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COLEBROOK SCHOOL
FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Colebrook Families,
Each day, I continue to be amazed by the rich classroom learning experiences that engage our students. To ensure that each child’s learning is supported, I want to remind everyone of the importance of school attendance and of arriving at school on time. Research shows that students who attend school regularly perform better academically, socially and emotionally. The educational process requires a continuous sequence of instruction. When broken by a period of absence, this instruction can never be fully regained by extra work. Additionally, consistent attendance adds to the creation of a vibrant and engaged school community. Students who actively participate in class discussions, group activities and school events not only benefit academically but also contribute to our school’s overall positive atmosphere. Our time with your child is precious and we appreciate your support in valuing our instructional time with them.
The Response to Intervention process or Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) aims to support the whole child through academics, behavior, social-emotional and attendance. In support of improving attendance for all students, we have aligned our interventions to the MTSS process. To this end, the revised West Irondequoit Regulation on Attendance (available here) is aligned to Board Policy 714: Class and Student Attendance. The updated regulation includes the different steps that our teachers, support staff and administrators will take to improve student attendance. This regulation also includes resources to support attendance interventions along with updated attendance letters to inform and enlist our families in the intervention process.
Tips for Families:
- Encourage your child to maintain a consistent sleep schedule to ensure they are well-rested and ready for the day.
- Communicate with your child about the importance of attending school.
- Work with teachers and school staff to address any concerns or challenges that may be affecting your child's attendance.
I look forward to partnering with you in creating a school environment where every student is present, engaged and ready to learn. Thank you for your continued support in fostering a positive climate and culture!
In partnership,
Dr. Brenna Farrell
CONTACT INFORMATION
Address: 210 Colebrook Dr.
Principal: Brenna Farrell | brenna_farrell@westiron.monroe.edu
Main office: 585-336-1600
Fax: 585-336-0866
Secretary: Melanie Maloney | Melanie_Maloney@westiron.monroe.edu
Website: Click here
Health Office: 585-336-1608
· Nurse: Lona Cornell
Transportation: 585-336-2992 | Web page
District Office: 585-342-5500 | District website: westirondequoit.org
Social media: Follow @BrennaFarrell9 on X/Twitter and @WestIrondequoit
UPCOMING EVENTS
February
2/2- K-6 Report Cards Available
2/5- Polar Plunge (donate to help Special Olympics)
2/15-PTSA Carnival (During School Hours)
2/19-2/23- NO SCHOOL Winter Recess
March
3/7- 5:30pm Principal Coffee Hour
3/7- 7pm Kindergarten Orientation (For incoming students)
3/9-3/10- Helmer Nature Center Maple Weekend
3/10- Daylight Savings
3/21- 6:30pm Open House
3/29- NO SCHOOL- Spring Recess
April
4/1-4/8 NO SCHOOL - Spring Recess
4/8- Helmer Nature Center Eclipse Day Festival 1-5pm
4/9- School Resumes
4/26 K-4 Half-Day of School (Parent Teacher Conferences)
Link to full Colebrook calendar
Link to 2023-24 District calendar
DRESS WARMLY FOR RECESS!
Parents/guardians: Please note that all students will go outdoors for recess as long as the temperature and wind-chill are 20 degrees or warmer. Students will need to wear hats, mittens or gloves, boots and snow pants to play in the snow. Students lacking proper clothing will still go outdoors but will remain on the sidewalk with limited play. Please remember to send appropriate outside play clothing in everyday! Due to COVID, we will not be able to lend outdoor clothes on the days students forget. Let us know if you need any help with cold weather clothing.
Students to Receive Free Eclipse Glasses
The Total Solar Eclipse is nearly two months away on Monday, April 8th and while there won’t be school that day for our students, there will be a lot happening at Helmer Nature Center, our district’s “outdoor classroom.” HNC was selected by the Rochester Museum Science Center as one of its local Ambassador Organizations and will host the first “Irondequoit Eclipse Fest – Together in Totality,” from 1-5 p.m., presented in collaboration with Cornell Cooperative Extension and Town of Irondequoit Recreation.
There will be hands-on activities, information stations, presentations, and more details to come! In preparation, the district has purchased eclipse glasses for each student and staff member. The week of March 25th, K-6 students will receive these special glasses from their teachers to be brought home. Students in grades 7-12 will receive them in home room. They should not be treated like novelty glasses or toys. Please secure them in a safe place. We will provide information on how to use them as we get closer to April.
