Important Dates

June 20-22 - CET Early Dismissal @ 11:45 am

June 22 - Report Cards are available on eSchool parent portal

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CET Newsletter June 21, 2018

https://www.chufsd.org/Domain/10 

Message from the Principal, Mrs. Kelly Maloney

Dear CET Families,

It is hard to believe that the 2017-18 school year is over!  I’ve enjoyed watching your children grow socially, emotionally, academically, and physically!  From what I see, they look like they are ready to move on up to the next grade!

As I look back on this school year, there are some areas I would like to highlight. The first is the addition of Spanish instruction for all students. We were very fortunate to have Señora Percoco join our CET faculty. Her energy and enthusiasm made learning a new language fun. She will continue to push-in to classrooms next year to provide Spanish instruction.  Of course, she will be making some adjustments to the curriculum to ensure that she builds upon what was taught this year.

Our first grade students participated in chair yoga and mindfulness this year with instructors from Little Flower Yoga.  Students were taught breathing exercises, ways to apply their focus, and tools for relaxation.

This year we were able to provide pull-out reading and math enrichment to students who exceeded grade level benchmarks.  We will continue to provide this support next year. We have decided to call the support “enhancement” rather than “enrichment” as the term “enrichment” is overused.  I will be communicating how we determine which students will receive “enhancement” at the September Back to School Nights.

The “Around the World with CET” theme for grade level performances allowed students to examine various cultures from each continent with the hope that students (and adults) would be more accepting and understanding of others’ differences.  “Around the World with CET: Cultural Night” provided families with the opportunity to showcase their culture.

Although it is too soon to be talking about next school year, I did want to share that we will be increasing our lunch and recess period from 45 minutes to 55 minutes.  

I would like to thank our PTA co-presidents, Elizabeth Hiller and Hannalie Kratchman, for stepping into this leadership position as well as all of the PTA Executive Board members and Committee Chairs for all of their time and energy. CET would not be the wonderful school that it is without our PTA and parent volunteers.

Please join me in wishing first grade teacher, Mrs. Maryann Bernfeld, all the best as she enters retirement. Mrs. Bernfeld spent the last 15 years at CET as a kindergarten and first grade teacher.  

Just a reminder that you can access your child’s report card and STAR assessment scores on the eSchool Parent Portal. Report cards will be available the afternoon of June 22. If you need a hard copy, please contact Jean Flandreau in the main office.  

I hope that you all have a very enjoyable summer!  

Warmly,

Kelly

News from the Assistant Principal, Mrs. Kerri Bianchi

Have you ever wondered why many students don’t continue to make reading progress over the summer?  Simply put, many students experience summer reading loss.  Summer reading loss refers to the decline in children's reading development that can occur during summer vacation times when children are away from the classroom and not participating in formal literacy programs. Summer reading loss is not just a phenomenon that occurs in the minds of educators, the reality of summer reading loss is well documented.  Researchers have uncovered evidence to suggest that the impact of summer reading loss on students in general and on at-risk students in particular, is significant.

Why does summer reading loss occur?

Access to reading materials has been consistently identified as a vital element in enhancing the reading development of children. Of all the activities in which children engage outside of school, time spent actually reading is the best predictor of reading achievement – the more students read, the better readers they will become.  The research indicates also that students, on average, spend very little time reading outside of school.

What can be done to curb summer reading loss?

The value placed on literacy in the home, time spent reading with children, and the availability and use of reading materials have been identified as important elements in children's reading success. Supporting reading development over the summer months can be done in ways that tap into children's own interests and imaginations. Help students pick out books of high interest or books about places you may visit over the summer.  It is also a great idea to let your children see you enjoying a few great reads over the summer.  Try to find time each day to read together and reinforce the importance of reading at home.  Also, consider frequent trips to the public library during the summer and having your child participate in the “Libraries Rock” summer reading program.  Students will have the opportunity to be recognized for making the effort and time to read during the summer.  They can also register on line to set a reading goal and keep a reading log.  Check out the website for special reading programs throughout the summer at www.crotonfreelibrary.org.  Take advantage of any opportunity to encourage reading over the summer!  Summer book lists will be available for each grade level on the CET homepage.

