When we play kick ball in the gym I offer a class party if any student kicks the ball through the basketball hoop at the opposite end of the gym from home plate. John Mascia, grade 5 did just that on October 15. This is only the second time this has happened in the 12 years I have been here. Congratulations John, Nice Job. Your classmates are thrilled and the class party will be scheduled soon.
     

            -White soled sneakers are the only sneakers accepted. (even if they are non-marking dark soles)


and "Jump Rope for Heart"
February was National Heart Month so I began my promotion of these two programs then.
I will be
running the Hoops for Heart program for our upper hall students and the Jump Rope for
Heart program
for our lower hall students. I will be reviewing a number of cardiovascular health
facts and teaching
a variety of Basketball and Jump Rope activities throughout the programs.

I runs these two programs each year in an effort to increase the awareness of heart and
cardiovascular, cardiorespiratory health and to raise money for an organization that
has truly
helped to give all of us a better understanding of Heart attack and Stroke.

The collection envelopes for the HOOPS FOR HEART and JUMP ROPE FOR HEART programs will
be coming
home with your children during the month of March and must be TURNED IN DURING THE
WEEK FOLLOWING
EASTER VACATION.

ALL donations are very much appreciated. Donation can be given in honor of a family
member or as a
contribution toward an organization that one day may effect someone you know. Students
will be given
credit for their donations and awarded thank you gifts according to the amount of
their donation.
EVERY student donating $5.00 or more will be eligible for a number of school wide
raffle prizes.I
ask that you not treat this as a full pledging event.I DO NOT encourage students to
go "door to
door". Instead, ask you and/or family members that normally donate, or would like to
begin donating
to the AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION to consider doing so through our school.
School wide donations also benefit our students by qualifying for new equipment which
is used during
Phys. Ed. classes.Our students benefit in many ways.

If you have any questions please contact me with a note, through the office or through
my email link
(the cloud) in the upper right corner of my home page.

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR ANY AND ALL DONATIONS.


***************************************************************************************
*********

I will be rewarding positive behavior throughout the school year as a confirmation to
those students
that are routinely following directions and working at doing well. To limit the risk
of injuries
during my classes I encourage students to "actively" listen to my direction,
explanation and guidance.

My goal is catch students doing well and to also motivate additional students to work
toward getting
caught doing well which should positively enhance the overall attitude of our classes.
To see the
list of recognized students Click on STUDENT RECOGNITION page.

***************************************************************************************
*********

*****I HAVE RECENTLY UPDATED AND EXPANDED MY "ABOUT YOUR HEALTH" SECTION****


*All students should be coming to class prepared wearing proper Phys.Ed.
uniforms and sneakers.
-White soled sneakers are the only sneakers accepted. (even if they are
non-
marking dark soles)
-Socks must be regulation length(to ankle bone). NO "peek-a-boo" (ankle)
socks accepted.
-Students with incorrect sneakers or socks will be marked unprepared
for
the day and not permitted to participate.
-Each unprepared effects a students grade by one third.

*I GAVE ALLOWANCES FOR SNEAKERS AND SOCKS DURING THE MONTH OF
SEPTEMBER AS WE ALL ADJUSTED.PLEASE BE PREPARED FROM THIS POINT ON.

*THERE IS A SECTION ON MY HOMEPAGE WHERE YOU CAN FIND INFORMATION
ABOUT EQUIPMENT USED DURING PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASS.
(Click on the equipment section.)



































































































The thank you gifts for the American Heart Programs are expected to arrive
to me Monday June 9th.
I will begin to organize them immediately and will distribute them before the end of
the school year.

