Important Dates 

November 1-7 -  PTA Scholastic Book Fair 

November 5 - Parent/Teacher Conferences

November 11 - Veteran's Day, school closed

November 12 - Parent/Teacher Evening Conferences, 5-8 pm

November 14 - Family Math Night with Greg Tang, 6:30 pm

November 26 - School Picture Retakes

November 27 - Early dismissal, 11:45 am

November 28-29 - Thanksgiving Recess, school closed

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CET Newsletter October 28, 2019

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

Message from the Principal, Mrs. Kelly Maloney

Dear CET Families,    

An integral part of your child’s education is the study of science and engineering practices. These practices include asking questions and defining problems, developing and using models, planning and carrying out investigations, analyzing and interpreting data, using mathematics and computational thinking, constructing explanations and designing solutions, engaging in argument from evidence, and obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information.  At CET, we use Science 21, an integrated K-5 science curriculum developed locally and regionally at PNW BOCES.  It is a hands-on, inquiry-based science program designed by teachers for teachers. Revisions have been made to this curriculum and continue to be made in order to align with the NYS Science Learning Standards. This year, the third grade science curriculum was revised and our teachers are currently being trained to teach the new units of study. There are three to four units at each grade level with materials kits to conduct all of the activities.  

Kindergarten students begin their year studying the weather and climate; they learn that the sun plays an important role in warming the Earth.  First grade students build on to that knowledge and begin the year learning about the patterns and cycles associated with the Earth’s systems. Last week, they went outside to observe the shadows created by the Sun. Thanks to our Building and Grounds staff member for setting up the field for students to make these observations. You would be quite surprised to see how fast the Sun moves!  Next month, a visit from an inflatable Star Lab will aid first graders in learning more about the Sun, moon, and stars! Second grade students are currently learning about the structure and properties of matter while third grade students are learning about forces and matter.  Our fourth grade science units of study will be changing next year.  Fourth graders are learning that although there is a certain logic and order to effectively use different inquiry skills, there is not a specific step by step sequence that scientists use all of the time. Fourth grade students have been conducting “fair tests” which involves setting up experiments where only one variable is tested. 

Students in all grades have opportunities to engage in engineering and coding activities not only in their classrooms but also in the library.  Students are applying what they learn in science to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) challenges. For example, a second grade class was challenged to build a structure (using predetermined materials) that could hold the weight of a small water bottle. Earlier in the year, a fourth grade class was challenged to build a tower that  was at least 10 inches high and could hold the weight of a stuffed frog for at least 10 seconds!  

Be sure to ask your child what they are learning in science! Or what they have learned about building structures! Ask yourself, how can you support your child’s understanding of science and engineering. 

News from the Assistant Principal, Mrs. Kerri Bianchi

We have had such a busy and engaging week at CET.  On Tuesday, members of the Croton Police Department visited CET and spoke with each class about Halloween safety.  They reminded students about the importance of staying with friends, crossing the streets safely and provided each student with a trick-or-treat bag and an activity book.   

Wednesday, was our 6th Annual Unity Day.  We kicked off the day with a school wide assembly where we took a pledge to speak up against bullying, reach out to those who are bullied and be a friend to those in need.  We also reviewed our Olweus rules to help ensure that CET is bully free.  The 4th grade chorus opened the assembly by singing “Nothing More”, a song about love, peace and friendship.  We watched a video that stressed the importance of teamwork and supporting each other.  Before we headed out for our Unity Walk, the entire student body participated in the song “We are Unity” which helped set the positive mood for the day.  The Unity Walk was a huge success on a beautiful day and each student received an apple as they reentered the building.  Other activities throughout the day included “Mix-it-up” recess/lunch where we encouraged students to play with and eat with a new friend.  We completed our unity chain and the 4th grade posed for a picture in the shape of a peace sign.

The day was filled with positive energy, kind words and hopefully some new friendships were formed!  

News from Lauren Fitzgerald ,   School Psychologist   

Parenting and Unity Day

“I choose kindness, acceptance, and inclusion.”

