Friday Update 1/13/2023

Dear Siwanoy Families,

Friday the 13th is considered an unlucky day in Western superstition. It occurs when the 13th day of the month falls on a Friday. It’s hard to know exactly when Friday the 13th became thought of as unlucky. For us here at Siwanoy, it was a Friday and a Day 2. And I do not believe in such superstitions. I am the luckiest principal on the planet working with our awesome teachers and with your children every day.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Please note that there will be no school on Monday, January 16th in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr Day. Martin Luther King, Jr was an American civil rights activist and Baptist minister. Today, during morning announcements, our student government led by Anna, Berry, Miles and Daniel read an excerpt from his "I have a dream" speech.

"I Have a Dream" is a speech that was delivered during the March on Washington on August 28, 1963. In the speech, King called for civil and economic rights and an end to racism in the United States. Delivered to over 250,000 civil rights supporters from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., the speech was a defining moment of the civil rights movement and among the most iconic speeches in American history. Please click the link below to see it in action!

Students present "I Have a Dream Speech"

Siwanoy Read-a-Thon

Ready your books! We’re excited to announce Siwanoy’s first annual Read-A-Thon. The Read-A-Thon is a favorite tradition among our neighboring elementary schools, and we’re thrilled to bring the fundraiser to Siwanoy this year. Our goal is to raise funds to support the addition of new playground equipment to the Siwanoy yard, as well as donate to KABOOM, an organization dedicated to creating play spaces for children in all communities (www.kaboom.org). 

 

Here’s what you need to know: 

The Read-A-Thon starts Tuesday, January 17th and ends Friday, February 3rd. During this time the goal is to read as many minutes as you can outside of school. 

Set up your reader’s pledge page! Every student has their own fundraising page for the Read-A-Thon. Simply search for your child’s name (first name, last initial) on our online pledge page* (https://app.99pledges.com/fund/siwanoypelham).  

Each donor can choose to make a flat fee donation or they can pledge per minute read. Consider making a donation to get your reader started.

Once your student’s page is created, feel free to share their link with friends and family. No donation amount is too small!

Read! Read! Read! Minutes read should be entered on your child’s pledge page. Being read to counts; audio books do not. 

Earn prizes! Those who reach achievement levels of reading 100, 250, 500, 750, 1000, 2000 minutes will earn prizes. Minutes will be tallied by class as well, and the classes in K-2 and 3-5 with the most minutes will receive an additional award. 

Math Puzzlers - Grades 1-2 Only

From our math dept.....

We are thrilled to be able to offer Math Puzzlers for grades 1 and 2.  In Math Puzzlers students will solve math problems, play math games, and engage in mathematical discussions with their peers led by a teacher. Math Puzzlers is for students who enjoy math games and like playing with numbers.   This program will run during the lunch/recess period for 5 weeks. We will run two consecutive 5 week sessions. Attached is the flyer for Math Puzzlers. 

Math Puzzlers Sign-up Information

Please share this flyer in your school newsletters/email blasts/classroom email communication to let your Grade 1 and Grade 2 families know we are running the program. The letter has a link to the registration form, so an electronic communication would be helpful. The deadline to register for the program is Wednesday, January 18th. 

Family Bingo Night

Please be reminded that Family Bingo Night will be held next Friday, 1/20 at 6:50pm. Please use the following like to register for this PTA sponsored event! Family Bingo Night 

Phrase of the month

The phrase of the month is self control. One of our 4th graders said that, when he gets upset about something, he takes a few deep breaths, this then allows him to think things through and to make better decisions. That is exactly what we spoke about during our town halls led by Mr. Vamos).

Building Bridges

Please see the link below about information for Building Bridges!

Building Bridges Program

Site Based Initiative

As I mentioned in last week's update, our site based council will be focusing on a year of service at Siwanoy. Our first program was postponed with 914Cares but we are looking forward to re-scheduling at some point within the next week.

Pelham Art Center Faculty Exhibit

The Pelham Art Center is currently exhibiting works from Pelham Art Center instructors. These instructors are not only artists but also curators, collectors, entrepreneurs, scholars, and community pillars who have kindled creativity in thousands of students. Many are graduates of premier fine arts programs, hold prestigious awards and apprenticeships, and have been widely exhibited nationally and internationally. One is by our very own art teacher Emlyn Taveras. Her piece is exquisite and I highly recommend checking it out. The exhibit only runs through February 4th.

Kindergarten Registration 2023

Just a gentle reminder that our district website posted a link announcing that kindergarten registration will take place online from January 23rd through February 2nd. Please be sure to register between this two week time period if you are able. This is a tremendous help to our Central Office in planning for our incoming kindergarten classes next year. Screenings and additional incoming kindergarten information will be coming out very soon after registration.

Upcoming dates:

1/16 - NO SCHOOL/Martin Luther King, Jr Day

1/17 - Day 3

1/18 - Day 4

1/19 - Day 5

1/20 - Day 6

 

Keep spreading the love! #everydayabetteryou

Farid Johnson

Principal, Siwanoy School