News from Harbor Country Day School

Hawk Tales from the Head...

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:03:32 -0000

Hawk Tales from the Head....

Jama and I have instituted Marshmallow Mondays (although they began on a Tuesday due to the Monday holiday last week) into the winter schedule to give us an opportunity to connect with Harbor students and enjoy a little rap session together. Last week, we began with the Kindergarten by serving hot cocoa in the dining room at the end of the day and discussing whatever topic the students generate. We had a wonderful time together, and look forward to greeting each class through the winter months. Of course, marshmallow was offered for their cocoa (yes, we know it is not the most nutritional snack!) but why else would we call it Marshmallow Monday?

On Friday, the 20th, the Harbor community said good bye to our two January interns, Miss Hannah and Miss Sarah, who have covered a lot of territory in their two weeks on campus helping us out with various projects from development to athletics, and classroom activity. We are happy to have had them share their positive energy with us, and the children enjoyed their daily presence. I know the interns enjoyed their time at Harbor and certain they learned a great deal from the experience. One of my goals for the future is to establish an intern program at Harbor to bring in new energy, fresh ideas and the latest in thinking in education. There are many areas within the community where interns can assist in daily life as researchers in development and admissions, teaching and project assistants, special events staff and marketing, etc.

I would like to take this opportunity to remind our parents about the annual Harbor Fund, which allows us to be forward thinking about our curriculum each year. We have had great success with 100% participation by trustees and our faculty. Let's keep the momentum going by working toward increasing the percentage of contributions from parents this year. The percentage of parent gifts is an important statistic when we take our fundraising to the next level to seek funding from outside sources including foundations for our programs. I hope that every one of you will give Harbor students your consideration for a gift. We intend to surpass our goal this year!

With every good wish...

James J. Young III
Head of School

Hawk Eye News - January 23, 2012

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:02:18 -0000

January 23, 2012

This Week in Pictures

Hawk Tales from the Head....

Third Graders Harness Solar Energy

Third graders are learning to build and use a solar oven to demonstrate a renewable energy resource. We can identify energy resources as those materials that provide energy used by humans and society. We understand that the most widely used energy resources are fossil fuels, which are a non-renewable energy resource. We can also identify alternate energy resources, describe their real-life applications, benefits and drawbacks.

Two-week internships draw to a close

For the past two weeks, Hannah and Sarah Knowles interned at Harbor Country Day, helping out in the classrooms and in the administrative offices. Hannah and Sarah Knowles are college seniors interested in pursuing careers in a school environment. Each day, the children did their best to tell the identical twins apart (most of the time, they got it right). Hannah, an art major, spent several days in the art room with Mrs. Grass observing the students at work. She also enjoyed playing basketball with the seventh and eight graders. Sarah took part in a science experiment with the fourth-grade class and practiced her Spanish skills with the fifth graders. They would like to thank the Harbor Community for its generosity and hospitality.

Girls Basketball

The record of the 7th and 8th grade girls basketball team now stands at 1-1 after a 22-14 loss last week to Trinity. The Hawks made a furious charge in the second half as they cut the lead before falling to a very good opponent with a deep bench. Come cheer us on at our next home game this Thursday. GO HAWKS!

Team Captains, Sarah Hickerson and Sydney Essex

Harbor Hears the Sound of Music

Harbor’s three choirs sang to a packed house Thursday night at the Winter Concert.

The kindergarten kicked off the program, and the hand bell choir contributed to a spirited rendition of “Twinkle, Twinkle.” The Lower School was next, and by the time the singers swung into “Feel the Beat” the joint was jumpin’.

Finally, it was the Upper School Choir’s turn, and it presented four selections before being joined by the other singers for a grand finale of “Winter Wonderland.”

Pocket Change Goes a Long Way

Every dollar counts, and Harbor students learned Friday at the all-school meeting how they can contribute to the cause of pediatric specialty care.

The hospital’s Change for Children program enables Harbor students and their families to contribute pocket change to the fundraiser.

Friday was also Rainbow Day, and students proudly sported their respective grade colors and enjoyed a Friday in their colorful, casual apparel. This year, the school community gathered in the gymnasium for the Rainbow Day picture.

The school also said good-bye Friday to Sarah and Hannah Knowles, who just concluded two-week internships at Harbor. We send them back to college with our best wishes as they resume work on their undergraduate degrees.

Bravo for Rachel Fine!

Congratulations to Harbor’s own Rachel Fine, who was honored this past weekend as a first violist at the Long Island String Festival for sixth- and seventh-grade students. Among the pieces the festival orchestra performed were Western Dawn, Alan Lee Silva, and Arlington Sketches, by Elliot Del Borgo.

Parents’ Association

PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION UPCOMING EVENTS:

Mark your calendar. Update your mobile devices.

Harbor’s Celebrities

Hosted by the Third and Fifth Grades

Sunday, March 4, 2012 (time to be determined)

The perfect time and place for the Harbor children to show off their talents. Whether it’s that special talent that they have like singing, dancing, playing an instrument, or strutting their stuff down the Fashion Runway. They are our “Harbor Celebrities”.

Are you READY??

Preliminary Practices are being held January 25th and 26th from 8:00 am - 8:30 am in the Gym

Click HERE for the form to sign up.

If you are interested, please contact Angela Verdi (angelav103@aol.com).

Spring Benefit

Come Aboard The Harbor Scholar Ship

Friday, March 23, 2012

7pm - 11pm

Windows on the Lake, Lake Ronkonkoma

Dinner, dancing, silent and live auction and lots of mingling!

Tickets will be available for sale shortly.

Super Raffle drawing to be held this evening. Winner need not be present.

Family Sports Night

Hosted by the Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Grades

Rescheduled Date: Friday, April 27, 2012, 6 – 9 pm

An evening of family fun challenges and healthy competition for all ages to enjoy!

Come Aboard The Harbor Scholar Ship Spring Benefit

The Spring Benefit, Come Aboard The Harbor Scholar Ship, on March 23rd in Windows on the Lake, Lake Ronkonkoma, is the Parents’ Association’s main fundraising event, with proceeds continuing to enhance and support the outstanding curriculum of the School. You can help contribute to the financial success on this evening in several ways:

Donate an auction item:

We are looking for special items to auction off. Some examples of the items we have had in the past for our auction are:

A night out in NYC including 2 theatre tickets to any Broadway Show and an overnight stay at a beautiful NYC Hotel;
A foursome round of golf;
Impossible to get Giants tickets! Or tickets to any sports events!
A week timeshare vacation in Puerto Rico;
A personal chef experience for 10
Premium seating and reserved parking at your child’s Holiday Concert!
Justin Bieber concert tickets! Or any other show tickets!
Restaurant gift certificates.

Please contact – Misha Monticciolo, Benefit Auction Chair (mishamonti@optonline.net) with any items which you might want to donate for the auction.

Sponsor a Table:

Please consider being a sponsor for this event. This is a great opportunity for your company to receive exposure and show your support.

Please contact Andrea Dagnelli, Benefit Sponsorship Chair (andrea_dag@yahoo.com) for more information.

Come! Buy tickets for this fun event!

Please join us and purchase tickets for this incredible celebration! You will be receiving an invitation soon.

Have you seen the SS HARBOR in the front lobby?

We need you help to fill up the ship.

DID YOU BUY your Super Raffle ticket, yet?

The Harbor Scholarship Super Raffle proceeds will enhance diversity and attract top scholars at Harbor Country Day School by funding tuition assistance and merit scholarships.

What better way to do that than to buy a few tickets, as well as pass along the form to friends, families and co-workers.

What's in your wallet?? Is it a Harbor Super Raffle Ticket? If not clean it out, and make room for the extra tickets you're buying.

Tickets are still on sale!!

Just think of the odds of winning, $10,000 cash or Free Tuition for next year,

are ONLY 1 in 500

Did you know that there are less than 300 tickets remaining?

Click HERE to get your entry form.

Now you can "SHARE" and "LIKE" the Super Raffle on FACEBOOK!

Winners need not be present to win. Winners are responsible for all applicable taxes.

Thank You

Stephen Hussey

Parents' Association Coordinator

What Did Dr. King Teach Us?

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 02:53:43 -0000

What Did Dr. King Teach Us?

Monday, January 16th is, of course, Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This day, the third Monday in January of each year, was first set aside in 1983, by President Ronald Reagan to remember Dr. King and the cause he passionately embraced. The fourth grade has been reading about Dr. King, learning about what he stood for, and discussing key words related to the Civil Rights Movement: equality, respect, freedom and liberty. We watched an interesting film about Dr. King, which taught how he became the national face of the Civil Rights Movement.

See the link below to watch this powerful video. http://www.biography.com/people/martin-luther-king-jr-9365086

See, also, this link for Dr. King’s famous, “I Have a Dream” speech from August,1963. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smEqnnklfYs

The fourth grade learned that as a child, Dr. King was shielded from discrimination by his parents, Alberta Williams King and Martin Luther King Sr., a minister at Ebenezar Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. His first experience with discrimination was as a school-aged boy when a former friend suddenly stopped playing with him, “because he was black.” At the time, young Martin didn’t understand this. Then, his mother told him about segregation. This lesson would stay with Martin Luther King Jr., for the rest of his life.

It seems as if his younger years prepared King for his future as the national face of the Civil Rights Movement. He attended a segregated high school and was accelerated through the grade levels more than once. He studied at Crozer Seminary School in Pennsylvania and went on to attend graduate school at Boston College. While in seminary school, Dr. King learned about the ideas of Mohandas Gandhi, the leader of civil disobedience in India's struggle for independence from Great Britain. The idea of civil disobedience shaped King's views during the Civil Rights Movement. He used non-violent protests to raise the consciousness of a society where Jim Crow Laws, racial discrimination and segregation were common. He once said, “Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that.” After graduation, King moved to Montgomery, Alabama with his wife, Coretta Scott King, where he became a minister at the Dexter Baptist Church. There, King developed excellent skills as a communicator and public speaker.

In 1955, Rosa Parks was arrested for not giving up her seat to on a Montgomery, Alabama bus and the Montgomery Bus Boycott began soon after that. Dr. King was there to help organize the bus boycott. For 381 days, Alabama’s black citizens walked to work, to school and to church. The boycott finally ended on December 20, 1956, when the Supreme Court ruled that segregated buses were unconstitutional. With his eloquence, quiet dignity and talk of civil disobedience, Martin Luther King Jr. had become the spiritual leader of this generation.

For nearly ten more years, King traveled around the country to walk with, pray with, and speak to, huge crowds of people who were inspired by his words and his ideas. He made nearly 2,500 speeches, wrote five books and many articles, was selected as Time Magazine’s Person of the Year, met with President John F. Kennedy to discuss civil rights, and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.

One of Dr. King’s most famous speeches was his ”I Have a Dream” speech, given on August 28, 1963. After a march from the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial, a gathering of 250,000 people listened to Dr. King as he spoke about how the U.S. Constitution promised “all men would be guaranteed the inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” He spoke of the black citizen who “languished in the corners of society” in “shameful conditions.” It is not until 13 minutes into his 18-minute speech that Dr. King utters his memorialized words, “I have a dream,” and extemporaneously shares his vision of a nation united in equality and liberty for all.

Shortly after this momentous speech, President Lyndon Johnson signed into law the Civil Rights Act, putting an end to lawful segregation. In April, 1968, Dr. King was shot and killed as he stood on the balcony of his hotel in Memphis, Tennessee, having come to Memphis to support the striking sanitation workers.

