The Koala Quarterly

Dear Connors Families,

I am very excited to share with you THE KOALA QUARTERLY, a quarterly newsletter that is shared at the end of each marking period, aligned to when report cards are available on OnCourse. In our 2nd marking period Koala Quarterly, I am very pleased to highlight our 2nd marking period celebrations, events and learning activities.

In your child's backpack is a letter on how to access your child's 2nd Marking Period Report Card on OnCourse as well as their Winer 2025 Linkit Scores. I am linking the letter here as well.

Report Card and Linkit Family Letter

Report Card Proficiency Indicators

Lastly, for students in grades K-2, there are hardcopies of your child's individual DRA-3 scores. I am also linking the general 2024-2025 2nd Marking Period DRA Letter-Grades K-2

our DRA3 Correlation Chart and DRA 3 Level Descriptors Google Site here as well. Please be sure to check your child's backpack today for the hard copies of these letters with your child's individual DRA level information.

I am looking forward to you reading about all of our learning activities throughout the 2nd Marking Period. As always, if you ever need anything, please don't hesitate to contact me as your partnership is golden.

All the best,

Principal Addi

juliana.addi@hoboken.k12.nj.us

Mr. Azzarto and some of our Connors Koalas helped light up the town during the holiday season!

Twas the season to spread some joy! During the last weeks of December some of our 5th grade Koalas went over to Monroe Gardens to perform for the Senior Citizens. They sang some songs and helped brighten up the hall with some holiday coloring pages they brought over from some of our younger Koalas!

Our Classroom Spelling Bees took place Monday, January 6th. Victor Lopez, Hazel Numa, Leo Mossessian, Eknoor Kohli, Harlem McClary, Noam Patel, Arianna Serrette, Anika Konde, Siya Patel, Sohum Dixit, Oliver Kondili and Lynje Murray we our 2025 Classroom Spelling Bee winners! All 12 classroom winners participated in a School-Wide Champion Spelling Bee on January 9th and our School-Wide Champion was....SOHUM DIXIT! Way to go Koalas!

A week full of the spirit of kindness! During this week we celebrated being Kind with theme days, Monday was full of "Peace, Love and Kindness" with our tie-dye shirts. Tuesday it was "Our Job to be kind", students came dressed up as what they want to be when they grow up! On Wednesday we were "Kind from our head to our toes", showing off our silly hats and socks and on Thursday TEAMED up against bullying by wearing our favorite sports gears! To wrap up a fantastic week we shared the spirit of kindness and wore our Connors gear!

During the 2nd Marking Period, students savored a special lunchtime with Principal Addi during our latest Pizza with the Principal! Between bites of pizza and packed lunches, we shared engaging stories and activities that helped forge meaningful connections throughout our school community.

We had our 1st Marking Period PEP RALLY at the beginning of this marking period, celebrating student achievement with awards for Honor Roll, Kindness Stands with Me, Respect, Responsibility, Perfect Attendance, Koala-fied Effort, and Student of the Month. Our Pep Rally was also filled with delightful games and cheer from both students and staff! Our Connors Koalas had such a blast!

Mr. Azzarto organized a wonderful holiday sing along with all the Connors students! They sang songs and played some fun holiday games getting us in the spirit for winter break!

Students participated in a hands-on engineering design challenge. The program consisted of a design challenge where students had to design a "smash proof Mars rover" and then their designs were tested. Then we went on a simulated space mission where students worked on teams to complete various tasks, this incorporated teamwork, reading comprehension, and problem analysis.

Kindness week was full of fun spirit days and activities but our most exciting part was the bullying prevention laser show! This show uses rocking music and dancing animations to keep students laser-focused while teaching kids about the signs of bullying. Whether encountered online or in person, they provide strategies to treat this social problem safely and effectively. Their educational performers use humor to reinforce the significance of teamwork and of considering other people’s perspectives. Our school assembly reminded students that positive character counts and that everyone can do the right thing by contributing to bullying prevention efforts.

The second marking period showcase featured the classes of Ms. Arciero, Ms. Stubbe, Mrs. Rodriguez and Mrs. Schulz. These students have worked on their confidence, public speaking, and working together as an ensemble to create a beautiful performance piece. We are so proud to have these talented students in our school! Congratulations to all participants!

Thank you to Little City Books for hosting us last night for our Parents’ Night Out Sip + Shop! We appreciate everyone who joined us as well as those who helped make it happen. A huge thank you to the Schmitt Family (Otok Bakery) and Kim Sharrott (Sharrott Winery) for the incredible food and wine. Thank you to Rosie McDevitt for helping coordinate the event, and congratulations to our raffle winners: Amy D, Bruna P, and Shannon B. Thank you all for supporting the Connors PTO!

