Brett Cancredi,
Principal
10 Rt. 209
Port Jervis , NY 12771
(845) 858-3100,
Ext. 13500

Elementary
School Links

OUR SCHOOL NEWS - May
ASK publishes a monthly newsletter to keep our families informed of the latest happenings at our school.
   • May Newsletter  - includes PTA News

District providing fall sports physicals in May & June
Physicals for fall sports are being done in school now through the month of June. All sixth grade students, who want to participate in a fall sport next year at the Middle School, MUST see their school nurse for paperwork and to find out if they require a sports physical by the beginning of the season. For more information, please call the ASK health office at 858-3100, Ext. 13700 or 13701.

Third Quarter Honor Roll

Congratulations to all of the students in grades 4 to 6 who qualified for the Third Marking Period Honor Roll!  Click here to view the Honor Roll.

ASK students drop everything to read

The entire ASK school community dropped everything and read for 15 minutes the mornings of April 9-11. This event was part of the national Drop Everything and Read program, which is held annually to celebrate the birthday of children's author Beverly Clearly. It is designed to remind folks of all ages to make reading a priority activity in their lives. Visit the D.E.A.R. web site to learn more.

Bus O Named March Bus of the Month

Congratulations to Bus O for being selected as our March Bus of the Month! As a part of our Doing Things the Right Way! incentive program, ASK is honoring a bus with the best and/or most improved behavior each month. Drivers recognize students for Doing Things the Right Way. Our school Bus Rules are displayed on all buses.

Elementary Schools celebrate National Nutrition Month
Fun activities teach healthy eating habits

March was National Nutrition Month – ASK & HBE celebrated by providing healthy eating activities during specials in the month of March. The students learned about the USDA My Plate campaign in physical education classes, created "My Plate" artwork during art classes, had healthy reading materials displayed in the Library, sang healthy tunes during music and played interactive nutrition games during computer class.
For more healthy eating tips, please visit the following web sites:
  • www.ChooseMyPlate.gov   • www.kidseatright.org  
  • www.eatright.org/nutritiontipsheets

Mighty Milers reach half-way point

ASK Mighty Milers have reached their half-way point by walking a total of 13.1 miles. The students are pictured with physical educational teacher Nicole Beam, who organized the program at ASK. She rewarded each of them with a medal for their hard work and dedication. The Mighty Milers are striving to reach their goal of 26.2 miles, which is the equivalent to walking a marathon, by the end of the school year. Let's cheer on these students who are making healthy lifestyle choices!

Reading Rally kicks off Read Across America

Anna S. Kuhl Elementary School's third annual Reading Rally was a mega celebration that included all of the students and staff, the Raider Cheerleaders, Raider Athletes, a Hollywood celebrity and three very special visitors!  MORE

Read Across America Celebration

For one week every year, students and staff can be found wearing red and white striped hats – a sure sign that Dr. Seuss and the Read Across America activities are in full force. Students at Anna S. Kuhl  Elementary School participated in Read Across America Week to celebrate the birthday of children’s author and illustrator, Dr. Seuss.  MORE

 

First graders decorate eggs to welcome spring!

The first grade students in Heather Tufano, Amy Bavoso, and Melissa Pulsinelli’s classes enjoyed dying eggs to welcome spring.

All Irish eyes were smiling on St. Patrick's Day

All of the students in Kristin Wadeson's class eyes were smiling when they created their Green Shamrock Shakes as part of their St. Patrick's Day celebration.

Mr. Puopolo's class caught doing things the right way

Congratulations to all of the students in Louis Puopolo's class...
The entire class was recently recognized for getting caught Doing Things the Right Way!!




Kindergarteners spread their wings

ASK Kindergarteners were treated with an interactive visit from Pat's Pets Educational Animal Program. The program is designed to educate through entertainment, stimulate the imaginations and promote the curiosity of the audience by allowing them to experience first hand the amazing creatures we share the earth with. The Kindergarteners loved every minute of the program from when they met their guide Pat Rose to when they got up close with various kinds of animals from all over the world. The children's excitement and interest where shown by the smiles on their faces. Additional information can be found at www.patspalsllc.com.
 