The fourth grade was inspired by Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Together with first grade, we created a banner with cut out “clouds” filled with our own dreams for the future. The banner is on display on the second floor of the Lower School, just outside of the first grade classroom. It reminds us that Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream was freedom and equality for all. We invite you to write down your dream—for your school, your community or your country—on a cloud and place it on our community banner. Thank you, Dr. King, for teaching us all about peaceful protest. The classroom is a great place to learn about respecting diversity.

Hawk Eye News - January 16, 2012

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:53:10 -0000

January 16, 2012

This Week in Pictures

Harbor Pauses to Reflect on Dr. King

The all-school meeting Friday was largely dedicated to class observances honoring Dr. Marin Luther King Jr. Students offered their opinions on Dr. King’s message of equality, non-violent protest and peaceful solutions to problems. They also saw a short video on Dr. King, sang a song in his honor and discussed the importance in all walks of life leaving a legacy that helps guide others.

Second graders share their own dreams

The importance of Dr. Martin Luther King Day was not lost on second graders who have been learning about his life and accomplishments leading up to the holiday we celebrated on Monday. King had a dream for the world and so do the children in the second grade. A few of the children's dreams were an end to world hunger, protection of endangered animals and a cleaner environment.

What Did Dr. King Teach Us?

See the link below to watch this powerful video. http://www.biography.com/people/martin-luther-king-jr-9365086

See, also, this link for Dr. King’s famous, “I Have a Dream” speech from August,1963. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smEqnnklfYs

¡Hola amigos!

Fifth-grade students finished making Spanish native puppets and are memorizing and rehearsing a dialogue to be presented in class this week. In this way, the class will say farewell to a wonderful and most productive time together in Spanish. As of Jan. 23, students will continue with French for the remainder of the year. ¿Cómo te llamas?, ¿de donde eres?, ¿dónde vives?, ¿hablas español? and many other questions are part of the script that the students created on their own. The colorful display of the puppets represents many countries and cultures. Bravo to all the students and mucha suerte!

Third-Grade Volcanologists

Third-grade students have been learning about the earth's surface--the different layers of the earth and how the earth's crust can change. The class visited Mr. Dutchen’s science lab, where he helped us “erupt” our homemade volcanoes. We learned that the earth's surface is shaped by many factors including water, ice, wind, gravity, earthquakes and volcanoes.

Peruvian Culture Captivates Students

Our Pre-K enrichment students are enjoying their “trip” through Peru. They learned about the Inca civilization, also known as the Children of the Sun, which incorporated the symbol of the sun into much of its artwork. The Incas created ornaments and sculptures using gold, silver, copper and bronze. They also loved Peruvian music, and they created musical instruments using materials like cane, conch shells, horns, metals and mud. The students had an opportunity to learn about pan flutes, and they will make these ancient instruments with Ms. Siani in music class.

Our Pre-K students created beautiful and intricate metal sun art, which is on display in the pre-school hallway. In the art studio, they worked with Ms. Grass to sculpt Inca suns using clay.

Their Muse Motivates Young Poets

Personification poetry was the first topic for the after-school poetry program, and it was a huge success. In personification poetry, the writers give human characteristics to inanimate objects. This allows the objects, in a sense, to come alive in their poems. They may think, have feelings and even speak. Our young poets shared two poems with us below.

Bracing for the Cold in More Ways than One

In our preschool classrooms, the arrival of winter led to exciting discoveries. Using music, literature, and hands-on activities to help young children learn how animals and humans respond to the colder temperatures and environmental changes become meaningful. Hibernation, migration, and adaptation have become new vocabulary words that are part of the daily conversations in our preschool classrooms.

Using cold water and warm water to represent temperatures in winter and spring, the children placed sleeping paper bears (curled up) in each water temperature and discovered that bears wake up (uncurl) in response to warmer temperatures.

There’s Two Sides to Every Coin

First graders are learning to identify coins and count mixed groups of coins that include quarters, dimes, nickels and pennies.

One way we practice this skill is through the use of money games. A favorite Smartboard game from the U.S. Mint's website allows children to select a square to uncover a coin, and then another square in the hopes of finding a match. Coin Hopscotch helps us count groups of coins one at a time as we hop along the line of giant paper coins. Rolling the coin cubes and adding the values is another fun way to practice counting coin values. The first grade would like to thank Harbor alum Devin Netter for assisting us with our coin centers this week.

Harbor Sports

Girls Varsity Basketball

The Varsity Hawks win their first away game 26-12, against Buckley. Way to go, Hawks!

Notices:

Winter Concert Is Here!

Next Thursday, Jan. 19, all students in grades K through 8 will perform at the annual winter concert. The students have been working diligently to prepare for this exciting event and look forward to sharing their hard work with family and friends. Students should wear concert dress and arrive no later than 6:45p.m. Students in Kindergarten will meet in their classroom prior to the concert, while all Lower School students will meet in the second floor hallway. Upper School students should go to the lounge upon arrival. The concert will begin promptly at 7p.m. and will last roughly 45 minutes. We're looking forward to seeing everyone there!

C’mon, Put Your Heart Into It!

February is National Heart Month. The Physical Education Department will focus on heart awareness and cardiovascular fitness. Jump Rope for Heart and Hoops for Heart programs will take place for grades 1- 8 on Tuesday, Feb. 14. Please mark your calendar for Valentine’s Day, as students along with their parents will be asked to participate. A schedule will go home along with the donation envelope at the beginning of February.

Parents' Association:

Parents’ Association Upcoming Events:

Mark your calendar. Update your mobile devices.

Harbor’s Celebrities

Hosted by the Third and Fifth Grades
Sunday, March 4, 2012 (time to be determined)
The perfect time and place for the Harbor children to show off their talents. Whether it’s that special talent that they have like singing, dancing, playing an instrument, or strutting their stuff down the Fashion Runway. They are our “Harbor Celebrities”. More information to come soon.
If you are interested, please contact Angela Verdi (angelav103@aol.com).

Spring Benefit

Come Aboard The Harbor Scholar Ship
Friday, March 23, 2012 7pm - 11pm
Windows on the Lake, Lake Ronkonkoma

Dinner, dancing, silent and live auction and lots of mingling!
Tickets will be available for sale shortly.
Super Raffle drawing to be held this evening. Winner need not be present.

Family Sports Night

Hosted by the Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Grades

Rescheduled Date: Friday, April 27, 2012, 6 – 9 pm

An evening of family fun challenges and healthy competition for all ages to enjoy!

Come Aboard The Harbor Scholar Ship Spring Benefit

Donate an auction item:
We are looking for special items to auction off. Some examples of the items we have had in the past for our auction are:

A night out in NYC including 2 theatre tickets to any Broadway Show and an overnight stay at a beautiful NYC Hotel;
A foursome round of golf;
Impossible to get Giants tickets! Or tickets to any sports events!
A week timeshare vacation in Puerto Rico;
A personal chef experience for 10
Premium seating and reserved parking at your child’s Holiday Concert!
Justin Bieber concert tickets! Or any other show tickets!
Restaurant gift certificates.

Please contact – Misha Monticciolo, Benefit Auction Chair (mishamonti@optonline.net) with any items which you might want to donate for the auction.

Sponsor a Table:
Please consider being a sponsor for this event. This is a great opportunity for your company to receive exposure and show your support. Please contact Andrea Dagnelli, Benefit Sponsorship Chair (andrea_dag@yahoo.com) for more information.

Come! Buy tickets for this fun event!
Please join us and purchase tickets for this incredible celebration! You will be receiving an invitation soon.

Faculty /Staff Luncheon BBQ style!

Hosted by the First Grade " SHIVERING SUMMER BBQ" January 12, 2012 was a smash. Delectable delights that made everybody think summer time. It was definitely a 2 napkin feast. A job well done by all the First Grade Parents.

DID YOU BUY your Super Raffle ticket, yet?

The Harbor Scholarship Super Raffle proceeds will enhance diversity and attract top scholars at Harbor Country Day School by funding tuition assistance and merit scholarships. What better way to do that than to buy a few tickets, as well as pass along the form to friends, families and co-workers. What's in your wallet?? Is it a Harbor Super Raffle Ticket? If not clean it out, and make room for the extra tickets you're buying.

Tickets are still on sale!!
Just think of the odds of winning, $10,000 cash or Free Tuition for next year, are ONLY 1 in 500.

Did you know that there are less than 300 tickets remaining?
Click HERE to get your entry form.
Now you can "SHARE" and "LIKE" the Super Raffle on FACEBOOK!
Winners need not be present to win. Winners are responsible for all applicable taxes.

Thank You
Stephen Hussey
Parents' Association Coordinator

The Sunshine Report

A very warm Harbor Welcome to our new friends!!

Valentina & Sebastian and Brooke – Pre-Kindergarten

Jack – Kindergarten

Anthony – Second grade

And a very special welcome to Mrs. Nicole Fotis-Connelly who is the new teacher for the Upper School’s History program.

There are also 2 new smiling faces (no, you are not seeing double), Sarah and Hannah are identical twins completing an internship with Mr. Young. One young child was overheard to say: “even their smiles are the same!!” We hope you enjoy your time here!

The Sunshine Committee

Grant is Formally Presented to Harbor

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 19:18:01 -0000

Grant is Formally Presented to Harbor

A $5,000 grant for a distance-learning project was formally submitted last week by Optimum Lightpath to Harbor Country Day School. The grant will allow fourth-grade students at Harbor to learn about research by the Royal Tyrell Museum into the study of fossils and pre-history.

Mr. Artie Weissbach, the school’s director of technology, and Ms. Christine McBrien, the fourth-grade teacher, accepted the grant on behalf of the school. It was presented by Joan Boccieri Gilroy, director of government affairs for Cablevision, and Todd Cammarota, enterprise account executive. Smithtown Councilman Kevin Malloy was also on hand for the presentation.

Pitching In for Those in Need

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 19:07:16 -0000

Pitching In for Those in Need

Led by the National Junior Honor Society, Harbor's 7th and 8th graders are continuing the school's connection to the Pax Christi Homeless Shelter in Port Jefferson. Twice every month the students prepare and serve lunches to the residents of the center, which is tucked away behind the Port Jefferson train station. Pax Christi is one of the many outreach activities of Hope House, a non-denominational self-help organization serving those in need in the Port Jeff area.

Hawk Eye News - January 9, 2012

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 19:04:11 -0000

January 9, 2012

This Week in Pictures

Learning the Fine Art of Public Speaking

At Friday’s all-school meeting, plans were spelled out for several events, including the upcoming public speaking contest (topic: something I would do if I knew I couldn’t fail) and Rainbow Day on Jan. 20. Whether your color is red, orange, yellow, green, blue or purple, put it on and wear it proudly!

Ms. Grass also accepted a check for $125 for art supplies. This money was raised by students collecting box tops. Mr. Cissel also read a letter of thanks to the Harbor Student Council for its participation in this year’s very successful coat drive.

In the year 2012, I resolve…

The New Year is a time of promise and, often, of change. In Harbor's preschool, the children and teachers shared their New Year's resolutions -- promises to ourselves (and to no one else) -- that will help us become better individuals.

As we welcome in the New Year, we also welcome three new students to Harbor's preschool: Brooke joined Mrs. Sjogren's morning class and the afternoon enrichment class last week. She received a warm welcome by all. This week, twins Valentina and Sebastian, who come from Puerto Rico, will also be joining our preschool. Valentina will start in Mrs. Sjogren's class, and Sebastian in Ms. de Niese's class. Both children will participate in the afternoon enrichment class. Please give a warm welcome to our newest Harbor students and families.

