Ilana Kaufman’s ES second-graders are bringing the city to life — creating bold, colorful cityscapes bursting with unique "personalities," inspired by American Pop artist James Rizzi! Take a look!
Known for his vibrant, joyful, and playfully childlike 3D artworks, Mr. Rizzi filled his bustling New York City scenes with smiling, winking, anthropomorphic buildings. He even invented his own signature 3D construction style, layering cut-out pieces from his prints to build lively, multi-dimensional works that practically pop off the page.
Known for his vibrant, joyful, and playfully childlike 3D artworks, Mr. Rizzi filled his bustling New York City scenes with smiling, winking, anthropomorphic buildings. He even invented his own signature 3D construction style, layering cut-out pieces from his prints to build lively, multi-dimensional works that practically pop off the page.
Kudos to the Intermediate School’s “Kindness Ambassadors,” who recently visited our youngest students at the Elementary School to lead them in a kindness lesson. Students listened to Carol McCloud’s “Have You Filled a Bucket Today?”
Through simple prose and vivid illustrations, this her book encourages positive behavior by using the concept of an invisible bucket to show readers how easy and rewarding it is to express kindness, appreciation, and love by “filling buckets.” While using a simple metaphor of a bucket and a dipper, the book is a reminder that when we choose to be kind, we not only fill the buckets of those around us, but also fill our own buckets!
Afterward, the ambassadors oversaw kindness-themed activities for each grade level. This was another wonderful inter-school collaboration between both schools! WELL-DONE, everyone!
Through simple prose and vivid illustrations, this her book encourages positive behavior by using the concept of an invisible bucket to show readers how easy and rewarding it is to express kindness, appreciation, and love by “filling buckets.” While using a simple metaphor of a bucket and a dipper, the book is a reminder that when we choose to be kind, we not only fill the buckets of those around us, but also fill our own buckets!
Afterward, the ambassadors oversaw kindness-themed activities for each grade level. This was another wonderful inter-school collaboration between both schools! WELL-DONE, everyone!
Mary Kelly’s ES second-graders worked together to create a bar graph documenting the class’s collective prediction of whether Punxsutawney Phil will see his shadow on Groundhog Day today, Feb. 2!
They know a bar graph is a picture that uses solid bars to show and compare information, or data. It helps students to see which group has “the most” or “the least.” Taller or longer bars mean a bigger number, while shorter bars mean a smaller number.
In a 16-5 result, students felt Punxsutawney Phil would not see his shadow. For Groundhog Day lore believers, that means an early spring!
After the results were tallied, students chatted about the results, with some hoping for warmer weather to come soon while others didn’t. They also realized that warmer weather would mean that warmer weather would mean there would be no more snow days!
It was a fun, seasonal activity tying in math! But Mrs. Kelly added an ELA and art/fine motor skills component to their work, asking them to write about their predictions, and then create their own gorgeous groundhogs!
Other “famous” groundhogs who are annually sought after for their prognostication expertise include: Ohio’s Buckeye Chuck, New York’s Staten Island Chuck, Quebec’s Fred la Marmotte and Nova Scotia’s Shubenacadie Sam!
Did you know that yesterday, Jan. 29, was National Puzzle Day?
Marjori Bobish’s ES transitional kindergarteners did, and they took some time to work through three different stations to complete three different types of puzzles!
There was more than puzzle fun involved, as you’d expect. Their work had a cognitive development component to it, as students had the opportunity to work on problem solving skills --- what strategies could they try until they found the pieces fit --- as well being attentive to remembering where the pieces fit.
There was the obvious fine motor skills work of using their fingers to pick up and place pieces as well visual-spatial skills of understanding how the puzzle shapes related to each other. Additionally, these little students had the chance to practice their growing patience and perseverance skills when they kept trying to see how the pieces would fit together.
Finished puzzles gave everyone a sense of accomplishment and created an opportunity to talk about their successes.
Marjori Bobish’s ES transitional kindergarteners did, and they took some time to work through three different stations to complete three different types of puzzles!
There was more than puzzle fun involved, as you’d expect. Their work had a cognitive development component to it, as students had the opportunity to work on problem solving skills --- what strategies could they try until they found the pieces fit --- as well being attentive to remembering where the pieces fit.
There was the obvious fine motor skills work of using their fingers to pick up and place pieces as well visual-spatial skills of understanding how the puzzle shapes related to each other. Additionally, these little students had the chance to practice their growing patience and perseverance skills when they kept trying to see how the pieces would fit together.
Finished puzzles gave everyone a sense of accomplishment and created an opportunity to talk about their successes.
Can you create art using pine cones? YES! You absolutely can!
Just ask Carmela Sill’s ES kindergarteners, who were the recipients of a generous gift of pine cones and art supplies. Her little students have created some gorgeous, one-of-a-kind pieces! Take a peek!
