Port Jervis Hamilton Bicentennial elementary school graphic Port Jervis Hamilton Bicentennial school masthead graphic
Links to Port Jervis high school page link to Port Jervis middle school district page link to Anna S. Kuhl elementary school district page link to Hamilton Bicentennial elementary school district page graphic of school names

Linda Korycki,
Principal

929 Rt. 209 Cuddebackville, NY 12729

(845) 858-3100,
Ext. 14500

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 Better Schools Build Better Communities

 

 
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 HBE health office at 858-3100, Ext. 14700.

Limited number of yearbooks are available!

Yearbooks can still be purchased. HBE yearbooks are still available for all K-6 students. Limited quantities remain. Cost is $20. Cash, money orders or checks are acceptable. Please make money orders or checks payable to the HBE PTA. Place orders inside an envelope marked “Yearbook Order” with your child’s name and homeroom on the outside of the envelope and send in with your child.

HBE School News - May
HBE prints a newsletter every month to keep our families informed of school happenings. MAY NEWSLETTER     April Perfect Attendance List

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.
 


Fun Friday Math helps prepare fifth graders for NYS test

HBE fifth graders participate in Fun Friday Math. HBE fifth graders participate in Fun Friday Math.












The HBE fifth grade teachers helped their students prepare for the New York State Math Test by having a Fun Math Friday. The innovative event engaged students in fun, hands-on learning activities at different centers. Each center helped the students review a specific math skill. Some of the centers were directed by teachers. Others provided students with the opportunity to work independently or with partners or teams. Both the teachers and the students had a great time and everyone enjoyed breaking away from their normal classroom routine. 
NYS Tests reflect NEW Common Core Learning Standards
Students in grades 3-8 are taking the annual NYS assessment tests on the following dates: English Language Arts (ELA), April 16-18, and math, April 24-26. This is the first year the tests will be based on the new Common Core Learning Standards, which are national learning standards that have been adopted by New York and states across the country. What does this mean for our students? Click here to learn more about the standards and how they are impacting this year's NY State assessment tests. 

Rudae Gadson receives Sojourner Truth Award

Photo of Sojourner Truth Award ceremony. Photo of Sojourner Truth Award ceremony.












HBE sixth grader Rudae Gadson was recognized by SUNY Orange for her good citizenship at the college’s 2013 Sojourner Truth Awards Program on April 5.
Rudae was one of 41 Port Jervis students in grades 6-12, who received the distinguished award. The Sojourner Truth Awards Program aims to promote education in a positive manner and motivate students, who are from groups that are traditionally under-represented in the college population, to consider college as a viable and attainable goal. 

Rudae exemplifies the traits of good citizenship. The 11-year-old has been working with officer Frank Speranza of the Middletown Police Department to raise $5,000 for the American Cancer Society. In October, Rudae participated in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk in Queens. She is also collecting bottles and cans for the Cops N' Kids for a Cure fundraiser at locations throughout Orange County. Our school is one of the collection sites.

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

Photo of HBE students celebrating National Nutrition Month. Photo of HBE students celebrating National Nutrition Month.










 

March was National Nutrition Month – HBE & ASK Elementary Schools celebrated by providing healthy eating activities during specials in the month of March.

Photo of HBE students creating "My Plate" in art class.

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
 

HBE celebrates Read Across American

Photo the Cat in the Hat with a Hamilton Bicetennail Elementary School student.

Our students celebrated Read Across America Day by studying the 50 states. Each class chose a different state to study. On Dr. Seuss' birthday - March 1 - students dressed up to represent their chosen state.  

Over 30 volunteers spent time at HBE reading to our classes.  Our guest readers included community members, board members, retired teachers, administrators, and teachers from other buildings. Additionally, the older students spent the morning reading to the younger students in kindergarten-3rd grade classes.
And, five published authors talked to students about their publishing experiences. 
MORE

HBE's Giving Tree is blossoming with acts of kindness 

Photo of student adding a new leaf to the HBE Giving Tree?
Hamilton Bicentennial Elementary School's Character Education Committee recently organized an event to celebrate Random Acts of Kindness. Students performed random acts of kindness such as sharing a snack or helping a classmate study and recorded it on a leaf for our Giving Tree. Teachers and staff members also performed random acts of kindness for others such as filling in for a colleague during lunch duty or bringing in a cup of coffee for someone. Their acts were recognized on the tree with apples. Many students and staff are still adding to our Giving Tree!


Students celebrate the 100th Day of School!
 
