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School 81

Newsletter Fall 2018

Denise Cobbs Assistant Principal

Nicholas Klaich Principal

Ryan Shepherd Assistant Principal

Buffalo Public School 81 140 Tacoma Avenue Buffalo, New York 14216 (716) 816-4060

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Table of Contents

Letter to the Parents PG. 3 National Junior Honor Society PG. 4 World Wildlife Fund PG. 5 Guidance Office PG. 5 Pre-K PG. 6 Kindergarten PG. 6 First Grade PG. 7 Second Grade PG. 7 Third Grade PG. 8 Fourth Grade PG. 8 Fifth Grade PG. 9 Sixth Grade PG. 10 Junior High ELA PG. 11 Junior High Math PG. 12 Junior High Science PG. 13 Junior High Social Studies PG. 13 Technology PG. 14 Home & Careers PG. 14 Music Department PG. 15 Art Department PG. 16 Physical Education Department PG. 16 Reading Department PG. 17 Math Department PG. 17 Speech Department PG. 18

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Dr. Kriner Cash Superintendent

November 7th, 2018 Dear Parents/ Guardians, Remind your child that 1st quarter grades close, Thursday, November 8th. We want to thank you for sending your son/daughter to us each and every day on time. Please discuss with your son/ daughter the importance of completing all assignments, doing their best work and reaching their full potential at School 81. Their attendance at School 81 is critical to their success. School 81 is currently at 95% daily average attendance for the school year. As inclement weather approaches, please be reminded to drive safely at our morning arrival/ dismissal and respect the right of way of other cars, our buses and pedestrians. Be reminded that School 81 does not open its doors to students until 9AM; please do not drop off students before this time. We thank you for not picking up your child early from school as this does cause disruption of their school day. Be reminded that any change in dismissal must be through a parent note (preferred) or phone call to the main office. Change of dismissal cannot be accommodated after 3:15.

Pre-K to Grade 5 – Continue to read nightly with your child. School 81 participates in the Principal’s Reading Challenge on a monthly basis, competing with other district schools. All students have access to MYON – an online library of books.

Grades 2 to 4 – Every student has access to Reflex Math online computer program, please ask your teacher for log in information if you do not have it already.

K to 6 students have access to Lexia – an online program through Clever.

Grades 7 to 8 students – access to Lexia and I-Ready Math. Ask your child if they have been using the program/ if they have log in information. Both of these programs can be used at home or at the local library with internet access.

6th grade students are working diligently on the Global Scholars Program. Finally, continue to look at our school website and monthly flyers for upcoming school 81 dates. Sincerely, Nicholas Klaich Denise Cobbs Ryan Shepherd Principal Assistant Principal Assistant Principal

“Putting children and families first to ensure high academic achievement for all”

BUFFALO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

School #81

Nicholas Klaich, Principal

Denise Cobbs, Assistant Principal

Ryan Shepherd, Assistant Principal

140 Tacoma Avenue

Buffalo, New York 14216

(716) 816-4060

fax (716) 871-6041

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National Junior Honor Society

National Junior Honor Society is a leadership

organization which encourages students to succeed

through service, citizenship, and character. Each

fall, we invite students to apply to join. Seventh

and eighth grade students have received

applications to join National Junior Honor

Society. These applications are due November

30th.

Students who are invited to be in NJHS must have and maintain a minimum

grade point average of 85%. Grades are not the only

requirements. Students must show character, service, scholarship,

citizenship, and leadership in order to be invited to join. Candidates will

receive a letter on or before December 21 if they are accepted. We will

hold a formal induction ceremony in early February.

Friday November 30 will be our annual Caps For Kids Day. Students can wear

a cap to school for $1. All proceeds go to Caps for Kids to help purchase

caps and sports memorabilia for children undergoing cancer treatments.

We will again have a Giving Tree at School 81. Students may purchase

ornaments for $.50 for the tree. NJHS is still in the process of choosing

this years' charity. You may also send in mittens, scarves, and hats for the

tree. These items go directly to our students as needed. You may also send

in new unwrapped toys that we will send home to our families in need.

Linda Zakrzewski

NJHS Advisor

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World Wildlife Adoption

of the Month Club

Ms. Blake

Hello Nature Lovers!