Additionally, eclipse glasses are available to purchase for $2 at HNC during regular business hours. Just email helmernaturecenter@gmail.com for details.
We are excited about this event. Rochester will be one of only eight cities in the U.S. to experience the totality of the eclipse. Others are Austin, Fort Worth and Dallas in Texas; Indianapolis, Cleveland and Buffalo. The total eclipse will be visible by 32 million Americans and also in Mazatlan, Mexico and Montreal. The last total solar eclipse in the U.S. on Aug. 21, 2017, the path of totality was home to about 12 million people.
For 3rd-grade families only
Final reminder: Our instrumental music program meeting for current third-grade families is this Thursday, Feb. 1st at 7 PM in the IHS auditorium and is expected to last about 30 minutes. Note: You will not be choosing an instrument at this meeting. This meeting is for all students and parents/guardians of incoming 4th grade students for the 2024-25 school year.
Fourth grade is an exciting year! Your child will have the chance to participate in our instrumental music and chorus programs. All students will have the opportunity to learn how to play a band or string instrument. In the meeting, you will hear a short performance from our IHS Wind Ensemble and Philharmonic Orchestra. We’ll also discuss the collaborative process that you, your child and teachers will experience to determine which instrument best matches your child’s best options for success. We will briefly discuss what provides a solid framework for learning for budding young instrumentalists.
Unable to attend the meeting but have questions? We will post a general information sheet on school websites. You may also email WICSD K-12 Music Coordinator, Ms. Patty Welch, at patty_welch@westiron.monroe.edu.
KIDS HEART CHALLENGE 2024!
This month in physical education classes will again do the Kids Heart Challenge, a national fundraiser by the American Heart Association (AHA). Teachers will explain how students can earn prizes such as wristbands, T-Shirts, jump ropes, playground balls and more. Students will bring home flyers about this. Participation in the fundraising aspect is optional, but most important: Students will learn facts on how to keep your heart healthy. This will happen through class discussion and activities, such as jump rope and dance. To learn more about the Challenge or download the app, go to heart.org/khc and type in your school name. The PDF below provides more about the program and prizes! In addition, the last two days before Winter Recess, there will be a culminating event in each class to promote strengthening the heart.
Nurturing Mathematical Minds at Home
Whether your child is in the early years of elementary school or navigating the challenges of middle and high school, there are practical ways families can support their children's mathematical development at home. Click on the PDF below for tips tailored specifically to a pair of grade bands: K-6 and 7-12.
PTSA FAMILY BINGO NIGHT
IPD TO ALTER GUARD STRUCTURE IN WINTER
Families:
We wanted to remind you again of an upcoming change by IPD to the Crossing Guard schedule in early 2024 that will impact some families. The Irondequoit Police Dept. has informed us that it will eliminate crossing guards at the following locations from Tuesday, Jan. 2 through Friday, Feb. 16 because of a "low-to-no student count," during that time frame.
St. Paul @ Pattonwood
Lakeshore @ Washington
St. Paul @ Westbourne
Portland @ Coronado
“It is both safer and more practical to have those crossing guards redeployed to other posts where there is a need to cross students," IPD shared with us, adding that shifting those guards to higher traffic areas during that seven-week span, such as in front of Dake Jr. HS and IHS, will enhance student safety.
If you have questions, please email IPD Crossing Guard Coordinator, Mary Beth Egeling, at megeling@irondequoit.gov. If you or anyone you know would want to be a crossing guard, please also email her to obtain more information.
UPDATE YOUR INFO IN PARENT PORTAL, PLEASE
Do you:
Have a new cell phone number or switch carriers recently?
Have a new email address or new work phone number?
Need to update your emergency contacts?
Be sure to keep us informed of any changes to your numbers or emergency contact information. Update it directly on the Infinite Campus Portal, or send in a note with your child.
TO REACH THE PORTAL, Click here
WHY YOUR MOBILE NUMBER IS CRITICAL
You must have your mobile number in the MOBILE NUMBER field. Our system does NOT default even if you have just one field filled out (Home/Work/Mobile). If your mobile number is not in the correct field, you will NOT receive text messages from our school/district for emergencies (such as school closings in winter months).