Harbor also rolled out the welcome mat for two other students who have joined the student body: Anthony, who is enrolled in second grade, and Jack, who is a kindergartner. Welcome Anthony and Jack!

Apply Now For Pre-School

With nursery school fairs taking place in January and February, and our admissions open house coming Jan. 21, classes for next fall will fill quickly. We would like to give our current preschool families the opportunity to apply for next year's classes before they are filled. If you are planning to register your child for Nursery, Pre-K or Kindergarten for the 2012-13 school year, please be sure to pick up an application in the main office. The DIAL 3 Assessment for Kindergarten Readiness will be administered Feb. 3 to Pre-K students who have handed in an application for Harbor's kindergarten.

Never Too Young for the Classics

The third grade has just began its "Classics and folktales" unit in Reading Workshop. Students are enjoying classics such as Tom Sawyer, Alice in Wonderland, Huckleberry Finn, Oliver Twist, The Trumpet of the Swan and Little Women. Third graders are also enjoying a class read-aloud of Charlotte's Web with Ms. Woods.

Pitching In for Those in Need

First Graders Look to the Future

In the spirit of the New Year, the first graders began the week by making New Year's resolutions. Each student made a resolution for school, home, and self. Many of us want to be more helpful around the house and work harder in the classroom.

Several new projects got under way this week. The students began a unit of non-fiction reading for science information in Reading Workshop. In Writing Workshop students wrote about our areas of expertise in the form of "How-To" books. Inventors and inventions are our new unit of study in Social Studies. We began this unit by discussing some of the inventions we just can't live without.

Cold-blooded creatures, like reptiles, will be the focus of our science unit this month. Last but not least, the children were introduced to Flat Stanley. Soon, each first grader will be making his own Stanley to send on an adventure.

Notices

BOX TOP REWARDS FOR JANUARY, 2012

MAKE SURE YOU BRING IN YOUR BOX TOPS BEFORE JANUARY 27, 2012.

PAY ATTENTION GROUPS (PRE-K), (K-1), (2-4) & (5-8)

THE GROUP THAT BRINGS IN THE MOST BOXTOPS WILL WIN A CUPCAKE PARTY. WOW!

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR EFFORTS

HARBOR COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL

STUDENT COUNCIL

After School Activities Program

Winter Session Begins This Week

Registration will run throught the end of this week. A minimum enrollment of 3 students is required for a class to run, unless otherwise noted. Some classes will have a maximum enrollment number, which will be listed with the course description. Student absences cannot be made up or refunded. In the event of school closure due to inclement weather, or a program teacher’s absence, one make-up class will be held at the end of the session. Each activity begins in the dining room with a healthy snack provided by the program. At 3:15 students will be picked up by the program teachers and escorted to their designated classrooms. Parent pick-up is promptly at 4:30pm in the main hallway.

The cost for each activity is $140 per session, unless a materials fee is also required. Please make checks payable to Harbor Country Day School.

Origami Tuesdays

Instructor: Mrs. Grass Grades: 2-8

Minimum Enrollment: 3

Maximum Enrollment: 10

Materials Fee: $10

The art of folding paper is an ancient technique. In this workshop students will examine and explore the ancient art of origami and kiragami. Students will learn to follow challenging step-by-step instruction and create their own works of art out of paper.

Jump Rope Decathlon Tuesdays

Instructors: Mrs. Decker & Mrs. Hotzak Grades: 3-8

Minimum Enrollment: 3

Jump rope not only for fitness but also for fun. Train for the jump rope decathlon in Harbor’s gym. Practice and combine new jump rope tricks that will prepare you to compete in the jump rope decathlon.

Poetry Workshop Tuesdays

Instructor: Ms. Woods Grades: All

Minimum Enrollment: 3

Materials Needed: a notebook or poetry journal, a pencil and a creative imagination

Find a love for poetry by creating a form of literary art in which language is used to express love, laughter, and inspiration. Students will explore many different types of poetry including Haiku, Acrostic, and Limericks. We will look at word choice, rhythm, onomatopoeia, visualization and voice.

Marine Biology Hands-On Workshop Thursdays

Instructor: Mrs. McBrien Grades: 2-4

Minimum Enrollment: 3

Maximum Enrollment: 10

Materials Fee: $10

Second- through fourth-grade students are invited to participate in a program on marine biology. We will conduct water-based experiments to gain basic understandings of the properties of water and will apply this learning to marine ecosystems. We will study the fish and sea life in our new fish tank--a Long Island marine ecosystem--in the library.

Science Club Thursdays

Instructor: Mr. Dutchen Grades: 5-8

Minimum Enrollment: 3

Materials Fee: $30

Join in once a week to explore The Weather, Astronomy, Rocks and Minerals, use our digital microscope to examine slides you make yourself. Get involved in robotics, and much, much more.

Parents' Association

Mark Your Calendars and Save the Date

Teacher & Faculty Luncheon Hosted by the First Grade " SHIVERING SUMMER BBQ" January 12, 2012. Summer time delicious foods to take the bite out of the cold, or maybe something with a little bite. Either way, sounds like a good ole' time. No bandits please.

Harbor’s Celebrities

The perfect time and place for the Harbor children to show off their stuff. Whether it’s that special talent that they have like singing, dancing, playing an instrument, or strutting their stuff down the Fashion Runway. They are our “ Harbor Celebrities”. More information to come soon. If you are interested please contact Angela Verdi / Second Grade Class Parent (angelav103@aol.com).

March 4, 2012

Spring Benefit

March 23, 2012 at 7pm - 11pm

Windows on the Lake, Lake Ronkonkoma

Super Raffle Drawing to be held this evening. Winner need not be present.

Family Fun Night

Invite friends and family for a fun filled night of games, refreshments, and a good time.

Tentative Date April 27, 2012

6pm – 9pm

SUPER RAFFLE!!!!

It's now 2012

Did you make your New Year's resolutions?? Hopefully one of them was to not miss out, and get your Super Raffle Ticket.

Do you want a chance to win that $10,000 Cash Prize or how about Free Tuition for next year??

There are less than 250 tickets remaining out of 500. The tickets went very fast while they were on sale.

Now for only $100 per ticket, don't lose out on your chance for one of those big prizes.

Just imagine how many tickets to Disney that could be, or how many movies you could see. We already know how many Doppio's you could buy at Starbuck's, and we know how much you love those??

Don't forget to invite your friends and family to get in on the action. Tickets are going fast. We wouldn't want you to be the only one without a ticket. Drawing to be held on March 23, 2012 at the Spring Benefit. The entry form can be fowarded and or copied. In case you run out of ink from printing all those extra copies, don't worry we can get you more.

Click here to get your entry form.

Now you can "SHARE" and "LIKE" the Super Raffle on FACEBOOK!

Winners need not be present to win. Winners are responsible for all applicable taxes.

Hawk Eye News - December 19, 2011

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 14:51:00 -0000

December 19, 2011

This Week in Pictures

The Winter Solstice and Turning a Corner

The Solstice Celebration on Friday celebrated more than the start of winter vacation. It marked a time for new beginnings, renewal and progress as we move from the shortest day of the year (Dec. 22) toward the longer days ahead of spring and summer.

It was a day of small moments--trivia quizzes, the bagel breakfast and gift-giving between students—and for reflection on how far the school has come at this point in the school year.

Parents, faculty and students later convened in the gymnasium, where they heard Christmas carols in English, Spanish and French by upper- and lower-school students. When head of school Jim Young asked lower-school students what they wished for this holiday season, all the responses were for the well-being of the less fortunate, and not one for themselves.

The day concluded with families exchanging holiday greetings and looking forward to spending time with one another.

The Few, the Proud… Visit Campus

Marines came to Harbor this week to say ’thanks’ to students who had gathered holiday gifts as part of Toys for Tots, and students, in turn, thanked the Marines for safe-guarding our freedoms.

The Marines were from Alpha Company, Sixth Communication Battalion in Farmingdale, and they took time to speak with students before loading the gifts and departing.

Several of the Marines had served tours of duty in the Middle East. Among their reasons for enlisting in the Marines were patriotism and serving the country, getting a better education and learning specific skills that they might need later in their careers.

Suffolk County alone is expected to contribute 90,000 to 100,000 toys to Toys for Tots this holiday season.

Skyping to Toledo

Harbor 6th/7th grade Spanish students had a 35-minute SKYPE session with the students of Toledo, Spain. Previously, the students worked on a shared Google document about the different end-of-the-year holidays and celebrations in Spain and the United States. Students there did the same research into our holidays. It was a very enriching and exciting activity for students at both schools. Students are getting to know each other better, and as we continue our dialog between the two schools communication will become easier, and the themes to discuss will be of interest to both schools. Well done, Harbor!

Fourth-Grade Memoir Writing Celebration

Each year at this time, the fourth grade writes memoirs that celebrate the important things in life--friends, family, traditions and hopes for the future. We reflect on what we've learned over the years and show appreciation for family and friends. One way to get started thinking about this is through a treasured object that has a special meaning. This could be an autographed football from a time when a student and his/her dad went to a special game. It could be an embroidered pillow from a grandmother or a baseball from a grandfather. It could even be a keepsake from a special event in one's life, such as a wedding or birthday. Items that we treasure are usually important because of the feelings or people they remind us of. During this holiday season and approaching New Year, memoir writing, using a memento to inspire us, is a great way to reflect on what is really important to each of us.

Fourth-grade students learn that memoirs are like autobiographies, with a few differences. They usually relate to a "small moment" in life or time when something meaningful happened. They always have an emotional content. Each year, fourth graders learn that memoir writing teaches the reader something he might not know about the writer. In turn, students often learn something about themselves that they might not have realized before. As a result, memoir writing can be very authentic writing and is often very brave.

As a finish to this very important writing experience, fourth-grade students invite their parents for a Holiday Memoir Celebration. This year, we met in the Library to read our stories and to reflect on all that we appreciate. Our guest performer, Craig Buying, was there to play seasonal music at the start of our event. Craig is finishing his Ph.D. in music at Stony Brook University and has recently accepted a job as a clarinetist with the Army National Marching Band, so his playing was very special. Parents and grandparents were on hand to listen to wonderful memoirs written by incredible fourth-grade writers. Congratulations to the wonderful fourth-grade writers for their exceptional writing and authentic voice.

Preschool Holiday Breakfast

Preschool Holiday Breakfast was held at Danford's Marina and Hotel. It was a great coming together of all Harbor preschool families. Elegant buffet breakfast, Music by Matt and a visit from Santa himself, who had a small present for each child. A wonderful time was had by all!

Fourth Grade Bake Sale Success

The fourth grade wishes to thank parents, students and faculty for their tremendous support with our recent bake sale. Fourth grade students especially wish to thank their parents for all of the support for baking and supplying items for sale. In just one day, students raised nearly $250, enough to feed five needy families in the Smithtown area. The funds went directly and completely to Pat Westlake, director of the Smithtown Food Pantry, in a ceremony on Thursday during the fourth-grade Memoir Writing Celebration. An additional $50 in canned goods was also donated. Ms. Westlake informed the children that they would be providing five holiday meals to families in need. In as much as the fourth grade was involved in this holiday giving, so too was the entire Harbor community. Always generous with help and support, the Harbor community demonstrated once again how much our school cares for those in need. We sincerely appreciated your support and donations.

