MORICHES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

2015-2016 Parent Newsletter (3rd Edition)

Principals Message

The 2015-2016 school year is nearing the end. It feels like it has just begun. Time definitely
flies when you're having fun! We have many exciting end of the year activities happening
during the month of June. Grade level field days are being held in the beginning of June,
many classes will be going on fun field trips and our 5th grade Moving-up Ceremony will be
held on June 20th. We hope you will be able to come and enjoy these events with your child.
At this time we would like to thank all of our parents who have helped us through volunteering their time at our school. It is greatly appreciated. Collaboration is the key to success. We
look forward to seeing you at the Volunteer Breakfast on June 3rd.
Many of our school events are sponsored by our Moriches PTO. The executive board consists
of: Elizabeth Dingman, Diana Klein, Lisa Almonte, Jennifer Savnik, Christina Glauber, Steve
Glauber, Debra Guercio, Kathy Ferriolo, Erin Luhrs and Stephenie Scott. They are a group of
highly motivated and dedicated individuals that have been very helpful and supportive of the
programs at Moriches Elementary School. On behalf of the students and the staff we thank
them for their countless hours of work and commitment to our school community!
We would like to take this opportunity to honor and give thanks to one of our extra-ordinary
teachers at Moriches Elementary School who is retiring at the end of this school year, Mr.
Dave Pia. He is such a dedicated and committed professional that will be missed dearly by his
colleagues, students and families at Moriches Elementary School. We wish him the best of
luck in his future endeavors.
We would like to wish everyone a safe and fun summer vacation! May everyday be filled with
sunshine and enjoyment. Remember to read plenty of books throughout the entire summer
and keep learning wherever you go! Make sure to visit the public library periodically throughout the summer. Thank you for voting and approving the 2016-2017 school budget!

In March Moriches students participated in Hoops for Heart, a national education

and fundraising program sponsored by the American Heart Association and
SHAPE America. They promote physical education and provide children with
knowledge of heart disease while raising funds for heart disease research and
health education. For one week during physical education classes students
played basketball and participated in various exercise stations. Students were
encouraged to bring in donations from family and friends. A total of $1,800 was
raised for this worthwhile cause. GREAT JOB MORICHES!

Ranger Eric visited

all the Kindergarten
classes to talk
about insects.
He introduced
the students to
an insect called a
Walking Stick.

The Kindergarten Classes attended a Wiggly Worm assembly.

The Maritime Explorium located in Port Jefferson came to
Moriches to introduce the students to Earth Worms. By performing different experiments, the students learned whether the
worms preferred wet or dry conditions, whether they preferred
light or dark conditions and whether they preferred a certain soil
type. A fun learning experience was had by all!

In preparation for the upcoming summer months,

the Kindergarten and First Grade Classes attended
a Water Safety Assembly. They were treated to a
puppet show and then visits from the water safety
characters. They were taught many ways
to be safe around any type of water this summer.

Kindergarten Summer Tips

With summer just around the corner, many parents are starting to make
plans. This is a great time to start planning how you can continue what
your child has learned in Kindergarten. The local public library has a fantastic reading program that encourages reading and offers prize incentives. First grade involves increased responsibilities. Your child needs to
be able to follow two and three step directions. Children need to be able
to focus their attention on a task independently for 15 minutes or more.
Parents can help their child by giving verbal two and three step directions. Please put your toys away, wash your hands, and then sit for dinner. Allow your child time to craft independently and provide opportunities for him/her to sit down and practice paper/pencil work at a table
or desk area for 15 minutes or more. Your child could make lists for the
grocery store, write letters to relatives, and even write in a journal daily.
Reading together as often as you can is a great way to bond and maintain
reading strategies. Ask your child to take turns reading with you. Point
out sight words as you read. Predict and take a guess what might happen next in the story. Play rhyming games! See how many rhymes your
child can make. This is often silly and full of giggles, but a great way to
practice letters, sounds, and word families! Keep math alive during the
summer! Help your child maintain and build on their understanding of
what the numbers 0-20 represent. Have your child count the number of
steps it takes to get to the second floor. Make a number line out of chalk
on your sidewalk and have them jump the addition or subtraction math
problems. Talk to your child about numbers as often as you can. Going
to the beach? Great! You can draw numbers in the sand, collect and
count shells, and group the shells by color or size. Clocks and stores with
price labels for merchandise are great ways to naturally let math into
your daily life. The key is to have fun and keep the learning rolling!

