


KES Newsletter #16
January 16, 2025
January Events
Monday, January 20 - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - School is closed
Tuesday, January 21 - Friday, January 24: No Name Calling Week
Positive Affirmations - Try these at home!
https://www.centervention.com/positive-affirmations-for-kids/
Dress Themes:
- Tuesday, January 21: Be yourself! Wear your favorite color and make a rainbow with your friends! (Poem of the Day: No name calling week poem 1)
- Wednesday, January 22: Wear orange! Orange signifies unity, kindness, and standing together against bullying. (Poem of the Day: No name calling week poem 2)
- Thursday, January 23: Wear clothing with a number on it to show everyone counts! (Poem of the Day: No name calling week poem 3.docx)
- Friday, January 24: Wear your school colors, blue an white! Blue is the color for bullying awareness and shows your support against name calling. (Poem of the day: No name calling week poem 4)
Thursday, January 23, 3:30 PM - Pick up Krispy Kreme orders
Friday, January 24 - End of Second Marking Period
Friday, January 24 - 6:30 - 7:30 PM Game Night in the Cafeteria
Monday, February 3 - Wednesday, February 12: PTA Seed Fundraiser
February 10 - 13 - Random Acts of Kindness Week
February 12 - PTA Meeting in the Cafeteria
February 14 - 17 - President's Recess, School is closed
Use the "button" below to see a list of KES events through February 28!
January is Thank You Month
Since January is National Thank You Month, it’s the perfect opportunity to teach students about the importance of gratitude.
I would also like to share a heartfelt "Thank You" to all of you in our community for your generosity and support. We couldn't do this without you!
We especially appreciated your support on Monday when we had to go to the Kerhonkson Firehouse to make way for a police investigation. Dr. Spadaro, our Superintendent, and the Sheriff's Department issued a statement yesterday with the details. We were very pleased with the thorough response and swift resolution of the situation, allowing us to return to school Tuesday.
As always, give us a call or send an email any time with any questions.
With much love and appreciation,
Mrs. V.
PBIS Rewards
Third graders voted for a PBIS Reward of PJs, snacks, and a movie, which they enjoyed Friday, January 3.
Thanks to the KES PTA, on January 22 all students Pre-K - grade 3 will enjoy dance parties with DJ Reggie because all grades met the 10-bucket mark! Great job filling your buckets by demonstrating safe, respectful, responsible behavior! Such a perfect addition to No Name Calling Week.
DJ Reggies always brings such a positive message and great energy! Students will learn about respect and friendship while learning some new dance moves with their friends. Looking forward to that special event.
Attendance Matters!
Regular school attendance is crucial for academic success, especially in reading and math.
Thank you so much for sending your children to school each day! Our goal is for students to meet the Federal Benchmark for good school attendance: fewer than 18 absences per year. We will be notifying you if your child's absence rate is high.
Please keep your child home if they are sick. If they attend every day when they are well, they will easily meet the attendance goal.
For more information on school attendance, check out the attached resource from Attendance Works. There’s more on their website:
No Name Calling Week
No Name Calling Week runs January 21 - January 24.
At school, weekly class lessons with our school counselor, Mrs. DeMarco, will focus on bullying awareness and friendship. She I'll also complete the Tree of Respect lessons that have been going on in classes this month.
We will read a poem daily as well as positive affirmations, and there will be special dress themes during the week!
Positive Affirmations:
https://www.centervention.com/positive-affirmations-for-kids/
Dress Themes:
Tuesday: Be yourself! Wear your favorite color and make a rainbow with your friends!
Poem of the Day: A Rainbow of Friends
Wednesday: Wear orange! Orange signifies unity, kindness, and standing together against bullying.
Poem of the Day: Lets
Thursday: Wear clothing with a number on it to show everyone counts!
Poem of the Day: I’ll Be There For You
No name calling week poem 3.docx
Friday: Wear your school colors, blue an white! Blue is the color for bullying awareness and shows your support against name calling.
Poem of the day: The Promise
Mrs. DeMarco, School Counselor, conducted class lessons on the difference between kindness and respect.
Students made "leaves" for the Tree of Respect using their hands and added ideas for showing respect.
Students reviewed the meaning of The Promise - a poem about kindness and respect.
What if it Snows?
Students are welcome to bring snow pants, boots, and gloves if we have snow worth playing in.
Please note, students without snow pants and boots are not permitted in the snow, but get to play outside.
