Connors School Scoop
November 24th, 2021
Happy Thanksgiving to our Connors Koala Family!
Happy Chanukah to all of our Connors Families Celebrating Chanukah!
Wonderful Thanksgiving Basket Turkey Deliveries!
Dear Connors Families,
I would like to take this time to wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with your families. We also want to wish a Happy Chanukah to all of our Connors Families celebrating Chanukah.
During this time of year, we reflect on things we are most grateful for. We have certainly been through some challenges together since Covid started, but I am reminded of how sincerely grateful I am for the support of the Connors community. I am grateful to all of our students who come to school each day, ready to learn. I am grateful to our dedicated teachers, who teach with their full hearts! I am grateful to our Connors families, who go above and beyond to support our educational program. I am so grateful to our entire Connors Community.
Thank you to our Connors PTO!
Our Connors PTO is absolutely incredible. Fourteen Thanksgiving baskets filled with stuffing, gravy, canned vegetables, muffin mix, fresh carrots, potatoes, salad dressing, pudding, juice, hot chocolate, coffee, decorations and turkeys were packed and delivered and shared with Hoboken families! Thank you to the most amazing PTO!! We are so grateful for you!
Below is important information regarding our upcoming events:
E-STEM Competition
Calling all 4th and 5th Graders! NJIT's Center for Pre-College Programs is proud to announce its 2nd annual elementary STEM competition. The focus of the challenge will be on engineering and design. It will feature a "renewable energy theme" that student teams will have to solve using the Engineering Design Process. Student teams will design, build, and demonstrate (present) their working models. Teams will be assigned an NJIT Student Mentor that will meet with the team on a weekly basis for 6 weeks prior to the competition to answer questions regarding rules and logistics and to provide overall guidance. If your 4th and 5th grader would like to join the E-STEM competition, please fill out the Google Form below. Two students from 4th grade and two students from 5th grade will randomly be selected.
https://forms.gle/dsuHWNY5PT1uEVcc7
Strings
Are you interested in learning a stringed instrument? Any 4th and 5th grade student is welcome to join! Would like the opportunity to learn to play the violin? If you are interested please complete this form with your parent(s)/Guardian(s) today.Our small group lesson times will happen during the morning before school and times/days are to be determined. This form is simply to gauge interest and if we have enough students who wish to play violin, we will plan for next steps in rolling out our Strings program.
https://forms.gle/UXmEEwHM6z1Cx6v48
Connors School Book Fair
Our Connors School Book Fair with Little City Books will be open from November 8th through November 30th. Please use the code CONNORS when making your purchase and Little City will donate 20% of the sales to our school. You can use this link to purchase online, or you can buy in person at either store location. Online orders can be shipped to your home address. If you order online, shipping takes a few days for common books and up to 10 days for less common books.
Little City Books Downtown
1st and Bloomfield (100 Bloomfield)
Little City Books Uptown
14th and Adams (1401 Adams at Bwè Cafe)
Not sure what to buy? Little City has created book lists for you. Want to give money for books and learning materials directly to your child's classroom? You can send gift certificates to your child's teacher. There will be more exciting book lists coming, so keep an eye on this space. Even though the store is local, purchases can be shipped anywhere. So do your holiday shopping while supporting Connors and a local business at the same time!
Visit: www.littlecitybooks.com/connors-school-book-fair
Governor's Educator of the Year:
Do you know a classroom teacher or educational services professional who is dedicated, inspiring, and making a difference? If so, please take the time to recommend this person for the Governor's Educator of the Year Program by completing this nomination form template and returning it to Principal Addi by November 30th. Administrators, staff members, students, parents and community members are encouraged to participate. Paper copies of the nomination forms were sent home with each child in their book bag. You can also access the nomination form by clicking the following link:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/18tAVAh7sMN8oDl7C_XBccM5uABF7URlC/view?usp=sharing
Each candidate will be scored based on the criteria below:
- Serves as an exceptionally skilled and dedicated educator in a public or charter school;
- Inspires students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn;
- Demonstrates leadership and innovation in and outside the classroom;
- Has the respect and admiration of students, parents, administrators and colleagues; and
- Plays an active role in the community as well as the school.
