January 2023
Lewiston Porter Intermediate Education Center
From the Principal's Office
Happy New Year!
I hope everyone had a restful, safe, healthy and happy break! It was wonderful to relax and recharge. I am looking forward to the many experiences for our students as we kick off 2023. Our first exciting event will be our One District, One Book initiative starting next week. ODOB is a program designed to create a shared reading experience across our school and community. Every student can vote on their preferred choice between two books. Each student will receive a copy of the chosen book to keep, then, every family reads it together at home while enjoying some packets from school. The shared reading experience will be supported by enriching activities at school. Please follow along the ODOB opportunities on Seesaw.
The two books the students can vote on this year are: Dragons in a Bag and Save me a seat.
This is the 7th year of the ODOB. Together the PEC, IEC, MS 6th Grade and our families will embark on a literary adventure. Reading as a family will help reading comprehension, as well as bring our community together along the way.
Families will be given the opportunity to vote for the book of their choice the week of January 6th-14th, 2023. Voting will be at the Lewiston Public Library Facebook, Ransomville Free Library of Youngstown Free Library. Each family member gets a vote. If a student can not get to a local Library, they can vote in school.
Once the book is selected and every student and staff member receives a copy of the book there will be videos of guest readers for students to view at home or in school. Once we have completed reading the book, there will be a celebration of our One District, One Book success.
The goal of this initiative is to promote reading aloud at home, and to create a culture of literacy. Reading aloud will not only provide great family time, but will also address 21st century skills of communicating, collaborating, creating, and critical thinking.
Be on the lookout for our first video to introduce the two books created by your Principals. We are all very excited to begin our ODOB reading adventures with each one of you. Happy January, Happy New Year! Happy Reading!
Mark the Calendar-
January 10th Tuesday- Early Release Day- students dismissed at 2:25pm instead of 3:25pm
January 16th Monday- Martin Luther King, Jr Day- no school
January is Asian Heritage Month
National Days in January
January 4th- National Missouri Day recognizes the 24th state to join the union
January 6th- National Technology Day, recognizes how technology changes the world and looks to the future of technology
January 9th- each year, citizens take the lead to show support on National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day.
January 10th- Save the Eagles Day reminds us of the majestic raptors that soar above the Earth – whether they are well populated or endangered. Due to the work of scientists and the public, the bald eagle was removed from this list in June 2007. Poaching, pesticides, and other dangers continue to threaten eagle populations.
January 11th- National Arkansas Day recognizes the Natural State and the 25th state to join the union.
January 14th- Ratification Day, annually recognizes the act that officially ended the American Revolution. The day commemorates the ratification of the Treaty of Paris on January 14, 1784, at the Maryland State House in Annapolis, Maryland, by the Confederation Congress.
After the Declaration of Independence was signed, nearly eight years passed before the British and the Americans agreed to a cease-fire. As part of the Treaty of Paris, Great Britain recognized the United States as a sovereign entity.
It is the most enduring premise of the treaty. The treaty also defined boundaries, specifically the Northwest Territory, which included Ohio and the rich prairie land of Indiana and Illinois. The treaty also included Michigan, Wisconsin, and parts of Minnesota w. Several of the nation’s founding fathers negotiated the peace treaty, including John Adams, John Jay, and Benjamin Franklin.
· The Confederation Congress declared on April 11, 1783, “the cessation of arms” against Great Britain.
· Congress approved the preliminary articles of peace on April 15, 1783.
· The Confederation Congress ratified the Treaty of Paris on January 14, 1784.
January 16 (3rd Monday in January)
National elementary teacher day
AND
Martin Luther King Jr Day (3rd Monday in January) honors the American clergyman, activist, Civil Rights Movement leader. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.(January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) is best known for his role in advancing civil rights using nonviolent civil disobedience. King has become a national icon in the history of American progressivism.
January 18- National Michigan Day recognizes the Great Lake State. Surrounded by four of the five Great Lakes, Michigan has more shoreline than any of the contiguous 48 states. Of the 50 states, only Alaska has more.
