The Great Bedtime Story PJ Drive
The Verne W. Critz Character Counts Committee is
proud to announce-The
Great Bedtime Story Pajama Drive was a huge success!
We collected 166 pairs of pajamas!
Thank you to all the families who participated in
the Pajama Drive Now, more children in need can get
the gift of a good night’s sleep and the great
bedtime stories they deserve.
Aboriginal Art Day
On January 14th, 2013, the k-3 students of Verne
Critz Elementary School were treated to an
Aboriginal Art day with visiting artist Chris
Pitkin. Mr. Pitkin, a native Australian, spoke about
the Aboriginal culture and even played an authentic
didgeridoo to the children’s delight. The students
learned how to ‘dot’ paint using authentic
Aboriginal symbols to tell their stories. The
children were very excited to learn this art
technique and continued to employ it through the
next week. Their works were on exhibit at the first
annual Multi-Cultural Evening at the Verne Critz
school. This educational experience provided
valuable enrichment for all it’s participants
including our principal, Dr. Munisteri! I am
grateful to the South Country Education Fund
Committee for sponsoring this event and to Suzette
Fandale for suggesting Mr. Pitkin.
Photo:
Jake Orenstein (sitting) and Evan
Virno of Mr. Petit's 3rd grade class experience the
art of Aboriginal painting.
Snuggle Up and Read
On March 2, 2012, the PTA, Dr. Munisteri,
building principal and teachers at the Verne
Critz School joined together for the annual
Snuggle Up and Read event. The classrooms were
decorated by parent volunteers to coordinate
with the themes of each story. This year’s
themes were: What Teddy Bears Do at Night, Just
Monkeying Around, Dr. Seuss, One Fine Day, All
about Football, Pinkalious, Rapunzel, Crazy Hair
Day, The Circus and Bedtime Stories in English
and Spanish. The teachers were also in character
and dressed up for this special event.
Prior to the evening the students made their
selections for their reading adventure. Each
student was then issued a passport which
reflected the stories and the rooms they would
travel to. The students arrived in their pajamas
and cuddled up to hear these wonderful stories.
The librarians from the Brookhaven library were
also on hand to share stories as well as make
the parents aware of the many resources they
have to offer. Special thanks to the Bellport
Football coaches and players for sharing their
time and stories with our students! The
students, teachers and parents all agreed that
this evening was a success!
Special thanks to all the
teachers and parents that volunteered their time
for this worthwhile event. We hope you can join
us again next year!
Have You Heard about the
Traveling Scientists at
Verne
Critz?
The Traveling Scientists arrived
at Verne Critz to share information about the
upcoming Science Fair and demonstrated hands on
science experiments. The traveling scientists
were: Ms. Cusumano, Mrs. Kelly, Mrs. Siegmund,
Mrs. DeRosa and Dr. Munisteri. A team of
scientists visited each class to share the
excitement of science! The students were very
motivated by this special visit and are eager to
begin their projects. Get ready! The Science
Fair is coming on April 3rd at
6:00-8:00pm.
A Third Grader's Art Showcased in L. I. Art
Museum
A Verne Critz student showcased his
artwork at the Long Island Museum of American Art in
the Village of Stony Brook! Third grader, Thomas
Johnston pictured with Art Teacher, Mr. Vasso
attended the exhibit, The Colors of Long Island,
on November 20th . Thomas Johnston’s clay
leaf was mounted and displayed in a shadow box at
the exhibit.
Character Education
The 2nd
and 3rd grade classes at VWC are working on
learning about communities as a part of our
Social Studies curriculum. To connect this topic
to our Character Education Program, and their
daily lives, we have come up with a service
learning project to help foster a sense of
community by helping others (citizenship).
The
children have learned about the UNICEF program
in class. They have read and discussed the need
for programs like UNICEF. It is our goal that
they will become more aware of and a little
sensitive to the needs of others.
The
service part of this project is:
To
return the box to school so we can count and
combine all of the donations to be sent to the
UNICEF program. [trustworthiness,
responsibility]
To
reflect-through writing and conversation- on the
importance of projects like this and how they
can help our world. [caring, respect]
After
collecting and counting the money, this year’s
third grade classes have donated $617.58 to
UNICEF. The second grade classes also
participated and donated $488. 81 which brought
the grand total donated by VWC to $1,106.39. We
are extremely proud of the children’s desire to
help others and to display and model good
character.
Police Smart Program
We
are fortunate to be able to provide our students
with the PoliceSmart Program. A police
Officer, Antoinette Semetsis, visited our students
in their classroom during the week of September 19,
2011. She has been a police officer since 1989
and started teaching the DARE/PoliceSmart program in
2003. She visited individual classrooms for a
20 minute period to discuss age appropriate topics.
