- Could you please provide examples of what the requested activity fees found on elementary school supply lists might be used for since most likely field trips and in-school programs will not be taking place?
A. The regulations posted on the school supply page provide information on all school supplies. Here is what is says about the activity fee (it is not used for field trips or in-school programs). If you want to know specifically what it will be used for in your child’s class, please reach out to the […]
Grapevine and PlainFacts Archives – Elementary School
Latest Grapevine and PlainFacts Posts - Elementary School:
- What is the new statue outside of OKTE and where did the money come from to build it?
A. The new statue outside of Okte is an owl and owlet. Outgoing Principal Lisa Mickle and Okte’s art teacher, Sara Braglia, had worked last year with a local artist (Tori Rodriguez) in making an art sculpture for Okte based on the school’s icon, an owl. The artist had visited Okte’s 5th grade students to […]
- My little sister always complains to me about how cold it is outside for recess, and I would like to know what the minimum temperature is that the kids are allowed outside. The district always wonders why the kids are getting colds, or even the flu, and this is obviously the reason. There should at least be an option for indoor-recess, because I don’t want the children getting sick and missing school, all because of a problem the school started! -A concerned older sister
A. Outside recess is cancelled on days when the air temperature/wind chill factor is 20 degrees. Bad weather does not cause colds or flu. They are caused by viruses that are more likely to linger inside.
- Do the elementary schools have guidelines they could share with families regarding recess decisions? My child attends Skano and they seem to be inside more than outside. Skano / Tesago were the only elementary buildings (2 out of 8) to stay in due to heat. Skano was outside in pouring rain, but, inside due to wetness and mud? It’s 15 minutes!
A. There are district guidelines regarding the appropriate temperature for outdoor recess. Our School Physician has recommended that outside recess be canceled on days when the air temperature/wind chill factor is 20 degrees. He cites the increased chance of both cold-induced asthma and injuries to fingers, toes, etc. For Heat Index of 96 degrees or […]
- How do I handle the fact that my nine year old is given nearly two hours of homework a night? I know the district set limits, but her teacher does not adhere to district policy.
A. Please contact your child’s teacher directly. If you have done this and would like to discuss it further, you may reach out to your child’s principal.
- WEATHER ALERT! It has come to my attention that Tesago and Skano students were not allowed to go outside for recess yesterday. The reason given was that it was too hot outside! REALLY? When did our kids become that ‘soft’ unable to cope with a beautiful, sun – shiny day? Our kids today are unable to cope with every day life happenings like forgetting their instrument or lunch. We are not raising our kids to be resilient. Today, kids spend more time on Facebook, Twitter, phones and the computer which takes away their opportunity to interact with others. Recess may be one of the only times where kids can go outside and play with other kids. Shame on the two principals who made this decision!
A. . The principals follow District protocols with regard to weather and recess.
- Can I find out Shen policy on recess attire. My child is refusing to wear a jacket to school when it is cold in the morning with warmer temp predicted later in the day. My child’s recess aide makes them wear it during recess and not aloud to take it off. She tells them Shen’s rule is if your parent sent you to school with a jacket you need to wear it at recess. That’s all fine and good during the winter, but fall/spring it can be 30 at 7:20 and 50-60 at noon. I have asked in the school office and they say they don’t have that rule. If kids are hot running around then it’s ok to take off on the hotter days and the aide are told to use their judgement. My child’s aide seems to be a dictator and makes up her own rules, but nothing is done. So I will not be sending my child with a jacket and my child will be the last to complain about being cold. I just hope this doesn’t lead to retaliation from my child aide. I just really want to know if my child’s recess aide can dictate if the children can use their own judgement on wearing a jacket outside or not.
A. There is no district policy. However, the elementary handbook states that students must be dressed appropriately for recess: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zzHZ1IvdYWfFnXVXX19A3TsUDZICDzMYLFUWXlVGASQ/view
- My child is in elementary school. He is in 3rd grade and they won’t let him play the violin! When he asked the teacher, they told him no! Why is this here, this is so mean to children!
A. Your best course of action is to speak with the teacher directly. Sometimes it makes sense to point a student in the direction of a particular instrument but only the teacher can provide accurate information about those decisions/suggestions. You may also reach out to the Academic Administrator for Music, Frank Rosselli, for more information. […]
- Does Shenendehowa have any policies regarding fundraisers? My child attends Skano and we just received our third fundraiser and we’ve been back to school less than a full month. Grade-level – Playground – PTA. A bit much, don’t you think?
A. Shenendehowa does have a policy regarding fundraisers. All district processes were followed for the fundraisers that have taken place so far this year. Each fundraiser was for a different purpose and organized by a different group. Please don’t feel obligated to participate in each one. We understand parents will need to pick and choose […]
- Would any of the elementary schools accept Box Tops for Education that have expired? Thanks.
A. The company does not accept them, so we do not.
- Why are the Intermediate Wing Special Education and AIS classrooms at Skano allowed to have furniture – fouton couch, bean bags, etc? I thought furniture was regulated due to student health and safety – viruses, bacteria, germs, illnesses.
A. All classrooms have a variety of furniture to meet the needs of the students at that grade level. Any furniture or equipment that is purchased for student use needs to be approved by the head custodian to ensure it meets our safety and fire retardant requirements. If you have further concerns, please speak with […]
- As I look through my child’s Karigon school supply list, I noticed a $10 fee for “special activities”. Perplexed on what special activities are being done, I looked at other supply list in Karigon and throughout the district. Schools like Tesago and Arongen do not ask for extra money. Why is my child asked to send in extra? What special activities will this money be used for?
A. The district policy on school supplies states: Teachers may request up to $10 during the course of the year for special projects that will complement the curriculum or for student recognition activities. Grade level activity accounts must be established with the district for deposit and use of these funds. See the complete policy here: https://www.shenet.org/school-supplies/
- how do I get a copy of a yearbook from the late 80s when I went to skano elemental school?
A. Skano does not have any from the late 80s on file, so we are not sure if there even was one.
- how come Karigon is not allowed to play tag, go on the playground without sneakers, play soccer or do flips on the bars?
A. Anytime school implements certain rules for playground activities, it is typically to improve the safety of students.
- Has there been any talk about making kindergarten all day, instead of half day? Half day kindergarten is ridiculous, especially for working parents. How does 2.5 hours of school prepare a child for 1st grade???
A. Yes, but we don’t have the physical space to do so. We currently have extended day kindergarten for students in need of extra support.
