grades K-5 will be receiving optional summer reading and math assignments which should be completed during July and August. Please make every effort to com-plete these assignments and hand them in to the new classroom teacher in September.

Students will not be receiving their printed report cards on the last day of school. They will be available through the Parent Portal on June 25th. If you have not accessed this website, please contact our office staff as soon as possible. We would be happy to assist you with this process.

On behalf of the entire staff, I would like to thank all of the parents and guardians for being partners in your child’s education. Your help and support is greatly appreciated, and I look forward to seeing you at all of our June closing events. We wish you a safe and relaxing summer and look forward to seeing you in September!

4

MESSAGE FROM OUR PTA PRESIDENT

  Dear Tooker Parents and Staff:   I cannot believe how fast the school year has flown by!!  The end of a school year  is always a bit sentimental for me, but this year  is extremely bittersweet.  As this school year comes to an end, so does my term as Tooker Avenue's PTA President.    I must bid  farewell  to a place  that has been my second home  for  the past 11 years. I take with me valuable memories and priceless friendships.  I would like to give a sincere thank you to my "right hand people"‐ the Executive Com‐mittee  and  the  Executive  Board.   A  special  thank  you  goes  to Melissa  Clark,  Sherry McKittrick, Meredith Crevoiserat, Alanna Delacrausaz, Jackie Gentilesca, Lori Morra and Jen Wandasiewicz.   These  ladies have been  there  through  thick and  thin and have al‐ways supported me 100%.  I am very proud to call them my friends.  I would also like to give a very  special  thank you  to Mr. Germano  for his guidance and  support over  the past 2 years.  It has been a pleasure to work with him.  I will continue to offer my sup‐port to incoming President Sherry McKittrick, and the new Executive Board in my new role as Past President/Parliamentarian.  I am confident they will do an amazing job!  The end of the year means we also have to say goodbye to another group of wonderful 5th graders.  Congratulations to the Class of 2014!!!  I wish you all the best in the Junior High! Remember  to always continue  to make good choices and make Tooker proud!! You can accomplish anything you set your mind to  ‐‐ no matter how big the dream!   I hope you will look back at your time here with fond memories.  I hope you have an amazing summer filled with wonderful moments spent with family and friends.  Thank you  for giving me  the honor of serving as your PTA President  for  the past  two years.  Leslie Cozzi President, Tooker Avenue Elementary PTA 

5

Tooker Avenue PTA 2013-2014

Executive Committee

President   Leslie Cozzi  136 Bedell Street  888‐0334 

1st Vice President   Melissa Clark  230 10th Street  957‐5809 

2nd Vice President   Sherry McKittrick  116 Gordon Ave.  516‐456‐5477 

Treasurer   Meredith Crevoiserat  442 11th Street  523‐6525 

Recording Secretary   Alanna Delacrausaz  496 14th Street  225‐0929 

Corresponding Secretary   Jackie Gentilesca  514 18th Street  592‐4594 

Council Delegate   Lori Morra  334 12th Street  592‐8157 

Past President/

Parliamentarian 

 Jen Wandasiewicz  424 9th Street  225‐3205 

6

PTA DIAMOND MEMBERS 

Susan Alberts  Laura Fitzgerald 

Lynn Bates  Eric Forsythe 

Melissa Clark  Margaret Kutchens 

Leslie Cozzi  Kathleen Leary 

Meredith Crevoiserat  Cathy Marchese‐Collins 

Veronica DeJesus‐Dockery  Dawn Sackman 

Alanna Delacrausaz   

Jessica Bystedt  Lisa Granieri 

Thank you to the following members who contributed on the Diamond Level! 

7

Are you still thinking about joining the PTA? Did you ever attend a meeting? Have you ever thought about becoming more involved? Are you not sure what we do?

Please consider joining for the upcoming school year. PTA meetings are held once a month, usually at night, starting at 7:30. Most of your membership dues go right back into Tooker Avenue to help fund the many activities and events we have during the school year.

As a member, you can become involved as little or as much as you want. If all you can do is attend a meeting every once in a while, we invite you to join us. If you would like to help at a Tooker event, the volunteer sign up book is always available at our meetings. During the school day, you will find it in the Main Of-fice.

Our goal is to help enrich the children’s academic experience at Tooker. Without involvement from parents like you, the PTA would not be able to fund and coor-dinate the many events we give the children and their families throughout the year.

8

A Word From Our Committee Chairs

FUNDRAISING—Sherry McKittrick 

I would  like to thank everyone  for supporting Tooker PTA this year.   We had a  lot of great 

events.  In the beginning we started off with the KidStuff Book, the STOP & Shop A+ rewards 

program,  The  Signature  Catalog,  and  the Holiday  Fair.    For  the  spring, we  had  the  great 

sweatshirts and T‐shirts from EAST COAST BRUSH WORKS.   The Tooker Eagle was a big hit 

with the families.  We closed out the year with the Parent’s Day Fair.   

