MKES Bulletin
April 2020
From the Principal's Pen
Dear MKES,
I don’t know about you but it feels like we have packed a year into just a couple of weeks. I am so grateful for your patience and your partnership as we distributed materials and ensured remote learning got up and running for our learners. It’s also incredibly heartening and gratifying to see the pictures of your children learning at home. Please continue to share those! If you have a question for your teacher, email and they will get back to you.
By now you have read Dr. Adelberg’s email and the news, schools throughout New York State are ordered closed until April 15th by Governor Cuomo. He will reassess the state of affairs at that time and determine if schools can reopen or remain closed. Distance Learning will continue until then and we will ensure that your child and his/her learning remain our number one priority.
- Week of April 6-10: As you are aware, distance learning will continue during the week of April 6th. Elementary teachers will be sending you assignments for your child to complete during the week. Teachers will also inform you of their availability in order to respond to emails, answer questions, and clarify assignments. We will not be holding video conferences with students during this time. We recognize and respect that some families will be celebrating a holiday during this time.
Field Trips: Since we have been informed that we will be out of school until at least April 15th, the District has canceled all field trips that were scheduled through the end of May. They will hold off, for now, on making any decisions regarding field trips in June. The following field trips have been canceled:
2nd Grade Trip to Westmoreland Sanctuary (4/23 & 4/30)
4th Grade Trip to Ropes Course (5/1)
3rd Grade Trip to Ridgefield Playhouse (5/12)
4th Grade Trip to Bedford Historical Society (5/19)
2nd Grade Trip to Ridgefield Playhouse (5/19)
5th Grade Trip to Broadway (5/27)
1st Grade Trip to Westmoreland Sanctuary (5/28 & 5/29)
New Learning: With the extended closure, our teachers are gearing up for Phase II of distance learning which will incorporate new instruction. While we cannot replicate the classroom environment virtually, we will do our best to recreate mini-lessons that include modeling and demonstration of new skills and strategies for students to practice independently at home. New instruction will begin during the week of April 13th. Each day, students across BCSD elementary schools are expected to complete:
One assignment daily in reading, writing, and math.
One science activity weekly.
Social Studies will be integrated through reading and writing assignments.
Specials (Art, Music, PE) activities are posted on our school/department websites. Students should engage in at least one specials activity daily.
- Attendance: At this time, we are requesting that parents notify the school if their child will be “absent” and unable to participate in distance learning for the day. Please send an email to Laurie Clark at lclark2407@bcsdny.org by 10:00 AM. Please include your child’s name, teacher, and the reason for the absence. If we do not hear from a parent, we will consider the student in attendance for the day. We will only mark students absent if the parent notifies us that he/she will not participate on a given day. We will notify parents of any changes to this practice if we receive different information from the New York State Department of Education.
- Wellness Checks: You should continue to expect a weekly “wellness check” phone call from a MKES faculty or staff member. Again, the purpose of this call is to make sure our MKES families have food to eat, can access technology if needed, and address any questions you might have.
- Technology Help Desk: Our technology department is available to assist you if you need any technical assistance. Parents and students can receive support with hardware by clicking on the Technology Help Form, which is also located on our MKES Distance Learning webpage.
The circumstances brought on by COVID-19 have been devastating, and children and adults alike may be wondering how to handle big feelings and big questions. I shared a few resources on my Google site that are designed to support children and families to build healthy habits and respond to the challenges of social distancing that have significantly changed normal routines.
Parents, it’s tough to be your best in caring for your children, caring for yourself, and managing the responsibilities of home and work. In this difficult time it is so important that you find ways to tend to your own emotional needs and manage stress. Please reach out to me if there’s anything I can do to help in any way during this time.
NYS Exams
All NYS assessments (Grades 3-8) have now been suspended for the rest of the school year, including the state English Language Arts Test, the state Mathematics Test, Grade 4 and Grade 8 state science tests, the New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test (NYSESLAT) in Grades K-12, and the New York State Alternate Assessment (NYSAA) for students with severe cognitive disabilities in Grades 3-8 and high school. We are working to reimagine our year long assessment calendar and will share more information with you as we have it.
