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bolivar road school the address for success march 2012 from the principal s desk good attendance is essential for a child s successful experience and academic performance in school here are a few ways you can help with attendance issues · arrival students can arrive between 8:20-8:50 a.m please do not drop off your child before 8:20 a.m students begin their academic tasks at 8:50 a.m mr merola · tardiness the start of each day is a time for organization it is therefore very important that students arrive at school on time frequent tardiness after 8:50 a.m interferes with learning and sends students the message that promptness is not important · absences please remember to call the school in the morning if your child is absent from school it is important for the safety of the students to know where all of our children are remember too that if you would like homework assignments books etc to be sent home to a sick child it is necessary to request this as early in the day as possible to allow teachers time to collect the needed materials · excuses while calls about absences are essential a written excuse is still required when your child returns to school the excuse should consist simply of the absence date student s name reason for the absence and your signature · educational trips if your child will be absent for what could be considered an educational trip visits considered to have educational value please ask for an educational trip form from the office if a completed form is submitted to school your child would not be considered absent on those days but will not be eligible for perfect attendance your support of all these attendance areas sends a strong message to your child about the value of learning and time management with your help we will continue to provide the best education possible for your child building planning team news before-and-after school activities offered this semester include 5th grade dance club boys and girls basketball club comic book club holiday card making club kickball club minute to win it club mother s day club project c.a.r.e club smart snacking club tae kwon do club time to craft club and valentine s free form sculpting clubs the building planning team wishes to thank sandra athans missy biviano katie crayton mary lou champlin sandy fanto denise frantz cheri giancola brenna gillette mary maclane traci mcintosh jeanne pizzutosauvé jim randall laurie randall jim raulli shannon taylor patty wilkowski brad williams and michelle wilson for volunteering to share their talents with bolivar students for the winter spring semester updated test dates for 3rd 4th and 5th grade nys ela april 1719 2012 nys math april 25-27 2012 ,

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grade level news 3rd grade throughout the month of march students will be very busy they will continue to learn a number of reading strategies as they work in their guided reading books additionally students will be working on developing test-taking strategies that will prepare them for new york state testing please encourage nightly reading at home sharing the experience with a sibling or parent is a great way to make that time enjoyable in writing students are continuing to develop their ability to write in multi-paragraph form proofreading continues to be an area to offer reminders and encouragement in any journal writing at home would be very beneficial we will be learning more about multiplication factors multiples and fractions during the month of march this is a great time of the year as we learn many new mathematical skills please be sure to practice addition and subtraction math facts at home during science class students will be learning about the water cycle and in social studies we will continue to learn about communities around the world as the weather gets better we will be going outside for recess often please be sure to remind your child to wear or bring sneakers so that they may use the playground equipment thank you for all of your support 4th grade we d like to welcome in the month of march by first thanking parents for their wonderful support during last month s science fair activities the students explored some great projects and certainly learned a lot about the scientific method as always we applaud your hard work effort and continuous assistance we are also so very proud of our hardworking students who gave it their all bravo ela continues to challenge us as we explore historical fiction and works in other genres we are also busy preparing for our nys ela assessment which will take place next month in math we are completing our unit on measurement and are beginning fractions we are working very hard to prepare for the nys math assessment which also takes place next month and welcome your continued support at home reviewing math facts checking homework and praising your child s good effort are some ways you can help in science we are launching our fascinating study of rocks and minerals in social studies we are busily recreating the feel and flavor of the revolutionary periods and the beginning of our government through a variety of activities 5th grade congratulations to everyone who participated in the science fair on february 15 we are very proud of all the fifth graders for the hard work and effort that was put into their projects the judges were very impressed with their expertise and the way they presented themselves a special congratulations to the students who received special awards the night of the science fair students have begun the study of fractions in the name that portion investigation in math they have also been learning about place value their continued practice at home on their multiplication facts will help them to be successful in this unit grade level news continued 5th grade continued this is an exciting time of the year in science the crayfish are coming soon students will begin the study of crayfish and animal responses later this month in social studies the classes are exploring the geography history economics and culture of the regions in both the united states and canada in reading class we are working on building reading success through the teaching of many different strategies students are also reading bibliographies and learning about poetry through reading poetry is also an area of focus during our writing class as well as working on creative writing pieces please continue to have your child read for 20 minutes each night they should be well on their way to finishing their goal of twenty-five books read for the year keep up the great work fifth graders ais/resource classes mathematics as we approach new york state testing in april students will be reviewing the many concepts they have learned this year one of the most important ways parents can help their children with math is to help them learn their facts students in third grade need to know their addition and subtraction facts they can also begin to memorize their multiplication facts fourth and fifth grade students must know their multiplication facts to remain successful in math these facts are not only used with multiplication but also division fractions percents and so on there are a number of neat websites children can go to for practice with their facts like jmathpage.com check out the links on mrs starke s webpage found at www.chittenangoschools.org bolivar road elementary school bolivar teacher pages mrs starke if you have younger children at home try the pbs website for games and ideas for infants through children in second grade at www.pbs.org/parents/earlymath special area classes it is a busy and exciting time of year for the music program at bolivar road elementary the bolivar band and orchestra perform in the music in our schools month concert series on march 2 and 4 these special concerts involve band and orchestra members from grades 4 through 12 hearing the progression from the very beginning to the more advanced stages of playing an instrument will surely inspire our budding musicians the chittenango music boosters association will be sponsoring the annual practice marathon which runs from march 4 through march 11 this year the cmba will be giving away prizes donated by local businesses to the winning participants students in chorus band and orchestra received information about the practice marathon in february if you would like to know more information about this fundraiser please visit the chittenango music boosters webpage or ask your child s music teacher as always thank you for your continued support of our amazing and talented musicians at bolivar road elementary!

