April 2025

Dear IEC Families,

Spring has arrived, and April is filled with exciting events and important updates! As the weather warms up, we encourage students to enjoy the outdoors while continuing to uphold our school values of respect, kindness, and responsibility. Please take a moment to review the important information below. The IEC is buzzing with energy as we embark on the final stretch of the academic year. April promises to be a month filled with engaging activities and events designed to enrich our students' educational experience.

Here are a few highlights:

State Testing Dates

State assessments are quickly approaching. Please ensure your child gets a good night’s sleep and arrives at school on time for their testing days.

• ELA: April 7 & 8 (Make-ups: April 9 & 10)

• Math: May 6 & 7 (Make-ups: May 8 & 9)

• Science (Grade 5 Only): May 13 (Make-up: May 14)

Spring Break

Spring Break will take place from April 12–27. We hope everyone has a restful and enjoyable break!

Seussical the Musical

Mark your calendars for our school musical, Seussical the Musical, on April 3 & 4 at 7:00 PM. Come support our talented students as they bring Dr. Seuss’s beloved characters to life in this fun and colorful performance.

"You're off to great places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way!" – Dr. Seuss

VIP Dance Recap

On March 28, we hosted our first-ever VIP Dance, and it was an incredible success! Families came together for a night of music, dancing, and fun. The dance floor was packed, and some amazing prize baskets found new homes. Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make this event so special!

Reviewing the Code of Conduct

As we enjoy more time outdoors and on the playground, we kindly ask families to review the district’s Code of Conduct together. We have seen an increase in behavior referrals, and it is important that all students understand the expectations for respectful behavior. Bullying and any violent verbal threats are taken very seriously, and we appreciate your support in reinforcing these expectations at home.

Spring into Fun!

April is a time for growth, sunshine, and new opportunities. We encourage our students to stay engaged, be kind to one another, and embrace the joy of learning. Let’s make this a fantastic month together!

Please don't hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions. Your feedback is invaluable as we strive to create a nurturing and enriching environment for all our students.

Wishing you and your family a wonderful month ahead filled with joy, laughter, and memorable moments.

Wishing you a happy and healthy April!

Mrs. Rodriguez

Spring Spirit Week 3/31-4/4 (see below)

Tuesday 4/1- April Fool's Day

Thursday 4/3- Seussical musical 7pm

Friday 4/4- Seussical musical 7pm

Sunday 4/13- President Thomas Jefferson's Birthday

Monday 4/14-Friday 4/25 Spring recess- No school

Friday 4/18- Good Friday

Sunday 4/20- Easter

Tuesday 4/22- Earth Day

Any items not claimed by Spring break

will be donated to Wear n Share

The IEC students were thrilled to see K9 Officer Shadow (with Officers Nicoletti & Stafford) stop by!

Congratulations to everyone at the IEC WHOSE ARTWORK was chosen for the District Art Show!

The community turnout was amazing! Incredible artwork from elementary level through high school level. It is so nice to see our students beam with pride when showing their work to families and friends.

Congratulations to the 5th Grade Chorus Band & Orchestra students on a spectacular District Kaleidoscope concert series! The concerts were held on March 6th (Orchestra), March 13th (Chorus) and March 19th (Band) in the High School Auditorium. The 5th grade students performed with all 5th-12th grade Chorus, Band, and Orchestra students in the district for the finale of each concert- over 100 students making music together! It was an incredible and awesome experience for our young players!

Mrs. Zachary, Mrs. Spinnegan and Mrs. Carere are so proud of all of you!

If you missed them, you can catch the live stream videos here on the Lewiston-Porter Music & Theater Program Facebook page:

Lewiston-Porter Music & Theater Facebook Page

5th Grade Chorus at Kaleidoscope

Orchestra Kaleidoscope Concert (above)

Band Kaleidoscope Concert (two pictures above)

Students who Drama Club were able to experience a live theater performance at the Historic Lockport Palace Theater. All students involved in the musical from the cast to crew to set design went to see ¨Tarzan¨. It was an awesome show that provided beautiful singing and wonderful sets. The students all enjoyed themselves!

Mrs. Danahy's class participated in a "PI Day" activity on 3.14!

The students in Miss Yager's and Mrs. Jaruszewski's classes embarked on a business project throughout the last few months. Each business created a business plan and presented their final projects to each other.

As a culminating activity they travelled to Platter's Chocolate and Stuart's Sports to learn about the business aspect of their companies. They were able to ask many important questions about running a business, including the advertising process.

As a sweet treat they enjoyed some ice cream at Platters and even shopped for some chocolate. Thank you to Mr. Dougherty for the wonderful shirts made by Stuarts. We had an exciting experience.

During the month of March, in honor of “Music In Our School Month”, all students grades 3-5 in the IEC participated in “March Music Madness'”. Students voted on 16 different songs. We had lots of fun listening to all of the songs. Each round, only the top selections moved on. Throughout the month, we played 4 rounds until we had an ultimate winner! Students practiced respecting different musical styles and musical performers as well as respecting other people's musical preferences. The overall winning song was “Die with a Smile” performed by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars”.

In addition to playing each round, students were asked to make an “overall” pick for the end. From the winning guesses, names were drawn for a small prize from each class.

We are looking forward to a whole new round of “Music Madness'' next year!

Og the Frog was all over the IEC learning & having fun

The IEC held its second Leadership Assembly of the year on March 20, 2025.

