Greenwich Elementary News January/February 2017

Dear Greenwich Elementary Families, After completing my first two weeks in the district, I can tell you with conviction that I am thrilled to be here! I have reacquainted myself with former students and am getting to know others. Although my physical office is in the primary building, I spend time in both buildings with the intent of seeing all students whom all have been most welcoming. Thank you for sending us the best version of your children! You will notice some changes to this newsletter. First, the span of time covered represents two months. This plan will continue through June 2017. We are delayed in getting this newsletter out for January/ February as I have just begun this Principal position. Second, please notice the PTSA Corner, GTA Corner and Library Media Corner. Relationship building is an important part of this position, evidenced through the support offered through our PTSA and Greenwich Teachers’ Association (GTA). On January 26th, the PTSA is sponsoring a Chili and Game Night from 6 - 7:30 in the primary cafeteria. You will find familiar faces serving food. Many elementary staff members donated chili, cornbread, brownies and board games. It should prove to be a fun family evening out! On January 30th, K-6 students only will not have school. Our elementary staff will be hard at work determining our next steps, learning from each other and holding much needed conversations. Lastly, I would like to invite you to a Principal Meet and Greet on Tuesday evening, February 7th from 6:00 - 6:45 PM or Wednesday morning, February 8th from 7:15 - 7:45 AM. These sessions are intended as a ‘stop in’ to introduce yourselves and/or become reacquainted as I step into my new role. No formal presentation is planned, just coffee and conversation in the primary cafeteria. No need to RSVP for these events, just stop in! The Tuesday evening meet and greet coincides with the rescheduled Girl Scout Info Night on February 7th in the primary cafeteria from 6:00 - 7:00 PM.

IMPORTANT DATES  1/26 Adirondack Museum- “Natural

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Neighbors– Ins & Outs” Program– 2nd grade 1/27 K-2 Morning Program 8:30 Primary Cafeteria 1/30 Superintendents Conf. Day– No School 1/30 Budget Work Session 6 PM 2/2 Ground Hog Day 2/10-2/16 Scholastic Book Fair– MG Library 2/13 BOE Meeting 6 PM 2/14 2nd Grade Sweetheart Luncheon 2/16 Washington County Co-Op Felting Program 2nd Grade 2/16 CMOST Kitchen Science 1st Grade 2/17 K-2 Morning Program 8:30 Primary Cafeteria 2/20-2/24 Mid-Winter Recess 2/27 Budget Work Session 6 PM

PTSA CORNER IMPORTANT DATES 

1/26 Family Game and Chili Night 67:30 PM Primary Cafeteria  2/3 First Friday Night Dinner 5:30 PM Methodist Church– All proceeds to memorialize Joshua Demarest  2/11 Winter Carnival 1-4 PM Primary Cafeteria and Gymnasium CURRENT FUNDING: To 1st Grade Team for Field Trip to Palace Theater

I look forward to making this experience great for our children! CURRENT MEMBERSHIP: 67 Sincerely,

Jen Mueller

HELP WANTED: TECH GURU TO HELP WITH WEBSITE

Jen Mueller, Principal

NEXT MEETING: February 14th @ 3:30 PM (Please note the time change) Primary Library. Babysitting will be provided by the Jr./Sr. High Kindness Club

SWEETHEART LUNCHEON Second Graders will soon bring home a special invitation to a “Special Loved One” in their life. On February 14th each second grader can bring one “Special Loved One” to lunch with them. A “Special Loved One” may be Mom, Dad, a grandparent, a special relative, or an important adult in this Second Grader’s life. After the sweetheart luncheon your second grader may be interested in perusing the Scholastic Book Fair in the Middle Grade Library. Be on the look out for your invitation.

LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER NEWS Stikbot Movies in the Library By Guest Reporter Katie Snell Mrs. Wallner’s 6th Grade Class In 6th grade Library class, we are working with Stikbots. Stikbots are little figures that you move around and play with or make movies with. We are making movies. As our scripts, we are using nursery rhymes or short songs. To begin, we broke down into groups and worked together to create a story board. A story board is what is going to happen during the movie. We are using story boards as guides. To film, we are using a Stikbot movie app on the school’s IPads. For our movie backgrounds, we can use either a blue or green screen or one we have drawn ourselves. If we use a green/blue screen, we have to choose an image from the Stikbot Movie Library. Once you have all the supplies, you can start filming. When your movie is completely recorded, you can add sound by recording yourselves speaking or singing the nursery rhyme or song. By being in a group, we have to agree on a lot of things which means we have to cooperate. I have never heard of Stikbots before but put them on my Christmas list. I love doing Stikbot movies and I am happy that I was one of the first people to participate in this library activity.

Winter Greetings from the Health Offices. It is great to see all the warm and cozy coats and hats that our students wear as they come to school and enjoy their outside recess time. PLEASE don’t forget to encourage your child to protect their hands and lips. We have seen an increasing number of children with dry/cracked/ splits/sore hands and lips. Mittens or gloves are a must and using a lip moisturizer/protectant will help to keep them protected against our winter’s dry/cold/wet environment. And YES, cold viruses and stomach bugs are making their presence known. Washing hands is a good defense when trying not to spread this to other family members. We also recommend good nutrition, hydration and plenty of rest and to call your doctor as your feel necessary. Play Safe, Keep Warm and Think Spring. Kathy Gould & Lisa D’Acchille

WHEN: WHERE: HOURS:

Scholastic Book Fair is Coming! - Happy Camper: S’More Fun with Books Friday February 10th—February 16th The Middle Grade Library 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (Friday); 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday) 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (Thursday)

Students will visit the Book Fair during their regularly scheduled library class times. Please make checks payable to Elementary Library Fund (E.L.F.) and include 7% sales tax on all purchases. For more information contact Katrina Williams, K-6 Librarian at 692-9542. Hope to see you there!