Happy Holidays from East Hill!

Positivity Project
This week we have been trying to focus on self-control, something many of us, myself included, especially struggle with at this time of year! Self-control means you have the ability to control your emotions and behaviors. You think before you act.  People with this strength are more disciplined and have the ability to wait and think through things before acting. To read more about this strength, click here.

Spirit Week
We have had a lot of fun at East Hill showing our spirit this week! On Monday, all students in grades 3-5 went to the Dome to watch the women's basketball game. Students had a great time!

Tuesday was, "Deck Your Neck (and above)" day. Students wore all sorts of necklaces, scarves, headbands, and hats. We also held our December P2 Assembly where Miss O'Keefe reviewed the strengths on which we have focused so far this year, game-show style.

Wednesday was Blue and Gold Day. Everywhere we looked our wildcat pride was showing!

Thursday was "Festive Wear" day. The 5th Grade orchestra "caroled" during lunch which was a nice treat and the day was capped off with our holiday parties!

Today is Pajama Day. We are also holding an "In-School Snow Day" which has been a lot of fun so far! Students get to choose two different activities in which to participate, including coding, caroling, games and puzzles, storytelling, arts and crafts, and movie viewing (with popcorn, of course).

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday break with your family. See you next year!

- Lisa

Humility/Modesty

The Positivity Project
This week's character strength focus is humility/modesty. According to Jeff Bryan, co-founder of the Positivity Project, humble people have an accurate (not underestimated) sense of their abilities and achievements. They hold the capacity to acknowledge their mistakes and limitations, and are open to advice and new ideas. They do not show off their possessions or accomplishments. True humility is a sign of strength. To read more about humility, click on this link.

Square One Art

Square One Artwork is in and available for pickup this Friday from 3:15 - 5:00. If you are unable to come to the school at this time to pick up your order, please contact the office at (315) 487-4648 to arrange for an alternate time.

Thank you to Mrs. Moser-Vogler and all of the East Hill students for this beautiful bulletin board display!

Winter Concert
Thank you to all of you that were able to attend last Thursday's concert. The orchestra, band, and chorus looked and sounded great!

Spirit Week Reminder

• Monday, 12/17, SU Day! Wear Orange
• Tuesday, 12/18, Deck your Neck (decorate neck and above - hats, scarves, etc.)
• Wednesday, 12/19, School Spirit Day, Wear your blue and gold!
• Thursday, 12/20, Festive Wear Day
• Friday, 12/21, Pajama Day 

Upcoming Dates

12/14 East Hill Band and Orchestra at Destiny, 7:00 pm
12/17 SU Women's Basketball Game, Grades 3-5

12/20 Holiday Parties, 2:15

12/22 Holiday Recess Begins

1/7     School Resumes

Have a great rest of the week!
- Lisa

Happening in December

Positivity Project
This week's character strength focus is kindness. Kindness means you are generous to others and are never too busy to help out; you enjoy doing good deeds for other people. Kind people think about the needs and feelings of other people, and then act to help those people. This strength is especially important at this time of year. Ask your child to tell you more about what they are learning about kindness. To read more about this strength, click here.

Last week's Positivity Project assembly focused on the strengths of bravery and gratitude. To discuss and demonstrate bravery, Miss O'Keefe arranged for New York State Troopers Conners and Kissock to come to East Hill with their K-9s, Schini and Ray. Several of our students expressed gratitude to the troopers by making a bulletin board, wearing police hats and badges, and writing thank you cards. I am sure your children came home and told you all about the exciting assembly!

Community Giving
Thank you to everyone that was able to take a tag off the tree to support a local family in need this holiday season. As a reminder, wrapped gifts should be placed in the boxes in the lobby with the gift tag securely attached by Monday, December 10.  Several of you asked what you could do to help if you did not get one of the tags. If you would still like to help out, gift certificates for gas, Target, or Walmart would be appreciated. Just send them to school in an envelope marked, "PTA Community Giving." Thank you for your kindness and generosity!

Concert Tonight!
The East Hill Winter Concert will be held tonight at the high school at 7:00. The school will get a sneak preview at this afternoon's assembly.

Elk's Hoop Shoot Free Throw Contest
Six students represented East Hill at last weekend's Camillus Elks Hoop Shoot: Colin Straub, Alex Benenati, Ryan Klaben, Claire Lauricella, and Lily Owens. Congratulations to Colin Straub and Ryan Klaben for winning first place in their division. They will go on to the second round in January. Way to go!

Colin Straub made 20/25 free throws!

Ryan Klaben made 17/25 free throws!

Upcoming Dates:
Report Cards Distributed, 12/7
Spirit Week, 12/17 - 12/21

• Monday, 12/17, SU Day! Wear Orange
• Tuesday, 12/18, Deck your Neck (decorate neck and above - hats, scarves, etc.)
• Wednesday, 12/19, School Spirit Day, Wear your blue and gold!
• Thursday, 12/20, Festive Wear Day
• Friday, 12/21, Pajama Day 

SU Women's Basketball Game, Grades 3-5, 12/17
Holiday Parties, 12/20, 2:15
Holiday Recess, 12/24 - 1/4
School Resumes, 1/7/19

Have a great rest of the week! I will see many of you at tonight's concert!

