Well, it is hard to believe that we have reached the end of another successful school year here at Cantiague - for most of us, our seventh year together as a collective team... a team that is dedicated to doing what is in the best interest of ALL children. It is hard to believe that over the last 10 months we have made #GeniusHour the norm, we were named a 2015 Model School and thanks to your support and patience, I was able to successfully complete my dissertation. If that wasn't enough, you all made this year incredibly positive for me as I experienced several major transitions in my personal life - THANK YOU!
Being the Lead Learner of this school is such a gift for me because literally not a day goes by where I don't learn something new or see something that impresses me or experience something that makes an impression on me. Our school is the model for what every elementary school should look like - forget about test scores and educator evaluations - every school should just model themselves after our school and not only will children be college and career ready but will be LIFE ready because they are happy, secure and feel incredibly valued. Thank you all for another incredible year filled with critical thinking, engaged learning and happy kids who genuinely love coming to school!
Of course, we wouldn't be able to do the things we do in our classrooms if it weren't for certain support structures that are in place that help facilitate learning. First and foremost, thank you to Laura and Pam for all of their hard work each and every day. Many people would argue that the tone of the Main Office directly impacts the climate of the rest of the building. Well, it is clear to me that our Main Office is a positive and joyful place where people feel supported and children/families feel welcomed, which can be seen in every one of our classrooms too. Laura - you have held down the fort in Pam's absence and Pam - we miss you and cannot wait for you to come back! Special thanks to Elaine and Debbie for helping out too!
Additionally, I want to thank Joey, Joe, Edwin, Omar, Marcel and Eduardo (our incredible custodial crew) for keeping our building clean, beautiful and safe. Without this dedicated team, who approach their work with pride and thoroughness, none of us would want to be in this space (trust me, I have seen some nasty schools) and our children wouldn't be as available to learning! Finally, I want to thank our amazing part-time aides who do so much to support the smooth running of our school. Thank you Janet, Debbie, Elaine, Chris, Diane and Melinda for all that you do each day for our staff and kids - your jobs are not easy ones but we appreciate and value your daily efforts in keeping the students safe and supporting different spaces in the building! Cantiague is a special place because every member of the community plays a critical role - THANK YOU!
Congratulations again to Ginny, Lorraine, Diane and Janet on their retirements - we will miss you! To everyone moving on to a new job, grade level or phase in their lives - best of luck! And to everyone getting married or having a baby or any other life changing event - I wish you the best! For me, this summer will mark a huge change because I am moving to Pelham Manor with Felix and starting a new chapter in my life that I cannot wait to share with Paul.
So, please know that all of the above will mark our #EduWins for this week - it seems fitting as we close out the year. Please note this Fast Friday Focus will cover the last two weeks of school so please hold on to it!
Finally, I hope that EVERYONE will leave a comment this week to share their HIGHLIGHT of the 2014-2015 school year. It is easy to do and will only take a couple of minutes... do it from a desktop computer - it will be easier!
Tech Tip of the Week...
Take this summer to try something new... explore a new blog; try out a new app or find a passion to explore! This will be a great way to prepare for the 2015-2016 school year.
SCHEDULE OF THE WEEK...
Monday, June 15
"A" Week
I will be meeting with teachers over the next two weeks for our End of Year Evaluations!
I will be meeting with teachers over the next two weeks for our End of Year Evaluations!
Tuesday, June 16
F.E.O. at 3pm in the Library.
SEPTA Awards Night - 7pm MS Library
(I will be out of the building this morning because Paul is graduating from 5th Grade)
SEPTA Awards Night - 7pm MS Library
(I will be out of the building this morning because Paul is graduating from 5th Grade)
Wednesday, June 17
Happy Wednesday... the last FULL Wednesday of the year!
Thursday, June 18
Jericho Public Library Summer Reading presentations - 2nd Computer Lab throughout the morning (see the email for the schedule)
Pre-Paid Ice Cream Sale
Final Board of Ed Meeting Honoring Retirees!
Pre-Paid Ice Cream Sale
Final Board of Ed Meeting Honoring Retirees!
Friday, June 19
Happy Friday!
Kindergarten Open House - 8:45am
Guys Do Recess
End of Year Staff Party - Carolyn's House
Kindergarten Open House - 8:45am
Guys Do Recess
End of Year Staff Party - Carolyn's House
Monday, June 22
"B" Week
Gr. 5 Moving Up at 9am!
Gr. 5 Moving Up Party - 6pm
Gr. 5 Moving Up at 9am!
Gr. 5 Moving Up Party - 6pm
Tuesday, June 23
F.E.O. at 3pm in the Library
LAST FULL DAY OF SCHOOL
LAST FULL DAY OF SCHOOL
Wednesday, June 24
Students dismissed at 11:45am
Thursday, June 25
Students dismissed at 11:45am
Friday, June 26
Happy LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!
Zoom and Zip into SUMMER!!!
Zoom and Zip into SUMMER!!!
Kids' Korner
During the PTA Picnic Around the World a mom pulled me aside and said, "Dr. Sinanis, Cantiague is really a special place that creates such a positive and warm feeling - that is why I come to every event here because that is missing in many other parts of the world!" BOOM! That says it all!
Pics of the Week...
Check out the last two Cantiague's Week in Tweets - click on the following links to see our Pics of the Week...
Great year! Love being part of the Cantiague Family! Adam
ReplyDeleteWow! What a productive and incredibly busy (& sometimes nutty) year! So many things to highlight this year...one highlight is getting the opportunity to help support teachers administer the F&P! I TRULY enjoyed the experience. It allowed me to work with everyone in a different capacity and I LOVED it!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the move Tony! That's sounds like a wonderful new beginning for you. Thank you to all of my Cantiague Family for making my return to work such a pleasant experience. It wasn't easy leaving Colton so soon, but from the moment I stepped back in the building I was embraced by warmth and thoughtfulness. I hope everyone has a wonderful summer with their loved ones. :)
ReplyDeleteMy first year in third grade has been full of adjustments, challenges, and accomplishments! I'm starting to look forward to next year, but of course, SUMMER first!
ReplyDeleteI have been in many classrooms and seen the math our students are doing. I am very impressed with the growth at all levels, since we've started Math In Focus. So a huge highlight for me is seeing these children rise to the challenges of this math program. I am also thrilled with how well the teachers are learning and teaching using the Singapore Math philosophy!
ReplyDeleteMy first year here at Cantiague has been great! I'm so grateful I had the opportunity to work with and be a part of such a wonderful and dedicated staff. I've explored the world of technology more this year and created my first Touch Cast highlighting the Learning Center. This was a lot of fun and a great experience. I look forward to what next year brings!!
ReplyDeleteThis has been another great year for us as a team. A highlight is just being able to watch the kids grow, both socially and academically, from the beginning of the year until the end. We are looking forward to another successful year together. Hope everyone has a wonderful summer!
ReplyDeleteEach year I look for the mini-miracles or the baby steps that the children take in their social and emotional development. I can say that I have seen this in many of our students in all grade levels. This couldn't happen without the dedication of the teachers and aides I work with who become the therapist, the behavior specialist, the mom, in addition to extraordinary educators to these children! I am so proud and grateful to work with such a supportive group of individuals!! Happy Summer to all - no one deserves it more!!
ReplyDeleteMy first year here at Cantiague has been an amazing experience. My colleagues welcomed me with open arms and made it such a memorable experience. Reflecting back on the year, I think the kids really enjoyed all of the technology we utilized this year. From volume minecraft and kidblog, the smiles and laughter was endless. It was a great year and I can't wait to do it all again next year! -Jess Malone
ReplyDelete