The first grade students have been hard at work learning about adjectives so that
their writing will burst with flavor! While working with adjectives, its always fun to
get a little crazy. Each child dressed up in something fancy, tacky or wacky for an
Adjective Runway Show. The children strutted down the red carpet to show off
their attire. As each student walked the red carpet, the other children wrote a list
of adjectives to describe his/her outfit. The event was a huge success and the
children had a blast learning!

Our first graders have grown up and learned a lot this year. We are
now gearing up for the end of the year! We have many things planned
as we will be celebrating the end of the year by counting down with
the ABCs to the last day. Make sure to check your calendars at home
and come to school ready to celebrate!

The second grade classes welcomed The Department

of Environmental Conservation on March 8th.
Students learned about insects and all their
characteristics. The
D.E.C. presentation was
a wonderful hands-on
learning experience
and tied into our
curricular learning.
Students had a
wonderful time!

Mrs. Dunbars students dressed up

as insects and learned about the
ladybug.

Mrs. Megnas 2nd grade class gets up close

and personal with a grasshopper. Below:
Rosary, Chelsie and Jack dressed up as their
favorite insects.

Mrs. Megnas 2nd Grade Class had lots of fun while experimenting in the science
lab for St. Patricks Day. The students turned pennies green with a chemical
reaction!

They also experimented

in the science lab
creating rainbows with
skittles and reactions.

The 3rd grade classes

attended a DEC presentation called Whats Wild?
Mr. Gelardi, the presenter,
discussed the importance of
knowing the difference between a domesticated and a
non domesticated animal.
He also talked about animals in our area and what
their habitats might be.

Mr. Gelardi showed the

students a box turtle and a
chinchilla and they had to
decide if they were
domesticated or nondomesticated animals. Do
you know the answer?

On March 23rd two of our fifth grade classes had a unique opportunity in the
Moriches Science Lab. Scientists and students from the Bioengineering program
at Stony Brook University came in and provided an exciting authentic hands-on
science activity called Genes In a Bottle. The main focus of the program was a
DNA extraction experiment. Students collected DNA from their own cheek cells
and created a DNA necklace that will last a lifetime.

On March 22nd some of the 5th grade students participated in the Little Doctors Program.
Students took turns at various one hour shifts to volunteer their time to help out at the Blood
Drive.
Pictured from
left to right:
Jaden Lopez
Aaron Nelson
Kamilla Montoya

Kaylee Fleming
Fernandez

Left to right:
Alyssa Dingman
Emily Murtha
Paul Abbattista
Philip Vetter

Front row left to right:

Dante Scalice
Emily Coleman
Andrew Rea
Back row:
Dasha Kravchuk
Eddie Motl
Kelly Rodriguez

Taylor Benedetto

At the end of March the Box Tops were collected and

counted. The following students were the top winners
of the contest: Larissa Kidney, Owen Aylward, Aisling
Aylward and Kevin Destefano (missing from the
picture).

The following students were the top collectors from each grade:
FRONT ROW: Kathleen Gielarowski, Hayley Leiva, Mia Glauber,
BACK ROW: Alyssa Dingman, Larissa Kidney, Owen Aylward, Aisling

Aylward, Stephen Harned, and Jason Gielarowski

In April Ranger Eric Powers came to Moriches Elementary School and met with
seven classes to discuss various topics dealing with nature. Each of the classes are
involved in his Quail Project (quail eggs are brought into the classrooms and the
students oversee the hatching and care of the baby quails. When the quails are
old enough they are released into the wild to help combat the growing tick population). Ranger Eric is a biologist, educator, naturalist, photographer, birder, outdoorsman and overall nature-lover. He was able to connect students to nature
and wildlife in a meaningful way which left students with a deep understanding
and appreciation for our environment. Ranger Eric specifically discussed his Quail
Project, shared his tick collection and feather collection with students. Students
learned an abundance of knowledge about quails and are applying what they
learned to their own brood of quails, in their classrooms.