- Lisa

Happenings at the Hill (East Hill, that is!)

Thanksgiving Break
I hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving break! It was nice to spend time with family and get re-energized for the craziness that is December. As I tell my staff, the more routine we can keep things for our students, the better off all of us will be! Gratitude was last week's character strength focus. Here are a couple of pictures of students sporting their pre-Thanksgiving day outfits as well as a picture showing some of the things for which our kindergarten students are thankful.

Positivity Project
Yesterday we began focusing on the third week of the Other People Matter Mindset: "Knowing that my words and actions affect others." This means that everything we do, say, text, tweet, snap, or post can positively or negatively impact other people. On an individual level, our words and actions impact our relationships with other people. They have the power to lift others up or tear them down. Our words and actions also impact ourselves. Next week's character strength focus is kindness.

The Morning Mile
Ninety-four (94) of our students in grades 2-5 are participating in Ms. O'Keefe's monthly mileage club. One morning per month students arrive early to run or walk, or run/walk, a mile outside, weather permitting. The purpose is for fun, fitness, and friendship! This morning's weather did not cooperate, unfortunately, but that didn't stop anyone from finishing their mile! Each student receives a toe token when they complete the mile. Thank you to Ms. O'Keefe for organizing this monthly event and to Mrs. Klaben for helping out!

Picture Retakes and Group Photos
Picture retakes have been rescheduled for this Friday. If you were unsatisfied with your child's pictures, please send the package in with your child on Friday. We will also have group photos (band, chorus, orchestra, student council, etc.) taken on Friday.

Have a great rest of the week!

- Lisa

Gratitude

Gratitude
Gratitude is our character strength focus for this week and next. According to the Positivity Project, "Out of all 24 character strengths, gratitude is the single best predictor of individual well-being. And, the great thing about gratitude is that it can be intentionally cultivated. Numerous studies have concluded that gratitude is like a muscle. The more you practice it, the stronger it gets." Students have been discussing the many things for which they are grateful. Click here to read more about gratitude. I am grateful that I get to work with such great students, such caring families, and such a wonderful staff.

Mrs. Tuttle's class is grateful to Mrs. Deemer's Global Studies class for their visit to East Hill yesterday to teach third graders about tolerance. They read, "The Invisible Boy" to each of the students, discussed the book, drew and shared pictures of their interests and strengths, and each student received their own copy of the book to keep. It was a great experience and the kids loved it!

Parent Conferences
As a reminder, next Monday and Tuesday are half-days for parent conferences. The doors will open at 11:15 for parent pickup and buses will be dismissed at 11:30. I hope you find the time spent with your child's teacher(s) to be productive and worthwhile.

Community Giving
Once again our PTA is sponsoring the annual Giving Tree program at East Hill. From Monday, 11/19 through Friday, 12/7 there will be a "Giving Tree" decorated with gift tags in the school lobby. The gift tags include gift suggestions for local families in need this holiday season. If you would like to participate, please stop by the tree in the lobby to select a tag.

Square One Art
Today is the last day to submit paper order forms for Square One Art. Online orders will be accepted through this Sunday, 11/18. These were a huge hit last year!

Upcoming Dates
Half-days for Parent Conferences, 11/19 and 11/20
Thanksgiving Recess, 11/21 - 11/23
Winter Concert, WGHS, 7:00, 12/6
Holiday Parties, 2:15, 12/20

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

- Lisa

Half Day Tuesday!

Half-Day Tuesday!
As a reminder, tomorrow is a half day for all students in West Genesee. Parent pick-up is at 11:15 with bus dismissal at 11:30. The doors will open at 11:10 for students being picked up. Teachers will be attending various professional development training sessions in the afternoon.

Community Giving
Each year the East Hill Community, in conjunction with the East Hill PTA, sponsors local families who need additional support during the holiday season. If you are in need of additional support this year, please contact Mrs. Craig as we would love to help out.

Positivity Project

This week's character strength focus is bravery. Bravery means you act with mental, moral, or physical strength even when you know things are difficult or scary. To learn more about bravery, click on the character card from the Positivity Project co-founders.

Spelling Bee
Congratulations to the following fourth and fifth grade students who will be representing East Hill in the District Spelling Bee this Thursday at Camillus Middle School: Alaina Munson, Micah Schuessler, Skylar McGunnigle, Giovanni Capria, Lilly Nazarkiewicz, Aislenn Mehl, and Jessica Abert. Good luck!

Upcoming Dates
Tuesday, 11/6         Half-Day, 11:30 Dismissal
Thursday, 11/8       Spelling Bee, 9:45, CMS
Monday, 11/12       Veterans Day, No School
Wednesday, 11/14  PTA Meeting, 6:30
Monday, 11/19       Parent Conferences, 11:30 Dismissal
Tuesday, 11/20       Parent Conferences, 11:30 Dismissal

Have a great week!

- Lisa