April 2021
Lewport IEC newsletter
From the Principal
Author's Day!
Over break, I will be doing a lot of reading and catching up on some of my favorite authors. April 21st is Author Day. Send me a picture of you reading your favorite books. I will tweet them out on April 21st.
Have a great April!
Mrs. Rodriguez
Thank you to all who have made our 5th annual One District, One Book a success!
We are excited to announce that we had 237 students, 146 families, with a total of an estimated 456 Attendees for our Virtual Family Night!! In case you missed it please enjoy our live intro video below as well as our student's creations on Padlet. Families please take a minute to fill out our feedback form so we can continue to make improvements to this program each year.
ODOB Family Feedback Form:
Please enjoy our Live Intro Video from Family Night:
Our student's creations on Padlet:
President Thomas Jefferson's Birthday is April 13th
Helpful Information
Need help? Here are some people to reach out to:
Child Protection Services (CPS)
Niagara County Department of Social Services
278-8650
Mandated Reporters - 1-800-635-1522
Public Callers - 1-800-342-3720
Domestic Violence Hotlines
Lockport: 433-6716
Niagara Falls: 285-6984
North Tonawanda: 692-5580
After hours hotline: 692-5643
National: 1-800-799-7233
Crisis Services Hotline (24 Hours)
Niagara County - 285-3513
Erie County - 834-3131
Haven House
Ellicott Street #451
Buffalo, NY 14203
Phone: 884-6000
Rape Crisis Services - YWCA of Niagara
32 Cottage Street
Lockport, NY 14094
Phone: 343-2858
Family Justice Center: Services for Domestic Violence Victims
330 North Forest
Amherst, NY 14221
Phone: 634-4309
Safety Patrol Program Essays
Our Safety Patrol program is offered to all 5th grade students and our mission focuses on helping to build leadership skills and promote safety. Our 5th grade safety patrol leaders assist our PEC and IEC students on our bus loop, support safe and friendly choices when traveling to and from school on our buses and work hard at being role models for all students. This year we decided to get a bit more creative with our program and offer some unique opportunities. One being an essay contest.
Students were given the opportunity to enter the contest by writing an essay with the title, “What makes a good leader?” We were very excited to read through many wonderful responses to this question.
Anisha Singh was our first place winner. Genevieve Zimmerman was our second place winner, and Arizona Kozlowski won third place. Mrs. Jaruszewski and Miss Yager, the Safety Patrol leaders are very proud of our students for taking on this challenge.
What Makes A Good Leader by Aisha Singh
Hi, my name is Anisha Singh. I’m in 5th grade and I’m in Safety Patrol. To me, what makes a good leader is having discipline, integrity, and determination. Let me explain a bit more about the traits of a leader.
The 1st trait of a leader is discipline. Discipline is obeying the rules and not being late. For example, if you’re in a club or a sport and follow the rules. If you were early for every class, and did what you were supposed to do in class, and in between classes, you would have discipline. If you were late for every class and didn’t do what you were supposed to, you do not have discipline. Being on time is a perfect example of having discipline. So a leader should set a good example and not be late or on time, but be early.
The 2nd trait is integrity. Integrity is being honest. If you were late for a class, and your teacher asked you why you were late, and you were lying and making excuses, you do not have integrity. If you were late and your teacher asked you why you were late, and you were telling the truth and said that you would never do it again, then you definitely have integrity. Telling the truth is having integrity. So a leader should set a good example for everyone and never lie.
The 3rd and final trait of a leader is determination. Determination is never giving up, and pushing through the obstacles that you face. For example, if you had a test really soon, and you had a fixed mindset, you do not have determination. Fixed mindset is like saying “I’m going to fail” or “This is too hard”. But, since you have a test, you should study and have a growth mindset and push through those obstacles. Growth mindset is like saying “I can do this” or “Failure is an opportunity for me to learn”. Having a growth mindset is being positive and believing in yourself. Having a growth mindset is a great example of determination. So a leader should set a good example for everyone and believe in themselves.
Those are 3 of many traits of a good leader. Discipline, integrity, and determination. Pretty small words, HUGE meaning in leadership. Thank you for listening, and I hope you enjoyed!
What Makes A Good Leader By: Genevieve Zimmerman
The five characteristics that make a good leader are kindness, loyalty, respect, fairness, and responsibility. In the next five paragraphs I will describe the five characteristics of a good leader. I think these are good characteristics because they help us share, learn, and grow.
The first characteristic I am going to talk about is kindness. Kindness is a good quality because you are always looking out for others in the good and bad times. Kindness helps us see the good in others and want to help. When you have kindness you help a person even if you do not know them. When kindness is channeled inside you shine with love and care.
Next, I am going to tell you why loyalty is a good characteristic of a leader. Loyalty is a good characteristic because you want to make new friends and always want to do well. When times are tough for you or a friend you never give up. You alway keep a friend’s secret when it is ok. When you have loyalty you always help a friend in need and always stand by them.
Respect is my third characteristic of a good leader. When you have respect you always listen to others and don’t interrupt. You let others finish sharing their thoughts before responding. You respond with choice and care in your words. We all make mistakes and have misunderstandings. We all mess up and that is how we learn. We have individuality that is unique to us. It is important to respect that in everyone.
Next is fairness. Fairness is when we don’t judge others by their weaknesses but value their strengths. Not by their skin but by their character. You just can’t say no because you don’t know them. But you talk to them and get to know them better. When someone is fair they let the other person share their thoughts and doesn’t interrupt. When a person has fairness it makes the others feel important.
My last characteristic is responsibility. When you have responsibility you are always on top of things. You do what you need to do. You are outgoing and alway do what is right. Responsibility makes a good leader because you do what is needed or the task that is in front of you. When responsible you can do great things.