The following topics were discussed during the grade
level presentations:
Kindergarten - Calling 911 and understanding
what an emergency is and stranger safety
First & Second Grade - Strangers & general
safety (street safety, public bathrooms, and what to
do when you get lost)
Third Grade - Bullying
Tattling Turtle
The
Tattling Turtle has arrived at Verne Critz last
spring. The Tattling Turtle is a strategy to
provide students with an opportunity to discuss
their problems while reinforcing writing skills.
Each classroom teacher introduced the Tattling
Turtle to their students. At the beginning of
the year the teachers explain that the purpose
of Tattling Turtle is to provide the students
with an opportunity to tell the teachers about a
problem. Classroom discussions were held to
help students determine what problems should be
brought to the teachers attention right away.
The poem that accompanies the turtle is: The
Tattling Turtle will listen to you when you
have something to say. Just talk to him or
write it down, and tell what happened today.
But, if you or anyone else is hurt, please do
not delay. Come to me so I can help and make
sure that you’re okay! We hope this strategy
will enable our students to communicate
problems, so staff can intervene sooner than
later. If your child is having a problem,
encourage them to using the Tattling Turtle!
Virtual Backpack
The Virtual Backpack will contain all
of the notices, flyers, forms, principals’
newsletters and other materials that are sent home
with your child from the school's main office.
Hooked On Books Summer Reading Program
We would like to encourage our students to
continue reading during the summer recess. This
year's theme is "Once Upon A Story." To
begin the "Hooked On Books" Reading Program the
PTA purchased one book for each student.
As an incentive, each child will be receiving a
"Once Upon a Story" reading sheet where they will
record each book that they have read. In
September, the sheets will be returned to the
classroom teacher and those students who have
met or exceeded their goal will be invited to an
"Ice Cream Social."
We hope
everyone will participate and parents will
encourage their child to read over the summer.
To assist parents and students in the program, a
summer reading list has been compiled by the
elementary school librarians. The list
provides book suggestions appropriate for the
elementary reading level. The children's
librarians at the
South Country Library
and the
Brookhaven Free Library
have these books available and will be happy to
assist the children in making their selection.
Please click the links below for more
information.
"Once Upon A Story" Letter
in English for students entering 1st
- 3rd grade
"Once Upon A Story" Letter
in Spanish for students entering 1st
- 3rd grade
"Once Upon A Story" Letter
in English for students entering
Kindergarten
"Once Upon A Story" Letter
in Spanish for students entering
Kindergarten
"Once Upon A Story"
Summer Reading
Sheet
Jumping For Japan
The Third Grade Teachers and students organized
a community service project, Jumping for Japan.
The Third Graders made posters and shared the
posters with the younger students and involved
them to join in their campaign. A
representative from the American Red Cross
visited with the Third Grade classes to discuss
how the organization helps people around the
world. Students also learned about how the
American Red Cross would help if there was a
disaster in our community.
Together, the students raised $1,429 to help
support the citizens of Japan!
Character Education Program
The 3rd grade classes at VWC are
working on learning about communities as a part
of our Social Studies curriculum. To connect
this topic to our Character Education Program,
and their daily lives, we have come up with a
service learning project to help foster a sense
of community by helping others (citizenship).
The children have learned about the
UNICEF program in class. They have read, and
discussed the need for programs
like
UNICEF. It is our goal that they will become
more aware of and sensitive to the needs of
others.
The
service part of this project is;
-
To
use their UNICEF boxes to collect money on
Halloween. (We have encouraged them to make
a donation of their own as well.)
[citizenship, responsibility]
-
To
return the box to school so we can count and
combine all of the donations to be sent to
the UNICEF program. [trustworthiness,
responsibility]
-
To
reflect-through writing and conversation- on
the importance of projects like this and how
they can help our world. [caring, respect]
Hooked On Books Summer Reading Program
We would like to encourage our students to
continue reading during the summer recess. To
begin the "Hooked On Books" Reading Program the
PTA purchased one book for each student.
As an incentive, each child will be receiving a
"Hooked On Books" reading sheet where they will
record each book that they have read. In
September, the sheets will be returned to the
classroom teacher and those students who have
met or exceeded their goal will be invited to an
"Ice Cream Social."
We hope
everyone will participate and parents will
encourage their child to read over the summer.