Photo of two HBE students displaying 100th Day posters.
HBE students recently celebrated the 100th day of the school year by creating posters and other things decorated with 100 items. Some posters were decorated with 100 cotton balls, while others were adorned with photos, buttons, cereal and stickers. The 100th Day is a fun way for elementary school teachers to teach mathematical concepts using the number 100.

Third graders receive letter from Black Lagoon author

Photo of five Bicentennial Elementary students holding the letter and books written by Mike Thaler.
February, third graders studied author Mike Thaler after reading select works from his famous collection The Black Lagoon Series.
The students wrote letters to the author, asking him specific questions about writing.
The author responded to the inquisitive young readers, answering all of their questions!
 

Thank you Dr. Horn teaching us to keep our teeth healthy

Photo of students proudly displaying the Thank You poster they made for Dr. Horn and the staff at Aesthetic Family Dentistry.

Dr. Seth Horn from Aesthetic Family Dentistry in Port Jervis helped students celebrate Dental Health Month by providing them with a guide to take good care of their teeth. The dental practice also provided each student with a goodie bag that included a toothbrush and toothpaste. Students are pictured with the thank you poster they made Dr. Horn and his staff.

Punxsutawney Phil has nothing on HBE's groundhogs

Photo of HBE students holding Groundhog Day cupcakes
On February 1 - the day before Groundhog Day - students in Vicki Sickler's class made delicious Groundhog Day snacks out of pudding, oreo cookies, and vanilla wafers. After creating these adorable treats, the children predicted whether or not Punxsutawney Phil would see his shadow...Many were on target - joining the famous groundhog in his predication for an early spring! 


Fourth graders experiment with liquids

Photo of fourth graders conducting liquid experiments. Photo of fourth graders conducting liquid experiments.













Students in Carrie Sarbello and Megan Rudden's fourth grade class conducted an experiment in science class. They have been working with graduated cylinders, learning how to measure volumes of liquids. Working in groups, the students measured different volumes of colored water. If they followed their written directions correctly, the end result was a rainbow of different colored test tubes!

Port shows blizzard of support for Sandy Hook

Photo of snowflakes made for Sandy Hook Elementary School students.Port Jervis elementary students, and countless students from around the country showed their support for the Sandy Hook Elementary School students by creating a winter wonderland of snowflakes to decorate their new school building.  In the wake of the tragedy in Newtown, Conn., the Connecticut Parent-Teacher-Student Association asked schools across the nation to show their support by making snowflakes to decorate the building where Sandy Hook students will now attend school. ASK and HBE students responded by making close to 800 paper snowflakes. MORE


Spirited Pep Rally kicks off Bucket Filling year
The HBE Bucket Filler Mascot, High School Raider football players & cheerleaders helped our school kick off a new Bucket Filling year at a spirited Pep Rally. Click here for more photos.

HBE student raising money for American Cancer Society
She's asking community to bring in recyclable bottle & cans

Photo of student displaying container for recycable bottles and cans.

HBE student Rudae Gadson, 11, of Westbrookville has an ambitious goal this year. Along with officer Frank Speranza of the Middletown Police Department, she is attempting to raise $5,000 for the American Cancer Society. Gadson was inspired to help find a cure for cancer after the death of her Aunt earlier this year. Her father and grandmother are both cancer survivors. In October, Rudae participated in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk in Queens.

She is also collecting bottles and cans for the Cops N' Kids for a Cure fundraiser at locations throughout Orange County. Our school is now a collection site. Rudae is asking HBE students, teachers and staff to help her reach the goal by bringing recyclable bottles and cans to school. A special Cops N' Kids recycling container has been set up at HBE.  


Third graders design creative cell models

Photo of HBE third grader proudly displaying cell model. Photo of HBE third grader proudly displaying cell model.

Third grade students in Linda Valentine and Cori Jashenbowksi's class learned an important lesson in biology recently. The students made their own giant plant and animal cells in all kinds of creative ways. They used sponges, marbles, and even chocolate cake for their cell models.

Photo of First Grade Turkey.

First grade families & students create magnificent turkey
After reading 10 Fat Turkeys by veteran children's author Tony Johnston, first grade students and their families got together to create unique and beautiful feathers. The teachers put all the feathers together and created this magnificent turkey!

Crazy Hair Day theme - 'Hair's' to a drug free life!
HBE students took a stand against drugs during Red Ribbon Week. The week ended with crazy hair day. "Hair's" to a drug free life!