Please send your nomination form to Principal Addi by November 30th. We have a nomination box in the main office as well.
Connors Elementary "Families Helping Families" Donation Drive
In partnership with the Hoboken Food Pantry, Connors Elementary School will be participating in the "Families Helping Families" Donation Drive. This donation drive provides non-food and baby necessities to more than 200 households per month. Please donate diapers, wipes, formula, baby food, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, body wash, lotion, razors, shaving cream, hand soap, sanitizer, adult diapers, period products, and pet products. They accept partial and opened sleaves of diapers. All other products must be donated sealed and unused. For more information, email hobokenfoodpantry@gmail.com. We will have a donation box at Connors next to the security desk. The donation drive will run from November 29th-December 3rd. Please see the flyer below:
Our Connors School Scoop also includes:
- Covid Testing Guidelines Reminder (Travel and Large Gatherings)
- Connors Basketball Team Sign-Ups
- PTO Thanksgiving Baskets
- Kids Character Awards
- Special Education Parent Advocacy Group Gathering Schedule (SEPAG)
- HPEF Moving Forward Together
- Learning Activities throughout the week
- Upcoming dates
We make it our priority to partner with parents in the academic growth and success of every child. Feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions. I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season with their families! I hope everyone enjoys creating wonderful special moments with their families! I am so grateful for our entire Connors Family!
All the best,
Principal Addi
Covid Testing Guidelines Reminder Regarding Travel and Large Gatherings
As you know, we as a school community are committed to ensuring the safety and health of students and staff. As we approach Thanksgiving, please be reminded of our guidelines regarding travel.
Additionally, please know that we have rapid test kits on hand at the school to distribute if needed. If you are travelling outside of NJ, NY, PA, DE and CT or having a large family gathering, you should request a rapid test and it will be sent home to you. You may email me directly at juliana.addi@hoboken.k12.nj.us and add Maritza Ramos and Marisol Ocasio to the email. Their email addresses are maritza.ramos@hoboken.k12.nj.us and marisol.ocasio@hoboken.k12.nj.us
Hoboken Public School District COVID Travel Guidelines:
- If a vaccinated student or staff member travels internationally, testing is encouraged upon return, but is not required. You do not need to inform the school or PK provider.
- If an unvaccinated student or staff member travels internationally (outside the U.S.), they must follow the guidelines in our reopening plan. The Hoboken Public School District will require a Negative PCR to return to school or work for any individual (unvaccinated) after any international travel whether during breaks or otherwise to return to school. The test must be conducted 3-5 days after returning home (PCR Test must be administered in NJ). The student will quarantine and work via Google Classroom until the results are obtained. Please notify your child's principal or PK provider immediately if your unvaccinated child will be traveling internationally.
- If travel is within NJ, NY, DE, CT or PA, testing is not required for vaccinated or unvaccinated students or staff. You do not need to inform the school or PK provider.
- If a vaccinated student or staff member travels domestically (in the U.S. but outside of NJ, NY, DE, CT or PA) testing is encouraged upon return but is not required. You do not need to inform the school or PK provider.
- If an unvaccinated student or staff member travels domestically (in the U.S. but outside of NJ, NY, DE, CT or PA) testing is required upon return. Options for testing are as follows: (1) You may independently arrange to have your child tested by a medical professional using either a 48 hour PCR or a Rapid Test, (2) you may independently purchase a rapid home test kit, or (3) you may request a kit from your school principal at no cost. Please notify your child's principal or PK provider immediately if your unvaccinated child will be traveling domestically. Communicate the means in which you will have your child tested or if you need a test provided by the school.
- If one or more of your children have to test as a result of any of the scenarios above, please be sure that you send the results to your child's principal and school nurse, or PK provider before or upon returning to school.