Aramark Grab-n-Go Meals
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Aramark will distribute Grab-n-Go meals at MKES. Families can pick up two day's worth of meals (two breakfast and two lunch meals) on Monday and Wednesday and one day’s worth of meals (one breakfast and one lunch) on Friday for each BCSD student between the hours of 10:00am and 1:00pm.
Basic Health Reminder
It is hard to focus on anything but immediate needs with a global pandemic swirling around us. Our hearts go out to all those who have already had their health affected, and we know that the economic impact has the potential to be enormous. As more positive cases are identified across the region and even within our community, we know that anxiety and questions, like “should I get tested?”, will continue to rise. Follow the advice of state health agencies: If you have been exposed to COVID‑19 and you develop a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider for medical advice.
I am hoping that you and your families are safe, healthy, and well.
With Kindness,
Inas
Spring is Blossoming in Kindergarten!
Kindergarten loves reading! During the first week of March, Kindergarten celebrated Dr. Suess’ birthday! We learned all about Dr. Suess as an author and read many of his silly books. We learned that he loves to use rhyming words and likes to make up imaginative characters! I know we couldn’t celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in school, however we hope you were able to make the green Louie the leprechaun craft at home. Spring has Sprung! As it gets warmer outside, try to play games in your backyard or go on a walk around your neighborhood. Do you see flowers blooming? Are leaves becoming greener? Do you hear birds chirping? This is what happens in Spring! We all miss you very much and hope to see you soon!
First Grade
Thank you so much for joining our Google Classroom. Keep checking it daily for our morning messages and class assignments. Be sure to check out the teacher read alouds read by your very own teachers! We are grateful for all your support over the last few weeks. We miss your children very much and we hope that you continue to stay well.
Thinking of You Second Grade!
The second grade teachers miss their students! We are sad that we can’t see our amazing students at this time, but please know that they are in our thoughts and our hearts and we’re here for you for any need. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your teacher if you need us.
These have certainly been unprecedented times for everyone. We hope that your family is safe, healthy, and taking the necessary measures to practice social distancing. Please prioritize taking care of your family first.
After speaking to the families there is a universal message of love and support. Many families have created routines and schedules to simulate school at home! Amazing job! By keeping your child engaged and active in his/her school work, you are maintaining a routine and structure that serves to be comforting during these unsettling times.
Please know that we are thinking of you and your child and that we’re here for you.
Distance Learning in Third Grade
The third grade team has been working hard to help third graders adjust to distance learning. We are hoping that your children are beginning to get acclimated to using the computer to access the google classroom and are feeling more comfortable with some of the programs we have asked them to work within.
Please ensure that your child has time set aside each day to log on to the computer. Your child should access the Google Classroom in the language of the day. If your child can log in and answer the question of the day by 10 am that would be helpful to us so that we can take attendance.
It is important that your child read any notes from the teacher and follow the directions.
Teachers are able to see if your child has been in the classroom only if they have completed work and remembered to “Turn In”.
In an effort to streamline our work with your children we are going to a consistent schedule. Starting April 13th and for the duration of our distance learning the following will take place.
Monday and Wednesday
- Emeralds and Pearls will participate in their Spanish Classrooms
- Sapphires and Diamonds will participate in their English Classrooms
Tuesday and Thursday
- Emeralds and Pearls will participate in their English Classrooms
- Sapphires and Diamonds will participate in their Spanish Classrooms
Fridays will be bilingual days
Students
- Will finish any work not completed.
- Students can request a meeting with teachers for assistance with an assignment.
- Students will read to build stamina
- Students will be assigned to work on math facts
- Students will be given a suggestion of interesting sites to explore
Teachers
- Will have office hours to meet with students who may need assistance completing an assignment.
- Will contact students about assignments.
