Mr. John Solimando, Principal Ms. Tammy Ryder, AP

Editor: Mrs. B. Dockendorff May 2015

Dear Berea Families,

Our theme for May is “Being Active”. Mrs. Gusmano will talk to students about staying fit and healthy both

physically and mentally. While physical exercise is an important part of staying healthy, mental exercise, such

as doing puzzles or “brain gym” activities are also part of being active.

During the month of April our 3rd

, 4th

and 5th

grade students took the New York State ELA and Math exams.

I’d like to thank all families as you helped us by making sure students slept well the night before all testing

dates, ate a healthy breakfast in the morning and arrived to school on time.

Students will be given final exams during the month of May and the first week of June. Teachers will announce

when these finals will be given before their respective administration dates. We have a very professional staff

at Berea. They have been working diligently to help prepare our students for these exams.

This month the PTA will be hosting their spring book fair on May 14 and 15. This is an evening only event for

families. On May 15, the PTA will also host Family Game Night starting at 6:30 PM. As we wind down the

school year, the PTA is looking ahead to next year. They are in need of families to get involved in the PTA.

Volunteers are needed to help chair events. We also need families to help at events with set up and clean up.

We have a very active PTA that sponsors many great activities. Their fundraising efforts help to pay for many

things for our students including school trips for every grade. Please call us to get involved to continue this

great tradition of supporting our students.

Finally, on May 19th

, Valley Central residents will be asked to vote on our school budget. Please encourage all

residents to get out and vote on May 19th

. Voting will be at the high school this year. Remember, your vote

counts.

May has some important dates to remember:

May 8 – DARE Graduation for Fifth Grade 11:30 AM

May 11 – Board of Education Meeting at CO 7:00 PM

May 12 – Voter Registration Day at Central Office 1:00 – 8:00 PM

May 19 – Budget Vote – voting located at the high school

May 21 – Progress Reports distributed in Thursday folders

May 21 – Fourth Grade Science Performance test

May 22-25 – Memorial Day Weekend – School Closed

May 26 – Board of Education Meeting at CO 7:00 PM

Happy Mother’s Day!

Sincerely,

John M. Solimando

Principal

Berea Times Growing Minds of all Kinds

The seeds of learning are blooming this spring at Berea. As we reflect on the year, we see that students have learned a lot in math, art, physical education, science, library, social studies, reading, writing, music, and computer classes. Students have also grown physically, emotionally, and socially. At Berea, we value the whole child.

Thanks to our nurse, student assistance counselor, psychologist, special education faculty, parents & guardians, custodial staff, physical, occupational, and speech therapists, community members, our teachers, paraprofessionals, cafeteria staff, PTA members, office staff, and bus drivers, each child’s individual strengths and needs are addressed to maximize their potential.

When a student is in need of support in any way, there is an intervention we implement to address that need, along with staff members who provide the intervention. Whether it is more time with reading instruction, a visit to the nurse’s office, an enrichment project, a lunch bunch group, an assembly, a simple conversation, counseling sessions, a math intervention, a student mentor/tutor, a special night activity, a behavioral support chart, positive reinforcement, a Big Brother or Big Sister, a special accommodation, an individual support plan, or theme-based activities, you can count on the Berea faculty, staff, and volunteers from the community to help create and/or implement a plan to address the needs of our students.

You, as a Berea family member, are an integral part of the team. We value your input, your high standards, and your continued support for the positive and caring learning environment at Berea. Many of you give 110%. No matter who is reading this article, you have had a positive impact on the growth and achievement of students at Berea Elementary School.

In the spirit of staff appreciation week, I’d like to extend my thanks and gratitude to you – the Berea school family. You are the role models who help our students be the best that they can be.

Sincerely, Tammy Ryder

Assistant Principal

Please come to the

PTA General Membership Meeting

On Thursday, April 30, 5:30 pm, in the Berea Library (No PTA meeting April 23)

We will nominate and elect officers for the upcoming school year, including the following:

President—Provides overall leadership, chairs meetings, appoints committees, coordinates activities.

Vice President—Acts for the President in his or her absence.

Recording Secretary—Takes and keeps minutes of meetings.

Corresponding Secretary—Conducts the correspondence of the PTA.

Treasurer—Maintains control of the PTA financial affairs, including income and disbursements.

