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The TOAST Times - City School District of Albany Flipbook PDF
Upcoming TOAST Events: Please check our website for updates March 2010 • Wednesday, March 17th: TOAST T-Shirt Day; wear
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The TOAST Times Volume 3, No. 4
March/April, 2010
Thomas O’Brien Academy of Science & Technology http://toast.albany.k12.ny.us/ Principal: Mr. Timothy Fowler Co-Editors: Mrs. Reynolds-Hoffman & Ms. Whipple Theme Team: Mr. Fowler, Mrs. Florance, Mr. Flynn, Mrs. Ingleston, Mr. Olmstead, Ms. Whipple From the Desk of Mr. Fowler: Spring is in the Air, I don’t know about you, but I’m looking forward to warmer weather and getting outdoors a bit more! First, I just wanted to give a big shout out to all who participated in our Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and first MST Night. It was a huge success! Also, I wanted to acknowledge the fabulous job our students, music staff, and Ma Reynolds did this month with the musical. As we begin preparing for next year, please let us know if you plan on moving out of the District or change schools for your child. This helps us give accurate information to the Magnet Office for enrollment purposes. Also, we are looking for more second graders for next year’s class. If you know of friends or family who are interested, please encourage them to apply for the upcoming magnet lottery. Lastly, the April break is fast approaching. This means that most of our students will be engaged in preparation for the NYS Assessments for Grades 3-8. Even our primary student’s will be assessed in their reading levels. Things that you can do to assist are: make sure your child has a good night of sleep, eats breakfast each morning, and has good attendance. As many of you know, times have changed and school is so much more involved in academic performance than it used to be years ago. However, it’s also good to remember to keep a good balance. We can only encourage the children to work hard and do their best, as we try to keep learning fun! Mr. Fowler From the Desk of the Home School Coordinator: Spring is right around the corner and with that being said so is outside recess! Please make sure to remember that the School Rules hold true on the playground and in the park at recess time. We want all of our students to enjoy the nice weather and get a chance to get some fresh air and have a little break from their day in a SAFE, RESPECTFUL environment. We need to remember to respect others space and their property. We also need to remember to take turns and share equipment outside so that all students get the opportunity to enjoy whatever the activity they chose for recess time. Be mindful of the Lunch Aides and School Staff and make sure to follow directions at all times. Also, if a situation does arise please remember not to take actions into your own hands but seek the assistance of an adult! Ms. Cascone
Upcoming TOAST Events: Please check our website for updates
March 2010 • • • • •
Wednesday, March 17th: TOAST T-Shirt Day; wear your favorite TOAST T-Shirt Wednesday, March 17th: All City Strings Concert; 7:00 pm at Hackett Middle School Monday, March 22nd: Basketball Game: TOAST Techs vs. Sheridan; 4:00 pm at VI Tuesday, March 23rd: AAA Safety Assembly for primary grades; 9:00-10:00 am—Auditorium Thursday, March 25th: TOAST Science Fair Night; 6:00-7:30 pm in the Large Gym
• • • •
April 2010
Friday, April 2nd: NO SCHOOL; Good Friday Monday, April 5th through Friday, April 9th: NO SCHOOL; Spring Recess Tuesday, April 13th: TOAST PTA Meeting; 6:30 pm Friday, April 16th: Magnet Lottery for PreK-6 grade--will be held in TOAST's Auditorium for all Magnet Schools (TOAST, ASH, Montessori). For more information, please go to: http://www.albanyschools.org/Academics/MagnetSchools/MagnetProgam.html • Friday, April 16th: Joseph Henry Science Fair at St. Rose • Friday, April 16th: Crazy Feet Day • Thursday, April 22nd: TOAST T-shirt day; wear your favorite TOAST T-Shirt • Thursday, April 22nd: Earth Day Picture Gallery: Have you checked out our picture gallery lately? The TOAST Times: Pictures are added on a weekly basis. To view Just a reminder that our newsletters pictures, just go to: are posted on our school website. If you http://toast.albany.k12.ny.us/picturegallery.htm would like to receive an email when they are posted rather than a hard copy, please email Mr. Olmstead at [email protected] Please include your name, child’s name, child’s teacher and your email address. Thank you.
DO YOU KNOW…friends or neighbors who have children? Please tell them all about TOAST so they can apply to the Magnet Lottery. The application deadline is March 31st. Please call 475-6551 for more information.
