Stonehurst Stories

Jan. 2025 Vol. 5

The official Newsletter of Stonehurst Hills Elementary School

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Stonehurst Hills Elementary School

7051 Ruskin Lane

Upper Darby, PA 19082

Principal: Desmond Chisholm

Assistant Principal: Ernest Patrick

STUDENT OF THE MONTH

Congratulations to our December Students of the Month!

These students were chosen for being Fair.

In January, teachers and staff will be looking for students who are Caring.

First Grade

Sir Lewis, Jose Mejia Bastillo, Devyn Allen, Christopher Agustin-Maldonado, Curtis Salam, Nilda Santiago, Maui Rockeymore, Zaviar Ahmed, Leyiam Johnson, Xyla Marie Tess, Jose Boquin Hernandez, Makoto Konneh, Ashley Milan Romero, Allan Reyes Quezada

Second Grade

Chloe Nazario, Qharon Wiles, Christopher Series, Persephone O'Connell, Boubacar Diallo, Ayath Hossain, Isaac Antoine, Aylen Cevallos, Mya Adams-Dickerson, Wilson Ulloa, Chieba Konare, Jahmari Garnett, Ryann Alexis-Gilliam, Mohammed Donzo, Isaiah Prince, Marqui Rideout, Anfremy Fernandez Diaz

Third Grade

Diana Deronvil-Mozelus, Sharol Mendez Orellana, Adrianna Ferrie, Britany Fernandez Lituma, Kevon Wilkins, Daniella Cruz, Ethan Dunkley, Mikie Goodwater, Syronie Hall-Robinson, Joseph Ortega, Mateo Esquviel, Edward Warley, Tifany Pallchisaca Sanchez, Liam Dang, Levi Tarpeh, Ezra Prince, Adiba Hossain

Fourth Grade

Iris Lopez Hernandez, Mahamadou Bidanessy, Mishel Simaluisa, Kristel Miranda, Ava Williams, Juan Quizhpi, Adam Kamara, Dahron Carey, Antony Aroche, Zaria Woodburn, Ethan Mora Chauca, Snaider Quinatoa Quinaloa, Grace Dennis, Stephanie Gavarrete Santos, Brianna Perez-Gonzalez

Fifth Grade

Mariame Bagaga, Genesis Xiloj, Julian Adjaidoo, Sofia Morales Fernandez, Zuri Green, Malachi Morton, Ashlin Hernandes, Liam Wilson, Brayan Moreno-Madrid, Saliha Bint-Nasir, Ibrahim Mirza, Michael Alao Macancela, Edison Sanango, Niya Outlaw, Kendrick Cherry, Sumayyah Tucker

TEACHER TALKS

Meet Mrs. Mathis!

College: I graduated from Temple with my bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education. Then, I graduated from West Chester University with my master's degree in Literacy.

Years Teaching: This is my first year at Stonehurst, but my fourth year of teaching. In the past I have taught first and third grade in the Philadelphia School District and Colonial School District.

About Me: I grew up in Delaware County and I currently live in the city with my husband, our dog and cat. I am an avid baker and enjoy all things chocolate! When I am not at school, I enjoy spending time with my family, friends and pets, doing yoga, and reading.

COUNSELOR'S CORNER

To wrap up December counseling lessons, 5th grade students designed coping skills sweaters inspired by their favorite coping skills. Students with the most creative designs received a prize!

To begin the new year, our lesson topic for January is growth mindset. Read alouds for first, second, and third grade included The Magical Yet, Jabari Jumps, and Bubble Gum Brain.

4th and 5th grade will be learning about ‘famous failures.’ They will hear the stories of Walt Disney (4th) and Michael Jordan (5th), and how these famous figures used a growth mindset and perseverance to bounce back from failure and go on to achieve great success.

MENTAL HEALTH MONTHLY

Happy January, Stonehurst Family! My name is Mrs. Sanders and I am the School Social Worker at Stonehurst. This is the Mental Health Monthly section of the newsletter. The goal of the section is to reduce the stigma associated with mental health and provide quick tips, information, and resources related to mental and behavioral health. I look forward to promoting and supporting the mental health of the Stonehurst community. Please remember that this content is for informational purposes only and she should not be considered a substitute for professional advice or consultation with mental health professionals. If you need help finding mental health professionals in your community, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. This month’s topic is Mindfulness!

SPECIAL'S SPOTLIGHT

News from the Library

Check out the new, expanded collection of Spanish Books! Ven a ver la nueva y ampliada colección de la biblioteca en español.

News from the Music Room

This month, choir begins! Superstar Choir is a group of 4th and 5th grade students who sing together. They will meet on Thursday mornings, 8:00- 8:45 AM in the multipurpose room. The first rehearsal is January 23rd. They will be performing in the spring concert and at Multicultural night! To join, students need to return a paper form that was given out by their homeroom teacher. If you have any further questions, feel free to email Miss H at lhopf@upperdarbysd.org.

First grade has been practicing the foundational concepts for rhythm, and this month will be all about rhythm. They will be learning quarter notes and rests as well as eighth notes.

Second grade will be focusing more on instruments, and they will be learning to improvise on xylophone!

Third grade has been learning about the musical staff and how to read sheet music. They are building these skills to prepare to learn recorder soon! More details about recorder will go home at a later date.

Fourth and Fifth grade danced in December! Ask them, and they’ll remember Alabama Gal, a traditional folk dance from Appalachia. They have been learning about choir and learning the song “Rainbow Connection” from The Muppets.

CLASSROOM CHRONICLES

Before Winter Break, first grade made snow globes and wrote what they would do if they were stuck in a snow globe!

Students in Mrs. Andrews’ second grade class are working on

adding coins together in Topic 8 during Math class.

E.L.L. COLUMN

In this issue we are featuring a second grader, Samuel (right)!

Samuel moved here from Cuba with his mom and grandparents.

1. What was the weather like in Cuba?

The weather was very, very hot. It doesn't snow in Cuba but sometimes it rains.

2. Did you go to school in Cuba?

Yes, I went to school. We would do writing. We weren't able to go outside like we do here.

3. What is your favorite Cuban food?

My favorite food in Cuba was Chicharritas.

4. What did you do for fun in Cuba?

My brother and I would play with our PS5 or I would play with my toys.

5. What do you miss most about Ecuador?

I miss my friends and cousins.

Students learning English as an additional language at Stonehurst worked on a mini unit about the Gingerbread Man. The unit started by reading the story while discussing beginning, middle and end. Students then used adjectives to create “missing” flyers in hopes to find the Gingerbread Man. Lastly, students used their listening, speaking and reading skills to go on a hunt around the building in hopes to find the Gingerbread Man! They found him back in the classroom with small prizes for them all.