Photo of HBE Crazy Hair Day. Photo of HBE Crazy Hair Day.












 

HBE Fall Scarecrow Extravaganza

Photo of HBE students posing with one of the cute handcrafted scarecrows.

HBE's Doreen Semerano kept students and staff pretty busy during recess time this fall. The physical education teacher organized a scarecrow building extravaganza! When the project was finally completed, students were greeted on the bus platform by handcrafted scarecrow versions of their teachers, custodians, administrators, and more! These creations looked great, but, most importantly, were so much fun to make!
MORE PHOTOS


Photo of fourth graders holding their hand-made bubbles.Bubbles...
lots and lots of Bubbles
!
The students in Nancy Dillon's fourth grade class had fun writing detailed instructions on the proper technique of bubble-blowing! The students then attached their instructions to the bottom of an adorable hand-made bubble.
 

Fire Prevention Week
Cuddlebackville firefighters teach fire safety

Photo of Cuddebackville firefighter showing students how the fire hose works.

On October 12, volunteers from the Cuddebackville Fire Department spent the day teaching students about fire safety. The students even got to explore inside a real fire truck. Thanks to fourth grade teacher Emily Mesnick for setting up such a fun and educational day - and to the Cuddebackville Fire Department!

Photo of two HBE students climbing down the fire truck steps.

Fire safety week was observed at HBE from Oct. 8–12. This year’s theme, “Have 2 Ways Out!” focuses on the importance of fire escape planning and practice. It is important to have a home fire escape plan that prepares your family to think fast and get out quickly when the smoke alarm sounds.

HBE imagines whirled peace!

Our school participated in Pinwheels for Peace
Hamilton Bicentennial Elementary School did something special this year to celebrate the International Day of Peace on September 21. As participants in the Pinwheels for Peace Project, the entire school formed a giant, colorful peace sign on the back lawn. Each of the students in grades K-6 held a pinwheel peace pop they made as part of their school’s character education program. MORE
HBE "Give Peace a Chance" photo featured in the Record.

Port in the News: HBE featured in the Record
Education turns a new page as New York shifts emphasis 
The innovative teaching strategies of three Hamilton Bicentennial Elementary School teachers were highlighted in the Sept. 24 Times Herald-Record's cover story about the state's new Common Core Standards for education. If you missed the story & photos, they are archived on the Recordonline.com.


Port Jervis VFW donates school supplies to students
Photo of school supplies donated to HBE students by the Port Jervis VFW.Lillian Houghtaling and Tammy Morris from Rosa Fleming Post 161 VFW in Port Jervis delivered 10 book bags, filled with donated school supplies for students in need at HBE. A big thank you to the Ladies Auxiliary for their thoughtfulness and generosity! Pictured with Lillian Houghtaling are
Lori Kuroski, Jessica Ellsworth, Erin Bratton and JoEllen DeGraw.

Follow Port Schools on Facebook
Port Jervis has a Facebook page. Everyone who becomes a “fan” of the page will receive timely news about school programs, student accomplishments, upcoming events, and more. It’s easy to become a fan! Already on Facebook? Simply click the Facebook icon on this page and “Sign up.” Not on Facebook, but want to join? Go to www.Facebook.com and create your account. Then, visit the PJ Facebook page and become a fan. Spread the word!

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  
 
 

 


 

 

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Attendance Matters 
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 Raider Athletics www.pjraiders.org



CALENDAR


May 16
HBE Spring Concert
High School Auditorium, 7 p.m.


May 17
Fourth Quarter Progress Reports HIGH SCHOOL ONLY


May 20
High School
Spring Concert
Choir/Symphony
Concert Band

High School Auditorium, 7 p.m.


May 21
BUDGET VOTE &
SCHOOL BOARD
ELECTION
Polls Open:
6 a.m.-9 p.m.
Polling Locations


May 22
High School
National Honor Society
High School Auditorium, 7 p.m.


May 23
Board of Education Meeting
Canvass of the Budget Vote
High School Cafeteria, 7:30 p.m.


May 24
Fourth Quarter Progress Reports GRADE K-8


May 24-28
Extended
Memorial Day Holiday
SCHOOLS CLOSED
District Offices
Closed May 24 & 27


May 29
Port Parent
Information Night
Grades K-12
ASK Complex,
6:30-8 p.m.
FLYER


May 30
HBE PTA Meeting
3:30 p.m.


May 31
EARLY DISMISSAL
Elementary Schools   11
a.m.




 

 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 
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