This assembly celebrated music in our schools with wonderful performances by some of our talented band and orchestra students. Attendees enjoyed a sneak peek of Seussical the Musical and heard from two guest speakers from the high school, selected as leaders by the music department.

During the assembly, we focused on Habits 3-5:

putting first things first, thinking win-win, and seeking first to understand rather than to be understood.

Congratulations to the Lancer Gram recipients!

During the last 2 weeks of March, the students in Mrs. Stafford's 4th grade class held a Pet Food Donation drive. The donations were collected for the Heart of Niagara Animal Rescue, based in Lockport, and the Niagara County SPCA.

The total amount of donations was 372 pet food items! There was a tie for the 2 classes that collected the most~ Mr. Dicamillo and Mrs. Baio's classes! They will both have an ice cream party hosted by Mrs. Stafford's class!

Please consider adopting or fostering a homeless pet!

554 attendees came together on Friday, March 21st to celebrate and conclude our 8 week elementary reading adventure at the IEC! The smiles on faces and family memories made are the heart of the program. The goal is to create a magical immersive reading experience from start to finish which supports a valuable family activity…reading together! In an era of constant distractions and screens vying for our time and attention, pausing to read together as a family creates conversation, boosts literacy skills, and strengthens connection. The evening was in partnership with 15 community business partners, our 3 local libraries, and student volunteers from Lew-Port's Middle School and High School (NJHS, WEB, NHS, Art Club, and Key Club), along with 11 staff volunteers and 8 committee members. Families circulated through 5 Life According to Og the Frog themed stations: Lily Pad Lane, Swamp-Music Sing Along, Frog Log STEAM Challenge, Pond Puppets Art, and McKenzie’s Marsh Maze. A HOPPING good time was indeed had by all! What will be your family's next reading adventure?

Spirit Week- Dress like a teacher you admire day

Sheriff Ray Tracy set up a surprise K9 demonstration on Friday 3/28/25, along with the Sheriff's Office K9 Deputy, Jeff Walters, and Officer Scott Stafford from the Lewiston-Porter Police Department, for Mr. DiCamillo's and Ms. Lester's 5th grade classes

.

Both officers brought their K9 dogs into our auditorium for the demonstration, which was a big hit for all of the students. Deputy Walters brought in his K-9 dog, Atom, who specializes in building search, criminal apprehension, area search, muzzle deployment, article search, explosive detection. and tactical high risk deployment. Officer Stafford brought along his K-9, Shadow, who specializes in patrol, obedience, tracking and narcotics. Both dogs were able to show the students glimpses of what they are trained to do.

Finally, Deputy Tracy set up the presentation in order to surprise his daughter, Sofia, who is in Mr. Dicamillo's 5th grade class. Sofia was surprised, and excited! On a side note, Officer Ray Tracy is set to retire on April 7th, and both classes thank him for all of his years of service, and all the best moving forward.

Thank you again!

Mr. DiCamillo and Ms. Lester and all of their students.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day from Miss Yager's class

Western wear spirit day

On March 28th the Lewiston Porter PTSA along with Key Club and High School volunteers, sponsored the 1st “My VIP and Me night” at the Intermediate Education Center. The red carpet was rolled out for the students and VIP guests at this free event. Students in grade 3-5 were invited to choose a special adult to share in festivities. Parents, grandparents, and family friends were all in attendance at the event. DJ Jimmy kept students and adults dancing all night. Families and friends spent quality time working on crafts, getting pictures in a photobooth and eating special desserts.

150 students were dressed in beautiful dresses and handsome formal wear to celebrate the energetic evening.

A special thank you to the Village Bake Shoppe and Tops for the tasty Lancer colored cupcakes as well as bottled water.

Over the past few months some Enrichment students in 4th and 5th grade chose to participate in the Western New York Regional Invention Convention which was held at the Buffalo Museum of Science on Sunday March 30, 2025. Forty schools and 238 inventions competed for prizes.

This experience incorporated many creative thinking,engineering and design skills as well as intrapersonal skills. To participate students had to follow the seven step invention process:

1. IDENTIFYING ~ Choose a problem you would like to work on 2. UNDERSTANDING ~ Know the cause & effect of a problem 3. IDEATING ~ Brainstorm the best idea to solve the problem 4. DESIGNING ~ Decide an invention solution for problem

5. BUILDING ~ Plan and create a prototype or model of your solution 6. TESTING ~ Test and redesign the invention 7. COMMUNICATION ~ Share the problem, solution, and your invention process.

It was very exciting to see my students in action as they spoke with the judges about their inventions. I am happy to say that it was a wonderful experience for all of the inventors who went. Congratulations to all! We had several winners who are listed below:

From Fourth Grade: Greyson Tidwell, Ciaran Myers with the “Winter Destroyers”, Aurora Newell-Renaud with “The Book Iron”. Otto Schimmelpennick Van der Oye and Nicco Rossi with the “E-Z Trax

From fifth Grade: Violet Donnelley With “The Cloud Glass Fogger”. Benjamin Gabryluk and Caleb Thiel with the Leaf Bagger, Noah Bajor and Grayson Chapman with the X Carrier, Norah Schmitt and Juliana McLellan with the “Slush Stopper and Armen Hurtgam with the “Robotic Garbage Can” Congratulations to ALL of our Inventors! I am very proud of you!