Dear Parents,We have reached the midpoint of the school year. It has been a very successful year so far and we can reflect on our accomplishments to date. Some of these accomplishments are:
An Excel Grant for $30,000
An After School Program from 3–6 p.m.
Remedial reading/math classes (3 hours weekly)
Ballroom dancing, recorder lessons, and puppetry classes
A full-time Talented and Gifted Teacher
Full-day Pre-K classes
Sincerely,
Linda Green
Principal
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Our Assistant Principal
Dear Pen and Ink Readers,
Classroom Chatter
Kindergarten
1st Grade
2nd Grade
Our school building is filled with sounds of excitement and learning. The halls and bulletin boards are rich displays of student work. Our youngest students explore letters and sounds. Grade one and grade two students create magnificent puppets. Grade three students create lovely music with recorders. Grade four and grade five students explore the classic works of Shakespeare. These are just a few of the highlighted activities that our Lynn Gross Discovery School students participate in.
During after school hours, select students participate in our unique
EXCEL Grant ESL English Language Express Program. Grade one and grade two students participate in a special technology program with “TechKnow” Associates. Karen Diaz is the TechKnow Associates instructor who works in cooperation with Ms. Domingo, our ESL teacher, and Ms. Lyons, our first grade teacher. The young students successfully navigate laptop computers and use innovative software programs. Grade three, grade four and grade five students also participate in a special science investigation program during after school hours with the DNA Learning Center. Danielle Sixsmith is the DNA Learning Center instructor who works in cooperation with Ms. Bosetti, our ESL teacher, and Ms. O’Keeffe, our resource room teacher. Our grade three, grade four and grade five students discuss sophisticated topics, create models and use electronic microscopes.
During the day, by popular demand, grade three and grade four students will participate in the DNA Learning Center science program.
Please visit the DNA Learning Center Web Site at: www.dnalc.org.
Moving to a different theme, I love New York and I love books. May I suggest you read the following books:
The Adventures of Taxi Dog by Debra and Sal Barracca
Down in the Subway by Miriam Cohen
This is New York by M. Lasck
Chapter Books and Novels
The Saturdays by Elizabeth Enright
The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden
The Young Unicorns by Madeleine L’Engle
Fondly,
Patricia Cooper
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Pre-K
Pre-K 116 has been enjoying the wintertime. We have been learning all about winter and snow. Many beautiful projects are decorating our winter themed boards. We’ve read many wonderful stories and sung lots of fun songs.
The class enjoyed our special Martin Luther King Day project with our 2nd grade buddies in Mrs. Pongratz’s class. We are looking forward to our Valentine’s Day project in February.
The children have started our new Alphabet unit. They are learning all about letter sounds and doing letter-related projects. The class always looks forward to our new letter of the week!
We are continuing our lessons on shapes with our last shapes being diamond and oval. We are looking forward to our unit on patterns next.
Our upcoming trip to the Paper Bag Players will be so much fun! We can’t wait!
Have a wonderful winter recess!
Mrs. Satcowitz, Mrs. Golub
Pre-K 120 loves winter! We have been doing many exciting and beautiful winter related activities. The children have also been learning their shapes. They have been making colorful shape puppets and they designed their own “Sponge Bobs” out of squares. When you are visiting our school make sure to take a look at our bulletin board display in the hall. In remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the children learned about his childhood and accomplishments.
We started discovering the alphabet and most of the children know how to write their names. We’re getting ready for our Valentine activities. The theme is sharing and working together.
We like singing songs, dancing and lots of fun movement activities. We can’t wait for our upcoming trip to “The Paper Bag Players.”
We are looking forward to our winter break.
Mrs. Cheffo
Mrs. Preyor
Ms. Fuentes
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The Kindergartners are progressing very well into the New Year. We have been excitedly preparing for our 100th-Day Celebration by counting to 100 by 2s, 5s, 10s, and many different combinations. We have been reading about the 100th day of school, making and bring our 100-day collections to class, and doing all sorts of “100” activities.
In February, we will be taking our first trip to see “The Paper Bag Players” at LaGuardia Community College. We are eagerly anticipating this trip.
We have also been learning all about our Presidents in celebration of Presidents’ Week. We are also celebrating Valentines Day by making valentines for our friends and family.
The children have been doing lots of reading and writing this year, and we started off the New Year with an author’s study, reading numerous books written by our favorite authors. We are also beginning to read some “just right” books. Parents please continue reading daily with your child, especially for comprehension; and don’t forget to ask your child questions about the characters and story. While you’re reading allow your child to read one of the “just right” books to you, and enjoy your special time together. Have fun in all your activities . . . and stay warm this cold winter.
The Kindergarten Teachers
M. Olson, L. Nelson, A. Mandis, A. Sommer
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Grade 1 welcomes in the new year 2004!
We continue literacy with partner reading and sharing. Writing workshop is progressing nicely as our skills in writing and developing stories continue. Some of us are writing non-fiction stories, some write responses to trips, and some write autobiographies!
In math, we are measuring using inch rulers and tape measures and practicing addition facts and number families.