Thank you again for all of your donations!!!!!!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------
As the end of the school year quickly approaches the activities as part of our
Physical Education
programs are also winding down.
Students from grades one through eight once again participated in the American Heart
Association
programs, JUMP ROPE FOR HEART and HOOPS FOR HEART.
Not only do our students have the opportunity to learn and practice fitness skills but
we also
discuss health issues regarding smoking, exercise, proper eating habits and the effect
these can
have on our body especially the cardiorespiratory system. These programs also offer us
the
opportunity to raise money for an organization that has touched many of our lives.
Almost every
family knows someone who has been affected by heart attack or stroke. Thank you to all
students and
family members for their donations.
The lower hall students, grades 1-4 collectively raised $3563.50 and the upper hall
students, grades
5-8 raised $1116.00 for a total donation of $4679.50 Mrs.Dillon's third grade class
donated a total
of $1115.00 as the top donating class in the lower hall and Mrs.Concas fifth grade
class donated
$430.00 as the top donating class for the upper hall. NICE JOB! Liam VanBuren, first
grade, with a
donation of $620.00 for the JUMP ROPE FOR HEART and Toni Ann Ruffolo,fifth grade, with
a donation of
$200.00 for the HOOPS FOR HEART will be receiving a special congratulatory letter from
the American
Heart Association for being the top donating students for each program.
The American Heart Association supplies thank you gifts to each student donating $5.00
or more as
well as a thank you gift to me for coordinating these programs. The gift I receive is
a certificate
for Physical Education equipment from a well known P.E. catalog. Last year's
certificate purchased
additional flag belts, a number of Soft playground balls to be used as part of a new
game for class
and the 24" hopper balls we used for Field Day. Thank you very much to all students
and family
members that donated to these programs.

The other major activity that we look forward to this time of year, is Field Day.
Field Day was on
Monday, May 19th. The weather was mostly clear yet very chilly due to a constant
breeze and a sky
filled with clouds. Rain required a postponement of activities right around lunch
time. Following
about a 30 minute rain shower we immediately picked up the activities where we had
left off and
continued our schedule until it was time to get ready for the bus ride home. All in
all it was a
terrific day of activity and all of our volunteers stayed on task very well.
Each year I dedicate a considerable amount of time and energy to the planning of Field
Day in hopes
of creating the opportunity for new and additional memories for our students.
Adding something new each year helps to make each Field Day unique. This year we
played the Throton
Game, used 24" bouncy balls as part of the obstacle course, modified the rules for
Beachball
Volleyball and added a new game for the lower hall students using small sized hopper
balls and Frog
Targets.
Some of the other games that were played were "Toppleball, "Fitness
Skilltastics", "extreme
obstacle", pushball/shoot around, Basketball challenge, "monster Basketball" and
Basketball
Skilltastics". Many of these games were designed to keep all participants moving and
limit the
amount of time each student stands in line waiting for a turn. I also incorporated
the use of the
playground giving grades1-3 a break from the non stop activity. There was also time
for students to
go to the tent area, that was organized and run by a group of dedicated parents, to
purchase raffle
tickets, prizes, games and toys or drinks and snacks.
Students traveled by grade level every 35 minutes to one of 12 stations scoring points
continuously.
The playground and tent station did not have a point value and 8th Grade had a double
session of the
Throton Game for their final event. Each grade has one green team and one yellow team.
Each Field Day activity finishes with a point score and those numbers are totaled up
at the end of
the day to reveal which color (team) had the most points. This year the break down
score is as follows:

8th grade - Gold won 3 games, Green won 3 games,
and there was one tie
7th grade - Gold 3, Green 3, 1 tie
6th grade - Gold 5, Green 0, 2 ties
5th grade - Gold 4, Green 3
4th grade - Gold 4, Green 3
3rd grade - Green 4, Gold 1- Playground and tent excluded
2nd grade -Gold 3, Green 2- Playground and tent excluded
1st grade - Gold 2, Green 2, one tie. Playground and tent excluded

This makes the final outcome a win for the GOLD team with a score of 25 to 20 and 5
ties.

This is my favorite activity of the year. I'm not sure if its the process I go through
to create new
games and then be able to see it all come to life or watching the teachers, students
and parents and
trying to figure out who is having more fun. It may be the satisfaction I feel to have
the
opportunity to work with - a team of teachers who every year guide their students
effortlessly from
station to station, selfless parents who eagerly donate their time and energy to
assist as either an
activity or room coordinator, an office staff who take care of all the preliminary
details,
organizing and working very diligently behind the scene for many weeks beforehand,
maintenance
personnel who keep the school clean and ready for all of us and never hesitate to lend
me a hand if
asked, a supportive principal, Sister Anne, who continues to promote this event, has
kept an open
mind with some of my unconventional activities and has trusted my abilities, to
Monsignor Gerardo
Colacicco for being receptive to my needs and requests of the days leading up to Field
Day. Thank
you also to Mrs.Tullo for making arrangements with the Highway Department for extra
cones and the
tires for the obstacle course.

