Mrs. Orner's 1st graders

Mrs. Orner's class conducted an experiment on how penguins stay warm in BONE-CHILLING water. Students created a "blubber glove" that they put their hand in. Then they put their other hand in a plastic bag. Both hands were put into a bucket of ice water. They discussed which hand was warmer and came up with the result that...Penguins stay warm in cold water because of the blubber and fat on their bodies.

Character Education ~ Janaury 29

Today's Character Education message is:

"Honest is the best policy"

Congratulations to the following students/staff members for being awarded Character Counts Coupons:

• Kaylyn Lewis
• John Miller
• Mrs. Giangrieco

Character Education ~ January 28

Today's Character Education message is:

"It is important to be honest with our family"

Congratulations to the following students/staff members for being awarded Character Counts Coupons:

• Zac Shidagis
• Alyssa Sherwood
• Alyssa Merritt

Character Education ~ January 27

Today's Character Education message is:

"It is important to be honest with our friends"

Congratulations to the following students/staff members for being awarded Character Counts Coupons:

• Sarah Vogel
• Isaiah Valentin

Blue Ridge Students Paint about Character Education

Blue Ridge Fifth graders began a project in November with NEIU/PCA artist, Elizabeth Parry-Faist and elementary art teacher, Sarrah Dibble. This project was made possible by the PTO who funded the activity. Over the past two months the students created murals based on the six character education pillars: Respect, Trustworthiness, Caring, Responsibility, Citizenship, and Fairness. Each mural defines and illustrates through mixed media the definition of the pillar.
Every single fifth grader had an important role in creating these murals. The classroom was filled with great ideas, cooperation, excitement, and most of all, character. It was a unique experience for the students to be able to work with artist, “Mrs. Liz”.
There will be an art reception in conjunction with the February 9th PTO meeting. Students and parents are invited to celebrate the art at 6:30 pm in the cafeteria.

Solving School Problems

Face family-school challenges with confidence, common sense

Throughout your child's education, you may disagree with school staff about minor--and occasionally serious--issues. Although this can feel pretty uncomfortable, remember that conflicts are a natural part of relationships. What's important is how they're resolved. When serious issues need to be discussed:

• Listen to your child. Kids are often the first to mention school concerns. Take your child's feelings to heart, and use intuition and common sense to guide your actions. You might ask yourself, "Do my child's worries make sense to me?" "Has my child raised this concern more than once?" "Is it important to step in now?"
  
• Listen to the teacher. There are two or more sides to every story. It's valuable to keep an open mind and reserve judgment until all the facts (and opinions) are in.
  
• Stay positive. If you don't like a teacher, working together can be a challenge. Focus on your shared goal: a successful classroom experience for your child. By maintaining a calm, respectful attitude, you'll be the best advocate for your student.
  
• Ask for help. Sometimes, despite your hard work, a problem persists. Consider meeting with the guidance counselor or principal for help. Be confident that together, you'll find a solution.

Reprinted with permission from the February 2010 issue of Parents make the difference!® (Elementary School Edition) newsletter. Copyright © 2010 The Parent Institute®, a division of NIS, Inc. Source: "Addressing Problems," PBS Parents, www.pbs.org/parents/goingtoschool/address_prob.html.

Today's Character Education message is:

"Honest mistakes happen to all of us"

Congratulations to the following students/staff members for being awarded Character Counts Coupons:

• Makayla Shidagis

Character Education ~ January 22

Today's Character Education message is:

"When being honest, use good manners and try not to hurt any one's feelings"

Congratulations to the following students/staff members for being awarded Character Counts Coupons:

• Tyler Hillard
• Erin Houlihan
• William Rudick
• Julia Rudick

Grade 5 Band and Choral Concert

Thursday, January 21 the fifth grade band and chorus had the first concert of the 2009-2010 school year. The picture above shows Michael Allen as the narrator for the final piece of the choral performance.

Character Education ~ January 21

Today's Character Education message is:

"Being honest is part of being a good friend"
Congratulations to the following students/staff members for being awarded Character Counts Coupons:

• Calvin Brown
• Andy Colwell

Character Education ~ January 20

Today's Character Education message is:

"Being honest is eacy if the truth is told the first time"

Congratulations to the following students/staff members for being awarded Character Counts Coupons:

• Elizabeth Smith

Kindergarten Artist in Residence Program

On Wednesday, January 6, 2010 we were fortunate to have our Artist in Residence begin in kindergarten. This is our fifth year to have Miss Billye Kubiak working with our students. During the month of January Miss Billye will be teaching our children about choreography, props, scenery, costumes, singing and all the necessities of putting on a show.

On Tuesday, February 2, 2010 our students will be performing for the elementary school during the school day and again in the evening for their families.

This year’s theme will be Kindergarten Coast To Coast. We look forward to another successful program.

