Co-Presidents Margaret Costa Recording Secretary Valerie Davie

Leslie Cassidy Corresponding Secretary Laurie Weissman

1st Vice President Helen Travers Historian Bridgette Hogan

2nd Vice President Connie Irving Treasurer Lisa Field

3rd Vice President Kim Aquilino Past President Lynn D’Angelo

Delegates: Jackie Butler, Jeanne Del Grosso, Andrea Dempsey, Donna Gianaris, Roma Nowak, Gina Portello, Pam Sweeney

Lee Road PTA Executive Committee, 2010—2011

Welcome back to a new school year at Lee Road! We would like to ex-tend a warm welcome to all of the new families and faculty members that have joined our Lee Road Family this year.

The year is already off to a great start and we are proud of all. Every-one seems to have their routines in place at this point. With the daylight shrinking and the weather getting cooler, it’s time to dress warmer. Fall is officially here! The PTA is now also running in full swing. SO many activities and events as well as great fundraisers have been held or are underway. We would like to send out a great big THANK YOU to all of the committee chairpersons and vol-unteers that have made the start of the school year a success. We would also like to acknowledge all the par-ents and faculty members who have and continue to support the PTA. Without your support, we would not be able to provide our children with all of the many educational programs and family fun events planned. It is still not too late to help. Your PTA membership $ are crucial - consider joining if you have not already done so. Try to also get involved if your schedule permits - even donating 1 or 2 hours of your precious time will go a long way! There are many ways to stay connected to what is happening

with the PTA and your children. Come to a monthly meeting! If that’s not pos-sible - the PTA also has our monthly packet, weekly e-mail reminders and the new Connect Ed phone message that will go out twice a month. The school and district Web sites are also very in-formative and we encourage parents to visit them often: www.levittownschools.com. As your PTA Co-Presidents, we are here to help support and enrich the experience of your children during the school year. Please feel free to contact us with any thoughts, questions or concerns that you may have that will help us to do so. We look forward to hearing from you!

Have FUN with your children - re-member to read or even play a board game with them - these are the best memories you will have. Hope you had a sweet but safe Halloween! Enjoy the upcoming holidays as well!

Sincerely,

Margaret Costa and Leslie Cassidy

Lee Road PTA Co-Presidents

From your PTA Co-Presidents

Roadru

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Volume 10, Issue 3

November, 2010

Editor: Laurie Weissman

November 8 - 19: PARP

December, continued 15: Board of Education Meeting, LMEC, 7:30 p.m.

17: Board of Education Meeting, LMEC, 7:30 p.m. 18: Lee Road PTA Meeting, 9:00 a.m.

December 24—January 2: Holiday Recess

18: Thanksgiving Pie/Bread Orders Due January

18: PTA Council Meeting, LMEC, 7:30 p.m. 12: Board of Education Meeting, LMEC, 7:30 p.m.

19: Picture Retakes, DEAR, Reflections Projects Due 13: PTA Council Meeting, LMEC, 7:30 p.m.

23: Thanksgiving Pie/Bread Pick Up 17: Martin Luther King Day, No School

November 25-28: Thanksgiving Recess 20: Lee Road PTA Meeting, 7:30 p.m.

29: Teachers Conferences, No School for Students 25: Lee Road Winter Concert, Salk, 7:30 p.m.

December 2: Teachers Conferences, 1/2 day for Students, no School

for Kindergarteners

27: PTA Nassau Region Winter Conference

Mark your calendars!

