February 12, 2020
Dear Increase Miller Families,
As we look forward to Valentine’s Day, a day to recognize our family and friends, we thought we would highlight some information and future events taking place at IMES!
Music Experiences
This week and next week, we look forward to enjoying some performances by our students. Our fourth and fifth grade students who participate in our school’s Band program, led by Ms. Ouelette, will be performing for our school and for families on Wednesday, February 12. Our fourth and fifth grade students in our Orchestra program, led by Mrs. Kirshenbaum, and our fourth and fifth grade Chorus, led by Mrs. Higgins, will be performing next week, Thursday, February 20. We are excited to celebrate their commitment and hard work, and we look forward to their continued growth and talent this spring. This Friday, February 14, Mrs. Higgins, will lead our Kindergarten students in their first performance on stage. The Kindness Concert will include songs related to friendship, love, and our school theme, Kind, Responsible, and Safe. Finally, our second graders met singer and songwriter, Jonathan Sprout, who performed many of his popular songs about American Heroes. Our students happily enjoyed singing and dancing with him! Thank you to our PTO for supporting this program.
Staying Healthy
As you are aware, cold and flu season is upon us along with other common viruses. We continue to remind our students about ways to prevent the spread of germs, and our custodial staff continues to clean and disinfect our learning spaces to reduce its spread. We also ask that you remind your child about healthy habits including covering their mouth and nose with a tissue while coughing and sneezing, washing their hands regularly, avoiding touching eyes, nose, or mouth, getting plenty of sleep, drinking plenty of fluids, and eating nutritious food. Also, please be aware that if your child has a temperature over 100.4 degrees, they must be kept home for 24 hours temperature free (without medication) before they may come back to school.
Social Emotional Learning (SEL)
Our social emotional learning theme this month is emotion management. Through classroom lessons from the program Second Step, school-wide activities and an assembly, students will learn and practice proactive strategies that help prevent strong emotions from escalating into negative behaviors. Strategies such as deep, centered breathing and positive self-talk, help students focus and calm themselves instead of acting on their first impulse. As a result, students are better prepared in managing difficult and challenging situations.
Drop Off and Pick-Up
During morning drop-off, please remember to drive around the circle and pull up as far as possible to the stop sign to reduce traffic on school property and on Rt. 138. We would also like to inform you about the District’s no idling policy of vehicles on school property. If you are waiting for the doors to open for drop off, please turn off the engine of your vehicle. As a reminder, for safety reasons, do not pass other vehicles stopped in the circle.
During pick-up, please remember to park in a designated parking spot as parking in the circle is a safety hazard for others. Additionally, please do not park in the fire lane in the front of the building. Thank you in advance for your cooperation with these safety and environmental policies.
Looking Ahead
Wednesday, February 12 Band Concert 7 p.m.
Friday, February 14 Kindergarten Kindness Concert 10 a.m.
Monday, February 17 School Closed for President’s Day
Tuesday, February 18 School Closed for Superintendent’s Conference Day
Thursday, February 20 Strings and Chorus Concert 7 p.m.
Friday, February 21 100th Day of School Celebration for Grade 1
Tuesday, February 25 PTO STREAM Convention 6:30 p.m. for Grades K, 1 and 2
Wednesday, February 26 PTO STREAM Convention 6:30 p.m. for Grades 3, 4, and 5
Month of March Pick A Reading Partner (PARP) – see PARP Calendar!
Wednesday, March 4 Reading Under the Stars 6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Tuesday, March 10 PTO Meeting 7 p.m. /Principal’s Coffee 7:30 p.m.
March 25 – March 27 NY State ELA Assessments in Grades 3, 4, and 5
Friday, April 3 Student Day Reinstated/School in Session
April 6– April 10 Spring Recess
Monday, April 13 Student Day Reinstated/School in Session
We look forward to our future events and seeing you soon!
Sincerely,
Kerry Ford & Andy Galotti