We were able to create 25 incredible baskets filled with everything a family could need for a delicious Thanksgiving meal, thanks to the amazing generosity of our Connors community! A huge thank you to everyone who donated items or funds to help us achieve our goal, and to the many volunteers who helped shop for items to complete our wish list and organize and pack the supplies with care on Monday morning: Amanda Fontana, Amanda Schmidt, Amy Duskin, Colleen Herzog, Danielle O’Donnell, LeeAnn Townes, Lisa Del Vecchio, Michelle Mazurkiewicz and Sara Goldberg. We could not have accomplished this important community effort without all of you – thank you all so much! We are thankful for the tremendous generosity and support for this beautiful community effort. PHOTO: https://photos.app.goo.gl/yBFi6TZXa79j36S78

Special thanks to our PTO members who helped make bagged lunches for the Hoboken Shelter after Tuesday’s PTO Meeting, in honor of Hoboken mom and City Council President Jen Giattino who passed away last month.

Thank you to all who generously donated to the Hoboken Community Center Holiday Market Drive! With your help, the Connors PTO was able to contribute dozens of gifts to the drive, to help make the holidays brighter for members of the Hoboken community. The HCC’s annual Holiday Market will take place on Saturday, December 14, and provides pantry clients and neighbors in need the opportunity to shop for holiday gifts for their loved ones in a warm and festive setting.

The Connors PTO spread some extra holiday cheer to staff and students alike:

Monday: Holiday-themed scratch-off lottery tickets for all staff

Tuesday: Coffee and bagels for all staff

Wednesday: Candy canes for all staff and students

Thursday: Hot cocoa for all staff and students

Friday: Holiday song trivia + prizes for each homeroom

Our third annual Connors PTO Family Bingo Night was INCREDIBLE! From the many smiles among the faces of our Connors families to the positive energy and excitement filling the gym, the night was truly a joy to experience. HUGE THANKS to all our attendees, parent volunteers, Hoboken Middle School volunteers, special guest callers, emcee Brian McMullan, and our amazing faculty and staff. We appreciate the generous prize, concession, and monetary donations that made this fundraising event possible – and very successful! The money we raise at events like this allow the PTO to continue supporting the students, staff and school in countless ways, so THANK YOU for your participation!

If you haven’t already, please add your photos to our PTO Bingo Night Google Album so we can relive the great memories! Check out some photos below. Until next year!

Congratulations to our Students of the Month for December and January! The students who have been awarded Student of the Month have been nominated by their teacher and grade level team. Students have been nominated for this award because they are excelling academically and/or have had tremendous academic growth. Awardees exhibit the KOALITIES of a Connors Koala in trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, kindness, care and good citizenship. Congratulations to all of our Connors Koalas who have earned this award!

Below are all or December Student of the Month for grade K-5!

Below are all our January Student of the Month for grades K-5!

ELA: In ELA, Kindergarteners listened to Clang! Clang! Beep! Beep! Listen to the City and discussed story elements, while also enjoying The Turtle and The Flute and practicing reading Nat and Tip. The focus on the letter Nn and the sight word "and" culminated in a successful first spelling test. Students then examined locations they visit weekly with an emphasis on the letter Cc and the sight word "go," reading several relevant texts and participating in various learning centers. They explored sequencing events through Sneezy the Snowman, setting New Year’s goals for 2025. As they learned about jobs, they focused on the letter Oo and the sight word "you," reading multiple stories and continuing to excel in their centers. The letter Dd and sight word "do" guided their exploration of neighbors, while they read What Can You Do with a Paleta? and answered comprehension questions. Lastly, students learned about community improvement with Roadwork and identified living things' needs through My Garden, focusing on the letter Hh and the sight word "my." Overall, the Kindergarteners are doing amazing. Way to go!

Math: Kindergarten has been working really hard this marking period on Unit 4 in Math Investigations. Activities for this unit involved using cubes and popsicle sticks to measure various objects within the classroom allowing students to visually and physically compare sizes, helping them understand the concepts of "larger than" and "shorter than." Students engaged in assessments to enhance their Math Fact Fluency. They worked with numbers 1-10, completed number series to identify missing numbers, and filled in an incomplete hundreds chart. Students also explored two-dimensional shapes by constructing snowflakes from various shape patterns. This activity not only fostered creativity but also included a counting exercise where they tracked the number of each shape used. Furthermore, they practiced counting through a comparison of the number of letters in their names, creating snowmen that represented their names, and determining who had the longest and shortest names. Progressing in their investigations, students began skip counting by 2s, 5s, and 10s. They also started to tackle story problems, learning strategies for addition. Engaging games like "double compare" and "one more, one less" were introduced to make the learning process interactive and enjoyable, reinforcing their understanding of basic addition concepts.