Thank you.

Tuning Up for a Sing-along

Harbor's Upper School students went caroling last week to Sunrise Senior Living in East Setauket. Residents and students joined in a wide selection of songs for the holidays. Harbor hopes to visit Sunrise several times next year to engage in music, crafts and games with the seniors. The school's National Junior Honor Society is spearheading this outreach effort.

Preschool celebrates Hanukkah with Ms. Siani.

Notices

After School Activities Program

Winter Session Begins Jan. 9, 2012

Registration is on a first come, first served basis. A minimum enrollment of 3 students is required for a class to run, unless otherwise noted. Some classes will have a maximum enrollment number, which will be listed with the course description. Student absences cannot be made up or refunded. In the event of school closure due to inclement weather, or a program teacher’s absence, one make-up class will be held at the end of the session. Each activity begins in the dining room with a healthy snack provided by the program. At 3:15 students will be picked up by the program teachers and escorted to their designated classrooms. Parent pick-up is promptly at 4:30pm in the main hallway.

The cost for each activity is $140 per session, unless a materials fee is also required. Please make checks payable to Harbor Country Day School.

Origami Tuesdays

Instructor: Mrs. Grass Grades: 2-8

Minimum Enrollment: 3

Maximum Enrollment: 10

Materials Fee: $10

Jump Rope Decathlon Tuesdays

Instructors: Mrs. Decker & Mrs. Hotzak Grades: 3-8

Minimum Enrollment: 3

Poetry Workshop Tuesdays

Instructor: Ms. Woods Grades: All

Minimum Enrollment: 3

Materials Needed: a notebook or poetry journal, a pencil and a creative imagination

Marine Biology Hands-On Workshop Thursdays

Instructor: Mrs. McBrien Grades: 2-4

Minimum Enrollment: 3

Maximum Enrollment: 10

Materials Fee: $10

Science Club Thursdays

Instructor: Mr. Dutchen Grades: 5-8

Minimum Enrollment: 3

Materials Fee: $30

Join in once a week to explore The Weather, Astronomy, Rocks and Minerals, use our digital microscope to examine slides you make yourself. Get involved in robotics, and much, much more.

Hawk Eye News - December 12, 2011

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 17:00:00 -0000

December 12, 2011

This Week in Pictures

Grant is Formally Presented to Harbor

Authors Share Work with Young Audiences

The kindergarten, first, second, third and fourth grades were treated to three Book Fair author presentations this week.

The first reading was by Yvonne Capitelli. Her book, Daria Rose and the Day She Chose, is based on her daughter's experiences. The book’s theme is about the importance of making good social choices and not following the crowd.

The second author was Sandy Lanton, and her book Lots of Latkes is about special family traditions. The third author was Barbara Prignano who read How Bunnies Got Their Cottontails and Anthony and the Magic Bumblebee, which is about plants and pollination. The lower school enjoyed all three of the special presentations!

Harbor Students Have Art Hanging in Museum

The Long Island Museum held an opening reception Nov. 18 for the Colors of Long Island Showcase. This is an annual exhibition in which the museum showcases artwork created by students in grades K-8 from all over Long Island. This year Harbor was once again asked to participate. We had two very talented students representing us there: Julia and Olivia. The reception was wonderful, and both girls and their families had a terrific time. Their work will hang in the museum until the end of December. Visit the museum any time this month to view Julia and Olivia's stunning work.

Harbor Fitness

Harbor 7th and 8th graders working on their fitness at Energy Gym in a Spin class.

Look closely, they have a special guest...it's Mr. Cissel.

What Our Students Love About Harbor

This year Harbor once again participated in the Ward Melville Heritage Organization’s Promenade of Trees. This is part of a fundraiser that the Heritage Organization hosts every year. Schools and groups from all over Long Island are invited to sponsor a tree and decorate it. All of the proceeds go to those in need. Harbor has sponsored a tree for many years, and each year students help create the decorations. Our theme this year is What Students Love About Harbor. The tree is covered in snowflakes, each with a message about something that the students love about their school. On Tuesday, Dec. 6, our senior class went to Stony Brook to hang all our snowflakes. They did a great job! If you would like to see our tree for yourself it is in front of Godiva Chocolates.

Tanks to the Parents Association

Our library has something new! Thanks to the generous support of the PA, we now have a 55-gallon fish tank in the library. This new tank holds fish, sea stars and hermit crabs typically found in a Long Island marine ecosystem. A marine ecosystem is a salt water ecosystem. Other kinds of water-based ecosystems include fresh water ecosystems (ponds and lakes) and mixed ecosystems (a combination of fresh and salt water which comes together in estuaries all along Long Island). Known as the nurseries of the sea, mixed ecosystems are places where most water creatures lay eggs or raise their young. Many of the fish and creatures in our tank first began life in a mixed ecosystem.

Our new fish tank is very exciting. We have puffer fish, sheepshead minnows and two varieties of tropical fish, a grouper and a pinfish. These fish should live to double in size. There are also many interesting mollusks and plants.

Our fish need plenty of respect so we ask that students never tap or bang on the glass. It frightens the fish. And, please don't put your hands into the tank. Be sure to visit our fish and watch them as they glide around in their watery home. Watching fish can be relaxing and interesting. Soon, we will begin to learn more about them and their watery community.

Book Bonanza Comes to Harbor

Harbor hosted the school’s annual book fair for three days last week, with the theme “Read Around the World.” Students of all ages took advantage of the opportunity to re-stock their bookshelves at home with many new editions.

This year’s book fair attracted six authors who participated in book readings, book signings and discussion groups with students. The gymnasium was festooned with dozens of flags made by students, and on Wednesday night Madeleine the Magician entertained a gathering of parents and students.

The event also featured a yearly favorite for teachers: the Wish List Program. Parents donate books for classroom libraries and the school library.

Thank you to everyone that donated books to the library during the book fair.

Grant Owen                             Montgomarie Essex
Ryahn Khan                            Donna Sanders
Sarah Hickerson                     Emma Hickerson
Thalia Konstantopoulos          Kimberly Cataudella
Ava Weir                                 Mark Stephen
Connor Elling                          Mia Robinson
Austin Murn                            David Garcia

Notices

Parents' Association

Read Around the World: Destination Book Fair

It was an exciting week dedicated to reading, with visits from six authors who shared their writing successes with the kids! In addition, we sold over 600 books, to our children, and added books into the classrooms and library. Thank you to Jacqui Evans (Olivia, Gr. 1) and her creative, hard working team of grades 1 and 2 families. Special thanks to the Garcias (David, Gr. 1 and Sophia, Gr. 4) for the beautiful book covers adorning the gym, banner and hot air balloon logo design. Thanks also to all the families that supported this event with their purchases and attendance during the Book Fair Night, experiencing Madeleine the Magician and the yummy international desserts. Thank You.

Harbor has taken another step to going green! We now offer reusable tote sporting our Read Around the World theme, available for purchase at $5 each.

Harbor Scholarship Super Raffle

ONLY 399 tickets remaining....
Did you know that you only have a 1 in 175 million chance of winning the Mega Millions jackpot..!
The chances of getting a Hole in One in Golf is 1 in 12,750.
With that being said, you have a 1 in 500 chance to win either $10,000 or FREE TUITION.
In order to win it, you need to be in it. Did you buy your tickets yet? I know 58 other people that have.
ON SALE NOW FOR $75.00
ONLY UNTIL DECEMBER 16TH
The cost of one ticket is the same cost as 20 Vente Latte's at Starbucks.
Winning the Super Raffle would allow you to buy 2666 Latte's. Now that's a lot of coffee.
Don't forget to invite your friends and family to get in on the action. Tickets are going fast. We wouldn't want you to be the only one without a ticket. Drawing to be held on March 23, 2012 at the Annual Dinner. Winner need not be present to win. Winner is responsible for all applicable taxes for either Grand Prize.
Click here to get your entry form.
Now you can "SHARE" and "LIKE" the Super Raffle on FACEBOOK!

Skype en Espa�ol

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 18:30:00 -0000

Skype en Español

With Skype, students can learn from other students, connect with other cultures and expand their knowledge in amazing ways.

After a successful first connection with a school in Toledo, Spain, the following are some of the impressions from our students about their experience.

“It was amazing how we could both see each other. More amazing that we could have a conversation!”

“They learn almost the same things we do, and they like the same things that we like.”

“I can’t wait until we connect with them again!”

“I think that the Skype session today with Toledo was eye-opening.”

“The classes in Spain are just like ours, but they speak Spanish.”

“I will always remember this day.”

In the near future, both schools will collaborate on a cultural project.

A Grand Day for Grandfriends

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 18:00:00 -0000

A Grand Day for Grandfriends

The American writer Madeleine L’Engle once said, “The great thing about getting old is that you don’t lose all the other ages you’ve been.” And so it was at Harbor as grandfriends visited campus to peer into the lives of young students at Harbor.

About 60 grandfriends were on hand for a morning of activities that included classroom visits with teachers, students and administrators.

Contrasts were revealing, as grandfriends recalled their own youth when idle time was filled with stickball, roller-skating, jumping rope and pitching baseball cards. Several recalled the early days of television, when viewing choices were limited to three networks. “The Shadow” was on the radio, as were Connie Francis and Frankie Avalon. Gasoline cost 25 cents a gallon. One Long Island grandfriend recalled that cars were so scarce that she and her friends would pass the time counting them as they passed on the Montauk Highway.

Toward the end of the morning, an ensemble of students performed several songs on recorders before the day’s assembly concluded.

Hawk Eye News - December 2, 2011

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 17:00:00 -0000

December 2, 2011

This Week in Pictures

Skype en Español

With Skype, students can learn from other students, connect with other cultures and expand their knowledge in amazing ways.

After a successful first connection with a school in Toledo, Spain, the following are some of the impressions from our students about their experience.

“It was amazing how we could both see each other. More amazing that we could have a conversation!”

“They learn almost the same things we do, and they like the same things that we like.”

“I can’t wait until we connect with them again!”

“I think that the Skype session today with Toledo was eye-opening.”

“The classes in Spain are just like ours, but they speak Spanish.”

“I will always remember this day.”

In the near future, both schools will collaborate on a cultural project.

A Grand Day for Grandfriends

About 60 grandfriends were on hand for a morning of activities that included classroom visits with teachers, students and administrators.

Toward the end of the morning, an ensemble of students performed several songs on recorders before the day’s assembly concluded.

NJHS Collects Food

On Monday, Nov. 23, National Junior Honor Society members delivered hundreds of cans and boxes to the Smithtown Food Pantry. It marked the culmination of a three-week effort to collect food for the hungry of our area. When the pantry's executive director, Pat Westlake, saw the items pouring into its storage room, she exclaimed, "Harbor does it again. Thank you!" And thank you from the NJHS to the entire Harbor community.

Caring for those who need help

Going to a men’s homeless shelter was an experience that changed the lives of the 7^th and 8^th grade students. The trip showed the students (and teachers) how many people are suffering on Long Island. Men constantly go in and out of this shelter and are in need of support. We will take frequent field trips there and help in any way we can. Making lunches and bringing them to the homeless men is just one way we will provide care for people in need. What better time to be in the spirit of giving than the holidays?

Kimberly

Pre School Pilgrims

In the year 1620, the Mayflower sailed across the Atlantic Ocean carrying 102 passengers who were searching for a life of freedom in America. With so many passengers, and little room on the ship, each person could bring only a few personal belongings.