Have a safe and enjoyable summer!  READ, READ, READ.  See you in September.

Message from Lauren Fitzgerald, School Psychologist 

Play as a Meaningful Experience

When I was in graduate school, I worked for an early childhood center that emphasized a Reggio-Emilia philosophy. While working there, I had the benefit of running mommy and me classes for babies and toddlers that specifically focused on creating play with natural materials. This was a wonderful experience for so many reasons. One reason that really stood out was how children can play with just about any object and learn so much in the process. The importance of this play extends into childhood. I would like to encourage all of you to plan engaging play experiences for your children this summer. Some thoughts to keep in mind include:

  • Children are capable of creating their own learning
  • Children form an understanding of their place in this world through interactions with others
  • Children can also learn a lot from their environment
  • The adult can act as a mentor and a guide for a meaningful play experience

I am so happy to have spent this year getting to know the Croton community even better! I hope all of you have a wonderful, relaxing summer. See you in the fall!

Message from Christine Martins, School Nurse

Bicycle Safety and Other Summer Risks 

I have a love/hate relationship with summer.  Who can help but love summer with its beautiful sunny days, blooming trees and blossoming flowers, vacation weeks, long weekends away, day trips…  It’s easily the best time of year!  But along with all those fun times there are potential dangers lurking! There’s the risk of all the common summer ailments and injuries:  sprained ankles, bumped heads, broken arms, tick bites, sunburn, poison ivy…   

Please consider taking a few moments to review some of the websites listed below both on your own and with your children.  Some of the sites, like the ones from HealthyChildren.org (a site powered by the American Academy of Pediatrics) are more geared towards parents.  The sites from KidsHealth.org are more kid appropriate.  The sites review common summer safety issues such as bicycle and helmet safety, concussions, water safety, tick bites, sunburn, poison ivy…

I cannot stress more the importance of bicycle helmets!  Whether your child is on a bicycle, scooter, skateboard, ATV… a helmet is a must!  I have seen many head injuries involving these, for lack of a better word, vehicles in my ten-plus years as a pediatric nurse at a children’s hospital.  Everyone, child and adult, must wear a helmet!  No matter how sweaty or uncomfortable a helmet is, no matter how much your child whines or complains, a helmet is a must, not an option! The 3rd and 4th graders just attended a Bike Safety assembly last week.

For more tips on summer safety, check out www.kidshealth.org .  Click on the “for kids” tab, and from there, click on “staying safe”.

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CET PTA

We don't want to rush summer before it even starts, but we can't help but be excited about gearing up for the 2018-19 school year! We will be in planning mode the next couple of months, so please feel free to reach out with any thoughts, ideas, questions or to let us know you'd like to get involved. (cetpta@gmail.com)
 
The PTA is making buying school supplies even simpler for the coming year.  We've hooked up with TeachersLists which allows you to order directly from Target (for delivery or in store pick up) or Amazon (don't forget to use  Amazon Smile ).  Shop at any time, when you're ready - in English or Spanish.  Find our school's lists here: School Supply Lists 
 
We'll also make sure other local stores know what supplies are required so that they can hopefully stock up. Robbins Pharmacy in the upper village is already putting together School Kits with special pricing.
 
For anyone with an incoming kindergartner, keep an eye out for information about the playdates happening in August (dates/times TBD). We'll once again be hosting a New Family playdate too that month - we'll spread word so everyone can come meet the newest members of our school community.

MESSAGE FROM CET'S LIBRARY


40 Books Overdue!

As of today, there are still 40 outstanding books that are missing from the CET Library. If your child has a missing book, please return or replace it as soon as possible! You can contact Mrs. McManus for more information. Renoir.mcmanus@chufsd.org.


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KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION

Students who reside in Croton and will be 5 years old before December 1, 2018 are eligible to attend kindergarten, If you are in need of a kindergarten registration packet and/or an appointment, please contact:

Gail Anzovino, Secretary to the Principal

914-271-5184 ext.3212

FAMILIES LEAVING OR ENTERING THE DISTRICT

If you are moving in or out of the District, please be sure to notify the Principal's Office by contacting, Gail Anzovino at 914-271-5184 x3212.



K12 Alerts
Patented (U.S. Patent No. 8,180,274)
K12 Alerts

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