Splash
A newsletter for our State Street Laker Family
January 2019 Issue
State Street Elementary School
Email: mcrisafulli@skanschools.org
Website: http://www.skanschools.org/statestreet
Location: 72 State Street, Skaneateles, NY, USA
Phone: (315) 291-2661
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Skaneateles.Schools/
Twitter: @mhcrisafulli
From the Principal's Office....
Happy New Year!
Typically this time of year we see tremendous growth in children. January to April is often when students are settled in, have adjusted to the rigors and expectations of school and are learning machines!
There are some changes at State Street that came out of the necessity for keeping students as safe as possible.Two you'll read more about here is the change in the red maintenance barn as a student pick up location at dismissal and recess/lunch schedule. As always, I am happy to have a discussion about these, or any other issues you may want to know more about or express opinions about! Stop in, give Mrs. Litterbrant a call for an appointment in my calendar or give me a call!
Be sure to watch the video produced by Mrs. Rigling's class that reflects the work we have been doing with the Positivity Project! You'll be amazed!
I'd also like to wish Kristen Mulcahy all the best in her retirement. Please welcome Maureen Van Vechten from the Skaneateles Middle School as our new instrumental/band teacher!
Thank you for all that you do to partner with us! It is much appreciated.
Fondly,
Dismissal Update
Both Mr. Brown at Waterman and I are eager to help families find the safest possible route for your children to go home each day so if this change impacts your family, please give one of us a call to help out!
Lunch/Recess Change
Although your child's recess time may not be back to back with lunch each day, we assure you that they will have daily recess with their classmates. Lunch times remain the same for each grade level and students will have more time to eat than they did previously.
We're adding activities in the cafeteria to give students social time with their peers during their lunch including: board games, arts and crafts, puzzles and very soon we'll open the library for students who, after finishing their lunch, choose to have a quiet place to read, do classwork, work on computers, etc.
We expect that this transition will take some adjustment time for our students and staff. If you have any questions, please email Michelle Crisafulli or call 315-291-2261.
Morning Mile Update!
State Street Morning Show!
5th grade students will get a one-page application they complete in order to participate. Once all applications have been received, small teams of 3 or 4 students will be created and scheduled. Each team will have at least one opportunity to make a morning show, maybe more depending on how many students want to participate. Students will meet at school at 8:15 on their assigned Monday to plan the segment assignments and record the opening and closing segments. During the week, students will sign-out an iPad and use one of their recess periods to complete their assigned segment. Students arrive at 8:15 on Thursday morning to edit the video and complete any last-minute filming. Mrs. Yengo will post the video to Google Drive so teachers can access it anytime they want on Friday.
Segment ideas include Vocabulary Victors, Math Masters, interviews with various teachers around the school, birthday announcements, PP Mailbox shout-outs, lunch menus...
Thank you to Alyssa for bringing this opportunity to our students!
Attendance Matters
Parents or guardians of students absent, tardy or leaving early at rates of 10%, 15%, 20% or more will be notified by letter of our concern. We know that there are many factors that lead to student attendance. We are happy to help your family with those matters and resolving any issues that may be contributing to the attendance pattern. Your child's teacher, Abbie Paine, our school counselor, school nurse Mikhel DeRosalia and I are available to consult and help you and your child in any way.
The attendance thresholds as of the end of November are:
- 10% absent, late and/or tardy = 7 days for the 18-19 school year so far
- 15% absent, late and/or tardy = 11 days for the 18-19 school year so far
- 20% absent, late and/or tardy = 15 days for the 18-19 school year so far
In addition, excused absences/tardies/early dismissal include the following:
- Personal illness
- Illness or death in the family
- Impassable roads
- Religious observance
- Military obligation
The attendance policy does not differentiate whether an absence/tardy/early dismissal is excused or unexcused. The policy includes both.
Please be sure to communicate through a note, phone call or email to school regarding your child's attendance. You can call Kim Shepard in the Attendance Office at 315-291-2263 or email her at kshepard@skanschools.org.