The fourth grade went on a field trip to Sweetbriar Nature Center. The students
learned all about the web of life. They learned how the most common living
things have some of the most amazing connections. Each class walked a nature
trail, found homes for wildlife, met live animals, and played games to learn about
the inter-dependency of all life by creating food chains and food webs.

SCIENCE FAIR WINNERS

Kindergarten thru Third Grade
First Place:

Amiyah Gumbs ( Kindergarten) How Does Climate Change the

Browning of Bananas

Second Place:

Ethan Walker (1st grade) - What Happens to Gummy Bears When

Placed in Different Liquids

Third Place:

Joseph Clay (1st grade) - The Popcorn Project

Fourth Grade
First Place:

Devin Cataldo - My Robotic Illustrator

Second Place:

Giavanna MoscardinoAreodynamics

Third Place:

Kate SamlihanBird Feeders

Fifth Grade
First Place:

Connor NocherDiaper Duty

Second Place:

Jonathan SerresHow to Get More From a Solar Panel

Third Place:

Nicholas TarryWill Lima Beans Grow In Different Conditions

The Science Fair Winners! Pictured from left to right: Amiyah Gumbs, Jonathan
Serres, Connor Nocher, Giavanna Moscardino, Devin Cataldo, Ethan Walker and
Joseph Clay. (Missing from photo: Kate Samlihan and Nicholas Tarry)

For Earth Day, Mrs. Megnas 2nd

grade class celebrated by making
something creative from only recycled items.

The Moriches Third Grade Recycle Fair. Pictured above are all the different
things made out of recycled materials. Pictured below is Drew Wiegand from
Ms. Robertsons class who made a whole drum set!

Moriches DEC School Seedling Program

On Earth Day, seedlings from the DEC School Seedling Program were planted on the
Moriches School grounds. Diana White is a great science resource and shared the
information with teachers. Moriches Kindergarten teacher, Melissa Connolly, thought
this was a great way to involve students in fun hands-on science learning. Planting and
caring for a tree seedling can help young people learn about the natural world and the
value of trees in it. DEC's School Seedling Program provides New York State students
with this experience. Students learned about what plants need in order to grow. The
seedlings planted were from the Wildlife Packet which consists of Highbush Cranberry
shrub, Silky Dogwood hedge, and a Pine shrub. These seedlings will grow to be
attractive to songbirds as well as a variety of other wildlife. Students had an
opportunity to get their hands dirty and help these seedlings take root. As seedlings
mature, the young trees can be a continuing, personalized way of relating what they've
learned in class to visible, living examples. Students become aware that they can play
a role in protecting the environment.

CLASSROOM DOOR CONTEST

Mrs. Churillas class welcomed Mrs. Schoefer, Lincoln Schoefers mother. She
came in to talk to the class about photography. She explained to the students
how all of her equipment works. She also showed them how you can edit a
picture after it is taken by using a computer software program.

Mrs. Jonaitis class

welcomed Mrs.
Jonaitis daughter,
Cassie. She spoke
to the class about
becoming a
Registered Nurse.

Dr. Amy Meyer visited

Mrs. Megnas 2nd
grade class. Dr. Meyer
taught the class all
about STEM! Each
child became an
engineer and built
their own Bristlebot.
Shown to the left, is
Dr. Meyers son, Jack,
assisting his mom.

In the picture below,

some of the 2nd graders in Mrs. Megnas
class dressed up for
career day.

Mrs. Dunbars 2nd Grade Class

welcomed many people for
Career Week. Pictured to the left
is Mr. Schoefer, Evan Schoefers
father. Mr. Schoefer, is a Physicist
at Brookhaven National Labs.

Pictured above is Ms. Ashley

Appice, who works for the New
York City Police Department.

Pictured to the left is Ms.

