KES 2024 April Newsletter 🌺
Building a Community of Belonging
MESSAGES FROM CRISTY AND KWEON
Spring Break
Monday, April 1 to Friday, April 5
Have a wonderful time with family and friends over Spring Break.
We look forward to seeing the students back at KES on Monday, April 8.
"Thank You" to the KES PTO for supporting the following enrichment this month!
Grades K: Seedling, Leaf Exhibit and Leaf Tasting
Grade 1: Seeds and Germination
Grade 4: Author, Jen Calonita
OPTIONAL CLASS PLACEMENT INPUT FORM
We will soon begin the process of creating student groupings for class placement for the 2024-25 school year. This is an extensive collaboration that includes the classroom teachers, service providers, specialists, administration, and parents. If you choose to participate, please click the link below to access the Optional Class Placement Input Form for your child.
The only accepted feedback regarding class placement can be through the form which is equitable and in the best interest of all children. This optional online input form may be used to provide us with unique insights about your child, including strengths and needs. Additionally, if your family has twins, please indicate whether you want the children separated by class or placed together.
If you choose to provide input about your child, please know that we may not be able to honor requests for children to be placed with or separated from other students. Please refrain from making requests for preferred teachers and from making negative requests for specific teachers unless your family has had direct previous experience, in which case, the request will be considered.
The form should be complete by the parent/guardians of students currently in grades K-4 only. Also, please complete a separate form for each child in your family. The online form must be submitted by 4 PM on Tuesday, April 30. The input form will no longer be available beyond this date. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
This play has been made possible through the collaboration of Mr. Cuzzi, KES Music Teacher and sound support from Mr. Gelfer, KES Music Teacher, along with 5th Grade parent volunteers for choreography, costumes, set, supervision, etc. Financial support was received from KLSD Arts Alive and the KES PTO.
THANK YOU!!!
**Priority for ticket reservations will be given to 5th grade families. Please click this link to reserve your complimentary tickets.
**Tickets for K-4 families will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please click this link to reserve your free tickets.
Confirmation of ticket reservations will be sent via email on Thursday, April 18. Thank you for your support, and we look forward to seeing you at the show!
Solar Eclipse- Monday, April 8 from Andrew Selesnick, Superintendent
As you may know, on April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will occur and be visible in northern parts of New York State. This is a rare and exciting astronomical event. The next such eclipse won’t be visible in New York State until 2079. In our area, although the total eclipse will not be visible, a partial eclipse will occur between approximately 2:00 and 4:30 pm, with peak coverage (about 90% of the sun) occurring at 3:26 pm.
So, why is your school superintendent writing to you about this solar phenomenon? I’m writing because the eclipse presents both exciting educational opportunities and some safety concerns (related to the day and timing of the event). We have been considering both and want to share our plans with you, so that our families can plan accordingly.
Our schools will be in session for their regular hours on Monday, April 8. It is the first day after our Spring Break. At all grade levels, during science instruction, teachers will present age-appropriate lessons relevant to the eclipse. They will include safety tips about not looking directly at the sun without appropriate protection. I also encourage families to review safety information (see link above) with your children at home.
Towards the end of the school day, all schools will supply students and staff with NASA-approved eclipse viewing safety glasses. At our middle and high schools, the school day ends and students are dismissed before the peak eclipse. The glasses are provided in case students wish to view the eclipse, with their family’s permission, after the school day.
At our elementary schools, dismissal coincides with the peak eclipse time. Students will be walking to their buses (or cars) and, knowing that they may be tempted to look up, we want to offer as much safety as we can by providing these glasses (which students will be asked to wear).
We will not be supervising viewings of the eclipse during the school day. If any family wishes to have their child(ren) dismissed from school to view this rare solar event as a family, we understand and we will consider this an excused absence.
Superintendent Search Information
All community members are invited to complete an online survey and attend a Community Conversation, which will be facilitated by associates of Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates (HYA), a consulting firm that specializes in assisting School Boards with the consideration of candidates for superintendent, on April 10 at noon and 7:30 pm, via Zoom. The link for the survey and the Zoom link for the Community Conversations can be found at klschools.org/superintendentsearch.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND BELONGING
Focus on Family Diversity
Family is an important part of our identity and upbringing. Families provide us with a sense of belonging, support, and love. While all families provide care and affection for each other, there are many different types of families.
