Family Update 1/17/2025

Family Update 1/17/2025
Farid Johnson

Dear Siwanoy Families, 

Too often, when we teach about Dr. King, we talk about a “Hero” myth that an individual can bring about monumental and positive change all alone. This isn’t the whole story. If it weren’t for people like A. Philip Randolph, Bayard Rustin, John Lewis, James Reeb, Thurgood Marshall, Rosa Parks, Stokely Carmichael, Claudette Colvin (to name a few), Dr. King would not have had the platform, the support, the mobilization, or the means to get his message across, let alone bring about the changes in the legal system that came out of the Civil Rights movement.  As we all often say, it takes a village.  Let us honor and remember all of these incredible people during this time of honor and celebration.  

 
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Ms. Miro, Ms. Diano and Ms. Hefter have all competed in this years #READbowl. Their students have been fired up about reading! READBowl is the FREE global reading competition where PreK-12th grade aged teams around the globe compete to read for the most minutes. The competition begins the week before the American College Football National Championship (2nd Monday in January) and culminates with a live crowning of the World Champions of Reading on the morning of the National Football League’s (NFL) Super Bowl Sunday.

We look forward to an exciting week ahead. Inauguration Day is also on Monday. As we think about this weekend and the week ahead, please take a moment to see how far we have come in Dr. King's eyes, but also understand how much more work we still have ahead of us. I am grateful that I get to do that work with the Siwanoy community. Have a great long weekend and keep spreading the love!

Sincerely,
Farid Johnson

#everydayabetteryou 

 
 
School News
 
Spelling Bee 
Congratulations to all of our participants who did an outstanding job at our Annual Siwanoy Spelling Bee this past Monday.  What a nail biter.   Our three top finalists this year are Siwanoy winner, Theo Sherman, Aria Tatini and Sophia Hellen, who will all be advancing to the District Bee which will be held on Thursday, January 23, 2025 at 3:30pm in Alumni Hall. Special shout out to Brianna Infante for spear-heading as well as Alyssha Miro, Paige Hefter and Suzie Diano for judging.  A very special thank you to Liz Alderman for all of her help and hard work. 
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Siwanoy Serves January Project
Our Siwanoy Serves January initiative is a drive for the New Rochelle Humane Society.  Our 1st graders are spear heading this collection.  We will have a bin set up near the main office for donations.  Thank you, in advance, for your generosity.
 
 
 

Siwanoy Stars School Dance on January 31, 2025
Mark your calendars for Friday, January 31, 2025 for this red-carpet event, where students can dance the night away and enjoy a photo booth, DJ, crafts, a raffle, and snacks! Grades K-2 will dance from 4:30–6:00 PM, and Grades 3-5 will follow from 7:00–8:30 PM. Tickets are $15 per person in advance (or $20 at the door). 
For tickets through the Membership Toolkit Store:
School Dance Registration
Please volunteer to chaperone by January 30, 2025.:
Chaperone sign up
Dance FAQ
How can we purchase tickets?
Please use the link above and purchase tickets through the PTA Membership Toolkit Store. You will be asked to indicate who is picking up your child. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.
Is the dance a drop-off event?
Yes, the dance is a drop-off event for Siwanoy students only and a limited number of chaperones due to gym capacity. Chaperones attend for free! Please sign up using the link above.
Can siblings who do not attend Siwanoy School attend? 
No, this is for Siwanoy students only. 
Where is the entrance and exit to the dance? 
The entrance and exit to the dance will be through the main school doors. Students will check in and then be escorted to the gym by chaperones. Please take children’s coats with you and bring them back at pick-up to help streamline the exit process, as there are no coat racks. Chaperones will be checking kids out to the adult listed on the MTK form when the dance is over. Please be on time for pick-up. 
What is the dress code? 
There is no dress code- anything goes!  The dance theme this year is Red Carpet/Oscars. Some kids dress up and others do not.  Whatever they are comfortable with. 
Will dinner be served? 
There will be no dinner served at the dance. Snacks and candy will be available as well as bottled water. Kids do not need to bring money with them to the event.
Will there be an area outside the dance if my child needs a break?
We will have a separate craft area outside the gym for kids who want a break from the noise and lights. Chaperones will be stationed there. 
 
January word of the month is Grit
 Grit is the ability to keep trying and persevere towards long-term goals, even when things are difficult:  Grit is like keeping at it when learning to ride a bike, even if you fall down a few times. 
 
 
 
Kindergarten Registration portal opens January 13 through January 24 for the 2025-2026 school year.
Please register your incoming kindergartener as soon as possible as it helps us to get a handle on the number of kindergarten classes we will need in the upcoming school year.  We really appreciate those of you who have already registered.

Kindergarten registration 2025
 
 
 
 
 
Lunchtime Enrichment Winter Session registration starts January 22, 2025
Lunchtime Enrichment Winter Session Brochure

 

 

News from the Nurse
When to keep your child home -
As the cold, flu & Covid season are upon us we thought it was important to review the guidelines for when to keep you child home. In the event your child is absent from school please notify their classroom teacher, the main office and the school nurse.
Fever - A child needs to be fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medicines (Tylenol/Motrin/Advil) before returning to school. Giving a child fever reducing medicine and sending them to school is not a good idea. As soon as the medicine wears off you are likely to get the dreaded school nurse call to come and get your child.
Flu/Covid/Cold/Cough - If a child has a fever, please follow the guidelines for fever before sending them back to school. If they are symptomatic, but don’t have a fever please make sure their symptoms are resolving. Although a child cannot be kept home for the entire time it takes coughing and congestion to run its course if they are sneezing, coughing and constantly wiping their nose they will not have a
productive day at school.
Vomiting/Diarrhea - A child can return to school 24 hours from the last time they vomited.
Strep Throat - A child can return to school 24 hours after the first dose of antibiotic.
Pink Eye - A child must stay home until treatment is initiated and the discharge has subsided.
Impetigo - Honey-crusted sores around the nose, mouth or rash on other body parts. Treatment with either oral or topical antibiotics must be initiated prior to a child returning to school.
To help prevent the spread of germs please remind children to throw away used tissues, cover their mouths when they cough or sneeze, keep their hands away from their face, and to wash hands often with soap and warm water. We hope you refer to these guidelines as you determine when to keep your child home and the timing of their return to school. When in doubt, err on the side of caution and keep them home. If a child is not feeling well, they will be better at home resting than in a classroom. Our goal is to ensure the health and well being of the entire Siwanoy Community.

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