Our 8th annual Read-Aloud Day took place on Friday, March
2nd.  The Read-Aloud is an enjoyable event at which guest readers from the
community to visit each class & read to our children. A great time was had by all. PARP continues throughout the month of March.

 

                                                   

 

Mrs. Price was one of the Read Aloud Day readers. She was dressed as one of our favorite book characters, The Cat in The Hat, to celebrate his 50th birthday.  Mrs. Price treated us to some great readings and a few jokes, too! Thanks, Mrs. Price!

 

 
 
                     

                           

 

                                           

 

 

                                         

                                                         

 

 

 

 

 

February 1, 2007

 

 

 

Dear Parents,

            It is with so many mixed emotions that I inform you today that this year will be my last here at Webutuck. I have a unique opportunity and challenge ahead in Vermont, in taking over as the Principal of two small, rural Pre-k – 6, schools. The towns of Whiting and Sudbury are preparing to join their two schools and develop a Pre-k – 2 and a 3 - 6 model, much like our own. To date they have had school managers or teacher leaders performing administrative duties, so this will be a first time venture for them both. It will happen in the 2008-09 school year, but they are beginning to communicate with each community about the merger, and having a Principal in place next year was their goal.

           

            While I am excited about the new challenges ahead and returning to the Lake George area, I find myself very melancholy about leaving Webutuck. This community has embraced me since the day I arrived back in March of 2003. We’ve made so much progress together and developed a consistency and trusting relationship that is very rare in educational settings these days. Your willingness to allow me to share my ideas and my “good sense” to listen to yours has created a true collegial atmosphere and rich learning environment. I will always be grateful for this opportunity.

           

            I am looking forward to the months ahead and have informed Dr. Johns that I’d like to remain with the district until August 1st. My purpose is to plan for next year and have everything in place for my replacement, so the children’s 2007-08 school year will open smoothly. There will be overlap with the new person and that too, will ensure consistency.

           

            My sincere thanks to all for your support and friendship over these past few years and I’m confident we can close out this year and prepare for next with great enthusiasm and energy.

 

                                                                                               

 

 

 

                                                                                                           Fondly,     

 

                                                                                                           Michael O’Neil

                                           Principal     

 

 

March is Reading Month at WES!

          During the month of March, we will be celebrating 4 weeks of
special reading activities with the People as Reading Partners program.  I
hope that you will all participate by reading with the children in your
family.  The calendar of special reading opportunities and the first
P.A.R.P. time sheet will come home with your child on Thursday, March 1st.
Thursday, March 1st is, also, the first day to start your special reading
together!  Time sheets should be returned to the classroom teacher each
Thursday during P.A.R.P.  If time sheets are forgotten, however, a one-day
grace period will be allowed, until the end of the day on Friday.  If a
student is absent on Thursday, the time sheet should be returned the day the
student comes back to school, if possible.  If your child loses a time
sheet, there are extras available in the library media center.

          Prizes will be given out on Fridays to each child who has earned
at least 5 reading points during the previous week.  All students who earn 5
reading points during all 4 weeks of P.A.R.P. will also get a 5th prize!  In
addition, all students who earn 5 reading points for the week will be
eligible for a special book raffle.  One winning ticket will be drawn at
each Friday's assembly for a 3rd, 4th, & 5th grader to choose a new
paperback book to keep.  Thanks for your help in making this a great month
for the children!

          Our 8th annual Read-Aloud Day will take place on Friday, March
2nd.  The Read-Aloud is an enjoyable event at which guest readers from the
community to visit each class & read to our children.  Please contact Mrs.
Carr, if you have any questions or comments about P.A.R.P. or the Read-Aloud
Day.

Mrs. Carr, Library Media Specialist

 

         

 

      Safety Tips - Internet Safety

There are some very important things that you need to keep in mind when you're on your computer at home or at school.

  • First, remember never to give out personal information such as your name, home address, school name, or telephone number in a chat room or on bulletin boards. Also, never send a picture of yourself to someone you chat with on the computer without your parent's permission.
  • Never write to someone who has made you feel uncomfortable or scared.
  • Do not meet someone or have them visit you without the permission of your parents.
  • Tell your parents right away if you read anything on the Internet that makes you feel uncomfortable.
  • Remember that people online may not be who they say they are. Someone who says that "she" is a "12-year-old girl" could really be an older man.

To read more about new privacy rules, visit the Federal Trade Commission's Web site at www.ftc.gov. There is a special section just for kids.

                                                                    

WEE Deliver

 

Our BET (shared decision making) committee in conjunction with their ELA goal of improving comprehension and writing has taken on the initiative to begin a letter writing program at the Webutuck Elementary School.

                 The program, entitled WEE Deliver, was begun in 1991 by the U.S. Postal Service and was designed to improve literacy in the schools.  At WES, students in grades 3, 4, and 5 can send a letter to any other student or staff member with a weekly delivery schedule proposed.

            A variety of “jobs” will be handed out to students ranging from “Postmaster” to Facer, Nixie clerk, sorter, carriers and an assistant postmaster.  Proper letter writing form will be emphasized as well as quality of content and expression.  Letters will have to be stamped, addressed appropriately and placed in a classroom mailbox before being brought to a larger commercial mailbox purchased specifically for this program.

            The program will kick off the first week of December with the Wassaic Postmaster addressing the children at our weekly assembly.  Supplies will be provided by our PTA and the mailbox needed will come from our general budget.  Staff members included on the sub committee are Joelene VanWagenen, Kristin Hosley, and Sue Campbell. Our active parent participant and idea originator is Libby Markonic, mother to one of our 4th graders. 

            We are all very anxious for our program to get off the ground and our hope is that the idea will bring happiness and friendship to those who correspond and improved literacy and letter writing skills as the weeks move forward.