We thank you for all that you are doing at home to help your children adjust to this new way of learning.
Fourth Graders Learn About Angles, Shapes, and Geometry
The fourth grade students have been learning about many geometry concepts. They learned to use protractors to draw and measure acute, obtuse and right angles. The students can also recognize a variety of polygons and are able to identify the attributes of each one. They also learned about lines of symmetry in polygons and other figures. All of the fourth graders have learned to calculate the area and perimeter of rectangles, as well as composite figures. Lastly, they studied parallel, intersecting, and perpendicular lines. As always, we are proud of their hard work and impressed with all of the new mathematical vocabulary they have learned.
What’s News in 5th Grade?
It’s hard to believe how quickly things have changed in such a short period of time. As all of you know, our students have transitioned to online learning this month due to the COVID-19 crisis. We deeply miss our daily interactions with our fifth graders. We miss their thoughtful ideas, laughter, and even their mischievous moments. We hope that we will all be together again soon. Most importantly though, we hope that our fifth graders and their families are safe and healthy.
As our students continue to learn online, please help them by making sure that your child is:
- Eating balanced meals and exercising regularly to stay healthy.
- Getting a good night’s sleep each night.
- Accessing the updated daily learning and activity lists on the Google Classroom each day.
- Watching all videos posted, as these are designed to help with the assignments.
- Completing online activities and assignments each day.
- Reaching out to us via email or Google Meet with questions or concerns.
- Trying not to stress - we know these times are challenging.
- Relaxing and trying his or her best.
Thank you for your support! As always, please reach out to us with any questions or concerns. We wish you and your family health and peacefulness in these unprecedented times.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Ms. Desiree Beriguete - dberiguete3717@bcsdny.org
Ms. Elizabeth Condon-Kim – econdonkim1772@bcsdny.org
Ms. Michele Nigro – mscarpellinigro1998@bcsdny.org
Ms. Madelyn Ortiz - mortiz1728@bcsdny.org
Main Office – 914.666.2677
MKES Yearbook - Order Now!!
Order your 2019-20 MKES Yearbook today!
The yearbook is filled with pictures of all grades and school events. It's a full color, softcover bound book and a great way to remember a wonderful and especially memorable school year!
Also popular are Tribute Ads for congratulating your student(s) &/or thanking favorite staff members! To order:
Go to www.yearbookordercenter.com
Find MKES by name or by
Order #20958
Yearbook cost: $30
Yearbook Ad costs: based on Ad size (see flyer or online with details)
Need more information? Click here for the flyer with more details.
Important Note: Each 5th Grade Student receives one FREE yearbook so no need to order one unless you want an extra. Tribute Ads can be purchased online.
And finally:
We could really use your help now to add some wonderful pictures to the yearbook since recent events have resulted in canceled school activities. For example, in place of the International Dinner, do you have a great picture of your family enjoying dinner together, well send it to us for the yearbook. Or what about a fun photo of your student distance learning or even a family dance party (in place of the Dance-a-thon)? Well those would be great additions to your students grade pages. Send those photos as soon as possible to Jessica Rappaport at jrappaport@gmail.com.
Questions? Contact Ann MacDonald at (917) 376-0652 or amacd@mac.com.
Thinking of Everyone During this Challenging Time!
Actions we can take to keep healthy:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
- Cover your cough with tissues or crook of your elbow.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, mouth, and face.
- Do not share common-use items such as cups and utensils. (Hot soapy water to clean between use).
- Keep home/personal spaces clean and disinfect common surfaces/items such as cell phones, screens. (isopropyl alcohol works as a sanitizer)
- Healthy diet.
- Increase your fluid intake, drink water.
- Get rest.
- 6 feet distance from contact with casual acquaintances (no handshakes/hugs).
- Follow the stay at home policy of your community leaders; PAUSE !
- When outdoors for exercise, no contact sports and avoid populated areas (6 ft distancing).
- Open windows for ventilation with good weather.
- If you feel sick, self-isolate at home and call your doctor’s office.