Committee Chairs— Committees include: Fundraising, Membership, PTA Council Delegate, Mini- Grants.

Come and get involved in making next year a memorable one for all of the Berea Children. You can also

volunteer to help at our many events. Most of these events require at most a commitment of three days

for planning, set up and supervising the event. These include:

Assemblies, Author Day, Founders Night, Talent Show, Book Fair, School Pictures, Science Fair, Game Night, Craft Night,

Welcome Dance, Me and my Guy Dance, Me and My Girl Bowling, Parents as Reading Partners, Reflections Art Program,

Wish Tree, Teacher Mini grants, and other events.

Upcoming Events: PTA Me and My Guy Dance, Friday, May 8

PTA Spring Book Fair, Thursday, May 14 - Friday, May 15

PTA Game Night, Friday, May 15

PTA Tricky Tray, Wednesday, May 20

PTA Me and My Gal Bowling Party, Friday, June 5

Berea Founders Night Talent Show, Friday, June 12

Best regards,

Kathleen Mosenson

Berea PTA President

Dear Berea Families and Friends:

The Berea PTA is hard at work on some exciting activities for our children. The month of May is full of opportunities to kick back and have some fun! All Berea girls are invited to bring their special guys to the PTA Me and My Guy Dance on Friday, May 8 from 6:30-8. This annual special event allows girls to dress up in their best outfits and show off their favorite fellas. There will be a DJ, photo booth, drinks and snacks. (An event for the boys is scheduled in June!).

The spring PTA Book Fair will be held on Thursday, May 14th from 3:30-4:30 and 6:30-8:00, as well as on Friday, May 15th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. during the PTA Game Night. Come and stock up on good books for summer reading!

The District Budget Vote is Tuesday, May 19th. Please learn about the budget and the candidates and make your vote count. All voting will be at the high school this year.

Among the many things that the PTA supports are the field trips that the Berea students take each year, including the 5th grade overnight Greenkill trip. This trip is the highlight of the year and serves as a capstone event for our graduating 5th graders. Please come out and support the PTA Tricky Tray Fund Raising Event on Wednesday, May 20th from 6:30-8:00.

Finally, the General Membership PTA Meeting is where you can vote for next year’s PTA officers and committee chairs. It is very important that as many members of the Berea community attend the meeting on Thursday, April 30 at 5:30 pm in the Berea Library. Better yet, come and join a committee to help plan for next year. The regular May PTA meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 21st at 6:15 in the library. Hope to see you all there! Best regards, Kathleen Mosenson Berea PTA President

A Message from the Registrar…

Dear Parents,

Please be reminded that any time you change your address, the District must be notified! If you

have recently moved or will be moving to a new address within the District, please contact me at

(845) 457-2400, ext. 18130 to complete a change of address form and provide new proof of

residency.

If you will be moving over the summer and your child will not be returning to the Valley Central

School District in September, please notify the building principal or your child’s guidance

counselor as soon as possible.

Please note: New student registration will be conducted from July 13th through August 14th by

appointment. Registration packets must be completed prior to the appointment and can be

picked up at any of our school buildings. They can also be downloaded from the District Web

Site at www.vcsd.k12.ny.us.

Summer hours for the Office of Registration are from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through

Thursday, and 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Friday.

Thank you and enjoy your summer!

Sincerely,

Janine Maridou

Registrar

April 2015

Kindergarten:

Ms. Friedman Grace Byrne

Mrs. Herman Joshua Conkin

Mrs. Primavera Anthony Payne

First Grade:

Ms. Hackett Jimmy DeStefano

Mrs. Skahen Logan Hickey

Mrs. Weiner Zyon Lowe

Second Grade:

Mrs. Kedzielawa Nickolaas Stinson

Mrs. Storaska Michael Torres

Mrs. Vermilyea Jacob Lefort

Mrs. Walker Sophia Ordway

Third Grade:

Mrs. Abbruscato Cameron Connolly

Mrs. Grammas/Mrs. Crown Olivia Yankanin

Mrs. Hoyt Madison Flower

Mrs. Salinovich Briana Giordano

Ms. Sick Brandon Brown

Fourth Grade:

Mrs. Cook/Mrs. Doce Zachary Ullmeyer

Mrs. Kinsley Aidan Williams

Ms. Ronaldson Christine Jones

Mrs. Scott Richard Gonzales

Fifth Grade:

