Stonehedge News

This page provides thoughts and commentary from Amanda Simmons, the Principal of Stonehedge Elementary School in the West Genesee Central School District.

Dear Stonehedge Families-

It is such an exciting time of year. The students are really enjoying their days learning and growing together. The academic and social emotional growth day to day, week to week is amazing.

My favorite part of Friday is the Shout-outs. I love to hear the positive messages the students and staff send one another. Some shout outs are about helping out a friend or thanking a teacher for teaching a special skill. To that... I'd like to give a shout out to all of the parents who have been helping set up for PumpkinHedge tonight. It is definitely one of my favorite events at Stonehedge!

Please check out the information and pictures below. We have our students thoughts on the P2 traits and pictures of our Wildcat Wow Winners. There is also information about the Halloween Parade, Pajamarama, and our Veterans' Day Celebration (and so much more).

Thank you for the support you always give to Stonehedge. Have a wonderful weekend and hope to see you at one of our upcoming events soon!

Mrs. Simmons

Stonehedge Main Office

phone: 315-487-4633

fax: 315-487-4699

email: stonehedgeoffice@westgenesee.org

Stonehedge Health Office

phone: 315-487-4636

fax: 315-487-4599

10/30 - Open Library Night - 6:30pm - 7:30pm - Stonehedge Library

10/31 - Halloween Parade (details below)

11/1 - Turkey Tango (details coming soon)

11/2 - PTA District Council Winter Wear Giveaway - 10:00am - 2:00pm - WGHS Cafeteria 1 (enter through Door 16)

11/5 - Half Day for Students: K-4 Dismissal: 11:15am, UPK Dismissal: 12:00pm

11/6 - BOE Meeting - 6:00pm - WGHS Library

11/7 - School Picture Retakes - 6:00pm - 8:00pm - Blue Cafe (more information below)

This week's P2 trait was creativity. Creative people see the world in unique ways. They like trying new things and use their imagination to think for themselves. They can come up with many different ideas and are excited to work hard on the ones they choose.

Some of our 4th-grade students shared with the school how they show creativity.

We proudly continue the tradition of inviting Veterans and active military personnel from our Stonehedge families to join us for a special celebration. We welcome our honored guests, accompanied by their hosting Stonehedge students, to enjoy coffee, doughnuts, and a musical tribute as we come together to celebrate gratitude and bravery.

The event will take place on Friday, November 8, with coffee and doughnuts served at 8:30 AM in the library. We kindly ask that students arrive at school with their guests to ensure they don’t miss any part of the tribute. Please note, if your child rides the bus to school, they may miss part of the event.

To help us plan accordingly, please return the RSVP form, which was sent home earlier this week, by November 1, 2024.

We look forward to honoring our Veterans and active military members together!

Halloween is almost here and with that, we would like to share a schedule for Thursday, October 31st. If weather permits, we’ll host an outdoor parade welcoming spectators around the route. If the weather does not cooperate, we will have an indoor parade where spectators will not be permitted (decision will be made that morning).

The parade will begin promptly at 9:45 am with classroom parties to follow afterwards or later in the day. For those volunteering to help with parties, classroom teachers will contact you individually with information. Spectators at the outdoor parade do not need to sign in at the office. Please see the parade route and parking suggestions below.

Here are some reminders and guidelines to ensure the safety and well-being of all, and to make the day enjoyable for everyone who participates:

1. Please send your child dressed in costume with a bag of regular clothes to change into after the parade and party.

2. All scary, bloody masks, weapons, spears or other dangerous accessories must remain at home. Please respect that our youngest students can be frightened easily and we want all participants to have an enjoyable experience.

3. We ask that those attending the parade dressed in costume also avoid wearing masks of any kind.

4. Please keep in mind students will be parading throughout the building. This includes going up and down stairs as well curbs outside. Students should have unrestricted movement in their costumes and be able to see their surroundings while participating in the parade.
   

5. During the parade, students must stay with their classmates.

6. Please do not bring candy to pass out to students during the parade.

An alternative Fall Celebration will be held in our library during the parade for students who might not celebrate or are sensitive to the celebration. These students will participate in alternative seasonal activities until the parade is over.

Please be advised that no traffic will be allowed past the front circle beginning at 9:15am and continuing through the duration of the parade (see graphic above).

