Wheeler Avenue School Events

2009/2010 EVENTS

Helping Furry Friends

In an excellent display of character, first-grade students in Mrs. Waxman’s class at Wheeler Avenue Elementary School recently extended a hand to several furry friends living across the United States. Through a loose change collection drive, the class collected $51, which they used to sponsor two dogs from Dogtown, a sanctuary for animals in Utah.
In recognition for their donation, the class received a thank-you letter and a photo and description of the dogs they had sponsored.

Heidi the Hippo

The food service program used by Valley Stream District Thirteen, Whitson’s, has created Nutrition Safari, an innovative new nutrition awareness program for elementary students (grades K-6). †This revolutionary program makes learning about nutrition a fun, exciting adventure! To kick off the program in District Thirteen, a special guest called Heidi the Hippo, who represents “dairy,” recently visited the students at Wheeler Avenue School and started the students’ journey into a new adventure in nutrition.
In addition to Heidi, the Nutrition Safari program includes a range of characters who help teach elementary students the importance of a well-balanced meal and regular exercise.
The characters in the Nutrition Safari are:
· Luke the Lion: “The mane course is your protein source.”
· Jillian the Giraffe: “Reach for your greens.”
· Grant the Gazelle: “Limit your sweets, whenever you eat.”
· Hardy the Hyena: “Hardy har har, don’t forget your carbs.”
· Heidi the Hippo: “Dairy is delightful.”
· Murray the Monkey: “Don’t monkey around with your fruits.”

On a Reading Rampage

As an extension of the literacy lessons they have been learning in the classroom, students at Wheeler Avenue Elementary Schools were treated to a special assembly program when ventriloquist Steve Petra visited the school and presented the cultural arts program Reading Rampage. During the event, Mr. Petra and his colorful puppets spoke with the students about how exciting reading can be and the power that words can have. The students thoroughly enjoyed the program and interacted with Mr. Petra’s cast of characters, including The Brain, Pierre Lobsterre, Demento and Pigcasso, the Word Hog.

Student Reflections Win County Competition

With a total of 381 entries from 242 students, Wheeler Avenue School had a great response to this year’s PTA Reflections contest. Reflections is a program of the National PTA, the purpose of which is to provide an opportunity for students to use their creative talents by expressing themselves through their own original works.
Wheeler Avenue students created submissions to the contest in five categories: Visual Arts, Literature, Photography, Musical Composition, and Film Production. Each of the students’ works was judged at the local level and winners of that judging were then sent to the Nassau County level for judging.
Congratulations to the follow Wheeler Avenue School students who were named winners at the county level, and whose submissions will now go on to compete at the state level.

Music Notes

Whether it is during their school concerts or volunteering to perform for local organizations, District Thirteen’s talented student-musicians are always eager to share their talents with audiences. Recently the students showcased their talents during this year’s winter holiday concerts. Under the baton of their music instructors, the students in the schools’ bands, orchestras, and choral groups had their audiences tapping along to the catchy tunes and left them looking forward to celebrating the holiday season with their family and friends.
In addition to performing in their schools’ ensembles, 49 of the district’s student-musicians were recently selected to perform during the All-County Music Festivals in January. These students were chosen to be part of the Division I West (fifth grade) and Division II (sixth grade) Festivals at the Tilles Center, C.W. Post Campus.
Congratulations to the following students:

Howell Road School
Jessica Bonitto
Nia Brockington
Sahrina Bullock
Dylan Feliu
Gianna Filippi
Ryan Forbes
Tyesha Irving
Esther Nozea
Joshua Ochi
Andrew Ouro-Rodrigues
Anastacia Pereira
Teresa Peterson
Elizabeth Philips
Dorothy Pierre
Nia Shy
Jarred Times

James A. Dever
Alina Castelluzzo
Dominick DelCarpine
Kaitlyn Duncan
Kyra Forbes
Lauren Fornells
Morgan Foster
William Freeman
Jaclyn Hawkins
Riya Kaur
James Maloney
Amanda Madray
Erin Morrissey
Emily Parini