Pine cones are natural, textured and easy to handle, which makes them perfect for creative play and artwork! They’re sensory friendly because of all the shapes and textures to explore and allow for fine motor skill practice, too! PLUS, there’s no right or wrong way to use them!
Just ask Carmela Sill’s ES kindergarteners, who were the recipients of a generous gift of pine cones and art supplies. Her little students have created some gorgeous, one-of-a-kind pieces! Take a peek!
Pine cones are natural, textured and easy to handle, which makes them perfect for creative play and artwork! They’re sensory friendly because of all the shapes and textures to explore and allow for fine motor skill practice, too! PLUS, there’s no right or wrong way to use them!
FINALLY! SNOW!
We bet there's a lot of new snowmen adorning the yards of many of our students! Jenn DiSimone's ES first-graders are quite experienced with making snowmen, as they recently practiced a variation of building their own snowman in class (and it was a great opportunity to further refine fine motor skills!)
PLUS, as a clever ELA component to their work, students were asked to "name" their snowman and complete a Q&A sheet as if they were interviewing that snowman. Too adorable!
COLD PHYSICAL EDUCATION FRESH AIR FUN!
Grades 2–5 students at the Elementary School and Intermediate School traded the gym for the great outdoors during a very cool snow tubing physical education class held yesterday and today, Jan. 23! Bundled up in their winter gear, students took full advantage of the beautiful weather, racing down the hills and enjoying every snowy second.
If your student hasn’t had his/her turn yet, don’t worry — more snow tubing adventures are sliding their way, thanks to our enthusiastic physical education faculty!
Snow tubing is such a fun physical education activity because it combines movement, excitement and inclusivity in a way that doesn’t feel like “exercise” to students.
THANK YOU to the teachers who provided classroom time so younger students could get dressed to go outside and spend the most time possible on the hills! We appreciate you!
Grades 2–5 students at the Elementary School and Intermediate School traded the gym for the great outdoors during a very cool snow tubing physical education class held yesterday and today, Jan. 23! Bundled up in their winter gear, students took full advantage of the beautiful weather, racing down the hills and enjoying every snowy second.
If your student hasn’t had his/her turn yet, don’t worry — more snow tubing adventures are sliding their way, thanks to our enthusiastic physical education faculty!
Snow tubing is such a fun physical education activity because it combines movement, excitement and inclusivity in a way that doesn’t feel like “exercise” to students.
THANK YOU to the teachers who provided classroom time so younger students could get dressed to go outside and spend the most time possible on the hills! We appreciate you!
DO NOT COOK ON FEB. 1!
Who doesn't love a good Burrito Bowl?
Support the High School's Step Dance Team and dine at Chipotle in Middletown! Details are below!
Who doesn't love a good Burrito Bowl?
Support the High School's Step Dance Team and dine at Chipotle in Middletown! Details are below!
PLAY BALL! Support the PTO and have a great time at a New York Yankees game at this fun PTO fundraiser!
New York Yankees vs. Miami Marlins!
--- Saturday, April 4
--- 7:05 p.m. at Yankee Stadium
--- Tickets: $45 each for Terrace Level seating
--- Online ticket sales close March 1
--- Tickets will be delivered digitally to the email address provided.
--- Transportation is NOT provided.
Purchase tickets here: https://minisink-pto-yankee-game.square.site/
Ilana Kaufman’s ES kindergarteners are using a variety of materials to create vibrant and one-of-a-kind buildings, guided by their imaginations and the inspiration of artist Mary Blair. We bet many of you are looking at these wonderful creations and thinking: “Where have I seen something similar?”
Artist Mary Blair was an American artist and designer, famous for her vibrant, modernist style that influenced Walt Disney's classic films like Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, and Peter Pan, and iconic attractions like Disney’s “It’s a Small World” slow boat ride at all its parks worldwide. She is thought of as shaping Disney's post-war aesthetic with bold colors, whimsical characters and imaginative compositions.
Artist Mary Blair was an American artist and designer, famous for her vibrant, modernist style that influenced Walt Disney's classic films like Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, and Peter Pan, and iconic attractions like Disney’s “It’s a Small World” slow boat ride at all its parks worldwide. She is thought of as shaping Disney's post-war aesthetic with bold colors, whimsical characters and imaginative compositions.
Cliff Loretto’s ES second-grade music students are working on reading and performing simple rhythmic patterns in duple meter, with an emphasis on visually decoding notation and transferring that understanding to performance.
Students are engaging with familiar and unfamiliar song material as part of Unit 1 of the Conversational Solfege curriculum, which emphasizes sound-before-symbol learning, audiation and the gradual development of rhythmic literacy.