Connors Elementary School Principal: juliana.addi@hoboken.k12.nj.us
Connors Elementary School Nurse: andrea.wright@hoboken.k12.nj.us
Save the Date for our Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events:
- Connors PTO Online Little City Book Fair-November 8th-November 30th
- Strings sign-up
- 1:00 Dismissal on Wednesday, November 24th. There is no PTL on November 24th.
- Thanksgiving Break/ School Closed, Thursday/Friday, November 25th-26th, 2021
- Families Helping Families Donation Drive, November 29th-December 2nd
- Hoboken Public Education Foundation Online Giving, MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER, Tuesday, November 30th.
- 1st Marking Period Report Card Distribution, November 30th
- Winter Session of PTL begins November 29th
E-STEM Competition 4th and 5th Grade Sign-Up Form
String Instrument 4th and 5th Grade Sign Up Form
Connors School Book Fair
Connors School Book Fair
Our Connors School Book Fair with Little City Books will be open from November 8th through November 30th. Please use the code CONNORS when making your purchase and Little City will donate 20% of the sales to our school. You can use this link to purchase online, or you can buy in person at either store location. Online orders can be shipped to your home address. If you order online, shipping takes a few days for common books and up to 10 days for less common books.
Little City Books Downtown
1st and Bloomfield (100 Bloomfield)
Little City Books Uptown
14th and Adams (1401 Adams at Bwè Cafe)
Not sure what to buy? Little City has created book lists for you. Want to give money for books and learning materials directly to your child's classroom? You can send gift certificates to your child's teacher. There will be more exciting book lists coming, so keep an eye on this space. Even though the store is local, purchases can be shipped anywhere. So do your holiday shopping while supporting Connors and a local business at the same time!
"Families Helping Families" Donation Drive
Koala Character Challenge!
Congratulations to our students for displaying amazing character "Koalaties" especially in the areas of showing respect and care and concern for others! Congratulations!
Special Education Parent Advocacy Group (SEPAG)
SEPAG’s mission is to support and inform parents going through the special education process and collaborate with administrators, teachers and support services staff for the purpose of enhancing the educational experience of all Hoboken Public School District students.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_5KZdoOImGKJH_kXO57Rl14zy_HI5LtfatWyf9B9T2o/edit?usp=sharing
Click this link to receive calendar invitation reminders
Parents and guardians of children with special needs are invited to the next SEPAG Resource Sharing event
December 7, 2021
6:00 pm
Hoboken Middle School
(No childcare is available)
Special guests: George Bostory of Special Dragons and Jeannie Callahan of Angel Sense
Parents are invited to email Dr. D’Elia (delia.cecilia@hoboken.k12.nj.us) by December 3, 2021 any resources that they would like to share with other parents. These resources will be compiled and shared via our website
Parents who would like to sign up to receive calendar reminders, please send your email address via this Google Form
Invitamos a padres de niños que necesitan atención diferenciada a la próxima reunión de SEPAG en la cual vamos a conversar sobre recursos para nuestros niños
La reunión incluirá presentaciones de Special Dragons (un programa de karate para niños que necesitan atención diferenciada) y de Angel Sense (una compañía que produce un producto para localizar a niños extraviados)
Fecha: 7 de diciembre 2021
Hora: 6:00 pm
Si quiere participar en la reunión presencial: Hoboken Middle School (158 4th Street) (No hay cuidado de niños)
También se puede participar a través de este enlace para Google Meet a la misma hora
Si quiere recibir notificaciones por correo electrónico, por favor complete este formulario
Si requiere mas informacion, por favor comuníquese con la directora D’Elia (cdelia@hobokne.k12.nj.us)
Moving Forward Together
The Hoboken Public Education Foundation is thrilled to announce our first fundraising campaign of the 2021-2022 school year! This Giving Tuesday, on November 30th, please consider supporting Hoboken PEF in our Moving Forward Together campaign.
