BES Weekly Update
Issue No. 7
A Note From Principal Paquette
Dear Parents/Guardians;
As we enter our ninth week of digital teaching and learning at BES, we do so with a heavy heart. By now, you all know that last Friday, May 1st Governor Cuomo announced the decision to keep school buildings closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. This announcement weighs heavily on all of us at BES as we are extremely saddened to not be returning to be with our students in the building this year.
With this announcement comes the need for planning and continued education of our students. We will be deciding how best to get each child their personal items that were left in the classroom on March 12th as well as any medications still in the nurse’s office or any library books back to the library. Those plans are being made this week and will be shared with you as soon as they are finalized.
It is important to know that while the governor has closed our building for the remainder of this school year, he has not closed school. We are still educating our students each and every day and will continue to do so for the remainder of the school year. As partners in this digital teaching and learning, we ask that you as parents make every effort each day to be sure your child is logging on and completing their daily assignments. We can not do this alone! To those of you who have tirelessly been assisting your child to log-on and complete assignments following their lessons, we thank you! As the warmer weather is upon us and the frustration sets in that we are here until the end of June, it becomes more and more difficult to engage the students. Your help in encouraging and supporting your child’s education is greatly appreciated! If your child is struggling mentally with the current situation, please reach out via phone or email to your child’s classroom teacher, Michele Lamontagne, the school counselor, or myself. We can’t help those that we don’t know are struggling.
Attendance will continue to be taken, as it has been all along, and we will continue to give grades to all students. If your child is not logging on daily or engaging with their teacher they are likely being marked absent or receiving incompletes which will later account for zeros. The education process has continued since March 18th and I am tremendously proud of those students who have continued along and adjusted to the new “normal” that we are ending this school year with. It is not easy by any means and we know the students would rather be in the halls of BES, just as our teachers would. But together, we can come out stronger and smarter on the other side of this pandemic. As educators, we are all too aware of the ‘summer slide’ that takes place in the months of July and August when students aren’t engaged in the learning process. For those students that have not logged on and aren’t taking part in daily lessons, this slide is going to be more and more difficult to overcome and will linger for years to come. The teachers are very flexible and are willing to work with all students to support them and give them credit for completed work. It’s never too late to submit missed assignments! We ask that you communicate and help your child make a daily effort to engage with their education. BES teachers and staff are going above and beyond to help each and every child succeed.
We want to make these last weeks of the school year as engaging and exciting for your children as possible. We appreciate your support in this endeavor. If you are in need of anything, please reach out!
Yours in education,
Sarah Paquette
BES Principal
BES is in the News!
Ms. Amy and many staff members along with their children coordinated a gratitude parade that had more than 50 vehicles participate to show CVPH employees how much they are appreciated and valued for their sacrifices during this trying time.
In the picture below, Brock Benware and his sister Bryn are shown in their vehicle with their mom, Mrs. Benware, a kindergarten teacher at BES.
Food Delivery Update
Reminder: If you are receiving meals at this time, please DO NOT reapply as this only needs to be done once. If there is a change to your numbers or address please email Roxann Barnes at barnes.roann@bcsdk12.org or call 518-563-8685.
As the warmer weather approaches, please leave a cooler by your door where we can put your food. We encourage you to maintain proper social distancing at all times and not make contact with our drivers.
Reminder: If you need to make changes to your delivery, the cut off time is by 1:00 p.m the day before the delivery.
**UPDATED DELIVERY DATES:
Wednesday, May 13th,
Wednesday, May 20th and
*Thursday, May 28th*
**Deliveries will be made between 7:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
**After this week's meal delivery, our cafeteria and transportation staff will have made and delivered 103,712 meals to our students!
Kindergarten Registration
Ms. Lamontagne Shares Counseling Activities for Families
Counseling Week
Below, students wear sports gear to support their favorite sports team during this time when they can't play together with their friends for BES Sport Day.
Carson's future sure looks bright! "When I grow up, I'm going to be a LEGO Master or architect."
From the Special Ed Counseling Corner with Mrs. Kim & Miss Sarah
The following information was taken from nationwidechildrens.org:
How to Help Kids Deal With School Closings and Cancelled Plans
Give Yourself A Minute
You are likely trying to figure out many concerns in your life including childcare, entertainment, finances and work-related needs. Allow yourself time to process with a helpful family member, friend or co-worker to figure out what steps you need to take. Children will notice if we are stressed and upset, so it can help to work through our own emotions when they are not present.
Acknowledge the Disappointment
Many children are going to be missing events they have been looking forward to such as plays, dances, field trips and spring breaks. These events are a big part of kids’ social structure and they may feel angry, worried or sad. Be sure to allow your child to have their natural emotional experience. Try using words that join them in their feelings (e.g., “I’m so sorry this is happening. I’m disappointed I won’t get to hear your choir sing, too”). Sometimes we can try to jump too quickly to feeling better, but it is OK for your child to talk about their reactions. To help them process this by allowing them to have some alone time, write a letter about how they feel, or talk about the things they will miss.