- Avoid contact with sick people.
Tips to Manage Stress while at home together:
- Model good behavior, self-care, and positive thinking.
- Encourage your child to talk about their worries.
Monitor what they see and hear. If your child says that he or she is worried or scared, validate your child's experience by saying things like, "Yes, you seem scared. What are you worried about?" Then have a discussion about your child's emotions and fears.
- Good Nutrition
Start the day with a healthy breakfast, nutritious snacks and drink water often to hydrate. Cooking and baking together can be a fun learning activity- science, math, and creativity all come into practice!
- Get Rest- make sleep schedules a priority, limit screen time.
Set a bedtime for your child and have a 30-minute bedtime routine that is done every night. This helps your child to transition from the activities of the day to the relaxed state necessary to fall asleep.
- Stay calm
Children of all ages look to their parents to determine how to react in situations. If you are anxious, your child will pick up on that and experience an increase in his/her own anxiety.
- Practice relaxation together
Ms. Morsi-Hogans has led our students in Mindful Breathing at the start of each school day. Your child can help lead your family at home with this relaxing exercise.
- Make time for play and physical activity.
Combine play with physical activity, which is critical for well-being. Some suggestions include riding your bikes, walking and hiking. Spend time together with imaginative play.
Thank you to all the people who are providing the Essential Services while we PAUSE!! Be Safe and Be Well!!
Supporting our Children During the Coronavirus Crisis
By Caryn DaLoia and Ray Zirkel, MKES Clinicians
As schools and workplaces close to prevent the spread of the new Coronavirus, parents are struggling to keep their children healthy and occupied. You are not alone.
Here are some tips from the CHILD MIND INSTITUTE clinicians to help calm fears and manage stress.
- Manage your own anxiety. It is completely understandable to be anxious right now. Many folks are worried about the health of their families and losing their jobs and not being able to pay the rent. But how we manage that anxiety will have a big impact on our children. If you are feeling overwhelmed, step away, take a break, take a few deep breaths, take a shower and try to avoid talking about your worries in front of your children.
- Limit TV time where news of the virus can often feed anxiety.
- Check in with your children. Children may be feeling unsettled with the change in their routine. Children who are tantruming or acting out more than usual may actually be feeling anxious. Try and calmly ask how they are feeling and respond to outbursts in a calm, comforting way.
- Keep kids in the loop but keep it simple. They do not need to know every little detail about the virus.
- Keep it positive. Remind children that this time of remaining in the home is needed at this time but will change and we will be back in school and visiting families and friends soon.
- Keep routines in place. Setting and sticking to a regular schedule is important. Consistency and structure are calming during times of stress. Children (and adults) should get up, eat and go to bed at their normal times. It may help to have a schedule for every day that is reviewed in the morning. This may help with transitions and head off meltdowns.
- Be creative about new activities and exercise. Have family game time in the evening. Work together on a puzzle. Cook together. Take a family walk or bike ride without contact with other children. Engage in arts and crafts activities or science projects.
- Make plans. Engage your children in discussions about virtual playdates and fun family activities.
- Accept and ask for help. Give your children age appropriate jobs such as setting the table or taking out the trash, picking up their toys etc. Working as a team will help your whole family stay busy and make sure no one person is overwhelmed.
If you have questions or concerns please reach out to our MKES Clinicians:
Caryn DaLoia LCSW.
Raymond Zirkel Psy.D
What to Expect at an Annual Review Meeting
If your child has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), you should expect to have an annual meeting. At this annual meeting, parent/guardian, teachers, and service providers come together to discuss your child’s current support services, goals, and progress. Parent/guardian, teachers, and service providers will take turns to talk about your child’s progress, strengths, and weaknesses. Then we will discuss recommendations for next year as we draft a new IEP. Everyone will contribute to the child’s needs, goals, accommodations, and modifications. A copy of the IEP will be mailed to your home for your review. You will then be asked to sign and return a consent. The IEP will guide teachers and service providers for the upcoming year.
