May 2012 Streams Elementary Bulletin

Greetings to all Streams families, I hope that the Spring Break included great weather for outdoor play, happy family times, and maybe some time for a favorite book to share together. To get the season off on a positive note, we had a special guest, Mr. Carlands from Children’s Hospital and the Think First Health and Safety program, join us on the morning announcements to give the students some reminders about safety rules for outdoor activities. The highlight of his visit was the give away of a bike to a first grader! Congratulations goes out to Anika Sinha, winner of the Streams Spelling Bee. Mrs. Benonis volunteered to coordinate this event, sponsored by PTA Council and held at the Rec Center. Over 30 brave fourth graders stepped up to the mike to do their best spelling! The month of May is filled with exciting activities for the students. Students are preparing to guide their parents through their learning journey on S.T.A.R. night, May 3rd. There is also an early dismissal at 12:45 for grades 1 – 4 on that day. A letter came home with the details of the event. Be sure to stroll through the gym, where the PYP Inquiry Exhibition projects will be on display. Students will be explaining their projects all day on May 4th to other students and community members. All are welcome! We hope to see many families at our Spring Musical on Thursday, May 10th at 7:30 in the Streams gym. Other terrific music performances include the Band Concert on May 14th and the Strings Concert on May 22nd. I hope to see many of you at the Community Day Parade and festivities on Saturday, May 19th. To wrap up the busy month, we are featuring our fourth grader singers at the Pirates Game on Friday night, May 25th under the direction of Mr. Jeff Leonhardt. To begin preparation for the fourth grade transition to Boyce, Mrs. Cayuela will be here to meet with the students on Tuesday, May 29th. There is also an Open Mike for fourth grade families at the Boyce Theatre on May 16th at 9:30 AM. Applications for the PYP program are due by May 1st and are available in the office or on line. Spring is also the time for field trips. Be sure to watch for information from your classroom teachers about these trips. Finally, I want to remind families that we will host a “Spring into K” event for incoming kindergartners and their parents on May 23rd. More information is available on the website. Applications for the Elementary Leadership Academy, held for rising fourth graders from all elementary schools, are due by May 15th. More information about this summer program are available on the district and Streams web sites. It is with much sincerity that I want to thank our PTA Talent Show team, Mrs. Tarcson, Mrs. Jones, and Mrs. Henricks. Although it was not ideal to have limited space in Boyce Theatre, they kept the focus on the kids, ensuring that the “show must go on” and what a terrific show of talent by our Streams students! Kudos also go to the many parents who helped back stage, choreographed numbers, and cheered their children along! We are very grateful for your continued support!

Principal’s Message Dr. Claire Miller

Mark Your Calendars!

May

1 - MYP Info. Mtg. for parents w/ students going to Boyce 7PM LGI 2 – Staff Appreciation Luncheon 3 - Star Night 7-9pm

Early dismissal 12:45pm

4- PYP Inquiry Exhibition 7 – Chick-fil-A Spirit Night 5-8pm 8 – PTA meeting 9:30am, LGI 10 – Spring Musical 11 – Kennywood Ticket Sales 14 – Programs & Assemblies 9:30am 14 – Elementary Band Concert HS Theatre 7pm 22 – Elementary Strings Concert HS Theatre 7pm 23 – Kindergarten Orientation 9:30am & 12:30pm 24 – Turnover Lunch 25 – Pirate Outing 28 – No School Memorial Day

IN OUR LAST

MONTH TO COME…

JUNE

8th

4th Grade Graduation

Party

&

Field Day

18TH

Kennywood Day

The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP) program kicked off in October 2011 at Streams. This month we will spotlight 3rdgrade (provided by Miss Mulhern) and provide an update as to what the teachers are focusing on and what topics are being discussed:

3rd Grade Update: The third grade has focused a lot this year on role-playing various bullying situations. This has allowed them to practice saying out loud what they should be saying if they were being bullied or if they are the bystander who witnesses the bullying. They have watched the Leadership Academy videos on integrity and have used these videos as tools to create their own role-playing scenarios. The kids really enjoyed the role-playing! Some of the third grade teachers have suggestion baskets in their rooms where kids can submit a paper anonymously, stating what they want to talk about at their weekly meeting. The kids are also being told to try to focus on the positive. They are encouraged to write down when they saw a student act in a positive way. For example, “I noticed this happened...” “…I knew what to say…” or “…I saw the bystander doing this…” The teachers are encouraging the kid to feel empowered so that if they are being bullied or witness someone being bullied, they are able to take control of the situation and stop it from occurring or escalating. Anti-Bullying Tip of the Month:

-Ask your children about their day and listen to them talk about school, social events, their classmates, and any problems they have. -If your child tells you about an incident, take it seriously. Many kids are embarrassed to say they have been bullied. You may only have one chance to step in and help.

