Going Remote!

 

Going Remote!

I'm sad that today will be the last day of in-person school until January 4th. I will certainly miss seeing everyone! As I remind the students and my own children, however, it's temporary! If you have not already, you will be receiving information from your child's teacher with your child's schedule and expectations for learning while we are remote. Students will be coming home with Chromebooks and chargers as well as instructional supplies. It will be important that students take good care of these materials and return them when we resume in-person learning. 

If your child is not in school today, you can pick up their materials between 9:00 and 3:00 on 12/17 and/or 12/18. If you need assistance with your Chromebook, click here. Daily attendance will be taken and students who receive special education services will continue to receive these services at their scheduled time. ALL families can order free student meals for delivery through our Food Service Program. Information about ordering and delivery can be found here.

Kindergarteners practicing Zoom

Self-Control

With the holidays coming for many of us, self-control is the perfect strength on which to focus! Self-control means you have the ability to control your emotions and behaviors. You think before you act. I will try to remember this before going for that next cookie! For more information on self-control, click here. 

Community Giving

Thank you to those of you that have so generously purchased a gift or two for one of our East Hill families. Today is the last day to make a purchase. You can visit the online wish lists at either Amazon or Walmart and have them shipped directly to a PTA member's house. Thank you so much!

Remote Students

Remote students should plan to pick up their next set of materials on Tuesday, 1/5, from 3:00 - 4:00. These materials should get your child through the end of March. 

To those of you celebrating a holiday over the next two weeks, Happy Holidays! I hope everyone is able to enjoy the end of 2020 with your families. Please stay safe and healthy. Let's hope for a return to normal next year!! I look forward to seeing your children again on January 4th! Here are a few pictures from around school today.

See you next year!

- Lisa

Thank you!

COVID Testing

Thank you to everyone that volunteered to be tested last Friday. I know many people were unable to sign up because the spots were all taken so quickly, but that is good news! Sixty (60) students and twenty-five (25) staff members were tested and everyone was negative! In this case, negative is positive news!!

Community Giving

Thank you also to those of you that purchased a gift or two for this year's Community Giving campaign. We are going to be able to make the holidays brighter for seven East Hill families. It's not too late to purchase a gift! You can order from the online wish lists at either Amazon or Walmart. Please select your gift (gift wrapping is optional) and have it sent to Amy Vergamini, c/o EH Community Giving, 212 Starksboro Drive, Camillus, 13031. Thank you so much for your generosity!

Strategic Planning: Calls for Commentary

Every year the District's Strategic Planning Team comes together to review progress make toward improvement and make recommendations for continued growth. One of the key pieces is feedback from our community, staff, and students. Please take a few minutes to complete this year's survey. Let us know about our areas of strength and our opportunities for growth. Thank you!

Rug Remnants

As many of you are aware, we are currently using the library as well as the cafeteria for classrooms, as well as a couple of other rooms that previously were not a classroom. If anyone happens to have any carpet squares or small rug remnants you'd be willing to donate, it would be appreciated! We could use them for wet boots in the coming months. 

Report Cards

This is just another reminder that we will not be mailing hard copies of report cards home. Report cards will be available to view via the Parent Portal on Schooltool this Saturday at noon. Click here to access the viewing instructions. Here is a short video that also explains how to access the report cards online. If you need a hard copy of your child's report card mailed to your home, please contact Mrs. Farley at efarley@westgenesee.org, or call the school office at (315) 487-4648.

Positivity Project

This week's focus is learning about how our words and actions affect others. This element means that everything we do, say, text, tweet, snap, or post can positively or negatively impact other people. Our actions can have ripple effects long after we make them. Please talk with your children about what they are learning this week!

Spirit Week - Mark your calendars! 

Thursday, 12/17 - Accessorize! Wear festive socks, scarves, etc.

Friday, 12/18 - Festive Sweater Day

Monday, 12/21 - Holiday Hat Day

Tuesday, 12/22 - Wear your Red and Green

Wednesday, 12/23 - Pajama Day

Enjoy the rest of the week!

- Lisa

Happy December!

 

Happy December!

I hope you all had a restful Thanksgiving break with your families. Thank you to everyone that donated an item or money toward the Thanksgiving meals. We were able to provide meals to nine East Hill families. Speaking of donating, the PTA is again sponsoring our Community Giving Program this year. We will be helping to purchase gifts for seven local families. A flyer went home Monday with the specifics. Thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity! 

Kindness

Speaking of kindness, that is this week's character strength focus. Individuals with this strength might be described as caring, thoughtful, considerate, selfless, compassionate, and generous. I am fortunate to work with such a kind and caring staff and community! For more information on kindness, click here. 

