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 February 2012
Welcome to the
Walter B. Howard Elementary School Website!
A NOTE FROM THE PRINCIPAL,
Becky Marzeski
Attendance has been a topic of previous newsletters and this one is no exception. It is, without a doubt, essential for kids to be in school in order to make optimal learning gains. They simply do not learn anywhere near as much if they are not in the classroom receiving instruction. With this being said, please take all of this into account when planning family vacations. While we certainly understand when you must make decisions to take time off when you are able to take vacation time from your employment, we urge you to do your very best to plan vacations when our entire school district is on vacation. Most families of WBH take their vacations during the December/January Holiday break, during the February break, during the April break or during the summer. This is especially helpful to children because it’s virtually impossible to give the same quality of instruction to a child who is on vacation as a child who is in a classroom. Teachers do their best to provide reading, writing and math tasks that keep children from “losing ground” while out of school. But most children find it very difficult if not impossible to catch up on all that is missed while out on a family vacation that last for more than a couple of days. We feel very fortunate at WBH that we do not have many families who take their children out of school during times other than our regular vacation time. However, every student is important to us. If there was only one family that read this and decided to plan differently to ensure that their children take vacations only when our district enjoys vacations, I would feel that this article made a positive difference. There is no doubt that children learn at high rates when in school. The opposite is also true. Children learn little and the best that we can hope for is that they will maintain learning when they are not in the classroom.
Times of vacation breaks can be accessed by going to our website and by referring to the orange district calendar that was sent home to all families in the fall. Happy February to all!
Sincerely,
Becky Marzeski
Principal
IMPORTANT DATES
February 8th - PTA Reptiles Assembly
February 10th - PTA Movie Night - 6:30 p.m.
February 20th - 24th - Winter Recess
February 27th - Classes Resume
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Talent Show Forms are due into the office by Monday, February 6th. Forms are available in the main office.
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
Grades 3-6 English Language Arts Test – Tuesday, April 17th,
Wednesday, April 18th & Thursday, April 19th
Grades 3-6 Mathematics Test – Wednesday, April 25th, Thursday, April 26th
& Friday, April 27th
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.