As the weather gets colder, please send your child with a warm jacket, gloves and even a hat. If there is anything you need, please reach out to our school nurse, Rita Stoddard at extension 4302.
How am I Notified of a School Closing or Delay?
School closings or delay notifications are sent out via robo call, text, and/or email.
They are sent the same way you receive the KES Newsletter. If you are not receiving these messages and would like to opt in, please contact Randi Chase:
Please note that sometimes a closing does not happen right away. The District Office considers closing school carefully. They may start off with a delay, and then change it to a closing. Look for multiple messages!
You can also keep tabs on the school district website, which will indicate a closing or Delay once the notifications go out:
Security Guards
The District is providing security guards to our schools. Our School Resource Officers will remain with the district also.
Mark Smith will be the primary security guard assigned to KES. Mr. Smith is a community resident, and we are excited to welcome him to our school.
Security guards will perform functions like traffic support at arrival and dismissal, support at recess, and daily building safety checks. They will be able to assist with drills as well, when we have them.
KES PTA Newsletter!
View the KES PTA Newsletter here! Check out information on the recycling program and Skate Time! Clickable purple bar takes you to the newsletter.
PTA Krispy Kreme Orders
The PTA has is getting ready to deliver Krispy Kreme orders.
Your orders will be available for pickup Januay 23 at 3:30 PM.
Thank you!
January Theme: Perseverance
Great Stories on Perseverance!
Thank you, Mrs. Turner and Mrs. Bartle, for curating our PBIS Books of the Month!
If you open this link, you will find read-aloud videos for every story in the PBIS Collection.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GiJxR1eXOlGJWJc_SDqsT84zTnJbwXpG6OPbXb9kkS8/edit
After the Fall by Dan Santat https://youtu.be/n63tGkSzNrc
Salt in His Shoes by Deloris Jordan https://youtu.be/1BFa2ELyMfo
The Magical Yet by Angela DiTerlizzi https://youtu.be/ozzSAZhXDvs
The Curious Garden by Peter Brown https://youtu.be/J7aVTPYgJdE
Ruby’s Wish by Shirin Yim Bridges https://youtu.be/zNweVIDm6lU
The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuMVjqvIuTI&pp=ygUhTWFlIEFtb25nIHRoZSBTdGFycyBieSBSb2RhIEFobWVk
Stuck by Oliver Jeffers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2FHMXsq5AY&pp=ygUjc3R1Y2sgYnkgb2xpdmVyIGplZmZlcnMgcmVhZCBhbG91ZCA%3D
What is PBIS?
PBIS stands for "Positive Behavior Intervention Supports."
Students are learning that having a growth mindset is a super power! "Yet" is a powerful word. When students are learning new skills, they also learn to say "I can't do that...YET!" That little word changes everything.
Students earn Gander tickets for demonstrating safe, responsible, respectful behavior.
Students will vote on their reward this month!
Grade Pre-K and K: 9 buckets filled
Grade 1: 8 buckets filled
Grade 2: 9 buckets filled
Grade 3: 10 buckets filled
Gander Awards
Each month, students are selected for Gander Certificates by their teachers for being exceptional role models. Recipients are honored at lunch time and get to choose a book from the Book Vending Machine, courtesy of the KES PTA!
What Does it Mean to be Safe, Respectful, and Responsible?
PBIS programs stress the importance of telling students what safe, respectful, and responsible behavior looks like and sounds like. Each year teachers set these guidelines in their classrooms. We also teach students what is expected in other school locations. We begin with hallway expectations, then cafeteria, bus, and recess.
Currently, we are working on hallway, cafeteria, and recess expectations.
In the hallway:
Safe = Walking in the hall
Respectful = Voice level 0
Responsible = Going directly to your destination
In the cafeteria:
Safe = Walking and not sharing food (some students have allergies, and we do not want to spread germs that make us sick.)
Respectful = Voice level 1-3, or conversation with the people at your table. It also means going to voice level 0 and listening for directions when the teachers give the signal, which is typcally turning down the lights, clap for attention, or call-response.
Responsible = Cleaning up after yourself.
At Recess:
Safe = Safe bodies (Hands and feet to ourselves)
Respectful = Treating others asa you would like to be treated.
Responsible = Following adult directions and managing your belongings.
How can I Help at Home?
Please remind your child of the expectations shown in this newsletter. You can also read or watch a video read-aloud of our books of the month!
Our PBIS Books of the Month and video links can be found using this link:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GiJxR1eXOlGJWJc_SDqsT84zTnJbwXpG6OPbXb9kkS8/edit