Blue Ridge Unveils Outdoor Classroom

Ann Sargent, Sarah McNamara-Sparks, Danielle Pallman, Jeff Pallman, Christina Cosmello, Trudi Hepler, Jennifer Lindquist, Danielle Buchanan (PTO President), Laurie Brown-Bonner (School Board President), Matthew Button (Elementary Principal), Robert McTiernan (School Superintendent), Harold Empett, Stephnie Thornton

Blue Ridge unveils outdoor classroom 

New Milford, PA—September 17, 2013

            Blue Ridge Elementary students and teachers returned to the 2013-2014 school year finding a new place to learn.  The district now has an outdoor classroom.  The project developed over the last several months thanks to the Blue Ridge PTO, Blue Ridge School Board and community leaders.

            On September 17, 2013, school board members joined the PTO to officially open the classroom with a special ribbon cutting ceremony.  The outdoor facility cost nearly $20,000 to install.  It will provide an alternative location for elementary teachers and students when studying everything from reading to science.  High school students in the Home Repair Class will also be involved designing and building furniture for the classroom. 

            The project would not have been possible without a sizable donation from the Blue Ridge PTO as well as additional support from Rob’s Market Shur-Save, New Milford Township Supervisors and CB Contracting which constructed the 24x24 space.

Additional Photos for New Outdoor Classroom Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

BRES PTO Recognized by School Board

PTO Board Members pictured above (L-R): Ann Sargent (Vice-President), Trudi Hepler (Teacher Rep/Secretary), Danielle Buchanon (President), and Matt Button (Elem Principal)

Blue Ridge Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization (BRES PTO)


September 16, 2013

WHEREAS, the Blue Ridge School District would like to recognize and thank the Blue Ridge Elementary Parent Teacher Organization (BRES PTO) for all of their efforts to provide additional programs and opportunities for the elementary students at Blue Ridge.

WHEREAS, the Blue Ridge Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) has provided programs, opportunities, and funds, such as, prize money for students work recognized at the Harford Fair school hours, field day t-shirts, sharing parade, appreciation days for teachers, nurses, secretaries, school helpers, administration, and high school volunteers, movie nights, Fall harvest party, dinner with Santa, breakfast with the Easter Bunny, family dance night, spirit wear, holiday bazaar, assemblies, field trips, PreK PA One Book program, classroom supplies, and much more.

WHEREAS, this dedicated and supportive organization has used its funds to support the development of two new playgrounds and an outdoor classroom.

WHEREAS, the board members of the PTO currently are; President-Danielle Buchanan, Vice-President-Ann Sargent, Treasurer-Jennifer Lindquist, Secretary-Sarah Sparks, Teacher rep/secretary-Trudi Hepler, and Community Liaison-Stephanie Thornton.

WHEREAS, the Board of School Directors has been very supportive of the Blue Ridge Elementary Parent Teacher Organization and very much appreciate the organizations efforts to provide enriching opportunities for the students of Blue Ridge.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the official congratulations of the Blue Ridge school board be extended to this organization and its members of past and present.

PreK Observance of 9/11!!

In Mrs. Whitehead and Miss Lydon/Mrs. Hobbs' pre-k classes, in remembrance of 9/11 we learned about the flag and how it represents our country. Just as each unique individual makes up a bigger community, we used our handprints to make up our flag.

1st PTO Meeting of the Year -- September 17 @ 6pm

New BRES outdoor classroom -- donated by BRES PTO and Robb's Market ShurSave Program.

Please come out and attend the first BRES PTO meeting of the 2013-2014 SY. The meeting will begin at 6pm at the new outdoor classroom with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 6:30pm. There will be refreshments and the regular meeting will follow the ribbon cutting ceremony.

BR Students Recognized for Interdependence Day/Hexagon Projects

Gabe Waldowski (Grade 5) won "Most Relevant" in the 3-D category and Gia Fiore (Grade 5) won an honorable mention at the Interdependence Day/Hexagon Project Exhibit.  All art club members' Hexagon Donation Containers will be in the exhibit. 

