PQ Tuesday Newsday

December 17, 2024

Principal Message

A few more days until the holiday break! As the year comes to a close, it is the perfect time to reflect on the incredible work and growth that has taken place in our school community. From the classrooms to extracurricular activities, we have witnessed dedication, perseverance, and meaningful progress among our students and staff. Every day, our classrooms come alive with activities designed to push students’ thinking beyond the surface—whether it’s through problem-solving tasks, collaborative projects, or open-ended discussions that require them to consider multiple perspectives. It’s been exciting to see our students rise to the challenge, and sharpen their critical thinking skills. Thank you all for your continued support and collaboration!

Updates: Tonight, Tuesday at 6 pm, our 4th graders & 5th grade band members will host their holiday concert.

Spirit week is in full swing! Please see the full list below and help spread a cheerful mode throughout PQ.

The PQ team wishes you a restful break. Enjoy the next few weeks with your family and friends, and have a peaceful holiday season.

Be well,

Roy Martin & Dawn Snowdon

Gr 5 Band and 4th Grade Concert - TONIGHT

Our 5th grade Band and 4th grade Concert is December 17th (tonight) at 6:00. Please click below for more information about arrival, concert dress, and more.

5th gr Band Concert Dec 17th

4th gr Concert Dec 17th

PQ Spirit Week Continues!

Universal Pre-K 2025-2026

Please click the link below to fill out the Universal Pre-K form if you have a student who is eligible for the pre-K program during the 2025-2026 school year.

Universal Pre-K at PQ

Toys For Tots Collection

The MSHS Student Forum has begun their annual Toys for Tots fundraiser. PQ will have a donation bin in the main hallway where students can drop off their gifts.

The drive will continue until December 18th.

Toys for Tots Collection Info

Wish List of Toys

Grades 4 & 5 Chorus SignUp

If you have a student in 4th or 5th grade who would like to sign up for chorus please click on the link below for information and a permission slip. The permission slips are due by December 20th.

Gr 4 & 5 Chorus Info and Permission Slip

5th Grade Penny Wars

Our 5th graders will be hosting a "penny wars" competition from Dec. 2 - 20th. The 5th grade classroom that collects the most points will win a pajama day/pizza party for their classroom. All proceeds from this fundraiser go to support our 5th Grade Committee. The collection jugs are located in the main office. Please click the link below for more detail.

5th Grade Penny War

From the PTO

Parent Volunteers Needed for the Yearbook

Seeking Parent Volunteers for the '24-'25 Yearbook. We are looking for one parent volunteer per grade level to coordinate with the class parents and teachers as well as people to photograph school events.

Form to sign-up for either:

https://forms.gle/pW5YMB9YZjG2ug9P9

Spiritwear Store

Please click below to check out this year's PQ Spiritwear!

https://catoonahink.com/pequenakonckele2022/shop/home

There are extra yearbooks from prior years available for purchase. If you are interested in purchasing one, please send to school with your student $27 and the yearbook you'd like to buy.

The years available are:

2023-2024

2022-2023

2019-2020

These will be sold on a first come first serve basis.

2nd Grade Visited the Aldrich Museum

Profile of a 5th Grader

Citizenship Recognitions

Prince used his positive attitude to help 2 friends sort out a disagreement that they were having.

Communicator

Dominic has been using his talker more and more so that he can contribute to his classroom's meetings.

Collaborator

Cam noticed that a friend couldn't go outside for recess so he invited them to join his class in an indoor activity that they were taking part in.

Safety Patrol Keeping an Eye on Things!

Junior Officer

From the PQ Nurse

Body Mass Index Percentage Reporting to the State

Please read this latest information from our nurses regarding a BMI report that they are required to send to NY state.

**Please note that PQ nurses will NOT be weighing students. The information passed along will be taken from each student's physical that is already on file. The information sent to the state does NOT contain student names.

BMI Opt Form 24-25_english

BMI Opt Form 24-25_spanish

Latest Health Update in Pediatrics:

Bacterial pneumonia cases are on the rise in young children, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Pneumonia, a common lung infection, can be caused by multiple sources, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. However, the CDC says cases caused by the bacteria Mycoplasma pneumoniae have been increasing in the last six months "since late spring and have remained high" and has been impacting children in particular.

What are general pneumonia symptoms in kids?

Other types of pneumonia may have similar to slightly different symptoms from pneumonia cases caused by M. pneumoniae. They include:

Chest pain when breathing or coughing
Altered mental status (confusion)
Cough
Fatigue (feeling tired)
Fever or chills
Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
Shortness of breath

Macrolides are the first-line treatment for this infection. Some first-line antibiotics used to treat pneumonia, like penicillin, will not treat M. pneumoniae.

If an illness is persisting please seek medical attention to diagnose and treat.

Thank you,

The Health Office

Previous PQ Nurse Updates

Information on Medications

Kindergarten Registration is On Going

If you have a student who is turning 5 years old by December 1, 2025 and would like to register them for Kindergarten at PQ please contact Laura Tartaglia in the PQ office to set up an appointment.

** If your student is already enrolled in the Universal PreK program at PQ, you do not need to set up an appointment at this time.

Laura Tartaglia: 914-669-5317 x3056 / ltartaglia@northsalemschools.org

Remember that we can not switch buses for play dates.

A bus change can only be made when there is an emergency child care change.

Please make sure you have logged into Parent Portal and updated your Emergency Contacts. Parents/Guardians are always the first people we call. If they can't be reached we need an emergency contact person listed in Parent Portal. Please make sure you have that information in there.

Breakfast & Lunch Info

Lunch (December)

Breakfast (December)

We use the My School Bucks app for parents to create a lunch account for their students. Please click on that link and sign up if you haven't already.

If you feel you might qualify for "Free or Reduced Meals" through the state, please click the following link for information: National School Meal Program Information