First, Second, & Third Grade
First Grade: Makiyah Sessay, Joseph Brizuela Boquin, Uriel Adjibi, Clifford Brown, Mohammad Rubby, Nevaeh Tate, Jonathan Cruz, Anfrenmy Fernandez Diaz, Khrystian Whaley, Ari Walker, Mohammed Donzo, Tirani Roberts, Christopher Series, Emmanuel Dweh Jr
Second Grade: Marelyn Eugenio Sanchez, Zara Enwerem, Matthew Pollard, Love James, William Hamilton, Logan Jones, Diana Mozelus, Mason Robey, Nhashan Mitchell, Adiba Hossain, Malik Wilson, Miriam Issaka, Dream Carter, Tymir Moragne
Third Grade: Ayaan Ibrahim, Dylan Arias-Salguero, Amylie Levin, Snaider Quinatoa Quinaloa, Jaden Wilson, Ali Tora, Mahamadou Bidanessy, Christine Montalban, Stephanie Gavarrete-Santos, Tate Davis
Fourth Grade
Meet Ms. Claffey!
College: I graduated from West Chester University with my bachelor's degree in Education and a minor in Math and Spanish. Then, I graduated from Villanova University with my master's degree in Education.
Years Teaching: This is my 7th year of teaching, but my first year at Stonehurst. I taught third grade for five years at Saint Andrew School located in Drexel Hill. Last year, I taught fifth grade at Manoa Elementary School in Havertown.
About Me: Hello, my name is Kelley Claffey. I was born and raised in Chester County. I have always loved playing and watching sports. I played soccer, softball, basketball, and ran track throughout high school. I enjoy watching Eagles and Phillies games. I have even met Jason Kelce, Jordan Mailata, and Swoop from the Eagles. When I am not at school, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, reading mystery books, and relaxing at the beach.
Meet Mrs. Kraiza!
College: Kutztown University - Bachelor of Science in Education
Years Teaching: This is my third school year as a teacher. I have worked in education for 10+ years.
About Me: Hi! My name is Amy Kraiza. I am a proud Upper Darby graduate. I live in Ardmore with my husband (high school sweetheart), our 3 boys and our dog Zoe. When I am not at school or working on lesson plans, you can find me at one of my sons games, shopping, organizing, or binge-watching Netflix.
Guidance Counselor: Marissa Difilippo
Hello, Stonehurst family! November is National Career Development month. It is never too early for students to start thinking about their interests as it relates to potential future careers they may want to pursue.
In first and second grade, students played a Careers Guessing Game. They heard riddles and had to use their guessing skills to determine which career or job the riddle was describing. They then completed a worksheet that was titled “When I grow up I want to be…” and drew beautiful pictures of themselves in careers they hope to have when they are older!
In third, fourth, and fifth grade, each year students are required to complete career artifacts as part of their career development. These artifacts are completed through a program called Naviance, that will follow them to the high school as they begin to plan for college or work. Third grade learned what a career is and about interests and passions, fourth grade learned about the branches of the military in honor of Veterans Day, and fifth grade discussed entrepreneurship!
Lastly, please be sure to send in absence notes within three days of your child being absent. We are working hard as a school to improve attendance, but we need your help! Absence notes can be sent to shes-attendance@upperdarbysd.org as well.
School Nurse: Colleen Stetler
Healthy brains and healthy bodies are vital to learning. If you ask most students who come into the nurse’s office for one reason or another, my advice is often the same, “Drink water, and lots of it!” Being well hydrated, along with eating well-balanced meals and being physically active, will help students feel better, think better and learn better!
Here are 8 Habits of Healthy Kids:
- Practice good hygiene by WASHING YOUR HANDS especially before you eat!
- Stay energized by eating nutritious meals and snacks. Eat a healthy breakfast every morning!
- Get a good night’s rest. School aged children need at least 8-10 hours of sleep per night.
- Don’t consume energy drinks. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children and adolescents do not consume energy drinks because caffeine can have harmful effects on a child’s health.
- EXERCISE! Run, walk, stretch and play!
- Brush your teeth and floss every day!
- Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze to keep from spreading germs.
- Make good choices for a happy, healthy, YOU!
News from the Library
The BOOK FAIR is coming!
Here’s what you need to know about the big event, which will take place in the Library from Tues, November 14th – Wed, Nov 22nd
We are excited to tell you about our upcoming Scholastic Book Fair, from November 14-22 in the Library. This event is an opportunity for students of all ages to build their home libraries and further their love of reading. As always, all purchases benefit our school library.