Social Studies: In Social Studies, students explored sameness and difference, focusing on the past, present, and future. They reflected on personal experiences through discussions and created timelines of key moments in their lives, showcasing their creativity. Family dynamics were a major theme, with students discussing their unique family structures and comparing home and school roles. They also shared winter holiday celebrations through writing and drawings, fostering community spirit. Students examined historical artifacts to appreciate cultural diversity, sharing their traditions and experiences. They illustrated cherished family traditions and reflected on Martin Luther King Jr.’s "I Have a Dream" speech, inspiring them to express their own dreams. They reviewed the chapter "How Do People Make a State Special?" reinforcing vocabulary related to tradition and culture. Aligned with the Great Kindness Challenge, students discussed kindness in various aspects of life and expressed their ideas through storytelling and art. They also learned about Lunar New Year traditions, enriching their understanding of cultural celebrations.

ELA: In ELA students focused on several key themes that enhanced their literacy skills. In the animals and habitats section, students explored different environments such as forests and ponds. They identified main ideas, practiced spelling with blends, learned about the -ing ending and possessive nouns, and began pre-writing their fantasy stories. In the community helpers section, students analyzed fantasy stories and practiced comprehension through rereading. They learned consonant digraphs and brainstormed characters for their imaginative narratives. The theme of measuring time involved engaging with poems, practicing long a_e phonics, discussing narrative perspectives through "Nate the Snake is Late," and focusing on verb usage and commas in lists. While learning about plant growth, students used "Mystery Vine" to predict changes in plants. They practiced long i_e phonics, retold events, and emphasized plurals with CVCe words. The exploration of folktales allowed them to identify morals and cause-and-effect relationships, learn about soft c and g sounds, and practice inflectional endings along with new red words. In the historical life theme, students compared past and present using Venn diagrams, focused on long vowel patterns, and learned about correct verb usage. They also began expository writing for "All About Books."

Math: First graders have been actively engaged in various math concepts this marking period. They started by learning to add and subtract to find missing addends, utilizing pictures, ten frames, and number lines. A fun game of "I Have Who Has" was introduced to reinforce part-part-whole understanding. Later, they tackled story problems with three addends, sorting equations into true and false categories and correcting errors for added challenge. As they progressed into Unit Four, the focus shifted to Time and Measurement. Students practiced measuring objects using their hands and strings, and learned to tell time on both analog and digital clocks. Students advanced in telling time to the hour and half hour and began exploring fractions by designing rugs to represent halves and fourths. They concluded with preparations for the Unit 4 investigations test and an upcoming focus on solving crayon puzzles in Unit 5. Overall, students are showing excellent growth and enthusiasm in their math learning.

Social Studies: In Social Studies, students engaged with a variety of topics designed to deepen their understanding of community and society. They explored classroom roles, where assigned responsibilities encouraged collaboration and teamwork among peers. Through timeline activities, they created a chronological sequence of significant school events, fostering an appreciation for the structure of the school year. The students developed a classroom charter that highlighted the importance of respect and responsibility, while also learning about democratic processes through a mock election. Sorting activities focused on the distinction between wants and needs, helping them to make informed consumption choices. They navigated neighborhood maps and created detailed representations of their local areas, enhancing their sense of place. Role-playing exercises allowed students to identify various jobs related to economic concepts, illustrating the dynamic relationship between consumers and sellers. Lessons on civil rights, particularly focusing on figures like Martin Luther King Jr., enriched their understanding of social justice.

ELA: Second graders focused on narrative nonfiction and the essential question of how people can help their community. They learned about the author's purpose (P.I.E.), photographs, and captions, while practicing questioning strategies during reading. They continued to build test-taking skills and identified author's purpose in texts, specifically through the stories "Lighting Lives" and "Biblioburro". In Writer's Workshop, students began brainstorming and drafting personal narratives about special moments in their lives. They explored character perspectives through the story "Starry Night" and practiced sequencing events. They also read "Mr. Putter and Tabby See the Stars" and "Day to Night", focusing on story elements and author intent. Students worked on finalizing their personal narratives, adding details and editing for an upcoming Author's Celebration. They then reviewed skills related to informational texts with the essential question of how to express oneself. They read "They've Got the Beat", identified central ideas, and learned about idioms. The marking period concluded with an Author's Celebration where students excitedly shared their narratives. Finally, they studied main story elements through the realistic fiction story "Happy New Year", discussing global differences in celebrations and engaging in a related craft activity.