COVID Testing

Thank you to everyone that signed up to have your child tested this Friday. The available slots at East Hill filled up very quickly. If you agreed to testing, your child will be tested on Friday morning. I will be present at the testing along with Mrs. Condon and Mrs. Farley. Here is a short video from CNY Central showing what the testing process looks and feels like. If you have any questions regarding the testing, don't hesitate to contact me (lcraig@westgenesee.org) or call the main office (315-487-4648).

Remote Student Supply Pickup

The next supply pickup for all K-4 students has been scheduled for Tuesday, January 5th from 3:00 - 4:00. Please contact the office if you need to arrange for an alternate time. Thank you.     

Enjoy the rest of the week!

- Lisa

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Picture Retakes and Makeup

Picture retakes and makeups are this Friday, 11/20. Remote students should plan to come between 8:00 a.m. and 8:30. If you are getting a retake, you need to bring your original package with you. Please park on the right side of the building. 

Remote Student Supply Pickup

All East Hill remote students can pick up their music kits on Monday, 11/23 between 12:00 and 3:00. Students in grades 2, 3, and 4 can also pick up their literacy materials at this time. Any remote students that are getting their pictures taken (or retaken) on Friday, 11/20 can pick up their materials at that time. Please call the office (315-487-4648) if you need to arrange for an alternate time.

Report Cards

As a reminder, we are no longer mailing out report cards to all families. Report cards will be available via Schooltool beginning Saturday, December 14.  Click here to access the viewing instructions. Here is a short video that also explains how to access the report cards online. If you need to update your email or phone number on Schooltool, please click this link. If you need a hard copy of your child's report card mailed to your home, please contact Mrs. Farley at efarley@westgenesee.org, or call the school at 315-487-4648. 

Gratitude

We are focusing on the character strength of gratitude this week and next. Gratitude means you are aware of and thankful for good things that happen. I am so grateful to work with such amazing children, and families, and with such a caring and dedicated staff. I am truly very fortunate. Thank you to those of you that donated money or items for the Thanksgiving dinners. It is very much appreciated. I hope you can all take some time over the Thanksgiving holiday to rest, relax, and enjoy your families! Speaking of Thanksgiving, I found turkeys all over the school today!

Parent Conferences

As a reminder, next Monday and Tuesday are half-days. Bus dismissal is at 11:00 with parent pickup immediately following. All conferences are being held via Zoom.

Enjoy the rest of the week and the Thanksgiving holiday!

- Lisa

 

East Hill Mid-November Update

Upcoming Dates:

• November 23rd and 24th are half-days due to parent conferences. Bus riders will be dismissed at 11:00 with parent pick-up immediately following. 
• The Fine Arts department has assembled general music kits for every student in grade K-6! Remote students in grades K-4 can pick up their music kits on 11/23 from 12:00 - 3:00. 
• Remote students in grades 2-4 can also pick up their literacy supplies for the next couple of units on 11/23 between noon and 3:00 p.m.

Bravery

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. Tomorrow, on Veterans Day, we take the time to celebrate the bravery and sacrifice of all United States veterans. For more information on bravery from the Positivity Project, click here. 

Enjoy the rest of the week! Please remember that instructional setting change requests must be received in writing by Tuesday, November 17th. Thank you!

- Lisa

 

Happy November!

Happy Election Day from East Hill!

We have a lot going on here at school today! You will need to stay tuned to find out who the election winner is in Mrs. Tynan's room - students are casting their ballots for Duck, Teacher, and Clifford later today!

In Mrs. Devereaux's room students casted ballots for the actual presidential candidates. We will have to wait and see!

Community Giving

Each year the PTA, with a great deal of support from our East Hill Community, helps to put together Thanksgiving meals for East Hill families and also organizes a Community Giving campaign to help out families who could use some additional support with holiday gift purchases. If you could use a little extra help at Thanksgiving or Christmas this year, please let me know. We would love to provide a helping hand! Just shoot me an email (lcraig@westgenesee.org) or give me a call (315-487-4648.) 

Perspective

This week's character strength focus is perspective. Perspective means you appreciate when people see things in different ways. You have the ability to understand the world from multiple points of view. This strength may be invaluable in the coming weeks! For more about perspective, click here.

School Photos

School photo make-up day is Friday, 11/20. Remote students who need their pictures or need a retake should plan on coming between 10:00 and 10:45. Please bring your first package with you if you are getting a retake.

Instructional Setting Changes    

Please be on the lookout for a letter from the elementary principals regarding requests for changes to your childrens' instructional setting.

Remote Students

As a reminder, pickup of supplies for grades 2, 3, and 4 is on Monday, 11/23 from 12:00 - 3:00. Several people did not come pick up their school pictures last week so if you need to pick them up, you can also plan to do that on 11/23. 

Thank You, PTA!

Thank you again to the PTA for the donation of over 350 pumpkins last week!! Here are just a few of the ways that they were decorated!

Have a great rest of the week!

- Lisa