ASK students celebrate the 100th Day of School

We're 100 Days Smarter!! 
Heather Tufano’s first graders celebrated being “100 Days Smarter”
by creating festive hats and glasses.
 

Messy Fun!
Andrea Schmitzs' kindergarten class enjoyed getting messy in celebration of the 100th day of school.
 

100th Day
Math Activity
Students in Kathy Little's class enjoyed working on the 100 Grid - a fun, hands-on math activity. 

 

ASK students win second Radio Disney Dance Party

We are the champions - again! Radio Disney returned to Port Jervis last month to throw another party. The crew from the nation's top kids’ radio network brought its high energy road dance show back to Anna S. Kuhl Elementary School last month to reward students and staff for winning the Get Active, Get Fit Challenge - for the second year in a row. The school won the Radio Disney dance party by having one of the highest participation rates in the New York State Empire Blue Cross and Radio Disney Get Active, Get Fit Challenge! This marks the second year ASK Elementary School was one of the state’s top competitors.  MORE

Fifth graders design models of frontier homesteads

Students in James Modugno’s fifth grade guided reading group present a culminating project on The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare. After completing the book, the students researched and designed their own projects, which included a 3-dimensional model of the book setting.
 

Our fundraiser will help your garden grow!
Sixth graders are selling spring flowers

The ASK sixth grade is holding a Flower Power sale to raise money for our class trip to New York City. You can order the flowers online or from any sixth grader now through Friday, April 5.  Every plant is fully guaranteed.

Order onlines:  Click here to place an order on the Flower Power web site. Online orders will be shipped directly to the customers' homes. The ASK 6th grade will receive 50 percent of all orders. The profits will go directly toward our class trip. Thank you for your support!

No Name Calling Week
Working together to put an end to name calling

ASK students, teachers and staff spent an entire week participating in educational activities aimed at ending name calling. National No Name-Calling Week activities included daily theme days that gave everyone the opportunity to Dress the Message. Students also participated in fun, hands-on activities. MORE 
 

Wall of Kindness: The 6th grade Student Council,
along with a few members of the Port Jervis High School Friends of Rachael club, worked together over two days
to build the "Wall of Kindness." The wall consists of over 900 bricks with the names of ASK students. The bricks symbolize their pledge to be kind to others and to make our school a kinder place. The students signed the bricks in their classrooms after reading books about about kindness. 

New procedures enhance school security 
On January 14, the following new Drop-off, Pick-up, and Walker procedures went into effect at ASK. The measures are designed to enhance school security and make the arrival/dismissal process more efficient.

• Morning “Drop-off” – Parents can continue to drop off students in the normal drop-off area (near the library entrance). Students are escorted along the sidewalk to the front of the building where the rest of the students enter. Staff members are positioned on the sidewalk to guide students along.
• Afternoon “Pick-up” – Students are dismissed to the gym. Parents can go to the first set of gym doors (east) nearest the playground to pick up students. Two staff members will be outside to greet you and will have sign-out sheets available. Parents need to show photo identification and sign the student out prior to release. The students will be kept in the gymnasium until it is verified that they may be released to the appropriate person.
• Walkers – Students are dismissed to the gym. Walkers are released out of the second set of gym doors (west). Staff members are there to greet students and check their names prior to them leaving the building.

2012-13 PTA Reflections Program
Students Honored for Outstanding Creative Works

An awards presentation was held at the ASK December Art Show to recognize the students who participated in the 2012-13 PTA Reflections program.

The national PTA Reflections Program encourages students across the country to explore their artistic talents. Nationally, the program promotes arts in education by offering students an opportunity to create theme-based artwork in areas ranging from film production and literature to photography and visual arts.

All of the entries at ASK Elementary School were created by students during their art classes. Participation focused on one category – visual arts, which is traditionally one of the most popular categories nationwide. The entries were judged on the use of materials, artistic expression and the interpretation of this year’s theme “The Magic of a Moment.”