Each family brings its own set of values, traditions, customs, and experiences, which shape the identity and worldview of its members. Understanding the diversity of family structures enriches our understanding of the people we meet and teaches us that no matter what your family looks like, all families are an important part of who we are.
This month, students will watch an important 'Good Morning, KES' presentation about Family Diversity. There will be a follow-up activity during Morning Meeting where children will draw their families. We will decorate a bulletin board with the drawings, showing the wide array of different families that make up KES.
Women's History Month
We continue to honor Women's History Month throughout April with a focus on the contributions that women have made to the United States and recognizing the specific achievements of women over the course of American history in a variety of fields.
Students continue to be learning about Women's History in their homeroom during Morning Meeting as well as in Art, Music and Physical Education classes with a focus on women artists, musicians and athletes.
Below is a picture of the impressive COMPACT Bulletin Board created and installed by parent, Karen Poffenberger.
SUSTAINABILITY
The Sustainability Team is hosting the 3rd annual KLSD Sustainability Celebration on Tuesday, April 16th from 6-7:30 at JJHS. It will be followed by a presentation to the board that evening.
The Sustainability Team is hosting the 3rd annual KLSD Sustainability Celebration on Tuesday, April 16 from 6-7:30 PM at JJHS. It will be followed by a presentation to the Board of Education that evening.
The goal for the event is to celebrate learning, resources and initiatives in our schools and the broader community. In addition to interactive presentations showcasing sustainability from students in grades 4-12, we will have students performing live music and a parent-run plant exchange.
KLSD Spirit Wear and Gear Swap
The JJMS Green Team is hosting a John Jay Spirit Wear and Gear Exchange during the annual KLSD Sustainability Celebration. We are asking community members to donate clean, outgrown or unwanted school spirit wear and sports gear to exchange with others in our community.
Please see the flyer below regarding drop off donations details.
CURRICULUM, INSTRUCTION AND ASSESSMENT
WHAT IS WIN TIME AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
What is WIN Time?
WIN time stands for What I Need time. It is a 40-minute period during the day when students can work on activities that are tailored to their individual learning needs and goals. The activities may be related to reading, writing, math, or other content areas. The purpose of WIN time is to provide students with opportunities for reteaching, remediating, intervention, or extending their learning. WIN time is not free or play time; it's a valuable part of the day that students enjoy and benefit from.
How does WIN Time work?
WIN time is planned and structured by the teacher based on the assessment data and observations of the students. The teacher may assign students to specific activities or give them a choice of activities from a menu or a choice board. The activities are designed to be appropriately differentiated and challenging for each student. Students may work individually, in pairs, or in small groups. They may also rotate through stations or centers that have different tasks or materials. The teacher may work with students individually or in small groups to provide feedback, guidance, or instruction. The teacher may also monitor and check the progress of the students during WIN time.
What are the benefits of WIN Time?
WIN time has many benefits for both students and teachers. Some of the benefits are:
· Students can work on activities that match their learning needs and goals.
· Students can practice and reinforce the skills and concepts they learned in the core subjects.
· Students can explore and deepen their understanding of the topics they are interested in.
· Students can develop their independence, self-regulation, and responsibility for their own learning.
· Students can collaborate and communicate with their peers and the teacher.
· Students can have fun and enjoy learning.
· Teachers can differentiate the instruction for individual students and groups of students.
· Teachers can provide timely and specific feedback and support to the students.
· Teachers can monitor and assess the learning progress and outcomes of the students.
· Teachers can identify and address the learning gaps and strengths of the students.
CURRICULUM UPDATES
Each month, we provide curriculum highlights from each grade level. Please know that these are snapshots and do not reflect all the curriculum and learning taking place in the classroom.
Students in kindergarten continue to work toward accuracy as they practice sliding through all the sounds in a word to read. They will enjoy working in partnerships to support each other in reading new words, as well as to discuss story elements. As children write to teach others, they are working through the writing cycle to plan, illustrate, write, and share their 'How To' books. Craftsmanship is a priority as children write with their reader in mind. Math will focus on extending number names and counting to 100. Children will practice both verbal and written patterns in the counting sequence and count by ones and tens, beginning from any number. A one hundred chart will be an important tool used for developing these number skills. In Social Studies, kindergarteners will continue to learn about their own identity and their role as a member of a community, such as KES. They will learn that children and adults have rights and responsibilities at home, at school, in the classroom, and in the community.