Moving Forward
After your child has expressed their struggle, work to help them find their own coping strategies. Ask your child to identify some benefits of staying home or activities they are looking forward to doing. Talking about balance is important: there are things that are frustrating/disappointing and some things that are exciting. You may want to remind your child this is temporary and that soon things will be back to normal. Children may also tell you what helps them cope, such as music, activity or journaling. By being more active and engaged during the day, such as coloring, building things or exercising, there is less time to continue to think about the disappointments.
Making a New Normal
To help move forward, have your children participate in making the “new normal” for the next few weeks. Sit down together and make a new structure for home-based days. This can be setting mealtimes, schoolwork time and different fun activities and crafts for morning and afternoon. Children also do well with making days different such as having Monday is pasta night, Tuesday is movie night, Wednesday is sports day that can be consistent throughout the weeks you are home.
*A Blog by Pediatric Experts*
The following is a fun video about identifying and naming feelings/emotions:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akTRWJZMks0&t=311s
The following is a great activity to start dialogue with your child about their feelings.
PK3 with Mrs. Teri & Mrs. Bell
In PK3 students are being introduced to the alphabet. Here, they share their letter crafts.
Fun in Mrs. Coryer's Class
Mrs. Coryer's class has been very active during their lessons. One of their favorite activities from last week was going on a scavenger hunt to find different kinds of rocks with specific characteristics. Connor is pictured below with some of the items he found during his scavenger hunt.
Second Grade with Mrs. Eilers
From social distance visits to virtual meet play dates, Mrs. Eilers has one thing in mind...put a smile on their faces!
Elliot doing his part for Earth Day.
Second Grade with Mrs. LaPier
Jabob Rabideau sent his teacher, Mrs. LaPier this AWESOME pic for Teacher Appreciation week! It made her day!️
Third Grade BAZ with Mrs. Craig
Third grade student, Owen Russell, shares a picture of his recent BAZ activity. He created a fantastic origami dog using an activity on the Third Grade Padlet site. Stay creative, Owen!
Third Grade with Mrs. Mieles and Mrs. Boire
Fun Friday!
Fun Friday fun continues...Audrey shared her picture of her pet bearded dragon during our google meet on Friday.
Fun with Ms. Donahue!
Fourth Grade BAZ Fun!
This week, fourth graders completed BAZ activities with the Full Time Kid from PBS. Each day they logged on and completed an activity. You can check out the activities by clicking the links below.
https://ny.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/the-cup-game-fulltimekid/the-cup-game-fulltimekid/
Tuesday - 3 Easy Dance Moves:
https://ny.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/3-easy-dance-fulltimekid/3-easy-dance-fulltimekid/
Wednesday - Invisible Ink:
Thursday - Tic-Tac-Toe Hand Clap:
https://ny.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/tic-tac-toe-hand-fulltimekid/tic-tac-toe-hand-fulltimekid/
Fourth Grade with Mrs. Drasye
Students in Mrs. Drasye's class had "Fort Day" on Tuesday. They were challenged to build a fort and read in it.
Fifth Grade with Mrs. LaCroix
Fifth graders celebrated Earth Day in April by coming up with ways they can up-cycle items in their houses. Here are some examples of up-cycled products that students have created.
Rilyn
Rilyn made a jewelry box out of a cardboard box, wooden sticks, glitter and gems!
Bradley
Bradley made a bird feeder/house out of a milk jug. He added an opening in the side for the birds to make a birdhouse and a place on top to add birdseed. He hung it up with some yarn!
Ella
Ella made a new bracelet out of one of her old T-Shirts and an old bangle bracelet!
Julianna
Julianna made a bird feeder out of a toilet paper roll, peanut butter, bird seed, and string!
Kolin
Kolin made a box guitar out of a cereal box, paper towel tube, and rubber bands!
Alexis
Alexis made a flower pot out of a cashew container. She cleaned it, painted it, added soil and a flower!
LEGO Fun with Ms. Banker!
One of the challenges on the choice board is to build a LEGO creation from instructions. Shared below were the creations made by Carson, Ethan, Eli and Troy.
Art with Mrs. Wooster
The world always seems brighter when you've just made something that wasn't there before. "Neil Gaiman"
Thank you to all my students who have worked hard in digital art! I am very proud of all of the beautiful artwork that you keep sharing with me.
I miss you all so Much. Happy drawing everyone!
~ Mrs. Wooster
Technology with Miss Woodward
This week in Technology with Miss Woodward, students were asked to watch various science experiments and try out their favorite. Some students made a storm in a jar, clementine fizz, Skittles rainbows, paper hovercrafts, bubble machines, floating drawings, and more! Great job, Beekmantown Eagles, keep up the amazing work!
Million Minute Reading Challenge Update
Students can submit their reading totals here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSejkkecEWzG6TMkEvt-DUw7qQSmtLoHin41sPbDSQKhj0n5Dg/viewform?usp=sf_link.
5/6/20 Reading Challenge Updates:
Each grade level has read the number of minutes below!