Math: Second graders made significant progress as they wrapped up unit 2 concepts. They celebrated completing their IXL benchmark and demonstrated their hard work in understanding fractions, expanding their vocabulary, and practicing notation for fractional parts. The class concluded Unit 2, mastering shape attributes and preparing for the assessment. In Unit 3, students began learning about place value, representing 2-digit numbers with tens and ones using different methods and playing the game Roll-a-Square. They also completed Investigation 1, focusing on solving story problems with unknown addends and practicing addition and subtraction of two-digit numbers. The use of the I.C.E. method helped students become adept at tackling word problems. Additionally, they continued to refine their skills in standard notation for addition and subtraction, played a new game called Collect $1 to review coin values and time! We are so proud of our second graders!

Social Studies: In Social Studies, students completed their assessment, demonstrating their knowledge of vocabulary, timelines, and conflict resolution strategies. They began exploring each other's traditions and December celebrations, like Kwanzaa and Hanukkah. Activities included learning the history of Kwanzaa and creating menorahs for Hanukkah while playing dreidel and answering comprehension questions. The class also started Chapter 2 of Young Citizens, discussing the qualities of good rules, their importance, and how they contribute to a strong school community. Students reflected on school rules, their enforcement, and began learning about decision-making processes. Additionally, the class celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by discussing his legacy and creating their own dreams inspired by his message. They also observed Holocaust Remembrance Day and participated in the "Great Kindness Challenge," promoting kindness in various settings, and explored Lunar New Year customs and traditions.

ELA: The third graders have been actively engaged in their ELA curriculum. They finished their second core novel, Real Stories from my Time: The Underground Railroad, and practiced identifying main ideas and supporting details. They also worked on Literary Analysis Tasks (LATs), learning to understand prompts, organize essays, evaluate student examples, and edit and revise their own literary essays. After reviewing their skills for the Unit 2 Wonders Assessment, the students showcased their growth and hard work. The students enjoyed holiday-themed activities, using their literary skills to solve a mystery and write narrative stories. They also began reading Who Was Coretta Scott King?, where they analyzed character traits, cause and effect relationships, and created a collaborative timeline. As they progressed through the novel, they practiced asking questions and identifying text evidence, while also inferring character feelings. They enhanced their understanding of main ideas and text structures, preparing to complete their final Literary Analysis essay. They celebrated their writing accomplishments with a Writer's Cafe, sharing essays and providing peer feedback. Overall, the students demonstrated significant progress in their literary skills and writing throughout this period.

Math: Third grade had a very busy marking period. They began a new unit focusing on geometry and measurement, learning to measure objects and understand perimeter as the distance around 2-D shapes. They explored the concepts of area and perimeter, discovering that shapes can have the same perimeter but different areas, and vice versa. Students applied these concepts by creating a winter park and calculating the area and perimeter of various sports arenas. They then shift focus to finding the area of rectilinear shapes using the formula Area = Length x Width, as well as decomposing these shapes into non-overlapping rectangles. They explored polygons, identified the attributes of triangles and quadrilaterals, and learned to recognize right angles in these shapes. By the end, they categorized quadrilaterals based on their unique attributes. Students reviewed everything they learned in the unit about area, perimeter, and shape attributes before taking their assessment. They then transitioned to a new unit that revisits multiplication and division, emphasizing the use of parentheses and the order of operations while encouraging continued practice at home for multiplication fluency.

Social Studies: In Social Studies, students recently completed their first unit on New Jersey's geography by creating postcards that showcased one of the state's four regions: the Atlantic Coastal Plain, Piedmont, Appalachian Ridge and Valley, or New England Upland. They researched various aspects of their chosen region, including physical features, natural resources, climates, and tourist attractions, ultimately highlighting why many choose to live in New Jersey. The third graders then began a new unit focused on New Jersey's government, exploring how geography influences where people live. This unit included discussions about citizenship and the role citizens play in government. Students examined local, state, and federal government structures, learning about the three branches of state government and emphasizing the distinction between rights and responsibilities as citizens. They also tackled the importance of advocating for those whose rights are violated and engaged in problem-solving activities to address issues in their communities. Lastly, students wrapped up their unit by reflecting on the rights and responsibilities of citizens and connecting those concepts to activism, integrating insights from their previous ELA studies.