Thank you to everyone who has purchased a ticket(s) for this very

important organization. The two baby Koalas and the two baby 2-toed

sloths have already been raffled off but there are still sixteen more

animals to be won. We have raised $253.00 so far, less than half of our

goal of $550.00. Tickets can be purchased until the end of the school year

for 50¢ each or 12 for $5.00. So if you haven’t entered the contest or you

would like to purchase more tickets, they are available from your child’s homeroom teacher or

from me in Room 120. Please know that all of the money we have raised is sent to the World

Wildlife Organization which helps animals and their habitats around the world.

Thank you,

Ms. Blake and the World’s Endangered Species

Guidance Office We are continuing to meet individually and in groups to complete our

8thgraders high school applications. The Buffalo Public Schools have

programs in place every high school to help all our students achieve

college and career success.

The goal of the Comprehensive School Counseling Program at School #81

is to address the needs of all students by helping them to acquire

competencies in personal, academic and career development domains. Students need skills in

these domains to succeed in school and in life.

A special thank you to all faculty, support staff, teachers and wonderful parents who reinforce

these skills every day.

Sincerely,

Dawn M. LaMendola School Counselor

Buffalo Public Schools, #79 & #81

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Pre-K

Kindergarten

Our Prek students have been busy adjusting to school routines. We have

been busy learning how to work and play together. We have been learning the letters of the alphabet to Gg. We have also been busy learning our beginning Math concepts and skills. We are looking forward to the coming Holiday Season in PreK. Please check your child's book bag and folder each night. Thank you for your continuing support.

Parents,

Thank you for all of your support this year!

Our classrooms are off to a great start and it is all

due to working cohesively to help our students progress

and achieve their goals! We are very thankful for being

diligent in helping your children complete all homework

assignments and reading logs each week. Also, thanks

again to those parents for helping out on our Pumpkin

Farm field trip. It was a lot of fun and a great

success! The workers at the farm complimented us

many times on how well our students behaved. That

really means a lot! Our fall celebration was another

wonderful event that the students really enjoyed. They

were able to parade through classrooms and the school

and show themselves off as well! Lastly, the

Kindergarten team also wanted to give you a little

update on where we are in our curriculum after the

first two months of school. The classes are doing a

wonderful job and their progress is undeniable!

Reading/ELA

-Introduced and reviewed letters Mm, Ss, Aa, Tt

-Learned sight words I, like, the, see, and, we

-Rhyming words

-Beginning sounds

-Word blends

-Oral vocabulary and sensory words

-Parts of speech

-Informative writing

Math

-Introduced and reviewed numbers 1-10 (oral and

written)

-Counting sets of objects

-Putting objects in groups (classifying)

-Introduced flat shapes

Social Studies

-We learned about rules/routines/procedures

-Jobs and different types of work

-School helpers

-Family

Science

-Living/Non-living things

-Things that make plants grow and what seeds are

-The way animals move

-Sinking/Floating

The Kindergarten Team

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First Grade

Second Grade

Parents/Guardians,

The school year has

started out great! The first

graders have been working

hard in both ELA and math.

Please remember these

young readers should be

reading every night.

We will be sending home a “Just for

You” binder with each student. This binder is

filled with some extra work that is

differentiated to your child’s needs. Please

send back the binder on Fridays so more work

can be added. Please see the blue page in the

front of the binder for more information.

We have been working on addition and

subtraction in math. As we move along to

word problems, it is very helpful to have

those facts memorized. Addition and

subtraction flashcards are a great way to

practice math facts. Flashcards can be found

at the dollar store, target, etc.

The students have enjoyed Science

Fridays! Thank you to all of the parents that

have sent in supplies for our science

experiments! The kids especially loved the

apple volcanoes, and cleaning out pumpkins!

We are so proud of how our students

behaved at the BPO field trip. The students

had a great time and enjoyed all the music.

The farm field trip was a blast! It was

fun to be out of the classroom and in a

pumpkin patch!

As always, thank you

for your ongoing support,

Mrs. Comerford, Mrs. Mendola, Mrs. Maurer,

& Miss. Reedy

Dear Second Grade Parents,

As our first quarter comes to an end, and

we begin the second quarter, we are

pleased to tell you that many second grade

students have begun the year well. We are

mastering classroom routines, and

experiencing success with spelling,

reading, math, social studies, and science

endeavors.