There will be an opening Friday September 6, 6-9pm at Library Express and a Student Recognition Event on 9/15/13 at 2-4pm at Connell Gallery in Scranton.

BRES Citizen of the Year Students -- 2012-2013 school year

Kaelynn Brant -- Kindergarten

Libby Zick -- Grade 1

Dalton Rutter -- Grade 2

Danielle Tierney -- Grade 3

 Grade 4 -- Not Available

Sarah Marble -- Grade 5 

The Benefits of Summer Reading

1. The easiest way to keep your brain sharp and smart!
2. The easiest way to MAINTAIN your reading level or increase it.
3. Top way to  become a better reader is to practice:  READ, READ, READ
4. It prevents the Summer Slide.  This is a decrease in your reading level, skills, strategies, and comprehension.  It’s what happens when no reading is done for 3 months!
5. It’s a lifelong skill, be strong, and start early!
6. You learn new things.
7. You become a better speller, reader, and writer.
8. Reading aloud is the single best way to prepare children for learning to read and to keep them reading as they learn and grow.
9. Reading aloud to your children improves listening comprehension and increases attention span.
10. Reading aloud to your children helps them to develop important language skills that will help them learn to read on their own.
11. Reading & rereading will build your fluency rate.
12. Reading is FUN!

BRES Field Days 2013

Oral Reading Contest at Blue Ridge Elementary

 3^rd, 4^th, & 5^th Grade Winners:  Front Row – Danielle Tierney, Rachel Upright, Alexis Parks, Trista Stone  Middle Row:  Garrett Conklin, Connor Mills, Andrew Scott  Back Row:  Tori Auckland, Sarah Marble, picture withheld

1^st & 2^nd Grade Winners:  Front Row – Luciano Shea, Libby Zick, Madison Makosky  Back Row:  Breanna McDaniels, Mia Landis, Tiffani Henke

Blue Ridge Elementary held its annual Oral Reading Contest for grades three through five on Thursday, May 23^rd and for grades one and two on Friday, May 24th.  All contestants did a great job, and the audience enjoyed listening to their expressive voices!  Hats off to all the readers for the courage and poise they showed on stage.  It was an honor for you to be a reader for your grade level.  Congratulations to all the participants and winners listed below.  Blue Ridge Elementary is very proud of all of you!!

●  First Grade:  Madison Makosky, Libby Zick, Emmalynn Buchanan, Molly Yannone, Abigail Laude, Carli Thornton, Samuel Callahan, Luciano Shea

1^st Place:  Luciano Shea         2^nd Place:  Libby Zick            3^rd Place:  Madison Makosky

●  Second Grade:  Duncan Geyer, Mia Landis, Gavin Bennett, Mia Snyder, Zachary Randall, Tiffani Henke, Nicholas Pallman, Breanna McDaniels

1^st Place:  Breanna McDaniels         2^nd Place:  Mia Landis           3^rd Place:  Tiffani Henke

●  Third Grade:  Rachel Upright, Sienna Kowalewski, Trista Stone, Ricky Dunn, Danielle Tierney, Kayla Blaisure, Alexis Parks, Hannah Gallagher, Rayne Glover

1^st Place:  Danielle Tierney   2^nd Place:  Rachel Upright     3^rd Place Tie:  Trista Stone & Alexis Parks

●  Fourth Grade:  Kaelin Hughes, Marissa Derrick, Nevaeh Millard, Andrew Scott, Mason Conklin, Ryan Mills, Connor Mills, Garrett Conklin, Cassidy Howe, Clayton Whitney

1^st Place:  Garrett Conklin     2^nd Place:  Connor Mills        3^rd Place:  Andrew Scott

●  Fifth Grade:  Renzie Tanzini, Mykenzie Layton, E.J. Formosa, Makenzie Cook, Alyssa Sherwood, Sarah Marble, Tori Auckland, Spencer Renwick

1^st Place:  Tori Auckland       2^nd Place:  Sarah Marble       3^rd Place:  name withheld