We are also excited to announce that Compass Real Estate has pledged their support as our first matching donor! We are filled with such gratitude as we move closer to our goal. Thank you, Compass!
Our goal is to raise $50K this holiday season during our Online Giving campaign. 100% of the funds directly support initiatives at Hoboken Public Schools, including Brandt, Connors and Wallace elementary schools, Hoboken Middle School (HMS), and Hoboken High School (HHS).
With all of our students back in the classroom, we are focused on Moving Forward Together to fund important district initiatives including experiential and educational field trips for grades K-8, skill building trips for students with special needs, the HMS musical theatre program, Educational Family Nights, College Tours for HHS seniors, and smart board technology upgrades.
Like us on Facebook by clicking here and sign up for our mailing list on our website to receive important updates.
Thank you for your support as we strive to have our most successful #GivingTuesday yet! We look forward to Moving Forward Together!
Facebook link:
https://www.facebook.com/hobokenpef/
Instagram:
https://instagram.com/hobokenpef
Connors Basketball Team Sign-Ups!
CONNORS BASKETBALL TEAM – SIGN UPS
CONNERS ELEMENTARY – DEFENDING CHAMPIONS
In 2020, all (3) Connors teams made the playoffs. The 3rd & 4th grade teams both achieved an undefeated season and won the Championship! It was a very fun and rewarding experience for the students, and a great way to build Connors Koalas school spirit!
We intend to have (1) team per grade, but it will depend on how many students sign up. We welcome all students to consider participating.
3rd grade team
4th grade team
5th grade team
The teams will play (1) game per week, probably on Saturdays.
The teams will practice (1) time per week.
The season starts very close to the New Year, probably the first week in January. The season ends in early to the middle of March, depending on the playoffs.
Message from Hoboken Rec.:
The Hoboken Recreation Department has opened registration for youth basketball and wrestling for children between the ages of 7-14.
Visit
www.hobokennj.org/register to register. Registration will close at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec.1.
For any questions, please email recreation@hobokennj.gov.
For any questions relating to the Connors team specifically please contact one of the coaches:
Jason Blanks 201-716-9181
Steve Bishop 646-624-9772
Connors PTO Thanksgiving Baskets
Our Connors PTO is absolutely incredible. Fourteen Thanksgiving baskets filled with stuffing, gravy, canned vegetables, muffin mix, fresh carrots, potatoes, salad dressing, pudding, juice, hot chocolate, coffee, decorations and more were packed and delivered and shared with Hoboken families! Thank you to the most amazing PTO!! We are so grateful for you!
How can I contact the school nurse?
Ms. Fleischer's Kindergarten Class
We are feeling so thankful in Miss Fleischer and Mrs. Mussara's Kindergarten class. This week, our theme was Thanksgiving. We created turkeys and wrote on each feather something we are thankful for. Then students wrote one sentence writing what they are thankful for! After listening to "Turkey Trouble" we disguised our own turkeys.In Math, we created 'Shape Turkeys' and counted how many sides and how many vertices our turkeys have! We had a blast creating turkey hats and decorating our own turkey. We want to wish everyone and their family a very Happy Thanksgiving and hope everyone enjoys the long weekend!
Ms. Rodriguez's Kindergarten Class
We had a lot of fun on this short week leading up to one of our favorite holidays, Thanksgiving!! We enjoyed reading many wonderful stories such as Ten Thankful Turkeys and Happy Thanksgiving Curious George. Students worked very hard to create their thankful turkey hats. Each feather on their hat includes someone or something they are thankful for! We are also getting so great at our math fluency! Students practice identifying a number and circling it on their response sheet. They are sure to get 10 out of 10 correct when it’s time for our official quiz next month. We hope all Connors families have a safe and amazing thanksgiving celebrating with their loved ones!