IB-MYP Informational Meeting Tuesday, May 1st at 7 PM in the Boyce LGI This is an informational meeting for parents of current fourth graders interested in enrolling their child in the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program at Boyce. Mr. Rozzo, MYP Coordinator and Mrs. Brown, Boyce Principal, will provide an overview of the MYP. Specifically, they will describe characteristics and components of an MYP classroom. Requirements of the MYP will also be shared and discussed.

Don’t forget to support

Streams!

May 7th

Spirit Night at

Chick-fil-A!

Join us from 5 – 8 PM at the Chick-fil-

A in the South Hills for a spring Spirit Night and last one of the year!

Streams Elementary

earns 20% of the sales. Come eat

dinner at this location, tell your cashier

that you support Streams

Elementary, & help us

raise funds!

Staff Appreciation Luncheon Wednesday, May 2nd We need food items to be donated. Side dishes, main dishes, salads and desserts are all appreciated (and yummy!) Someone will be out in front of the building for curbside drop-off from:

7:45 - 8:15am that morning and then again between 10am and 11am.

*We are also looking for volunteers to help set-up, during

lunch, & clean up starting at 10am.

We will be happy to make sure any dishes that are labeled with names get back to their owners.

If you are able to donate food or time please email michelemandler@verizon.net.

S.T.A.R. Night Thursday, May 3rd from 7 – 9 PM

S.T.A.R. Night, a special night for parents to fawn over the culmination of weeks and months of their bright students' hard work, amazing accomplish- ments, and masterful artwork!

We are asking each family to please donate two (2) dozen cookies to our S.T.A.R. night celebration.

Cookies may be:

• Dropped off in the Streams Nutrition Center on Thursday evening as you arrive for the event

• Taken to the school office during the school day **(remember school ends at 12:45 for early dismissal)

• Sent into school with your child that morning and taken to the office Thank you in advance for your donation! Your child's hard work all year long as well as your generosity will ensure a fun-filled, successful evening!!! If you would like to help with S.T.A.R. Night or have any questions please contact:

Colleen Cuba

Email: cubacolleen@hotmail.com * *Remember school ends at 12:45 pm* *

NEW THIS YEAR!

BIRTHDAY

BOOK CLUB

Commemorate your child's

important day with the gift that keeps on giving, a book donation to the

Streams Library. Yes, it's probably the only time that

Mrs. Trau will actually encourage your child to write in a library book, but it will be to

engrave his/her name on a jacket

emblem in recognition of the

donation. The PTA Birthday

Book Club has many popular

books on hand for purchase,

specially chosen by Mrs. Trau.

Please contact us for a list.

Don't see your child's favorites? No worries, with two weeks notice, tell us what you'd

like and we'll make the purchase at the discounted,

tax-free rate (after we confirm with

Mrs. Trau for library-compatibility). Questions? Contact:

Lilia Pries lilkerman@aol.com,

Or

Lyn Benonis lynben426@comcast.net

Streams PTA Meeting Tuesday, May 8th at 9:30am in the LGI Please join us this month for the induction of the new slate of officers to the PTA for the school year 2012-2013. • Michele Fisher, President • Christine Vinay, Vice President • Roland Gargani, Treasurer • Harlow Lisak, Secretary (2nd year)

Children are always welcome. Refreshments will be provided

by our own Streams teachers in appreciation of the PTA. PTA Committees for 2012-2013: Thank you to everyone who has volunteered to work on a PTA Committee for the next school year! We are, however, still in need of volunteers to Chair the following Committees: *Arts in Education *Birthday Book Club *Bulletin Board *Directory *Gifted & Talented Education *Holiday Shop *Kindergarten Special Night *Market Day (co-chair) *First Grade Special Night *Membership *Second Grade Open Mike *Star Night Hospitality Partners in Education *Book Swap Performing Arts (4th grade parent) *Historian

Grab a friend and work together or do it on your own! If you are interested in being the Chair or Co-Chair for one of the following

Committees, please contact Michele Fisher at mfishbfish@verizon.net.

If you'd like to learn more about us, please go to the Streams PTA Website:

http://www.uscsd.k12.pa.us/domain/615

Congratulations

Streams' Families for a

great year with, "Apples for

Students"! This year we

accumulated 2,248 points, an

increase from last year, with 450 families

listing Streams as their donation school! Dr. Miller and the staff at

Streams are selecting the

equipment that will most benefit the students and the school. We

will print some of the items

ordered in the last email

bulletin. This is a fantastic

outcome for using the Giant

Eagle program to help improve the

quality of our children's education!

THANK YOU!

Program and Assemblies Presents Programs and Assemblies Presents a Vocal Journey With Etta Cox and the Al Dowe Band On Monday, May 14th at 9:30 the students of Streams Elementary school will enjoy and identify the historical and contemporary contributions of African-Americans to our musical heritage. Etta Cox and the Al Dowe Band take students on a Vocal Journey, demonstrating the African-American influence on American vocal music over the past 300 years. Students discover the common threads in call-and-response songs, spirituals, gospel, bebop, blues, jazz, doo-wop, rock 'n roll and the rap music of today.