Science moves along with the study of living things
. . . plants and animals. Celebrations are important as well and we have had many this year so far! We shared stories of the life of Martin Luther King Jr. celebrating his birthday. We shared customs, treats, books, crafts and feasts to celebrate Chinese New Year, the Year of the Monkey!!
Many classes have visited the Police Department getting first-hand safety lessons.
Let’s not forget the Book Fair. It was a great success! Many thanks to the parents who purchased books to help support our ever-growing classroom libraries. We hope the children continue their love of reading by visiting the library and getting library cards of their own.
Ms. Lyons
Ms. Piansky
Ms. Torre
Ms. Warner
Ms. Chan
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Brrr. . . . It’s cold outside! But things are warming up in school. We’re all excited about the upcoming trips in March. Our first trip is to Queens Botanical Gardens, where we will learn about “plants we eat.” We completed our puppets with Mr. Callow, from Project Arts. Also from Project Arts, second graders will be seeing “Sleeping Beauty,” performed by marionettes. Our primary science teacher, Ms. Kaplain has been exploring classifications of different types of animals. We’ve been learning about a variety of celebrations and holidays. On that note, we would like to wish you a Happy Valentine’s Day and a healthy and safe winter!!
The Second Grade Teachers
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3rd Grade
The third grade has its plate full! We celebrated Chinese New Year by reading books and learning how to use chopsticks. In Math, we learned all of our multiplication facts and are moving on to division, which we are very excited about! We kicked off our Columbia Book Clubs by reading non-fiction selections. In Writing Workshops, we are working on our narrative pieces. Each class in the third grade will study and research a different country in Social Studies. We can’t wait to get started!
The Third Grade Teachers
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4th Grade
The fourth grade students are completing their Social Studies unit on Native Americans. They have been busy writing reports in cooperative groups. They really enjoyed craft day, when each class made a Native American craft.
The children are very happy that we have completed the ELA exam. They have all worked very hard in preparing for this exam, and we know the children have done their very best.
In math, we have been learning geometry. We’ve learned about lines, angles and plane figures. We have also been working on finding perimeter and area as well.
During writing workshop, the students have been writing fictional stories. We are looking forward to sharing our stories with our friends in other fourth grade classes during our writing celebrations.
Before our school break in February, we are going on a trip to see Tap Legends Live, in honor of Black History Month. We all can’t wait!
The Fourth Grade Teachers
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5th Grade
The fifth grade continues to work hard in all academic areas. In addition, they have been collecting senior dues to pay for their end-of-the-year activities. To help them raise money, they have also been busy selling personalized items made with ceramic beads. We hope that this fundraiser will be successful.
For the first time, the fifth grade has been involved with a program of ballroom dancing. People from the American Ballroom Theater come to our school every Tuesday and Thursday to teach the fifth graders various dances. The children seem to be very excited about this program and have been very cooperative.
On February 12, 2004, the fifth graders are going to Town Hall to see “Tap Legends Live.” There will be tap dancing and music. It will be a star-studded event and all the students are looking forward to it.
During the month of February, our children will have a week of vacation. The teachers wish everyone a very pleasant vacation.
The Fifth Grade Teachers
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Science
It has been an exciting year here at P.S. 175, especially since our weather station has been installed! The student council went on a field trip to our very own roof. We went to the roof to explore the weather instruments that are at the heart of our weather station!
Student council also had the opportunity to check out the very interactive, child-friendly website. Did you know that you can get live weather updates at our school from home? You can do that and much, much more with this special AWS WeatherNet technology (a class="top" href="http://www.weathernetclassroom.com">www.weathernetclassroom.com).
The rest of the budding scientists have started a new unit of study on matter and energy. They are really excited to investigate electricity! As you can tell we are busy in the science room.
We can’t wait to start our Science Olympiad Projects!
Thanks for all your support!
Shannon Clark
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PCEN Math
Looking to be challenged? Ready to have some fun? Will you have come to the right place!
Check out these trees – spruce up your math – and above all have a great time!
Mrs. Rosen
Project Arts/TAG
The T.A.G. children are continuing to work cooperatively and in individual groups doing research on different themes. The fifth grade is finishing their medieval reports and projects. The fourth grade children have become news reporters; they are working with the partners to turn nursery rhymes into news stories. These stories will be videotaped in the near future. Every news show has commercials. Our third graders are learning about advertising and will be creating commercials to be videotaped within our fourth grade news reports. The second grade started a unit on art appreciation. They read about Vincent Van Gogh and painted pictures of “Starry Night.”
All grades have been introduced to a variety of professional artists through Project Arts money. Some of the activities included are story telling, puppet making, recorder instruction and ballroom dancing.
We also look forward to a marionette show called “Sleeping Beauty, an assembly program brought to us by City Park.” I am sure all the children will love it.
Stay warm and keep smiling!
Love
Mrs. Barbara Bialek
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Physical Education
Yes, the weather outside is frightful. And wearing warm boots is truly delightful.
However, only sneakers can be worn in the gym in order to participate. Report card grades are based on participation as well as:
Obeying Safety Rules
Practicing Good Sportsmanship
Being Prepared (Sneakers)
Understanding of Subject Matter
Children should carry sneakers to school on days they wear boots. Please keep track of your child’s gym schedule and kindly sign and return the bottom portion of letters sent home.
