Holiday Happenings

It’s been a busy time here at East Hill these past couple of weeks, just like it is everywhere at this time of the year! Earlier this month three of our teachers took their students to see a Syracuse University Women’s basketball game at the Dome. A great time was had by all. At the end of the game Brittany Sykes, one of SU’s top players, came up and visited with our students, signing autographs for many of them. They were thrilled!

On December 13th our 4^th and 5^th graders held their winter concert. The band, orchestra, and chorus all did a wonderful job. The concert assembly was enjoyed by the students during the day. On Monday night Erin McConnell, our band teacher, took her fifth grade band students to play with the Marcellus Elementary Band at Destiny. They sounded wonderful. This week we had caroling in the cafeteria by our band and orchestra. Holiday parties were held yesterday afternoon. Thank you to all of the parents for putting together such well-organized parties for our students.

Kohl’s Autism and Related Disorders Program presented KidSpeak – A puppet workshop to our kindergarteners and first graders yesterday. They do a nice job explaining autism in grade-appropriate terms. They will be back in January to present the same puppet show to our second graders.

Yesterday was dress-up day at East Hill. Below are just a few of the students donning their finest.

Last week’s words of the day were legend (M,1), voyage (T, 2), aqueduct (W, 1 and 3), alliteration (Th, 4), and visualization (F, 5). This week’s words were succulent (K, M), enormous (1, T), endurance (2, W), civilization (3, Th), and melancholy (4, F).  Our Student Council members are making posters for the words on Google Draw that are displayed in the hall.

I hope you enjoy the holidays and the winter break with your families. School will resume on Tuesday, January 3, 2017

  - Lisa

Tis the Season

The Season for Caring and Compassion

Yesterday afternoon our third graders taught the school about what it means to be compassionate and caring. They created posters and explained different ways we can show caring and compassion at home, at school, and in the community.

When our third graders were done with their presentation, fifth grade students from Troop #293 spoke to the school about recycling in the cafeteria, which will begin today. They talked about the 3 Rs, why it is important to recycle, and what and how to recycle in our new cafeteria. Recycling is one way we show caring toward our environment.

The Holiday Jitters

I recently read the following in a column that I passed along to my staff from Responsive Classroom titled, “Keep Learning Going During Holiday and Vacation Times.”

In the weeks leading up to winter vacation, what you’re seeing may well be a case of the holiday season jitters. From November through January, children often become more fidgety, giggly, testy, and tired. There are many reasons: they may be distracted by the excitement of home activities, or they may be reacting to increased stress at home. At school, schedules are often disrupted at this time of year by assemblies, plays, and special events, and such changes in routine can throw children’s behavior off. Plus, at many schools, recess is curtailed once winter weather arrives.

What can you do to help your students stay on track and learn at their best during this season? We’ve found that an extra measure of calmness, consistency, and structure can work wonders.

Suggested strategies from the column that might apply to home as well as school include: sticking to routines, noticing and reinforcing success, keeping expectations high but appropriate, reading aloud to your children and keeping the learning going. I would also add keeping up the communication, as I recently read in a blog from Lori Keevil, principal of Stonehedge Elementary:

The season brings out the best in many, but we recognize the struggle many children (as well as adults) feel at this time of year. During this stressful and busy month, let’s all make the time to have conversations with our children about what’s really important.

Community Giving
Thanks again to everyone who was able to take a tag off of the PTA’s annual giving tree. With your generosity, and the support of Todd’s Fund, we will be able to make the holidays a much more enjoyable time for seven of our local East Hill families.

Words of the Day

Next week’s words of the day are legend (M, 1^st), convenient (T, 2^nd), aqueduct (W, 3^rd), alliteration (Th, 4^th), and visualization (F, 5^th).

Enjoy the rest of the week!

- Lisa

Compassion and Caring

Compassion and Caring are the December character education traits of the month. I feel so fortunate to be a part of such a compassionate and caring community here at East Hill. Due to the generosity of our community, and with the help of our 5th Grade Student Council and our PTA, we were able to provide Thanksgiving meals for many of our local families. We have also filled two barrels for the Salvation Army Food Drive that members from the 174th Fighter Wing will be picking up next week.

Our PTA's Community Giving Tree still has several tags on it with gift requests if you interested in
helping out one of our East Hill families this holiday season. If you can't stop in to the school for a tag, but want to buy a gift, you can email Mary Kay DeVore at mkdevore@hotmail.com, or call or text her at (315) 569-7963. They are asking that all gifts are wrapped with the tag securely fastened on the outside of the package and dropped off to the school next week. Your help is definitely appreciated. I know we ask a lot, especially at this time of year, so please do not feel obligated to participate.

Our 4th and 5th grade is preparing for their winter concert which will be held on Tuesday, December 13th at 7:00 p.m. at the high school. Don't forget to mark you calendar! Speaking of music, several of Mrs. Mercer's 5th grade viola and cello students were able to be her "teaching assistants" this past week at Syracuse University, where Mrs. Mercer works part-time. Her SU students were grateful for the opportunity that Mrs. Mercer gave them to work with these students. Thank you to the parents who made it possible for the students to participate!

This week's words of the day are cautious (M,5th), cunning (T, 1st), theme (W, 5th), mischief (Th, K), and ancient (F, 1st).

Take Care!

- Lisa