March PTA Newsletter
Message from the Principal
Dear Parents/Guardians,
It appears that March has come in like a lion as we brave the cold and windy weather.
We had a wonderful African American History Month celebration to close out February. Our school-wide assembly was called "Making Connections"; it was a collaborative effort involving the school and the community. I have received many uplifting comments from faculty members, parents, students, and even from our guest keynote speaker Mr. Dan Bazile from Channel 13 News. The African American History Committee co-chaired by Mrs. Butler and Ms. Foley is to be commended for transforming our school into an arena of African-American knowledge. Each student performer did an outstanding job with their oral presentation. I want to thank Mr. Novak and Mrs. Baxter for their technology expertise along with Mrs. Aiello and Ms. Hansen for their dedication to our Arts and Humanities theme.
There seem to be some questions as to whether ASH will have sixth grade next year. Our school will remain a Pre-K-6 elementary school for the 2006-2007 school year. The current fifth graders will remain at our school and continue on as sixth graders. We look forward to working with you and your children.
This month’s Report to Parents is on Children Alone at Home:
Millions of children aged 6 to 13 are alone—or with brothers and sisters—after school for several hours each day. And projections indicate the number of children will continue to increase. While working parents would much prefer not to leave their school-aged children alone, alternatives—such as child care centers, relatives, or neighborhood baby-sitters—aren’t always available and may be out of the question financially.
How to decide if your children are able to stay home alone: Assess whether your children are old enough, confident, responsible, and have good judgment. Are they frightened being alone? How would they handle emergencies? How much time alone could they handle? Could they follow the rules you set? Pose some real problem situations for your children to see if their reactions are sound. For instance—“What would you do if: The power goes out? The dog gets over the fence and you aren’t supposed to leave the yard? Your friends want you to ride bikes farther than you are allowed to go in the neighborhood? Your sister cuts her finger? Your brother doesn’t get home when he’s expected? You miss your school bus home?”
Discuss your child with school staff. The teacher, counselor, or principal may recommend materials—books or pamphlets from the library—to help you and your child structure this time alone. At any rate, schools should know if children are expected to be unsupervised after (or before) school on a regular basis.
Plan very carefully. For safety. For emergencies. For friends and siblings. For responsibilities. Children are more comfortable if they know exactly how long they will be alone, what is expected of them when they are alone, how to handle problems, and where to get help if they need it. Be sure to practice together locking and unlocking the door before your child has to do it alone.
All children should know their full names, address, phone number (plus area code), their parents' full names, exact name of workplaces, and work phone numbers.
Checking system: Children should call a parent, or leave a message at their parent’s
workplace, as soon as they reach home every day. Parents who are difficult to track down or unavailable by phone should call their child at a designated time. If there’s no phone, try to find a neighbor your child can check in with—and make sure the neighbor knows how to get in touch with you. Always let your children know if you will be late. If they are allowed to leave home, make sure they let you know where they are going and for how long. Clearly written notes (or tape-recorded messages)—about snacks, chores, or clarifications—can welcome kids coming into an empty home.
Safety and emergency system: set up logical, concise rules for personal, household, and fire safety. Don’t allow the use of dangerous utensils. Discourage use of the stove or hazardous appliances like heaters. Leave snacks that don’t require heating. Teach children how to GET OUT safely in case of smoke or fire. Make sure children know elementary first aid, and have a well-supplied first aid kit within their reach.
Keep an updated list of important phone numbers: parents, doctor, poison control center, police fire, and nearest relative or neighbor by every phone. Make sure children know how to call 911, or the operator, for help. Tell them what to say—their name and age, the problem, the street address, the apartment number.
Practice with children exactly what to say over the phone so they won’t let callers know they are alone. Teach them never to go inside if their door is open, there’s a broken window, or a strange car is parked in the driveway.
Keep an emergency pack. Put together an emergency kit in your child’s schoolbag with an extra key, money, and important phone numbers.
