February 2021
Intermediate Education Center Newsletter
From the Principal
Dear Lewiston-Porter IEC Families,
This is a great time of year…ODOB and playoff football!!! I am not sure what I am more excited for, the Buffalo Bills or the big reveal. Well of course our ODOB with our elementary community. We are embarking on our fifth year of One District One Book.
Every child will receive a copy of the winning book, Fenway and Hattie by Victoria J. Coe, and will be asked to read it at home over the coming months. Each week, new questions will be sent home for the corresponding chapters to stimulate conversation about the book with your family. I am personally asking you to make the time so your family can participate in this special school-wide/community-wide activity. We have selected a title that can be followed, understood, and enjoyed by all our students in grade K-6. We are very excited!
Reading aloud at home is valuable because it better prepares your child to be an effective reader. It is also a fun, worthwhile family activity. Through our One District One Book program, we are aiming to build a community of readers. Everyone - students, parents, teachers, administrators, even community businesses - will be participating. The benefits of reading aloud are remarkable -- studies have shown that reading to children helps them to listen better and longer, build bigger vocabularies, understand concepts better, feel positive about both books and learning, and more. When an entire school reads the same book, the buzz and excitement around the book being read increases these benefits, and there is the added joy of building community in the school family.
Last week, your child received his/her copy of Fenway and Hattie after a special school-wide virtual reveal introducing the program and the book. Generally, you will be asked to read 2 chapters a week about 15 minutes per night. You may choose as a family to read the chapters together or listen to chapter videos on our school website. Mystery readers will be recorded for each chapter of the book and revealed weekly. If you check on the Lew-Port CSD Website, you will find the link to the One District One Book webpage and will find the chapter read alouds under the corresponding tab.
In school, your child will be invited to answer trivia questions to encourage and reward attentive, careful listening. You will soon find that your child will take pride in knowing and anticipating the details of the story. In class, there may be various activities which discuss or explore the book. You will want to make sure your family keeps up so your child can be included. Throughout the coming months, everyone will be talking about it. I personally invite your family to READ WITH US at the Lewiston Porter Intermediate Education Center.
Mrs. Rodriguez
Field Trip!
Grades 3, 4, 5 Remote Lancers Virtual Field Trip
The Remote Lancers in grades 3, 4, and 5 will be going on a virtual field trip to Old Fort Niagara on Friday, March 12, 2021. All Remote Lancers will Zoom from 10:50 - 12:00 on this day. The field trip will include a video tour of the fort, an opportunity to meet historical characters and experience living history programs, and a Question and Answer session. More information to follow.
Lets' Go Buffalo!!!!! Click the pink button above to see video
Lewport IEC Buffalo Bills Football excitement
New to IEC- the Zen Den!
This month, our school will be opening the Zen Den. The Zen Den is a room for students to access to alleviate stress when they are feeling strong emotions in class. The Zen Den is stocked with mindful resources and sensory tools to assist students in discovering their best way to decompress. We have yoga mats, fidget tools, sound machines, balance blocks, and more. The goals of the Zen Den are to help our students to develop coping skills, self-regulation strategies, communication skills, and a greater sense of self-awareness. Thank you to our PTSA for providing funding!
Due to the room size and COVID safety measures, we will be limiting the Zen Den to one student at a time, accompanied by a staff member.
We understand that this past year has been a challenging time for our students. With that in mind, we wanted to create a space specifically designed to address student mental health, mindfulness, and stress relief. The Zen Den is a low-stimulation area which can help our students de-escalate in a sensory-focused environment. We cannot wait to introduce students to the Zen Den at the IEC!
One District One Book Winner!
We all voted, we all waited, and now the time has come. The winner is...
Fenway and Hattie!
Every student will receive a copy of the book to bring home and read with their families. Students will also receive a packet with discussion questions to use as they read with their families. Each week in school we will have Trivia questions along with prizes for the winners. Families can also follow along by listening to guest readers reading the book which will be posted on our website.
https://www.lew-port.com/Page/12789
Mark your calendars for the culminating event on Friday March 12th! We will have activities to go along with the book. Families will be able to pre-register for Family Night and receive a packet of supplies to go along with the activities.
IEC Music Leaders of the Month
Each month, one student from Band, Orchestra, Chorus and General Music will be chosen as a Music Leader of the Month. These students demonstrate the 3 R’s (Responsibility, Respect and Resourcefulness) in these classes.