Page 2

Principal’s Message

ROADRUNNER

EXPECT THE BEST Due to the collective efforts of our school community, we are off to a terrific beginning! As a unit, we will to work together to help our youngsters reach great heights in their learning. As a matter of fact, setting high expectations for our children is a key to their success. As a parent, you can set the tone for a highly successful year by letting your child know what you expect – and helping them see what he/she can expect from themselves. Be realistic Match expectations to your child’s abilities and interests. For example, if they are strong in math and science, you can expect them to earn good grades in those subjects. Then consider overall standards, such as finishing their work on time, listening to their teachers, and doing his/her best. Be clear Remember to communicate your expectations to your child. You can weave them into everyday conversations. Ex-ample: “We’ll play catch after you do your homework” or “The science fair is coming up; I can’t wait to see your project.” Talk regularly about your long-range expectations, too. Your child will see himself/ herself as a future college student when you say things like, “You’ll be able to learn more about that when you’re in college one day. Be supportive Work with your child to help them meet your expectations. For instance, provide materials for their projects and help them set aside time to work on them. Also, let your child know that you expect their best and that you’re cer-tain they can do it. You will build confidence and encourage them to make it happen. Accept mistakes Some children are afraid of trying new things because they think making a mistake means they failed. When your child is unsuccessful, tell him/ her you believe in them, and give them a chance to try again. Treating mistakes as opportunities instead of failures show that you value effort, not just achievement. As a school community, we will endeavor to maintain a positive, caring and nurturing environment that will inspire our students to make great strides in their learning. Finally, if you have not already done so, please consider joining our Parent Teacher Association. Your participation will allow you to take a more active role in your child’s educa-tion at school. The year has begun with much promise and I look forward to working with all of our stake-holders to facilitate a year of learning and growth for our children. Sincerely, Anthony Goss

From the School Nurse

NOVEMBER, 2010 Page 3

Faculty News

LEE ROAD CLUBS 2010‐2011 

Our clubs provide a great avenue for our children to explore their gifts and talents. Below you will find a list a clubs that will be running at Lee Road this year.  You will receive specific details regarding each club once our clubs begin. 

Drama ‐ Opportunities are available for students to participate in this year’s drama production, “The Wizard of Oz” and our annual Lee Road Talent Show. 

Get‐A‐Voice‐ Participants will engage in activities that promote the ideals of the Get‐A‐Voice Program. 

Chess‐ Students will learn basic strategies and etiquette while playing the game of chess with their peers. 

Mathletes ‐Students will have an opportunity to strengthen their math skills by learning problem solving strategies designed to challenge and motivate. 

Healthy Lifestyle Club‐ Students will engage in fitness activities that promote overall health and nutrition. 

Science Club‐Students will engage in a series of “hands‐on” science related experiments and activities. 

Student Council‐ As council members, Lee Road 4th and 5th graders will learn the civics involved in representing their peers and school leaders.  

Dear Parents, Welcome back to another exciting school year! The children have gotten off to a great start already and we are look-ing forward to a healthy and productive year.

Deciding whether to keep a child home from school when he or she is sick is a decision that all parents have to make at one time or another. As a general rule, a child should remain home from school:

If they have a fever of 100 degrees or higher Has recurring diarrhea or vomiting Has a rash of unknown origin (Doctor’s note needed to return) Cough or sore throat severe enough to cause discomfort or disruption to the classroom environment Any redness or drainage of eyes

As a general reminder, mandated screenings for vision, hearing, scoliosis, height & weight have already begun. If a referral is warranted for further evaluation, you will be contacted by mail.

Please remember to call the Health Office as soon as you know if your child is going to be late or absent from school.

Please be aware that physicals are mandated for all students in grades K, 2 and 4 and all new entrants. They were due in the Health Office by October 1st. If I do not receive a physical exam report, your child will be examined by the school physician.

Looking forward to another wonderful year. If you have any questions or concerns feel free to call me at 783-5190 ext. 3.

Looking ahead… the

District Calendar shows two

dates for the Lee Road Spring

Concert.

The correct date is

June 7, 2011, at

MacArthur High School.

Page 4 ROADRUNNER

THE GET A VOICE PROJECT 2010-2011

The Get.A.Voice Project raises awareness, intercepts hurtful language and empow-ers students to stand up and challenge others in a kind, respectful way.

A student who can use her or his voice to speak up against a school bully, or to in-vite a fellow student ostracized by a clique to join him or her at lunch takes skill and, no doubt, courage ... a lot of it! With GET.A.VOICE™ students love the fact that when others use their voices, too, then they are no longer alone to do—or say -- the right thing.

We invite you to explore the power of language in your home as well. We hope you received the family pledge card as part of our home school partnership. This year we are looking for 100% of the cards to be returned.