 

Remember to keep collecting Box Tops.  There are summer collection sheets on pages 27, 28 

and 29.  Hang the sheets on your refrigerator  as a reminder to clip them all summer  long.  

You should tape/glue the box tops to the collection sheets and return to school in Septem‐

ber.   Be sure to write your child’s name, teacher and grade on them before returning.   On 

page 26, you will find a list of products that you can find a Box Top on.  For each one submit‐

ted, Tooker receives 10 cents.     

GARDENING—Lynn Bates 

Tooker Avenue’s  garden  is doing well,  except we need  help with  the  dreaded weeding!  I know no one likes to do it but, when we have a few people at one time, a lot can get done in a short amount of time. Please give it a thought and consider helping. As yet another school year ends; bricks are for sale.   They make a wonderful graduation gift for a student who  is ending his or her time at Tooker.   You can find a brick order form on page 25.   This  is your opportunity  to purchase  an  engraved brick  that will be placed on  the  “Pathway  to Good Character” walkway in the Character Grows Garden. 

PARENT’S DAY  FAIR—Lynn Bates 

On May 8th and 9th Tooker Avenue had  it’s annual Parent’s Day Fair.   Although  it rained on the first day and we had to share the gym (it was very  loud), it went really well.   We had a selection of small gifts and arts and crafts.  We also had a large selection of hanging baskets and other assorted plants. This year we  tried  something new and had  tomato plants and basil…they sold out. The children are such cute  little shoppers.    I am proud to say another fine event at Tooker Avenue is complete and was a success.  See you next year! 

9

NEWSLETTER—Laura Lima 

I would like to thank everyone who not only contributed to the last edition of Inkspots 

for this school year but to those that contributed anything for any of the editions.  Over 

the summer, if you think of something you would like to have included next year, please 

email it to me at any time.  My email address is laura.lima@farmingdale.edu.  I will be 

sure  to hold onto whatever  I  receive  and  include  it  in  the  first  edition  for  the 14/15 

school year.   As always,  I want  to give an extra big  thank you  to my daughter,  Jessica 

Lima  in Mrs. Gottlieb’s  class.   She was  such a big help  to me  this entire  school year.  

Thank you Jess!  I love you! 

STAFF LUNCHEON—Lynn Bates 

 

The PTA of Tooker Avenue hosted  it’s annual Staff Luncheon on Tuesday May 7th.  It was  a  delightful  event.  Our  theme  was  "Your  Home  Away  From  Home....Comfort Food".  We served meatloaf, roasted chicken, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes with  gravy,  string beans,  tossed  salad  and  an  assortment of desserts. Mrs. Bedford lent us her room.  It was decorated with table cloths and flowers. I would like to give a shout out to all of the teachers and staff at Tooker.  Thank you all so much.  Without you, it wouldn't be our home away from home. See you all next year!!!!!  

A Word From Our Committee Chairs

ARTS & CRAFTS— Christine Burke & LeeAnn Caruso 

The Parent’s Day Fair had a nice selection of crafts available  for the children to pur‐chase. We nearly  sold out of everything! We would  like  to  thank  those who volun‐teered in assembling the crafts. Your help is very much appreciated! Thank you to eve‐ryone who helped make it a success!  

10

ATTENTION FOURTH GRADE FAMILIES

Believe it or not, it is time to start preparing for your child’s 5th grade year. One of the first tasks that will need attention will be preparation for the yearbook and slide show for 2014-2015.

There will be important deadlines that need to be met to ensure that the yearbook is on time for the children. We are all looking forward to a great summer and perhaps you can take some time over the summer to collect your child’s photos. Once we begin school in September 2014, you will receive instructions as to how and when to send in your printed photos or how to upload your digital photos. Below is a list of the photos that are needed:

*One baby picture of your child;

*One picture of your child from EACH year of school, Kindergarten through 5th

grade; and

*Additional group photos of the children in school, at play or other extracurricular

activities. (No sibling photos please; try your best to send in photos with your

child and other children in his/her grade level.)

We are looking forward to a great year in 2014-2015! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Melissa Clark at 957-5809.

11

Congratulations to the 5th Grade Class of 2014 on your graduation!    

You will all do amazing in the Junior High.  Come back and visit dur‐

ing the 2014/15 Tooker PTA family events.  We look forward to see‐

ing you then. 

12

Congratulations to a Tooker Avenue 2nd grader  and 3rd 

grader.   The girls, who attend Diane’s Dance Center  in 

Lindenhurst, have been practicing  really hard on  their 

hip hop routine for their June dance recital . 

