SCHOOL NEWS - WEEK ENDING 11.20.09
Jay Scotto-Friedman -
Interim Superintendent
Several memorable events occurred this week. Monday evening marked the official beginning of the construction project. Contractors began preparing the base of the new elevator shaft outside the building near the pre kindergarten room. On Friday the construction manager’s trailer was delivered to the school’s upper parking lot.
On Wednesday the photography club’s art exhibit was very well attended by community members providing the students with an excellent opportunity to display their photographs. Board President Katherine Yu and Board Trustee John Conrad joined Mr. Steele and me at this function. Our photographer was present capturing the evening for our next newsletter.
Please accept my invitation to attend the Board meeting scheduled for November 23, 2009 in the library to join the Board of Education in a Ground Breaking Ceremony. Although no ground will actually be broken Board members will demolish part of a wall to commemorate the beginning of the construction. The Board will be issued hard hats, safety goggles and vests. The reconstruction of the shop and library are scheduled to begin on November 30, 2009. Since it is not possible to save the murals I am making arrangements to have the murals photographed prior to the demolition of those walls. Please note that November 23, 2009 will be the last Board meeting conducted in the Library until its renovation is completed sometime before the end of this school year.
I have arranged for two new additional educational opportunities for the students related to our construction project Eighth grade science students will have an opportunity to observe the concrete pour for the base of the elevator shaft. They will also be present when the sample is collected to test the concrete. I have obtained the approval for the students to visit the lab where the sample will be tested seven days later to observe the actual testing of the sample. This field trip is timely and related to a science lesson recently completed in Vince Cook’s classroom. Additionally, I have arranged for our architect to visit Mario Suarez’s fifth grade class to speak about the development of blue prints. The students have recently concluded a lesson which included a discussion on the use of blueprints. I have also asked that the reporters for the school newspaper, The Hawk, include in their latest article an announcement that we will be installing a time capsule with the completion of the elevator.
The Pocantico Hills Central School District provides many wonderful educational experiences for its students. As the Interim Superintendent I have decided to take this opportunity to share with you some of the terrific programs that are enjoyed by our students, and your children. Each week I intend to provide a description of one of our wonderful programs to provide parents and community members an opportunity to enjoy the experiences available to our students.
This week I will share information about the Gardening Program with you.
The gardening program was initiated last year in cooperation with the Rockefeller Brothers Fund to promote environmental educational experiences for students in grades 3 and 4. This year the program has been expanded to provide collaborative projects for fifth grade science, and middle school home and careers students. In preparation for Thanksgiving, the students grew sweet potatoes for colonial era sweet potato pies which will be prepared by the fourth grade teachers and students. This program provides a wonderful opportunity to educate our students by connecting core curricular objectives with hands on experiences. Students in the program plant and grow a variety of vegetables and herbs, and then harvest them for use at the school. This could be in the form of salad, soups and other prepared foods. The students also have the opportunity to learn about the workings of a greenhouse, parts of plants, propagation, scientific methods and observations, maintenance and the care and feeding of plants. The program is supported by volunteers from Pace University, Cornell Cooperative Extension, community members and the support of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. This is a wonderful example of our partnership with the Rockefellers, and of the resources within our school district that are available to our students.
Have a nice weekend.
Thank you.
Jay Scotto-Friedman
DATES TO REMEMBER:
Monday, November 23
8:00 pm - Board of Education Meeting
Wednesday, November 25
Thanksgiving Recess 11:30 am Dismissal
Thursday November 26
Thanksgiving Recess Schools Closed
Friday November 27
Thanksgiving Recess Schools Closed
Wednesday, December 2
Winter Concert
7:00 pm - Grades 1& 2
7:45 pm - Grades 3-5
Thursday, December 3
PTA Photo Retake Day
8:00 pm Foundation Meeting
If you know of anyone who might be interested in receiving this weekly email message, please contact Mrs. Gina Downes at 914-631-2440 x103 or at gdownes@pocanticohills.org.
