KES Newsletter #11
November 18, 2024
Thank You, Veterans!
Students in Music class learned the lyrics to The Star Spangled Banner to honor our veterans.
From all of us at Kerhonkson Elementary, THANK YOU for your service to our country and community.
Report Cards
Report Cards are viewable in Parent Portal. Paper copies will be sent home by the end of the week.
If you need help accessing Parent Portal, please email Randi Chase:
November Events
November 19, 6:00 PM: Capital Project Public Presentation
To read about the proposal:
November 21: School Picture Retakes
November 27 - 29: Thanksgiving Recess; School is Closed
December 3, 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM: Capital Project Vote
District Office, 122 Kyserike Road, Accord
Save the Date! Hall of Holidays celebration, December 19! Look for details including your grade level time to visit during the school day!
Photo Drops - Click Here!
Rondout Valley Capital Project
Vote December 3 - No Increase to Tax Levy!
On Tuesday, December 3, the Rondout Valley Central School District community will vote on a Capital Project that focuses on security, safety, and the arts.
The best part? The proposed project would not increase the local tax levy.
The project addresses several high-priority items that were identified in the State-mandated Building Condition Survey, as well as key security and safety enhancements, significant improvements to recreational fields and learning spaces, a complete auditorium and music suite upgrade at the High School, and more.
At KES, we are going to receive many upgrades to security features including enhanced secure vestibule for visitors, a new playground, soccer field, a basketball court, new windows in the wing for grades 1-3, and more!
Check out the link to view the informational flier!
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 Donations for the Food Pantry
Donations this year are for personal care products - see the PTA flier for more information! Each grade level has been assigned a category. We are collecting items in boxes by the main office through November 26.
Pre-K and Kindergarten: Deoderant
Grade 1: Shampoo and Conditioner
Grade 2: Body wash or soap
Grade 3:Toothbrushes and toothpaste
Your donations matter - thank you for helping those in need!
Thanksgiving Resources
Looking for a Great Thanksgiving Book?
Here is a great read aloud of an award winning book you are welcome to include as Thanksgiving approaches. It’s also in our library!
We are Grateful - Otsaliheliga! by Traci Sorell
“Cherokee people say otsaliheliga to express gratitude. It is a reminder to celebrate our blessings and reflect on struggles–daily, throughout the year, and across the seasons.”
Read aloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1cDcBY1C1Y
Standards Aligned Activities: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/59f23df09f8dce7578c71128/t/
Upcoming Events: Complete list through January 1
Use this link to view a complete list of upcoming events through February 28!
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zAeZYb4w2j3QkQBcEhLT5JTZSz-ICHkKowQoi7W8Z3o/edit?usp=sharing
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.
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:
Classroom Spotlight: Mrs. Schwarzenegger and Ms. Johnson
Science and Writing with Mrs. Schwarzenegger
Mrs. Schwarzenegger's class is always up to something fun. Last week students combined their study of animal traits and habitats with a writing activity. Teachers are using a framework called The Writing Revolution to teach writing skills, and the results are amazing!
Ms. Johnson's Math Wizards
Students in Ms. Johnson's class are shown working with math workbooks from our new curriculum, enVision and 99 Math, an app that makes learning into a game! In this case, students are learning math skills as they play.
STEAM Lego Club
STEAM Lego Club is underway with Mrs. Mehalak and Mrs. Rowe-DeFranco!
Students decode messages, build with instructions, and make their own creations.
November Theme: Respect
November's PBIS theme is Respect!
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.
We are working to earn a movie in December! Each grade needs 5 buckets
Grade Pre-K and K: 1 bucket filled
Grade 1: buckets filled
Grade 2: buckets filled
Grade 3: buckets filled
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