Students of the Month

September Ethan Hammond – KAlexis Hawk – 1st

McKenna Criste – 2nd Alexandra Miller – 3rd

Michael Bair – 4th

Cameron Gallentine – 5th

OctoberWill Nelson – KMiranda Lapham – 1st Anthony Penzera – 2nd Eddie Lynn Young – 3rd Sara Orndoff – 4th Mikayla Derco – 5th

NovemberAli Kohler – KPhoebe Snyder – 1st Paula Brown – 2nd Taylor-Jane Wilkins – 3rd Derreck Boehme – 4th Logan Horwatt – 5th

Stanwood Spirit

Volume 1, Issue 1December 10, 2010

Stanwood Elementary

This school year, Stanwood is “Diving into Success”. Our learning environment creates thefoundation for that success. Every room is set up to provide our teachers and students access to every resource needed to fulfill grade level goals. Additionally, to ensure that our students are members of a safe learning environment, our bully program has evolved into one of the finest in the district. The school-based team spent many hours creating strategies and activities that we could use throughout the year to educate and reward students who are exhibiting the expectations established for the norms of behavior.

Through the first few months of the school year, I could not be more proud of what

A Word from Mr. Burk…our teachers and students have accomplished. First, we continue to score above the state proficiency levels/targets on all Pennsylvania Assessments (PSSA). Grades 3-5 students exceeded the targets identified for each test: reading, math, writing, and science. Secondly, we provided a dedication program that entertained our guests, but also celebrated a building that has become the model for other facilities in the district. Lastly, the Veteran’s Day program was, by far, the best that I have been involved with since arriving to Stanwood Elementary. Each one of the above mentioned could not have occurred without the support and hard work of the teachers and students. Furthermore, we could not be successful without the support of our entire learning community,

which has at its center our parents/guardians.

I am excited to see what the future has in store for Stanwood. Our learning community continues to grow as a result of the vision which we established during the 2009-10 school year. First, our goal is to educate learners to be productive, responsible and contributing citizens. Second, we focus on the skills, technology, and interpersonal skills necessary to be successful in the 21st century. Lastly, partnerships, connecting parents and teachers, will be created within our community. We now have a facility that we can be proud of, but also one which will support the current and future needs of

Upcoming Events

Decmeber 22 – Band/Chorus concert in the morning.

Stanwood Elementary

Dedication CeremonyStanwood Elementary held its Dedication Ceremony on the evening of November 4th. The night began with musical and choral concerts, directed by Mrs. Edgar. Kindergarten students sang a song to welcome the numerous guests that filled our spectacular auditorium. Featured chorus singers and band members include:

Mia Logan, Arizona Archibeque, Abby Kubasky, Ali Prenovitz, Sarah Schoaf, Mya Perkins, Adam Smith, Tyler Williams, Brooke Nelson, Miranda Henderson, Gigi Wills,  Lydia Vinosky, Chelsea Hough and Jade Pegram. Speeches by administrators, teachers and school board members were also given.

Taylor Dahl and Meghan Johnson were two of the speakers on stage. Refreshments were provided before Fifth grade tour guides directed visitors around the school. Foreman Architects presented Mr. Burk and Stanwood with a sculptural plaque that depicts the tree in the Kindergarten wing.

Community Open HouseStanwood opened its doors once again to invite the community to visit our school on December 1st.

Former students, staff and curious community members joined

teachers on tours and demonstrations of our new technology.

Limo RideTop Fundraisers were treated to a ride in a limo with Mr. Burk, Dr. Milne and Mrs. Stoner. Maria Foschia (5th gr.), Shane

Hill (4th gr.) , Trent Gray (3rd gr.), Adam Reagan (2nd gr.), Liam Hurst (1st gr.), and Aidan Lynch (kdg.) rode in the limo

to McDonald’s where they were treated to lunch from C-PAT.

Movie NightThe Stanwood Bully-Free Committee hosted the First “Movie Night” in October. Guests were treated to popcorn, cookies, and a movie. The movie was projected onto the side of the school building.