ELA: The 4th Grade ELA program was not only vibrant but also remarkably productive, showcasing the students' growing skills and creativity. In Writer's Workshop, students dove into the imaginative realm of narrative storytelling. They crafted unique retellings of "The Talent Show," each from the perspective of different characters. In addition to their narrative writing, the students engaged in an in-depth analysis of short stories from the anthology "Ancestor Approved." They focused on identifying and discussing character traits, as well as examining the significance of the narrator's point of view. Having recently completed a comprehensive unit on narrative writing, the students demonstrated their mastery of story organization, including the critical elements of plot, character development, and setting. As they transitioned into Unit 3, which centers on Literary Analysis essays, they began comparing themes across various stories. This culminated in writing essays that explored character perspectives, allowing them to delve deeper into character motivations and the impact of narrative voice. Additionally, the introduction of biographies featuring influential women added a new dimension to their reading material, broadening their understanding of diverse voices and contributions in history.

Math: The Phenomenal 4th Grade Mathematicians have been actively immersed in their mathematics curriculum, particularly during Investigations Unit 5. This unit has been pivotal in enhancing their understanding of large numbers, addition, and subtraction. One of the standout activities was Place Value Yahtzee, where students applied their knowledge in a fun and interactive way. This game not only reinforced their understanding of place values but also encouraged teamwork and strategic thinking. To keep the atmosphere lively and engaging, holiday-themed math activities were incorporated, such as the dreidel game, which added an element of cultural learning to their mathematical exploration. Transitioning into Unit 6, the focus shifted towards Fractions and Decimals. The introduction of Fraction Cards and Decimal Grids allowed students to explore the relationships between different fractions and the concept of decimal notation. Through hands-on activities utilizing number lines, fraction tiles, and fraction circles, students deepened their understanding of equivalent fractions. As they progressed, students engaged in discussions about how fractions and decimals are interconnected, enhancing their overall mathematical literacy.

Social Studies: 4th graders have been engaged in a comprehensive study of early American civilizations, focusing on the Maya, Inca, and Aztec cultures. They utilized various sources, including videos and textbooks, to compare and contrast these civilizations. As part of their learning, students began working on projects that involved researching aspects such as culture, religion, and geography, which they later presented to the class, enhancing their public speaking skills. Additionally, students expressed their creativity by writing stories about their holiday traditions, sharing with classmates, and reflecting on their favorite parts of the holidays. They also explored the contributions of these ancient civilizations in areas like architecture and agriculture and connected historical locations to present-day geography. In conjunction with their studies on indigenous cultures, the class also learned about Martin Luther King Jr. in honor of the holiday. Throughout these activities, students have focused on improving their textbook reading skills and understanding vocabulary relevant to their lessons.

ELA: Fifth graders are actively engaged in their English Language Arts curriculum, focusing on Coraline by Neil Gaiman and Chasing Lincoln's Killer by James L. Swanson. In Coraline, they explore themes of bravery, home, and the line between reality and fantasy, discussing the protagonist's journey and symbolism. As they near the end of the novel, excitement grows for the upcoming movie adaptation. In Chasing Lincoln's Killer, students analyze the dramatic events surrounding Lincoln's assassination, examining character motivations and themes of justice and leadership, prompting reflections on their relevance today. To enhance their learning, students in 306 participated in a "Breaking News" project, taking on roles like reporters and historians to create scripts about the assassination. This collaborative activity fostered dynamic expression of their understanding of historical context. Throughout the unit, students have developed essential writing skills, focusing on crafting coherent paragraphs and using the RACES strategy to respond to prompts. They are making significant strides in literacy, showing enthusiasm and a deeper comprehension of the narratives and themes in their texts.

Math: In Math, students focused on various aspects of fractions, mixed numbers, and multiplication. They practiced adding and subtracting fractions using fraction tracks and played games to reinforce their skills. Fifth graders also created their own story problems related to their unit and prepared for an upcoming Unit 3 test. Additionally, students reviewed multiplication strategies, estimating products, and solving problems with large numbers. They tackled complex real-world problems using data from charts and engaged in activities that highlighted division skills through field day contexts. Finally, students worked on multi-part word problems involving multiplication and division, emphasizing comprehension of questions and participated in review activities in preparation for their Unit 4 Test.

