4Elementary School News

(click on any photo to view a larger image)

Cystic Fibrosis March teaches true meaning of "caring"

How do you teach students the importance of caring? You can tell them about it. You can ask them to write about it. You can have them look it up on the Internet. But sometimes, "doing" is the best teacher.

On Thursday, May 8, Fonda-Fultonville Elementary School PreK-4 students showed the community how much they care as they participated in the school's second annual Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Mini-March to raise money for CF research. The children collected donations from family and friends in the weeks prior to the walk. (read more and view pictures)

Save money and support the PTA

The FFCS PTA is currently conducting its 13th Annual CDC Card Sale. The discount card offers saving at many area stores and eateries including Mike's Pizza, Dunkin Donuts, Winner's Circle, TJ's Pizza, Classis Auto Car Wash, and more. Cards cost just $6.00 each—you'll probably save that on your first purchase! Contact Robyn Rose at 853-4415 ext. 4231 to order a card.

District to participate in Education Department weight/health survey—survey includes only grades K, 2, 4, 7 and 10

As part of a required school health examination, a student is weighed and his/her height is measured. These numbers are used to figure out the student’s body mass index or ‘BMI’. The BMI helps the doctor or nurse know if the student’s weight is in a healthy range or is too high or too low.

Recent changes to the New York State Education Law require that BMI and weight status group be included as part of the student’s school health examination. Fonda-Fultonville Central School District is taking part in a survey being pilot-tested by the New York State Department of Health. As part of the survey, we will be reporting to the New York State Department of Health information about our students’ weight status groups. Only summary information is sent. No names and no information about individual students are sent.

Parents were given the option to have their grade K, 2, 4, 7 or 10 children's information excluded from this survey report by completing an exemption form and returning it to Dr. Constance Spohn, Director of Special Programs at the address listed on the form. All exemptions had to be submitted by April 10th.

Successful UPK program now enrolling for 2008-09

Fonda-Fultonville Central School District is beginning the process for filling openings in its highly successful Universal Pre-Kindergarten program.

Interested parents must complete and return the UPK application form as soon as possible. All applications received prior to May 2 will be processed immediately. If the number of applications received by that date exceed the available seats, there will be a lottery on Wednesday, May 14 to determine which students who will attend. If fewer applications are received than seats available, all will be admitted, and additional applications will be accepted until we reach our maximum class size of 36 students (two sessions of 18 students each).

2007-08 marked the first year for Fonda's UPK program. Parents, students and staff have all been pleased with the curriculum and the students' progress. Ms. Kristen Wieczenski, a certified pre-kindergarten teacher heads the program with the capable assistance of Ms. Roxanne Goodale, a certified teaching assistant. Additional information regarding the program, hours, expectations, and curricula will be given to the parents of the children who are enrolled in the program as the year progresses.

Please complete the UPK application, and return it to either the Superintendent’s office, or the Elementary School main office no later than May 2, 2008. For more information, please call 853-3332.

It's Seusstastic!

For Fonda-Fultonville Elementary School students, Monday, March 3 was nothing short of Seusstastic!

In celebration of the National Education Association's Read Across America, staff and students spent part of the morning honoring Dr. Seuss's birthday with reading, costumes and fun. (read more and see lots of photos)

Children invited to Key Club library story hour

Area children are invited to the Fonda-Fultonville High School Key Club  story hour at the Frothingham Library located on Main St. in Fonda on Saturday,  March 15 from 10-11 a.m. Key Club members will read several stories and lead participants in a special craft activity with an Easter theme. The story hour is open to children up to the age of 10 years old.

Clicky, Nettie and Webster to Speak about Internet Safety

Clicky, Nettie and Webster from Netsmartzkids.org, wiil visit all FFCS kindergarten through fourth grade students. They will help Melanie Capron and Trooper Wittner talk to the children about Internet safety, during their Computer Class.

The day will feature two talks, one for Kindergarten through second grade and another for  the third and fourth graders. (Click here for the full story...)

Holiday gift gives back to F-F third graders
U.S. military honors classroom with special U.S. flag

For Amy Mulyca’s third grade class, Monday, Feb. 4 was an extraordinary day. In a special classroom ceremony, the Fonda-Fultonville students accepted a very special gift from the U.S. military—an American flag that had flown aboard a reconnaissance aircraft in the Middle East.

The flag, a certificate, and a poster of photos from the Middle East were presented to the class by Senior Airman Jacob Mundell who just completed service in Saudi Arabia with the U.S. Air Force. (Click here to read more...)

It's time to register your child for Kindergarten

Parents who are residents of the Fonda-Fultonville Central School District are encouraged to register their children who will be eligible to enter Kindergarten this Fall. Packets will be mailed home at the end of April.

To be eligible, children must be five years of age by December 1, 2008 and be residents of the school district. Proof of residency will be required at kindergarten screening in the first week of June.