Donations to the event helped to provide all students with a t-shirt. The Bully-Free Committee also provided classrooms with real fish to promote our theme “Of Dive into Success.” Each month students that have

displayed responsible characteristics have their names placed into a fishbowl. From here, winners are selected to eat a special lunch at the “Ocean Table” in the cafeteria.

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Fire PreventionFire Prevention Week brought the Youngwood Fire Department to

Stanwood. Students participated in talks about

fire prevention and viewed the fire trucks.

Veteran’s DayOver and over again, we have heard that this year’s Veteran’s Day Assembly was one of the best. Over 100 veterans attended our morning assembly that began with performances by our

band, chorus and our Kindergarten. Baritone solos were performed by Andrew Kistner and Elijah Gilbert. Each grade level wore red, white and blue colors and sang patriotic songs for the guests.

Speeches and poems were read before ending the assembly with the playing of “Taps” by Mira Federico and Mackenzie Libengood.

Ag LabAn Agricultural traveling lab came to Stanwood in November. The lab was located in a large trailer that travels to Pennsylvania schools throughout the year. Students worked with partners in the lab to

learn about agriculture. Hands-on experiments included a comparison of crayons and the creation of their own peanut-shaped crayon. Second grade enjoyed learning all about flowers, bees, and pollination at the Mobile

Ag Lab. This experience ties right into a few language arts stories where students will be learning about trees and flowers! Funds for the Ag lab were provided for by a grant.

Blue HairStudents witnessed some of Stanwood’s staff getting their hair dyed BLUE in December. Mr. Behrendt, Mr. Morton, and Mr. Kalp all were willing to get this colorful treatment if the students

were able to raise money for our Book Fair. When the students met the goal of $10,000.00, the dye came out!

“It was cool and funny. It barely showed up on Mr.

Kalp and Mr. Behrendt because their hair was so dark. Mr. Kalp got his beard dyed too!” (statements from Alexa Fritz, Tori Bartlow, Arianna Connors, Meredith Martz)

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Evening with SantaSanta came to Stanwood on December 3rd. Face Painting was offered by Stanwood’s own Molly Gribbin, Emily Smith,

and Rheanna Hixson-Steele . Shopping was available along with Spartan Blue Smiley

cookies from Eat ‘n’ Park. Alexa Fritz said “the line for Santa went out of the auditorium!”

Welcome New StaffThis year we welcome many new faces to Stanwood. They include:Mrs. Muchoney (Kdg.), Ms. Miller (gr. 1), Mrs. Prodoscimo (gr. 3),

Ms. Bradley and Mr. Behrendt (gr. 5), Mrs. Rossi (reading), Miss Smith (PCA), Ms. Handler (PCA), Mrs. Edwards

(Aide), Mrs. Taylor (Guidance), Mrs. Egnor (Intervention Coordinator) and Ms. Walling (Nurse Assistant).

Grade 2 News

David Merenda enjoys a float

Sydney Selesky, Jose Magnana, Lily Roby

Pen Pal LettersOur Pen Pal project is well under way. Second Grade students have started writing to 5th grade students at Sudley Elementary in Manassas Virginia. Mrs. Crescenzo and the 5th Grade student teacher, Mrs. Macerelli, attended Hempfield High School together. They recently reconnected this past summer to coordinate this project. Students are exchanging letters and pictures, and hope to Skype at the end of the year!

Frog FloatsStudents enjoyed reading

the story Frog & Toad. As a treat, they watched a Frog & Toad video that supported the story. Then they enjoyed frog floats served up by their teachers! What a yummy treat!

Little D – NutritionSecond Grade learned all about healthy eating & good nutrition through their Health unit. Little D the dragon taught them all about the food groups, exercise, and healthy life styles. Students put their learning to the test when we held our Healthy Snack day! We enjoyed treats from all the healthy food groups!