Social Studies: Throughout this marking period, students have engaged in a comprehensive exploration of the Civil War and its causes. They participated in hands-on activities, such as role-playing historical scenarios and creating charts to outline the conflict between the North and South. The curriculum included discussions about significant events, like the Missouri Compromise, and the economic disparities between different regions during the 1800s. Additionally, students undertook an oral history project, interviewing each other to gain insights into the challenges faced during this tumultuous period. They studied the impact of key inventions on the nation's growth, the injustices faced by enslaved individuals, and the legacy of influential figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and John Brown. Overall, the focus has been on fostering critical thinking, empathy, and a deeper understanding of this pivotal moment in American history.

Kindergarten: In Kindergarten, students delved into the fascinating world of weather, learning about the different types and characteristics of weather patterns. They created a December calendar to observe daily weather changes, recording data such as temperature, precipitation, and cloud cover. This hands-on experience helped them understand how weather can vary from day to day. Additionally, they explored severe weather phenomena, discussing safety measures and preparations to take during storms. To wrap up their unit on Forces and Motion, students engaged in a creative project where they designed and constructed marble mazes, experimenting with angles and inclines to see how they affect the marble's speed and direction. A new and exciting unit on Animals and Algorithms introduced coding concepts through the app Scratch Jr., allowing students to create simple digital animations featuring various animals, enhancing their understanding of programming and storytelling.

1st Grade: First graders embarked on a celestial journey as they studied the moon and stars, creating detailed drawings and labeling the phases of the moon and constellations. They participated in engaging hands-on activities, such as crafting UV bead bracelets that change color in sunlight, which helped them learn about the sun's effects on materials. Their exploration of the earth, moon, and stars continued as they integrated this knowledge into a STEM project, where they designed and built sound-making toys for the Science Expo, encouraging creativity and problem-solving skills.

2nd Grade: In 2nd grade, students engaged in a variety of computer science activities that introduced them to programming concepts through interactive lessons. They learned how to use programming blocks to create simple sequences and commands. As part of their Science Expo preparation, they initiated a toy invention project, brainstorming innovative ideas, sketching their designs, and constructing prototypes, fostering their creativity and hands-on engineering skills.

3rd Grade: Third graders made significant strides on their Steam Tank Challenge projects, where they collaborated to create presentations and video recordings showcasing their engineering efforts. They also took part in a project named "SAVE THE TIGER," where they applied engineering principles to design sustainable solutions aimed at tiger conservation. In anticipation of the upcoming STEM Expo, students focused on developing eco-friendly inventions that promote environmental awareness and responsibility.

4th Grade: Fourth graders engaged in comprehensive brainstorming sessions to collect data for their Science Expo projects, diving deep into research to support their findings. They prepared informative slides and refined their presentations through peer feedback and group discussions, enhancing their understanding of the scientific process. This collaborative work not only improved their communication skills but also allowed them to learn from one another's insights and approaches.

5th Grade: Our 5th Grade Scientists worked through Unit 2: Matter of their Science Dimensions curriculum. We had fun measuring volume using rulers and water displacement. Students then discussed the difference between physical and chemical changes, as well as what makes a change reversible or irreversible. They especially liked performing the experiment with baking soda and vinegar combining into Carbon Dioxide. This CO2 can be captured in a balloon. Students also began their STEM EXPO projects, which we are excited to display on February 19th. Lastly, a real highlight of MP2 was our trip to the Bueller Challenger Science Center where students participated in a simulation of landing a rover on the surface of Mars.

Individualized Learning Pathway - Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth

The second marking period was one of growth, accomplishment, fun, and new faces.

CTY verbal students completed their courses’ final units, using their newly forged skills to write insightful character analyses, captivating narratives, and the most persuasive of essays. To showcase their efforts, some students chose to create digital portfolios while others chose to write dialogues between characters from different books. After squeezing in a pair of exciting field trips to the Meadowlands Environment Center, we welcomed parents to the CTY classroom just before winter break to watch the children proudly present their digital portfolios and perform their dialogues. The kids rose to the occasion and bravely delivered stellar performances at this genuinely heartwarming event.

Upon returning from winter break, we were thrilled to welcome nearly 30 first-time CTY students for the math semester. The veteran CTYers have done a wonderful job helping the newcomers navigate their CTY courses. Newcomers and veterans alike have displayed an excellent work ethic as they sharpen previously learned mathematical skills and acquire new ones.

The kids are on track for a superb third marking period!