Websites for you to check out! Scholastic—Census Activities For Families: http://www.scholastic.com/census/united-states/families.htm Earth Day Crafts & Projects: http://holidays.kaboose.com/earth-day/ Spring Games: http://resources.kaboose.com/games/spring-online-games.html Activity TV: www.activitytv.com/games Kids Know It: www.kidsknowit.com/ Ben & Jerry’s: www.benjerry.com/fun/ Julia’s Rainbow Corner: http://juliasrainbowcorner.com Little Animals Activity Center: www.bbc.co.uk/schools/laac/menu.shtml Memory Games: http://users.netrover.com/~kingskids/memory.htm Switcheroo Zoo: www.switcheroozoo.com Ms. Whipple
Kindergarten News: We're past 100 days and the projects that came in were wonderful. We had so much fun counting to 100 and really enjoyed visiting each others 100th Day Museums. Thank you for your hard work and support. February was Black History Month and we enjoyed learning about many important African Americans, such as Jackie Robinson and Jesse Owens. March 2nd was Dr. Seuss' Birthday. We tried green eggs and learned that you can't judge something by appearance. We must try new things before we know if we like them. We read a lot of fun Dr. Seuss books and talked about rhyming. Please have us practice rhyming for you at home. This is an important skill that will help your child’s reading and writing. We are beginning "How-To" books in writing and it would help us if you could discuss things that your child knows how to do. For example, have your child tell you how to get ready for bed, brush their teeth, or tie their shoes. Homework packets have been coming home with your child each week. Please work on these important skills with your child each night and return the packets on Friday. Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to our field trip on March 15th and can't wait to tell you all about it.
Second Grade News: The Second Grades have been busy. This month we have been learning about Famous African Americans. We have read a number of books and went to the Albany Visitors Center and Planetarium to learn about the Freedom Trail. During the month of March we will have been fortunate enough to see 3 performances-the school play, “Frog and Toad” and a performance by the Schenectady Children's Theater. We are also starting to work on some service learning projects. One of the service learning projects is to participate in the Health Fair. Come visit us at the Health Fair in April.
Greetings from the Third Grade! Third graders have been busy doing research on Famous African Americans and working diligently on creating a PowerPoint presentation on the individual they researched! Third Graders are excited to be learning all about multiplication in math! We have also started preparing for the New York State English Language Arts in Exam that takes place the week of April 26th. Be sure to ask us about the test taking strategies we have acquired!
Fourth Grade Facts: The year is flying by in 4th grade! Our students are learning about the scientific process to prepare for the Science Fair. How are you doing with your project? We are using our agendas to keep us organized and list homework and special dates like the State tests. Keep advised so you will be prepared! Is your agenda signed every night? Every student is working toward the goal of reading 100 books for the Readers to Leaders Program. Students should be reading at least 45 minutes each night. Try to read many different genres- you just might find something new that you like! Are you keeping track of the titles you read?
Fifth Grade Updates: Have you ever wondered if a basketball bounces better in the summer or in the winter? Well one of our science fair projects hopes to give us the answer to that question. All 5th graders are required to turn in their projects to Mrs. Holley during the week of March 18-March 24. Each student has been assigned a day on which to turn in their project. See you at the TOAST Science Fair on Thursday, March 25th. Good luck to all our scientists! -Mrs. Holley Thanks to the Broadway Revue, learning about the Constitution was so much easier for my fifth grade students. We finished up our Revolutionary War unit and moved on to westward expansion, the War of 1812, and we are headed into the gathering storm of the Civil War. -Mr. Costello Fifth graders are continuing to work with decimals in math class. We have moved from adding and subtracting decimals to multiplying and dividing decimals. We will soon begin preparing for the upcoming New York State math test that will be administered on May 5th and 6th. -Mrs. Chainyk
News from 214!!!! Can you believe we are already into the month of March????? We are looking forward to the warm spring weather, which will hopefully lead us on more field trips. We would like to congratulate the following students for excellence in homework completion! Way to go Chyna Taplin, Elisha Fallen, Deshaun Thomas, Samantha Soto, Erick BlandingMarshall, and Byonce Whitted, you are on the right path! We look forward to all of our trips coming up this spring! We want to wish Ms. Teal good luck as she moves onto her new student teaching placement, and welcome Ms. Mink! Ms. Haggerty, Ms. McCaffrey, Mr. Bisanz and Ms. Teal
News from the Museum Room We had several classes visit the Albany Planetarium to see the star show “Follow the Drinking Gourd”. Erin Kinal from Pinebush Discovery Center, Carol Ann Margolis from the Albany Visitors Center and Truemaster from the New York State Museum all brought fun programs to TOAST. We learned about the Pine Bush and its winter habitats. The 3rd grade continues to work with Mrs. Margolis on the Heritage Garden Program. Many classes went to Early Bird Programs at the New York State Museum. We arrive at 9am, before the Museum opens for special programs. The Museum Program has been very busy indeed! Mrs. Ingleston