Congratulations to the following grade level division winners:
Gr. 1- 2: Layla Shihada, Arianna Merchan-Espada, Jacob Edwards, Alexis Tufano
Gr. 3-5: Emily Eckerson, Andrew Gillian, Rachel Fuller, Maria Schlosser
Gr. 6: Kaila Torres, Gwen Boonyan, Kasey Samalot, Zackary Davis

Sixth graders bring holiday cheer to seniors

ASK sixth graders brightened the holidays for the seniors at St. Joseph's Place by performing a mini-concert of festive Christmas carols.

The caroling was part of the senior citizen outreach program organized by guidance counselor Dawn Jones. Every month, since the beginning of this school year, Jones takes a group of approximately 20 students to visit the long-term care facility at Bon Secours Community Hospital. The students generally spend close to two hours at the center interacting with the seniors. They talk, work on arts and crafts projects, and play games. MORE

A Cup of Holiday Cheer  Performing Arts Fundraiser
 

ASK music students and staff hosted A Cup of Holiday Cheer fundraiser to raise money for the ASK Sixth Grade Performing Arts Club. Over 100 people came out to support the event - and enjoy a fun cabaret-style night of holiday music and good food. MORE
 

First grade classes perform holiday favorites

ASK families packed into the cafeteria Dec. 19
to hear the first grade classes perform the songs
of the season. The annual first grade Holiday Concert featured a selection of seasonal favorites ranging
from The Dreidel Song to Jingle Bells.
Click here to see more concert photos.    

ASK raised $1,010 for Long Island Dog Shelter
 

Stars from the former reality TV show Rescue Ink Unleashed came to ASK Elementary School Dec. 17 to accept a generous donation to help them rebuild their Long Island animal rescue shelter. Known for their no-nonsense approach to rescuing animals, the Rescue Ink members gained national notoriety when their reality TV show ran on the National Geographic Channel. The group's animal shelter was destroyed by Hurricane Sandy. This month, ASK raised $1,010 through a coin drive to help rebuild the shelter. MORE
 

Third graders learn about Hanukkah traditions

After enjoying a Hanukkah feast of steaming hot latkes with applesauce and sour cream, the students in Maura Brady-Wilson’s and Mary Grace Carlton’s third grade class enjoyed singing Hanukkah songs and playing the dreidel game. Happy Hanukkah to all!

ASK helps victims of Hurricane Sandy

The sixth grade Student Council would like to thank everyone for their generous donations in response to the collection for the victims of Hurricane Sandy. On Nov. 16, students sorted the items donated - that included everything from clothing to cleaning supplies - and packed them in teacher Thomas Reilly's car. Mr. Reilly generously offered to drive the collected items to Staten Island, where they were given to the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation. To learn more about this foundation, please check their website at tunneltotowers.org.

ASK students collect over 1,700 food items

Students at ASK collected over 1,700 items for our canned food drive. The food was donated to the local Salvation Army. Fifth grade students collected and totaled all of the items. Students learned the importance of giving back to their community and helping those in need.

ASK students are Up in Arms about bullying 

ASK students now have more "tools" to help stop bullying thanks to Drew and the other puppets at Up in Arms. The Mid-Hudson Valley based puppet company presented students with an important anti-bullying message during the musical assembly Helping Drew. The fun and engaging program helps students recognize bullying and look for solutions within themselves. It also gives the students “real tools” to use everyday to prevent and protect others from bullying. 

 

Kindergarten Thanksgiving Feast
Each year, Kindergarteners at ASK get to participate in the tradition of giving thanks, and this year was no exception. Students from each of the classrooms gathered in the hallway together and gave thanks for different things in their lives, while enjoying healthy snacks with their classmates. MORE
 

Save the elephants
ASK students contribute art to Cornell fundraiser
Port Jervis students are doing their part to raise funds and awareness to save the endangered African forest elephant. Paper elephants created by the 4th, 5th and 6th grade art classes were displayed at the Nov. 3 Evening for Elephants fundraiser at Cornell University.  
MORE

ASK unites against bullying

Throughout the month of October, ASK students, faculty and staff participated in activities that promoted anti-bullying. Photos of these fun and educational activities can be viewed in a special Bully Prevention Month slide show.