Responsibility system: make firm rules about whether or not friends may visit, and whether or not your child may leave home. It’s easier for children to fill their time when they know what’s expected in the way of watching TV, doing chores, eating, using the telephone, doing homework, going outside, taking care of pets, and sharing responsibilities with siblings. Plan the rules together, write them down, and keep them sensible and flexible. Don’t forget to compliment your children often. Let them know how proud you are of their accomplishment—staying home alone and being responsible.
ASH PTA RUMMAGE SALE!
Saturday, April 8th 9am-3pm
Donations taken Friday, April 7th 6-9pm
All electronics/small appliances MUST be in good working order
Clothing/Shoes in NEW condition, preferably folded in boxes or on hangers
No donations will be accepted in dark trash bags
We will need lots of volunteers both Friday and Saturday!
If you can help with a truck or a van let us know!
Call or email Emily Lee
459-8173 elee3@nycap.rr.com
Look for flyers soon in your child's bookbag!
Let's make this an event to remember!
There will be a meeting following our March 14th PTA meeting at 8pm
Safety at School -- Follow the Rules
To ensure a safe and productive learning environment, students will be expected to follow the following safety guidelines within the school building:
No skateboards
No bicycles
No radios
No cell phones or beepers
No trading cards of any kind
No bats, footballs or very sharp intruments can be allowed in the school.
If these articles are brought to school they will be kept by the principal until picked up by the parents or guardians. Basketballs brought to school for use at recess must be brought in a bag. These and other guidelines are set forth in the school handbook (Agenda Program, p. 5 Personal Property). In an emergency children may use their cell phones to make calls from outside the building. At any other time they should be turned off and kept inside their bags.
Presenting...... The Code of Honor on Thursday April 6, 2006
The Health and Wellness Committee and the PTA are sponsoring a multimedia presentation called CODE of HONOR on Thursday April 6th in the multi-function room. Please join us to learn about three aspects of the code. They are CARING, OBEDIENCE, and HONESTY.
To assist with conveying the importance of this code of honor we will show short films based on inspirational true stories with a fun soundtrack of contemporary music. Parents are invited to attend either of the two performances, 9:30 am and 10:30am, on April 6th. If you have any quesions call Ms Pakosz at 462-2092.
Keep Your Family Heart Healthy
Many of you already know that heart disease is the leading cause of death in America for both men and women. But did you know that heart disease begins in early childhood? Most heart disease is preventable. Here are some suggestions for ways to keep your family heart healthy:
Get active! Try to build activity into your daily routine by walking to school, the library, the convenience store. Play games with your children: ride bikes, ice skate, jump rope, shoot hoops, play tag, swim, or simply throw a ball around.
Limit time spent in front of the computer or television. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends limiting these sedentary activities to no more than 1 or 2 hours a day. Excessive television viewing has been liked to weight increase in children.
Pay attention to what you are eating and what you are drinking too! Water is the beverage of choice. Avoid soft drinks and fruit drinks. Eat foods high in fiber, especially fruits and vegetables -- make friends with broccoli! Choose foods with moderate amounts of fat. While fat is not always the enemy, calories from fat should constitute no more than 30% of your daily caloric intake.
Limit sweets. Depriving children of sweet treats completely tends to backfire, but it is a good idea to help children understand that sweets should be eaten in moderation and that they are not everyday foods.
Eat a varied diet.
Quit smoking, it's bad for you -- no lie -- and expensive! Save the money and go on a family vacation.
Take more time for each other. Families that play together stay together.
For more information on heart health contact the Health Education Department at 447-4648.
Thank you!
Many thanks to both Anita Weklar and Maria Harple for donating microwaves for the children to warm up their lunches in the cafeteria.
Mother Daughter Dinner and Dance Thursday, March 23
Mark your calendars for the Mother Daughter dinner.
PTA Fundraiser at Friendly's in Delmar
Bring your family to the Friendly's diner in Delmar and help us raise money for the PTA. All sales from 5 to 10pm will count toward our 10% profit from sales.
