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February 9, 2024

A Message from the Principals

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February is a time of love, learning, and celebrations! February is famously known as the month of love and our classrooms will be buzzing with activities that foster kindness, friendship, and compassion.


This month also brings with it several notable holidays, providing opportunities for learning and cultural exploration. Here are a few:


  • Black History Month: Throughout February, we celebrate the achievements and contributions of African Americans. Our curriculum will include lessons and activities that highlight the rich history and culture of the African American community. Please join us for the Celebration of Black Excellence on Thursday, February 15th at the Greece Performing Arts Center.

  • Lunar New Year (February 10th): Also known as the Spring Festival. Students will be learning about different customs and traditions to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

  • Valentine's Day/Friendship Day (February 14th): Classroom teachers will be in communication with you if there are special plans for celebrating in the classroom.

  • Presidents' Day (February 21st): A day to honor and reflect on the achievements of past presidents. Some classes may engage in activities related to American history and leadership.


We encourage you to discuss with your child the value of kindness and inclusion during this heartwarming month.


❀️,


Andrea and Allie

⏰ LAST CHANCE! Family Perception Survey ⏰

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HOW ARE WE DOING? WE NEED YOUR FEEDBACK! We are up to 112 Pine Brook responses for our Perception Survey so far. Last year we had 135 responses and we are hoping to surpass that number! If you could, please take 6 minutes to complete now!


Click here to complete. THANK YOU!


This annual anonymous survey helps our district and building understand how families feel about their school. The survey takes just about 5 minutes to complete. Question categories include culture, relationships, safety, instruction, and discipline.


By completing the survey, you can enter to win an accompanying sweepstakes for a chance to win a grant prize of $100 Visa gift card courtesy of the Center for Youth. To enter the sweepstakes please email your name, and phone number to parent.helpline@greececsd.org and mention that you are entering the Family Perception Survey Sweepstakes by February 9th. You do not need to complete the survey to enter.

πŸ“± Who to Call πŸ“±

Who to Call With Questions is a Resource for Families

Building trust and ensuring that there are open lines of communication between home and school are essential for student success. We want to be sure you know who to contact with questions or concerns. In December, the district shared a new resource for families. In case you missed it, this linked Who to Call with Questions, Concerns and Compliments reference guide is a step-by-step guide families can use to ensure questions are answered quickly and effectively. Please refer to it whenever you need to speak to someone about your child’s progress. Whether your inquiry is about academics, safety, or services and supports, there are people at the school and district level who are ready to help whenever a question or concern arises.


For Step 1 concerns at Pine Brook, please start with the person closest to the situation. They should be able to help you navigate the situation. If the concern rises to a Step 2, please contact the Assistant Principal. For your convenience there is a list below of contacts at Pine Brook:


Step 1:

Safety, Health and Wellness:

Nurse: Jen Curatalo jennifer.curatalo@greececsd.org


Registration, Daily Schedules, and Other Questions:

Main Office Secretary: Janine Layne janine.layne@greececsd.org


Mental Health, Counseling and Social Work Questions:

Counselors: Anne McAdam anne.mcadam@creececsd.org

Counselor: Debbie Schneider deborah.schneider@greececsd.org

Social Worker: Danielle Binn danielle.binn@greececsd.org


Academics and Instructional Questions:

Please contact your student’s teacher


Step 2:

Principal: Andrea Geglia andrea.geglia@greececsd

Assistant Principal: Allie Weise allison.weise@greececsd.org

Support From the Social Worker for Pine Brook Families

Danielle Binn is the social worker here at Pine Brook Elementary and has worked with youth and families in the community for over 10 years. Life can present varied challenges, and the support that we need may change. Through a confidential consultation, Danielle is here as a direct support to provide assistance to families that may need to be connected to resources in the community, or may need assistance navigating through overwhelming systems. We know that a strong school-home connection can positively impact student success and at Greece Central, we are Better Together. Please complete this form for a confidential consultation with Danielle.