As part of this, students were practicing a clapping ostinato used to accompany the playground song “Money Honey.” Prior to this, students listened to Mr. Loretto model the song, reinforcing internalized pitch and steady beat before formal singing was introduced. This preparatory work supports rhythmic accuracy, ensemble skills, and musical independence as students prepare to learn and perform the song themselves later this month.
•Duple meter is a way music is organized using groups of two beats: Weak and strong. When young students learn about this, they’re learning to feel the beat, count aloud, emphasizing “beat 1,” and create and repeat simple patterns.
• Teaching decoding notation to second graders helps them to understand, perform, and create music independently, just as learning letters helps them read and write.
•A clapping ostinato is a short rhythm pattern that is clapped repeatedly while other music is happening.
Students are engaging with familiar and unfamiliar song material as part of Unit 1 of the Conversational Solfege curriculum, which emphasizes sound-before-symbol learning, audiation and the gradual development of rhythmic literacy.
As part of this, students were practicing a clapping ostinato used to accompany the playground song “Money Honey.” Prior to this, students listened to Mr. Loretto model the song, reinforcing internalized pitch and steady beat before formal singing was introduced. This preparatory work supports rhythmic accuracy, ensemble skills, and musical independence as students prepare to learn and perform the song themselves later this month.
•Duple meter is a way music is organized using groups of two beats: Weak and strong. When young students learn about this, they’re learning to feel the beat, count aloud, emphasizing “beat 1,” and create and repeat simple patterns.
• Teaching decoding notation to second graders helps them to understand, perform, and create music independently, just as learning letters helps them read and write.
•A clapping ostinato is a short rhythm pattern that is clapped repeatedly while other music is happening.
Ilana Kaufman’s ES second-grade art students are creating some stunningly colorful symmetrical paper masks!
Students looked at masks from around the world including Venetian carnival masks, African Festima masks, and Aztec masks, talking about the use of different materials and patterns. Students are focusing on symmetry and layering paper to make unique paper mask collages. Mask symmetry is important because balanced features help create a sense of harmony and order. Symmetry can also make masks easier to recognize and understand, especially in cultural or ceremonial contexts.
• Venetian carnival masks are traditional masks worn during the Carnival of Venice, historically allowing people to hide their identity and social status. They’re known for ornate designs featuring gold leaf, bright colors, feathers, and symbolic shapes.
• African Festima masks are traditional masks showcased during FESTIMA (Festival International des Masques et des Arts) in Burkina Faso, celebrating the cultural heritage of West African communities. They’re worn in ceremonial dances and performances and often represent spirits, ancestors or natural forces through bold shapes and patterns.
• Aztec masks were ceremonial objects used in rituals, religious ceremonies, and burials in ancient Mesoamerica. They were often made from stone, wood, or turquoise mosaic and represented gods, animals, or powerful spiritual forces.
Students looked at masks from around the world including Venetian carnival masks, African Festima masks, and Aztec masks, talking about the use of different materials and patterns. Students are focusing on symmetry and layering paper to make unique paper mask collages. Mask symmetry is important because balanced features help create a sense of harmony and order. Symmetry can also make masks easier to recognize and understand, especially in cultural or ceremonial contexts.
• Venetian carnival masks are traditional masks worn during the Carnival of Venice, historically allowing people to hide their identity and social status. They’re known for ornate designs featuring gold leaf, bright colors, feathers, and symbolic shapes.
• African Festima masks are traditional masks showcased during FESTIMA (Festival International des Masques et des Arts) in Burkina Faso, celebrating the cultural heritage of West African communities. They’re worn in ceremonial dances and performances and often represent spirits, ancestors or natural forces through bold shapes and patterns.
• Aztec masks were ceremonial objects used in rituals, religious ceremonies, and burials in ancient Mesoamerica. They were often made from stone, wood, or turquoise mosaic and represented gods, animals, or powerful spiritual forces.
Today’s ES “culinary cuteness” is brought to you by the letters “P” “M” and “S”… for you know what!
It’s also our friendly reminder every student is entitled to FREE breakfast and lunch each day. Skip the morning rush, save some money, and let your student enjoy our Food Services team's healthy and tasty meals!
It’s also our friendly reminder every student is entitled to FREE breakfast and lunch each day. Skip the morning rush, save some money, and let your student enjoy our Food Services team's healthy and tasty meals!
Like all district first-graders, Stephanie Hoffman’s ES first-graders have been practicing the solving of a variety of addition and subtraction word problems within 20. They worked with situations involving “adding to,” “taking from,” “putting together,” “taking apart,” and “comparing,” including problems with unknowns in all positions. They’re really good at this, too!
As part of their work, students represented their thinking by using drawings, objects and number sentences to model each problem. They also solved “how many more” comparison problems, demonstrating their understanding through visual representations and equations with unknowns.
This important math work ensures students can effectively model and solve one-step word problems using both addition and subtraction. This also helps students to them build a foundation for understanding comparison and equality in mathematical situations.
