Gayhead Elementary School, 15 Entry Road, Hopewell Junction, NY 12533 845-227-1756

Dear Families,

Warm holiday greetings to everyone as we

head into this joyous season!!

Our December calendar is full of exciting

events. The fifth graders have a

wonderful trip to SUNY Purchase on

December 7 when they will be attending

the opera “Hansel & Gretel.” On

December 8, our second graders will be

thrilling to the beautiful “Nutcracker

Ballet” at the Bardavon Opera House in

Poughkeepsie. Of course both these

trips are tied into our music curriculum

and the children will be doing extensive

activities both in preparation for and

following the trips. But… can you think of

more enriching experiences??!

On December 6, we will hold the Gayhead

Spelling Bee, the winner will go on to the

district bee on the 12th. On December

14, the PTA will meet at 7:00 pm; there

are Board of Education meetings on

December 5 and 19. On December 20th,

the SLT will meet at 8:15 am. Our music

staff is proud to present the Gayhead

Winter Concert at 7:00 p.m. at John Jay

High School on December 15th. The

evening will showcase the Fourth Grade

Chorus and the Fifth Grade Chorus. On

January 10th at 7:00 pm in the John Jay

auditorium, our orchestra and band will

give an informal performance. In addition,

the teachers will speak about what the

children are learning.

Our Winter Recess begins December 22

through January 2. We all return on

January 3 to the year 2012!!.

From Mr. Olavarría

December 2011

Newsletter December,

A special thank you to everyone who is

using our Attendance Line to phone in

their child‟s absence. That helps us to

record attendance quickly and correctly.

To report your child absent, please

press 1 after calling our school’s main

telephone number.

As we head in to winter weather please

remember you can keep up with school

cancellations, delays or emergency

dismissals by pressing 2 when you call

school. We will record up-to-the-minute

information as soon as we hear from our

Superintendent of these occurrences.

The holiday season is a time to reflect on

what brings us joy, what we are thankful

for and what is important. I have much to

be thankful for - a loving family, good

friends and the privilege of leading

Gayhead Elementary School. It is an

honor to work in so fine a school

community with supportive parents and a

great staff on behalf of the children

entrusted to our care.

I wish you all a healthy and happy holiday

season and a joyous new year.

Sincerely,

José J. Olavarría

15 Entry Road Hopewell Junction, NY 12533 Phone: 845-227-1756 Fax: 845-227-1764

Our children…

Our future

We’re on the Web! See us at:

www.wappingersschools.org

School Phone Numbers 845-227-1756 To reach one of our offices, please press one of the numbers listed below. They are also repeated on our phone menu: Report student absence, please press 1 Closings/Delays 2 Main Office 0 Nurse 3 Special Educ. 4 Kitchen 6 Mr. Seipp, Asst. Prin. 8 Mr. Olavarría, Prin. 7

Our fifth graders visited the State University of New York in Purchase, Westchester County, to see the opera,

“Hansel & Gretel.”

As part of the fifth grade music curriculum, the children have been studying opera. They listened to a recording

of the opera in class while reading along with the libretto to “Hansel and Gretel.” This was a great experience!!

In class with Mrs. Banda, the children learned the storyline, the music and about the composer and aspects of the

musical production. As part of the audience, they learned proper audience etiquette and how to be attentive and

still, to dress appropriately and show appreciation. As part of the post-field trip activities, the children will

compare and contrast the different parts and performers.

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Gayhead‟s 2nd graders visited the Bardavon Opera House, in Poughkeepsie on December 8 where they saw The

Nutcracker Ballet. In preparation for the event, the children learned the story, the characters and the musical

theme from The Nutcracker Ballet. They also learned the different aspects of a ballet and how to demonstrate

appropriate audience behavior.

It was an exciting and fun experience and the children enjoyed it immensely!! Back in music classes, the students

will critique The Nutcracker performance and discuss what they saw. There will be journal writing and friendly

letters as well as the students acting out the scenes and dance to the different musical numbers.

Reprinted below is an interactive writing piece by Mrs. Dollard's class after we researched a bit about an unusual “visitor” to our classroom:

"What is THAT?" we all wondered. It's...a praying mantis!

We found him on the blinds in Mrs. Dollard's room.

It was five inches long. We measured it. The two front legs look like the

praying mantis is praying. The praying mantis blends in with its background. It

is camouflaged. It lays hundreds of eggs in a case. A praying mantis is a

carnivore. We know this because we set him free and he immediately grabbed a

stink bug and ate it!

by: Danielle, Gabrielly, Kaylian, Salvatore, Natalie, Scott,

Drawing by Scott Byrnes

Photo by Mrs. Dollard

The Putnam Children’s Discovery Center will be presenting Hands on

Science at Gayhead School on Saturday, February 25 from 10-2. Please see the

information and registration form on the last page of this newsletter.

….AND

THE WINNERS ARE...

During October/November, Gayhead School held a contest

benefitting our men and women serving in the military. We had

great participation!