If you were a pilgrim sailing on the Mayflower, and you could bring only one suitcase with you, what would you pack?

Sofia – my stuffed animals, games, my princess blanket, a dollhouse, applesauce, apple juice and my dollhouse, if it fits.

Quinn – my Woody pillow, my star blanket, my stuffed animal, Lucky, yogurt and hamburgers.

Chloe – Poodle Pooh, my princess blanket, my polka-dot pillow, apples and apple juice.

Kevin – my Buzz blanket, my Spiderman pillow, my stuffed animals, games, hamburgers, and milk.

Ava – crayons and paper, peanut butter and jelly, chocolate milk, apple juice, my stuffed animals, my toy princesses, my Alice in Wonderland blanket and my princess pillow.

Ashley –Lucky, my games and toys, juice and food – all kinds of food, and mommy.

Matthew – my cars blanket, my pillow, a ham, turkey and cheese sandwich with mustard, chocolate milk, my stuffed animal dog and games.

Elliot – Neigh, my horsey, toy princesses, my princess blanket, my flower pillow, my unicorn, chocolate milk and hotdogs.

Jordyn – my stuffed animals, my Winnie the Pooh blanket, my princess pillow, cheeseburgers, hotdogs, water, chocolate milk and oatmeal.

Avery – my stuffed animals, toys, paper and markers, hamburger and chocolate milk.

Trivia Contest Ends in a Tie

On Friday, the Nissequogue and Nesconset teams participated in another monthly event: school trivia. The questions spanned a range of topics from the building, faculty and staff, Harbor history and the students themselves. With a round for the Lower School students and a round for the Upper School students, it was a split with both teams earning 25 points.

Some questions included: "How many acres comprise the Harbor campus (11)? Which teacher has been at Harbor the longest (Ms. Sjogren)? How many bathrooms are in the school for student use (seven)? How many students are new to the school this year in grades K-4 (13)?"

There were questions for all students, and a great time was had by all.

A Big Thank You!

Harbor would like to recognize the efforts of Jake and Rachel for helping keep the building clean while Mr. Guido is recovering. Great job guys!

Notices

Parent Student Handbook

Dear Harbor Parents,

We have uploaded the Harbor Country Day School Parent and Student Handbook to the school's website and ask that all parents confirm that they have read it.

To navigate to the page you will need to first log into the parent portal by going to Harbor's website and clicking on the LOGIN link located between the QUICKLINKS and ALUMNI links at the bottom of the page. Once logged in you will click on the Parent Portal link on the left hand side of the page and under that will be the link for Parent and Student Handbook.

You can download the Handbook to view it, and once done you will need to enter your full name in the field provided and select I Agree or I Disagree. You will then click on the Submit button and that is it. You will be sent a confirmation email to the address you provide. If you have any issues following these directions or are unable to locate the page please contact me, Artie Weissbach at aweissbach@hcdsny.org, and I will help you complete this.

Thank you,
Artie Weissbach
Director of Technology

Tea Party Announcement

The Student Council will be holding a tea party for grades K-4.

The girls K-4 are invited to attend the party on Monday, Dec.12, from 3 - 4:30 p.m.

We will have nail painting, tea, cookies, and a princess movie.

We ask that all students who participate in this event pay $10 and all extra proceeds will go to Toys for Tots.

Box-Top Announcement

Congratulations to kindergarten and 1st grade for bringing in the most box tops. They win a free dress day on Tuesday, Dec. 6.

Thank you to all box top contributors!

Now, we need to get ready for the next competition, which will end in January. Keep saving, and stay tuned to find out what happens next.

Toys for Tots

Just a reminder that the Toys for Tots drive continues through Dec. 13.

Please donate a toy to help the underprivileged children.

Dining Room News…

January’s menu will be sent home in the backpacks today. Click here if you need another copy of December’s menu. All menus are due to the office by Friday, Dec. 9. Due to the holiday recess, it is important to place your orders by this date.

Please remember all lunches must be pre-ordered. Lunch orders will not be placed daily. Please send your child with a lunch each day if you have not ordered from the menu.

All lunch menus must be handed into the office by the due date stated on the menu. The lunches are pre-ordered from Buona Sera and once the order has been placed it is very difficult to change. No refunds will be issued for missed lunches due to illness, field trips, etc.

If there are any questions, please call me at the school office.

Cathie Pisk

Parents' Association

Book Fair: Read Around the World: December 6th, 7th and 8th

What an exciting week it's going to be. Great selection of books for everyone to choose from as you use your passport to travel Around the World. Many different book readings this week with various authors for everyone.

Don't forget to invite Friends and Family to the Wednesday night event, December 7 starting at 6pm. Meet authors and be dazzled my Madeleine the Magician. There will be international desserts and warm beverages as you embark on your reading adventure.

Give the Gift of Reading for the Holidays. Buy someone special a book. Don't forget to check out the Teacher's Wishlists.

Gingerbread Extravaganza : December 13th
Preschool 10:30 am - 12noon
K – 8 3:00 pm - 5:30 pm

A great time for everyone. The children use their creative energy to create magical, beautiful, and yes even edible Gingerbread Houses.
R.S.V.P with your $20 payment and form to Ms. Daniele by December 7th.
Don't forget..whether you can't make it that day or you're looking for that perfect holiday gift, you can order and pick up your Gingerbread House kits
for only $15.00 baked at Garguilo’s.

Harbor Scholarship Super Raffle

ONLY 442 tickets remaining....
Did you know that you only have a 1 in 175 million chance of winning the Mega Millions jackpot..!
The chances of getting a Hole in One in Golf is 1 in 12,750.
With that being said, you have a 1 in 500 chance to win either $10,000 or FREE TUITION.
In order to win it, you need to be in it. Did you buy your tickets yet? I know 58 other people that have.
ON SALE NOW FOR $75.00
ONLY UNTIL DECEMBER 16TH
The cost of one ticket is the same cost as 20 Vente Latte's at Starbucks.
Winning the Super Raffle would allow you to buy 2666 Latte's. Now that's a lot of coffee.
Don't forget to invite your friends and family to get in on the action. Tickets are going fast. We wouldn't want you to be the only one without a ticket. Drawing to be held on March 23, 2012 at the Annual Dinner. Winner need not be present to win. Winner is responsible for all applicable taxes for either Grand Prize.
Click here to get your entry form.
Now you can "SHARE" and "LIKE" the Super Raffle on FACEBOOK!

Hawk Eye News - November 21, 2011

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 06:00:00 -0000

November 21, 2011

This Week in Pictures

Harbor’s Annual Fund Kick-Off…

The positive energy at HCDS this fall resulted in an energized and well attended reception Nov. 17 to kick off the Annual Fund Drive at the Three Village Inn, Stony Brook Village. Head of School, Jim Young, told the gathering that the drive already had 100% participation from the Board and the faculty. This fantastic show of support reflects the happy, daily pulse of activity at Harbor and affirms that the fund is all about Harbor students. The School will make every effort to garner 100% parent participation this year, statistics that we will proudly take to foundations, corporations, etc., for additional support. Thank you, faculty and trustees, for your continued support of HCDS. Thank you to the host of the evening, Jim Verdi, trustee. Thank you to Adrienne Owen, also a trustee, for her beautiful flowers, Harbor sweets, and kick-off buttons and decals. Sally Dessart, Harbor thanks you for attending to every significant detail. All of you have helped to make the kick-off a great event.

Remember, our students need your participation in the Harbor Fund!

How Do Young Children Learn?

Role-playing and dramatization are essential teaching tools when helping young children process new ideas and concepts. It allows them the full experience of comprehensive understanding so that the auditory and visual information provided during story time and class discussions makes sense. Our preschool children have been immersed in early American history, role-playing the lifestyles of early Native Americans and the arrival of the first pilgrims to America.

Imagination is critical in role-playing. The children made clothing from white buckskin (dad's old tee shirt), and designed it with bird feathers, seashells, clay beads, and natural berry dyes, understanding that there were no malls or supermarkets for early Native Americans to purchase clothing, food, furniture or toys. These early American people needed to be self sufficient in order to survive.

An outdoor pow wow on our beautiful fall campus allowed the children to feel and understand the hardships of hunting for food to satisfy hunger and sitting and sleeping on the cold hard ground. But the children also experienced the joys of gathering around a campfire to tell stories, and the excitement of singing and dancing in celebration of a successful hunt. The culminating outdoor experience of the pow wow brought meaning and clarity to history for our young students. Creating rich, meaningful, authentic learning environments for young children is what makes Harbor's early childhood program unique.

Turkey Centers

It was a gobblin' good time in the first grade Wednesday. The students participated in turkey centers. At the spelling center, students were challenged to add feathers to Mr. Turkey by spelling words to Carina's grandmother. The book All About Turkeys was the source of information for children on the turkey topic, including the names of different ages of turkey, what turkeys eat and that wild turkeys can fly. Kavin's mom helped the students recall and write what they learned. Each child created a turkey glyph that represents family traditions and Thanksgiving food preferences of each individual student. A Turkey Track math game, led by Sophia's mom, reinforced addition and subtraction skills that students have been working on during our math lessons. We would like to send a huge Harbor thank you to our volunteers. We couldn't have done it without you!

Lightpath Technology Grant

Congratulations to Mrs. McBrien and Mr. Weissbach for winning a $5,000 technology grant for an exciting new program for Harbor. The grant was awarded by Optimum Lightpath and was presented Thursday at a technology conference at company headquarters. The grant will allow Harbor to engage in distance learning with other schools, museums and programs around the world. Eventually, teachers will be able to tap into the technology during or after the school day.

Mrs. McBrien will pioneer a class unit using the new equipment within the Distance Learning Program at the Royal Terrell Museum in Alberta, Canada. She intends to have her class learn about dinosaur bones from a paleontologist, in real time, through the Internet, using a camera and a "green screen." Mr. Weissbach is working on the technological side of this project.

Go to this link and then click "Distance Learning" to find out more about this program. This museum is in the Badlands in Alberta and in one of the major geological areas in North America known for unearthing dinosaur bones.

http://www.tyrrellmuseum.com/programs/public_%20programs.htm

Congratulations, Mrs. McBrien and Mr. Weissbach!

Advisory Tech Talk

At the last 5-8 Advisory meeting Mr. Weissbach spoke about Internet safety, social media awareness and proper email correspondence. When it came to social media, the discussion focused on what information should be in profiles and how to police individual accounts. Another topic was how to address an online audience, which might not be able to pick up nuances that would be obvious in person-to-person communication. Finally, Mr. Weissbach emphasized that material placed on the Internet may remain there for an eternity, so be careful about what you place online.

Notices

Picture Re-take Day

Picture re-take day is Monday, Nov. 28. If you would like a retake, please return the pictures you do not like (keep the group class pictures). Jo Ann in the office will put you on the re-take list.

Physical Education Wish List

Polydots
Floor tape
Masking tape
Lollypop paddles
Slo-mo balls
Foldable goals
Large cones
Volleyballs
Playground balls
Single ball cart on wheels
Basketballs
Game balls for basketball games
Basketball game book
Ball bags
Pinnies
Balance board
Badminton sets
Agility ladder
Medicine balls
Music player (cd/ipod compatible)

Parents’ Association

BoxTops 4 Education

Bonus Offers to Earn Quick and Multiple BoxTops: Check it Out!!