Here are some power phrases:

School News

That’s really inappropriate! Do you realize what you’re

saying? Knock it off! Thanks for noticing! We don’t talk like that

around here

Language! What do you really mean by

that? She/he is my friend don’t say

that! Listen, I didn’t do anything to

you, so can you please stop!

PTA Committees are listed on the next page. Please reach out to committee chairs for more information, and see the Lee Road PTA web site (levittownschools.com/lee/pta) for committee definitions.

Please volunteer to help with the following committees which cur-rently do not have chairpersons:

Auditing Get-A-Voice Book Fair Legislation & Advocacy By-Laws Mother’s Day Plant Sale Corporate Collections—Toner/Ink School Beautification Corporate Collections—Cell Phones SEPTA Council Budget Working Procedures Family Fun Events

Contact Kim Aquilino for more information about these committees at kima@optonline.net or at 735-3445.

Parent Volunteers needed to help out the Community Service Committee with their Blood Drive on December 7th 3:30-8:30pm.

Anyone interested can contact Jennifer Jennings at pumpkin611@msn.com

Our children can use our support. Thank You.

Committee News

NOVEMBER, 2010 Page 5

COMMITTEE NAME Chairperson

BJ's Angela Mumolo

Bridge Books Valerie Davie

Bulletin Boards Betty Mullane

Lori Shapiro

Class Parents Selection Bridgette Hogan

Kim Lopes

Communications - Roadrunner Laurie Weissman

Communications - Website Roma Nowak

Community DEAR Time Jackie Butler

Diane Byrnes

Community Service Jennifer Jennings

Corporate Collections - Box Tops & Campbell's Anna Razza

Cultural Arts Helen Travers

Carolyn Szydlowski

Dollars for Scholars Andrea Dempsey

Drama Betty Mullane

Lori Shapiro

Elementary Curriculum Lynn D'Angelo

Excellence & Accountability Helen Travers

Carolyn Szydlowski

Field Day T-Shirts Connie Irving

Fifth Grade Luau Pam Sweeney

Valerie Davie

Fifth Grade Recognition Lynn D'Angelo

Andrea Dempsey

Fifth Grade Terrific Kids Anna Razza

Kim Lopes

Fifth Grade T-Shirts Valerie Davie

Kim Lopes

Fifth Grade Yearbook Laurie Weissman

Valerie Davie

Food Service Gina Portello

Fundraising – Back to School Bake Sale Lynn D’Angelo

Fundraising - Kid Stuff Books Tracy DellItalia

Kim Aquilino

Committee List

E-mail is a great tool for the Lee Road PTA. Important infor-mation can be shared via e-mail including community news, school issues, meeting

reminders and lots of other topics. Stay “connected” and join the Lee Road PTA e-mail database. The Lee Road PTA e-mail

address is: leeroadpta@gmail.com

Please send your name and e-mail

address to us and we will add you to the distribution list. Thank you!

On behalf of the Lee Road PTA

Executive Committee,

have a very Happy

Thanksgiving!

Committee List, continued

Page 6 ROADRUNNER

Fundraising—Thanksgiving Pies Kim Angieri

Lisa Jimenez

Health, Safety & Environment Lynn D'Angelo

Holiday Boutique Bridgette Hogan

Jackie Butler

Honorary Life Award/Scholarship Dinner Dance MaryLou Miller

Kindergarten Orientation Lynn D'Angelo

Kindergarten Signs Roma Nowak

Kindergarten Social Michelle Gallela Leslie Cassidy

LEADD Andrea Dempsey

Memorial Scholarship Andrea Dempsey

PARP Helen Travers

Carolyn Szydlowski

Picture Day Marie Mendes

Reflections Bridgette Hogan

Jackie Butler

RIF Valerie Davie

Carolyn Szydlowski

School Store Roma Nowak

School Supply Boxes Laurie Weissman

Secondary Curriculum Carolyn Szydlowski

Staff Recognition Tracy DellItalia

Walk to School Day Andrea Dempsey

Gina Portello

COMMITTEE NAME Chairperson

DEAR Time

Thank you to all of our readers who participated in October DEAR time! Our next DEAR time is on November 19… notices will be coming home soon!