To register, please contact the school at 853-3332 ext. 5001 or 5006 with the following information:

• Student’s full legal name as it appears on birth certificate

• Date of birth

• Parent/Guardian name(s)

• 911 address AND mailing address if different from 911 residential address

• Phone # either home/work and/or cell

Finding the true meaning of the holidays
Six elementary students give of themselves

If this is the season for giving, then six Fonda-Fultonville Elementary School students have clearly discovered what it means to give. Instead of simply going to the mall and buying gifts, these six young ladies did something extraordinary for others. (Click here to read the full story)

First Grade performs "This is Christmas"

On Tuesday, December 18th, the first graders performed "This is Christmas" under the direction of Ms. Pegrum.

In the play, Kitten has never seen a Christmas before and wonders what Christmas is all about. Is it the decorations or the presents? The music or the food? The other family pets help Kitten discover the real meaning of Christmas. (more photos and cast list)

Who said that?
Ventriloquist and friends share important lessons

What better way to teach children important life lessons than through humor!

On Friday, December 14th, the entire elementary school did exactly that as they were entertained by the the antics of ventriloquist Mark Wade and his amazing puppets. Mrs. Wade's show "The Attitude is Everything" kept the audience laughing as they learned about the importance of a positive attitude. (Click here the full story and more photos...)

Race into a Great Breakfast with Mrs. Henry!

On Friday, December 7th, Mrs. Henry held a special breakfast for kids with character. Just click here to view a list of winners and to see a some photos of the day.

Race into a Great Breakfast with Mrs. Henry!

On Friday, November 9th, Mrs. Henry held a special breakfast for kids with character. Just click here to view a list of winners and to see a some photos of the day.

Superheroes, princesses, and more fill the auditorium

Characters from your favorite comic book, television program, or book came alive in the high school auditorium on Wednesday, Oct. 31—for the annual F-F Elementary School parade. Each elementary class paraded around the auditorium and onto the stage as judges carefully examined their costumes. Mrs. Wolf served as the morning's emcee and one of the judges. After the parade, the students returned to the elementary gym where Mrs. Wolf announced the winners of the best costumes. (Click here for photos of the parade...)

Race into a Great Breakfast with Mrs. Henry!

On Friday, October 12th, Mrs. Henry held a special breakfast for kids with character. Just click here to view a list of winners and to see a some photos of the day (and a great one of Mrs. Henry the racecar driver)!

Interested in "Meet the Driver" day?"

The elementary staff invites everyone to join in the effort to encourage students to read every day. We are seeking any local racecar drivers who are interested in participating in "Meet the Driver" Day later next spring. We are also looking for donations of small racing themed raffle items such as small car toys, racing tickets, racing memorabilia. Please feel to to contact Sue Wolf at swolf@ffcsd.org to donate or for more information.

Busy time for After School Program

From fundraisers to support a young cancer victim to illegal drug prevention programs to holiday fun, students attending Fonda-Fultonville's After School Program stay busy. Program Coordinator Joan Draus shares what is happening! (Click here to learn more...)

Students using blogging sites; Parents should monitor computer activity

As more and more students across the country log onto “blogging” Web sites every day, School Resource Officer Hal Wittner says parents need to be more aware of what their children are doing on the computer. (Read more...)

Grade 3-5 Students Face New State Testing
Help Your Children Succeed With These Tests
Parent Spot for Parents of Elementary School Students
Each school year, children in grades 3 and 5 will take a new crop of state tests in math and English language arts. Similar exams have been in place for fourth graders for a number of years. The expanded testing in English language arts-covering reading, writing and listening skills-and math for each of the upper elementary grades is designed to show whether children have a firm grasp on the skills they will need to succeed as they move toward middle school, high school and beyond. These tests will also help teachers identify where the curriculum might need to be fine-tuned to better meet students' needs. (Read more...) 

Looking for Star Students?
The 2006-07 Star Students are now online. Visit the Elementary Media Center Page.

Free and Reduced Lunch Forms Now Online
Free and Reduced Meal Applications must be filed for the new school year! Click here for an application, or pick one up in one of the school offices. Please be reminded that FFCSD has a NO CHARGE policy. 
Reminder: MEAL DEAL
Students may pre-pay for five consecutive meals and SAVE MONEY:
K-4 $5.75, 5-8 $7.00, 9-12 $8.25. The cafeteria accepts cash and checks made payable to the FFCS Cafeteria. Check payment can also be mailed to the school. Att: Judy Murray, FSD.

Wondering What's for Lunch?
Are you wondering what's for lunch? Click here to visit our food service page, complete with breakfast and lunch menus.

How to spark a love of reading
Parent Spot for Parents of Elementary School Students
Many young children take to reading with eagerness, devouring each new tale of Junie B. Jones or those in Lemony Snickett's Series of Unfortunate Events. However, some children - for a variety of reasons - are simply reluctant to pick up a book unless it's required for school. In this issue of Elementary Edition, we will look at some of the ways families can help spark a love of reading in their young children - setting them on the path to better learning in all of their subjects. These home-based ideas come from reading teachers and parents, just like you, who are working diligently to raise enthusiastic readers! (Read more...)

>to top