Tips for parent/guardian: Review current IEP, Progress Reports, and Report Cards before your meeting.
Be prepared to share your insights about your child’s strengths, interests, and progress.
Create a list of questions and or concerns.
Ask your child about his/her day. For example, “What’s going well in school?”
HELPFUL TIPS: Managing School, Work, and Stressful Times at Home
By the ESOL / Bilingual Teachers
During this unique time with students and families staying and working from home, there are strategies that we can all use to support each other and ourselves.
Strategy 1: Breathing
There is a simple activity that we can ALL do to help ourselves relax when feeling overwhelmed or stressed. That strategy is simply to stop and focus on our breathing. Our students have been practicing this strategy since the beginning of the year, when they are gathered in the gym at the beginning of the day, as well as in many of their classrooms. All you need to do is STOP whatever you are doing, wherever you are, and BREATHE! There is no right or wrong way to do so. Take a deep breathe IN and hold for a few seconds, and then LET GO of that breathe. IN and OUT. Even one minute of deep breathing can relax you! However, as you become more comfortable with the process, you can try to breath deeply for two, three, four, or five minutes. TRY IT! It works! Anytime, you feel stressed or need to relax, breathing deeply can help! Here are 2 free apps you can check out: Breathwrk and Calm.
Strategy 2: Setting a Routine
Another strategy that is helpful during this time of staying home, is to establish a set routine for yourself and your family. For example, stick with the SAME time to go to bed and get up every day. Prepare and have your meals together at a set time if possible. Have a designated space for your child/children to complete their distance learning every day. While we all have to be flexible, setting a routine is comforting for children (and adults)!
Strategy 3: Exercise
All of the students’ teachers are suggesting that our students find times in the day to move their bodies. On many of your children’s google classrooms, suggestions for PE activities are provided. The PE teachers have their own link (below) with suggestions as well. Students will learn better and stay healthier if they get up and move in between activities that they are completing on the computer or sitting still. If possible, take a walk together to get fresh air. Movement is helpful for all!
https://sites.google.com/bcsdny.org/bcsdelementarype/home
We hope that you will try any or all of these strategies to help manage your emotions and stay healthy during this challenging time: Breathe, set routines, and exercise!
The Benefits of Reading Aloud
By: Donna Furphy and Tara Caglione, Speech/Language Specialists
Reading aloud to your child is one of the easiest ways to build language and literacy skills. As you read favorite books to your child, take a moment to talk about new or novel vocabulary, identify rhyming words, make predictions and ask questions. You can support important literacy concepts developed in the classroom by talking about interesting characters and where the story takes place. You can help your child figure out the main idea and make predictions about the ending. Your child will also benefit from hearing fluent, expressive reading. Whichever language you read in, reading aloud provides enormous benefits. Many authors have interactive websites that include book lists and activities. Visit Jan Brett at www.janbrett.com, Eric Carle at www.eric-carle.com or Dr. Seuss at www.Seussville.com for books and activities to support literacy, listening, speaking and language development. Have fun reading and talking about books.
Sports Section
By John DelFavero, Craig Henley, and Melissa Ponzio, Physical Education Teachers
We hope that all of our students and families are staying healthy and safe! We miss teaching our Kisco kids in PE classes! Hopefully everyone has had an opportunity to log into our PE Google website listed below:
https://sites.google.com/bcsdny.org/bcsdelementarype/home
The site includes daily PE activities to enjoy with your families, daily fitness calendars, Yoga and mindfulness videos, and a variety of other fitness resources. Please visit the site and exercise every day!
Basketball and Yoga were the theme in PE classes during March. Our students learned a variety of breathing techniques, Yoga poses, and mindfulness relaxation exercises in the Wellness Center. The Yoga unit was a big hit!
Students also participated in a variety of basketball activities that helped them develop the fundamental skills of the game. Students learned about offensive and defensive concepts and played in a variety of fun lead up basketball games.