Students in first grade will take on the “big jobs” of decoding and reading fluency in their reading work this month. They will learn how to be flexible when reading some vowel teams, decode words containing diphthongs (ex. ou and ow) and "scoop up" their reading to improve the way they sound when reading to a listener. In writing, students will write their opinions about places they love and things they like to do. Students will be encouraged to work on their revision skills each day by incorporating the new strategy they learned during the mini-lesson not only in their new reviews they are writing but also reviews they’ve previously written. In math, first graders will continue to work with place value. We will use what we know about tens and ones to add and subtract. They will use tools including 120 grids, place value blocks and number lines. First Graders will take on the role of Sky Scientists in our new science unit, Spinning Earth. We look forward to kicking off this unit on April 8 learning about the solar eclipse!
Students in second grade will be experiencing a cross-curricular science, reading and writing unit of study. The young entomologists will continue studying insects while they continue learning how to research and take notes in reading workshop to help them as they write Nonfiction Chapter books in writing workshop. To celebrate this work, the second graders will impressively be creating nonfiction books modeled after some of their favorite book series like Who Would Win?, National Geographic, and Fly Guy! In math, the second graders will be mastering how to add and subtract triple digit numbers. Using models, the students will utilize their understanding of place value to aid their efforts. Second graders will be starting a new science unit in this month, investigating the inter-relationship between plants and animals. As scientists, students will have the opportunity to continue asking questions, taking notes, investigating and learning more about the world around them.
Students in third grade will be working in research clubs for reading and writing. They will learn to synthesize information across texts, organize what they are learning, and record the information into subtopics. In math, third graders will continue to learn about fractions. Students will be learning to find equivalent fractions, which are fractions that name the same part of a whole. They will also be learning to compare and order fractions by using models, number lines, and number sense. In science, third graders will complete their work in the Environments and Survival unit. This last chapter introduces the concept of using traits from living organisms to inspire engineering solutions. Third graders will explore how engineers utilize knowledge from organisms to design solutions, and understand the process of learning, planning, making, and testing designs. In social studies, third graders will explore the ways economics impact the world and our communities. They will learn how goods and services are exchanged in markets, the impact of scarcity on decision-making, and the structure of the free market economy.
Students in fourth grade will continue in the ELA unit on reading and writing strategies in preparation for state test. Students will work on strategies such as annotating the texts, making inferences about character traits, identifying figurative language, as well as test-taking strategies, such as using the process of elimination, picking the best answer, and analyzing prompts to ensure we are properly answering written questions. At the conclusion of ELA testing, fourth graders will begin an exciting unit analyzing power and perspective in historical fiction texts. In math, students will be covering topics in geometry, such as area and perimeter, identifying patterns in shapes, and identifying and measuring angles. Later in April, students will begin our third science unit of the year. They will take on the role of geologists and investigate how a dinosaur fossil found in the fictional Desert Rocks National Park was formed!
Students in fifth grade will be starting several new units. In ELA, fifth graders will read non-fiction books and articles as they strengthen their research and note-taking skills. In addition, they will start reading the novel, From the Desk of Zoe Washington. As a culminating activity, a virtual visit with the author, Janae Marks, will take place in May. In math, fifth graders will be busily engaged in the exploration of geometry and volume concepts. To demonstrate their understanding, students will be creating a volume project involving the design of different size cereal boxes. In science, fifth graders will be starting a new unit—The Earth System. They will also complete a science investigation—Cloud in a Bottle—which will require students to gather data, draw conclusions, and create scientific explanations. In social studies, fifth graders will be learning about the Triangle of Trade and enslaved people.
NYS ELA, Math and Science Assessment Grades 3-5
This quick reference document will outline the testing calendar, test format, and general information regarding our testing environment.
Test Calendar
NYS English Language Arts: April 17th and April 18th
NYS Math: May 8th and May 9th
NYS Science (Grade 5 Only): May 13th
NYS ELA Field Test (Grade 5 Only): May 30th
Test Format
All KLSD students in Grades 3 through 8 will be taking NYS ELA, Math, and Science Tests via Computer Based Testing (note: NYS Science is only tested in grades 5 & 8). Prior to tests administration, deliberate steps are taken to integrate learning opportunities into the typical student experience to familiarize them with this testing platform. A simulation test was conducted in January to confirm our readiness and to provide students with a no-stakes opportunity to experience CBT testing. Additionally, the tests continue to be untimed, allowing students to work at their own pace to complete them.