Ms. Watson and Ms. Layson's Class
ELA:
Ms.Watson and Mrs.Layson’s class had an awesome week! We read the book “Turkey Trouble” and learned a new vocabulary word, “disguise”. We then created our own “WANTED” turkey signs and each of us put our turkeys in a different disguise. We also made turkey hats showcasing what we are thankful for! Together we made a class chart of all different things we are thankful for. Afterwards, we got to work gluing, pasting, and writing! The hats came out Perfect!
MATH:
In math this week we made shape turkeys! Each student chose different shapes to cut out and glue together as a turkey! The next day we put our shape skills to the test! We counted, graphed, and wrote how many of each shape we had. We also made sure to double check our work! We also had the opportunity to do “rolling” centers! We rolled and colored a turkey, rolled and made shapes, rolled and filled in ten frames, and rolled and made ten frames! We love working with partners and counting/using the big dice!
Ms. Sheridan's 1st Grade Class
Thanksgiving Celebrations!
To celebrate Thanksgiving as a class family, Mrs. Sheridan's first grade students listened to the story, Peyton Picks the Perfect Pie. After our fun Thanksgiving Read-Aloud, we were able to make connections with the main character, Peyton, and learned that it's ok to have feelings of nervousness to try new things, just like Peyton felt. However, we also realized that trying something new can be fun and exciting! We then all made our own pumpkin pie craft and shared what we were thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving!
Ms. Vayda's 1st Grade Class
Math:
This week we are on our new unit: How Many of Each? How Many in All? Students have been working on applying strategies for adding and subtracting numbers either by counting on or back. We also learned a trick for finding many different combinations for the same number. Throughout this unit we will review and learn how tens and ones represent teen numbers. We are also learning how to solve for an unknown number in an equation. One new game we learned was called, "How many am I hiding?" For this game, students worked with a partner. They each used cubes and decided on their total number. They took turns hiding cubes and their partner had to count how many were not hidden and how many were hidden. Students were engaged with lots of math talk and shared how they solved for their answers. Some students preferred to subtract, while others used the strategy to count up.
Social Studies:
We spent Monday and Tuesday discussing and sharing what we are thankful for. It was so special listening to the responses from students in Ms. Vayda's class. Everyone did a wonderful job writing. We hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends.
Writers' Workshop: This week we took a short pause on our realistic fiction stories. We are so excited to eventually share our Winter Wonderland personal narrative writing pieces on Family Literacy Night. Students began crafting a small moment describing their favorite holiday memory. On Monday, students began by drawing and writing their thoughts on a graphic organizer. Once they had at least 5 ideas, they selected the memory they wanted to write about. On Tuesday, students illustrated their picture to help brainstorm even more detail for their memory. Next week, they will continue to edit and revise their writing and will work to publish their best work to be displayed at Winter Wonderland Family Literacy Night. They are so proud of their writing and can't wait to show off what they created.
Readers' Workshop: Due to the short week, we used this week to review previous concepts in phonics and reading. At home, students are working hard to complete a book report. Students will be answering questions to prepare them even more for the next upcoming DRA assessment. Students will retell the story with the beginning, middle, and end. They will identify the main characters and setting of the story. They will also share their favorite part of the story and write about connections they made to the text while reading. I can't wait to read about the books that everyone selected for their report.
Ms. Schultes' 1st Grade Class
Students in Ms. Schultes’ first grade class are so thankful for all of our Thanksgiving activities! We have written about all the things we’re thankful for, and done so many crafts! Thank you to all the families that sent in fun activities for us. Pictured, you’ll see our class painting our turkey hands! Have a happy Thanksgiving!!
Ms. Johnson's 2nd Grade Class
During this short week we spent out time reviewing across the contents to ensure we practicing what we are learning! In social studies we review for our unit 1 test and then completed the test. In math we review our brand new geometry terms and practice more using geoblocks and doing practice on IXL. Finally, in ELA we worked on our personal narratives for the winter wonderland writing.
