Walter B. Howard Elementary School
Rebecca Marzeski, Principal
bmarzeski@newlebanoncsd.org
1478 Route 20
New Lebanon, NY 12125
Phone: (518) 794-8554
Fax: (518) 766-2220
Important News for Schools and Child Care Facilities
Seasonal Flu Guide for Parents
Latest Home and School Connection May 2012
Welcome to the
Walter B. Howard Elementary School Website!
A NOTE FROM THE PRINCIPAL,
Becky Marzeski
With the majority of New York State testing behind us, we will be maintaining the rigor of classroom instruction at WBH. The aim of our school is to ensure that each student reaches his/her highest potential each school year. This includes all high, average, and low achieving students. Challenging our high, average, and low achievers will keep them interested and motivated allowing for creative thinking with innovative outcomes. We never know which student will be the next President of the U.S., inventor of a cure for a life-threatening disease, painter or sculptor, writer etc… The possibilities are endless when a child is supported toward his/her fullest potential so that when (s)he reaches adulthood, (s)he will have every opportunity to experience success. So, what knowledge and skills will our children need to be successful adults?
According to a recent article in Educational Leadership, gone are the days when the only skills a child needed to become a successful adult were a desire to work and some “elbow grease.” Today’s economy is driven by technology, and service. Because technology innovation, and human knowledge are changing at faster and faster rates, the top 10 in-demand jobs today probably didn’t exist five years ago (Gunderson, Jones, and Scanland, 2004). Because of this acceleration of human knowledge, the definition of illiterate in the 21st century will not be “Can a person read and write?” but rather “Can a person learn, unlearn, and relearn?”The article goes on to say that we can no longer just rely on teaching comprehension and computation skills. Kids need to be able to analyze, synthesize, evaluate, manipulate and apply information. Our school is and has been diligently implementing a well-researched Response to Intervention ( R T I ) process. “In a nutshell”, R T I ensures that each student benefits from Targeted Instruction and time which leads to learning. That is the purpose of R T I – to systematically provide every student with the additional support needed to learn at high levels. We will be continuing to enthusiastically embrace R T I to ensure that all of our students reach their highest potential.
If you have any questions about R T I or anything else regarding our school, please do not hesitate to call your child’s teacher or me anytime.
2012-13 Kindergarten Registration
If you live in the New Lebanon Central School District and have a child
who will be five (5) years of age prior to December 1, 2012, please call the elementary school office at 794-8554 ext. 3002 to ensure your child is on the
registration list.
IMPORTANT DATES
May 5 Shake it for Carolyn, A Zumba Memorial Fundraiser @ 10:30
on the WBH Field
May 10 1st Grade Field Trip to Henry Hudson Planetarium - 11:15-1:45
May 11 3rd Grade Field Trip to Flying Deere Nature Center
Progress Reports Sent Home
May 14 Kindergarten Registration 12:00-3:30
May 15 BUDGET VOTE - 12:00 - 9:00
May 16 Kindergarten Registration - 9:00-12:00
BOE Meeting - 7:00 - WBH
May 18 2nd Grade Poetry Cafe - 1:30-2:30
May 21 - 25 5th Grade at Nature's Classroom
May 25 & 29 No school
May 28 Memorial Day - NO SCHOOL
May 31 NYS Grade 4 Science Performance Exam - 9:00
2nd Grade Field Trip to the Clark Art Museum - 10:00
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Kindergarten Registration
The Walter B. Howard Elementary School has begun the process of registering students for the 2012-13 Kindergarten class. If you live in the New Lebanon Central School District and have a child who will be five (5) years of age prior to December 1, 2012, please call the elementary school office at 794-8554 ext. 3002 to ensure your child is on the registration list.
Snow Closings & Delay Information
In the event of inclement weather, school closing and delay information is available on the school information line. You can reach the school information line by dialing 794-8554 option #3. If school is delayed 1-hour, students will be picked-up 1-hour later than normal. If school is delayed 2-hours, students will be picked-up 2-hours later than normal. If you are dropping your child off at school on a 1-hour delay, they must be dropped off between 9:30 and 9:45 am; on a 2-hour delay, they must be dropped off between 10:30 and 10:45am.
If school closes early, due to inclement weather, you will be contacted by the school’s automated service. You will only be contacted at the numbers you provided on the emergency form in September. Please remember to contact the school any time your phone numbers change.
PRE-K OPENINGS
The Pre-K program located at Walter B. Howard, is currently accepting new student applications. There is a 4 year old program from 8:45AM-11:15AM and a 3 year old program from Noon-2:30PM. If you or another resident of New Lebanon Central School District are interested, please contact our classroom phone number at 794-6232 and ask for Lisa Root.
New York State Testing Dates
Grade 4 Science Performance Test – Wednesday, May 23rd – Friday, June 1st
Grade 4 Science Written Test – Friday, June 4th
Teacher eBoards
All of our teachers have eBoards which parents can access by clicking on the link in the box above the "Announcements." You can email a teacher by clicking on the envelope icon on the eBoard.
Home & School Connection Issues
Reminder
Students eating breakfast are allowed in the building at 8:25am. All other students should arrive and enter the building at 8:30am. There is no supervision for students before 8:30am. Students are dismissed at 3:15pm.
Free and Reduced Lunch
With tight budgets pinching most of us, I want to remind parents of the free and reduced price lunch (breakfast too!) program. The savings can be substantial, especially to families with more than one child in the district. If parents have any concern that a student's eligibility will in some way be identifiable, please don't be worried. The students who receive free or reduced meals are on the same list with students whose parents pre-pay for their meals. When going through the line, they are simply another student whose meal has already been paid for. You may apply at any time. If you would like the form mailed to you, please email me and I will see that we send it right out to you: bmarzeski@newlebanoncsd.org
Pre-K
Questar III Pre-K is a half day program offering AM and PM sessions for all 4 year old children. It is a program which promotes child-initiated play and interaction with the environment, peers, and adults, with center-based interest areas and developmentally appropriate materials and equipment. Please call 794-6232 for an application and further information.