We are enjoying our new science

curriculum. Also, as our Journeys reading

curriculum often enhances social studies

and science topics, we will have a visit

from the Traveling Touch Tank from the

aquarium on November 28. The cost of

this special visit is to be covered by the

supplemental fee included in the student

supply list. If you have not sent in your

$5.00 yet, please try to do so .

You will soon be receiving your child’s

report cards. Please review both cards

with your child, encouraging them in areas

of concern.

As you may be out holiday shopping in the

near future, please remember to replenish

your child’s supply of pencils, glue sticks,

and crayons.

Thank you for all you do to help your child

experience success in second grade!

The Second Grade Teachers:

Ms. Hand

Mrs. McCabe

Mrs. Gompah

Mrs. Amico

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Third Grade

Fourth Grade

Students have settled into 3rd grade nicely. By

now our students should know the classroom

procedures, the school rules, and what is expected

of them as 3rd graders.

We are now a 1:1 Classroom! This means that all

third grade students have their own iPad. We use

them to enhance our learning and increase student

engagement.

In October, the third grade classes enjoyed the

sounds of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra at

Kleinhan’s Music Hall. Third-graders also enjoyed

their Halloween parade.

We have completed Unit 1 in ELA, and are almost

finished with Unit 2. Students have read and applied

strategies to respond to fictional and informational

texts. All classes completed the first District

Benchmark Assessment in ELA, which was comprised

of selections and questions from the 2016 NYS

Common Core ELA Assessment.

We encourage students to read independently

every night. Students also should be using myon.com

and mylexia.com to improve their phonics skills,

comprehension and fluency. Students are also

participating in the Principal’s Reading Challenge.

In Math, we have completed Module 1, which

focused on the properties of multiplication and

division. In Module 2, we focused on place value,

rounding, addition, subtraction and problem solving

with units of measurement. The District Benchmark

Assessment was recently administered. Students

should continue studying their multiplication

flashcards nightly as well as using Reflexmath.com

to improve their fluency.

It is very important that students have all of their

supplies for third grade. Please refer to the supply

list and replenish anything needed. Please do not

hesitate to contact us with any questions or

concerns.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Amato, Mrs. Joseph, Ms. McAuley, Ms. McCool

& Ms. White

Hello Parents/Guardians,

We hope everyone has a blessed and

restful Thanksgiving break. We need to

recharge and prepare for the long cold month

of December ahead! Attendance is crucial and

we need to be healthy and in school! Continue to

practice health and wellness behaviors like hand

washing, eating healthy foods, and getting

proper rest.

We are very proud to report that our

Buffalo History Museum tour on November 9th,

2018 was a great success. We learned about

this great “Queen City” and realize how lucky

we are to be a part of it and its history. A few

topics we learned about were the

Haudenosaunee. We were able to study a model

village, experience a walk-in longhouse, and

make our very own pinch pots. We also learned

about pioneer life in Buffalo Creek Village, as

well as the Pan-American Exposition. Many of

the children asked profound questions and had

insightful revelations regarding the topics.

We are proud of the way many of our

students ended the first quarter, working hard

and putting forth their best effort. We can

only ask that you continue this effort

throughout the year and really push yourselves

above and beyond! There is always room for

growth and improvement.

Thank you for all of your continued

support throughout this school year.

Sincerely,

The 4th Grade Team

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Fifth Grade

Upcoming Events

Winter Recess: December 24th – Jan. 1st

School Resumes: January 2nd

Martin Luther King Day: January 21st

Mid-Winter Recess: February 18th –22nd

Meet the

Teachers

Mrs. Clark: GClark@buffaloschools.org

Mrs. Day- LADay@buffaloschools.org

Mrs. Palumbo: SaraPalumbo@buffaloschools.org

Mrs. Tronolone: JTronolone@buffaloschools.org

Our Learning

Math (Module 1) Topic A: Multiplicative Patterns on the Place Value Chart Topic B: Decimal Fractions & Place Value Patterns Topic C: Place Value & Rounding Decimal Fractions Topic D: Adding and Subtracting Decimals Topic E: Multiplying Decimals Topic F: Dividing Decimals