To assist parents and students in the program, a
summer reading list has been compiled by the
elementary school librarians. The list
provides book suggestions appropriate for the
elementary reading level. The children's
librarians at the
South Country Library
and the
Brookhaven Free Library
have these books available and will be happy to
assist the children in making their selection.
Please click the links below for more
information.
"Hooked On Books" Letter
in English
"Hooked On Books" Letter
in Spanish
"Hooked On Books" Reading
Sheet
Earth
Day Art Awards
In
celebration of Earth Day, our students from
Verne W. Critz Elementary School were invited to
participate in Brookhaven National Laboratory's
annual "Your Environment" Art contest through
the guidance of their art teacher, Mr. Joseph A.
Vasso. The goal of the contest was to
raise awareness about the importance of
environmental stewardship and sustainability.
Our school had 21 students chosen as winners.
Of these 21 winners, Madison Steedman was chosen
as a first place winner.
The Fun Run
The Fun Run is a mile run which is a component
of the Physical Fitness Test and part of the
Physical Education curriculum in the South
Country Central School District.
Students prepare for the mile run by
progressively increasing their jogging time.
Children are encouraged to measure themselves,
making a mental note how far they run in a set
amount of time. That time is increased over the
weeks prior to the actual timed mile run. Prior
to the fun run the children have the opportunity
to run a timed practice mile. Historically, most
children run a faster mile when there is
competition, as in the fun run. Whichever of the
two is their best score, that time will be used
for the fitness test. We discuss the difference
in time vs. place finish. A person can improve
both time and place; improve time but not place;
or place but not improve time. The goal is for
each child to improve his/her own time, just as
adults do when they run in road races.
For more information and the schedule for the
Fun Run click the link below:
Fun Run Information letter
in English
Fun Run Information letter
in Spanish
Fire
Safety Award
Mrs. Cardinale’s
class received a surprise award from the Hagerman
Fire
Department. The firefighters were very thankful for
the book of matches that the students made.
It
showed many fire safety tips learned during their
trip to the Fire House. Firefighter Valentino along
with another firefighter presented the award to the
class. The children were so proud. Everyone’s bucket
was full in room nine.
Hearts For Haiti
The recent earthquake has devastated Haiti.
Many families are now homeless and are in dire
need of food, water, shelter and medical care.
At Verne W.
Critz
we would like to show our concern and support by
spreading the character trait of caring, with
monetary donations for our “Hearts For
Haiti” fundraiser. We will send all
monetary donations for Haiti to the UNICEF
organization.
Please complete the
heart and return it with your
monetary donation by February 12th.
Thank
you in advance for your monetary donations on
behalf of the Character Education Committee and
the entire faculty and student body of Verne W.
Critz. All hearts that are returned will
be displayed on our “Hearts For Haiti” bulletin
board.
“Do all the good
you can, by all the means you can, in all the
ways you can, in all the places you can, at all
the times you can, to all the people you can, as
long as ever you can.”
- John Wesley
Math
Assessments
The Third Grade Math Assessment will be given
Tuesday, March 3 and Wednesday, March 4th.
Make ups will be provided on Thurs, March 5th
and Friday, March 6th.
VWC
student plays a role in the High School Play
Isabelle Palladino a kindergarten student at Verne
W. Critz Elementary School recently played the role
of Gretl in the "Sound of Music" play. This
musical production was performed for the public on
February 5th and 6th. All the third grade
students in the district were invited to view a
special dress rehearsal performance on Wednesday,
February 4th.
Fire
Safety Poster Contest
The
students created posters demonstrating their
understanding of fire safety. The Hagerman
Fire Department selected a winning poster from each
grade level which created a clear message and
picture about fire safety. The students
received a trophy for their winning poster.
School Bus Safety
Poster Contest Winners
We are very proud of three Verne W. Critz Elementary
students who placed first, second and third in the
Suffolk County School Bus Safety Poster contest.
After placing first in Suffolk County, Jamie Benavides
then had her poster entered in the Albany contest
where she placed first in New York State.
Ransy Simmons placed second in the Suffolk County
contest and Ally Solina placed third.
The South Country Central
School District has adopted the CHARACTER COUNTS!
Character education program. The CHARACTER COUNTS!
program addresses the following six character
traits: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility,
Fairness, Caring and Citizenship. As part of this
initiative, we are asking your help in creating a
Good Character “Rainbow Fish”. Our “fish” will be
displayed in the main hallway of the school. Our
goal is to recognize and reinforce good character.
In doing so, we will watch the body of the fish
become the colors of the six character pillars.
Click here
for a form for
teacher, staff and parents to nominate any Verne W.
Critz student who exemplifies any of the six
character traits.