GK

In Kindergarten, Explorers finished Me On The Map Project by creating a circular flipbook. In addition, they learned about kindness and celebrated a Week Of Kindness with a craft. They listened to the read aloud of the book called A Little Spot Of Kindness, talked about the book, and brainstormed a variety of acts of kindness to include in the project. After choosing an act of kindness, they wrote it down on the lines in the Spot of Kindness Craftivity. They concluded a Spot Of Kindness Craftivity by putting all the pieces of the project together! Travelers in 1st Grade “visited” the habitats of penguins and have become aware that these absolutely adorable flightless seabirds are in danger of extinction due to the current climate change that puts their habitats in great danger. Due to the warming temperatures that areas like Antarctica are experiencing, iceberg melting and sea level rises have an impact on penguins’ lives. Explorers are celebrating a National Penguin Awareness Day to learn more about how important it is to take care of the planet and keep the penguins out of the danger zone. Not only Explorers have learned about the penguins but they also become more aware of how daily activities affect surroundings. After learning about penguins, explorers wrote one fact that they learned about the animal and created a Penguin Craft!

G1

Travelers in 1st Grade have prepared their suitcases and passports and are ready to ‘take a flight’ to Italy. Sweden, and France to explore each country’s Winter holidays and traditions in the Holidays Around the World Project. After gaining information about the fun facts, students are completing an exit ticket, getting their passports stamped, and locating each country on the map. In addition, they learned about kindness and celebrated a Week Of Kindness with a craft. They listened to the read aloud of the book called A Little Spot Of Kindness, talked about the book, and brainstormed a variety of acts of kindness to include in the project. After choosing an act of kindness, they wrote it down on the lines in the Spot of Kindness Craftivity. They concluded a Spot Of Kindness Craftivity by putting all the pieces of the project together! Travelers in 1st Grade “visited” the habitats of penguins and have become aware that these absolutely adorable flightless seabirds are in danger of extinction due to the current climate change that puts their habitats in great danger. Due to the warming temperatures that areas like Antarctica are experiencing, iceberg melting and sea level rises have an impact on penguins’ lives. Explorers are celebrating a National Penguin Awareness Day to learn more about how important it is to take care of the planet and keep the penguins out of the danger zone. Not only Explorers have learned about the penguins but they also become more aware of how daily activities affect surroundings. After learning about penguins, explorers wrote one fact that they learned about the animal and created a Penguin Craft!

G2

In 2nd Grade, Future Actresses and Actors have been applying their knowledge about the fables and plays to complete a Story Elements Graphic Organizer for their original play. In addition, they started working and creating their script with their group members and will be soon putting a slideshow together with the props to act out their own originally written play.

G3

In 3rd Grade, future Engineers continued to apply the knowledge about Engineering Design Process to prepare them for the first round of the STEAM Tank Challenge. Students have been working on completing the slides with their invention/process and participated in the video recordings of their product/invention that were submitted to the STEAM Tank judges for an evaluation. All eleven STEAM Tank 3rd Grade Koala teams qualified for the Regionals!

G4

In 4th Grade, Young Lawyers have been working diligently and enthusiastically on putting together their original cases using the sample cases and the template. 4th Grade Koalas had an amazing opportunity to have the High School Mock Trial Team come to Connors to do a skit, help students with their cases, and talk to them about their experience of preparing and participating in the Mock Trial Cases.

G5

In 5th Grade, Future World Leaders finished learning about the United Nations Sustainable Goals using articles, templates, and presentations. Also they learned about activism and how it’s important to advocate for a good cause to make people’s lives better. Lastly, students were introduced to TED Talk. In the next few months, students will be learning more about crafting and formatting a script for their talk and putting together a complementary visual slideshow for their final presentation.

K-2: What an amazing second marking period we have had in music class.

The kindergarten grade level has been learning about the notes, rests, and note values that are used in western music. From whole notes and rests to 16th notes and rests, the students are learning about the basics of learning how to read music. In the first grade, the students have mastered note values and “Music Math” equations. It’s now onto note placement on the treble and bass clefs. This is the beginning of learning how to read music that is written for high and low pitched instruments. The second grade has mastered how to read the treble and bass clefs. This is no small feat and advanced placemat combined with their knowledge of note values will get them ready to play the recorders next year!