Nicole Felice Cruz, who is an
Assistant District Attorney.

Students from Mrs. Kadletzs 1st grade class and Ms. Robertsons 3rd grade class
welcomed Mr. Blankenship (Dwight and Gavins father) into their class during
career week. He is a member of the Nassau County SWAT Division.

Ms. Robertsons class also had a visit from Mr. Speruta; a retired NYPD officer. He
shared many stories of his time on the force and brought in some awesome
equipment for the students to examine.

Pictured above are the many Career Week visitors for Mrs. Haskins, Mrs. Fassino
and Mrs. Pantkes classes. Some of the careers that the students were introduced
to were: Police Officer, Librarian, Hair Dresser, Firefighter, UPS Driver, Speech
Pathologist and a Tax & Financial Consultant.

Mr. Klein, father of Luke and Kyle

Klein, is a police officer with the New
York City Police Department. He is
shown here sketching some of the
students in the classes he visited.

Members of the Shirley Ambulance Company visited several classes during Career
Week. Above is Taylor Beltramini, who volunteered to help show how the equipment they carry on board the ambulance works and how it can help to save a life.
Pictured below is Mr. Megna and Mrs. Johnsons class.

Every year the Suffolk Zone New York State Association for
Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (NYS
AHPERD) recognizes one boy and one girl from each elementary (Grade 5) and middle school (Grade 8) in Suffolk County for
his/her outstanding performance, leadership and excellence in
the Physical Education. On May 4th at Longwood High School,
Nicholas Tarry from Ms. Haskins class and Lilly Savnik from Mr.
Megnas class received this award. They were selected by their
physical education teachers. These students have performed
well in the areas of fitness, citizenship and leadership.
Congratulations to Nick and Lilly!

Moriches Elementary June 2016 Calendar Of Events

06/01

06/01
06/01
06/02
06/02
06/02
06/03
06/06
06/07
06/07
06/07
06/07
06/08
06/08
06/08
06/09
06/09
06/10
06/10
06/10
06/13
06/14
06/15
06/15
06/17
06/19
06/20
06/22
06/23

Field Day 3rd Grade 8:45a.m.-10:45a.m.

Field Day Kindergarten 11:45a.m.-1:45p.m.
Moriches PTO Mtg., 4:30p.m.; Moriches Library
Field Day 5th Grade 8:45a.m.-10:45a.m.
Field Day 2nd Grade 11:45a.m.-1:45p.m.
4th Grade Orchestra Full Rehearsal; 2:10-3:10p.m.
5th Grade PACA trip re. transition (PACA students); 9:00a.m.-12:00noon
Grade 4 NYS Science Written Test
Field Day 4th Grade 8:45a.m.-10:45a.m.
5th Grade WFMS Trip re. transition; 9:40a.m.-11:50a.m.
Field Day 1st Grade 11:45a.m.-1:45p.m.
2nd Grade Field Trip to LI Game Farm; 10:00a.m.-1:30p.m.
4th Grade Vanderbilt Museum Van @ Moriches
4th Grade Band Full Rehearsal; 2:10-3:10p.m.
4th Grade Band/Orchestra Concert; 2:10-3:10p.m.; Moriches Cafeteria
3rd Grade Trip to Vanderbilt Museum; 8:30a.m.-1:30p.m.; Centerport
4th Grade Vanderbilt Museum Van @ Moriches
Kindergarten Field Trip to BayWay Theater; 8:30-11:15a.m., East Islip
2nd Grade Picnic (per schedule)
5th Grade Dance; 5:30-7:00p.m.; Moriches Gym
3rd Grade Vanderbilt Museum Van @ Moriches
3rd Grade Vanderbilt Museum Van @ Moriches
3rd Grade Picnic (per schedule)
4th Grade Picnic (per schedule)
5th Grade Picnic (per schedule)
HAPPY FATHERS DAY
5th Grade Moving Up Ceremony; 9:00a.m.
EARLY DISMISSAL @ 11:10A.M.
EARLY DISMISSAL @ 11:10A.M LAST DAY OF SCHOOL