Wheeler Avenue School
Anaele Bloncourt
Jonathan Chen
Isabella Gandasegui
Nicholas Kerner
Maria Mayorga
Erin Milano
William O'Brien
Daniel Sanky
Hayley Sturek
Julian Tineo

Willow Road School
Julia Cincotta
Danielle Dercola
Rose Diolallevi
Jessica DiSibio
Thomas Elbert
Nicole Giannasco
Ginamarie Lopez
Gina Maniscalco
Tara Meehan
Nicholas Sossi Romano

Winter Concerts Spread Holiday Joy

The district’s talented student-musicians performed several holiday favorites during this year’s winter holiday concerts. Under the baton of their music instructors, the students in the schools’ bands, orchestras, and choral groups had the audience tapping along to the catchy tunes and left them looking forward to celebrating the holiday season with their family and friends.

Celebrations for American Education Week

American Education Week was held during the week of November 23, 2009. Parents were invited to visit the district’s schools during this week and observe their child in his/her classroom. Parents had the opportunity to enjoy many motivating and creative lessons throughout their visit.
The kindergarten and second-grade classes invited parents to their annual Thanksgiving Feast. The parents were asked to send in a Thanksgiving-style snack with their child on the feast day. Some suggestions were: a turkey sandwich, corn muffin, popcorn, apple, or raw veggies, all of which are in keeping with the holiday tradition. The students had a wonderful time sharing songs, poems, and reading aloud things that they are thankful for.
Of course, the most important part was the sharing of the meal as a community.

Expanding Classroom Lessons

Valley Stream UFSD Thirteen fourth-grade students in the Gifted and Talented Program integrated their study of archaeology and the Iroquois Native Americans with a trip to Garvies Point Museum and Preserve. Accompanied by the district’s Gifted and Talented teachers, Karen Skolnick and Richard Rosenfeld, and many parents, the students enjoyed an enriching educational experience.
This museum is a center for research on Long Island geology and a valued resource in the study of the Island’s Native American archaeology. Students participated in a hands-on workshop to develop an understanding of the relationship between tool technology and basic human life activities. They were able to handle many authentic Native American artifacts. In addition, students took part in an exciting scavenger hunt as they toured the museum’s very impressive collection of exhibits and artifacts.

Working to Keep Students Staying Safe

Internet Safety Officer for the Town of Hempstead Peggy Mahoney has visited all four elementary schools in the Valley Stream UFSD Thirteen to make presentations on the topic of Internet safety.
With the building’s older students, Ms. Mahoney spoke about networking sites, how to protect one’s family safety by being very careful with personal information given out online, and the discretion to take when posting items such as photos, as they can be downloaded by anyone, anywhere, and be on the Internet forever. Additionally, with the younger students, she addressed how students can remain safe in larger and busy places and who or what to look for if lost.

Students Visit Arboretum to Learn About Agriculture

Wheeler Avenue Elementary School second graders recently visited the Planting Fields Arboretum in Oyster Bay, NY.†During their visit the students learned about the relationship between plants, oxygen, carbon dioxide and mammals, and how they work and help each other grow and exist.

Collecting Food & Funds for Island Harvest

Wheeler Avenue Elementary School’s student council teamed up this November to collect food items and funds for Island Harvest, the largest hunger relief organization on Long Island. The food collected and money donated was picked up by Island Harvest at the end of November. The donations will be used for senior citizen programs and fill emergency food pantries, soup kitchens, families in temporary housing and community residences. Pictured here is the entire student council with their advisors, Ms. Mundy and Ms. Scialabba. During the collection, the students raised approximately $120.

Sharing News & Tips During PTA Meeting

Wheeler Avenue School’s November PTA meeting was the source for many student highlights and news worthy items. Below are some of the things that took place:

1. In the spirit of the season, selected first-grade students shared “What I am Thankful for” with parents and teachers in attendance. Students were proud to speak about their reasons to give thanks this holiday season.

2. To help parents and students stay germ free this winter, school nurse Carol Ignaciuk shared some tips with the audience and spoke about “How To Stay Healthy.”

