My Home Page News from the Principal: Mary S. Wagner: wagnermary@egcsd.org

Dear Green Meadow Families!

      Happy October!  I can't believe that the first month of school has already past.  We have held successful Open House nights for grades 2- 5 and look forward to the K-1 evening on October 7th.  As the nights get colder, so do the days. Please have the students bring sweaters or jackets for outside play.  A reminder to keep an eye on their belongings would be helpful as we already have a bag of "lost" sweaters, sweatshirts and jackets started.

      As we move into October the work begins to get a little more difficult. Review is just about finished and new concepts come into play.  Homework becomes practice of what has been taught.  Parents are urged to monitor the homework, lend assistance when necessary and notify the teacher if the child is taking an inordinate amount of time to complete the work.  This may indicate that the concept needs to be re-taught so the child understands what is expected.  This type of communication is vital to everyone's success.

     Halloween approaches and reminders about our procedures and protocols at the school are in order.  As an educational unit we are mindlful of those who do not partake in this day. So, classroom activities will be geared more towards autumn.  This does not mean that Halloween will not be mentioned. It does mean that it will be balanced with age appropriate activities that all can participate in.  The day itself  is a regular school day except for face painting during lunchtime and our end of the day parade folowed by classroom parties.  Teachers are teaching through to that time.  As in the past please observe the following guidelines:

• Costumes should be carried to school in a bag.   These will be put on following the lunchtime just before the 2 p.m. parade.
• Students should not wear masks or bring anything that looks like a weapon. Toy weapons will not be allowed to be carried in the parade. Masks will not be worn as they cause children to fall becuase they cannot see where they are walking.
• Classroom teachers wil ask for assistance with putting on costumes and setting up for parties as needed.  NO parents will be allowed to remain in the building during the parade.
• NO adults will be allowed in the building with masks.
• The parade will be at 2 p.m. outside (weather permitting) going down the front sidewalk and around the side of the buidling with the "Disney-like" cones set up outside the cafeteria. The students will then enter the building by rooms 38 and 39 and line the halls to see each other.
• When all students are back in the buildng and in their rooms, the doors will be opened to parents. Stickers wil be given out to indentifiy those who are entering.  Parents may sign out students in the classrooms.
• If it rains, the parade will be cancelled and only the inside parties will take place.  

         Our first events of the year have gone smoothly. September 22nd was the rededication of our Peace Pole.  Mrs. Poole organized the event that included readings and songs related to peace. The students shared the history of our pole hoping that this tradition will be passed down to all  who come through our school. Eight members of the 4th grade reading club presented "The Torn Heart" to the Board of Education on October 1st.  Theses students are to be commended for their wonderful job. They worked very hard and were great ambassadors for Green Meadow.  Then, on Friday, October 3rd,we held our first Character Education Assembly of the school year. This celebrated friendship and students' efforts at being good role models for others. In the older grades, students selected those who they thought exemplified the traits of friendship.  It was a great time with singing and fun adn lots of certificates. We look forward to continuing these assemblies throughout the year.

      Fire prevention week was October 6th through the 10th. Schodack Valley Fire Department once again provided instruction and demonstration on fire safety for our studnets. The Big Apple Race is yet to come this month (October 28th). There are several days off for the children. Please be mindful of these dates on the calendar as we would not want children waiting for a bus that is not coming!!  Thank you to all who have generously given to "Operation Backpack". This comes to a close on Ocotber 15th. We will let you know what happens next.

        The year is well underway. Thank you for remembering the parking rules and notes about absences. If you have a change in address, phone number,  or emergency contacts, please let Mrs. Nolette know immediately.  Also, if your child is going somewhere different after school it is helpful to notify us with a note.  A bus pass can be given to your child so that the bus driver is aware of the change.

       I hope all is well in your homes.  See you soon.

M. Wagner, principal

Teacher Websites © 2008 SchoolWorld