3-5: Third grade is in the process of learning all of the techniques that are used when playing the recorder. Proper posture was the focus in the beginning, e.g. “attention position” and now we are playing real songs using the B, A, and G notes. This is just the start of a full on recorder ensemble and the students could not be more excited! The fourth grade has mastered note placement on the treble clef, bass clef, and ledger lines. Knowledge of ledger line note placement has opened their eyes to new instruments that have pitch ranges beyond the two common clefs. The students also worked on dotted note values. Every note is worth 1, 2, and 4 beats. They use this knowledge in band and really enjoy combining what they are learning in general music with what they are learning in band. The fifth grade mastered the treble clef, bass clef, ledger lines and so much more. It is now onto learning about music history. Music did not begin with rap and rock and roll. It actually began with the medieval period, but we are starting with the Renaissance period. The rebirth of life, music, and art. This is only the beginning. The fifth grade is about to embark on a journey like no other. Music’s life throughout time!

Lastly, all grade levels are having a great time singing various songs. Singing is such an important element to music education and it brings joy and happiness to their daily lives here at Thomas G. Connors Elementary School!

In Mandarin, students learned vocabulary for School Days, and Home Sweet Home. They played listening comprehension games such as Bingo and speaking games such as Battleship and Go Fish. Students also practiced character writing. We reviewed and learned new songs with Little Fox and Chinese Buddy. We wrapped up the second marking period with the Chinese New Year. Activities included snake paper cutting , lanterns, and lucky red envelopes.

This marking period each grade level contributed to our Winter Artland, which is currently on display in the art room and hallway!

Kindergarten created watercolor snowflakes using crayon resist and salt. They watched as the watercolor interacted with the materials, magically revealing snowflakes drawn with white crayon and creating a blizzard effect with the salt.

First grade used painted paper to craft winter evergreen tree collages. They tore paper to add texture to the trees, layering it with oil pastel drawings and designs.

Second grade made holiday candle artworks with warm and cool colored paper, patterns, designs, and folds. Their paper candles glow with ripped paper light shining from the flames.

Third grade built an evergreen sculpture forest by painting and cutting cardboard. They painted colors and patterns on one side of each tree and traditional colors on the other, testing their strength to cut out the shapes. The trees stand tall in Model Magic, creating the illusion of a winter forest!

Fourth grade learned to create a value scale using paint and complementary colors. They applied these skills to create tints and shades, giving the appearance of three-dimensional holiday light bulbs which dangle from holiday themed paper chains.

Fifth grade used analogous colors to create snowflake collages, showcasing layers of textured paper and intricate details with unique designs.

Everyone created mini artworks inspired by our featured artist, Georges Seurat. We studied his famous painting A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte, which was made entirely of tiny dots! It took Seurat two years to complete this massive piece, which is now valued at over $650 million. We had a mini lesson on Pointillism and explored how it works in color mixing. Then, we recreated a smaller version of this fascinating artwork by applying small dots with markers.

For Kindness Week, we worked together on our giant annual Kindness Chain, a bucket-filling activity, and the display 'Be the 'I' in Kind!' We compiled a list of kind and positive words and phrases to form our Kindness Chain—showing how one kind action leads to another. These words were also placed on the letters 'K,' 'N,' and 'D,' which are now displayed in the hallway as a daily reminder to be kind. We read the story Have You Filled a Bucket Today? to explore how our actions can make others feel good and fill their emotional buckets. We also wrote down and decorated kind actions to add to our Kindness Bucket.

We're currently working on symmetry art in preparation for Valentine's Day. Kindergarten and first grade are creating Picasso-inspired floral designs by blending and layering paint. Second and third graders are exploring one of the oldest forms of art-making—stained glass. We’ve discussed how glass art has played a significant role in the architecture of churches and mosques worldwide. Fourth and fifth grade are studying Jim Dine's Confetti Heart and applying his patchwork style. They’re focusing on avoiding paint blending to create a vibrant, mosaic-like effect similar to Dine's technique.

This marking period, our students have been engaged in exciting activities that enhance their physical skills and promote teamwork. Here are some highlights:

Soccer: Students have developed their kicking skills through various drills and games. They practiced dribbling, passing, and shooting techniques, culminating in regular and crab soccer. Bowling: In our bowling unit, students learned the fundamentals of rolling. They practiced their stance, grip, and release techniques, and enjoyed friendly competitions to apply their skills. Students learned how to scorekeep and we crowned a class/school champion. Lacrosse: Our lacrosse unit focused on essential skills such as throwing and catching. Students explored different lacrosse implements, honing their abilities to pass and catch effectively. The unit emphasized teamwork and communication, allowing students to work together in drills and small-sided games. As always throughout the marking period, we have continued to practice different aerobic and anaerobic exercises, and our students at Connors love fitness!

We are proud of the progress each student has made in these areas and look forward to seeing their continued development!