Sherwood Spirit
March 2018
Placement Information 2018-2019
Dear Sherwood Families,
As the District moves through the budget development process, we begin to plan for the next school year. I know it is hard to believe that we are already halfway through the year, and the summer will be here before we know it. We would like to take this opportunity to explain the placement procedures.
In our process, we try to provide the best possible placement for every child. We strive for well-balanced heterogeneous classes while capitalizing on the strengths of staff and the individual needs of students. A great deal of time, effort, and consideration goes into our placement process.
When creating classes we consider many factors to ensure balanced student groupings; these factors include, but are not limited to: range of academic abilities; teacher data regarding students; students identified for special education services; parent input; teacher or family input regarding previous family or student history; teacher experience, specialization and expertise; social mixture; gender; individual learning styles; student personality and interactions; students benefiting from being together or separated; class size, etc. This important process contributes significantly to the creation of a positive environment at Sherwood thus enabling each child to achieve his or her fullest potential.
Some parents may wish to provide information about their child’s learning style or preferences for learning environment, and parents are welcome to share this information in writing with the school; please do not feel that you must write a letter. However, if your child has any unique needs (i.e. health, behavioral, academic, social, etc.) that you feel we need to know, please do provide that information in writing. It is important to note that if you have written a letter in the past, we do not keep letters from year to year, as we believe each year is a new beginning. It is also important to keep in mind that because an older sibling had a specific teacher, this does not guarantee similar placement for another child. As previously mentioned, there are many factors that go into placement and the makeup of classes.
Please understand that developing class groupings is an extremely complex process, and though we take parent requests into consideration, there are times when these requests cannot be accommodated. The scheduling process is lengthy and it is necessary to note that sometimes a child’s program will dictate his/her class placement. Please understand that we strive to provide your child with the best possible learning environment and educational experience that Sherwood has to offer.
Please forward any written communication to the main office, to the attention of Mr. Walerstein by Wednesday, March 28, 2018.
From Mr. Walerstein's Desk
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Welcome back! I hope everyone had a restful mid-winter recess, and is ready for all that March has to offer. We had a nice preview of spring weather last week, and hopefully more consistent warm weather is right around the corner.
This past month, Sherwood students participated in Pick a Reading Partner (PARP). Students participated in Olympic-themed activities, and many students entered the contest to design their own Olympic medals. The winning medals are hanging in the Main Office for all to see. All the students who participated did a great job! Even though PARP has ended, we encourage all students to read every night.
This month we will have some great experiences for the students. On March 2nd, our 2nd graders will be viewing a traffic safety presentation by representatives from Suffolk County. The following week, representatives from the Long Island Railroad will give a presentation to all the students about safety near the tracks. Both of these presentations are important as the weather gets warmer.
Additionally, the amazing SES PTA will be hosting the spring book fair from March 14-16. There will be a family event on March 14th from 5-8 pm which will feature popcorn, raffles, and more. We hope to see you there!
The IDEA Task Force will be hosting a Game Night at Islip High School for all 5th-8th graders on March 23rd. The cost is $5 for students and permission slips are due March 14th. Last year was a great success, and we hope to see all of the students there.
Please note that spring break will begin on March 30th; the NYS ELA will begin right after the break on April 11th.
Warmest Regards,
Chad Walerstein
Principal
PTA News
Spring is right around the corner!! Sherwood PTA has some wonderful events planned for the upcoming months.
Sherwood students went for the gold during our SES Reading Olympics-PARP 2018.
Congratulations to the winners of our “Design a Medal Contest “. The winners are first place (Gold ) Amanda Mardones Miranda, second place (Silver) - Aimee Rich and third place (Bronze ) - Anthony Giel.
Our Spring Book Fair is almost here! Our theme is “Paws for Reading”. The Family Event will be Wednesday, March 14th, 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Join us for some great NEW books, "pupcorn", raffles and more. Students will visit the fair with their class on Thursday, March 15th, and Friday, March 16th. The “All for Books” coin challenge will run March 5th through March 9th. We will be earning new books for Sherwood library and classrooms.
In February, the SES PTA treated the teachers and staff of Sherwood to a soup day to let them know how “SOUPER” we think they all are. Thank you for all the wonderful donations. They are truly appreciated!
Join us for an amazing “Sherwood’s Night of the Stars” Talent show on Wednesday, March 28th , 7:00 pm, at the Islip Middle School. We have some great acts this year!
Just a reminder, any participants in the talent show this year must submit their music ASAP. Any questions please email us at : sherwoodpta@aol.com.
Looking ahead, we will be having our annual Spring Plant Sale on May 9th and 10th. Look for the pre order form to come home soon. Remember to keep sending in Box Tops! We want to reach our fundraising goal of $3000. With the money we earn from Box Tops this year, we will will purchase a rock climbing wall for the gym. So keep clipping!! The January Box Top winner was Mr. LeVien’s class who enjoyed a pizza lunch with Mr. Walerstein.
Throughout the year, the PTA provides many programs and events for your children that are both fun and educational. Your PTA membership helps fund these programs. It also makes sure that you stay up to date on PTA and other school events throughout the year. There are many opportunities to volunteer. We are beginning to look for chair people for some of these wonderful events next year. If you are interested, please contact us!
Our next PTA meeting will be March 6th at 7:00 pm in the Sherwood library. Please join us for a presentation by Mr. Walerstein on the the new changes to the fifth-grade schedule for the 2018-2019 school year. Come and find out more about these changes and have the opportunity to have questions answered.
Sign up for important updates from the Sherwood PTA with the Remind App. Text message @ septa17 to the number 81010. Any questions , please feel free to email us at SherwoodPTA @aol.com.
4th Grade Updates
Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers
Dates to Remember
3/2: Suffolk County Pedestrian Safety Program
3/2: EXCEL Fundraiser, Long Island Nets - 7 pm; Nassau Coliseum
3/6: PTA Meeting - 7 pm; SES Library
3/8: K-5 Marking Period Ends
3/12: Grade 5 Field Trip to Mangoes (Mr. Kunsch, Ms. Cromwell, Ms. Krauss)
3/13: Grade 5 Field Trip to Mangoes (Mr. Velazquez, Ms. Fazio, Ms. Cella)
3/13: Budget Workshop/Board of Education Meeting - 7:30 pm; IMS
3/14: Book Fair, Family Event (PTA) - 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm; SES Cafeteria
3/15: Spring Book Fair (PTA)
3/16: Spring Book Fair (PTA)
3/20: Quacker Jack visits Sherwood
3/20: SEPTA Meeting - 6:00 pm; Islip Public Library
3/21:Grades 4 & 5 In-School Field (PTA); The Life of Harriet Tubman
3/22: Report Cards Posted to Portal
3/23: School Physicals
3/23: IDEA Game Night for Grades 5-8 - 5:00 pm to 9 pm; IHS
3/27: Budget Workshop/BOE Meeting - 7:30 pm, IMS
3/28: Grade 4 Field Trip, A Wrinkle in Time
3/28: Talent Show - 7 pm; SES Auditorium
3/29: Spring Recess through April 6th - Please note that if an additional snow day is required, school will be in session on Thursday, March 29th.
From the Art Room
From the Art Room to Islip Public Library, our students' work will go!!! Some of Sherwood's students are among a select few whose works are being highlighted. You will see not only Sherwood students' artwork, but works selected from all age levels and buildings across the Islip School District.
Please join us for a reception in the Conference Room of the Islip Public Library, 71 Monell Avenue, on Wednesday, March 21st, at 7:00 pm to congratulate these students:
Isabella Costello
Addison Keyes
Natalia Nalbone
Olivia Johnson
Collin Haug
The library hours are Monday through Thursday 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. Friday through Saturday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sunday 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
From the Gymnasium with Mr. Ruccia & Mr. Orlick
On March 3rd, our Sharp Shooter champions will compete in the town-wide contest. Good luck to Devan Lange, Nikko Rodriquez, Caitlin Barnes and Kieran Freelin!
From the Health Office
If you have any questions, please contact me at (631) 650-8675. Thank you for your continued support.
--Ann Marie Ferry, R.N.
Getting Ready for Winter Weather
Should the opening of school be delayed, school canceled, or students dismissed early, families may expect a timely announcement to that effect via automated telephone message and on the following television, radio stations, and websites:
TV NEWS CHANNEL 12
FIOS 1 News
WALK FM - 97.5 FM
WALK AM - 1370 AM
WHLI - B103 FM
WBAB - 102.3 FM
WBLI - 106.1 FM
Reminder: If school is closed or dismissed early, all after-school music and extra-help are cancelled.