Our Stonybrook Blog

Upcoming dates

Mr. Mongon — Fri, 11 May 2012 19:05:30 +0000

NJ ASK testing is now over (except for those who were absent at any time this past week), and our students can be proud of the hard work and focus they showed throughout the week. We resume a normal schedule throughout the school on Monday, and there are a number of upcoming dates to be aware of:

5/14-There will be a meeting for 5th grade parents in preparation for the PEEC trip (6:30 PM in the band room at Stonybrook)

5/15-There will be a meeting for parents of next year’s 6th graders (6:30 PM at PRM)

5/17-Author Day assembly for kindergarten students at Stonybrook

5/21-4th Grade Band concert

5/22-5th Grade Band/Jazz Band concert

5/23-4th and 5th Grade Choir concert

5/25-5/30-school closed for Memorial Day and unused snow days

5/31-Field Day (or 5th grade student visit to PRM)

6/1-5th grade student visit to PRM (or Field Day rain date)

6/4-5th grade visit to PRM

6/7-5th grade leaves for PEEC, 4th grade fiesta

6/8-Kindergarten Extravaganza, 5th grade returns from PEEC

6/12-5th grade Bookfest, GOAL Museum Night (5:00-6:30 PM at Stonybrook)

6/13-5th grade DARE Graduation

6/15-last day of school for students

NJ ASK Testing

Mr. Mongon — Sat, 05 May 2012 03:12:38 +0000

NJ ASK testing will take place at Stonybrook during the week of May 7th. Students in grades 3, 4, and 5 will have two days of language arts testing and two days of math testing (on Monday and Tuesday, and on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively). Students in fourth grade will also have one day of science testing on Friday.

Parents, please note the following:

It is ESSENTIAL that your child arrive at school on time. Students are not permitted to enter classrooms while testing is occurring, meaning that those who arrive late will need to remain in the office. They will then have to make up the missed assessment during the following week.
The NJ ASK is not the type of test one studies for. Rather, the work your child has been doing in class this year, and in the years leading up to this, has equipped him or her to be successful. However, getting a sound night’s sleep and eating a good breakfast will certainly serve your child well (good advice for this week, and in general!).

As part of one of our school goals this year, we surveyed students to gauge their perceptions of their personal readiness for NJ ASK, and the vast majority indicated feeling confident and well-prepared. They have good reason to feel this way, as they have worked diligently throughout the year, which will also benefit them on the NJ ASK. We look forward to a successful week of testing for your child.

The 2012 Spelling Bee

Mr. Mongon — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 19:22:27 +0000

I wish to congratulate all of the participants in our 2012 Spelling Bee! Every student who made it to the competition on Friday afternoon was a winner in his or her own right from the beginning, because each was there representing his or her class as the winner of a spelling bee held there. Every single contestant should be proud of the job he or she did.

I also want to thank our audience, which was comprised of students, staff members, family, and friends. They were enthusiastic and supportive, and added to the fun of this afternoon’s event. The 2012 Spelling Bee was a great success!

free seating at lunch

Mr. Mongon — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 20:12:05 +0000

As you probably know, our students sit with their classmates each day at lunchtime. However, the Student Council requested that students be able to have a day of “free seating” in which they could sit with children from other classes. Our Student Council is a great venue that gives our students a voice and, when they express an idea such as this, it makes sense to give it a try.

To date, we have had a day each for 5th graders and 4th graders to try this (Third graders will be given this opportunity soon, as well.), and it was very successful in both cases. Not only did students enjoy spending lunchtime in the cafeteria with people they don’t typically sit next to, but I also saw numerous instances of students asking others, who had not yet found a seat, to sit with them. The whole tone of both of these days was very positive, and that is a credit to our students. I am grateful to the Student Council for bringing forth this idea!

Congratulations, DI Teams!

Mr. Mongon — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 19:24:16 +0000

Congratulations to all of our Destination ImagiNation teams for their outstanding performances last weekend! All of our teams can be proud of their performances. Two of our teams will be continuing to the Global Finals in Tennessee! To see a complete listing of results, click here (you can access information on team performances through the links at the bottom of the page).

“Hook a Book” contest results

Mr. Mongon — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 20:17:41 +0000

Throughout our month-long observance of Read Across America, our students have been participating in the “Hook a Book” contest. For each hour our students read, a fish was added to the wall in the hall behind the media center. As you can see, our students did quite a lot of reading!

The contest was close throughout the month, with all grade levels doing an outstanding job of reading (kindergarten included!). In the end, the 5th grade was victorious, logging 734 hours of reading. Congratulations, 5th graders, and thanks, everyone, for making “Hook a Book” such a great activity!

Kindergarten Parent Orientation

Mr. Mongon — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 20:09:22 +0000

Last night, we held an orientation for parents of students who will be joining our kindergarten program next year. We shared a great deal of information and, for those who either couldn’t attend, or attended and would like a refresher, I’d like to offer the information and handouts we made available last night:

the PowerPoint presentation from the meeting, giving an overview of our kindergarten program, as well as options for childcare beyond the kindergarten day through KED

information from the Department of Special Services

a KEHSA general information sheet

a KEHSA class parent flyer

Kinnelon Extended Day (KED) information

Daisy Troop Leader information

More than likely, you will have questions as you review the information from last night. Please visit our website or call with questions about our kindergarten program.

Thanks for a great Tricky Tray!

Mr. Mongon — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 21:37:06 +0000

Thank you to all the members of KEHSA for such a fun and memorable Tricky Tray event! Anyone in attendance could tell the extent of the preparation that went into making it possible; it was a truly special night. It takes an inordinate amount of time and effort “behind the scenes” to coordinate something like the Tricky Tray, and, from the perspective of someone who was there, it was all worth it (I hope those who coordinated it found that, as well!).

Whether you won something or not (I was in the former category last year, and the latter this year), it was a great time. Again, thank you to all who made it possible!

I also want to thank all the parents who were in attendance. I really enjoyed spending time in the company of such positive and supportive people; it says a lot about our community. I hope everyone had as much fun as I did!

Our celebration of Read Across America continues

Mr. Mongon — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 18:19:28 +0000

You will see an updated calendar for Read Across America events in the Friday Folder for 3/16/12. Pajama Day and the Great Teacher Swap have been moved from 3/30/12 to 3/23/12 because Friday, March 30th, is also Spring Picture Day. This way, students can participate in both events without the need to change clothes.

Early dismissal on Monday, 3/12/12

Mr. Mongon — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 20:08:22 +0000

Please remember that there will be an early dismissal on Monday, March 12th, due to the fact that our teachers will be participating in professional development workshops after school. Dismissal times for Stonybrook are as follows:

Kindergarten-11:25 AM

Grades 3, 4, and 5-1:25 PM