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bolivar pta corner as we await the arrival of spring the bolivar road elementary pta is busy planning for our many upcoming events yearbook sale scholastic book fair family fun night spring fundraiser staff appreciation week 5th grade celebration and a few other surprises volunteers are essential to our success­plan to attend our next regular meeting on wednesday march 7 a prize drawing awaits some lucky person it could be you bolivar road elementary school s annual parents as math partners p.a.m.p event concludes in march we hope you and your child engaged in some fun activities designed to strengthen reasoning skills and create excitement for math thank you to mrs biviano and all the little leprechauns who assembled the packets and coordinated the prizes yearbook order forms have been sent home don t forget to check your child s backpack orders are due back by march 16 2012 the scholastic book fair will begin monday march 26 our spring family fun night is scheduled for wednesday march 28 it will feature an art showcase and complimentary ice cream social as well as the book fair we d love to see you enjoying a sweet treat and discovering a good read additional information and a scholastic flyer will be coming home soon our spring fundraiser will kick off in march as well the bre pta will again be offering otis spunkmeyer cookie dough and nature in bloom flowering bulbs our fundraisers have enabled students to enjoy many fun learning activities including author visits field trips and the brain show thank you for your continued support and participation the bolivar road elementary pta invites you family staff and community members help us reach our 100 member goal before march 15 membership is only $5 per person add your voice with the potential impact of the 2012-2013 budget and the impending hardships on continuing to provide creative and educational outlets for our students our support is ever critical to the morale of both students and teachers to keep the love of learning alive what can you do consider attending budget meetings pta meetings participate in fundraisers and continue supporting your children and their endeavors evidence of the wonderful job you are already succeeding at can be seen in the positive attitudes toward learning exhibited at the 2012 science fair participation was inspiring we look forward to seeing you soon join the bre pta and let s work together to advocate support and enrich the lives of every child we are seeking officers and chair people for next year for membership and volunteer information please e-mail bolivarpta@gmail.com or leave a message with the bolivar front office 687-2880 thank you upcoming events at bolivar road elementary school district band night chs­friday march 2 at 7 pm district orchestra concert chs­sunday march 4 at 2 pm pta meeting bre library­wednesday march 7 at 6 pm pta budget presentation cms­wed march 14 at 6 pm no school for students supt s conf day­friday march 16 half day of school for students conf day­thur march 29 11:15 a.m dismissal you can support bolivar road elementary and the bolivar pta all year long by participating in these simple and silent fundraisers clip save send to school campbell s soup labels for education and box tops for education empty capri sun juice pouches and old cell phones and printer cartridges recycling helps bolivar earn school supplies 2011-2012 bolivar road elementary pta officers margherita bertella co-president diane paul co-president kelly erickson vice president jackie penfield treasurer vacant secretary project c.a.r.e the character trait for march and april is responsibility the character trait for all year is citizenship please go to the bolivar webpage to find out more information on march 15 there will be a project c.a.r.e assembly at 9 a.m at the assembly awards will be given out for perseverance and responsibility will be introduced.