If you should have any questions, please contact Rachel Lowden at lowdenr@verizon.net

or Gina Lynch 412-851-1956

Kennywood Ticket Sales May 11th, Friday (SCHOOL PICNIC IS MONDAY, JUNE 18th) Locations/Times: USC High School: 7:30 - 8AM Eisenhower Elementary School: 8:15 - 8:45 AM Fort Couch Middle School: 9:00 - 9:30 AM Baker Elementary School: 9:45 - 10:15 AM Boyce Middle School: 9:45 - 10:15 AM Streams Elementary School: 10:30 - 11 AM

Ticket Price: $23 for a FunDay Pass

Cash or Money Order made out to "Kennywood" – No personal checks

To view flier click link below:

http://tinyurl.com/7r9kuuv

FIELD DAY!!

June 8th

1st & 2nd Grades 9:00 am – 11:30 am

3rd & 4th Grades

12:30 pm – 2:30 pm

Calling all coaches,

trainers, former and current

athletes please join us to help cheer on our

junior Olympic athletes!

If you can help please (1) email

us at: Lori Miller

dljr.miller@verizon.net or

Erika McElligott

annamartha@verizon.net Or (2) fill out the form (click link)

http://tinyurl.com/d24a2mh

and leave it at the Main Office to our attention. We would also appreciate it if

everyone could send in a gallon jug of water for our athletes by

Thurs., June 7th.

Thanks!!

Streams 4th Grade Spelling Bee Finalists Kudos to the 24 Streams Elementary School Spelling Bee participants, who with great composure, put forth a commendable effort. The group of competent spellers reached well into the 8th grade level words. Serving as a practice for the fourth graders, the bee was designed to help students become familiar with the rules and formality of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. (In Middle School, Upper St. Clair students that qualify for 1st place may continue to the regional Scripps competition.) Congratulations to the Streams bee finalists: 1st Place Anika Sinha 2nd Place Alpa Sehrawat 3rd Place (Tie) Isabela Couoh Nicolette DeIuliis Devan Ekbote Katie Hobart Special thanks to the PTA Council and its Chairperson, Colette LeKachman, for sponsoring and overseeing the event; our gracious volunteers Stacie de la Parra, Rich Benonis, Sundeep Ekbote and Prajesh Sinha; and all the spellers and families who made the bee a success. Best wishes to all the spellers in next year's Boyce Spelling Bee! - Lyn Benonis

Spring Kindergarten Orientation May 23rd, Wednesday at 9:30am OR 12:30pm The Streams "Spring Into Kindergarten" Presentation for 2012-2013 Kindergarten families has two sessions to choose from that best fits your schedule.

The families are encouraged to bring their

pre-school child to this event. This presentation is an informational meeting for parents while the pre-school children participate in activity centers with the Streams staff. This day is designed to make families feel comfortable with the transition from pre-school to Kindergarten.

Monthly

e-Bulletins can be found on the Streams PTA

Website.

DEADLINE FOR JUNE ISSUE

PLEASE SUBMIT TO

Melanie Lenthall lenny.mel5@gmail.com

BY MAY 21ST.

QUICK LINKS

E-ALERT

http://www.uscsd.k12.pa.us/Page/5359

STREAMS PTA WEBSITE http://www.uscsd.k12.pa.us/domain/615

PENNSYLVANIA PTA WEBSITE (User Name: Parents Password: TakeAction)

http://www.pta.org/

USC SCHOOL DISTRICT CALENDAR WEBSITE http://www.uscsd.k12.pa.us/Page/2

Streams Pittsburgh Pirate Outing Friday, May 25th at 7:05 PM

VS.

The PTA is sponsoring its annual Family event, the Streams Pittsburgh Pirate Outing. Our very own Fourth Grade Chorus will be

performing the National Anthem!!

It is Free T-Shirt Friday. Every ticket holder receives a Pirate T-shirt! Click link below for flier on the PTA website:

http://www.uscsd.k12.pa.us/Page/5376 4th Grade Graduation Party June 8th, Friday 6 - 8:30 PM USC High School, Pool/Nutrition Center/Small Gym We would like to celebrate this great year before you move onto Boyce with an AWESOME End-Of-The-Year-Party! Come celebrate with the class of 2020 for a year well done! Look for the forms listed below in the next few weeks for you to read and complete. *Graduation Party Invitation with class donation information *Volunteer Sign-Up Form *Swim Rules and Permission Slip *Photo Request Form

Any questions, please contact: Gina Steve: reginasteve@yahoo.com

Brooke Tarcson: brooketarcson@hotmail.com Paula Henderson: dandp3@gmail.com