Jackie Butler & Diane Byrnes, Chairpersons

Committee News Secondary Education Curriculum:

The district has purchased the Springboard curriculum for 6th grade Language Arts. Springboard is a pre-AP curricu-lum. At the end of October, after 2 teacher development sessions, all 6th grade Language Arts classes (including Spe-cial Education) will begin to integrate the Springboard curriculum with the existing Language Arts curriculum. It is the hope of the district that if they see advances in student learning they can then integrate the Springboard Curriculum with other areas of study and the teachers who are currently taking the professional development days can help train the other teachers. As for state tests, the state has discontinued the Social Studies Assessment for grades 5 and 8. It has also discontinued the 8th grade foreign language proficiency exam but the state has said that the district can ad-minister a local exam and still give the one high school credit to the students who pass.

Carolyn Szydlowski, Chairperson

BJ’s fundraising

I just want to thank all who participated in the Fall BJ’s fundraiser. Don’t despair if you missed the October 22nd deadline, we will be doing this two more times this year. We will hold it next in January and again in the spring. Please don’t forget to ask your family and friends to re-new their membership through us!! It’s a great deal and we receive $5 for every new membership or renewal.

If you have any questions, email me at amumolo@iesi.com, or phone 516-679-8850 (evenings) Angela Mumolo – BJ’s Fundraiser Committee Chairperson

NOVEMBER, 2010 Page 7

5th Grade Yearbook Update Valerie Davie & Laurie Weissman, Chairpersons Our committee will soon be getting together to start designing our yearbook pages, and we need YOUR help! Each 5th grader needs to bring in a toddler photo, a recent photo of them now and any candid pictures they have of themselves in a

school activity. Their deadline is November 30th. “Boosters” will be on sale soon, so start thinking about wise advice you’d like to leave for your favorite 5th grader. Watch for more information soon!

Sharpen your pencil, Dust off your camera, Break out the paints 

It’s time for Reflections 

This year’s theme is “Together We Can” 

This is a cultural arts program run through the PTA’s local, state and na‐tional levels. 

There are 6 categories: 

Visual arts, photography, dance choreography, music, lit‐erature, film/video 

Program rules are available at www.ptareflections.org 

Any questions contact: 

Jackie Butler, 297‐8660 

All entries are due November 19th  

The 'Kindergarten Social' is a night designed to provide the opportunity for all incoming kindergarten parents to meet and spend time getting to know each other [without their children]. We held this year's event on October 5th in the Lee Road All Purpose Room. It appeared FUN was had by all! Talking and sharing 'interesting facts' about each other during a game of Bingo opened the evening. PTA information was then communicated. The impor-tance of PTA membership was explained to all and details provided on some of the committees that are funded through the PTA. Many have already decided to become involved and have volunteered to join various committees - THANKS! We finished the night with a tour of the school [which included the library - computer room - art room - music room] and raffle prizes / gifts for all attendees. These parents will travel together for the next 6 years - hopefully - they now feel more connected to enjoy the ride! — Leslie Cassidy & Michele Galella, Chairpersons

Back to School Bake Sale

The bake to school bake sale was a suc-cess! The PTA earned $232 from the sale.

Thank you to all the families who baked or brought in a treat and to those who volun-teered their time

to work at the bake sale table that night. Your help was very much appreciated.

Lynn D’Angelo, Committee Chairperson

KidStuff Thank you for supporting Lee Road PTA's KidStuff Cou-pon Book fundraiser! We raised over $2,000 to support educational programs and family fun events for the chil-dren. We hope you save plenty of money with the variety of coupons offered. Keep the book in your car so that you have access to the coupons while on the road! - Kim Aquilino & Tracy Dell’Italia, Chairpersons

Page 8

Kids Corner

ROADRUNNER

Lee Road By Samantha Jennings Grade 2, Mrs. Torre Lee Road is Fun ! Lee Road is Cool ! I Love Lee Road. Lee Road School Rules !

Columbus Day weekend I went camping with my family at Nick-erson Beach. It was a Halloween theme weekend. I went trick or treating with my friends who camped there. It was the best weekend ever!