Math (Module 2) Topic A: Mental Strategies for Multi-Digit Whole Number Multiplication Topic Topic B: The Standard Algorithm for Multi-Digit Whole Number Multiplication Topic C: Decimal Multi-Digit Multiplication Topic D: Measurement Word Problems with Whole Number and Decimal Multiplication Topic E: Mental Strategies for Multi-Digit Whole Number Division Topic F: Partial Quotients and Multi-Digit Whole Number Division Topic G: Partial Quotients and Multi-Digit Decimal Division

Reading (Unit 1 & 2) Lesson 1: A Package for Mrs. Jewels Lesson 2: A Royal Mystery Lesson 3: Off and Roaming Lesson 4: Double Dutch Lesson 5: Elisa’s Diary Lesson 6: Quest for the Tree Kangaroo Lesson 7: Old Yeller Lesson 8: Everglades Forever Lesson 9: Storm Warriors Lesson 10: Cougars

Continue to read every night! Continue to practice

multiplication facts (0-10)

At-Home Practice

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Sixth Grade It’s hard to believe we are already 10 weeks into the new school year! Please

continue to make sure your child is in school each and every day and is continuing to

complete all homework assignments. Also, check Parent Portal frequently as grades

are updated frequently in all subjects. This will give you an accurate picture of your

child’s current grades.

The 6th graders this year each received a computer for use in school. The 6th

graders have been learning many new programs on the computer, such as Microsoft

One Note, Power Up Lexia, and Prodigy. The students are able to use Power Up Lexia

online at home to earn extra credit for ELA. Please encourage your child to use this

program at home as it is a reading program tailored to meet the needs of each child

specifically.

Another program our 6th graders are participating in this year is Global

Scholars. Students have already begun speaking with students all around the world

and have posted their welcome videos to introduce themselves and our beautiful city.

We are working on setting up a Skype with students in London, England in the next

month or two.

In ELA, we will be working on an argument writing essay: “Should students be

allowed to use cellphones in school?” Sixth graders will be conducting research on

their computers and completing all of the steps in the essay writing process. The

students will be coming home with different steps in the research process and essay

writing to complete. Please encourage your child to keep up with the work so they do

not fall behind.

We are looking forward to a successful 2018-2019 school year. As always,

please feel free to contact us via e-mail or phone (716-816-4060).

Sincerely,

Mrs. Dmoch

Mrs. Golding

Mrs. Koscielski

Mrs. Williams

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Junior High ELA

7th & 8th Grade All students are preparing to pass the new demands of the Common Core

test. It is absolutely essential that students stay organized. Each student

should keep all ELA notes and worksheets in his or her ELA binder.

Students must complete all homework assignments completely, as missing

assignments add up quickly.

Seventh grade students have learned the proper symbols to edit a

sentence for grammar and punctuation. They have been working on how to properly write an

eight sentence short response paragraph by including text evidence and citations. In this unit,

students will make inferences from textual evidence about the differences in perspectives

from informational text. They will read Linda Sue Park’s A Long Walk to Water, and they will

study the history of the Sudan Civil War.

Eighth grade students have continued practicing their eight sentence paragraph format with

proper text citations. In this unit, they will explore the struggles of being a refugee in

Thanhha Lai’s Inside Out and Back Again. They will examine how word choice, or diction,

contributes to meaning and tone in literary and informational texts. Students have been

working rigorously to complete the eighth grade curriculum and additional texts and ninth grade

skills. They have introduced high level transition words into their writing. In this unit, they will

write a critical analysis essay comparing and contrasting the elements of the text with the

outside perspective of the reader and audience.

On November 8th students will have a guest speaker from Journey’s End Refugee Center. The

speaker will discuss how they help rehome refugees in Buffalo, and students will be able to

connect their refugee stories that they are reading in class directly to their community. During

the month of November, we will collect toiletries for Journey’s End.

Parents, please feel free to contact me at the email below with any questions or concerns that

you have. If you would like to receive free homework text messages, please subscribe to the

Remind app. A letter went home with each student in September.

Mrs. Ward-Pitman

Seventh and Eighth Grade ELA

eaward@buffaloschools.org

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Junior High Math

7th & 8th Grade

In 7th and 8th grade math class we need to work very hard to be

successful. In order to be successful, you need to have all your

work handed in on time.