A special thanks goes out to Mrs. Bernadette Arnold-Smyth who has been available to us
as a
substitute Phys. Ed. teacher this year. I would also like to thank her and both of her
daughters,
Geniene and Meghan for their extra time in helping me to break down and put away all
of the
equipment we used for Field Day.
Thank you!!

The truth is, that no matter how much effort and time I may spend, it would be totally
impossible
for Field Day to be carried out without all of the assistance I receive. Thank you to
each and every
one of you.

To all of you, I thank you for a good school year, I look forward to September and I
hope you all
have a very safe and healthy summer. I will remember my experiences with the students
of this years
eighth grade. I have enjoyed teaching each of you, I wish you much joy and success in
the future.

Mrs. Clifford
































All of the collection envelopes for American Heart Programs have been sent.
Late envelopes can still be turned in and will be sent seperately.
Thank you gifts will be handed out during class as soon as I receive them.

THANK YOU for ALL of the donations we collected this year.










PLEASE TURN IN YOUR COLLECTION ENVELOPES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

Envelopes for the two AMERICAN HEART programs that I run each year have been given to
each
student.
I do have extra envelopes if any one needs one.

The Jump Rope For Heart program is for the lower hall students and the Hoops For Heart
program
is for the upper hall students.

I run these two programs because they are directly related to health and fitness. We
have
learned so
much over the years about our hearts due to research.
We know so much more about how to prevent heart attack and stroke and have made such
progress in
being able to give heart attack and stroke victims a future following an incident.
My focus with students is to share information that can help reduce the risk for heart
and
cardiovascular disease.

ANY and ALL donations are greatly appreciated.

Begin talking with your parents to find out who you may ask for a donation. I DO NOT
want you to
go
door to door. I would like you to speak with parents, grandparents, Aunts and Uncles,
close
friends
and neighbors. If they would normally donate or would like to donate for the first
time ask if
they
would please donate through you so you can get credit for yourself and your school.

















Physical Eduction Classes have begun and it is time for all students to consistently
come to
class
prepared.

*All students should be coming to class prepared wearing proper Phys.Ed.
uniforms and sneakers.
-White soled sneakers are the only sneakers accepted. (even if they are non-
marking dark soles)
-Socks must be regulation length(to ankle bone). NO "peek-a-boo" (ankle)
socks accepted.
-Students with incorrect sneakers or socks will be marked unprepared for
the day and not permitted to participate.
-Each unprepared effects a students grade by one third.

*I GAVE ALLOWANCES FOR SNEAKERS AND SOCKS DURING THE MONTH OF
SEPTEMBER AS WE ALL ADJUSTED.PLEASE BE PREPARED FROM THIS POINT ON.

*THERE IS A SECTION ON MY HOMEPAGE WHERE YOU CAN FIND INFORMATION
ABOUT EQUIPMENT USED DURING PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASS.
(Click on the equipment section.)

** I have added a new web site for your review. Check out http://pyramid.gov
for information addressed to children and adults. Answer some questions
and get an in depth report of what you should have for your diet and
exercise program. Enter the web site as the address above or go to my the
LINKS icon on my home page and click on the site there.




































THANK YOU GIFTS FOR THE AMERICAN HEART PROGRAMS HAVE ARRIVED. I WILL BE ORGANIZING
THEM AND
BRINGING THEM IN BEFORE SCHOOL ENDS.



FIELD DAY AND AMERICAN HEART PROGRAMS

FIELD DAY
Field Day was a GREAT day. It is one of my favorite days of the school
year. I spend a tremendous amount of time preparing for this day each
year in hopes that each one will be a little different from the previous
Field Days. No matter how hard I work at planning, it would be impossible
to successfully run this event without all of the help that I receive.
THANK YOU to,Msgr.Colacicco, Sister Anne, our office staff,
our maintanence team, classroom teachers, and ALL of the parents that
spend the day with us helping to run the events. Without all of you this
day would not be possible,I thank you for myself and for our student body
who look forward to this day all year.

This years' competition was very competitive and the results were very
close. The results are as follows....................

8th grade - Gold won 3 games and Green won 3 games, no score for the final session.

7th grade - Green won 4 to 0 with 2 ties
6th grade - Gold won 5 to 2
5th grade - Green won 4 games to 3 with one tie
4th grade - Gold won 5 to 2
3rd grade - Tie Green 3 to Gold 3, no score for playground play
2nd grade - Green won 4 to 0 with one tie, no score for playground play or free
period
1st grade - Gold won 2 to 1 with 2 ties, no score for playground play or free period

Making the final outcome a win for the GREEN team 23 to 21.

