UPDATE - Tuesday, May 22, 2012
I apologize for having a late entry this week.
At this point, only a few children have to present their independent study projects. I am certain we will be fully caught up by the end of next week.
I would like to wish all of my children who are participating in the Marching Band during the Memorial Day Parade the best of luck on Monday. I am very proud of you!
This week I will be meeting with my students from Howell Road and Wheeler Avenue.
Have a great week and a fantastic holiday weekend!
Mr. Rosenfeld
P.S. - - - > Happy Birthday Dad!
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UPDATE - Sunday, May 13, 2012
I hope that all of our mothers enjoyed their special day. The weather was fantastic.
This week, the children will be concluding their independent study projects and starting to use our new STEM kits. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
By the end of this week, the OLSAT examinations will be complete. I still have a few make up examinations to proctor. This will enable every third grader in the district to take the test.
This week I will be meeting with my students from Willow Road and James A. Dever.
Have a great week!
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UPDATE - Monday, May 7, 2012
I wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone who was able to attend our Explorations event. It was very gratifying to see the parents and children so engaged in the workshops and enjoying each other's company.
Explorations would not have been possible without the encouragement and support of our Superintendent, Dr. Robb-Fund and our Assistant Superintendent of Special Services, Mrs. Sells-Asch, who helped to coordinate the festivities. I would like to thank all of the presenters for their expertise and the James A. Dever custodial staff for their help.
Even though I usually publish the problem of the week in its own section, here is the solution to tonight's Math Challenge:
Problem:
Three water pipes are used to fill the Valley Stream Community Swimming Pool. The first pipe alone takes eight hours to fill the pool. The second pipe alone takes twelve hours to fill the pool and the third pipe alone takes twenty-four hours to fill the pool. If all three pipes are opened at the same time, how long will it take to fill the entire pool? Remember to prove your answer by showing all of your work...and don't forget the sunscreen!
Solution:
In one hour, the first pipe will fill 1/8 of the pool. The second pipe will fill 1/12 of the pool and the third pipe will fill 1/24 of the pool.
Together they will fill 1/8 + 1/12 + 1/24 = 6/24 or 1/4 of the pool in one hour.
Therefore the three pipes will fill the entire pool in 4 hours.
OLSAT News: All of the third graders in every school are taking the OLSAT test this week.
On a personal note, I want to wish all of our class moms a fantastic Mothers Day.
I will be meeting with my students from Howell Road and James A Dever this week.
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UPDATE - Monday, April 30, 2012
I can't believe that tomorrow is the first day of May. The year is flying at a high rate of speed.
This is just a reminder that on Monday, May 7, the Gifted and Talented Program will be holding our Explorations Program starting at 4 PM at the James A. Dever School. Everyone who is attending has given me their workshop requests and we will do our best to honor as many choices as possible. It is shaping up to be an incredible event and the children are looking forward to it.
The OLSAT exam is being administered to the district third graders next week.
This week I will be meeting with my Willow Road and James A. Dever students.
Have a great week!
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UPDATE - Sunday, April 22, 2012
Independent Study Presentations begin this week. Please make sure that your child brings all of his or her materials to class this week.
Keep in mind that I will be proctoring the New York State Mathematics exams on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, which will alter my schedule.
Letters were mailed from the district office last week about our Explorations event. Please complete the workshop selection form with your child and place it in my mailbox at each school. The selection of workshops are impressive!
This week I will be meeting with my children from Howell Road and Wheeler Avenue.
Mr. Rosenfeld
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UPDATE - Sunday, April 15, 2012
As I mentioned before the break, some of my sessions this week will be postponed due to the New York State English Language Arts and Mathematics Exams.
I would like to remind my students to read the directions and each part of the questions very carefully to make sure that every part is completely answered. Remember to prove your opinions with facts that you read from the passages and to prove your math problems by showing all of your work. Also know that I am very proud of you!
Keep Monday May 7 open on your calendar. We will be holding our "in-house" Conference for Kids in the afternoon after school. Detail.s will follow shortly.
I will be meeting with my students from the Willow Road School and the James A. Dever school this week.
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UPDATE - Monday, April 2, 2012
I would like to wish all of my children and their families a wonderful spring vacation. Please keep working on your Independent Studies during the break. I intend to check my E-mail each evening to see if there are any questions.
