Diven Elementary Parent Newsletter
The Diven "Dish" February 2024
Our Vision
Diven is a joyful team of scholars, families, and community members. We encourage and support each other to achieve excellence while learning and growing to make our world a better place.
Breaking News!
Please note the Date/Time for our monthly Diven DSO (Diven School Organization) Meeting will be Friday, February 16, 2024 at 9:15am.
All are welcome and we hope you are able to attend!
Welcome February!
February is upon us and we are excited for all our events this month. Not only will we continue to learn, of course, but we will also have guest readers and our daily share of exceptional black men and women leaders to celebrate Black History Month, our 100 day celebration, Valentine's Day and our Healthy Dolphin, Happy Dolphin week at the end of the month! So much going on!
Please join me in recognizing Mr. Mastronardi as we celebrate National School Counseling Week from February 5-9. Mr. Mastronardi provides lessons to every classroom once a month, meets with students individually and in groups to provide positive school behavior strategies, and reaches out to families in times of need. He is an asset to the Diven community and we applaud his efforts!
We thank Mrs. Rawleigh, our Music teacher, for putting together Winter Kindergarten Music Programs for each of our five K classes. If your student is in K, please check your Wednesday folder or reach out to your child's teacher for the date and time of the performance. These performances will take place during the day.
We will celebrate 100 Days of School and Valentine's Day on February 14th (unless we have another snow day between now and then). Please check in with your child's class DoJo and pay attention to any communication from your child's teacher to stay up-to-date on these events.
Healthy Dolphin, Happy Dolphin Week will be at the end of the month with a week of events that focus on nutrition, physical activity, water intake and ways to keep your mind and body healthy. Additional information will be forthcoming but keep Tuesday, February 27th from 6-7 for Open Gym Night for the whole family. Come out and play with us!
Here is the February calendar:
Week of February 4 - National School Counseling Week - Thank you to Mr. Mastronardi!
February 14 - 100 Days of School
February 16 - Popcorn Friday - Popcorn will be free for students, however monetary donations are welcomed!
February 16 - DSO Meeting at 9:15am
February 17 - Diven Hockey Night at First Arena (game starts at 6:07pm) - see attached flyer for ticket information
February 19 - President's Day - No School
February 20-23 Mid-Winter Recess - No School
February 26-March 1 - Healthy Dolphin, Happy Dolphin Week - look for upcoming information on daily events
We hope you have a great mid-winter recess with your family!
Please check out the below features in the rest of the "Dish."
Mrs. Legare
The Dolphin Way
At Diven Elementary School, I respect myself, others, and my environment,
by listening, helping and caring.
I am responsible for what I say and do.
I believe in myself and my ability to do my best, all the time.
Celebrating Black History Month
During the month of February, Diven will celebrate Black History Month, by highlighting an exceptional man or bold woman from history. Each day on the morning announcements, Mrs. Legare will share some information about the designated person. During the day, each classroom teacher will share information about the person from one of two books that each classroom has in their classroom library: Little Leaders Exceptional Men in Black History or Little Leaders Bold Women in Black History. Additionally, a short video clip of the person will be shown to the class that summarizes the person’s significant contributions to our history and who have shown grit, passion, and courage.
We hope you will follow along with us at home as we learn about these leaders’ important contributions to our lives, our history, and our society. These Americans embody the Super Hero Words we have learned and practiced each month so far: responsibility, kindness, gratitude, generosity, courage and compassion. We all continue to be learners each day and are inspired by these exceptional men and bold women
Staff Spotlight
This month we are highlighting our Kindergarten Team! Teachers were asked what they love about working at Diven and/or what they enjoy doing outside of school.
Mrs. Evens and Mrs. Redner
Mrs. Evens - "I love to read! I enjoy spending time with my family, my husband and children, along with my 4 grandchildren. I also enjoy spending time with my two dogs, Patsy and Daisy Mae."
Mrs. Ripley and Mrs. Kelly
Mrs. Ripley - "I absolutely adore being a part of Diven. I love the students and am so grateful for my colleagues. Together, we dedicate ourselves to fostering a passion for education and a love of learning."
Mrs. Harnish and Mrs. Garrison
Mrs. Harnish likes to read, play with her two little puppies, play board games with her family, and go on walks.
Mrs. Garrison likes to crochet, take care of her plants, and spend time with her family.
Mrs. Winsor and Mrs. Squires
Mrs. Winsor enjoys spending time with her family and her dog. She loves working out at Journey fitness, gardening, and landscaping.
Mrs. Squires enjoys spending time with her family and taking care of her great grandchildren. She loves her dogs and horses!
Mrs. Beam and Ms. LeValley
When she is not at Diven, Mrs. Beam enjoys shopping and drinking Diet Pepsi.
