Sharpen | Issue 1 Vol. 2

Bringing School into Focus October 2016 | Issue 1 Vol. 2

Inside Look

A partial recap of the first six weeks

Bringing School into Focu May 2015 | ISSue 2 Vol.

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Shorts Page

4

Take a Peak

12

Ready to Read

24 looking Regal 34 Break Time 38 Rallying Support 40 on the Path 49 update from Pcec

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WhAt’s InsIde

Field trips, spirit days, scavenger hunt, and more

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What is this?

A brief history of online magazines related to SA-Bh halfway through SA Bensonhurst’s first year, Madeline was so frustrated with what she felt was a negative rhetoric on Facebook, that she took pictures available in the group and made a magazine. The Network suggested that SA Fit to B’Hurst should not resemble Network materials so closely.

So, Sharpen was born but no more issues were ever completed because Madeline had a baby and then began producing the monthly Pcec newsletter instead. This issue started as an expanded version of the october 2016 Pcec newsletter, but it seemed more fitting to give this a different cover than what was printed and handed out at the beginning of october. I hope you enjoy the extra access to what’s happening inside the school.

—Madeline

All photographs copyright Madeline Strum Photography

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Get Together Time to meet the other families in our school School-wide play-dates are great opportunities to be able to commit to a time for socializing with other scholars and their families, but finding a day and time and activity that works for 360 scholars is a little unrealistic.

We will try for at least one each season, but hopefully the parental portal the Network is set to release later this year will allow our families to communicate about grade-specific or interest-specific ideas.

In the meantime, family members should feel free to use Facebook groups as a starting place for gathering families who want to attend events in our community, such as the Ragamuffin Parade in Bay Ridge or $6 movies at Alpine Theater on Wednesdays.

Role model ms. Rodriguez uses Frida Kahlo as an inspiration for all her scholars

Time In Cashing in rewards On a recent visit to the school, I caught Jayden timing in for Legos in the Main Office.

He brought a 5-minute timer with him to know when his time was up.

Ask your scholar about this rewards vocabulary Green Squares Time Ins upcycling old toys find a new home in this morehouse diorama

Scholar Dollars Dojo Points Effort Party

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Take a Peak

A view from the doorway

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IN the fourth Floor gym, coach Millien and Coach Gagble cheer on scholars who practice dribbling.

In the Blocks room, Kindergarteners build elaborate structures.

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on the third floor IUP-Buffalo cuts a rug.

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Math is All Around You Bates scholars track Mr. Abernathy as he counts on the board. While scholars do spend plenty of time during the day thinking about how to combine numbers and solve number stories, there are always more opportunities at home to reinforce how important (and easy) it is to care about numbers. What’s the change in temperature? The price of something? Time until school starts? Days until Halloween?

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In the Cafeteria, “Feed Your Mind posters” advertise the schoolfoods’ initiative to offer “delicious and attractive” menu options to Seth Low students.

In the Teacher Work Room, Staff celebrate Ms. Calish’s birthdaY (yesterday).

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Through the doorway, IUP-Buffalo’s bulletin board welcomes you to the third floor Bulletin boards were recently redecorated for fall.

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Ready to Read

A glance at some groups

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shared space Third Grade Guided Reading groups meet At Mr. Dant’s conference table and on his shag rug.

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Reading with Teachers First graders and Third graders work with lead teachers.

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From the Hallway First graders focus on one sound in roots while Kindergarteners choose to look at whatever holds their interest in an independent session.

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Be sure to attend Literacy Night Thursday, Nov. 10 to ask questions and learn more about reading

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Up close First graders use their fingers and softly say the words as they read during a session of independent reading. On this day, First Grade was still being tested and assigned for Guided Reading.

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Extreme focus MS. Inglut handed out lots of dojo points to scholars who kept reading and ignored the baby and the lady with the camera.

Do You Use the Brooklyn Public Library?

An email from Ms. Rodriguez in August 2015 I only own a library card for the Manhattan branch of the New York Public Library. I don’t remember exactly how old I was when I received my first card, but I do remember doing so on a class field trip in elementary school. It was very exciting! I used the library quite often as a kid, since I lived about two blocks away from one, and the after school program I was enrolled in would take us on trips there to read and watch movies. I distinctly remember watching Mr. Holland’s Opus there for the first time, and was moved. One time we took part in a performing arts activity that allowed us to talk inside the library so that was definitely fun since it felt like we were breaking the rules! In about 5th Grade, we were taught the importance of bringing back library books on time and were given sheets that erased all our overdue fees. It felt like we were becoming adults.

