Elementary schools make the grade
Schools recognized by the state for high performance
MAY 2005—Three
Middletown elementary schools made the state’s list of "high
performing/gap closing" schools this year. Schools on the
list met all state standards in English and math in 2004-05
and showed Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) and higher
performance during two consecutive school years.
In late spring, students
and staff at Chorley Elementary, Maple Hill Elementary and
Mechanicstown Elementary received congratulations from
Commissioner Richard Mills as well as a
certificate recognizing their school's achievement.
“These schools and
districts are leading New York forward to accomplish our
dual goal of increasing student achievement while closing
the gap in student performance,” Mills said.
Event at
school promotes reading
MAY 2005—Bookies and Cookies was held at the school
this May. Several guest readers, who volunteered their time
to visit the school, read aloud to students, while enjoying
homemade cookies. Books and displays made by each class,
based on the theme of the Fifty States, were also on
showcase during the event.
At right: Principal Fred
Griffin reads to children as part of the Bookies
and Cookies event.
Author brings book
characters to life for students
MAY
2005—Author
and illustrator, Dominic Catalano, visited Truman Moon
Primary Center and Chorley Elementary School during the
first week of May as part of the Middletown City School
District's Arts-in-Education programming.
He delighted students
with stories from his childhood about his developing
interest in drawing and demonstrated his art by doing an
airbrush illustration of Bernard, one of the characters
from his books.
As an illustrator and
author of children's picture books Catalano says, "I find it
a privilege and an honor to visit schools and talk with
young people about my work and the book publishing industry.
My programs are designed to meet the needs of students at
all levels."
Students and staff pitch on Arbor Day
APRIL 2005—Students and staff in Middletown planted
trees in celebration of Arbor Day—a nationally
celebrated observance which began in 1872 that encourages tree
planting.
First
graders at Chorley pitched in by planting a tree at
the school donated by the Middletown Lions Club.
Queen Nur visits Chorley
APRIL 2005—Storyteller Karen Nur El-Amin visited the school on April 5,2005, and
treated students to stories, songs and dances celebrating
African-American Heritage.
Students sang along as
Queen Nur paid tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
and other African-Americans that have influenced our
county. The show also featured traditional stories,
drumming, some songs, and rap.
Students learn about
the environment thanks to the Orange
County Soil & Water Conservation District
MARCH 2005—Kris Breitenfeld, from
the Orange County Water & Soil Conservation District,
visited with Chorley K-1 students throughout the week
of March 27,2005, to teach children about trees, soil,
animals and the water cycle.
First graders got a
first hand look at how the water cycle works and
Breitenfled also worked with kindergarteners on
identifying animals and gave them a lesson on trees,
soil and wood.
Students spend
Valentine's Day with local residents
FEB. 2005—In the spirit of
Valentine’s Day, about 100 Chorley Elementary School
first graders, along with staff, visited residents at
St. Teresa's Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center to
sing songs and hand out Valentine’s Day gifts.
"Our trip to the
nursing home was a great experience for all," said
Julie Nolan, first grade teacher. "At a young age
these students are learning the importance of being
part of a community."
Full-day kindergarten program launched
SEPT. 2005—On Sept. 12, 2005, kindergartners learned their way around Chorley Elementary School as the
first day of Middletown’s full-day kindergarten program
was launched.
According to Dr. Darlene McDonough, Director for
Elementary Education, children need to acquire
competencies earlier in their school careers because of
the greater demands placed on students by
standards-based curriculum and New
York State assessments.
“Increasing the number of hours children attend
kindergarten will help to level
the playing field for those students who were not
afforded quality preschool experiences,” she said.
“Full-day kindergarten will provide our students with
more time to obtain support and to further develop and
practice cognitive, physical, social, and emotional
skills in a nurturing and enriching environment with
other children under the guidance and coaching of highly
qualified, certified teachers.”
Teachers will also benefit from the full-day too, said
Dr. McDonough. “Teachers in a full-day program can
develop a better balance between the cognitive
activities and affective/social activities that children
need in the future to function as valuable contributors
to society.”
The full-day program will allow time for “daily
specials” including: art; music; physical education; and
library/technology. English as a Second Language (ESL)
and bilingual education services are offered at Chorley as are breakfast and lunch within the
school day, and an active recess time.
The student-teacher ratio for full-day kindergarten was
also lowered this year to 18-1 in an effort to add to
students’ success.