Community Foundation Classroom Visits
On two days in January, Caitlin McConville from the Community Foundation visited our 1st and 2nd grade classrooms for a brief presentation centered around the idea of Philanthropy. Students learned to identify "wants" versus "needs" and were able to vote on a local community agency to be the recipient of a $100 grant from the Community Foundation. We thank Ms. McConville for her visit and our students definitely enjoyed their chance to be "Philanthropists" and help our community!
Join us for a fun Hockey Night!
Open Gym Night - we hope you will join us!
Parent Volunteer Opportunities!
Book Fair Volunteer Signup
SUPER POWER WORD OF THE MONTH FOR FEBRUARY
Grit
Don't Forget ...
- Please report phone number and addresses changes immediately to the Diven Main Office (735-3701)
- It's very important that we have up-to-date phone numbers for parents and emergency contacts.
- Students should not be dropped off before 7:45 a.m.
- Breakfast is available starting at 7:45 a.m.
- The tardy bell is at 8:15 a.m. If your child arrives after this time him/her must report to the main office to get a tardy pass and the student attendance will be marked as tardy to school.
Early Dismissal on ALL Wednesdays is at 1:45 p.m.
Upcoming Events...
Week of February 4 - National School Counseling Week - Thank you to Mr. Mastronardi!
February 14 - 100 Days of School
February 14 - Valentine's Day
February 16 - Popcorn Friday - Popcorn will be free for students, however monetary donations are welcomed!
February 16 - DSO Meeting at 9:15am
February 17 - Diven Hockey Night at First Arena (game starts at 6:07pm) - see attached flyer for ticket information
February 19 - President's Day - No School
February 20-23 Mid-Winter Recess - No School
February 26-March 1 - Healthy Dolphin, Happy Dolphin Week
Attendance: we can help!
Super Power Word of the Month Reflection
COVID Protocols
Special Area Corner
Here's a little about what we will be working on in our Specials during the month of February:
Physical Education:
In February, we will be working on our “lawn games” unit. We will be participating in a modified corn hole game and a modified KanJam game. The goal is to continue working on manipulative skills, such as, underhand throwing, and learning how to throw a frisbee so all students are able to play these games outside of school!
Music Notes for February 2024:
Each Kindergarten class will have their Winter Program either on February 12th or February 15th! They are looking forward to singing their penguin and snowman songs for their families! After their program, they will start some “Mallet Madness” which they will continue into March!
Pre-K, First and Second Grades will be continuing their “Mallet Madness” unit in February. We’re creating some fun ‘sound pictures’ for several picture books that we’re reading! The sound pictures include using mallets and other small classroom instruments.
Library:
February is a very busy month in the library! We will be discussing/reading about/doing activities for four fun and educational topics! We will begin with Groundhog Day, followed by Valentine’s Day, Black History Month, and President’s Day!
Technology:
The students have been very busy this year learning about how the computer works, using a mouse to move things on the screen (drag and drop), using a mouse to highlight more than one thing, and to double click an object on the screen. Some have also learned how to use their keyboard to delete something and replace it. Students have also been learning how to be good digital citizens when online. They have learned what to do if they encounter a cyberbully and how to be safe online by using usernames and not giving anyone any personal information about themselves. Lessons regarding computer rules and what being online truly means as well as some computer fundamentals and more about cyberbullying are upcoming next month.
School Counselor Newsletter
Link to Diven's Trout Cam:
Express Cart Food Program - Please be on the lookout each week for this information!
“The Express Cart is a food program offered to all district families. Each week a flier with a link/information will be sent to all Diven families in Wednesday folders and through the DOJO or REMIND apps. All orders each week need to be picked up at Elmira High School. Please take advantage of this great opportunity.”
Note About Winter Coats
DSO Corner
Thank you to everyone who supported the DSO's Red Robin fundraiser held on January 25th. We had a total of $1638 in sales, with $327 of that coming back to the DSO! These monies will help us fund upcoming activities such as Staff Appreciation Week and Splash Bash.
Diven Elementary School
Email: jlegare@elmiracityschools.com
Website: www.elmiracityschools.com
Location: 1115 Hall Street, Elmira, NY, USA
Phone: 607-735-3701
Twitter: @ECSD_Schools
Our Vision
Diven is a joyful team of scholars, families, and community members. We encourage and support each other to achieve excellence while learning and growing to make our world a better place.
We Believe
· We believe that student head and heart learning is our "why."
· We believe that all students are learners and everyone can grow with purposeful and individualized strategic instruction over time.
· We believe that collaboration with family and community members lead to better teaching, better student learning, and better outcomes for every learner.
· We believe we are stronger and smarter together.
· We believe that every scholar should experience a consistent, high quality learning system.
· We believe that open and respectful dialogue is critical to mutual trust and success.
· We believe that success comes from hard work and perseverance.
· We believe a growth mindset helps us embrace change with enthusiasm, energy and effort.
· We believe that everyone does the best they can in the moment they are doing it. We learn and grow from our daily experiences.