Keep in mind that I will be acting as a proctor for the New York State English Language Arts and the New York State Math Assessments starting on April 17. Many of our class sessions will be canceled in order to accommodate the mandated New York State testing schedule.
SAVE THE DATE! Our in-district version of conference for kids will take place on Monday, May 7. Details about the event and workshops will be coming soon.
This week I will be meeting with my students at Howell Road and Wheeler Avenue.
Have a great week!
Mr. Rosenfeld
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UPDATE - Sunday, March 25, 2012
It was a pleasure to see so many parents at last week's Parent / Teacher Conferences. I apologize if their was a line and you had to wait longer than expected.
Please remind your child to bring his or her materials to class (on time) at each scheduled session. Quite a few of the children have been forgetting their flash drives, folders and research at home on days when we meet as a class.
On that subject, please note that I will be at a conference on Wednesday, March 28. All enrichment classes will be canceled on that day.
Many of the sixth graders are opting to use a pod cast as their media project for the Independent Study. If your child would prefer to do a stop-motion animation, there is a decent (and free) software package called SAM Animation that is available for download at http://www.samanimation.com. This software was developed by Tufts University. All you need is a small web cam and an I-create account and you can get started. Children, remember that you must ask your parents permission before downloading anything onto your computer.
For those who are interested, this Saturday is the FIRST High School Robotics Regional Finals at Hofstra University. For further information scroll down to my entry of March 5, 2012.
This week I will be meeting with the children at Willow Road and James A. Dever.
Have a great week!
Mr. Rosenfeld
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UPDATE - Sunday, March 18, 2012
I have a few reminders for this week.
1) Please feel free to see me this week for Parent / Teacher Conferences. Due to the large number of students that I see across all four buildings, it is impossible to schedule exact appointment times, but stop by when you can. I will be at James A. Dever for all afternoon conferences and I will be at Howell
Road for the conferences on Thursday evening.
2) By now you should have received your child's report card from the Gifted and Talented Program. Please note that our number grades go from 1 to 3 and there are no scores of "4."
3) Please keep sending in all used printer and copier cartridges. We exchange them for new technology equipment.
4) Save the date! On May 7, there will be a special in-district after-school extravaganza for the children in the Gifted and Talented Program. Details will be coming soon.
This week I will be with my children at Howell Road and Wheeler Avenue during school hours, but again my conference schedule will be at Dever and Howell.
Have a great week!
Mr. Rosenfeld
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UPDATE - Sunday, March 11, 2012
This is just a note that I will be at a conference on Monday, March 12. I will not be meeting with my students at Willow Road and James A. Dever on that day. Also, Strategy Games Club at Dever has been canceled for that date as well.
All Gifted and Talented classes will resume on Tuesday, March 12.
Thank you for your understanding.
Mr. Rosenfeld
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UPDATE - Wednesday, March 7, 2012
As I mentioned at the Gifted and Talented Open House, I will be holding my Spring Parent / Teacher Conferences based on the following schedule:
Afternoon Conferences:
James A. Dever School – Wednesday, March 21 from 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM
(Room # 200)
James A. Dever School – Thursday, March 22 from 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM
(Room # 200)
Evening Conferences:
Howell Road School – Thursday, March 22 from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM (Room # 8)
Feel free to attend these conferences at any convenient time and location.
Due to the fact that I have a large number of students from four buildings, I am unable to reserve specific appointment times. Kindly sign-in when you arrive and I will do my best to “keep the line moving.” If it is at all possible, please bring your child with you.
Thank you for your consideration and support.
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Update - Monday - March 5, 2012
By now, all of the children should have decided upon Independent Study topics. The children will be spending quite a bit of time planning, researching, reading and writing about their approved topics. They will also be preparing their artwork, computer graphics and rehearsing for their presentations.If your child has any questions along the way, feel free to send me an e-mail and I will get back to you as soon as possible. Remember that only parents and guardians are allowed to contact me via e-mail.This week will be a Howell Road and Wheeler Avenue Week for Enrichment Instruction.On a personal note, I want to remind all of my students and their families that they can attend the 2012 Long Island FIRST Robotics Competition on March 29 - 30 at Hofstra University in the main gym. The event is free and very cooperative and competitive. The teams are competing to go the nationals and for several engineering, math and science scholarships at numerous prestigious universities across the country. The event and parking at the university is free and It is both inspiring and amazing.