Mrs. LeFevre‟s, Mrs. Gilman‟s and Mrs. deSa's third grade class

won the contest for bringing in the most candy to be

distributed to the troops. Their goodies weighed over 25

pounds!

The class received a wonderful Healthy Food Party along with a

goodie bag for each child and teacher provided by Dr. and Mrs.

Prus.

At the party, Dr. Prus, a local dentist, taught the children the

importance of taking care of their teeth as he demonstrated

how to brush your teeth on his large model. Mrs. Prus also

gave each child a packet full of fun activities and sent them

home with more information about good dental habits. The

students and teachers wish to thank Dr. and Mrs. Prus

for taking the time to come to our classroom and provide us

with such a fabulous party.

Dear Families,

It‟s hard to believe we‟re already in December!! With the holiday season in full swing,

I‟d like to sincerely wish all our families a joyful holiday season along with good

health, and happiness in the New Year.

This is an especially joyful time of year for my family. My wife and I are blessed

with four children, so you know there‟s plenty of excitement in our house. Our kids‟

eyes are beginning to sparkle with the magic and wonder of the holiday season.

Our December Math Problem of the month is off and running. In order to be eligible

to contend for a GOLD certificate (Certificate of Excellence), students need to

come up with two points, show all their work and best strategy or strategies.

Gayhead students are very competitive and we have great participation in this neat

Math program.

We are working hard here at Gayhead to develop positive character traits in all our

students. December‟s Citizen Trait for the Month is “Caring.” We post positive

character traits and information in our classrooms and around the school. Students

are nominated for demonstrating the „trait of the month.‟ Winners are announced

over the loud speaker.

In addition to the good citizen character traits program, we are again fully engaged

with our Bully Prevention Program which you‟ll hear more about in the coming weeks.

Gayhead is a very busy place indeed!!

As always, I am here if you ever need my help or attention. Have a happy and safe

vacation! I look forward to seeing everyone in 2012!!

Happy Holidays!

Mr. Seipp

Ga yhe

ad Elementary

School

We’re on the Web! See us at:

www.wappingedrsschools.org

Picking Up Children At Dismissal

In the interest of every child‟s safety, please do not pull into

the playground parking area until after 3:15. Classes are

enjoying recess outside on the lower playground and on the

blacktop area. Please have your photo identification ready

for signing out students.

For the most part, we do not experience much absenteeism,

however, the winter months can bring colds, etc and cause

people to be absent from work.

The people who are normally assigned in our pick up areas may

know you but the substituting staff member may not. We

thank you for your cooperation, patience and understanding.

December 12 District Spelling Bee

Board of Education Meeting 7:30 p.m.

December 15 Winter Concert @ John Jay 7:00 pm

Fourth & Fifth Grade Choruses

December 22-31 Holiday Recess

January 2 No School

January 3 Happy New Year! – School Re-opens

January 9 Board of Education Meeting 7:30 pm

January 10 Instrumental Music Information &

Performance Night at John Jay 7:00

January 11 PTA Meeting 7:00 pm

January 16 Martin Luther King Jr Day-No School

January 23 Board of Education Meeting 7:30 pm

January 24 SLT Meeting 8:15 am

Caution!

Our staff members are on duty

in the student drop off area for

your children‟s safety as well

as yours.

When the weather is bad and you‟re in a hurry,

please remember that they are enduring whatever

weather is thrown our way to make sure your

children get in to school safely and that you enter

and leave our school grounds without a mishap.

Please remember, the speed limit on the driveway is

10 mph and to please stop at the stop sign at the

corner. And, as you pass our staff members in the

morning, give them a bright smile and a friendly

wave.

Orchestra Enthusiasts: STRINGENDO is a local non-profit organization that has approximately 250

students+ from the Hudson Valley. STRINGENDO, INC. is now registering for Spring Semester Classes.

Stringendo offers Saturday youth orchestras and Tuesday fiddle classes for all levels of string students in

grades 2 - 12. Practice, perform, learn and make new friends! http://www.stringendoweb.org/ Call 845-264-1206

For the last couple of weeks, students at Gayhead have been brushing up on their spelling. It was time for our

annual spelling bee!!

Morning grade level bees were held on December 1st. Twenty students advanced to the evening Gayhead Spelling

Bee on December 6th. The students studied scores of words and mentally prepared for a competitive night.

The excitement built as the words became more difficult and the group grew smaller and smaller.

Finally, the winner was Brielle Miano, from Mrs. Ryan‟s fourth grade class!! This meant that Brielle was to

represent Gayhead School at the Wappingers Central School District Spelling Bee held at district office on

December 12. She came in second!! Well done, Brielle!!!! Congratulations to all the participants and runners up!!