3. Roy Longarzo, a member of the Wheeler Avenue Pride Committee, shared with the audience what the Pride Committee was formed for, what they have accomplished so far and how every community member can assist in promoting the great things about Wheeler Avenue School and the Valley Stream District 13. The Month-At-A-Glance Calendar is on display at the front desk of the school to keep our parents informed of the events happening at Wheeler.

Second Graders Conduct Fundraisers for Two Charities

Although they are among the youngest members of the school community, second graders at Wheeler Avenue School are learning about community service through hands-on school projects.
For Halloween, the grade-level students collected more than $360 for UNICEF in small change. UNICEF was created to work with others to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease and discrimination place in a child’s path, and advance the cause of humanity. The organization advocates for measures to give children the best start in life, because proper care at the youngest age forms the strongest foundation for a person’s future.
Additionally, the second graders have also decided, in lieu of their holiday book grab bag, to collect monies instead for Heifer International. All monies donated will be sent to this organization, which provides impoverished families around the world with a livestock animal that provides the family with goods they can harvest and sell and effectually end their poverty. The second graders are hoping to collect enough money to send a sheep to a needy family, which will be taught how to shear the sheep and knit the wool into sweaters to be sold at market.

Stepping Back in Time

On Monday, November 9th, two naturalists from Nassau County BOCES visited Wheeler Avenue School to speak about “Primitive Technology” with the building’s fifth-grade students. During the event, students learned how their ancestors used raw, natural materials to make their weapons and tools to survive. Additionally, the students were shown artifacts and were allowed to try to make their own tools using rocks and sticks, and also how to make fire with the same materials. Pictured here are the students examining the artifacts.

Reminding Students to Be Safe

Every year, Valley Stream UFSD District #13 provides bus drills for all four schools in the district.  All students, walkers as well as riders, participate in the drills.  
The emergency drills include demonstrations on how to use a fire extinguisher and open the emergency doors and windows, practice in evacuating the bus, and instruction in use of the seat belts. Students are also encouraged to use proper behavior while waiting for and boarding the bus, while on the bus, and disembarking from the bus at school or when going home.
Before the bus drills, the teachers instruct the students to be silent during a fire drill, to move to the middle of the bus and fill seats from middle to rear and front equally, and to only touch the emergency doors or windows during a drill or real emergency.
Pictured below are students at Wheeler Avenue Elementary School learning about bus safety.

Students Seek Election at Wheeler

On the day after Election Day 2009, Wheeler Avenue Elementary School hosted its annual student council elections. Twelve students threw their name into the ring to campaign in this year’s election, and delivered speeches in front of the school’s fourth through sixth-grade students on November 4.
Prior to delivering their speeches, the candidates hung up posters with their slogans and reasons to vote for them throughout the school building.  The school commends the following students who ran for election:

After the speeches, each class voted for the officer of their choice.  The Student Council advisors, Anne Marie Scialabba and Kristen Mundy, tallied the votes and announced Arianna Tzunum (President), Eleni Demas (Vice President), Annie Fitzgerald (Secretary), and Daniel Toy (Sergeant at Arms) as this year’s winners.

Celebrating Literacy with Assemblyman Barra

Assemblyman Robert D. Barra visited Wheeler Avenue School in October to congratulate the students who participated in his Summer Reading Program, which is held annually to encourage children to keep reading during the summer months. The students of Wheeler Avenue School look forward to his visit every year. He presented certificates to the students of Wheeler who participated in this program.

After the assembly, Assemblyman Barra visited Mrs. Ianuale’s second-grade class for a SMART Board lesson on Christopher Columbus. The SMART Board in Mrs. Ianuale’s class was made possible because of a grant provided by Assemblyman Barra’s office. †In addition to the SMART Board presentation, the children presented Assemblyman Barra with “Thank You” posters they had made.

Multitude of Cultures Celebrated

Wheeler Avenue School held their Sixth Annual Multicultural Fair on Tuesday, October 20th in the large gym. Approximately 60 people attended this festive affair. They shared artifacts, tasty cuisine, dances, and cultural information representing the many languages, countries and heritages of the Wheeler community

Leaves are Falling, Learning is Rising

Mrs. Cymbler’s ELLs (English Language Learners) at Wheeler Avenue School have been emersed in a comprehensive study on the characteristics of the fall season, as many of these students have not experience this season or changes of the seasons in their countries of origin. During their studies, Mrs. Cymbler brought in real leaves for the students to touch and examine, and shared the story “The Little Yellow Leaf” by Karin Berger aloud. Each student chose their favorite leaf and imagined that they were "the little yellow leaf" and the wind blew them off their tree. They had to write about where the wind blew them using the autumn vocabulary they have been learning. The ELLs shared their writing with the teacher and their peers.

