Shaler and Bergen News
December 22, 2016
The faculty and staff at Shaler Academy and Bergen Boulevard thank you for your partnership and support. We are honored to serve you and your children. We wish you Happy Holidays and a relaxing winter break. Happy New Year and see you on January 3!
Mrs. D'Amore & Mrs. Filerino's Preschool Happenings
The preschool classes at Shaler Academy learned about the change of seasons as Autumn came to a close. Our science discussions included topics about the cold weather. We learned what animals do to survive the winter, including two BIG, new vocabulary words, "Hibernation and Migration." The classes built a den for a hibernating bear and learned about other hibernating creatures as well. Students sorted winter clothing pictures and practiced putting on their coats, zipping them, and putting on gloves or mittens. The classes came together to share a story and other activities.
Physical Therapy in the Classroom
Ms. Spoleti's class, with the help of Diane Tannenbaum, physical therapist, acted out the story of “The Little Gingerbread Man.” The children participated in this wonderful holiday story while developing important skills. Children opened a surprise black bag that contained a small gingerbread man. They used a rolling pin to move it back and forth over their cookies. Each little boy and girl was also able to make believe they were dough and get “rolled out” to become a little gingerbread boy or girl.
Each child moved through an elaborate obstacle course to pretend they were the little gingerbread man running away from all the animals that wanted to eat him. They jumped, walked on a balance beam, went up and down large curbs and even were able to “swim” over a river!!! (large tubes filled with water). They also had to propel a hand cycle very fast ---just like the gingerbread man who was running “as fast as he can.” At the end of the course the child had to match a story character that was on their gingerbread man to one on a large felt board.
All the students were able to listen, wait their turn, relate a story, match and use large and small muscles of their bodies. They had a great time with their classmates. Learning can be fun!!!
Speech Therapy Happenings
Robyn Merkel-Walsh MA, CCC-SLP, speech and language specialist at Shaler Academy and Lori Overland MS, CCC-SLP/NDT recently presented "Diet Shaping for Self-Limited Diets in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder" at the annual convention of the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA). This one hour presentation focused on three important concepts: 1. an improved understanding of the etiology of a self-limited; 2. an improved understanding of a home-based diet; 3.comprehension of the concept of diet-shaping.
The presentation pointed out that according to studies by Volkert and M Vaz in 2010, up to 70% of children with ASD are selective eaters and up to 90% have feeding problems. Mrs. Walsh implements the suggested feeding programs at Shaler Academy and provides parent training through observation and supportive classroom services.
This lecture can be very informative to parents. You can view this seminar by clicking on the following links:
Part 1: https://www.facebook.com/TalkTools/videos/1339032349453889/
Part 2: https://www.facebook.com/TalkTools/videos/1339054179451706/
News from Mrs. Schipper's Class
GINGERBREAD FUN IN MRS. FILERINO'S ROOM
Mrs. Filerino, Mrs. Paradiso and Ms. Yost collaborated to provide a fun filled lesson based on the book, The Gingerbread Man. Students listened and acted out the story, matched characters and reviewed body parts while playing a game. Then they helped measure, pour and mix a cinnamon and applesauce dough to make their very own gingerbread men. The last part of the lesson was to work collaboratively with their peers to create a poster sized gingerbread man to hang in the hallway. Students had lots of fun!!
Occupational Therapy - Take a Look
November and December in OT
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The past two months have been fun filled with working on our occupational skills through individual sessions, group sessions, classroom collaborations and parent/child OT sessions making holiday and winter ornaments together.
In November several classrooms worked together in activity stations of occupational skills/games. The OT favorite activity, making designs and tracing in sensory play with shaving cream, is pictured below. This is a great activity to engage in at home: promoting sensory tactile processing, fine motor/visual motor skills. A favorite simple activity that many children love.
This past month in December, the parents of several OT children came in for a session and made a winter/holiday craft. As an Occupational Therapist, I especially enjoy working with children and their families directly. This is a great way to educate the family and demonstrate useful activities and techniques to help the child at home.
Wishing you all a wonderful and fulfilling holiday recess!
-Denise Yost
The kindergarten classes recently completed the L.E.A.D. Program taught by Officer Nick. They learned about stranger danger, what to do and who to call in an emergency, and learned how to identify important safety signs. As a culminating activity, the children enjoyed the Officer Phil assembly and received certificates and activity books.
Mrs. Long, our school nurse, also completed her healthy habit lessons which included lessons on personal hygiene, items that are safe and not safe to eat, as well as the importance of good nutrition and exercise. The children had fun learning through puppets ad exploring their five senses.