About Our Artist is Residence
Ms. Billye Kubiak has been a professional dancer, singer and actress. She performed in principle and chorus roles on Broadway, in national tours and on television. Billye was trained at The School of American Ballet and The Joffrey Ballet. She has choreographed over twenty musicals. Ms. Kubiak directs and choreographs show choirs, concerts and musicals for the Stroudsburg Area School District. She is rostered by the Pennsylvania Council of the Arts as an Artist in Residence and travels throughout the country teaching, choreographing and conducting workshops to performers of all ages. Billye now lives in Stroudsburg, PA with her husband and son.

Character Education ~ January 19

Today's Character Education message is:

"Being honest helps others respect you more"

Congratulations to the following students/staff members for being awarded Character Counts Coupons:

• Brandon Walker
• Rose Shidagis
• Mary Gorton
• TJ Hand

Character Education ~ Janaury 15

Today's Character Education message is:

"Parents expect honesty from their children"

Congratulations to the following students/staff members for being awarded Character Counts Coupons:

• Josiah Smalley
• Jacob Wertz
• Carson church
• Kendra Skinner

Character Education ~ January 14

Today's Character Education message is:

"It is against school rules to be dishonest"

Congratulations to the following students/staff members for being awarded Character Counts Coupons:

• Chris McAndrew
  

Are you keeping your children safe? (Susquehanna County CARES)

Did you know that 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be abused before their 18th birthday?

Find out what you need to know to ensure your children are safe and learn the signs to keep them safe.

Join us

January 21, 2010

7:00pm-8:00pm

CARES Office

17544 SR 11, Suite 2

New Milford, PA 18834

CALL 570-465-2880 for directions

Funding for this program was made possible through the Blue Ribbon Foundation of Blue Cross of Northeastern PA and the Pegasus Child Advocacy Center.

Character Education ~ January 13

Today's Character Education message is:

"When you constantly tell lies as pranks or jokes, others will not know when to take you seriously"

Congratulations to the following students/staff members for being awarded Character Counts Coupons:

• Spencer Renwick
• Jay Grover
• Brooke Upright
• Isaiah Rose

New Year Resolutions from Mrs. Skal's Kindergarten Class

Mrs. Skal's class discussed New Year's Resolutions: What could you do better for the New Year? was the question that students were asked to respond to in Kid Writing. The students made pictures of themselves and wrote on balloon templates. Grandma B helped the students staple party hats and glue on party blowers.

The close-up picture is of Jadon Nabinger's writing. Jadon wrote: "I will collect more character coupons."

Character Education ~January 12

Today's Character Education message is:

"If you practice always telling the truth, others will believe you"

Congratulations to the following students/staff members for being awarded Character Counts Coupons:

• Logan Burdick

Character Education ~ January 11

Today's Character Education message is:

"Being truthful, even when your friends are not, takes real courage"

Congratulations to the following students/staff members for being awarded Character Counts Coupons:

• Charlie Randall
• Dezden Gunn
• Foxlynn King
• Natasha Johnson
• Mikhela Griemsmann
• Megan McAndrew
• Justice Lesser
• Michael Mullenax

Character Education ~ January 6

Today's Character Education message is:

"When others see you tell the truth, they respect you more as a person"

Congratulations to the following students/staff members for being awarded Character Counts Coupons:

• Megan Kibler
• Jake Donahue
• Sierra Brown
• Savannah Carvin
• Mrs. Theophilia's class
• Dominick Rogers

American Red Cross and the Services to the Armed Forces Program

The Susquehanna County Chapter of the American Red Cross will be holding an informational presentation for all School Administrators, Support Staff, Teachers, Veterans, Military Active and Reserves, Families and Friends

When: Wednesday January 27 2010
Where: Blue Ridge High School AuditoriumTime: 6pm—8pm

This program is free to school administrators, support staff, teachers, veteran, military and their families, and friends

Lenthel C. Drachler, American Red Cross Service to Armed Forces Rep and Air Force Rep to the State of Pa. on the Task Force “PACARES” will be the host presenter.Topics that will be presented will be:

PACARES
Operation Military Kids
Pennsylvania National Guard Child and Youth Program
Signs of children with deployed family members

Character Education ~ January 5

Today's Character Education message is:

"Being Truthful helps keep us safe"

Congratulations to the following students/staff members for being awarded Character Counts Coupons:

• Jadon Nabinger
• Miss Boyko

Character Education ~ January 4

The Pillar of character for the month of Janauary is "Trustworthiness."

Today's message is: "Telling the truth shows others your good character."

Students who have received character coupons:
Reese Allen
MAkenzie Erceg
Keeten Yannone

Blue Ridge Elementary receives "Title I Academic Achievement Award"

Each year, the Division of Federal Programs allocates a portion of the Title I funds to Title I schools making AYP for two or more consecutive years. This year they have selected 1,000 Title I schools to receive $1800 in Title I Academic Achievement Award funds in recognition of this accomplishment. These schools have made AYP in both 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 school years.
The BR Elementary School is looking to use the money for continued expansion of technology in elementary classrooms.