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Faculty/Staff Appreciation Luncheon

Look out Giada, and forget about Chef Ramsey. Here comes the Parents from Grades 4, 6 and 8.

Fourth, sixth and eighth grade parents hosted this month's Faculty/Staff Appreciation Luncheon: Around the World. It was a fabulous and delectable lunch with mouthwatering delicacies from all around the globe, with Turkish, Italian, Greek, American, Jewish, French, Filipino and Mexican dishes.

Read Around The World: Destination Book Fair scheduled Dec. 6, 7 and 8 (chaired by first and second grades). There will be a special author-signing event on Dec 7 from 6 to 9 p.m. Families and friends are welcome.?

Gingerbread Extravaganza (chaired by Grade 4): Dec. 13. Scrumptiously delicious.

The Harbor Scholarship Super Raffle is here!

What would you do with $10,000

or

how about free tuition for next year?

The Harbor Scholarship Super Raffle 2011-2012

Take a chance to win $10,000 or free tuition for next year. Winner will have a choice of either super prize. Once the winner has elected payment method, free tuition for next year is not transferable or refundable. Winner is responsible for all applicable taxes.

ONLY 500 tickets will be sold. Just 500. Those are great odds.

Drawing will be on 3/23/2012 at the Parents' Association annual dinner party, which will be held separately at Windows on the Lake in Lake Ronkonkoma. Annual Dinner Party tickets will be sold separately.

The winner need not be present to win.

Don't forget to ask your friends and family if they'd like a chance to win $10,000.

The odds are incredible.

Get your tickets NOW!!! Tickets are only $75 each until Dec. 16, 2011.

ON SALE FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY.

Ticket prices will increase after Dec. 16.

CLICK HERE FOR YOUR ENTRY FORM

Paleontologist David Krause Visits Harbor Country Day School

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 16:13:34 -0000

Paleontologist David Krause Visits Harbor Country Day School

David Krause first went to Madagascar, the island nation of 21 million people, in search of pre-historic fossils. In fact, Madagascar has yielded fossils of species that existed no where else on earth. But what the paleontologist also saw around him – poverty, illiteracy and suffering – brought forth a new cause: the development of schools, clinics, and a spirit that the sub-standard living conditions for many children in this island nation can be improved.

Dr. Krause recently visited Harbor to speak with students about the challenges ahead for him and the doctors, dentists and other medical volunteers from Stony Brook University who make regular trips to Madagascar. He explained the Madagascar Ankizy Fund was established to finance a variety of projects including building schools, holding clinics, and distributing healthcare supplies in remote areas of Madagascar.

Dr. David Krause is a vertebrate paleontologist currently working as a Distinguished Service Professor in the Department of Anatomical Sciences at Stony Brook University. He is also the Founder and Executive Director of the Madagascar Ankizy Fund (ankizy means children in the Malagasy language), www.ankizy.org.

Hawk Eye News - November 14, 2011

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 17:00:00 -0000

November 14, 2011

This Week in Pictures

Native Americans in Pre School

The preschool children had a special visitor in their classrooms this week, Mrs. Lisa Cissel, who taught them about how early Native American Indians hunted and gathered foods from the environment and, in particular, how they used corn for many purposes. After husking some corn plants, the children learned that various parts of the plants were used to make baskets, mats, cornhusk dolls and corn based foods. The children followed a recipe using natural ingredients to make corn bread. The aroma of freshly baked corn bread soon filled the air in the dining room, and the children were excited to taste their delicious muffins, asking for seconds and thirds. A special thank you to Mrs. Cissel for sharing this enriching experience with our preschool children as they learn about life in early America.

A Love Affair with Madagascar

David Krause first went to this island nation of 21 million people in search of pre-historic fossils, and, in fact, Madagascar has yielded fossils of species that existed no where else on earth.

But what the paleontologist saw around him – poverty, illiteracy and suffering – brought forth a new cause: the development of schools, clinics, and a spirit that the sub-standard living conditions for many children in this island nation can be improved.

Dr. Krause spoke Friday to two assemblies of Harbor students about the challenge ahead for him and the doctors, dentists and other medical volunteers from Stony Brook University who make regular trips to Madagascar. The Madagascar Ankizy Fund was established to finance a variety of projects and distribute healthcare supplies.

Aloha from the Second Grade

The second grade has been busy studying Hawaiian culture and customs. The students have been drawing comparisons and contrasts of lifestyles here in New York and in Hawaii while they learn about native plants, animals and marine life in Hawaii. The second-grade children also chose Hawaiian research topics for projects to present to their classmates. Topics included volcanoes, the endangered nene goose, Hawaiian leis, marine life, President Obama and the Hawaiian trigger fish.

Life and Times of Frida Kahlo, the Artist

Eighth-grade Spanish students spent several weeks researching the life of Frida Kahlo and putting together remarkable power-point presentations that provided an inside view of her personal life and success.

Kahlo’s painting career lasted 28 years. She was also known as the exotic wife of the famous muralist Diego Rivera. She wore festive Mexican costumes and painted peculiar, often shocking self-portraits.

During her lifetime, Kahlo's work was recognized primarily by the cultural and intellectual elite, nationally and internationally. She was not known by most Mexicans until years after her death.

Since the late 1970s—thanks in part to feminism, the Chicano movement, and multiculturalism— Kahlo has become an international cult figure. Exhibitions, books and films about her abound.

Printing with Pre-K Enrichment

In a visit to the art studio, the Pre-K Enrichment class learned about how prints were made before electronic printers. Mrs. Grass demonstrated the mechanics involved in using an authentic printing press and our enthusiastic young artists couldn’t wait to start creating their own prints.

An Update from the Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees met Oct. 26 with all trustees in attendance. Board Chair Dave Essex explained that all Board Committees--Buildings & Grounds, Development, Executive, Finance, Head Support & Evaluation, Marketing, and Trustees--have now met and are energized after their meetings, where goals and plans for the 2011-2012 school year were developed. Committee chairs provided updates to the Board and answered questions. The Board approved the Parents' Association proposal to offer a free tuition for 2012-2013 as an alternative option to the $10,000 Super Raffle grand prize. The Development Committee announced this year's Harbor Fund Kick Off will be Nov. 17 at the Three Village Inn. After Jim Young gave his Head's Report, John Cissel, head of academic affairs, provided an overview of Harbor's 2011-2012 Academic Program and shared his ideas, recommendations, needs and areas of focus with the Board.

Notices

Coat Drive

Thank you for all of your coat donations!

Our goal was 30 coats. We got over 50 coats! Last week, the student council made a visit to the homeless veterans to drop off our coats. They were very thankful. They needed the coats and they were trying them on as we brought them into the building. We would like to again thank every one for bringing in the coats and making the coat drive such a success.

Evelyn Beltrani
Alexandra Berlingieri
Alex Gieraltowski
Donna Sanders

The Student Council

Dining Room News….

December’s menu will be sent home in backpacks, Tuesday, Nov. 15. ^. All menus are due to the office by Thursday, Nov. 17. If you would like your copy now, click here.

All lunches must be pre-ordered. Lunch orders will not be placed daily. Please send your child with a lunch each day if you have not ordered from the menu.

If there are any questions, please call me at the school office.

Cathie Pisk

From the Business Office

This week all of our 60/40 tuition payment option families will be receiving a reminder invoice that your 40% payment is due Dec. 1. If you should have any questions just give me a call.

Diane Abrams
Business Manager
631-584-5555

Parents’ Association

What’s next?

November Faculty/Staff Luncheon hosted by Grades 4, 6, and 8 will be Nov. 16.

Read Around The World: Destination Book Fair scheduled for Dec. 6, 7 and 8. (chaired by Grades 1 and 2) There will be a special author-signing event from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 7. Families and friends are welcome.?

Gingerbread Extravaganza (chaired by Grade 4): Dec. 13. Scrumptiously delicious.

The Harbor Scholarship Super Raffle is here!

What would you do with $10,000

or

how about free tuition for next year?

The Harbor Scholarship Super Raffle 2011-2012

ONLY 500 tickets will be sold. Just 500. Those are great odds.

The winner need not be present to win.

Don't forget to ask your friends and family if they'd like a chance to win $10,000.

The odds are incredible.

Get your tickets NOW!!! Tickets are only $75 each until Dec. 16, 2011.

ON SALE FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY.

Ticket prices will increase after Dec. 16.

CLICK HERE FOR YOUR ENTRY FORM

"Family is a collective expression of individual perspectives--a living work of art."

Wes Fessler

Stephen Hussey
Parents' Association Coordinator

Hawk Eye News - November 4, 2011

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 16:00:00 -0000

November 4, 2011

This Week in Pictures

…and a frightful night was had by all

All manner of ghosts, goblins, ghouls and other specters descended on campus last Sunday for Harbor’s annual Trunk or Treat. In the gymnasium, the mad scientist, a man truly possessed of the spirit, held students in rapt attention as he made various everyday objectives pop, sizzle, smoke, pop, smolder and disappear before our very eyes. Out on the playing fields, students and their parents cavorted among several rows of parked cars, gathering treats and other tidbits from the trunks of obliging parents.

How do you spell… onomatopoeia?

The annual rivalry between the Nisconsets and Nissaquogs focused this week on spelling, as rival teams from the upper school and the lower school faced off in a spelling bee. Each team brought formidable spellers to the engagement and, at the end event, each shared a claim to victory: 25 points for the Nissaquogs, 25 points for the Nisconsets.

Thanksgiving Food Drive Underway

Harbor's National Junior Honor Society is again sponsoring the school's annual food drive to benefit the Smithtown Food Pantry. All students are asked to bring in nonperishable items such as soup, pasta, cereal, pork and beans, juice, tuna fish, etc. Please avoid food packaged in glass. Younger students should deliver the items to their classroom teachers, and upper-school students should leave the food with their advisors. The deadline is Wednesday, Nov.16.

The Pantry was amazed last year at the generosity of the Harbor community. Let's do it again in 2011.

Barred Owl Pays a Visit to the Classroom

On Monday, in connection with our "spooky" Halloween day, Harbor Country Day had a very special visitor. Miss Nancy from Sweetbriar Nature Center visited 1st-4th grade students and brought a barred owl. The barred owl is commonly found in North America and is unusual because it will often hunt during the day. Miss Nancy taught the students that the barred owl has a call that sounds like someone saying, “Who cooks for you?" It can make other sounds such as screams, yelps and barks.

Before taking the owl out of his protective cage, Miss Nancy prepared the children by asking them to be very quiet as the owl got used to its surroundings. She told them that he was a rescue owl that had been hit by a car accidentally and was sent to the Nature Center for care. He is back to excellent health and will soon be released. When the owl came out of its cage, children quietly observed its beautiful features. They quietly raised their hands and noted how they could see its "beautiful brown wings," its "brown stripes on his tummy," and its "heart-shaped face." One student thought the owl looked a little bit afraid.

The children learned many interesting facts about owls. One was that they have asymmetrical ears so that they can hear at different levels. Another was that their eyes are especially designed for seeing in dim light. They are set into discs in their faces that collect and funnel light to the eye. Owls can turn their heads180 degrees and look down the middle of their backs because they have extra vertebrae in their spines. The children learned that owls are quite remarkable.

Because of their nocturnal ways, owls are often associated with learning and studying.

Fields of Daffodils Are Not Far Off

Students and their advisors are pitching in to plant more than1,000 daffodil bulbs before the onset of winter. The hard work will yield beautiful flowers come spring.