Parent teacher conferences were held December 5th and all the kindergarten classes came together to perform some special dances that was displayed in the main hall during the evening. The children had a blast joining their kindergarten friends from all the classes.
A wonderful tradition that the kindergarten classes do every year and very much look forward to during the month of December is sharing different versions of the Gingerbread Man stories. As a culminating activity, during the week of the 19th, the classes invited family members to come in and create their own gingerbread houses.
First Grade Happenings
Our halls are decorated with a report on the first and most precious gift we were
ever given- our name.
In September we read Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes, and in November we read The Legend of Indian Paintbrush by Tomie DePaola. Both stories remind us how unique and special our name is.
Students were asked to discuss with their parents the story of how they were given their
name, decorated a gift box, and finally reported their findings to the class. We
enjoyed listening and learning all about our classmates!
On December 5th Parent Conferences were held. It was a terrific
turnout and we would like to thank the parents for coming out and supporting
all their child's efforts.
-The First Grade Crew
"Hour of Code" - Technology Class
As our world continues to move heavily in STEM, the field of Computer science stands as the leader of many careers. Computer sciences teaches students design, logical reasoning, and problem solving- all valuable well beyond the classroom.
Shaler Academy Kindergarten classes had the opportunity to take part in the “Hour of Code”. In 2013, the non-profit Code.org announced "a nationwide campaign calling on every K-12 student in America to join an 'Hour of Code.' The initiative asked schools, teachers, and parents across the country to help introduce students of all ages to computer programming during Computer Science Education Week. Students worked on solving puzzles while behind the scenes actually writing code.
All the kindergarten students did a fantastic job solving their puzzles to help Pixle the puppy. Congratulations to all these potential Computer Science majors!
A "Sweet Holiday Season"
The Learning Center worked together to create a wonderful Gingerbread House to greet students and visitors to Shaler Academy under the direction of Mrs. Diana Lara and Mrs. Mary Ellen Paradiso. All wish you and your families a ‘Sweet Holiday Season’.
Shaler Arrival and Dismissal
SHALER ARRIVAL PROCEDURES
*Doors open at 8:15 for arrival.
*Kiss and Drop services begin at 8:15 a.m.
Please stay in your car.
* Staff members will come to your car to greet your child.
* There is no parking on Shaler Boulevard in front of the school
or in the school parking lot.
*Supervising staff are stationed throughout the school to assist the children.
*Doors close at 8:25 a.m. when the school day begins.
*Kiss and Drop ends at 8:25. If there are no staff members present, please bring your child to the front door for arrival.
*After 8:25 a.m., children must be brought to
the office for a late pass.
SHALER DISMISSAL
*Doors open at 2:45 for dismissal.
*Parents enter building for dismissal.
*Rooms 2, 3, and 4 (Mrs. F. DiSciascio, Mrs. DeMaio, Mrs. Pagano, and Mrs. K. DiSciascio) dismiss from the MultiPurpose Room.
*Rooms 5, 6, and 7 (Mrs. Kim, Mrs. Brennan, and Mrs. D’Amore dismiss from their classrooms.
*Parking is permitted in front of the school ONLY
Bergen Arrival & Dismissal
BERGEN ARRIVAL PROCEDURES
*Doors open at 8:25 for arrival.
*Kiss and Drop services begin at 8:25 a.m.
Please stay in your car.
* Staff members will come to your car to greet your child.
*Kiss and Drop ends at 8:35. If there are no staff members present, please bring your child to the front door for arrival.
* There is no parking in the school parking lot.
*Supervising staff are stationed throughout the playground and school to assist the children.
*Doors close at 8:35 a.m. when the school day begins.
*After 8:35 a.m., children must be brought to
the office for a late pass.
DISMISSAL
For the safety of our students, we have set up cones on the blacktop for dismissal. When picking up your students, please refrain from standing in the white numbered boxes as well as the blue 4 square boxes along the fence. These areas are designated for our students and teachers. We ask that all parents wait in the middle of the blacktop so that classes may move safely to their designated areas. Once your child's class has lined up in the appropriate location, his/her teacher will begin dismissal procedures.
UPCOMING EVENTS
- 12/23: Single Session Day
- 12/26/16-1/2/17: Holiday Recess
- 1/3/17: School Reopens
- 1/16/17: Single Session Day
School Contact Information
455 Shaler Boulevard
Ridgefield, NJ 07657
201-313-2476
Bergen Boulevard School
635 Bergen Boulevard
Ridgefield, NJ 07657
201-943-1861
pmastrangelo@ridgefieldschools.com
District and School Website