PK3 & 4 - 17,993 minutes
Kingergarten - 28,863 minutes
First Grade - 9,125 minutes
Second Grade - 28,027 minutes
Third Grade - 23,975 minutes
Fourth Grade - 23,286 minutes
Fifth Grade - 79,749 minutes
Multi Age - 6090 minutes
A BIG BES SHOUT OUT to our TOP readers in each grade level listed below!!
Emma St. Hilaire (PK) - 1,660 minutes
Archer Rasco (K) - 2,525 minutes
Carter Bierman (1) - 2,590 minutes
Jerry Rasco (2) - 3,505 minutes
Keller Crucetti (3) - 2,100 minutes
Ryan DuBray (4) - 1,520 minutes
Makenna Eagan (5) - 8,810 minutes
Our students have read a total of 237,976 minutes that's 32,849 more than last time (and counting)! Great job, BES!!! Keep reading!
Teacher Appreciation Week ~ Thank You to All of Our Teachers!
- “A good teacher can inspire hope; ignite the imagination, and instill a love of learning.” – Brad Henry.
- “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.” – Henry Adams.
- “It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.” – Albert Einstein.
Yearbook Orders
There is still time to order your yearbook! If you are interested in ordering a yearbook, please send your child's information (first and last name, grade, and teacher's name) with the $12 (cash or check) payment to:
Beekmantown Elementary School
37 Eagle Way
West Chazy, NY 12992
*The PTO is purchasing yearbooks for all fifth graders. Checks can be made out to BES PTO.
*If you are unsure if you have ordered, we can check for you - email Candace at jock.candace@bcsdk12.org or Danielle at thew.danielle@bcsdk12.org.
Eagle Pride Shout Outs!
These 4th graders have been steady participants in Library and Music during our Online Learning: Ryan Dubray, Reilly Leach, Eli O’Neil, Reese Peryer, Jazlynne Rougier, Tyler Sand, Haylee Dickinson, Karson Giddings, Preston Cook, Ryan Abrams, Odin Atwood, Beverly Rea, Aiden Wyant, Madilyn Ventre, Dean Imhoff, Colbie Quinn, Nina Rivers & Chase Devins. Keep up the good work!! ~Ms. Banker & Ms. Wilson
Ms. Donahue is a good teacher because she is helpful ~ from Haley LaPorte
Regin Chambers, Rowan Roussy, and Jayden Buskey have been doing a wonderful job attending their google meets! I am so happy each time I get to see your smiling faces and say "Hi!" Keep up the good work! -Mrs. Hicks
These 5th graders that have been consistently logging in and participating in Library and Music during our Digital Learning: Rilyn Coupal, Makenna Eagan, Alyssa Frennier, Hailey Grizzle, Corban LaVarnway, Breanna Rato, Julianna Robinson, Julia Simpson & Peyton Stone, Kalley Denton, Breegin Eilers, Wyatt Lecuyer, Tobie Matott, Brooke Nephew, Bradley Seymour, Trevor Blair, Haley LaPorte, Hannah Thew, Mariah Clausen, Troy Finley, Alexis Goddeau, Claire Newell, Maeve Sample, Adelaide Burnham, Garett Hemingway, Addison Jewell, Emily Marro, Kolin Smart, Chloe Steady, Mason Carter, & Zandra Champagne-Brooks, Jaxson Forster, & Marissa Davison ~ Keep up the good work! ~Ms. Wilson & Ms. Banker
Happy Birthday to Our May Eagles!
Emily Marro, Alissa Rabideau, Karmyn Trombley, Aniya Powers, Bryce Thorne,
Ryan McClatchie, Jace Winnicki, Alyanna Cole, Matthew Miller, Wyatt Pytlak,
Blayne Giddings, Ezra Lewandowski, Desiray Dominy, Bradley Seymour, Bryn Brow,
Jace Ormsby, Marissa Davison, Breanna Rato, Maxmillion Gates, Iszabella Morrow,
Bailey Threlkeld, Jaxon Blazina, Rylin Coupal, Owen LaPier, Derek Waldron,
Violet Scott, Kayden Cugno, Ryleigh Deyo, Payten Kusalonis, Roxanne Whitney,
Nina Rivers, Owen St. Hilaire, Indiana DesRocher, Avery Palmer, Elliette Russell,
and Evan Fountain.
Positivity Project at BES
#otherpeoplematter@BES
How Can You Reach Us?
Parents, we know this is an uncertain time and we want you to know we are here for you! If you have any questions feel free to email us or give us a call!
Office:
Sarah Paquette - paquette.sarah@bcsdk12.org
Candace Jock - jock.candace@bcsdk12.org
Danielle Thew - thew.danielle@bcsdk12.org
Counseling:
Sarah Titherington - titherington.sarah@bcsdk12.org
Michele Lamontagne - lamontagne.michele@bcsdk12.org
Kim Bean - bean.kim@bcsdk12.org
Follow us on Facebook or check out our school web page:
www.facebook.com/beekmantownelementaryschoolgroup
Email: jock.candace@bcsdk12.org
Website: bes.bcsdk12.org
Location: 37 Eagle Way, West Chazy, NY 12992
Phone: 518-563-8035
Facebook: facebook.com/beekmantownelementaryschool