Mrs. Ianuale’s second-grade class has also been studying the changes in the leaves. Incorporating their Science 21 lessons, her class classified and graphed two different leaf groups – simple and compound leaves. In addition, her students have been reading books about leaves. They are looking forward to going outside to observe the fall trees. †Students have been on the leaf hunt looking for leaves that have lost their green color.

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

Students in Jennifer Cymbler’s English Language Learners (ELL) class at Wheeler Avenue School celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month this October by exploring different types of literature written by Hispanic authors. On Thursday, October 8th, they read “The Perfect Pinata” by Kelli Kyle Dominquez. The ELL’s had an opportunity to examine a real pinata, and then they created their own drawing of a pinata and explained its meaning to the group

Buying Books at School Book Fair

Wheeler Avenue School held their Annual Scholastic Book Fair at the end of October. Students and teachers alike enjoyed shopping at the fair and perusing the selections. Prior to the big event, the PTA distributed a wish list to every teacher at Wheeler Avenue and asked them to list a few of their favorite books. This provided the teachers with the opportunity to suggest books for the classroom, should parents want to purchase books for that purpose.

The proceeds from this year’s Book Fair will be used to bring cultural programs to the students at Wheeler Avenue School.

Taking PRIDE in Their School

On Tuesday, October 27th, 2009, the Wheeler Avenue Pride Committee had their first “Breakfast Chat” to kick off the district’s PRIDE Committee initiative, a program open to all parents.

The Wheeler Avenue Pride Committee’s membership consists of parents and principal, Christine Zerillo, and was newly established this year to promote pride in the school. †“Month at a Glance” calendars are supplied to the Pride Committee at the beginning of each month to enable those members to share things happening at Wheeler with other parents while outside schools waiting to pick up their children, at PTA meetings, at sporting events with their children, in the coffee shop, etc.

One of the topics discussed was the music program. Parents shared how the building’s music program helps their children grow in new musical directions and the importance of the music program to supporting students’ achievement in band, orchestra, and choral groups.

The Wheeler Avenue Pride Committee left the Breakfast Chat with a lot of information to share with the parents of Wheeler Avenue School. Parents are invited to join the committee during their next meeting on January 12, 2010 at 3:20 p.m. in the Auditorium.

Fighting Fires

In celebration of Fire Prevention Month, the Valley Stream Fire Department came to Wheeler Avenue School for a fire safety demonstration for grade 1. A fire safety video was provided by the fire department, and each first-grade class watched it in preparation for the actual demonstration. The firemen set up a “mock” house and demonstrated the correct procedures for exiting the house in case of fire. In addition, the children were given a tour of a fire truck, an ambulance, and the equipment used by firefighters was shown to the children.

Mystery Teacher Day

Each year in May, students in District Thirteen celebrate Democracy in Action Day held on the same day as our budget vote. †Using actual voting machines, the students are invited to cast their ballot on an issue of importance to them. Last year District Thirteen students voted on a theme day for the fall of 2009. The choices were:
1. Mystery Teacher
2. Fun and Fitness
3. Family Jamboree
The winner was Mystery Teacher, and all four schools in District 13 celebrated this day on Friday, October 23, 2009. †It entailed having each teacher in the four schools exchange places with one another for 100 minutes (2 blocks of 50 minutes).
The students enjoyed seeing the building’s teachers and administrators working in a variety of new roles.