Notices

"Old Favorites" looking for a new home

We're looking for a few diamonds in the rough -- classic texts for young children that may have been set aside as your children outgrew them. Please note: This is not a request for parents to purchase books for the kindergarten library. If you have editions that you are not using, we would be happy to have them. These will come in handy for partner reading, an important component of Reading Workshop.

Caps For Sale, Esphyr Slobodkina
Green Eggs and Ham, Dr. Seuss
Whistle for Willie, Ezra Jack Keats
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, Laura Numeroff
Corduroy, Don Freeman

Thank you very much,
Debbie Diamant

Parents’ Association

Trunk or Treat – A Spooktacular Harbor Tradition!

Thank you to all who assisted in what was a boo-tiful event. The Pre-K and Kindergarten families pulled together a very enjoyable night of scares and fun. For the incredible ideas and leadership of Kindergarten parent Lori Hussey and Preschool parents Diane Abrams, Nancy Cippitelli, Lisa Dix and Cynthia Wong-Lippe! And to Ms. Daniele, who helps us a whole lot in the front office. Everyone should be very proud of their efforts. It was fantastic!

A special THANK YOU to those who had made donations to the Trunk or Treat Event:

The wood used for the Spooky Halloween cut outs donated by Mr. and Mrs. Art Nelsen.
Mrs. Grass and Mr. Weissbach, along with the Art Club, for their time in preparing and creating the Spooky Halloween cut-outs.
The hay for the Hay Maze was donated by Regine Nickel.
The Owen family for providing the entertainment, Mad Scientist; as well as spooky decorations.
Mrs. Netter for her frightfully scary story
The Mercurio family for the delicious and juicy apples
Tina Cohen and Tara Rotoli for the ghostly marshmallow treats
The Lippe family for the yummy hot chocolate and cups
The Weir family for the glow sticks
The Essex family for the light-up wands
The Cataudella family for the use of two blow-ups in the gym
And to the creative children who decorated ghostly milk jugs to make our walking path festive!

REMEMBER: Surrender your leftover, unwanted candy to the school again this year. For every pound of candy brought in, the school will receive $1 (generously offered by Dr. Frank R. Egan of East Patchogue - www.TeethOnTheMove.com)

What’s next?

November Faculty/Staff Luncheon hosted by Grades 4, 6, and 8 will be Nov. 16^.

Read Around The World: Destination Book Fair scheduled for December 6, 7, and 8. (chaired by Grades 1 and 2) There will be a special author-signing evening event from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 7, Families and friends are welcome.? All students should return their decorated flags to school by Nov. 7.

Gingerbread Extravaganza (chaired by Grade 4): Dec. 13. Scrumptiously Delicious.

STOP AND SHOP

To register you card click here: https://www.stopandshop.com/our_stores/bonus_bucks/designate_school.htm?execution=e1s1

The school id/code to register your card online is 13210.

Would you like Gas Rewards as well....

Click on the link below for more information.

http://www.stopandshop.com/savings/shell_program.htm

The Harbor Scholarship Super Raffle is here!

What would you do with $10,000?

or

How about Free Tuition for next year?

The Harbor Scholarship Super Raffle 2011-2012

Take a chance to win $10,000 or Free Tuition for next year. Winner will have a choice of either SUPER prize. Once the winner has elected payment method, free tuition for next year is not transferable or refundable. Winner is responsible for all applicable taxes.

ONLY 500 tickets will be sold. Just 500. Those are odds not worth passing up.

Drawing will be held on 3/23/2012 at the Parents' Association Annual Dinner Party, which will be held separately at Windows on The Lake in Lake Ronkonkoma. Annual Dinner Party tickets will be sold separately.

The winner need not be present to win.

Don't forget to ask your friends and family if they'd like a chance to win $10,000.

The odds are incredible.

Get you tickets NOW!!! Tickets are only $75 each until Dec. 16, 2011.

ON SALE FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY.

After Dec. 16, 2011 they will increase in price.

CLICK HERE FOR YOUR ENTRY FORM

-There is no doubt that it is around the family and the home that all the greatest virtues, the most dominating virtues of human society, are created, strengthened and maintained.

Stephen Hussey
Parents' Association Coordinator

The Sunshine Report

A very Happy Birthday to Mr. Young!

Harbor's Diversity on Display

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 14:37:42 -0000

Harbor’s Diversity on Display

This year’s multicultural program at Harbor Country Day School is designed to enhance student life and create broader diversity awareness in the Harbor Community. To illustrate Harbor’s diversity, faculty, staff and families are creating leaves rich in color and design and adding them to a Diversity Tree on display at the School entrance. Blended together beautifully, the “Leaf Project” is blossoming into a tree of many colors, a genuine reflection of the diverse world in which we live. The multicolored leaves tell a personal story of where we come from and who we are and proudly represent the diverse cultural heritage of the Harbor Country Day School community.

The Fourth Grade Makes Connections

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 09:00:00 -0000

The Fourth Grade Makes Connections

Last week, fourth graders took a marine science field trip to Long Beach in nearby Nissequogue. Marine biologist Kristin Colavito met us there with buckets, a seine net, and plant life identification packets. We first studied plant life along the shoreline, then turned our attention to the water. Using a seine net, we combed the water close to shore, scooping up different types of marine life, and quickly placed them in water-filled buckets. We learned about pipe fish, a close relative to the sea horse; found Asian shore crabs, an invasive species that competes with native animal species in Long Island Sound; and caught countless sheepshead minnows and silver sides.

Ms. Colavito waded into the water and found a beautiful adult male horseshoe crab, an exciting finish to our wonderful and educational trip.  After studying the creatures we found, we returned our discoveries to the water. We all agreed that one of the most important parts of our research was leaving the environment undisturbed.

Hawk Eye News - October 28, 2011

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 21:00:00 -0000

October 28, 2011

This Week in Pictures

Harbor’s diversity is on display

This year’s multicultural program is a will enhance student life and create diversity awareness in our community. The leaf project is blossoming into a tree of colors at the entrance of the school. Faculty, staff and families have all created leaves, rich in color and design. Each leaf tells a personal story of who we are and where we come from. Blended together in the shape of a tree, the various colors proudly represent the cultural heritage of our school community. Our diversity is genuine, and it reflects the world in which we live.

There Is a Doctor in the House

Our Kindergarten class enjoyed a visit last week from Miss Dym's brother, Dr. Glenn Dym. Dr. Dym is a third-year resident in internal medicine at NYU Medical Center. He plans to specialize in cardiac electrophysiology.

Dr. Dym showed them several of the special instruments in his doctor kit, and students were allowed to test his stethoscope, reflex hammer and other instruments. As a hardworking resident, Dr. Dym has very little time off, so we were appreciative that he spent some of it here at Harbor, enhancing our science unit on health and hygiene in a very special way for our kids.

Harbor Artists on Display at the Long Island Museum

Harbor has once again been invited to participate in the Colors of Long Island Young Artists Expression Showcase. This student exhibition is held every year at the museum in Stony Brook Village and involves students from all over Long Island. Work by two Harbor artists will be on display- Olivia Trimarco (first grade) and Julia Dessart (second grade). Their work will be on display Nov. 18 to Dec. 31. Please try to visit the exhibit.

Pumpkin Wonderland

First Grade was a Pumpkin Wonderland on Wednesday as the children participated in Pumpkin Centers. Pumpkins were measured for length, circumference, and weight at the math center using non-standard units of measure such as unifix cubes, counting links, and stones. The children enjoyed the story Big Pumpkin, which was played at the listening center. Pictures of the life cycle of a pumpkin were colored and sequenced at the science center. And stories starring a pumpkin were written at the writing center. Afterward we were treated to delicious apple cider. Mrs. Netter and her class would like to send a Huge Harbor Thank You to Ms. Evans (Olivia's mom), Mrs. Murn (Austin's mom), and Mrs. Verdi (Vincenzo's mom) for coming in on Wednesday to help with our Pumpkin Centers.

Global Explorations!

Tell me the continents,

If you can!

This song has undoubtedly become a familiar one at home to the parents of our Pre-K Enrichment students. We have been learning about our planet and its geographic components of land and water, in particular, as well as continents and oceans. Learning through song is a natural modality and valuable tool for young children to process and retain information, and acquire language. The students really enjoy the songs, and readily participate in the lessons. We have been using music and sensory materials, such as modeling clay, textured maps, and models, to learn about land and water formations, including islands, lakes, isthmuses, straits, gulfs, peninsulas, archipelagoes and capes.

Day of the Dead Box Themes

Fifth- and sixth grade Spanish students have enjoyed and learned a lot about the popular celebration in Mexico of “El Dia De Los Muertos,” which is Nov. 1 and 2. Families make time to remember their dead relatives and proclaim to the world that that they were loved while they were living and are still loved now that they are gone. Both at home and in cemeteries, families construct elaborate altars called “ofrendas” to honor their ancestors.

Using skeleton figures, a shoe box and lots of creativity, students were asked to make their own theme boxes. The finished artwork is now being displayed outside the music room. Stop by and delight yourselves with the amazing work from these inspired students. It is in the doing of things that great learning occurs at Harbor. Congratulations to all the students for their hard work and dedication.

The Fourth Grade Makes Connections...

Last week, the fourth grade took a marine science field trip to Long Beach in nearby Nissequogue. Our friend, the marine biologist Kristin Colavito, met us there with buckets, a seine net, and plant life identification packets. Students first studied the shoreline plant life. Then they turned their attention to the water. Using a seine net, students "combed" the water close to shore, scooped up many different kinds of marine life, and quickly placed them in their water-filled buckets. They studied pipe fish--a close relative to the sea horse. They found Asian shore crabs, an invasive species that competes with native animal species in Long Island Sound. And they caught countless sheepshead minnows and silver sides. The day began cold and rainy but the sun came out and a gentle breeze drifted across the harbor. Miss Colavito waded into the water and found a beautiful adult male horseshoe crab, an exciting finish to a wonderful and educational trip. ?After studying the creatures they found, the students returned them to the water. We agreed that one of the most important parts of our research was leaving the environment undisturbed.

Getting a Glimpse of the Rural World

We followed our science connection with a social studies outing that related to New York State geography, resources and communities. Parents and students visited nearby BB&GG’s Farms and Nursery where they took a hayride, went through the corn maze and picked pumpkins and apples. When they returned to school, students had an apple tasting noticing the differences in taste, color and texture. We discussed how farms are typically found in rural communities, made all the more special because they are in our suburb. Students made connections between this experience and their Maps of Imaginary Lands projects. As an added connection, the children used their physical education learning by doing the stretches that were taught to them in P.E. The fourth grade is enjoying making learning connections outside the classroom.

Art Club makes Pillows

This week our first session art club students were busy finishing their no-sew pillows. They worked hard tying knots and filling their creations with fluff. They finished them off with small details like pompoms and cell phone pockets.

Great work, art club!!

Our art club members also helped create three "photo stop" standees for trunk-or-treat. They painted Halloween themed cutouts of pumpkins, creepy witches and scary ghosts. Look for them on Sunday night during Harbor's trunk-or-treat celebration

News From The Preschool

Developing strong literacy skills is a major component of the early childhood curriculum. Learning the names and sounds of letters helps young children move towards becoming efficient readers and writers.