Mr. Carter/Mrs. Sosler Christopher Suquilanda

Ms. Flood Matthew Garcia

Ms. Van Zanten Stella Zeffiro

Mrs. Vianden Breanne Fields

Berea Elementary - Honor Roll – 3rd

Quarter

Vanya Ahmed, Bryce Carr, Ava Carsley, Mackenzie Delmonico,

Sierra DeVito, Christina Faso, Elaina Forgione, Alyssa Funches,

Matthew Garcia, Aaron Goldstein, Richard Gonzales, Hugh Harkin,

Kai Hew, Tatiyana Henriquez, James Hinspeter, Leyla Joseph,

Liam Kelly, Christopher Leahy, Reese Leenstra, Daniel Livingston,

Dylan McLeer, Cristina Miro, Arianna Mosenson, Lulu O’Rourke,

Haven Partington, Dayana Reyes, Aundre' Rick, Sophia Roache,

Jayden Robinson, Amanda Senor, Kate Shust, Madison Sicardo,

John Silvestro, Douglas Stickles, Samantha Torres, Patricia Tuohy,

Zachary Ullmeyer, Angelina Vargas, Isabella Vargas, Fiorella Vega

and Talia Wutz

Berea Elementary – Principal’s Circle:

Richard Gonzales, Liam Kelly, Christopher Leahy, Daniel Livingston,

Lulu O’Rourke, Kate Shust, Madison Sicardo, Douglas Stickles,

Patricia Tuohy and Zachary Ullmeyer

Berea Elementary - Honor Roll – 3rd

Quarter

Jay Alexander, David Bennett, Olivia Byrne, Sean Cameron, Dominic Ciano, Nicholas

Crespo, Shayna Darwin, Haley Feerick, Amy Frias, Matthew Garcia, Valentina Gjeloshi,

Javen Griffith, Timothy Hinspeter, Alyssa Holtje, Madison Kaplan, James Lippert, Sofia

Martinez, Jasmine Micklick, Jenna Napoleon, Dylan O’Banks, Jordyn Payne, Tyler

Payne, Matthew Perez, Grace Pinkall, Emma Ragunath, Samantha Ramirez, Christopher

Reyes, Ember Reynolds, Isabella Schramm, Tyler Sibley, Falon Smith, Olivia Stockli,

Abbey Stout, Christopher Suquilanda, Alyssa Thompson, Alexia Totonis and Sophia

Totonis

Berea Elementary –Principal’s Circle:

Shayna Darwin, Valentina Gjeloshi, Javen Griffith, Alyssa Holtje,

Madison Kaplan, Jordyn Payne, Isabella Schramm and Olivia Stockli

Berea’s Theme of the Month for May:

"Being Active"

Our Theme of the Month for May is "Being Active." It has been a long, cold, snowy winter but

it is finally over! It is time to get outside, enjoy the warmer weather, and get active. There

are many benefits to being active. There are also lots of fun and easy ways to stay active.

Benefits of Being Active

According to kidshealth.org when kids are active, their bodies can do the things they want and

need them to do. Here are some of the benefits of regular exercise:

Builds strong muscles and bones.

Helps control weight and decreases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Helps children sleep better.

Creates a better outlook on life.

Promotes stronger academics because active children are more motivated, alert, and

successful.

Builds self-esteem.

Ways to Be Active

Being active isn't just about being physically active. It is also about being mentally active.

Here are some physical and mental activities for children and adults.

Ride bikes.

Swim.

Jump rope.

Go to the playground.

Join sports teams.

Play board games.

Dance.

Develop a hobby.

Read.

Listen to and play music.

Do puzzles and crossword puzzles.

Suggested Home Activities

Listed below are some things you can do at home to help your children be active:

Come up with a list of physical and mental activities that you and your children enjoy.

Set up time each week to be active together.

Get outside!

Have a family game night.

Limit TV and video game time.

Be active yourself! It sets a great example for your children and is beneficial for you as well.

6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Valley Central High School Gymnasium

URGENT !!! 6

th Grade Pertussis/Varicella/Polio

Immunization Requirements

ATTENTION PARENTS OF 5TH

GRADE STUDENTS

Dear Parent/Guardian:

The purpose of this letter is to inform you about changes in the immunization requirements for school related to

the Pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine that took effect September 1, 2007, and the Varicella and Polio

vaccines that take effect July 1, 2014. The school must be provided with acceptable proof of immunity.