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march 2012 sunday monday tuesday wednesday thursday friday pamp ends 2 7 p.m 4-12 district band night at chs 4 bolivar road elem night with the syracuse crunch 7:30 p.m saturday 1 3 3 2 p.m 4-12 district orchestra concert at chs 4 5 6 5 1 6 p.m pta meeting in library 2 nurse s office 6 p.m budget presentation 2 at cms 7 8 9 10 3 3:45 p.m bpt meeting in library 3 4 11 12 13 school physicals 14 1 15 5 no school superintendent s conference day 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 4 5 1 family fun night­tba 6 p.m volleyball tournament at chs 2 3 end of marking period 23 24 25 book fair begins 26 27 28 4 5 1 book fair 29 ends 11:15 a.m dismissal 2 30 31 3 april 2012 sunday monday tuesday wednesday thursday 3:45 p.m bpt meeting in lib report cards issued friday saturday 1 2 3 4 5 5th grade drug free way to be day 4 5 no school good friday 6 7 1 2 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 spring recess no school 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 nys ela tests nys ela tests nys ela tests grades 3 4 5 grades 3 4 5 grades 3 4 5 3 4 5 1 2 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 nys math tests nys math tests nys math tests grades 3 4 5 grades 3 4 5 grades 3 4 5 3 4 5 1 2 29 30 3

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special area class visitations march is our time to visit special area classes in order to flexibly meet the needs of your schedules and our class schedules we invite parents to come and visit any of your child s music instrumental vocal physical education library and art classes during the month of march the following weeks have been designated for these visits march 5-9 march 12-16 march 19-23 march 26-30 library physical education music vocal/instrumental art to sign up to visit your child s special area classes you will need to contact our school at 687-2880 before your visit to make an appointment so that teachers will know to expect you you will need to have your visit registered by phone no later than 8:30 a.m on the day of your visit as your visit will be during a regular class please be sure to arrive before class starts and plan on staying throughout the class also since instruction will be taking place please do not bring any young children during the visit when you arrive for your visit you will need to sign in at the office and get a visitor s pass we look forward to having you participate in your child s educational experience student council update we would like to introduce the second session of our bolivar student council they are hannah bixby victoria broniszewski francis cerio natalie cowburn bill demand lillian ellison sydney foster griffin furco jessica garcia angela gleasman samantha kinney mia morgillo anna mulholland kailey paul sydney pellman julia pynn zed weigand-scott and paul wood this group has some exciting events planned with the guidance of mrs davis school physicals e state education law requires that all fourth grade students and all students new to our district have a physical physicals will be done on march 14 by our school doctor if your child has had a physical or will have one performed by april 1 please call me at 687-2886 otherwise he/she will have a physical performed at school if you have any questions please feel free to call me ms cheri giancola school nurse 2012 a science odyssey on february 15 101 fifth grade science projects were displayed throughout the gymnasium for judges to view and critique the topics were interesting and the displays continue to improve each year thank you to all teachers and parents who helped students design and construct these creative projects a special thanks to jed cestaro who organized this successful event congratulations to the following fifth grade students who received special recognition for their projects nicole bruno zach chapman ciara colon natalie cowburn blayde deblieux 5th grade winners kiersten endres mia morgillo jessica garcia caleb prenoveau david gratien zach reissig ben kingsley emily rutherford dan moon zoe sauvé noah schnauffer nik thurber michael tucker cole vanatter-burns paul wood more information on the back

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reading round-up reading challenge the bolivar road reading challenge is well underway as the students read and tally their books the school as a whole is moving across north america on our reading challenge map located in our main lobby our goal is to read approximately 8,200 books by mid-june and our current total at the end of the second marking period is 5,879 books the students are reading diligently as individuals to reach their personal goal of twenty-five books throughout the school year they are being rewarded as they reach different levels on their reading adventure for example when they have read eight books they earn a bookmark and a pencil likewise when they reach sixteen books they earn a coupon for a free cafeteria treat then when they have read twenty-five books the students will be awarded a special certificate and reading medal it would be wonderful if everyone could encourage our young bolivar readers to persevere and reach their individual goal let s give confidence to our developing readers and motivate them to open a good book who knows they might get swept off their feet right into the world of literature bolivar rd elementary

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