Important Dates

October 10 - Columbus Day - School Closed. 

October 11 - Sign up for Parent/Teacher Conference

October 12  -  School Closed.

October 16 - Run Against Hunger.

October 24 - YMCA programs begin.

October 26 - PTA Principals Coffee, 9:30 am.

October 31 - Halloween Parade, Spencer Field, 1:00 pm.

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CET Newsletter October 7, 2016

http://www.chufsd.org/schools/carrie_e_tompkins_es

Message from the Principal, Mrs. Kelly Maloney

Dear CET Families,

As part of their science study on “Acting Like Scientists”, first grade students went to Croton Point Park to make scientific observations about the Hudson River.  Working with educators from Teatown Lake Reservation, students had the opportunity to take the water and air temperature, examine what was in the river, and note the tides.  The concepts addressed in this unit, are: scientists must be organized, they must be able to work collaboratively, they must be good at observing and recording their observations, and they must be good at reporting to others what they investigated.   Practicing the skills of scientists at Croton Point Park also supports our message that we are all stewards of the Hudson River-they river belongs to “us” and we need to take care of it.  Thank you to the PTA for helping to offset the cost of this field trip. 

Speaking of science, our second grade students are learning about the various tools that scientists use such as pan balances.  They have learned about mass, and have practicing finding the mass of various objects using grams as the unit of measurement. Third graders will be looking at cycles in the natural world beginning with the plant cycle while fourth grade students will be exploring various aspects of the scientific method through inquiry and by carrying out “fair tests”.  Kindergarten is rolling out new curriculum as a result of the newly adopted NYS Science Learning Standards.  Their first unit will be Weather and Climate.   

In Physical Education, students have been gearing up for the Harry Chapin Run. Students in grades 2-4 have been running laps down at Spencer Field with the goal of improving their time.  I hope to see a number of our CET families participating at this event which is scheduled for Sunday, October 16.

It is hard to believe that Parent Teacher conferences are around the corner!  We will have the Parent Teacher conference schedule portal open on the evening of Tuesday, October 11.  You will need to go to our CET webpage to sign up for your conference.

Enjoy the long weekend!

Warmly,

Kelly 

News from the Assistant Principal, Mrs. Kerri Bianchi

I would like to take this opportunity to review our CET expectations for recess and lunch.  Generally, our students look forward to this time of day when they get to be a bit more social and see friends from different classes.  Although this is an enjoyable time for most students, it can also be a difficult time for others to navigate with less structure.  We ask that you join the administration, faculty and staff in reinforcing these expectations so that recess and lunch are both safe and enjoyable for all of our students.  

Recess Expectations 

1. You can’t say “You can’t play.”
2. Show good sportsmanship.  No physical contact, teasing, put-downs, harassment, or inappropriate language.
3. Use playground equipment correctly.  Return the equipment (balls, Frisbees, skip-its, jump ropes, etc…) to the appropriate area.  If you break or lose a piece of equipment, let a lunch monitor know.
4. Always stay where a monitor can see you.
5. Ask permission to use the bathroom or visit the nurse.
6. Respond quickly to the whistle.
7. Walk down the hill.
8. Line up safely and quietly at the end of recess. 

Lunchtime Expectations     

1. Listen to directions the first time they are given.  Encourage others to listen to what is being announced.
2. Stay seated during lunch time.  No switching seats or visiting at other tables.
3. Clean up your eating area when you are finished. Your eating area includes the floor.
4. Talk in a quiet voice to those children at your lunch table.
5. Ask for permission to visit the nurse.  Take a bathroom pass, if needed.
6. Do not trade your food.
7. Keep your hands, feet, and other body parts to yourself.
8. Wait for your teacher to pick you up from lunch.
9. No electronic games or trading cards should be played during lunchtime.  Electronic games are not allowed in school. 

Please remember that all school rules and consequences apply while students are at recess and lunch.  Please sign and return the orange Tiger Cub Contract if you have not done so already.  Thank you!  

Message from Vilma Pagan-Torres, School Counselor  

“What exactly does a School Counselor do?” is a question that I’ve heard time and time again over the course of my 11 year career. It is a somewhat difficult question to answer as school counselors typically wear many different hats. According to the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), school counselors are professionals with unique qualifications who act as leaders, advocates, collaborators, and consultants, addressing all students’ academic, personal/social, and career development needs. School counselors can be found across all grade levels, from kindergarten to twelve grade. We hold Master’s Degrees and are certified in our states and, in some cases, nationally.

The following is a summary of what a School Counselor does (adapted from http://mssepp.blogspot.com/2015/08/what-does-school-counselor-do.html?utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MsSeppsCounselorCorner+%28Ms.+Sepp%27s+ Counselor+Corner%29&safe=vss&utm_medium=email&utm_source=feedburner ):

• Work with all students, encouraging a safe school climate of trust and respect
• Deliver classroom guidance lessons, by request, that are aligned to ASCA standards
• Provide brief, solution-focused counseling on an individual or small group level
• Help struggling students recognize their problem behavior and make positive behavior choices
• Operate from a team-work approach by collaborating with anyone and everyone who knows individual students: parents/guardians, teachers, support staff, administration, doctors, etc.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of all students and their families unless there is a need-to-know situation or if there is a safety concern
• Provide information and education about students’ social-emotional needs

For more information on the role and responsibilities of a School Counselor, please refer to the American School Counselor Association or to our state chapter, the New York State School Counselor Association.  

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CET received a donation of backpacks and school supplies. If your child is in need of a new backpack, please contact Vilma Torres-Pagán at 914-271-5184 x3217 and/or vilma.torres-pagan@chursd.org. Thank you.

CET recibió una donación de mochilas y útiles escolares. Si su niño o niña está en necesidad de una mochila, por favor de contactar a Vilma Torres-Pagán. Gracias.

CET PTA

REMINDER

Please label your child's clothing. The Lost & Found is getting full.

Thank you.