13

Spring Concert: 

On Thursday, May 8th, Tooker Avenue had it’s annual Spring Concert.  This year, 3rd grade  students played their recorders, 4th grade chorus members sang and were joined by the 5th grade Glee Club who did a few solo numbers.  It was a wonderful evening.  The children did a fantastic job.  They are all growing up so fast.  Each year I am more impressed with the Music Depart‐ment.  We sure do have some shining stars out there. 

 

Submitted by Lynn Bates 

The third grade recorder students 

14

The fourth grade chorus 

15

The fifth grade glee club 

16

Congratulations to one of Tooker Avenue’s third grade students and two of our fourth graders on taking 3rd place  in  the  Hershey  Open  Cheer  Champion‐ship!  Their hard work paid off this season as they also placed first in two other competitions this year!  

17

Melissa Clark and Cecelia Slater hosted another successful Tooker Ave‐nue PTA event.    It was  the First Annual Kids Bingo Night.   Admission was $5 for PTA members and $7 for non‐members. The doors opened at  6pm with  the  first  game  starting  at  6:30.    Admission  included  a make  your  own  ice  cream  sundae,  which  the  kids  really  enjoyed.  There was a balloon  artist who made  cool  creations  that were $1‐2 each.   Attendees were  able  to  purchase  raffle  tickets  for  a  50/50  and  for  the many  kids prizes that were available.   Look for this very fun event to be held again during the 2014/15 school year. 

18

West Babylon Girl Scout Brownie Troop 2839 participated in  the 

2nd Annual Community Clean Up Day on  Saturday, May 31st that 

was hosted by the West Babylon Main  Street Organization.  The 

girls weeded and trimmed bushes in an area by the Youth Center.  When they were 

finished, they helped to plant a colorful variety of flowers.  Pictured below are two 

third graders from Tooker along with one of their leaders and some of the other  

troop members. 

 

19

Students in the 3rd, 4th and 5th grade recently 

had the opportunity to climb a rock wall.  It was 

set up on the field off of the playground.  Kids 

had fun climbing while their families and school 

friends watched. Below and on the next few  

pages are some pictures from the event: 

20

21

Here is Mrs. Gottlieb’s third grade class right after most of them finished.  As you can see, 

there is  still one student climbing down the wall.  A big thank you to Mr. Howard and Mr. 

Bell for this annual event. 

22

Here is a picture of a Tooker 4th grader 

placing a flag down at Long Island National 

Cemetery.  On the weekend before Memorial  

Day, he joined many other Boy Scouts, Cub 

Scouts, Girl Scouts and Brownies spending a 

Saturday morning placing a flag on every 

grave.   

Here is the same Tooker 4th grade student participating in one of the local Memorial 

Day Parades. 

23

**SMARTIE ARTIE**

Hi kids! It’s me again‐‐Smartie Artie.  Don’t forget you can send me jokes, poems, pictures 

& stuff  like  that.   Give your  joke or whatever  it  is  that you want  to send  to me  to your 

teacher.  Ask your teacher to put it in the PTA box for Smartie Artie and I will do my best 

to get it into the next newsletter.   I hope to hear from you soon.  In the meantime, enjoy 

my page and HAVE FUN! 

Tongue Twisters I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! 

 

If two witches were watching two watches, which witch would watch witch watch? 

Riddles & Jokes  

What has a face and two hands but no arms and legs? 

A clock! 

 

What five letter word becomes shorter when you add two letters to it? 

Short! 

 

What word begins and ends with an “e” but only has one letter in it? 

An envelope! 

 

What has to be broken before you can use it?       What do you call a skeleton that will not get out of bed? 

An egg!                                                                            Lazy Bones! 

                                                                                          Submitted by Douglas Ruppel, Mrs. Gottlieb’s class 

Why shouldn't you tell an egg a joke?                   

Because it might crack up!                                          How did a guy fall from a 100 story building without getting         

                                                                                         his hair wet? 

What did the baby corn say to it’s mom?                He was bald! 

Where is pop corn?                                                      Submitted by Taylor Morra, Mr. DeLapi’s class 

 

Why did the hamburger join the track team?         What did one ocean say to the other? 

Because it ate fast food!                                              Nothing.  They just waived! 

Submitted by Nina Gerbasio, Mrs. DeSa’s class    Submitted by Jaclyn Morra, Mrs. Thuma’s class 

 

Why didn’t the mummy have any friends? 

Because he was too wrapped up in himself! 

Submitted by Jessica Lima, Mrs. Gottlieb’s class 

Word Scramble

uJen msurem umhdi on lhcoso wmisngim hceab

24

Hi Kids.   

Don’t forget you can send me jokes, poems, riddles and stuff like that for  

Inkspots.  Print this page, fill  it out and drop it off to the PTA mailbox either 

before school ends in June or when it  begins again in September.  Please 

always be as neat as possible.  Remember to include your first and last  

name as well as the name of your teacher.  I will get it in the first edition for the  

next school year. 