HANDS ON SCIENCE GAYHEAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SATURDAY February 25 Time 10-2

Snow date May 12, 2012 PROGRAM IS FOR GRADES K-5 Location: GAYHEAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Child # 1 Name _________________________ Age ___ Please provide lunch / check here and add $3 ____ Child # 2 Name _________________________ Age ___ Please provide lunch / check here and add $3 ____ There is a column for child # 1 and a column for child # 2, please place selections for each child in the proper columns. Select 7 from the list /Preference them 1-7 Each child registered will be selected to do three from your list of 7

# 1 # 2 # 1 # 2 # 1 # 2 ___ ___ FOSSILS ___ ___ SOLAR SYSTEM/PLANETS ___ ___ AMAZING AIR ___ ___ DINOSAURS ___ ___ STATIC ELECTRICITY ___ ___ HURRICANES & STORMS ___ ___ GRAVITY ___ ___ RAINBOWS & PRISMS ___ ___ MAGICAL SCIENCE (magic) ___ ___ IN THE OCEAN ___ ___ CHEMISTRY FOR KIDS ___ ___ ELECTRICITY & MAGNETISM ___ ___ ROBOTS ___ ___ SOUND & MUSIC ___ ___ ROCKS & MINERALS ___ ___ CRIME LAB ___ ___ ON THE MOVE (MOTION) ___ ___ MOTORS & MACHINES ___ ___ REPTILES ___ ___ BIRDS, FEATHERS & EGGS ___ ___ VOLCANOES & MOUNTAINS ___ ___ INSECTS ___ ___ OPTICAL ILLUSIONS ___ ___ WATER EXPERIMENTS ___ ___ ROCKETRY ___ ___ IT’S IN THE DIG (Archaeology) ___ ___ SKULLS Dissection, Dig, and Skulls are for OLDER children also note: Rocketry, Aviation & Gliders or Hot Air Ballooning will take the entire morning; if your child is selected he/she will do this and one other workshop from the list.

Cost $ 36 first child / $31 each additional child/ same family / PCDC members $ 30 / 25 each additional child same family

Pre-pay lunch and save: only $3 and your child will get an all beef hot dog, drink and snack Form designed for one or two kids/ same family attach a check payable to PCDC or charge below Mail to PCDC PO BOX 222 Carmel, NY 10512

INFO: www.DiscoveryCtr.org or 845-621-1260 ext. 201 best time to call weeknights 9-10 pm or Email JNewman@DiscoveryCtr.org

Family Last Name _________________________________ Phone ________________________ Email ___________________________________

Address ___________________________________________________________ City _______________________ State _____ Zip ____________

___ I am a non-member: Pay $36 first child / 31 ea. additional

___ I am all ready a member: membership expires ___/___/___ Pay $ 30 /25 ea. additional

___ I want to take advantage of the lower prices: add $25 for 1 yr. / $45 2 yrs. For PCDC Family Membership

Please send your child with $4-5 for lunch or bring a bag lunch. We serve all beef hotdogs; chips; juice; soda; candy,

for your convenience you can add $3 and your child will get a hot dog, drink and snack: Pre-paying for lunch will save you money. To pay by credit card Mastercard, VISA (no AMEX or Discover) your billing address MUST be the address shown above:

To pay by credit card your billing address MUST be the address shown above: ( mail or FAX a credit card form to (914) 205-3623)

Your Name ____________________________________ Amt to charge: $ _____ ( add $3 for lunch for each child if you want us to feed them)

Card # _____________/______________/___________/____________ Exp ____/_____ ( Visa or Mastercard ( sorry NO AMEX or Discover)

Signature ________________________________________ Date ______________

** If needed: Clip HERE and save top portion to remind you about the event.

PLEASE MAIL completed FORM below to PCDC PO Box 222 Carmel, NY 10512

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS How do I register? Use one form for every 2 kids/ same family, 1 kid = $36 / 2 kids = $67 / 3 kids = $ 98 / 4 kids = $ 129 ADD $ 3 per child for lunch if you would like for us to provide lunch: all beef hotdog, drink and snack ( it is cheaper to pre-pay for lunch) Will I get a confirmation? The Discovery Center is a not for profit organization it is impossible to call each person. Please “assume” you are in unless you hear from us. However if you feel you want to verify, please email us about 1 week before your event. Jnewman@DiscoveryCtr.org What should my child wear? Old clothes, sometimes the projects will get a little messy. How Big are the groups? Kids are grouped by age; the average group size is 4-6 kids; no group is larger than 10 kids Can I stay with my child? This is not a parent /child activity. However we offer a Family Science Night geared for families, visit website for dates. Are all the workshops for all ages? We group by age, but keep in mind that some workshops require cutting, measuring and concentration. We therefore recommend that you not choose Dissection, Skulls Dig or any of the flight related workshops for ages 5-7. What is PCDC Membership? Membership covers the entire family for one year, and your family enjoys reductions on ALL PCDC programming for one full year. Membership is tax deductible. Simply add $25 and pay the members price if you would like to join today. Can I come late or leave early? You can come in or out of the program on the hour: at 11:00, 12:00 or 1:00. Please note your plans on the registration form with a post it note. The price of the program does not change because your child is unable to stay the entire time. All transactions are final—there are no refunds — if possible, under certain circumstances, a credit to attend a future date will be issued