January 25th- National Florida Day recognizes the 27th state to join the United States. The Sunshine State is home to the oldest established city in the country. With over 400 years of history, St. Augustine’s streets and colonial architecture have stories to tell. Founded by Spanish explorers in 1565, visit the city and walk in the same footsteps as 16th-century bishops, ponder the escapades of pirates and the whereabouts of lost gold and learn about the lives of European settlers. East and West Florida became the 14th and 15th British Colonies after the end of the French and Indian War in 1763. However, in 1783, after the end of the American Revolutionary War, The Treaty of Paris returned Florida to Spain. The present-day borders of Florida were absorbed through two transactions: The Louisiana Purchase in 1803 brought East Florida with it (but not without dispute from the French) and through a U.S. intervention in an uprising in West Florida in 1812 causing West Florida to join the Mississippi Territory. Florida joined the Union on March 3, 1845.
The World's Winter Holidays
Holidays Around the World Projects
Throughout the month of December, Mrs. Behm and Mrs. DuMoulin's class have been completing a unit called, Holidays Around the World. Student have chosen a group to collaborate with and a country to research!
We are so proud of our students!
Scholastic Book Fair “Get Caught Reading” Challenge
Many, many students at the IEC have been caught reading this month! Teachers handed out “Get Caught Reading” coupons whenever they spotted a student engrossed in a good book. Those students were then eligible for a Scholastic prize drawing. Winners for each grade level were chosen by our IEC NEWS crew on Wednesday December 7th.
Winners were:
3rd grade: Luciana Cruz,
4th grade: Leo Carella,
5th grade Milton Fox
and our frequent flier (visits the library multiple times in a week to check out more books) Remington Rotella.
Congratulations to all the winners. Keep reading everyone! A special thank you to our PSTA volunteers for running a very successful Scholastic Book Fair! We appreciate you!
By Mrs. H. Kazulak NBCT
Scholastic Book Fair December 5th- 9th
Honor Flight Mail Call
Safety Patrol Ceremony
The class of Mrs Dumoulin & Mrs. Behm Enjoying Reading Adventure
Student have been reading Non-fiction texts based on Lucy Calkins. They enjoyed sharing fun facts and the purpose of reading and writing non-fiction texts!
Haudenosaunee Museum
Mary Pope Osborne visits the IEC library via Flip!
By H. Kazulak NBCT
K-Kids and Service Learning Classes Sending Holiday Cheer to the Lewiston Senior Center
Winter Coordinate Graphing Projects in Enrichment
Spotlight Series
Let us introduce the soul of the Intermediate Education Center- the staff that turns it from a building into an exceptional educational experience!
Each month, in this very newsletter, we are featuring a portion of the people who make this building into the happy haven for learning that it is- this month let me tell you about our.....
Marvelous Mathematics Teachers
&
Transcendent Teacher Aides
&
Majestic Maintenance
Marvelous Mathematics Teachers
Mrs. Ando- says the best thing about working at the IEC is the best teachers and students! "I love..."my 12 year old shih tzu named Gerbe! She is a fan of the Buffalo Bills, and her favorite saying is “Just one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day.”
Transcendent Teacher Aides
Mrs. Kromer- says the best thing about working at the IEC is the wonderful staff and students. "I love..." staying active, bike riding, water skiing and anything outdoors! She is a Buffalo Bills fan, and her favorite saying is "Be kind & happy." She enjoys making her family their favorite homemade meals & hanging out with friends.
Ms. Lichtenberger- says the best thing about working at the IEC is that we are all family and here for one another. "I love..." working with children! She is a fan of baseball & basketball.
Mrs. O'Shea- says the best thing about working at the IEC is the feeling of commitment, compassion, and love all around. "I love..." my family! She is a Buffalo Bills fan, and her favorite saying is "this too will pass."