Failure to provide this proof may lead to exclusion from school. The key points regarding the requirements

of the law and its implementation for September are as follows:

1. Students who are entering 6th

grade or a comparable age-level education school program on or after

September 1st and who are 11 years of age or older must receive an immunization containing tetanus

toxoids, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap). This immunization may be given at 10 years of

age.

2. 10-year-old students who are entering 6th

grade will not be required to receive a Tdap vaccine

and will not be excluded from school, but they must be flagged, tracked and immunized when

they reach the age of 11.

3. Students who are entering 6th

and 7th

grade in the 2015/2016 school year will need 2 doses of

Varicella vaccine.

4. Students who have received OPV and IPV in the series will need 4 doses regardless of age.

Your private health care provider should be able to review your child’s immunization record and advise you on

making sure your child is adequately immunized for entry into the 6th

grade. Please have your health care

provider complete the enclosed form and return it to the School Nurse in your child’s building. This means

that if your records are complete before the end of the school year they should be sent to the elementary

school your child is attending. If they are completed over the summer they should be sent to the Middle

School prior to the first day of classes. If you have any questions you may contact your child’s school nurse.

Thank you for your anticipated cooperation.

Constance F. Griffin, BS, RN, AE-C, NCSN

Valley Central Middle School Nurse

(845) 457-2400 Ext. 1670

Fax (845) 457-8591

Dear Provider:

As you are no doubt aware, on July 1, 2014, changes in the immunization requirements for school entry related

to varicella, polio, and diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine required New York State Schools to implement

this law. Please furnish the information needed on the lower half of this form. The key points regarding the

requirements of this law are listed below for your reference. Thank you.

1. Students who are entering 6th

grade or a comparable age-level education school program on or after

September 1st and who are 11 years of age or older must receive an immunization containing tetanus

toxoids, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap). (This includes new enterers in grades 7-12).

2. 10-year-old students who are entering 6th

grade will not be required to receive a Tdap vaccine and will

not be excluded from school, but they must be flagged, tracked and immunized when they reach the age

of 11

3. Students who are entering 6th

and 7th

grade in the 2015/2016 school year will need 2 Varicella vaccines.

4. Students who have received OPV and IPV in the series will need 4 doses regardless of age.

Please check the appropriate response below:

This child __________________________ DOB: _______________

(Student name)

Received the Adacel Tdap vaccine on ____________________

(date)

Received the Boostrix Tdap vaccine on ___________________

(date)

Received the 2nd

Varicella vaccine on _____________________

(date)

If OPV and IPV were received, a 4th

dose is required ______________________

(date)

Provider’s signature: __________________________

Please Stamp

Poetry by Ms. VanZanten’s Fifth Grade Students. . .

WIND THE WIND IN MY HAIR

THE WIND BLOWING THE BRANCHES

THE WIND BLOWING PAPERS

THE WIND IN THE SUMMER

THE WIND FEELS GOOD

by EMMA SIMMONS

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Summer

The wind blowing through my hair at night

The leaves blowing through the trees

The swings swinging back and forth

The flowers blowing through the green grass when

The bees buzz. When you swim in the summer all you can

Feel is the nice breeze coming through you.

Summer don’t you wish it can be summer?

by Savannah Rose Ortiz

Nature’s life

The moss that covers the trees, The roots that grow underneath, The sticks and rocks that can be found, That lay upon the spring’s cool ground.

by Stella Zeffiro ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Hollow Tree The Clouds The Hollow Tree stands alone, Whatever they seem to be, Filled with sorrows, and memories Flying in the sky Filled with wisdom, and pride Not a care in the world, Filled with joy Waiting to drop their cargo, All over the world Leaves falling, Enjoying life in the pale-blue sky, Bark greying As people watch from below Losing hope for Admiring their beautiful, All was lost, until spring And amazing forms Brings the misery away Beautiful clouds dotted in the sky, White, and Pure by Jenna Napoleon

by Jenna Napoleon

The Sun Will Come Again

The sun will come again,

From hiding in the clouds

Embarrassed to show its light,

On a rainy day there is hope,

For the sun will come again

by Jenna Napoleon