Our Kindergarten, First, and Second Graders participated in the following activities during PE classes:
- Basketball dribbling, passing, and shooting skills.
- Modified basketball games.
- Fitness and motor coordination stations.
- Nutrition and hygiene discussions.
Our Third, Fourth, and Fifth Graders participated in the following activities during PE classes:
- Basketball dribbling, passing, and shooting skills.
- Basketball activities that focus on offensive and defensive strategies.
- Modified basketball games.
- Yoga in the Wellness Center.
- Nutrition and hygiene discussions.
We would like to thank MKESA for purchasing a wonderful new banner for our school. Thank You MKESA!!
Keeping the Creative Juices Flowing
By: Sheri Brown, Nicole Goodrow
Ms. Brown and Ms. Goodrow post ideas and inspirations each week into each grade level MKES Art Google classroom to encourage all of our young artists. The regular classroom teachers have generously agreed to link the MKES Art classrooms into their Google classroom. Your art teachers take into consideration that most households are not equipped like the art studio in the school. This is a good time to get creative and use resources that are sometimes overlooked. It is wonderful to see photos of completed artwork and short videos of artists talking about how they made their artwork. Besides Ms. Brown and Ms. Goodrow being able to comment, classmates are also able to post their comments. Please encourage your children to check the MKES Art Room Google Classroom so we can all work on keeping the creative juices flowing during this challenging time!
Musical Minute
By Carolyn Rowan, MKES Music Teacher
Hello MKES families and young musicians. The MKES Music Department and I hope you are happy and well. While we can’t make music together at school, there are many ways that you can continue to build your music skills at home. You can still be practicing your band and string instruments and communicating with Ms DiGrandi and Mrs Landers, our string teacher while Mrs Ring is on maternity leave. Grades three through five have been invited to grade level music google classrooms where they can check in with me, Mrs Rowan. I want to hear from you, even if it’s just a hello. I miss you all. Third grade should look on the music Google Classroom on Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday for a link to live recorder lessons with me at 11 am on those days. Pop in and play some tunes with me.
Below is a link for our new, up and running MKES online music website. Here you will find a lesson per grade level each week that will help maintain the skills that we have learned in the music classroom. There is also a page loaded with fun choice activities that should spark our young musicians’ creativity.
These lessons are not meant to create stress for families. If you are overwhelmed by working at home and distance learning, no worries. The music lessons are there for you but are not mandatory. They are created for our students to be independently working on them, but I completely understand how the technology piece becomes challenging. We are all in this together, and I want your children to be happy and not stressed.
We are all going through a very challenging time, and I believe that music can be a wonderful diversion from everything right now. Please look for a page on our music website called “Family” after vacation. Here you will find songs to sing together as a family. I welcome requests! A family that sings together experiences joy together.
Please do not hesitate to email me with questions, comments or song requests at:
Be well, be safe and happy, #music is life
Mrs. Rowan
Music website:
Band with Ms. Di Grandi
4th and 5th grade band members:
Please make sure to check out the Band Google Classroom for your grade! Copies of music, video lessons, assignments, and other resources will be posted weekly! It is a great way for you to continue your instrumental studies and keep in touch during this time.
Here are some useful practice strategies to guide your work at home:
It is essential to practice at home! It is best to practice at least 3 times a week for at least 20 minutes at a time.
Here are a few warm up exercises your child can do at home at the start of their practice:
- Playing long tones strengthen the muscles in the mouth to remember how to play the note (very important for trumpet and low brass students!)
2. Play each note that you have learned as whole notes, then half notes, then quarter notes.
3. Review the fingering for each note that you have learned and practice moving your fingers to the different notes.
Here are a few practice strategies your child can use at home if they find something difficult in the music:
- Set a small goal – practice two measures at a time before playing an entire section.
- Sing the letter names while moving your fingers on the instrument to the correct note.
- Clap the rhythm.
- Repeat, repeat, repeat!! Consistent repetition is one of the best ways you can practice.