Dear Parents/Guardians,
It appears that March has come in like a lion as we brave the cold and windy weather.
We had a wonderful African American History Month celebration to close out February. Our school-wide assembly was called "Making Connections"; it was a collaborative effort involving the school and the community. I have received many uplifting comments from faculty members, parents, students, and even from our guest keynote speaker Mr. Dan Bazile from Channel 13 News. The African American History Committee co-chaired by Mrs. Butler and Ms. Foley is to be commended for transforming our school into an arena of African-American knowledge. Each student performer did an outstanding job with their oral presentation. I want to thank Mr. Novak and Mrs. Baxter for their technology expertise along with Mrs. Aiello and Ms. Hansen for their dedication to our Arts and Humanities theme.
There seem to be some questions as to whether ASH will have sixth grade next year. Our school will remain a Pre-K-6 elementary school for the 2006-2007 school year. The current fifth graders will remain at our school and continue on as sixth graders. We look forward to working with you and your children.
This month’s Report to Parents is on Children Alone at Home:
Millions of children aged 6 to 13 are alone—or with brothers and sisters—after school for several hours each day. And projections indicate the number of children will continue to increase. While working parents would much prefer not to leave their school-aged children alone, alternatives—such as child care centers, relatives, or neighborhood baby-sitters—aren’t always available and may be out of the question financially.
How to decide if your children are able to stay home alone: Assess whether your children are old enough, confident, responsible, and have good judgment. Are they frightened being alone? How would they handle emergencies? How much time alone could they handle? Could they follow the rules you set? Pose some real problem situations for your children to see if their reactions are sound. For instance—“What would you do if: The power goes out? The dog gets over the fence and you aren’t supposed to leave the yard? Your friends want you to ride bikes farther than you are allowed to go in the neighborhood? Your sister cuts her finger? Your brother doesn’t get home when he’s expected? You miss your school bus home?”
Discuss your child with school staff. The teacher, counselor, or principal may recommend materials—books or pamphlets from the library—to help you and your child structure this time alone. At any rate, schools should know if children are expected to be unsupervised after (or before) school on a regular basis.
Plan very carefully. For safety. For emergencies. For friends and siblings. For responsibilities. Children are more comfortable if they know exactly how long they will be alone, what is expected of them when they are alone, how to handle problems, and where to get help if they need it. Be sure to practice together locking and unlocking the door before your child has to do it alone.
All children should know their full names, address, phone number (plus area code), their parents' full names, exact name of workplaces, and work phone numbers.
Checking system: Children should call a parent, or leave a message at their parent’s
workplace, as soon as they reach home every day. Parents who are difficult to track down or unavailable by phone should call their child at a designated time. If there’s no phone, try to find a neighbor your child can check in with—and make sure the neighbor knows how to get in touch with you. Always let your children know if you will be late. If they are allowed to leave home, make sure they let you know where they are going and for how long. Clearly written notes (or tape-recorded messages)—about snacks, chores, or clarifications—can welcome kids coming into an empty home.
Safety and emergency system: set up logical, concise rules for personal, household, and fire safety. Don’t allow the use of dangerous utensils. Discourage use of the stove or hazardous appliances like heaters. Leave snacks that don’t require heating. Teach children how to GET OUT safely in case of smoke or fire. Make sure children know elementary first aid, and have a well-supplied first aid kit within their reach.
Keep an updated list of important phone numbers: parents, doctor, poison control center, police fire, and nearest relative or neighbor by every phone. Make sure children know how to call 911, or the operator, for help. Tell them what to say—their name and age, the problem, the street address, the apartment number.
Practice with children exactly what to say over the phone so they won’t let callers know they are alone. Teach them never to go inside if their door is open, there’s a broken window, or a strange car is parked in the driveway.
Keep an emergency pack. Put together an emergency kit in your child’s schoolbag with an extra key, money, and important phone numbers.