🐸 Early Childhood Updates 🐸

Is your family interested in hands-on exploration of the natural world? These 60-second science clips provide opportunities to develop children's self-confidence, problem solving skills, literacy, and cognitive development. Have fun!


🍿 Pine Brook PTSA 🍿

Please follow this link to sign up to volunteer! We need a few parents to help with future events.

Link for PTSA Membership!!!
Click the button to join!

Community School News

  • 2/10: FunDrive at Pine Brook 9:30am-11:30am
  • 2/12: 100th Day of School!
  • 2/15 Celebration of Black Excellence 6-7:30pm at the GPAC
  • 2/15 Drama Club Performance 6pm at Pine Brook
  • 2/19 - 2/23: Winter Break: NO SCHOOL
  • 2/29 WIG Reading Celebration in School!
  • 3/2: Snow Fun at Pine Brook 9:00am-11:00am (Weather Pending!)
  • 3/9: Spring Family Fest at Arcadia Middle School 11:00 am-1:30 pm (Link to register)
  • 4/20: Breakfast Unplugged at Pine Brook 9:00am-11am

⬇️ Click on the Photo to Give a Panther Pride Shout-out! ⬇️

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Pine Brook Contact Information

Website: https://www.greececsd.org/Domain/23

Location: 2300 English Rd, Rochester, NY 14616, USA
Phone: (585)966-4600
Twitter: @Pinebrookgcsd


Principal: Andrea Geglia andrea.geglia@greececsd.org

Assistant Principal: Allie Weise allison.weise@greececsd.org

Nurse: Jen Curatalo jennifer.curatalo@greececsd.org

Main Office Secretary: Janine Layne janine.layne@greececsd.org

Custodian: Kevin Kendrick: kevin.kendrick@greececsd.org

The Following Info Appeared in Previous Editions of the Pine Brook Press

Universal Prekindergarten

Children who will be four years old on or before December 1, 2024 are eligible for our free Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) programming during the 2024-2025 school year.


The UPK application opens on January 12, 2024 and applications are due March 1, 2024. Click here to complete the application or call 966-2472 to have a printed application mailed to you.


UPK Wrap-Care options are available through KidsCare for the 2024-2025 school year. Please see our UPK KidsCare flyer for more information.

🚌 Bus Information 🚌

The Transportation Department is taking applications for Childcare for the 24-25 school year. Applications can be submitted by visiting here Applications are due April 1, 2024. Families had until July 1st in previous years to get us this information but it is now due April 1st, which is the due date identified by SED.

KidsCare

We are excited to announce that GCSD will be piloting a return of the Oasis literacy tutoring program at Longridge and English Village Elementary schools in the new year. As part of this re-start initiative we are currently recruiting individuals over the age of 50 who would be interested in joining us one or two days (mornings or afternoons) per week during KidsCare to spend time developing relationships and reading with assigned students. Please review the Oasis Flyer to learn more about this great opportunity to connect with students, build literacy skills, and be involved in the Greece Central community! If interested, please contact us right away as our first tutor training session will take place on January 10th. We would greatly appreciate it if you could help spread the word!

🎬 Pine Brook Morning Show 🎬

Pine Brook will livestream a morning show every M-F! This show is run by students, for students! Here is the link to the Pine Brook’s LiveStream Channel. It will show the announcements live at 9:00 each morning.


If you would like to watch the announcements at a later time, use this link for our Pine Brook Archived Live Streams. Once on the site you can click on whatever date you would like to view. Once we have finished the show live it should appear here.


It's a great day to be a Panther!

Links to Resources

Pine Brook Student Handbook 2023-2024


Technology Support for Families


GCSD Calendar


Click here if you would like to view the Code of Conduct Presentation for Students.

Authors: Andrea Geglia, Pine Brook Principal

Allison Weise, Pine Brook Assistant Principal


The Greece Central School District does not discriminate in employment or in its educational programs and activities against qualified individuals on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, disability, veteran status or age and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.


The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources

Compliance Officer

P.O. Box 300 (585) 966-2300

North Greece, New York 14515 gina.larsen@greececsd.org

Andrea Geglia and Allison Weise
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