Ms. Garcia's 2nd Grade Class
Since this week was a short week it was a review week. In ELA we reviewed short u and long u, along with making predictions, and almost finishing up our How-To writing pieces. In math we reviewed polygons, 2-D and 3-D shapes, subtraction/addition, and money. In social studies students finished presenting to the class their interview questions. For Thanksgiving, students wrote a How-To Catch a Turkey writing piece. They had such a fun time coming up with different ways to catch the turkey!
Ms. Ayers' 2nd Grade Class
Math
Second graders in Ms. Ayers' class are exploring 2D and 3D shapes. After studying Geoblocks (3D foam shapes), the students practiced identifying attributes of their blocks. They also worked to compare their shape's attributes with their partner's shape. In the picture, Felicity and Jaden are working together to complete the Mystery Block activity. To play, students randomly select a 3D shape and give their partner three clues about the mystery block's attributes. It is then their partners turn to use those clues to find the mystery block! Jaden is using Felicity's clues that she gave for her mystery shape to see if he found the right 3D shape.
Social Studies
Last week the students in Ms. Ayers' class interviewed staff members to practice their interviewing skills. This week, we have compiled and discussed the staff member's answers about their past. Students are currently completing a project to compare and contrast their answers to their interviewee's answers - especially since most of the questions revolved around the staff member's childhood. They are able to see how their interviewee played at their age, how many teeth they lost, what they liked to do and more, while also comparing the answers to their own answers! Partners are working together to create a poster showcasing all of their findings! Thanks to all of the staff members that participated!
Ms. Rinaldi's 2nd Grade Class
This week we did some fun Thanksgiving activities! On Tuesday we started writing things we were thankful for during ELA. On Wednesday, we finished that activity and completed a prefix activity. Students had to determine if the root word combined with the prefix "re-" made a real word. They did an awesome job. We also played a pin the hat on the turkey game. The kids had a blast! I hope everyone has a great holiday break with their loved ones!
Ms. Januse's 3rd Grade Class
Math:
To celebrate Thanksgiving, we played "Unlock Thanksgiving" in math. Students collaboratively solved a variety of third grade skills. They worked to complete two step multiplication and division problems as well as graphing problems.
Ms. Hall's 3rd Grade Class
ELA:
Students developed their writing skills this week! We began preparing for our district wide winter essay. We brainstormed what the holidays mean to us, and we can't wait to write our essays for you to see at the district's upcoming literacy night!
Math:
We continued to learn about graphing and measurement this week! Students explored using rulers to measure to the nearest half inch. Students then represented collected data on line plot graphs. Please review the Unit 2 materials that are posted on Google Classroom with your child. Our assessment will be the week after break!
Social Studies:
This week students reflected on the idea of gratitude! Students brainstormed ways they can spread gratitude throughout their community. We wrote "thank yous" to staff members at Connors who we greatly appreciate! :)
Ms. Gruber's 3rd-4th Grade Class
This week in Ms. Gruber's class we reviewed content from the past couple of week and began our Winter Wonderland writing pieces! We also did "free reading" from our classroom library on the floor and with partners. We reviewed math concepts and played games with each other too! The day of our early dismissal we math "math turkeys", did Thanksgiving trivia, and guessed Thanksgiving pictures based on clues. Overall it was a great quick week!
Ms. Sivo's Class
Our Stars throughly enjoyed our PGP Projects this week. We learned about Native American pottery making. We discussed what the Native Americans used as clay and what clay was made of and we were SHOCKED! Earth! First we planned out the design of our pinch pots. We researched some typical patterns used so we can create our own. Then, we used a pinching technique to create our own pinch pots out of magic clay. They are currently drying out so we can paint them. Stay tuned for our final results! Have a wonderful, thankful, Thanksgiving!
Ms. Schulz's 4th Grade Class
4th grade learners celebrated the holiday by participating in a Thanksgiving scavenger hunt. Students learned interesting facts as to why the holiday is celebrated, traditions, and fun facts. Students also explored The First Thanksgiving at Plimoth Plantation by participating in a virtual field trip experience.