Please keep your eye on parent portal in order to see your child's

grades that are updated every week.

Each student needs to always do your best by...

*coming to class prepared with pencil, paper, notebook, calculator, protractor and

ruler

*handing in all completed assignments, in pencil, on time and to the best of their

ability

*staying focused in class and complete all information taught

*doing your best in class and try to participate at least twice each day

*spending about 20 minutes each night reading the notes to review the material

taught in class if you have a question about some information you read you should

mark it and ask the next day in class

*raising your hand and ask a question if there is something that you do not

understand

*studying each day and prepare for each test

*always acting in a responsible and polite manner

*looking on parent portal weekly to check on your math grades

*using the informational videos on my web page to help learn the material taught

in the modules

You will be successful, if you always do your very best. Work hard. You can achieve

great things! Happy Holidays!

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Junior High Science

7th & 8th Grade

It's hard to believe that we have finished one third of

the school year already. All science students are reading

articles from Science World magazine that they choose

and writing in their journals. This is how we connect

science concepts taught in the classroom to the real world.

Grade 7 students are exploring the wonders of the human

body by learning about the systems that work together to

keep us alive. Grade 8 students are learning about

heredity, which is the passing of traits from parents to

offspring. Students will be able to use a Punnett Square to predict what the

offspring will look like.

Junior High Social Studies

7th & 8th Grade

Dear Parents/Guardians,

The school year has started off and is moving along very quickly.

Seventh graders are already working on the American

Revolution. Eighth graders are beginning their unit on the

Progressive Era.

Parents - please remember to ask for and review your child

lesson Plan Outline each A Day. this also requires your signature.

It will allow you to see what we are working on in class each day, each cycle. Also you

will be aware of what homework is each night as well as when tests are scheduled.

If you ever have any questions, or would like to meet - I am more than happy to do so.

Sincerely,

Mr. McKenzie

Social Studies 7 & 8

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Technology

This month in Technology the 6th grade students are finishing up

the simple machine catapults. They learn how to design and use

hand tools to fabricate and build a machine. The 7th grade classes are just finishing their gumball machines,

they are introduced to manufacturing. During this unit they will

design and fabricate 15 different parts and assemble them to make a gravity fed

gumball machine that actually works.

The 8th grade students designed and built a portable cell phone charger, so they

can now charge their phones while they are out on a hike and getting

exercise. They also designed their own Website on their new laptops.

Home and Careers . Grade 6 students have completed their

pillows and will soon begin their cooking

unit. We are learning about kitchen safety

and lab procedures.

Grade 7 students are almost done with their

day bags. Some students are making extra

bags for the Gingerbread Shop. Our food

unit this year will focus on healthy choices

and simple meals.

Grade 8 students did a wonderful job preparing and serving a Thanksgiving

luncheon for the staff. I received many compliments. Now it's time to teach

them how to make turkey soup!. They will now continue to make their lap top

bags. We are hoping to be done before the December break

Linda Zakrzewski

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Music Department

Mrs. Dormer

3rd grade students are practicing steady beat and singing together. We are using music and

literature to develop both listening skills and creative movement. This month will be based on

the book Everyone Asked About You. We are working on our white belt for Recorder Karate

learning BAG on the instrument as well as identifying these notes

on the treble clef.

4th graders are working on visually identifying instruments as well

as the timbre of each instrument. We will be using Benjamin

Britten’s Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra composition and

interactive board games to promote this skill. We will also look at

Peter and the Wolf and explore qualities of different characters’ musical themes using musical

vocabulary and descriptive words (adjectives). We are working on our white belt for Recorder

Karate learning BAG on the instrument as well as identifying these notes on the treble clef.

5th graders are studying the opera Amahl and the Night Visitors. They will identify vocal

range, recitative/aria and elements found in an opera using libretto. Students are notating on

manuscript paper rhythms dictated to them developing their listening skills. We are working on

our white belt for Recorder Karate learning BAG on the instrument as well as identifying these

notes on the treble clef.

6th graders are continuing to work on alternating mallet technique with the song Hi-Ya an ABA

Rondo Form composition. They are studying/acting the opera Carmen which reinforces

music/opera vocabulary as well as identifying key motifs/excerpts of music from the opera.