Enhancing Students’ Vocabulary

Each day students at Wheeler Avenue Elementary School are learning new things, new concepts, and developing new ideas. As a way to enhance students’ vocabulary at an early age, the school’s first graders in Mrs. Waxman’s class are participating in a unique program. In class, the students focus on a different word of the day and are encouraged to continue to study that word at home. Students are provided with a different colored piece of paper and asked to write the selected word on that paper for homework. The goal is for the students to learn the first 25 sight words in 25 days.
When the papers are returned to school the following day, they are displayed in the classrooms, side-by-side from the ceiling to show how the students’ individual work when put “side-by-side” becomes a beautiful community of art. When completed the display will consist of more than 600 pieces.

Keeping the Beat

In an effort to help students better understand musical rhythm, Wheeler Avenue School vocal music teacher Gregory Hart has begun incorporating a friend into his classroom lessons. For first and second grade, students are learning with the help of “Mr. Beat”, a hand puppet. Mr. Beat is used to help students keep a steady pulse and encourages them to participate and be creative in discovering the beat in music.

Celebrating the Constitution

Fourth-grade students at Wheeler Avenue Elementary School paid tribute to the nation’s constitution this September when they celebrated National Constitution Day on September 17th.
During the celebration, the students engaged in lively discussions regarding the different sections of our constitution and discovered the meaning of the many difficult words in the Preamble. Additionally, in their classrooms, the students read literature and used research skills to better understand the message of our forefathers. Lastly, they then worked in small groups to design posters depicting the Preamble.

Parents Go Back to School

Parents throughout District Thirteen went back to school during the first several weeks of September to sit in their children’s classrooms and meet their teachers. The schools, which hosted their annual Open House programs not long after the start of school, welcomed new and returning parents to the buildings.

During the evenings, parents met with special area teachers, visited their own child’s classroom, and learned about the co-curricular opportunities for students, including music, community service projects, and the schools’ club offerings. Additionally, members of each school’s PTA organization were on hand to speak with parents about the group and sign up new members.

Good Choices Leading the Way

Wheeler Avenue Elementary School students started the year off with a refreshing assembly program focused on good behavior strategies. The school’s staff reviewed Wheeler’s behavior expectation grid with students and presented each grade 1-6 student with a copy of the school’s Positive Behavior DVD. To help reinforce these messages, following the daily announcements each morning, students have been asked to share good behavior tips over the building’s public address system. Students will be asked to display these behavior tips throughout the school year – both in and outside of the classroom. For more information about the program, please review these attachments

Matrix (PDF)

Letter to Parents (PDF)

School Days Begin Again

The first day of school in the Valley Stream Union Free School District Thirteen was a huge success. Whether arriving by bus, unpacking their school bags, or having lunch in the cafeteria for the first time, all of the students had smiles on their faces and were eager to begin the 2009-2010 school year together.
Students arrived at their respective schools by bus, car, and on foot full of smiles and good cheer. The students and teachers alike are looking forward to the year ahead.

Working To Fill Buckets

Wheeler Avenue Elementary School teachers and students are working this school year to spread the messages of Carol McCloud’s book “Have You Filled a Bucket Today?”. In September each teacher received a copy of the book and read the story aloud to their students. The teachers put special emphasize on the importance of expressing kindness and love to others, filling their buckets with good thoughts, and making others feel good about themselves and others. Pictured here, students in Mrs. Ianuale’s second grade class are all smiles when they think about how they will fill someone’s bucket after reading the story.

Remembering with Pride

On Friday, September 11, 2009, the entire student body at Wheeler Avenue Elementary School commemorated the eighth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks by celebrating Patriot Day. The school recited the Pledge of Allegiance in unison after a memorial poem was read aloud. Before concluding the program, the school’s students, faculty, and staff members observed a moment of silence and reflected on the historic day and the events that unfolded in 2001.

New Faces Around District Thirteen

The first full week of September this year not only marked the first day of school for the district’s students, but for eight new teachers it was the start of their professional career in the Valley Stream Union Free School District Thirteen. Before the doors of the district’s three schools opened for the first time on September 9, the newest members of the faculty attended a summer orientation program geared towards informing them of services offered in the district, along with established policies.

Throughout the daylong program, the teachers met with the district administrators and leadership team. During the event, the new employees were provided with an overview of the technological offerings in the district, the schools’ special education services, as well as the district’s educational philosophy.

Welcome to the following new District Thirteen teachers: