The PRES Press
Principal's Monthly Newsletter, October 2019
PRES Celebrates 80th Birthday
Halloween at PRES
Parents are invited to observe the outside portion of the parade by lining up along the road or sidewalk from the front door and extending back to the fence and entrance to the playground area. We ask that spectators do not wear any masks. Please leave your pets at home. Parents may watch the grade level dance presentations from outside the playground area by lining up along the fence and handrail.
Please keep in mind that parking will be challenging; once our small parking lots are full, someone will be stationed by the circle to direct parents to the Town Park. There will be a shuttle bus that will leave the Town Park at 9:00 AM, and will make a second trip, if necessary. The shuttle bus will begin return trips back to the Park beginning around 10:15 AM. Please be respectful of our neighbors at the Pre-School, Conant Hall, and the Inn at Pound Ridge, and do not park in their lots.
Keeping Halloween Safe & Inclusive for All
5th Grade Pancake Breakfast
Students Learn Empathy, Collaboration, and Problem Solving with Buddies
Buddies have been a long-standing tradition at Pound Ridge Elementary School. Our fifth grade students partner with kindergarten students, and our fourth grade students buddy with our first graders. Buddies meet throughout the year to foster cross-grade level relationships, participate in collaborative activities, and build a sense of community.
When asked about the benefits of our buddy program, teachers reported noticing our oldest students developing a sense of responsibility, care, and accountability. Mrs. Pappace shared that her fifth grade students are kind and caring towards their buddies. They look forward to the problem solving and friendship building they do together.
The older students take on a leadership role and the younger students look up to the fifth graders as role models. The social connection between the older and younger students is inspiring. We often see our older buddies looking out for their younger buddies during morning recess, at school and community events, and on the school bus.
Throughout the course of the school year, buddies do various projects together related to their curriculum and are often found reading together. From holiday crafts, to STEM activities, drawing, writing, celebrating, and engaging in Maker activities, our buddies share in many enriching experiences together.
Lucas Pignotti Phillips, in Mrs. Pappace’s class, shared that he has really enjoyed getting to know his buddy this fall and looks forward to more activities together. Elsa Petrilose, in Mrs. D’Urso’s class, shared that she loved meeting her first grade buddy. When she was little she always loved her older buddies and she can’t wait to have the opportunity this year to be the older role model for her first grader. Logan King, in Mrs. Meyers’ class, enjoyed doing his pumpkin and bat project with his fifth grade buddy and Scarlett Orscher, in Mrs. Delesia’s class, also enjoyed working on Halloween activities with her fourth grade buddy.
Please enjoy some photos from our first few meetings with our K-5 buddies:
Thank You!
Parent-Principal Coffees 2019-2020
This year, we will be hosting topic-specific Parent-Principal Coffees throughout the year. These informal gatherings are a time to come together with the school principal, learn about what's happening at PRES, ask questions, and have conversations in an informal setting. All parent-principal coffees will take place in the PRES Library at 9:30 AM.
Coming up...
Friday, November 15th - Growth Mindset
Learn about Carol Dweck's research on mindset and the difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset. Learn how to use language with your own children that promotes a growth mindset.
Friday, January 17th - STEM and Science Education
"In an ever-changing, increasingly complex world, it's more important than ever that our nation's youth are prepared to bring knowledge and skills to solve problems, make sense of information, and know how to gather and evaluate evidence to make decisions. These are the kinds of skills that students develop in science, technology, engineering and math—disciplines collectively known as STEM." -U.S. Dept. of Education. Come join us to learn about how our Science 21 program integrates 21st century skills for our students and supports the concepts of STEM education.
Friday, February 7th - NYS Testing (Grades 3-5)
Are you curious about what the NYS ELA and Math tests look like? Are you wondering how the tests have changed over the years in response to the "Opt-out" movement? We will demystify the NYS tests, help you understand what to expect on them, and how to support your child at home in preparation for these State assessments in grades 3-5.
Friday, March 6th - Social-Emotional Learning
With a growing number of children developing anxiety, learning how to cope with the daily challenges of life is essential for our students to learn. Join us for a discussion on the ways we are supporting social-emotional development in our school.
Friday, May 1st - Supporting Your Child In Reading
Summer months will be here before we know it. Learn how to keep the reading momentum going so that children don't lose the progress they made during the school year. Learn about strategies for supporting your child when he/she gets stuck on a tricky word. Learn ways you can support your child's reading comprehension and love for books!
Coming Up at PRES
10/31 - Halloween Parade @ 9:30 AM
(Shuttle bus from Town Park @ 9:00 AM)
November 2019:
11/7 - PRES Senior Luncheon
11/8 - PRES 80th Birthday @ 9:30 AM
11/8 - PRES PTA Trivia Night
11/11 - NO SCHOOL (Veterans Day)
11/12 - Library follows Monday schedule
11/15 - Parent-Principal Coffee (Topic: Fixed & Growth Mindset) @ 9:30 AM
11/16 - 5th Grade Pancake Breakfast @ 8 AM - 12 PM
11/21 - Monthly All-School CAREs Community Meeting (Wear PRES green!)
11/22 - PRES School Spirit Day - 80's Day! (Dress like the 1980's!)
11/27 - Early Dismissal @ 11:30 AM (No Lunch)
11/28-11/29 - NO SCHOOL (Thanksgiving)