Second Grade welcomes a bunch of new students to Stanwood this year…Mrs. Crimboli’s room – Mihailo BlagojevicMrs. Crescenzo’s room – David Merenda, Bryce Cunningham, Lily RobyMs. Goodlin’s room – Blake Newhouse, Seth Cooper, Caitlyn Frankovich-TrustwellMs. Gray’s room – Abigail ShawMrs. Nelson’s room – Nina Flynn, Sydney Spino, Ashley Wamsley, Brandon Kaup

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Congratulations

Peyton Young has received his yellow belt in karate. Great job, Peyton!

Website

Check out this website. You can personalize a message from Santa with pictures, names, etc… It is fun and free!!!

www.portablenorthpole.tv

Grade 5 NewsStargazers Get Together For Stanwood Fifth GradersOn October 16, approximately 50 fifth-graders from Stanwood participated in an unforgettable evening at Hempfield Park. The weather cooperated with a beautiful night for the fifth graders to enjoy the stars, planets, and the moon. The main highlight of the evening was viewing our moon and Jupiter and its two moons from the telescope. Never before had they seen these. Students also used their star charts to locate the following constellations: Hercules, Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, Pegasus, and Draco the Dragon. Students also created and identified the constellations using their flashlights. After the telescope and

constellation work, students enjoyed water, juice, hot chocolate with whipped cream, and a wide array of cookies and other snacks. Thanks to all who donated refreshments! The event was well received by parents and students alike. Some fifth graders were interviewed about the night. The interview question was, “What was your favorite part of the Stargazer get-together?” Here are some replies:

Kelsey Kissner: “I liked looking through the telescope, and I liked seeing the planets and the moon. I really liked seeing the craters on the moon.”

Cameron Steiner: “I think it was awesome the way we saw Jupiter. It was also fun seeing our friends.”

Hanna Livingston: “Seeing all the craters on the moon was my favorite part.”

Junko Gresko: “I liked it because we got to look at the constellations and the planet Jupiter.”

Katie Bagon: “I liked looking through the telescope at the moon.”

Elijah Gilbert: “Looking at Jupiter and its moons through the telescope.”

Olivia Solomon: “I like looking at the moon, seeing its craters and cracks and shadows.”

The President of the PTO, Dani Lingis: “How all the fifth grade students and parents could get together to enjoy an evening under the stars.”

Kalp on the KornerThe new computer lab is up and running. The computer lab is fully equipped with 30 laptops, a projector, a ten foot adjustable screen, a Mimio Touch, Vote, and Viewer, digital cameras, flip video, camcorders, webcams, and microphone head sets. The computer lab meets

the standards of the 21st century allowing the students to stay current with the new technologies.Fifth grade is using the digital cameras to create a movie of the newly renovated building through the use of Windows Movie Maker. Fourth grade is learning

the basics of Microsoft Word. Second and third grade are learning how to type, while First grade and kindergarten are learning how to operate the educational software available on the computer.

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Keepin’ the Art in SpARTans

Dakota Rhome and Anjewl Miller view Insect kits from the Carnegie

Rhett Hoffer’s Gorget Necklace

Recently the third graders had the Carnegie Museum come to them in the form of Insect Kits. The Carnegie Museum lends out educational kits for community school districts. This year, Stanwood is participating in the program. Teachers can borrow a variety of kits to learn about insects, dinosaurs,

mammals, etc. Third grade artists studied the body parts of insects and artists who show insects in their work. Students observed the insects and drew them in the style of Andy Warhol and Eric Carle. They ended the unit by creating gorgets out of clay to wear as necklaces.

Did you know that 120 previously unseen Picasso paintings were recently found in an electrician’s garage? Check out Dr. Milne’s school website to learn more about fun art facts, websites and museums to visit in our area.

From the Nurse’s DeskHere are some basic guidelines on when to keep your child home from school:

1. Oral temperature of 100 degrees or higher

2. Coughing with wheezing or difficulty breathing

3. Excessive vomiting during the night prior to school

4. Sore throat with difficulty swallowing not relieved by drinking fluids

5. Pale, drowsy, listless behavior

6. Painful earache

7. Itchy, crusty eyes

Newspaper Editors: Mr. Kalp & Dr. Milne*If you have news that you would like us to consider placing in the newspaper, please let us know via email (kalpj@hasdpa.net or milnew@hasdpa.net)

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