CES December Newsletter
Happy Holiday Season!
Important Dates
December 9th: BOE Meeting @ 6pm
December 9th: PTSA Meeting @ 7pm
December 9th-12th: Holiday Shop (more details below)
December 16th: Elementary Chorus Winter Concert @ 6:30pm
December 23 - January 3rd: Winter Recess - NO SCHOOL
Important Reminder
The side parking lot is reserved in the morning for students who need to enter the building first without a crowd. Please do not park in this parking lot. Reach out to the office with any questions. Thank you for your continued partnership!
PTSA News
Are you planning to purchase your student's teacher a gift, and just don't know what to get?
The PTSA is here to help! We have collected "a few of their favorite things" from several of our teachers and staff. Please email theCESptsa@gmail.com for details.
Community Announcements
Library Contest
November Attendance Rate: 92.81%
Be An Attendance Hero
Here
Every Day
Ready to Learn
On Time
CES Unified Arts Team
A Letter from Our District Librarian, Tracy Mack
I have been teaching for over 22 years in a variety of settings. I have a son, daughter, step son and step daughter, ranging from ages 15 to 30. We have 4 rescue dogs; Milo, Cora Iris, Lucky and Little Buddy. My hobbies include crochet, diamond art, yard work, and of course reading.
If you are looking for information on different subjects to help your child with homework, Library.FYI is a great place to start. Click here to visit Library.FYI. The passcode is look. Here you can find books to read, or listen to together, by clicking on SORA ebooks. Between the school library and the public library the world is yours to explore!
Please reach out to me at either school if you have any questions.
I truly enjoy working with each and every one of the students here at Corinth.
A Letter from Our Librarian TA, Karen Aulman
The past 18 years of working in Corinth have granted me with a wealth of experience engaging different grade levels. I returned to the elementary library in 2023.
My love for reading helped me to succeed in school and in life. I truly believe that if students develop a love for reading they will succeed. I also believe every child should be empowered to reach their fullest potential. I love having the opportunity to inspire all students with a love of reading.
My work as a teaching assistant continues to reward and enrich my life daily. I am committed to helping students and the community.
A Letter from Our PE Coach, Eric Fabian
Hello,
My name is Eric Fabian and I am one of the Physical Education teachers at CES. This will be my 5th year working in the district at the elementary school. I also coach boys modified basketball and varsity track. Previously to working at CES, I attended college in Texas at Tarleton State University and received my undergraduate and masters degree in Kinesiology. A fun fact about me is that I compete in rodeos which is why I attended college in Texas and even received a rodeo scholarship. Since then, I continue to travel across the country competing in various events. My wife Emily also competes and our two kids Easton (3yrs old) and Elsie (10 months old) also hit the rodeo road with us.
Throughout the year in our physical education class we will teach a variety of units including team and individual sports, locomotor skills, cooperative games, climbing, cardio drumming, and dance to name a few. We strive to provide a well rounded learning experience that gives students the skills to stay physically active throughout their lifetime. We appreciate your support at home keeping our students active and promoting a healthy lifestyle. Here are some ideas to help along the way:
Help remind your child to bring sneakers on PE days.
Get outside and play!
Enjoy a walk together.
Go hiking.
Sign up for youth sports.
Attend school sporting events.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at fabiane@corinthcsd.org. We look forward to another great year in physical education.
Eric Fabian
A Letter from Our PE Coach, Katie Murphy
Hello Corinth Families!
I’m Katie Murphy, one of the Physical Education teachers at Corinth Elementary School. This is my first year in this role and it brings me so much joy to become a part of the Corinth School District family. Two years ago, I graduated college from SUNY Cortland. Since then, I have been substitute teaching in surrounding school districts. I grew up locally in Saratoga Springs with my parents and two older siblings. My family is the biggest reason I have so much spirit, knowledge, and care to share with my students. I love helping others and spreading joy wherever I can, even if it’s just a smile or laugh. I spend a majority of my free time staying active with coaching softball, playing tennis or walking. If I’m not being active, you could find me taking it easy with my two cats. My passion for working with kids grows and I take pride in encouraging an active lifestyle for all.
Staying active and practicing healthy habits is important for everyone, not just our students. There are numerous ways for the whole family to have fun and keep their bodies strong! Here are some healthy habits and fun ways to keep the whole family active at home:
● Having inside dance parties to their favorite songs
● Have a snow sculpture building contest outside, show them how to work with others and use their
muscles to move the heavy snow. Everyone loves building snow people!
● Limiting screen time to less than an hour. On holiday breaks limit screen time to less than two
hours. Commercial breaks can also be used as exercise breaks
● Cooking meals together to share responsibilities and discuss the nutritional values in the food
you're cooking
● Playing balloon volleyball. You can play sitting or standing!