7th graders are continuing to work on alternating mallet technique with the song Hi-Ya an ABA

Rondo form composition are also being introduced to the Baroque Period with composers such as

Bach, Handel and Vivaldi. They are experimenting with ostinato patterns using percussion

instruments to perform the song Sweet Guava Jelly.

BPS #81 Chorus is working on our annual Holiday Concert.

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Art

Department

Physical Education

Department The students of School

#81 have been very busy

in the art room. They

began the year learning

about different techniques and art

movements and used what they learned

to create artworks. The third graders

are still working on a mixed media fall

landscape. The fourth grade students

are getting ready for winter. They

learned all about cardinal birds and drew

their best version of one in the snow.

The fifth grade students are discussing

different types of trees and focusing on

drawing silhouettes of evergreens. The

silhouettes will soon be in the snow like

the cardinal birds. The sixth graders

learned about three elements of art:

shape, form and value. They took three

circles and made them into spheres using

value. The spheres soon looked like a

snowman in moonlight. The eighth grade

students just completed some very

interesting line sculptures based on the

works of Nancy Rubens. They are now

working on stained glass paintings of

their favorite superhero. Look for all of

these magnificent students works in the

halls of school #81.

It’s been a wonderful start

to the year in Physical

Education and School #81

Athletics!

In PE grades 4-8 did a

terrific job completing

their National Fitness

Testing. In grades K-3

they’ve been working on

knowing the rules of the

gym and special awareness.

The Cross Country team

had an outstanding season

with all the runners

improving their times as

the season went along. The

boys’ team even had the

overall district winner,

Brian Freeman! Basketball

season is now in full swing

as well for both the boys’

and girls’ teams.

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Reading Department

Ms. Blake

Math Department

Mrs. Orengo Dear Parents/Guardians,

Where does

the time go? A

quarter of the

school year is

already over! All

of the remedial

reading classes are working very hard

to establish effective reading skills

and strategies. It is so important for

students (at any reading level) to read

for pleasure every day. This can be

done on their own, with someone else or

by listening to a prerecorded book.

Don’t forget about myOn, a fantastic

online collection of thousands of

enhanced digital books provided by the

Buffalo Public Schools. Working a bit

of reading time into your child’s daily

schedule, so they are expecting to do it

every day, might be the easiest way to

get your child to read. Reading builds

up vocabulary, background information,

comprehension, etc. and helps students

in every subject across the curriculum.

It is never too late to become a good

reader!

Happy reading,

Ms. Blake, Title I Reading

Building Math News

Students across the building are

working hard to build on the

knowledge they learned last year,

so they can master the material

for this year. You can help at

home by making sure they

complete all of their homework and

practice their math facts.

If you need any clarification on

your child’s homework to help

them, the Buffalo Schools

Mathematics Department Website

has some great resources. If your

child is in grades K-2, you can find

module tip sheets at

https://ny01913551.schoolwires.ne

t/Page/3226. For grades 3-8, you

can get the tip sheets at

https://ny01913551.schoolwires.ne

t/Page/3228. I am available if you

need me as well. You can contact

me at

jaorengo@buffaloschools.org.

Let’s work together to help your

child achieve greatness!

Mrs. Orengo

Support Math Teacher

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Speech Department

Our students are off to a

great start working to improve their

speech-language skills! By now, you

should have received your student’s

Individualized Education Plan (IEP). The IEP indicates the level of

speech services, speech-language goals, and other important

information relevant to your student for the 2018-2019 school year.

You should have also received a copy of your student’s progress

monitoring for the first quarter. If you have any questions regarding

the IEP or your student’s progress, please don’t hesitate to contact

us.

Our speech therapy sessions have been targeting articulation

(correct speech sound production, speech intelligibility), expressive

language (responding to question forms, formulating

sentences/expanded utterances, using correct grammar, implementing

grade level vocabulary), receptive language (auditory comprehension

of sentences/stories, following directions, understanding grade level

vocabulary & concept vocabulary ), pragmatic language (topic

maintenance, turn-taking, problem solving, social interactions), and

fluency (identifying and using strategies for smooth speech).

Please reference your child’s most recent progress report for

current data and recommendations and make note of information

regarding upcoming CSE meetings. We are looking forward to a great

rest of the school year!

Mrs. Schiller & Mrs. Campbell-Cook