Here is the link about the event:
http://www.sbpli-lifirst.org/schedule-event-calendar.php
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One student that I had a few years ago attended and his mother (a principal from a different district) booked a room in Washington (at a different hotel) just so she could be "in range." She did not attend the workshops but she was only a quick cell phone call away in case of any problems. I do know that a couple of students from the program attended President Obama's inauguration and attended a session with a supreme court judge.
Please note that I am NOT compensated in any way for recommending children for this whether they attend or not. I nominate the children in case some of my parents want their children to take part in this experience.
This week I will be meeting with my Willow Road and James A. Dever students.
Mr. Rosenfeld
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Update - Saturday, February 11, 2012
I would like to thank everyone who turned out for our follow-up parent meeting this past week. I appreciate your support and suggestions to make our fine program even better.
This week I will be meeting with the Howell Road and Wheeler Avenue groups. After the February break I will meet with the children from Willow Road and James A. Dever.
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Update - Saturday, February 4, 2012
This week I will be meeting with the children at Willow Road and James A. Dever.
There will also be a follow-up Gifted and Talented Parent Meeting on Wednesday evening in the Board Room of the District Office. Details about the meeting were sent via regular mail from the administration.
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Update - January 29, 2012
If you only visit one educational website (aside from
www.valleystream13.com) to share with your child, perhaps you should consider visiting Khan Academy, which is found at
www.khanacademy.org.
Khan Academy offers thousands of free videos (without ads) in many academic subject areas from pre-school to high school and beyond.
It is my hope that you enjoy these with all of your children.
This week I will be meeting with my Howell Road and Wheeler Avenue Students.
Mr. Rosenfeld
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Update - January 20, 2012
Please remind your children to attend our Gifted and Talented Sessions on time. Lately, some of our children have been late to class because they were coming from a special area class or from instrumental music instruction. Also, as we are now into the English Language Arts portion of the semester, all class assignments are due on a regular basis.
Congratulations again to the New York Giants as they are going to the Super Bowl. What a game!
This week I will meet with my Willow Road and James A. Dever students.
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Update - January 16, 2012
I know that not everybody is a football fan and I realize that my students are fans of many different teams, but congratulations to the New York Giants on their recent playoff win. The children can learn much from the team's victory in Green Bay.
First, they should always believe in themselves and their teammates. Second, they should prepare, rehearse and learn about everything they can about anything that challenges them. Third, that if a team loses a big game, (and they all do from time to time) they should do so gracefully, respectfully congratulate the winners and then get get back up and try again...perhaps with a different strategy.
Personally, I am not a huge football fan, but I would like to wish the Giants well as they battle towards the Super Bowl.
This week will be a Howell / Wheeler week for the Gifted and Talented Program.
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Update - January 9, 2012
The week of Monday, January 9, will be a Willow & Dever week for the program.
Update - January 2, 2012
Greetings Everyone and Happy New Year!
I hope that all of my children and their families enjoyed a fantastic vacation. I am truly looking forward to the start of 2012.
I would like to congratulate the children who participated in the Greek Debates or the Greek Infomercials back in December. Both events were very successful and entertaining.
As I mentioned, this week will be a Howell / Wheeler week for the Gifted and Talented Program.
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Update - Early Morning December 19, 2011
First, I would like to thank everybody who came to see me during last week's Parent / Teacher Conferences. It was a pleasure to see some familiar faces and to meet some Willow Road and Wheeler Avenue parents for the first time. I appreciated your patience - especially during the evening session. In the spring I will hold conferences at Howell Road and at James A. Dever.
I would also like to with the students of Wheeler and Howell good luck at their winter concerts this week.
The first week of 2012 will be a Howell / Wheeler week. Have a great vacation and I will report back next year.
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Update - Early Morning December 12
Good Morning!
I look forward to seeing everybody at Parent / Teacher Conferences this week at Willow Road for afternoon sessions and at Wheeler Avenue for the evening session.
Please note that I will be in the Computer Lab at Willow Road and not in Room 14 as previously mentioned.
Mr. Rosenfeld
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Update - December 4, 2011
Sometimes inspiration can come from the strangest of places. The following piece of wisdom was in my fortune cookie on Saturday night:
"A dream is just a dream. A goal is a dream with a plan and a deadline."