● Start the morning and ending the evening with stretches
● Shoveling the snow together can help the job get done faster and help grow strong muscles
● Plan an indoor scavenger hunt that gets them moving around
If you have any questions or are interested in further resources for fun physical activities, my email is murphyk@corinthcsd.org.
Resources:
https://www.youtube.com/@CosmicKidsYoga - yoga videos
https://healthpoweredkids.org/lessons/stretch-for-your-best/ - stretches to start and end the morning
https://www.scavify.com/scavenger-hunt/scavenger-hunt-clues-for-kids - indoor scavenger hunt
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfDv4JZRPys - indoor balloon volleyball
A Letter from Our Music Teacher, Lisa Janicke
Dear Families,
I’m Mrs. Janicke, and I teach general music PK-4 and chorus at CES. My main instrument is piano and I have been playing since I was 9 years old. My whole family plays instruments, except our cat, who mostly listens to us. One thing I love about teaching all grades is hearing how kids grow musically over the years. From shaking eggs in PK to strumming ukuleles and singing in Gr. 4, or singing nursery rhymes in K to playing recorders in Gr. 3. Fun fact: almost everyone likes to dance in music class!
Caregivers, you are your child’s first music teacher! Nurturing a love for music is as simple as singing or humming songs to your children at bedtime, bouncing and chanting rhymes like pat-a-cake, or going into the kitchen and breaking out the pots and pans to make a band! You might remember a song that your parents shared with you and pass it down to your own child. Here are some fun activities to try with your family.
Echo Sing: explore different voices with familiar songs: silly, loud, soft, high, low, dinosaur…let your imagination run!
Rhyme Beat Box: grab a book of rhymes, poems, or your favorite song lyrics and move to the beat with your child as you chant
Dance Party: do a freeze dance with your favorite playlist…The Floor is Lava is so much fun
Instrument Inventors: get some items around the house like rubber bands, shoe boxes, cans, rice, chopsticks and create your own instrument!
Karaoke: a decorated paper towel holder makes an excellent magic microphone. Put on a playlist and rock out!
Live Music In Our Area: There is nothing better than a live concert. In the summer, almost every town or library sponsors free community concerts. Check out these organizations for music all year long!
Saratoga Performing Arts Center
Apps
There are a lot of websites out there for music, and many more apps. Here are two free sites that may spark your child’s imagination to create music or think about the science of sound.
Grades PK-2
Grades 2-4
A Letter from Our Art Teacher, Kaitlyn McDougall
Hey everyone! My name is Kaitlyn McDougall, aka Mrs. Mc! This is my third year teaching art at C.E.S. and I absolutely love being here! I grew up in a military family and moved every 3 years, I lived all over the world including Belgium and Italy! I now live in a log home in the woods with my husband, dog and two kittens. I absolutely love to hike, backpack, garden and do anything outside. Here are some fun art activities you can do at home:
Grab a piece of paper and a hard surface to draw on, and a drawing tool. Go outside with a friend or family member and draw what you see outside! Create a collage out of cardboard, newspaper, magazines, or any recycled object! Check out How to Draw videos online, here is a wonderful website called Art for Kids Hub:
Monthly Choose Kindness Lesson: Respect
What is respect?
“Respecting your family, teachers, and friends are all ways to
show kindness. If you show respect to others they will show
respect to you!”
—Jimmer Fredette
The word is respect. Respect allows us to learn, enjoy our time together, and feel safe. We should be showing respect in all we do. We can respect ourselves, respect others, respect our things, respect other people’s property, and we can respect the earth. We should also be respectful everywhere we go.
Where should we show respect?
Breathing Activity
December Read Aloud
Student Health Services
Our district has partnered with Saratoga Hospital to offer a Student Health Services initiative. An advanced practice provider will be available in our district to offer FREE medical care for all students. Some of their services will include: care for minor injuries and illnesses; mental health consultation; acute care prescription medication; and sports physicals. These professionals will share their time between the Elementary School and the Oak Street campus.
In order for students to take advantage of this great opportunity, parents/guardians must sign and return the consent form to their building principal. If you would like to learn more about this service, please follow this link to a recording of our presentation from December 6th, 2022. The Google Slide presentation is also available here. Should you have questions regarding this service, please call 518-654-9005 or 518-654-2960 Extension, 3446.
School Bus Drivers Needed
Looking for the same school vacations and summer break as your children? Become a school bus driver!
Schedule a test drive today! Call 518-654-2231 or email routing@corinthcsd.org
Let's Eat
This school year families can access a link to our school menus on the district website or at www.myschoolmenus.com.
CES Student Council Elections
Our CES Student Council facilitated a mock election on election day! Our youngest Riverhawks are learning about citizenship! Thank you to our Student Council members and advisor, Mrs. Fuller, for this valuable activity on the path to Civic Readiness.
Veterans Day
In recognition of Veterans Day, WWII era aircrafts flew over CES!