What's Going On In Art? TOAST students are having a great time in art class while working very hard on their art projects. Projects range from being an "Impressionist Painter" like Van Gogh and Monet, planning and creation of plaster-paris masks to painting rainbows, making "Texture Teddies" and learning how to weave on looms. The new "TOAST ART GALLERY" has just opened in the main office. Feel free to check it out!! -Mrs. Wright
Library Lowdown Our Library Media Center has become a hub of activity lately! To mark Black History month, students were immersed in books celebrating and reflecting on the lives of brave and heroic individuals. Not only have classes enjoyed books and stories but we’ve all interacted with ideas and literature using our new SmartBoard! Many of you were able to check out the SmartBoard yourselves at our “Ribbon-Cutting/Math, Science and Technology Showcase.” Perhaps, you also met our TOAST Scratchers! The “Scratchers” have been hard at work in the Media Center designing unique and exciting computer programs and will be presenting their skills at a professional conference at the College of Saint Rose. During the week of Dr. Seuss’ birthday, we were able to enjoy several Seuss titles such as The Cat in the Hat and Green Eggs and Ham. Some classes were even treated to a Read Across America event featuring State Librarian Bernard Margolis, Albany County Executive Michael Breslin, and Albany Public Library Director Carol Nersinger reading some “Seussian” rhymes. And, of course, we’ve all been enjoying our new space! Keep Reading! --Mrs. Florance
NEWS FROM THE HEALTH OFFICE MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!!! ON SUNDAY JUNE 6TH, THE TOAST FAMILIES ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN “KIDNEY WALK DAY” AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBANY. THERE WILL BE A KIDDIE CARNIVAL, PONY RIDES, CLOWNS, ENTERTAINMENT AND FOOD. THE WALK REQUIRES THE FAMILY TO GET A SPONSOR; ANY AMOUNT FROM $1.00 UP IS GREAT. IT IS A 2 MILE WALK AROUND THE CAMPUS. TOAST STUDENTS WHO PARTICIPATE WILL BE WEARING SPECIAL TSHIRTS THAT WILL IDENTIFY THEM. STAY TUNED FOR MORE DETAILS IN A FLYER TO BE SENT HOME. MS. GREENWOOD
News From The Science Lab: --Our TOAST Junior LEGO Teams did a great job at SUNY Albany this past month. They presented their projects and demonstrated their LEGO machines for all to see. -- Two of our former Jr. LEGO students are teaching a group of fourth grade students how to build a Smart Moves Model during several lunch periods. --The Science lab was filled with parents after ribbon cutting as fourth and fifth grade students demonstrated how and why we hear sound and how sound travels through solids and gases. --Our March bird watch was a success. We saw a hawk, lots of crows and we had a great time exploring TOAST's beautiful natural surroundings. We also found crow footprints! -- The Rippin' Rocket Roller Coaster Club has been meeting during lunch and they are deciding what to build next. Something BIG I bet. -- THE SOAP BOX DERBY CAR IS UNDERWAY!!! The first team of fifth graders began work on the 'TOAST MOBILE' last week. I will be meeting with students each week as we prepare for the race in June. I am happy to announce that ALL FIFTH GRADE STUDENTS WILL GET A CHANCE TO BUILD. --Finally…TOAST SCIENCE FAIR is March 25, 2010 from 6-7:30 in the gym. THANKS, Mr. Flynn
Computer Lab News: Students have been learning more about the SMARTBoard and have been excited to use it during class; they really love all of our new technology!! Students in grades 4 and 5 have been busy learning how to create tracks in GarageBand and adding and manipulating their voices. Next, they will be learning how to make a podcast. 5th graders will also be receiving an email account, writing emails to community members and being paired with an “epal” to correspond with. 3rd graders have completed their research and PowerPoint presentations on famous African Americans. Keep an eye out for their presentations on the TV in the Main Lobby; they did a fabulous job! Almost all of the primary students can now log on to their accounts without any help~great job! Upcoming lessons include internet safety, accessing reading, math and theme websites and creating PowerPoint slideshows. Ms. Whipple
TOAST Museum Night TOAST Family Night at the New York State Museum was so much fun and a great success! Over 175 students, friends and family members took part in face painting, Dutch house building, roller coaster building and so much more. The staff at the museum pulled out all the stops to ensure our students and their families would have a great time and we did. Besides a well planned evening of fun, we kicked off the Museum Passport Program. Students picked up their passports to travel to local museums. For each visit students will get their passport stamped. Those who fill their passport get a free pass to the sleepover at the New York State Museum in the spring. We are off to a great start. A special mention to TOAST PTA for donating cookies & juice. Mrs Ingleston HEALTH AND WELLNESS NEWS: OUR HEALTH FAIR WILL BE APRIL 28TH FROM 5:00-7:00 PM IN THE LARGE GYM. THERE WILL BE LOTS OF PARTICIPANTS EAGER TO SHARE THERE EXPERTISE IN MANY AREAS SUCH AS EXERCISE, NUTRITION, DIABETES AND INTERNET SAFETY. THERE WILL BE LOTS OF GIVEAWAYS AND A RAFFLE FOR PRIZES. CHILI WILL BE AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE AND THE 5TH GRADES ARE HOSTING A HEALTHY DESSERT COOK-OFF!!!! IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO VOLUNTEER TO HELP OUT, PLEASE CONTACT MRS. GREENWOOD IN THE HEALTH OFFICE.