NYS Rationale
NYSED’s rationale for making the change is as follows: “Computer-based testing has been successfully implemented for elementary- and intermediate-level testing in 48 states and it is critical that New York now also transition to modern approaches to assessment that are in line with the 21st Century instruction and learning being fostered in classrooms … potential advantages include faster turnaround of student results, additional flexibility in administration windows, reduced administrative preparation, reduction or elimination of standalone field testing, an exploration of adaptive testing models, and fiscal savings for districts. Many of these options reduce burdens on teachers and school staff which can translate into additional instructional time for students.”
General Information
- Get plenty of rest the night before the tests
- Hydrate and have breakfast the morning of the test
- Please inform the school if your child is expressing any worry or upset the morning of the test
- Students should have at least two #2 pencils and a book to read after they finish the assessment
The tests themselves are just one measure of your child’s abilities, and do not define your child; we ask that you share this sentiment with your child. We encourage children to do their best.
PARENT WORKSHOP
Follow-Up to Advancing Early Literacy Parent Workshop with Danny Wagner
Danny shared the same presentation at all three elementary schools. Here's the
video of Danny's workshop from when he presented at IMES on March 15.TECHNOLOGY
At KES, we’re committed to providing a learning experience that allows your child to grow and flourish with technology. We've has teamed up with a student safety and digital wellbeing platform that is now protecting the devices your child uses at school, ensuring they stay safe and secure called QUSTODIO.
We are happy to invite you to join us in this world of digital wellbeing by giving you access to the Qustodio Parents App. This will provide you with full visibility on how your child is using their school devices. Simply create your account to see your personalized dashboard HERE.
Please note: Sign up using the link above on a web browser before you install the app on your mobile device. Be sure to use the same email address we have on file for you.
To learn more about Qustodio Parents App click here.
The KLSD Technology Department has answered some common questions below:
What can I do with Qustodio?
You can view your child’s activity on their school devices, read digital safety guidance from experts, and remotely switch off the internet using the ‘Pause’ button during hours designated by your district.
Do I need to configure Qustodio on my child's school device to turn on protection?
No, your child's device is already protected. By setting up your account with Qustodio, you aren’t turning protection on or off. Your new account provides you with visibility of your child's activity on their school device.
Do I need to pay anything?
It is completely free to create your account and get visibility on your child’s school devices. You can also get visibility on two family devices for free - with the option of adding Premium features.
How does Qustodio use my child’s data?
Qustodio is COPPA compliant and does not share personal data with third parties.
FEATURED ART
We are feverishly working on our pieces for the KES Art Show on May 6th.
Kindergarten artists learned about Vincent Van Gogh’s style of Post-Impressionism and created their own impression of his famous Starry Night.
Second graders painted their long-awaited clay animals. After being sculpted, the clay animals had to dry for one week, then get fired in the kiln for a whole day, then cool down for many hours from 1000 degrees, then the clay was able to be painted. Phew! It was worth the wait!
While waiting for their clay to dry, second grade artists started a brand-new art lesson developed this year to align with their new unit of study about insects in the classroom.
We started with the head, thorax and abdomen.
Stay tuned to see these mixed media insect collages developed fully
at the KES Art Show on May 6th!
5th grade artists created the armature (skeleton) for their Tropical Fish sculpture,
then started plastering over it.
See the wildly colorful fish in their awesome aquarium at the Art Show as well!
There are several parent volunteer opportunities for the student art show.
If you are interested in participating, please sign up here.
MARCH MEMORIES
PARP WAS PAWSOME!!!
JJHS Drama Students Performance of Favorite Book Skits, Wear Words Day,
PJ's and Flashlights Day, Starry Story Night and Character Day
DIGNITY FOR ALL STUDENTS (DASA)
Cristy Harris, Principal and KES Dignity Act Coordinator 763-7700 or charris@klschools.org
Kweon Stambaugh, Assistant Principal (designee) 763-7705 or kstambaugh@klschools.org
Jessica Fulton, Social Worker (designee) 763-7669 or jfulton@klschools.org.