 

I hope to hear from you soon, 

SMARTIE ARTIE

Name:   

Teacher:   

 

 

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

25

SUPPORT OUR SCHOOLS

Box Tops for Education http://www.boxtops4education.com

Target http://www.target.com

Tyson http://www.tyson.com/projectaplus/

Upromise http://www.upromise.com

IBakeSale.com http://www.ibakesale.com/OnCard/iBakeSale/client/

EDUCATIONAL WEBSITES

NAME OF WEBSITE WEBSITE ADDRESS

West Babylon School District http://www.wbschools.org/

West Babylon Public Library http://wbab.suffolk.lib.ny.us/

NYS PTA http://www.nyspta.org

Harcourt Math http://www.harcourtschool.com/hspmath/na/index.html Password: roby

Nourish Interactive http://nourishinteractive.com/ A free one stop resource for fun nutrition games for kids, interactive activities, and nutrition tools for parents. Created by nutrition and health care profession-als, Nourish Interactive's nutrition education website gives children the knowl-edge and skills they need to make healthy choices for a lifetime.

Any questions or comments?

Please send an email to tapta@wbschools.org

26

27

28

29

30

Remember to visit the West Babylon Public Library or  check out their website to see 

what interesting activities they may have available this summer….and don’t forget to 

take out a good book or two and read! 

 

Farmingdale Lanes advised Inkspots they will be having their free summer bowling for 

children again this year.  We were informed the information will  soon be available on 

their website.   Please visit    http://www.farmingdalelanes.com/ for further information 

on this program. 

 

The Town of Babylon will have a 2014 Movie Series: 

Jurassic Park at 8:30 pm—Friday, June 13th at Overlook Beach.  This will be a drive in 

movie.  The town is asking for a $10 donation per carload for a 9/11 Memorial. 

 

Teen Beach Movie at 8:30 pm—Monday, July 7th on the Town Hall Lawn.  The rain date 

is Tuesday, July 8th. 

 

Monsters University at 8:30 pm—Monday, July 21st on the Town Hall Lawn.  The rain 

date is Tuesday, July 22nd. 

 

Superman at 8:30 pm—Monday, August 4th on the Town Hall Lawn.  The rain date is 

Tuesday, August 5th. 

 

Frozen at 8:30 pm—Monday, August 8th on the Town Hall Lawn.  The rain date is Tues‐

day, August 19th. 

Summer Fun Activities 

31

Summer Fun Activities 

The Town of Babylon’s Annual Beach Blast will once again be held in 2014.  It will be 

on Saturday, August 23rd at Overlook Beach.  Festivities begin at 3 pm.  Town residents 

are invited to participate in events such as relay contests, games, rides and the annual 

ice cream eating contest.  These events are free to residents.  Music and face painting 

will also be available.  The event will end with the 20th annual fireworks display, begin‐

ning at dusk.  Please know, parking will only be available to residents with a recreation 

permit.  The rain date is scheduled for Sunday, August 24th. 

 

Regal Movie Theatres—The 2014 Summer Movie Express will run for 9 weeks with se‐

lect titles playing on Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the summer. Admission to 

these films during the Summer Movie Express is $1.  A portion of the proceeds will go 

to the Will Rogers Institute.   For further information, visit  http://www.regmovies.com/

Movies/Summer‐Movie‐Express.  For  a program start date, visit your local theatre. 

  Week Title Rating Start Time

1 Hotel Transylvania PG 10am 1 The Smurfs 2 PG 10am 2 Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 PG 10am 2 The Pirates: Band of Misfits PG 10am 3 Arthur Christmas PG 10am

3 Despicable Me 2 PG 10am

4 The Lego Movie PG 10am

4 Free Birds PG 10am

5 Adventures of TinTin PG 10am

5 Rise of the Guardians PG 10am 6 Kung Fu Panda 2 PG 10am 6 Madagascar 3 PG 10am

7 The Croods PG 10am

7 Epic PG 10am

8 Turbo PG 10am

8 Walking with Dinosaurs PG 10am

9 Mr. Peabody & Sherman PG 10am

9 Rio 2 G 10am

32

33

JUNE 

JULY AND AUGUST 

SEPTEMBER 

                                            6th:  5th Grade Boat Trip                                 17th:  PTA Meeting, 7:30 pm 

                                    19th:  5th Grade Moving Up Ceremony         20th:  5th Grade BBQ 

                                    26th:  Last Day of School 

 

Inkspots is wishing everyone at Tooker Avenue a great summer. 

Stay cool, be safe and have lot’s of fun!    

                                 3rd:  First Day of School                                         11th:  PTA Meeting, 7:30 pm 

                                 25th & 26th:  Rosh Hashanah, no school