Icahn Charter School 4
Winter Newsletter Vol.3: November / December / January 2016
Principal's Message
School / Community Connection
School Counselor: Ms. Cisneros (K-8)
Bullying is one of the most serious and persistent challenges facing our schools, and a worldwide problem affecting many children and teenagers. Bullying is intentional and unwanted aggressive behavior. It represents an imbalance of power. It can happen face-to-face or online, and it can be done by a single person or a group of people. Bullying behaviors include: verbal and physical attacks, emotional harassments related to self-esteem or feelings of safety and social aggression including issues of group acceptance. These bullying behaviors can be recognized by the spreading of rumors about others, writing offensive notes and messages, intentionally excluding others, taking or damaging others’ possessions, intimidating or threatening others, repeatedly teasing and mocking others, persuading peers to reject peers, sending offensive messages to others via computer, cell phone or any other device, including a game system.
Bullying is often a hidden problem because the harassment happens outside the presence of adults. The victim often fails to report bullying to adults because of the belief that the concerns will not be taken seriously or that their experiences are normal. The victim may feel embarrassed about the incident or fear retaliation. Other students that witness bullying incidents may fear that the bully will target them next. Victims of bullying may experience anxiety, low self-esteem, depression and in some cases suicidal thoughts. Bullying does not just affect the victims; it also affects the students who witness these incidents. Bullying can create a climate of fear and anxiety, distracting students from their schoolwork and impeding their ability to learn.
Cyberbullying is a fast-growing form of bullying emerging via widespread technology and internet access. Cyberbullying involves sending offensive, humiliating; or threatening messages or images. It is most predominant in middle school, but students as young as 8 years old also engage in this high-tech form of bullying. Cyberbullying can be done anytime. It is 24/7 action that can be done anywhere and by anyone with internet access. Some of the most common forms of cyberbullying are sending or spreading unpleasant jokes, hurtful comments, rumors, altered images, adding or deleting information on social network and posting personal or private information publicly. One reason why cyberbullying is so pervasive is that cyberbullies use technology such as the popular apps and websites. These are always changing, and can be difficult to keep up with. Currently, some of the most popular “Apps” (applications) that families need to know about are texting apps Kik Messenger, ooVoo, WhatsApp, the micro-blogging apps and sites Instagram, Tumblr, Twitter, Vine, the self-destructing/secret apps Burn Note, the Snapchat, Whisper, Yik Yak, and the chatting, meeting, dating apps and sites Meet Me, Omegle, Skout, and Tinder.
Bullying behaviors are preventable. One of the most effective strategies is raising awareness among students, families, school staff, and the community. It is also important to empower observers of bullying behavior to safely report bullying to adults (teachers, school counselor, administrators, and families members). Some approaches to prevent bullying are: encouraging and reinforcing acts of kindness, cooperation; and caring, understanding differences; learning how to agree to disagree; and accepting others. In addition, monitoring warning signs: sadness, fear of walking home, avoiding certain school areas or the school bus can allow adults to prevent or recognize bullying. Some signs to look out for are changes in behavior such as: declining in academic performance or motivation and withdrawal from peers.
To ensure the safety of all our students, everyone needs to take all reports of bullying seriously and act quickly to resolve any potential situations. Make sure to talk about the appropriate and inappropriate use of technology within your children regularly. Nurture rules regarding the use of technology and devices. Advise your child to seek help from an adult if they are being bullied and or cyberbullied. It is important that you set and explain your expectations and values consistently and begin talking about these values at a very early age. However, it is never too late to establish rules and routines. When establishing rules and routines, remember to be consistent and follow through with consequences for inappropriate behavior. Always remember to provide information on how certain behaviors may jeopardize one’s health and safety as well as the health and safety of others. Most importantly, express how you feel about bullying issues. It is okay to express disappointment; this provides opportunities for us to move forward. Even when our children do something that is unkind, we can say, “That wasn’t like you…I know you can be kind!”
As the celebration of the holidays approaches, take the opportunity to educate your child about “digital footprints” and monitor your child’s emotional well-being. If your child receives an electronic device as a gift, take the time to explain the expectations and rules for using it over the holiday break, be sure to provide a schedule and time to explore other activities beyond the use of technology such as sharing stories, reading books, playing board games and writing letters or notes. All of these activities will support your children’s healthy development and will contribute to building memories for your children’s lifetime.
Rectangles
First Grade: Pagan & Shepherd / Heard
Persuasive / Opinion Writing
Second Grade: Xenos & Arvonio
Friendly Letters
Third Grade: King & Rapp
The Nutcracker
Journey to Canada
Fourth Grade: Courman & Laricchia
Memory Poems
Fifth Grade: Davis & Green
Leonardo DaVinci
University Bound
Sixth Grade: Taylor & Magiraga
Gothic Art
Icahn Charter School 4's MIDDLE SCHOOL
Translations, Dilations, Rotations & Reflections
Mr. Betances: ELA
Moreover, 8th grade was able to analyze the literal and the deeper meaning of the poem "rosebushes". First, students translated the poem to its literal meaning and connected the poem to their observation of nature; then, they analyzed the poem in an abstract way to determine the deeper meaning of the poem. Hence, students were able to identify and evaluate various poetic devices to support their abstract thinking. Ultimately, they were able to generate a thought provoking main idea.
Thinking Jobs
American Revolution
Ms. Mejia-Sebastiani: Foreign Language
Using Verbs Ser & Tener
Targeted Assistance Teachers
Social Studies Cluster Teacher: Mr. Guarino (1 - 6) / Ms Malota (K-2); Science Cluster Teacher: Ms. Dykstra (1-6)
Second grade has been working hard on mastering their math skills. They have been introduced to tape diagrams. Before we introduce a new topic we have a discussion first. That includes what will we be covering and why. What is a tape diagram? Tape diagrams are drawings that look like a segment of tape, used to illustrate numbers. Since they are visual model, drawing them requires attention to detail in the setup.
Why use a tape diagram? Tape diagrams allow students to approach more complex problems. This would be more difficult to solve without the use of a tape diagram, but with a tape diagram the structure of the problems can be visualized and, sometimes, the solutions are readily available. The tape diagram model opens the door to efficient problem solving. Working in a small group has encouraged the development of critical thinking skills. We have working hard together in establishing an environment of support, trust and co-operative learning. Keep up the fantastic job second grade!
Important Dates / Upcoming Events
January:
School Closed, Friday 15th (Professional Development)
School Closed, Monday 18th (MLK Day)
February:
Advocacy Day, Tuesday 2nd
School Closed, Monday 8th
Half Day, Friday 12th
School Closed, Mid-Winter Recess 15th -19th
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Julie Goodyear, Secretary
Seymour Fliegel
Karen Mandelbaum
Robert Sancho
Edward Shanahan