If you do not want your child to have to carry cash, set up an eWallet for worry-free, cash-free purchases. Anyone can contribute! Share each child’s eWallet to friends and family so they can add funds and give your kids more books to enjoy.
If you want your child to buy a poster, bookmark or pencil, (anything other than a book) please send a note or accompany your child to the fair. We accept cash, credit, debit and ewallet cards. We do not accept checks.
If you can’t make it to the Fair, then shop at our school’s Virtual Book Fair online. All orders ship directly to your home, and shipping is free for book orders over $25.
Stop by the fair before or after school, or during your Parent-Teacher Conference. You could also get your holiday shopping done early!
Visit our Book Fair homepage to learn more and get started with eWallet and online shopping: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/stonehurst
We’re excited to celebrate our love of books together at the Book Fair. We look forward to seeing you and your child there! Happy reading!
Encourage Typing Practice
Students in all grades have access to the typing program: Type to Learn, which helps to teach children to be efficient and accurate typists. Please encourage your child to practice.
To get to the Type to Learn link, click on the Type to Learn icon on your Classlink page (after you sign on to your UDSD account).
News from the Art Room
In Art, we have been learning about the Elements of Art!
Line, Color, Shape, Form, Value, Texture, Space
These are the building blocks of visual art and discussed how these elements are involved in the artwork that we create.
1st and 2nd grade learned about 3 of the 7 elements of art including Line, Shape, and Color.
3rd, 4th and 5th learned all 7 elements, Line, Shape, Color, Form, Value, Texture, and Space.
When you draw, you start with the element of Line
Connecting lines together to create the element of Shape.
When you paint or color with crayons, you add the element of Color.
As you progress through the 3 basic elements you get into more detail by adding:
3D shapes for the element of Form
Shading and light with the element of Value
Details to the look/feel of a surface with the element of texture
Establishing foreground, middleground and background with the element of Space
Everyone got to learn how to see the elements of art in everyday life and how art is in more places than we might think! So many things around us have been designed and influenced by an artist in some way. And we learned that art is EVERYWHERE!
Physical Education News
In the gym, we will continue to work on throwing and catching skills using age appropriate games. We are also working on sportsmanship. Our preparedness challenge will be ending at the end of the month, and the results will be shared out in next month's newsletter. Please continue to make sure to send your child with sneakers every time they have gym.
Ways to stay active in the area during the fall and winter months:
Upper Darby Wrestling Association for grades 4-8
Drexel Hill Raiders Athletic Association for Wrestling, Basketball, Cheer and more
Laura Simms Skate House for ice skating and ice hockey for all ages
Feel free to contact Mr. Berman with any questions or concerns at rberman@upperdarbysd.org
In this issue we are featuring a fourth grader, Abdelsabour!
In 2020, Abdelsabour moved to the US from Morocco with his family.
1. What was the weather like in Morocco?
In the winter the weather was cold and a little snowy. In the summer it gets sunny and hot.
2. Did you go to school in Morocco?
Yes, I went to pre-kindergarten and kindergarten. For punishment they would hit your hand with a ruler. Sometimes we had to sleep at school.
3. What is your favorite Moroccan food?
My favorite food to eat from Morocco is Moroccan chicken. The chicken is kind of spicy.
4. What did you do for fun in Morocco?
My family and I would go to an open space where we could run and play on cement. We would play tag or ride toy cars.
5. What do you miss most about Morocco?
I miss my grandma.
November 14-21- Scholastic Book Fair
November 16- Family Bingo Night
November 17- Fall Picture Retakes
November 20-21- Fall Conferences
November 20-22- Early Dismissals
November 23-24- No School (Thanksgiving Break)
November 27- End of Trimester 1
November 28- School Board Committee Meeting
November 29- Student of the Month Assembly
December 1- Early Dismissal
December 6- Early Dismissal
December 13- Progress Reports
December 14- Winter Concert
*SPIRIT DAYS*
Dress like you live in a different decade -November 17
Purple & Gold -December 1
Dress like the job you want to have -December 8
Purple & Gold -December 15
Winter Holidays- Wear your favorite holiday hat -December 18
Winter Holidays- Wear your favorite holiday socks -December 19
Winter Holidays- Wear your favorite holiday pajamas -December 20
Winter Holidays- Wear white for the first day of Winter -December 21
Winter Holidays- Wear your favorite holiday sweater -December 22