For the month of January, the following students have been chosen by Mrs. Spinnegan, Mrs. Zachary and Mrs. Carere:
Band - Ksenia Lesniak
Orchestra - Adam Blyashuk
Chorus - Mia Granto
General Music - Robert Moon
Mrs. Zachary's Music class
Marcello Granata and Ryellee Kush from Mrs. Topolski's third grade and Gino Granto and Kylie Halliday from Mrs. Boss's third grade practice their conducting skills in Mrs. Zachary's Music class.
Traveling the world!
Enrichment Leadership Program
Miss Bradshaw’s Wonder League Robotics Team - IEC Coding Kiddos
Great job! The students passed the opening round and made it to invitationals, where they will now be competing against over 70 different teams! Congratulations and best of luck!
IEC Health and Wellness Update with Mrs. Thompson
Mrs. DuMoulin & Mrs. Siuta/Block’s 4th & 5th grade classes are participating in the Health & Wellness program in Feb. with Mrs. Thompson. Topics that will be discussed includes:
The Endocrine system and the role of hormones in growth & development
Gender differences during puberty between girls and boys
· Personal hygiene
· Nutrition & Physical Activity
· Puberty
· Cyberbullying
· Infections/HIV & AIDS
Mr. Siuta and Mrs Baio’s 3rd grade classes will continue participating in the Health & Wellness program in Feb. Topics that will include:
· Personal Body Safety
· Nutrition & Healthy Eating/Exercise
· Internet Safety
· Bullying & Cyberbullying
· Personal Hygiene
Students will keep a journal for the classes, and will reflect on topics discussed each week. Students are also encouraged to leave questions in the “question box” each week on topics in Health that requires further explanation. All classes will continue until March.
STEAM Lab
Lancer Leaders/ Lighthouse Team
From the Nurse's Office
BMI and Weight Status Category Reporting
As part of a required school health examination, a student is weighed and his/her height is measured. These numbers are used to figure out the student’s body mass index or ‘BMI’ and weight status category. These calculations help the Primary Care Provider know if the student’s weight is in a healthy range or is too high or too low. New York State Education Law requires that the weight status category be included as part of the student’s school health examination.
Lewiston Porter School District is mandated to complete this survey every other year. Only summary information is sent.
No names and no information about individual students are included in the report.
The information gathered is from the 3rd and 5th grade physical exams that were completed last year, in the 2019-2020 school year.
The data sent to the New York State Department of Health will help health officials develop programs that make it easier for children to be healthier.
However, you may choose to have your child’s information excluded from this survey report.
If you do not wish to have your child’s weight status group information included as part of the Health Department’s survey this year, please print the BMI opt out form from the Lew-Port website, found under Health Services, Forms, and return it to the IEC nurse by February 15th, 2021.
Copper Repoussé
Our focus for this project was on the Element of Design-LINES and the Principle of Design PATTERNS. Students were introduced to Zentangles as a means to relieve stress and anxiety while learning how lines can create patterns. They created a low relief (3-D) image in metal (copper foil) using the process of repousse’. Students then continued the design in 2-D into the borders rendering in colored pencil.
The Week of February 15th
- Monday and Tuesday, February 15th and 16th--DISTRICT CLOSED
- Wednesday, February 17th synchronous virtual day for all students
- Thursday, February 18th on-campus day for Green Group Students
- Friday, February 19th an on-campus day for White Group Students
Upcoming Events
K-Kids Meeting Dates - Wednesdays & Fridays @ 8:10a.m:
February 10th & 12th
March 10th & 12th
April 14th & 16th
May 12th & 14th
June 9th & 11th
Lancer Leader tentative meeting dates:
Please drop off your child at 8:10 at the IEC main entrance.
Green Team:
Wednesday, February 24th
Wednesday, March 24th
Wednesday, April 28th
Wednesday, May 19th
Wednesday, June 2nd
White Team:
Friday, February 19th
Thursday, March 25th
Friday, April 23rd
Friday, May 21st
Friday, June 4th
February 15 & 16 : District Holiday - President's Day
March 29 - April 9 : Spring Recess - No Student Attendance
Lewport Intermediate Education Center
Grades 3-5
Email: trodriguez@lew-port.com
Website: lew-port.com
Location: 4061 Creek Road, Youngstown, NY 14174, USA
Phone: 716-286-7253
Twitter: @LewPortIEC