A Strong Finish!

It's hard to believe there are less than four weeks of school left in the 17-18 school year! Each year seems to fly by quicker than the previous. I neglected to send out my weekly blog last week so I apologize. Two weeks ago, five of our classrooms were able to go to the Special Olympics in North Syracuse and cheer on their classmates. Here are just a few pictures from the day:

We also held our 4th and 5th grade spring concert that week, first at an afternoon assembly and then in the evening at the high school. It was widely agreed that this was one of East Hill's best-sounding concerts yet!

Last Monday night we held the second of two Kindergarten Readiness nights. Our incoming kindergartners rotated to three different classrooms to try out several different activities while their parents listened to presentations by East Hill staff members. It was something new we tried this year and it seemed to be very well received!

We intend to finish strong instructionally at East Hill and also have a lot of activities to fill these last few weeks. Here are just a few that you will want to take note of:

Thursday, 5/31: Second and Fifth Grade Field Trips
Friday, 6/1: Fifth Grade Field Test, PM
Monday, 6/4: Fourth Grade Science Assessment
Wednesday, 6/6: Third Grade Field Trip
Thursday, 6/7: Lemonade Serenade Volunteer Reception, followed by the June PTA Meeting
Monday, 6/11: Kindergarten Field Trip, 5th Grade Final Battle (of the Books!)
Tuesday, 6/12: Field Days (Rain Date 6/13)
Thursday, 6/14: Flag Day Assembly
Friday, 6/15: 4th and 5th Grade Field Trips
Monday, 6/18: Piano Recital
Wednesday, 6/20: Fifth Grade Recognition Ceremony, 9:30; Half-Day, 11:30 Dismissal
Thursday, 6/21: Last Day of School, 11:30 Dismissal

Have a great week!

- Lisa

East Hill Happenings

Last week was busy here at East Hill. At our faculty meeting, both of our "Tim"s were recognized for twenty-five years of service at West Genesee. Tim Meaney has taught fifth grade for all of those years, seven at Split Rock Elementary and the rest here at East Hill. Tim Groat started out at the high school as a second shift supervisor for 8 years prior to coming to East Hill where he has been our head custodian since 2000. The Tims are both East Hill fixtures and I'm not sure where we would be without them!

Last Wednesday and Thursday the PTA held their annual BOGO Book Fair. The students look forward to this each year. I think every student was able to walk away with at least one book!

Last week was also Staff Appreciation week. The PTA provided a Book Fair Preview breakfast for the whole staff on Wednesday morning which was appreciated by all. 

We had a super turnout for our Open House on Thursday night. The art show was a huge hit thanks to our amazing art teacher, Kelly Moser-Vogler.

We ended the week with a delicious luncheon put on by our very generous and thoughtful PTA. We all felt very appreciated (and a bit heavier) last week! Thank you to everyone that contributed to making our staff appreciation week the best ever by coordinating the wellness day, providing and serving the breakfast and luncheon, putting special treats in the faculty room, supervising in the cafeteria and playground, etc. We really appreciated it!

Today is the school budget vote. Polls are open now and will remain open until 9:00 p.m. at the high school. Our 4th and 5th grade spring concert will be held tomorrow (Wednesday) night at the high school at 7:00 p.m., and on Thursday several of our classes will be cheering their classmates on at the Special Olympics.

This week we are learning about the character strength of leadership. Click here to read more about this strength from the Positivity Project. A family activity is being sent home today regarding leadership.

Have a great rest of the week!

- Lisa

Connection and Purpose

This week's P2 character strength focus is Connection/Purpose which means that you have beliefs about the meaning of life and your life's purpose. You seek to be part of something greater than yourself. To read more about this strength, click here. Next week we will learn about the last of the 24 character strengths, leadership.

Thank you to our awesome PTA for providing a day of wellness for our staff. As part of staff appreciation week, the PTA arranged for therapists to come in to give massages, Reiki, and EFT therapy. We will also be treated to breakfast tomorrow and lunch on Friday! Thank you so much!

It's so nice that the weather has finally turned and we are able to have recess and PE outside daily. Our youngest students are learning lacrosse and some of them look like naturals already! Luckily, their aim isn't so great yet!

I hope to see you at our Open House and the PTA's BOGO Book Fair this Thursday night. Please remember that shuttle buses will be available from the Applebees side of the high school from 5:45 to 7:05.

- Lisa

Happy May!

Well, we didn't think it would ever get here, but May has finally arrived and brought with it a little bit of warmer weather! I hope you and your children had a nice spring break.

This week's character strength is Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence. This is the ability to enjoy that which is admirable in the world. To learn more about this character strength, click here. Prior to the break we had an assembly where we reviewed May's character strengths. I just love seeing the sea of green at these assemblies!

Lily tells us why it's important to have integrity. "If you are honest, people will want to be your friend."

Love of Learning: Students indicated what they are interested in learning about on these apples.

The month of May will be a busy month, so, please, get out your calendars!

May 1st (Tonight!)
Tonight's PCIC (Parent Curriculum Information Council) will be held in the High School LGI at 7:00. The meeting will begin with an overview of K-12 counseling services and then Title 1 services will be discussed.

May 2nd & 3rd
Students in grades 3-5 will take the NYS Mathematics Assessment. This will be the last year we take these exams on paper. Our students have been performing very well on these assessments for the past couple of years and I'm sure this year will be no exception! Please make sure your child has a good breakfast and on arrives on time. Thank you!

May 9th & 10th
The PTA's annual Buy One Get One Free Book Fair will be held next Wednesday and Thursday. Family night will be held on Thursday night from 5:30 - 7:00, during Open House.

May 10th
Open House will be held from 6:00 - 7:00. As you are well aware, parking is at a premium at East Hill. Please consider taking the shuttle from the High School to East Hill. Students love riding the bus with their parents! More information is being sent home today about Open House.

May 15th
The annual school budget vote will take place from 6:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the high school. Please remember to cast your vote!

May 16th
Our Spring Concert for the 4th and 5th grade will be held at the high school at 7:00 p.m.

May 21st
Our fifth graders will visit Camillus Middle School in the morning. Then, in the evening, a parent information night for CMS will be held at the middle school. You will receive more information about this important night shortly.

May 23rd & 24th
Our fourth graders will take the performance portion of the NYS Science Assessment in the morning. The written portion will be taken on June 4th.

May 28th
No School - Memorial Day

Have a great week!
- Lisa