Shannon Haller Mrs. Smith 4th Grade

Last year I started dancing at a different dance studio. It is AMAZING ! I think it is amazing because my dance teacher is the sweetest dance teacher ever and be-cause she is also very, very funny! I take Tap, Jazz, and Modern at the studio. I love going there every time! We do two dance recitals a year and they are so much fun! She give us the best songs ever and does the greatest dance moves! She also does dance camp, which is in the summer and it is the best camp in the world! At the end of the week she gives out shirts that

say Marianne Anderson's School of Dance and also brings in a famous dancer too! I love my new dance stu-dio and my new dance teacher!

Kathryn Mercaldo 4th Grade, Mrs. Rabinoff

Our New Rug 

By Mrs. Cacamis’ First Grade Class 

 

 We have a new rug. 

It is very cozy. 

It is very colorful. 

We can each sit in our own square. 

Two people share a square but 

it works out just right. 

We use our rug for reading, listening, 

learning and all kinds of lessons. 

We love our new rug. 

I am Special By Mikey McKenna First Grade, Mrs. Cacamis

My name is Mikey. I am special because I love my family.

Fall By: Joseph Pardi First Grade, Mrs. Cacamis

Fall is squirrels

turkeys,

pumpkins,

apples,

and mums.

Fall is fun.

NOVEMBER, 2010 Page 9

Kids Corner Fall By Julie Weitner First Grade, Mrs. Cacamis

I see pumpkins.

I hear geese flying south.

I smell apple pie.

I feel wind blowing.

I taste hot chocolate.

Fall is here! I love it!

Spiders By: Joseph Parascondola First Grade, Mrs. Cacamis

Spiders are wonderful.

They eat harmful insects.

They help gardens.

Most spiders have eight eyes.

Spiders are wonderful.

My trip to Disney World

Over the summer I went on a trip to Disney World in Florida. I rode there on a big airplane. I got to meet the pilot and sit in his special chair.

When we got to the resort I ate a yummy dinner. The next day we went to the Magic Kingdom and we went on a lot of rides. My favorite ride was Snow White’s Scary Adventure. We visited the Magic Kingdom a lot and I met Mickey Mouse and Belle. I also went to Epcot and then swam in the hotel pool. It was the best trip ever.

Grace Alduino A.M. Kindergarten, Ms. Kelly

Halloween By Nicole Weber 4th grade, Mrs. Smith

Skeletons crackling up and down the streets.

Ghosts glowing in the moonlight. Spiders hanging from trees. Dracula hiding behind bushes and pops out

saying “Muh ha ha haa.” Frankenstein stealing candy from kids. And people going door to door saying

“Trick-or-treat” to get candy. That is a fun Halloween!

Page 10 ROADRUNNER

PTA Halloween Party Trick or Treat Lee Roaders!!! The first ever Lee Road Halloween Party was held on Friday, October 29th. Over 100 ghosts, pirates, fairies, and prin-cesses arrived to dance and have fun. The night went quick and ended with an all-time favorite, Trunk or Treating. Trunks of cars and SUVs were decorated and filled with sweets for the children. A great big Thank You to DJ Gerard Del-Grosso for providing the music, and to the many moms who helped make the night a fun one for all. We hope to see many of you again next year! — Margaret Costa

PTA Membership Form WE NEED YOU! Your membership $ will help the Lee Road PTA fund all of the many wonderful

programs that your children will enjoy throughout the 2010 - 2011 school year!

PTA Membership Information

Mom’s Name: Email Address: Dad’s Name: Email Address:

Address:

Phone: Alt Phone: Best Time to Call:

Child: Grade/Teacher: Child: Grade/Teacher:

Child: Grade/Teacher: # People: Amount Paid:

If given the option would you prefer to receive information about PTA sponsored events:

via e-mail via flyers sent home with your child

*** INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP: $10 · ADDITIONAL FAMILY MEMBERS: $4 · BOTH PARENTS: $14 ***

Checks Only · Payable to Lee Road PTA · Return in Envelope Marked “Membership”

Are you available to volunteer two hours of time to the Lee Road PTA this year? It would be GREATLY appreciated! If so - what are the times that work best for you? Please check all that apply.

Fall Spring A.M. P.M. At Home At School

If you are interested in assisting with a specific committee please let us know. Descriptions of all committees are on the Lee Road website: www.levittownschools.com/lee/pta.

Committee Name:___________________________________________________________________