FLEXIBILITY
Grades 3-5 are learning about the importance of stretching their muscles. We have been performing various stretches since September and this month the students will be assessed on their ability to perform these stretches: Neck Stretch, Range of Motion, Eye Stretch, Shoulder Circles, Biceps and Triceps, Full-Body Stretch, Lower-Back Stretch (also known as the Cat Stretch), Hamstring Stretch, Inner-Thigh Stretch, Quad, Calf & Achilles Stretch, Ankle Rotation and Foot Flex.
Please try to incorporate these stretches into your child’s daily routine. It will help prevent injuries while playing.
Grades Pre-K–2 have had a good time playing new games such as Squirrel Scooter Races, Freeze Tag, Cut the Cake, Cone Races, Marching Ponies, and Bluebird. We have also started stretching exercises and added marching to our warm-up. Grades K-2 are also learning soccer skills so that they can Line Soccer.
SUPER BOWL XXXVIII
The students have been making their predictions. The majority of the classes think the New England Patriots will win. If they turn out to be right—Good Choice! If not, congratulations to those who picked the Carolina Panthers!
Ms. Lucchesi
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Performing Arts
In addition to the continuation of our memory and coordination drama games, skills which are both necessary in the art of performance, the younger classes have been concentrating on tasks designed to help kids work together. We’ve also been learning songs such as “My Momma” and “Today Is ____,” which teach the dual message that each of us is special and that we have much to be grateful for in our lives. Our fourth and fifth grade classes have learned the songs for their respective spring productions of “MacBeth” and “Romeo and Juliet”. We’ve had auditions—itself a great learning experience—and have now begun rehearsals using original adaptations of the Bard’s plays.
Adieu.
David Burger
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Art
Pre-K and Kindergarten have been drawing and painting animals. Each kindergarten class is making a rain forest mural. They looked at paintings by Henri Rousseau.
This year grades 1, 2, 3 and 5 have focused on color. They have learned how to mix the primary colors: red, yellow and blue to make the secondary colors: orange, green and violet.
They have learned that adding a color to white creates a tint and adding black to a color creates a shade. Using white or black with color changes its value. The students have been looking at landscapes and cityscapes by Impressionists painters such as Claude Monet, Paul Cezanne and Vincent Van Gogh. They observed how these artists use color and value.
The students are making paintings of places with tempera paints. They are experimenting with sponges, brushes and mixing colors as they paint.
Ms. Rovinsky
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SETTS (Resource Room)
There is much happening in the SETSS program while frigid temperatures and impending snow and ice prevail outside.
The 4th graders are preparing for the ELA test in the beginning of February. We are working hard!
Our 5th graders are learning decimals and how to crack the open-ended questions in problem solving.
The 3rd grade is learning math and reading test strategies in order to tackle informal and formal tests.
While kindergarten, first, and second grade are not tested on standardized tests; we are preparing the students to approach the standards in all subject areas.
As Valentine’s Day approaches as well as the February recess, we wish you all the best.
Always,
Marlene King
Brenda Green
Danielle O’Keeffe
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ESL
The children are enjoying and sharing stories about their countries and special holiday celebrations with their classmates. They are also using the new picture dictionaries and learning new words and concepts.
The teacher from DNA Learning Center has opened the children’s eyes to a new world of cells. The children attending the after-school program have been having fun learning how to use a microscope and about cells.
In April, we have trips planned to The American Museum of Natural History and Planetarium and The New York Aquarium.
Hopefully everyone will have an enjoyable Winter Recess.
Best wishes for a Happy Valentine’s Day from your children.
Cory Bosetti
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Speech
The 4th grade has been working hard these past months creating ogres and ogresses. We read the story “Awful Ogre’s Awful Day” by Jack Prelutsky.
Each 4th grader has created a puppet ogre and is writing a unique and imaginative story about his or her own monster.
Language skills among the grades have increased due to the desire of the students to adequately express their ideas.
Come up to the 4th grade classes to see our wonderful ogres.
Ms. Rowen
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Computer Lab
Dear P.S. 175 Family,
We are so lucky to have a wonderful new site to view. It is:
Password: discovery
It is so exciting to be part of the new technology. Our students are learning to be photographers! They are learning to use a digital camera and then to adjust the image using Photoshop software. Many of our students are also busy learning how to create their own PowerPoint presentations. They have learned how to add animations and inserting their digital pictures.
We have been learning how to access Video on Demand through Channel 13. These videos are educational and listed by curriculum and grade level. We have been using the lab to take a look at the WeatherNet classroom website. This is part of the weather station in our science room.
Our school will be getting new computers and printers in many classrooms. Both the 2nd and 3rd floors will be getting new laptops on carts to be used by all classrooms. It should be very exciting.
Have a great mid-winter vacation!
Love,
Mrs. Krochek
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School Store
If you are interested in purchasing some T-shirts or pencils, please Print the School Store Order Form from your browser, complete the form and drop it off in PA mailbox in the school office or give it to your child's teacher.
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Mark Your Calendars
January/February (Current Issue)