Responsibility system: make firm rules about whether or not friends may visit, and whether or not your child may leave home. It’s easier for children to fill their time when they know what’s expected in the way of watching TV, doing chores, eating, using the telephone, doing homework, going outside, taking care of pets, and sharing responsibilities with siblings. Plan the rules together, write them down, and keep them sensible and flexible. Don’t forget to compliment your children often. Let them know how proud you are of their accomplishment—staying home alone and being responsible.
ASH PTA RUMMAGE SALE!
Saturday, April 8th 9am-3pm
Donations taken Friday, April 7th 6-9pm
All electronics/small appliances MUST be in good working order
Clothing/Shoes in NEW condition, preferably folded in boxes or on hangers
No donations will be accepted in dark trash bags
We will need lots of volunteers both Friday and Saturday!
If you can help with a truck or a van let us know!
Call or email Emily Lee
459-8173 elee3@nycap.rr.com
Look for flyers soon in your child's bookbag!
Let's make this an event to remember!
There will be a meeting following our March 14th PTA meeting at 8pm
Safety at School -- Follow the Rules
To ensure a safe and productive learning environment, students will be expected to follow the following safety guidelines within the school building:
No skateboards
No bicycles
No radios
No cell phones or beepers
No trading cards of any kind
No bats, footballs or very sharp intruments can be allowed in the school.
If these articles are brought to school they will be kept by the principal until picked up by the parents or guardians. Basketballs brought to school for use at recess must be brought in a bag. These and other guidelines are set forth in the school handbook (Agenda Program, p. 5 Personal Property). In an emergency children may use their cell phones to make calls from outside the building. At any other time they should be turned off and kept inside their bags.
Presenting...... The Code of Honor on Thursday April 6, 2006
The Health and Wellness Committee and the PTA are sponsoring a multimedia presentation called CODE of HONOR on Thursday April 6th in the multi-function room. Please join us to learn about three aspects of the code. They are CARING, OBEDIENCE, and HONESTY.
To assist with conveying the importance of this code of honor we will show short films based on inspirational true stories with a fun soundtrack of contemporary music. Parents are invited to attend either of the two performances, 9:30 am and 10:30am, on April 6th. If you have any quesions call Ms Pakosz at 462-2092.
Keep Your Family Heart Healthy
Many of you already know that heart disease is the leading cause of death in America for both men and women. But did you know that heart disease begins in early childhood? Most heart disease is preventable. Here are some suggestions for ways to keep your family heart healthy:
Get active! Try to build activity into your daily routine by walking to school, the library, the convenience store. Play games with your children: ride bikes, ice skate, jump rope, shoot hoops, play tag, swim, or simply throw a ball around.
Limit time spent in front of the computer or television. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends limiting these sedentary activities to no more than 1 or 2 hours a day. Excessive television viewing has been liked to weight increase in children.
Pay attention to what you are eating and what you are drinking too! Water is the beverage of choice. Avoid soft drinks and fruit drinks. Eat foods high in fiber, especially fruits and vegetables -- make friends with broccoli! Choose foods with moderate amounts of fat. While fat is not always the enemy, calories from fat should constitute no more than 30% of your daily caloric intake.
Limit sweets. Depriving children of sweet treats completely tends to backfire, but it is a good idea to help children understand that sweets should be eaten in moderation and that they are not everyday foods.
Eat a varied diet.
Quit smoking, it's bad for you -- no lie -- and expensive! Save the money and go on a family vacation.
Take more time for each other. Families that play together stay together.
For more information on heart health contact the Health Education Department at 447-4648.
Thank you!
Many thanks to both Anita Weklar and Maria Harple for donating microwaves for the children to warm up their lunches in the cafeteria.
Mother Daughter Dinner and Dance Thursday, March 23
Mark your calendars for the Mother Daughter dinner.
PTA Fundraiser at Friendly's in Delmar
Bring your family to the Friendly's diner in Delmar and help us raise money for the PTA. All sales from 5 to 10pm will count toward our 10% profit from sales.
posted by Sarah Averill | 12:10 PM
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