Fire Prevention Week

Huguenot firefighters teach fire safety

ASK students were treated to a visit by the Huguenot Firefighters during fire prevention week. The students had the opportunity to meet these local heroes, see their different trucks, and get up close and touch some of the tools that the firefighters use to help save lives everyday.

The firefighters main message this year was "to have two ways out" of your house in case of a fire. It is important to have a home fire escape plan so your family can think fast and get out quickly when the smoke alarm sounds.

ASK's Walking School Bus is on the road again

ASK's Fit Kids Committee organized its second Walking School Bus. All students in grades 2-6 who are considered walkers were invited to participate. The caravan of students, parents, staff and community leaders enjoyed a fun walk to school on October 4. ...It was like carpooling to school without the car! The Fit Kids Committee held the event - which has grown in popularity since the first Walking School Bus hit the streets in May - to encourage students to walk and enjoy exercise.  MORE

Military soldiers are true heroes
Port grad teaches students good values
 

Students in Theresa Fontanas' Kindergarten learned that you do not need to be a famous athlete or rock star to be a hero. Port Jervis alumnus Marine Reserve Staff Sgt. Tyler Hinkley spent the afternoon helping to teach the children a good work ethic and to pride in themselves. Hinkley read and acted out stories, listened and answered questions about his service, and then rolled up his sleeves to help the class bake monkey bread.
 

At the end of the day, one of the students asked if she could give Hinkley a "high five", and asked when he could come back because "she had so much fun learning with him." You could tell that Hinkley really made a lasting impression on the students, by seeing the smiles that went from ear to ear.

Staff Sgt. Tyler Hinkley is pictured with the class and his mother ASK Kindergarten aide Karen Hinkley. In honor of Hinkley and his fellow soldiers, ASK asked all faculty/staff and students to wear camo to dress like a hero on October 12.

Anti-bullying Message: Call Me By My Name
School counselor Dawn Jones and social worker Lisa Bongiovi kicked off Bullying Prevention Month by talking to students about how it feels to be bullied. On Oct. 1, they visited Theresa Fontanas' kindergarten class to share a story about a girl, who wished just to be called by her name. Students were given the opportunity to discuss different ways people can be bullied and how they feel because of it. At the end of the activity, students were asked to look in the mirror, state their name, and saying why they are special.

ASK participates in the JAM World Record Event
ASK participated in the JAM World Record 2012 with national Let's Move in School on September 27. Everyone at the Port Jervis elementary school stopped what they were doing at 10 a.m. to join students at thousands of schools across the country in physical activity. The goal was to reach 2 million JAMmers and to set a world fitness record. MORE

New ASK Parent Handbook is now online
The new ASK Parent Handbook was developed to provide parents and guardians with a handy guide for answers to frequently asked questions about school procedures and policies. A separate student handbook, and a copy of the District Code of Conduct, will be given to students when they return to school.
 

Craig Fisher's sixth grade class was caught doing things the right way...The class was rewarded with ice cream from the Riverside Creamery. This is the first class whose respectful and responsible actions earned them a special reward through the new We Caught You Doing Things the Right Way program. Throughout the school year, ASK administrators will be rewarding students and classes with all different rewards from pencils and post cards (with the new school motto) and various other incentives.  Congratulations to Mr. Fisher & his class!!
 

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When school's out, don't be left out in the cold     
Want to be one of the first to know about school closings and delays? Parents can sign up to receive SNN (School News Notifier) text messages and/or email alerts about early dismissals, inclement weather delays, and other school emergencies. Other sources of this information are this Web site and the local radio and television stations listed on the Emergency Closing Page. Click here  to sign-up for School News Notifier