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In college, I used the library quite often for research materials. My favorite library is the flagship New York Public Library on 42nd Street with the lion statues flanking the entrance. I was amazed the first time I stepped inside the building. The ceiling murals are gorgeous, and they have such a wide range of books.

Sadly, since technology and the internet have become so prevalent, I have not visited the library as often as I used to. I believe the last book I checked out was a diary comic about a year ago. I haven’t utilized any of the digital collections yet, but I plan to soon!

Libraries are excellent resources for everyone, and they have wonderful activities for children I wish I could take part in as well.

—Ms. Rodriguez

Do You Use the Brooklyn Public Library?

An email from Ms. Foster in August 2015 I got a Brooklyn library card the first week I moved here! I also have a San Diego library card. I use both to access ebooks and audiobooks from the Overdrive app. I listen to an audiobook every day without fail and read a mixture of ebooks and physical books when time permits.

When I visit family in San Diego, I enjoy going to the library down the block from my house with my mom and checking out books together.

—Ms. Foster

Brooklyn Public Library cards are free for Brooklyn residents. scholars can Apply in person at any branch. Check bklynlibrary.org October 2016 Sharpen 21

Reading together Scholars work together in roots to master sounds and answer questions about the story.

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Books in every room, Books for every occassion Morehouse’s library displays books to support their current pbl while the Blocks room displays books to inspire builders.

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Looking Regal

adult supervision politics, Bureaucracy, and costumes collide as Metrocard spreadsheets are finalized

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Friday was even more magical on this spirit day

regularly scheduled activities Kindergarteners listen to read aloud in Muhlenberg and prepare to build in blocks in GWU.

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Strike a pose Scholars pause to show off and admire costumes on their way back to class.

Ms. Rodriguez portrays Child of Light.

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A different spin Third grade schoalrs and teachers model various takes on royalty related terms, including “Drama queen.�

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Behind the scenes A change of shoes, so many golden crowns, and help with a long skirt on stairs

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magnificent outdoors Scholars carry on with recess as though it were any nice day.

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Break Time

work it out Morehouse scholars hang with Mr. Avila. WCU scholars organize for the next round of their game.

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high energy NYU-Harvard scholars play in the shade.

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Rallying Support

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Support staff Parents paint signs on Sept. 21 for the #Pathtopossible Parent March.

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On the Path March in prospect park

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march together Staff organize parents to get on buses, distribute t-shirts, and follow signs to the rally point. A giant wall created from art scholars created surrounded the rally point.

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From the

Parent Council Excecutive Committee

SA families Bensonhurst

Let’s start at the beginning Everyone automatically a member of the Parent Council. We welcome all moms, dads, step-parents, guardians, and relatives who help scholars succeed.

The Executive Committee are the moms and dads elected in Spring 2016.

Madeline Vega, President Michael Curcio, Vice President Yuri Nazarov, Secretary Jennifer Mauro, Treasurer We do not sell candy or wrapping paper or magazine subscriptions to raise money for the school, but we are currently collecting money from families who are willing to contribute to a fund for giving holiday gifts to teachers.

We will all work together to give all the teachers and staff (including the safety officers, janitors, and therapists) gifts in December. If you have an idea for crafts scholars could make in addition to gift cards, please share your idea with pcec@ sabhfamilies.com.

You can find more information about our collection at sabhfamilies.com/collect

Our First Parent Council Meeting On Wednesday, Oct. 19, the Parent Council held a meeting to talk about community building. Madeline spoke rapidly about why we collect money and how important it is for everyone to actually talk to each other. She wanted to emphasize the volunteer opportunities available if you, like Madeline, need an excuse to talk to other people.

Some of the ways you can help us strengthen our school community: a. Volunteer i. Chaperone a field study ii. Help with bulletin boards iii. Help with cultural events b. Talk to people around you at arrival and dismissal c. Talk to teachers d. Attend an outing or host a play-date

Check us out online Facebook with parents Facebook with teachers PCEC calendar