As part of their work, students represented their thinking by using drawings, objects and number sentences to model each problem. They also solved “how many more” comparison problems, demonstrating their understanding through visual representations and equations with unknowns.
This important math work ensures students can effectively model and solve one-step word problems using both addition and subtraction. This also helps students to them build a foundation for understanding comparison and equality in mathematical situations.
Tiffany Guareno’s and Bridget Kelly’s ES kindergarteners, like all district kindergarteners, have been learning about shapes, including three dimensional (3D) shapes. During a recent STEM activity, students created 3D shapes using marshmallows and toothpicks. No two are alike! The class discussed how many edges, faces and corners each 3D shape has, plus reviewed their names (cube, pyramid and rectangular prism).
Kindergarteners learn about 3D shapes because it builds important early math and spatial-thinking skills in a way that matches how young children naturally explore the world. We all interact with 3D objects constantly,having these little ones learn the names and features of these shapes helps them connect math to everyday life as well as how things look from different angles. Learning about 3D shapes also builds problem-solving and critical thinking and starts to prepare students for more advanced math in their academic careers!
Marshmallows and toothpicks are popular in kindergarten STEM projects because they're simple, safe, hands-on building materials that help young children explore engineering and geometry. Marshmallows are soft and non-sharp and toothpicks provide structure but are still manageable for young students with supervision. They’re perfect for building because marshmallows act like flexible connectors while toothpick mimic rigid beams. Together, they’re perfect for little students to build 3D models.
Kindergarteners learn about 3D shapes because it builds important early math and spatial-thinking skills in a way that matches how young children naturally explore the world. We all interact with 3D objects constantly,having these little ones learn the names and features of these shapes helps them connect math to everyday life as well as how things look from different angles. Learning about 3D shapes also builds problem-solving and critical thinking and starts to prepare students for more advanced math in their academic careers!
Marshmallows and toothpicks are popular in kindergarten STEM projects because they're simple, safe, hands-on building materials that help young children explore engineering and geometry. Marshmallows are soft and non-sharp and toothpicks provide structure but are still manageable for young students with supervision. They’re perfect for building because marshmallows act like flexible connectors while toothpick mimic rigid beams. Together, they’re perfect for little students to build 3D models.
WELL, WELL, WELL...… it looks like a certain green troublemaker brought smiles instead of disruption to the Elementary School on Dec.18! THE GRINCH turned mischief into merriment! Smiles may have been stolen, but joy was shared! And that heart? Clearly it was already three sizes too big!
HOLIDAY CUTENESS!
A "roaring fire" and peppermint treats! Jenn DiSimone's ES first-graders are ready for winter break!
A "roaring fire" and peppermint treats! Jenn DiSimone's ES first-graders are ready for winter break!
Maureen Cardinale’s ES first-graders are thrilled to show their beautiful candy cane artwork!
•Candy canes began as all-white sugar sticks in 17th-century Germany. Legend says the choirmaster at Germany’s Cologne Cathedral handed out sugar sticks to keep young singers quiet during the Living Creche ceremony and to keep fidgety choirboys quiet during services. . They became popular Christmas tree decorations when immigrants brought them to the U.S. in the 1840s. The iconic red stripes and peppermint flavor were added around the turn of the 20th century, with mass production made possible in the 1950s by Father Gregory Keller's automation machine, solidifying the candy cane as a Christmas staple.
•According to the National Confectioners Association, candy canes are the number one selling non-chocolate candy during December, with 90% sold between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
•Candy canes began as all-white sugar sticks in 17th-century Germany. Legend says the choirmaster at Germany’s Cologne Cathedral handed out sugar sticks to keep young singers quiet during the Living Creche ceremony and to keep fidgety choirboys quiet during services. . They became popular Christmas tree decorations when immigrants brought them to the U.S. in the 1840s. The iconic red stripes and peppermint flavor were added around the turn of the 20th century, with mass production made possible in the 1950s by Father Gregory Keller's automation machine, solidifying the candy cane as a Christmas staple.
•According to the National Confectioners Association, candy canes are the number one selling non-chocolate candy during December, with 90% sold between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
“And what happened then? Well, in Whoville they say
That the Grinch’s small heart grew three sizes that day.”
The High School's Youth Against Cancer (YAC) and ES PTO's "Kids Night Out" fundraiser, held this past Friday was a huge success! Everyone had a wonderful time, which included an opportunity to meet The Grinch! Thank you to all who worked hard to make a memorable night for attendees and for supporting the good work of both organizations.
Anthony Pascarelli’s ES kindergarten physical education students are learning about cooperation through relay activities! This included throwing a bean bag to each person in their group, followed by throwing and catching using a cone. Cooperation activities in kindergarten physical education help students build the social, emotional, and physical skills they’ll use for the rest of their lives—using play, movement and fun instead of lectures.