THANK YOU AGAIN TO EVERYONE FOR THEIR ASSISTANCE, I LOOK FORWARD TO NEXT YEAR.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------
AMERICAN HEART PROGRAMS
Students from grades one through eight once again participated in the American Heart
Association
programs, JUMP ROPE FOR HEART and HOOPS FOR HEART.
Not only do our students have the opportunity to learn and practice fitness skills but
we also
discuss health issues regarding smoking, exercise, proper eating habits and the effect
these can
have on our body especially the cardiorespiratory system. These programs also offer us
the
opportunity to raise money for an organization that has touched almost all of our
lives. Almost
every family knows someone who has been affected by heart attack or stroke.. Thank you
to all
students and family members for their donations.
The lower hall students, grades 1-4 collectively raised $3598.72 and the upper hall
students,
grades
5-8 raised $1065.13 for a total donation of $4663.85. Mrs.Helcoski's third grade class
donated a
total of $664.03 as the top donating class in the lower hall and Mrs.Concas fifth
grade class
donated $317.51 as the top donating class for the upper hall. NICE JOB! Daniel
Beisswenger, third
grade, with a donation of $270.00 for the JUMP ROPE FOR HEART and Anthony
DelaPaz,fifth grade,
with
a donation of $110.00 for the HOOPS FOR HEART will be receiving a special
congratulatory letter
from
the American Heart Association for being the top donating students for each program.
The American Heart Association supplies thank you gifts to each eligible student as
well as a
thank
you gift to me for coordinating these programs. The gift I receive is a certificate
for Physical
Education equipment from a well known P.E. catalog. Last year's certificate purchased
additional
scooters, PE Soft balls, bean bags, and kickballs to be added to our growing variety
of
equipment as
well as replace some of the equipment that has been wearing out. Thank you very much
to all
students
and family members that donated to these programs.




































Results of field day 2006


8th grade - Gold won 4 games to 3 with one tie
7th grade - Gold won 5 games to 1 with one tie
6th grade - Green won 4 games to 2 with one tie
5th grade - Green won 4 games to 3
4th grade - TIE Green 3 games - Gold 3 games
3rd grade - Green won 4 games to 2
2nd grade - TIE Green 3 games - Gold 3 games
1st grade - Gold won 4 games to 1 with one tie

GOLD WON OVERALL WITH A FINAL SCORE OF 26 to 23

[8th grade played one more game than the rest, and 1-4 had one event,
playground play,which is not scored]

THANK YOU AGAIN TO EVERYONE FOR THEIR ASSISTANCE, I LOOK FORWARD TO NEXT
YEAR.



* Field day is this coming Monday. There are a few things I would like to
suggest. First, send a disposable water bottle with your child/children
that has their name and room number written on it.
Fill this bottle an inch or two with water Sunday night and place it in
the freezer. Monday morning "top it off" with water and your
child/children will have cold water to drink during the morning
activities. I HIGHLY recommend water over sports drinks and juices for the
morning, soda is not even a consideration. Many sports drinks contain
sodium for quick absorption which can limit extended hydration. Sports
drinks or juice are fine for lunch and later in the day. Second, apply
sunscreen before coming to school Monday morning. Sunglasses and visors
are permitted. Students will be outside for the majority of the day.
Please instruct your child/children to keep their belongings with them
from one event to the next and to throw their bottle away when empty.
There will be trash bins outside.

Students will have the opportunity to buy raffle tickets, snacks and
drinks from the tent so feel free to send them with some extra change. We
are looking forward to a fun filled day, let's hope the weather works well
for us.

Finally, there have been some students showing disinterest in
participating in school activities. It is unfortunate when a few students
take the enjoyment away from the majority of our student body,therefore,
there will be a new policy this year for Field Day. ANY student showing
disrespect, unsportmanlike conduct or behaving in a manner that takes away
from one of the activities will be escorted to the office. If this
happens, that student will be instructed to call home and will be required
to leave for the day.

Thank you in advance to all of the parents who have graciously offered
their time and energy to help make this day happen. I look forward to
seeing all of you on Monday!!