Parking is available in the following areas:

• Stonehedge bus loop (once buses have departed)

• West Genesee Intermediate School bus loop

Please be aware we are not allowing spectators to park in the district parking lot this year. Our UPK program utilizes the district office parking lot for their arrival beginning at 9:30am. We appreciate your compliance to reduce congestion in that area.

NOTE: If you are volunteering at Stonehedge for a classroom party we ask that you move your vehicle into a permanent parking spot after the parade.

Stonehedge Elementary is proud to announce our partnership with the Solvay-Geddes-Camillus Lions Club for an eyeglass drive. If you have any old or used eyeglasses that you'd like to donate, please send them to school with your child. The drop-off location for donations will be the Health Office. The eyeglass drive will run until Friday, November 22nd. Thank you for your generosity!

On Wednesday, November 15, students in the West Genesee School District are invited to wear their pajamas to school in support of Paige's Butterfly Run, helping kids in the fight against cancer. For a donation of just $1 or spare change, students can participate and contribute to pediatric cancer research and patient programs at Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital. Let’s come together in our comfy PJs for a great cause!

With the changing weather, children are now wearing layers of cold-weather clothing. We kindly request that you label your child's outerwear. This small effort can be a big help in reuniting lost items with their rightful owners, and you'll be grateful you took the time to do so.

Please keep in mind that our students will continue to go outside for recess. If the temperature is 20 degrees Fahrenheit or above, recess can take place outside. If the temperature is below 20 degrees Fahrenheit (this includes factoring in the WINDCHILL), recess will be indoors. Students should always have appropriate clothing for the weather: Coat, boots, snow pants, hat, and gloves.

Announcements about school closings, delayed openings, or early dismissal will be posted on the News Headlines section of the District website home page. They will also be broadcast on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and the following stations which you can access by clicking here.

Also, ParentSquare communications software allows us to send emails, texts, and make phone calls. (Phone calls will be used for emergency situations only.)

PTA Meeting

Join us for the next Stonehedge PTA on Wednesday, November 13th at 6:30 pm in the Stonehedge Library.

Picture Retake Day

Stonehedge Picture Retake Day is Thursday, November 7th, 6:00pm - 8:00pm in the Blue Cafeteria (enter through Door #1).

Helpful Hints from Upstate Images:

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For Retakes: Families who wish to have their child's photo retaken must bring their complete original photo package to the photographer on Retake Day. The photographer will take a new photo at no additional cost, and the same package previously purchased will be reprinted with the new photo.

For Absent or New Students (Ordering): If a student was absent or is new and wishes to purchase a photo package on Retake Day, they can either use a paper order form (available in the Blue Cafeteria on Retake Day) or wait to receive a proof with the child's unique online code to place an order online after Retake Day.

Please note: There is no option to pre-order online for Retake Day.

Special Education PTAs (or SEPTSAs) are designed to help parents advocate for special needs children. It is a place for parents, teachers, and students exchange information on various programs, funding, ever-changing state and federal laws and to support each other on the many problems of adjustment, growth, and development our members face. SEPTSA has regular meetings just like any other PTA, with speakers to run lectures or workshops on many pressing issues for our children.

New members are always welcome— click here to learn more about the WGSEPTSA and how you can get involved!

The PTA District Council will be holding a Winter Coat Drive from October 1st through October 31st to benefit West Genesee families in need. Donations of winter wear can be brought to the school and placed in the designated blue donation bins. Your support is greatly appreciated.

WG families that need winter coats, hats, gloves and boots will be able to pick out items that their families need on Saturday, November 2nd from 10am to 2pm at the West Genesee High School Cafeteria #1 (enter through Door 16.)

This week was the start of the 4th Grade Safety Patrol. These student leaders help promote responsibility, safety, and school-wide expectations among students.

Mrs. Stitzinger's 3rd graders worked as a team to create their pumpkin for Pumpkinhedge.

Mrs. Dougher's art students are learning new techniques!

Farms: Students learned about perspective and used water color techniques to make their flowers "bloom". Tissue papers were added at the end to give texture and create a foreground in the painting.

Farm Trucks: Students learned about balance so they could draw a symmetric truck using a black crayon transfer method. They then used watercolor and tissue paper to fill their farm trucks baskets and add texture,

More around school.