Mrs. Pedley-Tower- says the best thing about working at the IEC is the kids! "I love..." my family. She likes crafting & shopping, her favorite saying is "Be Kind" and she has been here at the IEC for 6 years....so far!
Mrs. Piwowarczyk- says the best thing about working at the IEC is I have the best coworkers. "I love..." my family. She is a fan of the Buffalo Bills
Mrs. Shephard- says the best thing about working at the IEC is helping the kids. "I love..." my family. She is a fan of football and lacrosse.
Mrs. Stoddard- says the best thing about working at the IEC is that everyday is an adventure and laughter is always happening. "I love..." being able to work at the same district that my children attend and of course coffee! She is a fan of whatever sports my kids are playing at the time.
Mrs. Teal- says the best thing about working at the IEC is the wonderful adults and students I get to work with everyday. "I love..." my family, chocolate, and the beach! She is a fan of the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres, and her favorite saying is "Encourage one another and build each other up" (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
Ms. Zeitz- says the best thing about working at the IEC is the wonderful family of students and staff! "I love..." my cat Puff! She is a fan of the Buffalo Sabres & Buffalo Bills! Her favorite saying is "Everything happens for a reason." Additional information about her- "I have a degree in Math Education from NU! "
Mrs. Zito- says the best thing about working at the IEC is fun times with the kids! "I love..." cooking for others. She is a Buffalo Bills fan, and her favorite saying is "Be Nice!"
Mrs. Piwowarczyk & Mrs. Teal
Ms. Zeitz & Mrs. Kromer
Ms. Giambattista, Mrs. Pedley-Tower,Mrs. Zito, and Mrs. Lichtenberger
Mrs. O'Shea, Mrs. Shephard and Mrs. Stoddard
Majestic Maintenance
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 December, the following students have been chosen by Mrs. Spinnegan, Mrs. Zachary and Mrs. Carere:
Band - Finn Gannon
Orchestra - Harper Burley
General Music - Robert Bauer
Chorus- Ryellee Kush
Congratulations! Keep up the great work!
5th Grade Field Trip to the BPO!
Spirit week December 16th -21st Pictures
In the four days prior to winter break, we had
Ugly Sweater or Festive Flair Day
Grinch or Holiday Character Day
Festive Flannel or Plaid Day
PJ's or Jingle Bell Jog Day
& we really enjoyed our Spirit days!
IEC Winter Concert 12/19/22
Congratulations to the IEC 4th & 5th grade Chorus and 5th grade Orchestra students on an outstanding Winter Concert. All Musicians performed on Monday evening Dec. 19th to a packed IEC Auditorium. They were very excited to perform for their families and friends.
Mrs. Spinnegan and Mrs. Zachary were very proud of their performance. Here is the link to the Lewiston-Porter Music Facebook page if you would like to view the performance:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100074138463064&mibextid=LQQJ4d
We are looking forward to our Spring Concert on Wednesday evening June 7, 2023.
Jingle Bell Jog Wednesday 12/21/22
Our phenomenal Physical Education Teachers did an amazing job coordinating the event & Mrs. Spinnegan & student Liam Scully provided music to the students and staff upon arrival to school!
Mrs. Zito's Class Carolers
“Sleigh Bells ring are you listening!” Lewiston Porter was a “Beautiful Sight” in December as students from Ms. Zito’s class “Brought Magic To,” the classrooms and hallways of the Intermediate Building, the Administrative Holiday Luncheon and strolling the grounds.
The children experienced learning through reading, rhythm, music, movement, public speaking and turned the campus into a “Walking Winter Wonderland!” You definitely “Rocked the Day Away,” Ms. Zito’s class!!
Last Day of School before Winter Break
Intermediate Education Center
Mrs. Aliscia Krecisz- Elementary Program Coordinator
Email: trodriguez@lew-port.com
Website: www.lew-port.com
Location: 4061 Creek Road, Youngstown, NY, USA
Phone: 716-286-7253
Twitter: @lewportIEC