Kindness, loyalty, respect, fairness, and responsibility are all great qualities of a leader because they show what a person can accomplish and why they care. I think these are the most important characteristics of a good leader because they help us listen, learn, grow, and try new things. In my mind those are the characteristics of a good leader.
What Makes a Good Leader By: Arizona Kozlowski
There are a lot of things that make a good leader. An example of being a good leader is being kind or helpful, but I am going to tell what else I think a good leader is.
One character trait that makes a good leader is . Someone that is helpful. That is like when you are stuck on a math problem and you help them, or when someone drops a pencil and you pick it up and give it back to them. Even just the little things make someone's day, like the pencil.
Another character trait that makes a good leader is someone that is caring. Someone that is caring is like when you get hurt on the playground and you actually care this is called caring. You’re not caring is when you're like, “oh someone got hurt on the playground I don't really care.” That is an example of someone not caring.
The last character trait is someone that is responsible. Someone that is responsible is when they do all their homework and turn it all in and they put their best effort into all of it to get good grades.
I think someone that is helpful, caring and responsible makes a good leader. As you can see, I think being helpful, caring and responsible is what a good leader is.
Earth Day is April 22nd
Here is Canon Power!
Here is First Finger Rock! Special thanks to Mr. Marinaccio for composing the drum track. Here is Tune-A-Rumble! Special thanks to Mr. Marinaccio for recording the piano track.
Mrs. Frederick returns
Hello, third, fourth, and fifth grade students!
Mrs. Frederick is excited to be returning to the IEC, as your art teacher. I am looking forward to finishing the school year with completing some beautiful artwork with you.
Third grade will be creating birch trees…
Fourth grade will be creating an abstract piece using chalk pastel...
Fifth grade will be creating a mixed piece of art based on artist, Gustav Klimt.
IEC Kids Heart Challenge 2021
The IEC completed another successful Kids Heart Challenge just before spring break in March.
The Kids Heart Challenge is a fun and exciting event where our students learn about Heart Health while helping others by raising money for the American Heart Association. This program prepares your child for success through physical and emotional well-being. The funds raised during the program are used to help fight heart disease through research and educational outreach programs for schools and community organizations.
This year the event focused on following 3 key Healthy Habits:
Choose to drink more water every day.
Choose to be more active everyday.
Be Kind.
Students had fun during our event with lessons on continuing to learn new jumping skills and culminating the event with challenging stations that let them show off these skills while trying some new games as well.
Thank you to all who registered online and supported this great effort!
27th Annual Nancy Price Memorial 5K Run/Walk
The Youngstown Recreation Commission is hosting its 27th Annual Nancy Price Memorial 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, May 8 at 10:00am. There is also a 1/2 Mile Kids Fun Run with a start time of 9:30am. In addition, there is a virtual option where you can choose the location and time to get out on your own and run/walk your 5K. To get more information and to register online, visit nancyprice.itsyourrace.com.
The race proceeds go directly to the Nancy Price Memorial Scholarships which are awarded to two or more Seniors that have participated in Youngstown Recreation activities, excelled in their academic programs, and contributed to the community. The Youngstown Recreation Commission sponsors the run which has been taking place since 1993 and was originally the 5K River Run. In 1995, the race and a local scholarship were dedicated in memory of Nancy Price, the Director of Youngstown Recreation for 20 years, who died after a courageous battle with cancer.
We hope that you will join us in this fun, unique run! Feel free to share this information with your families, students, sports teams, and anyone else that you think would enjoy a beautiful run through the Village of Youngstown and Fort Niagara State Park or their own virtual course! Thank you for your support.
Sincerely, Tina Oddy
We are Stronger Together
Every 4th grade student decorated a tongue depressor with line and/or shape patterns, using either warm or cool colors. I then assembled them into a quilt. This collaborative project symbolizes- We Are Stronger Together.
I photographed every 5th graders hands in the shape of a heart. For the background, I chose an analogous color palette of purples-blues-greens. I then assembled them into a quilt to symbolize our school theme-WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER!
Remote learners virtual field trip to Fort Niagara
Amazing Mazes!
Students used cardboard and tape to create marble track mazes during STEM time. Students were challenged to create a track along the wall and have the marble land in a cup on the ground.
Check out a video of Kazimier and Agamveer's marble maze from Mrs. Boss's class here: https://video.link/w/Ptufc
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 April, the following students have been chosen by Mrs. Spinnegan, Mrs. Zachary and Mrs. Carere:
Band - Greyson Bragdon
Orchestra - Adrianne O’Shea
Chorus - Ellie Sackman
General Music - Samantha Rock
Spirit Days fun at IEC
Enjoy these smiles!
Health & Wellness with Mrs. Thompson
IEC Newletter-Health & Wellness Update:
Mrs. Niccola, Mrs. Danahy & Ms. Yager’s 4th & 5th grade classes are participating in the Health & Wellness program in April 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
Mrs. Topolski’s 3rd grade classes will be participating in the Health & Wellness program in April. 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.
Upcoming events
Siuta Science Club - April dates:
13th for the Green Team
15th for the White Team
K-Kids Meeting Dates - Wednesdays & Fridays @ 8:10a.m:
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.
Friday April 23rd white team
Wednesday April 28th green team
Green Team:
Wednesday, April 28th
Wednesday, May 19th
Wednesday, June 2nd
White Team:
Friday, April 23rd
Friday, May 21st
Friday, June 4th
March 29 - April 9 : Spring Recess - No Student Attendance
Lewport IEC
Grades 3-5
Email: trodriguez@lew-port.com
Website: lew-port.com
Location: 4061 Creek Road, Youngstown, NY 14174, USA
Phone: 716-286-7252
Twitter: @LewPortIEC