* The two American Heart Association programs, HOOPS FOR HEART and JUMP ROPE
FOR HEART will be held during class times in the month of May. Collection
envelopes have gone home and should be returned following Easter Break. If
you have any questions please send a note into school or e-mail me
through this web site. I am very hopeful that ALL students will donate at
least $2.00. Thank you for any and all donations!!
Field day is this coming Monday. There are a few things I would like to
suggest. First, send a disposable water bottle with your child/children
that has their name and room number written on it.
Fill this bottle an inch or two with water Sunday night and place it in
the freezer. Monday morning "top it off" with water and your
child/children will have cold water to drink during the morning
activities. I HIGHLY recommend water over sports drinks and juices for the
morning, soda is not even a consideration. Many sports drinks contain
sodium for quick absorption which can limit extended hydration. Sports
drinks or juice are fine for lunch and later in the day. Second, apply
sunscreen before coming to school Monday morning. Sunglasses and visors
are permitted. Students will be outside for the majority of the day.
Please instruct your child/children to keep their belongings with them
from one event to the next and to throw their bottle away when empty.
There will be trash bins outside.

Students will have the opportunity to buy raffle tickets, snacks and
drinks from the tent so feel free to send them with some extra change. We
are looking forward to a fun filled day, let's hope the weather works well
for us.

Finally, a new policy was implemented last year that will be continued this year.
ANY student showing disrespect, unsportmanlike conduct or behaving in a manner that
takes away
from one of the activities will be escorted to the office. If this
happens, that student will be instructed to call home and will be required
to leave for the day.

Thank you in advance to all of the parents who have graciously offered
their time and energy to help make this day happen. I look forward to
seeing all of you on Monday!!





















* The two American Heart Association programs, HOOPS FOR HEART and JUMP ROPE
FOR HEART will be held during class times in the month of May. Collection
envelopes have gone home and should be returned following Easter Break. If
you have any questions please send a note into school or e-mail me
through this web site. I am very hopeful that ALL students will donate at
least $2.00. Thank you for any and all donations!!


*All students should be coming to class prepared wearing proper Phys.Ed.
uniforms and sneakers.
-White soled sneakers are the only sneakers accepted. (even if they are non-
marking dark soles)
-Socks must be regulation length(to ankle bone). NO "peek-a-boo" (ankle)
socks accecpted.
-Students with incorrect sneakers or socks will be marked unprepared for
the day and not permitted to participate.
-Each unprepared effects a students grade by one third.

*I GAVE ALLOWANCES FOR SNEAKERS AND SOCKS DURING THE MONTH OF
SEPTEMBER AS WE ALL ADJUSTED.PLEASE BE PREPARED FROM THIS POINT ON.

*THERE IS A SECTION ON MY HOMEPAGE WHERE YOU CAN FIND INFORMATION
ABOUT EQUIPMENT USED DURING PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASS.
(Click on the equipment section.)

** I have added a new web site for your review. Check out http://pyramid.gov
for information addressed to children and adults. Answer some questions
and get an in depth report of what you should have for your diet and
exercise program. Enter the web site as the address above or go to my the
LINKS icon on my home page and click on the site there.












* The two American Heart Association programs, HOOPS FOR HEART and JUMP ROPE
FOR HEART will be held during class times in the month of May. Collection
envelopes have gone home and should be returned following Easter Break. If
you have any questions please send a note into school or e-mail me
through this web site. I am very hopeful that ALL students will donate at
least $2.00. Thank you for any and all donations!!


*All students should be coming to class prepared wearing proper Phys.Ed.
uniforms and sneakers.
-White soled sneakers are the only sneakers accepted. (even if they are non-
marking dark soles)
-Socks must be regulation length(to ankle bone). NO "peek-a-boo" (ankle)
socks accecpted.
-Students with incorrect sneakers or socks will be marked unprepared for
the day and not permitted to participate.
-Each unprepared effects a students grade by one third.

*I GAVE ALLOWANCES FOR SNEAKERS AND SOCKS DURING THE MONTH OF
SEPTEMBER AS WE ALL ADJUSTED.PLEASE BE PREPARED FROM THIS POINT ON.

*THERE IS A SECTION ON MY HOMEPAGE WHERE YOU CAN FIND INFORMATION
ABOUT EQUIPMENT USED DURING PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASS.
(Click on the equipment section.)

** I have added a new web site for your review. Check out http://pyramid.gov
for information addressed to children and adults. Answer some questions
and get an in depth report of what you should have for your diet and
exercise program. Enter the web site as the address above or go to my the
LINKS icon on my home page and click on the site there.