That is good advice for making resolutions for the new year.
On Friday, all of the children who are in the Valley Stream Stream School District #13 Gifted and Talented Program will be receiving their report cards. The Gifted and Talented Report card is a separate document that should be in the main envelope. If for some reason it isn't there, simply ask and I will e-mail it to you. I can also give you one at Parent / Teacher Conferences.
Have a great evening and good luck to all of our children who will be performing at their Winter Concerts this and next week!
Mr. Rosenfeld
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Update - November 30, 2011
I hope that everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving break.
It was a pleasure to see some old friends and to meet some of the parents and grandparents who are new to the Gifted and Talented program at American Education Week.
I understand that quite a few of you have been given appointment times from the classroom teachers for Parent / Teacher Conferences. Since I will be seeing a large number of parents from all four schools, it is impossible for me to meet with you at assigned times. I will be happy to meet parents during the official conference sessions based on the following schedule:
Wednesday, December 14 and Thursday, December 15 at Willow Road in Room 14 for all AFTERNOON conferences. These conference sessions will be held from 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM.
Thursday, December 15, I will be at the Wheeler Avenue School in the Lower Level (Next to the Lunchroom) for EVENING conferences. This conference session will be held from 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM.
Again, it is always helpful if you bring your child to these meetings. I will do what I can to keep the line moving, but I will ask you to sign in and wait for your turn.
Thank you for your understanding and consideration.
Mr. Rosenfeld
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Update - November 20, 2011
Even though it feels like we just started the school year, this is just a brief note to wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving. May you spend it with family, friends and those you love.
Mr. Rosenfeld
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Update - November 13, 2011
As our first projects are nearly complete on each grade level, I wanted to take this time to remind my students and their parents about the grading system in the Gifted and Talented Program.
The numeric enrichment grades are based on the following criteria:
1 - The student did not meet the requirements of the Gifted and Talented Program on a particular project or in a graded subject area.
2 - The student met all of the requirements and standards of the Gifted and Talented Program on a particular project on in a graded subject area.
3 - The student exceeded the requirements and standards of the Gifted and Talented Program on a particular project or in a graded subject area. This means that the student provided several extra steps in addition to an assigned task.
Please note that while a grade of "4" is obtainable on a child's report card from his or her regular classroom, it is not available in our program.
If you have any questions, please ask.
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Update - November 6, 2011
Some of my parents have asked me how their children can prepare for the "Jumping Levels Math Cards Challenges." The best way to do so is to practice with a regular deck of cards for about fifteen minutes each day.
Using a a regular deck of cards, have your child shuffle the deck and deal out a set to make three piles. Each card is its own pile unless a "picture card" is dealt. Treat each card as its face value and add ten to any card when a picture card is drawn.
For example, assume a 2, 3, Queen and 4 are dealt - in that order.
Treat these three piles as "2", "3", and "14."
Have your child make every possible combination with these three numbers:
2 x 3 = 6 6 + 14 = 20
2 x 3 = 6 14 - 6 = 8
14 divided by 2 = 7 7 + 3 = 10
14 x 2 = 28 28 + 3 = 31
After your child spends five minutes with one set - allow him or her to deal out another.
When they have built up accuracy, stamina and speed, increase the number of piles to four.
This is also perfect for long car rides, the doctor's waiting room and television commercial breaks.
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As I mentioned at our recent Open House, I will be conducting Parent / Teacher Conferences based on the following schedule:
Fall Conferences
Wednesday, December 14 (Afternoon) Willow Road School - Room 14
Thursday, December 15 (Afternoon) Willow Road School - Room 14
Thursday, December 16 (Evening) Wheeler Avenue School - Lunch Room (Art Room)
Spring Conferences
Wednesday, March 21 (Afternoon) James A. Dever School - Room 200
Thursday, March 22 (Afternoon) James A. Dever School - Room 200
Thursday, March 22 (Evening) Howell Road School - Room 8
Please note that you can attend conferences with me at any school and at any convenient time. I have also found it beneficial if your child is able to join us for our meeting.
Thank you for your consideration and support.
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It would be wonderful if you you could bring in your old, empty printer and copier ink cartridges. I save them for our Technology Department and we exchange them for new computer items. Thank you!
Mr. Rosenfeld