CET celebrated Unity Day on October 23 rd . Unity Day is sponsored by the National Bullying Prevention Center and promotes an environment of kindness, acceptance, and inclusion, which is also what we endorse here at CET.  

These are also ideals that we hope you teach within your homes. In my reading this week, I came across an offering for parents from Big Life Journal that may help you to support kindness, acceptance, and inclusion within your homes. It can be found at https://positiveparentingbundle.com/. These are videos that offer support for parents in various social emotional areas and provide strategies to implement best practice within your homes. I hope these are useful to you and allow you to further promote kindness, acceptance, and inclusion within your families.

CET PTA   

Winter is coming...

Via the   Scholastic Arctic Adventure Book Fair of course!

Your fair will be off to a snowy start on   Friday, November 1st when classes fill out their wishlists, but your help is needed before that as set-up will take place on   Wednesday, October 30th at 4 pm

It would be really   COOL of you to volunteer via the sign-up genius link here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0e4baaab2da6f49-arctic

Thanks for being   Frosty!

Warmest, scratch that...

Coolest regards,
Meredith Hertlein & Ana Teague
Book Fair Co-chairs

News from Patricia Lynch, Math Teacher  

C.E.T. Loves Math!

The Harry Chapin Races this past Sunday presented many opportunities to engage in math conversations with your child.  The Fun Run was a one-mile walk/run.  Do you know how many yards, feet or inches are in a mile?  The 5k and 10k race can also be converted into meters and centimeters.  Measure your child's stride in inches or centimeters and compute the number of strides your child would take in order to complete a race.  How long would it take a runner to complete the 5k race if they completed 1k every 10 minutes?  How long would it take to complete the 10k race?  Convert the race time into hours, minutes and seconds. Congratulations to all that participated and keep those math conversations going at home! 

  PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES

If you haven't done so already, please sign up for your parent/teacher conference using the link on our CET webpage. There is no password necessary. Just click on the name of your child's teacher and sign up for your desired time. The schedules for the AIS teachers can also be found on this link. If you feel there is a need to meet with our special area teachers (Art, Library, Physical Education, and/or Music), please call Lisa Fitzgerald in the main office at 271-5184 x3214 or email her at lisa.fitzgerald@chufsd.org. Please note that the special area teachers meet as a team. If you would like to meet with a member of our support team, such as the school counselor or speech therapist, please reach out to them directly.

The last day to schedule your parent/teacher conference is October 29. After that day, you will need to contact your child's teacher directly.

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PAJAMA DRIVE - OCTOBER 15TH - NOVEMBER 4TH

Together with Scholastic, CET is collecting new children’s pajamas (Long sleeve, please). Won’t you please consider donating a pair of new pajamas to our school? The pajamas can range in size from infant to size 16 and can either be for boys or girls. These pajamas will be donated to children living in shelters in our area.

The class with the most pajamas will win an extra recess. If the school collects 200+ pajamas, the entire school will be able to wear pajama, including, Ms. Maloney and Ms. Bianchi.

Thanks so much for your help!

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THANKSGIVING DAY CREATIVE CELEBRATION

The New York Senate is sponsoring a "Creative Celebration" project.  The theme of the Thanksgiving Day Celebration is "What are you thankful for?" 

Please submit your essay, poetry or artwork for inclusion in the Thanksgiving Day Showcase. All entries must be sent electronically to harckham.nysenate.gov Deadline date for entries is 11/25/2019.

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Updating You and Your Child’s Information in the K12 Alerts System 

To be sure we have the most up-to-date information for you and your child, you may access K12 Alerts by either logging on to the CET Homepage where you will find “Parent Portal/K12Alerts” or by accessing the Croton-Harmon School District’s Homepage and clicking on “Parent and Resident Portal/K12Alerts”. Once you log in to the K-12 Alert System, you will be able to make any necessary changes to your or your child’s information .

If you have any questions please contact Denise Cuomo, 914-271-4793, ext. 4200.



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

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