During the month of October, learning new letters took on a life of its own in our preschool classrooms;

Hh –Halloween haunted houses

Ss - spooky spiders

Oo -ostentatious owls

Gg - ghastly ghosts and goblins

Mm -monsters and mummies

Ww wicked witches

Pp – perky pumpkin

As the children create a magical witches brew on Monday during their pumpkin pancake Halloween breakfast party, a new letter might immediately come to life; Bb . . . . . . . . .

Boo!

Notices

Class pictures

Class pictures are in! You will be receiving your packages this week. If your child was absent or if you are not satisfied with your portraits we will have a PICTURE RE-TAKE DAY on Monday Nov. 28. If you are interested in a re-take, return your original package (keep the class picture), and let Jo Ann in the office know that you want a re-take. If for some reason you do not want a re-take, you may return your pictures to the photographer for a refund.

Wish List

Mrs. Diamant and Ms. Dym are looking to supplement the kindergarten library with copies of classic "old favorites." This will provide more opportunities for "partner reading,” an important component of the Reading Workshop. We are specifically looking for these books:

Corduroy by Don Freeman

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Joffe Numeroff (or any of that series)

Whistle for Willie by Ezra Jack Keats

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina

Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss

Parents’ Association

Trunk or Treat: Oct. 30, 2011

(Chaired by the Preschool and Kindergarten class)

Only two days away! Are you ready to be scared?

Innisbrook

We have done very well with this fundraising event. Sales this year have surpassed last year’s and are still climbing. ?Cartridges for Kids: Don't forget to keep our school in mind when you discard recyclabe items. Click the link below for specifics. We are recycling all year long. For a complete list of recyclables, go to www.cartridgesforkids.com/ ??Flower Power: Today is the LAST DAY! Get your last-minute orders in. Keep in mind Harbor's landscape while placing your orders. Remember that little spot where you thought a nice set of tulips would go? We are currently over $800. We have a huge collection of flowers already donated to the school Looks like the G3 Club is going to have its hands full. Let's try to keep them extra busy; order a few more bulbs.? To place orders click here http://www.flowerpowerfundraising.com/i/t/228261/3uSF6o0q57eJ.

I inadvertently wrote in last week's HEN that the Teacher / Faculty Luncheon was hosted by the Kindergarten and First Grade classes. The Kindergarten class hosted the Oct. 20th Teacher / Faculty Luncheon, and the First Grade will host the January Teacher / Faculty Luncheon. I apologize for any confusion.

Do you shop at Stop & Shop?

Did you know that with every purchase you earn points that contribute cash for the school? Just think, earning money for the school couldn't be easier. You're there anyway, right?

The A+ School Rewards are points that accrue with each purchase using the Stop & Shop Card. (Please note: Gift cards, pharmacy, gas, alcohol and/or cigarette purchases are excluded from accruing points.) At the end of each month, the A+ School Rewards are used in a calculation to determine your school's cash total, which is automatically credited to your school's account. The holidays are coming up sooner than you think. Every time you visit the store to buy items you buy anyway you can earn money for the school.

Got a Stop & Shop Card already?

To register you card click here: https://www.stopandshop.com/our_stores/bonus_bucks/designate_school.htm?execution=e1s1

Your friends and family can also register their cards for Harbor. Just send them the link above.

Earn Bonus Points when you shop Oct. 7, 2011 – March 29, 2012. You will earn one point for each dollar spent—plus purchase any Healthy Ideas® labeled item and earn triple points, and look for the Doubling Points tag for other participating products. The new tiered Bonus Program will allow you to earn more points with each shopping trip.

Just when you thought that was too good to be true… guess what? You can earn money off your trips to the gas station. Tired of paying the price at the pump? Me, too.

How it works

For every dollar you spend at Stop & Shop, you earn a point on your card. Earn 100 points, save 10¢/gallon on gas. The more you shop, the more you save - you can redeem up to $2.20/gallon in a single fill up.

Points	Savings
100	10¢/gallon
200	20¢/gallon
300	30¢/gallon
...up to $2.20/gallon!

How to redeem your points

Follow the prompts at the pump to start
Insert your Stop & Shop Card (or, enter your 13-digit key tag number)
Select payment and fuel grade
Watch the price drop instantly!

Click on the link below for more information.

http://www.stopandshop.com/savings/shell_program.htm

This is at participating Shell stations only.

Upcoming Events

Book Fair (chaired by Grades 1 and 2): Dec. 6, 7, 8. Evening Book Fair Event starts at 6 p.m. Dec. 7.

Gingerbread Extravaganza (chaired by Grade 4): Dec. 13. Scrumptiously delicious.

There is no doubt that it is around the family and the home that all the greatest virtues, the most dominating virtues of human society, are created, strengthened and maintained.

Stephen Hussey
Parents' Association Coordinator

Hawk Eye News - October 21, 2011

Sun, 23 Oct 2011 12:44:25 -0000

October 21, 2011

This Week in Pictures

Enter (if you dare) Pre-School’s Haunted Hallway

The children in Nursery and Pre-K are busy learning letters and sounds that are connected to some very spooky themes. Hidden behind closed doors, the children are creating creatures that are sure to scare even the bravest at heart.

The preschool children and faculty dare you to visit our preschool Haunted Hallway on Halloween day, Monday, October 31st. Proceed with the greatest caution . . .

First Grade Is Learning the Vocabulary of Math

First graders explored the concept of addition this week and learned new math vocabulary words. Addend, sum, addition sentence, turn around facts, and doubles facts are all words we are using during our math lessons. To reinforce the idea that addition is adding one group of items to another, students used counting bears and frogs to create addition scenarios. We used blank circles and two different colored crayons to demonstrate the different addition facts for the sums fjour, five and six.

Art Club

Our first session of After School Activities is under way. Mrs. Grass' Art Club is at its maximum enrollment of 12 students. This week students worked diligently to create their own unique "no sew" pillow.

There is still time for your child to sign up for cheerleading (girls, grade three through eight), there is still time. Due to the fact that this activity requires enrollment in the fall and winter sessions, we will keep the enrollment period open until Friday, Oct. 28.

Harbor Sports News

Harbor Hawks Soccer

On Monday the Junior Hawks soared at their home opening game against Raynor Country Day School. The team was well prepared from warm-up to the end of the game, even though Raynor won 6-4. The Hawks’ team goals were to play together and play hard! If you attended the game, you will know they met and exceeded their game goals! Way to go Hawks!

Game captains were Jai Narain and Emma Hickerson. Donna Marie Sanders and Jai Narain each scored two goals, and the next game is Oct. 26 at West Sayville.

Notices

Harbor Wish List

Periodically, teachers need supplies to broaden their programs further. Our first wish list comes from the art department. The school appreciates your contributions. Please contact Larissa Grass or Ms. Daniele

Paint: acrylic and watercolor
Watercolor paper
Large white paper
Sharpies
Adult scissors
Mat board
Masking/duck tape
Glass fusion supplies( for the kiln)
Silver clay( precious metal clay and the supplies to go with it)
Origami paper and books

Box Tops Announcement

This year’s Box Tops collection is under way now! Box tops are coupons that you can find anywhere--on tissue, cereal, and zip lock bag boxes, for instance. They are now online, too! Visit http://www.boxtopsforeducation.com to find out more. The school gets 10 cents for each box coupon.

The school will hold monthly contests this year, beginning with October Fest, which ends Oct. 28. There are three groups that will be competing to bring in the most box tops for a prize: Kindergarten and 1st grade, 2nd-4th grade, and 5th-8th grade. So start collecting now for a special prize at the end of the month! Remember, continue bringing them in; the box tops competition lasts all year!

Thank you!

Sarah Hickerson and Sydney Essex on behalf of the Student Council

Coat Drive Reminder

Please send in any coats in good condition, adult sized, men and/or women. We will be donating them to homeless vets. We already have 13 coats and counting. Next week is the last week to bring them in. The campaign ends Oct. 27, 2011.

Thank You!

Evelyn Beltrani, Donna Sanders, Alex Gieraltowski, Alexandra Berlingieri on behalf of the Student Council

Dining Room News

November’s menu was sent home in backpacks earlier this week. Menus are due to the office by Friday, Oct. 21.

All lunches must be pre-ordered and not submitted daily. Please send lunch each day if you have not ordered from the menu.

All lunch menus must be handed into the office by the due date on the menu. They are pre-ordered from Buona Sera, so we ask that the orders not be changed. No refunds will be issued for missed lunches due to illness, field trips, etc.

If there are any questions, please call me at the school office.

Cathie Pisk

Can you Dig it? G3 Club does

The Harbor Greens, Gardens and Grounds Club (G3) is off to a good start this fall. The club is made up of Harbor faculty and staff who meet twice a week in the afternoons to help beautify the grounds of Tulip Knoll by pulling weeds on the back patio, edging the flower beds in front of the school and trimming bushes and trees. A major student bulb planting is planned soon. Much work is ahead for these volunteers.

Parents’ Association

Trunk or Treat: Oct. 30

(Chaired by the Preschool and Kindergarten class)

A spooktacular event for all your ghoulish friends and family. Please remember to RSVP your entry form to Ms. Daniele in the office. Click here for the RSVP form http://www.hcdsny.org/uploaded/Parents'_Association/Admission_Slip_for_TRUNK_or_TREAT_2011.pdf
If you have any questions, please contact Lori Hussey at my6beagles@msn.com.

Innisbrook

A huge success. The entire community came together to make this a fantastic year. Our sales are getting better and better.

Cartridges for Kids

Our first recycling drive started off strongly. We had over 40 ink cartridges, nine cell phones, two cameras, over 40 dvds/cds and five printers. Fantastic. We are recycling all year long. So drop off recyclables whenever. For a complete list of recyclables, go to www.cartridgesforkids.com.

Flower Power

The deadline for ordering is Oct. 28. Jack Frost has not nipped our toes yet, so there's still time to plant. Keep in mind Harbor's landscape while placing your order. Remember that little spot you thought would look nice for tulips? It’s still there.

The benefits of planting flowers:

Visual Appeal

Planting flowers adds color and visual interest to any landscape. A splash of color among shrubbery or trees increases the appeal of outdoor spaces.

Enhanced Mood

According to a study completed by Virginia Lohr and Caroline Pearson-Mims at Washington State University, plants such as trees or flowers have a positive impact on people and increase a person's overall feeling of well being.

Good Exercise

Gardeners can reap physical benefits from planting flowers. Gardening is an effective workout that uses many different muscle groups while increasing flexibility

Cleaner Air

Planting flowers has environmental benefits. According to Project Green, plants help remove pollutants from the air.

To place your order click here http://www.flowerpowerfundraising.com/i/t/228261/3uSF6o0q57eJ.

A Delectable Dining Experience

The school faculty and staff enjoyed an Appreciation Luncheon on Oct. 20. The get-together was sponsored by the Kindergarten and First Grade. The fall theme was a nice beginning to the new season.

Upcoming Events

Book Fair (chaired by Grades 1 and 2): Dec. 6, 7 and 8. Evening Book Fair Event starts at 6 p.m. on Dec. 7.

Gingerbread Extravaganza (chaired by Grade 4): Dec. 13. Scrumptiously Delicious.

“Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children.” Charles R. Swindoll

Stephen Hussey
Parents' Association Coordinator
stephen.hussey@hotmail.com

Sunshine Report

More often than not, she is the face that greets parents picking up and dropping off their children at school. On top of that, she is the person who is asked almost everything and delivers the answers with a smile. You all know that I am talking about none other than Ms. Daniele. Please give her a big smile and wish her Happy Birthday, as it was her special day last week.