Ms. Rodriguez's 4th Grade Class
4th grade problem solvers learned a variety of strategies to solve multiplication problems with larger numbers. One strategy had students build multiple towers in order to create a class resource that can be used for solving 2 digit by 2 digit multiplication problems. Students also mastered 2 digit by 1 digit multiplication using the break-apart strategy (distributive property) or the short-cut trick (standard algorithm).
Ms. Ortiz's 5th Grade Class
Mrs. Ortiz's 5th grade students wrote a narrative story where they had to take an original narrative and rewrite it from a different character's perspective. Before the writing, students listened to two versions of the story "The Three Little Pigs." We discussed that at the end of the day, the two stories were the same but what changed were the details due to the narrator's point of view and perspective. In Social Studies, we listened to a read aloud about Indigenous People's Day. We also learned about the first Thanksgiving, talked about our own thanksgiving traditions, and read about the "Turkey Pardon" that each elected president does every year. To culminate all of this, we also had some pumpkin pie and apple pie bites, courtesy of Mrs. Ortiz. In Math, we culminated our volume unit by creating our own volume cities. Students had to construct nets of buildings and determine the area and volume of each building.They had to ensure that their cities had all of the essential functions that every city has in order to meet the needs of its' residents.
Ms. Romanowski's 5th Grade
Ms. Romanowski's fifth grade class wrapped up their second novel study of the year, Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan. Students enjoyed this historical fiction novel as it fostered excellent class discussion and learning opportunities. Symbolism and theme were two focuses during the reading of this novel. Students were also introduced to many new vocabulary words.
In math, fifth graders are learning how to calculate the volume of rectangular prisms and composite shapes. Our class also continues to practice the skills of long division, multiplication and order of operations.
To celebrate Thanksgiving, fifth graders in room 305 participated in a friendly, team challenge of Thanksgiving Jeopardy. Teams were presented with various trivia questions related to the holiday and worked as a group to select the correct answer. This was so much fun!
Individualized Learning Pathway - Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth with Ms. Barsukova
On Mondays - Wednesdays during the Individualized Learning Pathway (ILP) period, students who have qualified to participate in the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) programming engage in a wide array of verbal course offerings that address their specific strengths and interests. Johns Hopkins CTY believes in researching and advancing ways to identify and nurture academically talented learners. CTY furthers research, guides educators and families and inspires students from diverse communities and backgrounds to pursue their intellectual passions and create the world of tomorrow. This week, we would like to highlight one of the CTY courses offered to our Hoboken students this fall:
Young Readers Series: Mystery Stories
Become an investigator and search for clues within each story, then try to solve the puzzle! In this course, our young detectives will uncover some of the reasons why things are not always what they seem. Our students will journey to 19th century London and to a modern African wildlife preserve while reading stories that include danger, fantasy, suspense. Sifting through these enthralling stories on the hunt for answers, we will analyze and draw inferences from clues found in the setting, plot, and characters, crafting creative writing and discussion forum posts and sharpening your critical thinking skills along the way. Practice being curious, aware, and reflective as we try to solve each mystery!
ILP with Ms. Barsukova
This is the special time of the year where people exchange gratitude for a variety of things and people to show their appreciation, respect, and compliments to one another or things that make our lives meaningful and interesting. To spark my student's interest for the task I showed them my Gratitude Pumpkin and listed the things that I am truly thankful for and gave an explanation by stating the reasons for each. Students were so excited to share their things and people they are thankful for that they were to work right away! Then, we used the fastener to put the pieces together to create a Gratitude Pumpkin! Students went beyond my expectations by being very detailed in their explanations! Awesome work 4th and 5th grade!
During ILP, students in 1st grade created Fact Family Teepee. This project is integration and culmination of Native American Month with the math skills and design and engineering skills. With the teacher's supervision, we used wooden craft sticks and super glue to put together the craft sticks into a triangle. Then, students designed Native American patterns on the paper and used double tape to place it on the craft sticks to make sure everything stayed better. Next, students came up with multiple digit numbers that made the equation true creating the fact family interchanging the numbers with addition and subtraction. This was the skill we worked on last week and to review the skill, we integrated Native American Heritage Month with the math fact family. Students were absolutely in awe of their project!
During ILP students in 5th grade worked on writing a Reflection to one of the activities they have done over the course of the 1st Marking Period. Being able to go back and analyze, evaluate, and edit previous work is an important skill because it applies to critically thinking about work and finding places where something can be improved. Being able to face its own errors and improve is one of the 21st century skills that students need to be able to understand and use in everyday life.
Students in 3rd grade created Thankful Pie because we learned about fractions and the pie is a great reminder to students about the concept of fractions with an addition to the things and people students are thankful for.
Science with Ms. Stinson
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, Ms. Stinson’s 4th and 5th grade classes designed their own balloon floats for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. After, reading the story “Balloons over Broadway” these fantastic students were asked to design a balloon float for the parade using the Engineering Design Process! As you can tell by these fabulous photos , my students did an incredible job! As a treat , after their balloon floats were created we viewed actual footage from the parade in years past to compare our creations! Amazing job, my scientists!
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Science with Miss Pinkas
Uh-Oh! Here comes turkey trouble! Students in third grade were given a Thanksgiving STEM challenge. Students had to pick one of the 3 challenges below:
Turkey Challenge #1: There will be a lot of guests coming for Thanksgiving dinner. Design a kids’ table and set Tom the Turkey on top if it. Make sure it’s wide enough that he doesn’t fall off.
Turkey Challenge #2: Aunt Sue broke her lovely turkey platter. Make a new platter for Aunt Sue using her favorite shape (triangles) in your design.
Turkey Challenge #3: Tom the Turkey doesn’t want to be eaten for Thanksgiving dinner. He keeps running away from the farm yard. Make a cage for Tom so that he doesn’t get away. Each group were given Tom the Turkey, popsicle sticks, chopsticks, pipe cleaners straw and tape. They worked so hard and did a great job!
Music with Mr. Azzarto
Hello Connors family, the week of November 22nd was a fun week filled with a lot of singing and the last member of the string family.
In Ms. Fleischer’s class, the students learned about the last string instrument. They learned that the cello is one of the most expressive string instruments and that you have to sit down to play it. As they
have learned throughout the year, the bigger the instrument, the lower it sounds and the cello makes some pretty low pitches. We even watched a video of Yo- Yo Ma playing Bach’s Cello suite No. 1. The children couldn’t take their eyes off of the Ricoh board and said that it was so beautiful! Here is Harlem with her colorful pitch of a cello!
Mr. Favino's P.E. Class
On this short week in Health and PE we were indoors a bit more than we would have liked but we made the most out of it! In health we turned our attention towards social and emotional health and discussed communication with our peers. When outside, we played different thanksgiving themed games such as turkey tag and stuff the turkey. It was a fun week and I hope everyone enjoys their holiday!
Ms. Capalbo's Art Class
Full steam ahead in art class this week! We are working hard for the Winter Wonderland show on December 12th. We are learning about so many new art materials and skills. We have origami, oil pastels, chalk pastels, and watercolor painting! We’re applying our technical skills to create beautiful winter themed art. Looking forward to some cool final results!
Mandarin with Ms. Jia
This week students are working on creating a book in Mandarin titled I Love My Family. They included their immediate family members and grandparents, and some even included their friends, cousins and pets as family members. They will add more details to the book next week and do oral presentations of their families.
Hoboken Public School District Calendar
Connors Calendar of Events
Thomas G. Connors Elementary School
Email: juliana.addi@hoboken.k12.nj.us
Website: http://www.hoboken.k12.nj.us
Location: 201 Monroe Street, Hoboken, NJ, USA
Phone: 201-356-3684