SES Sunday Scoop
This week (October 12-16), our school will focus on the character strength of Integrity. Integrity means being honest, truthful, and genuine. Integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is watching. People with integrity tell the truth and align their thoughts, feelings, and actions. They have the courage to stick to their beliefs, even if it means not following the crowd. Integrity is closely related to honesty and authenticity. Integrity is essential for personal growth and well-being. When your thoughts, feelings, and actions are in harmony, you can grow and achieve your goals. Being authentic and genuine makes you more likable and trusted by others, improving your relationships.
Next week (October 19-23), our school will focus on the character strength of Creativity. Creativity means coming up with new and original ways to think about and do things. Creative people see the world differently. They are open to new experiences and think independently. They come up with many ideas and pursue them with energy and enthusiasm. Creativity takes courage because sharing original ideas can sometimes lead to criticism. Creativity is vital to our world! Creative solutions can help resolve conflicts and find compromises that satisfy everyone involved, strengthening relationships. It helps us solve tough problems, create new things, and see the world in fresh ways. Examples include treatments for deadly illnesses, such as cancer, the invention of the cell phone, and the development of solar panels. Imagine life without Impressionist paintings or the creation of airplanes and rocket ships.
Please join me in welcoming Alexandra Maher, our new art teacher, to the Sargent community! Ms. Maher started with us on September 28, 2026 and replaces our former elementary art teacher, Mrs. Griffin. Ms. Maher will be teaching art classes scheduled on Days 1 and 2. For Art classes on Day 3, we still have the pleasure of Ms. Berger working with our students. Ms. Maher earned her degree in Art Education from SUNY New Paltz. Ms. Mahar shared: “I have always loved creating art, especially oil painting, and I am passionate about helping students discover their own creativity. My own high school art teacher, Mrs. Tremblay, inspired me to become an art teacher, and I hope to inspire my students in the same way. In my classroom, I love showing students that art can take many different forms, whether that is traditional drawing, painting, or digital art. Outside of school, I enjoy painting, spending time with my two dogs, and playing volleyball. I am so excited to be part of the school community and can’t wait for a wonderful year of creating together!” Ms. Mahar can be contacted at: maher.a@beaconk12.org.
We will be having some Halloween fun all day long at Sargent on October 30th! Mad Science will be doing their Halloween Spook-Tacular Assemblies and we will have our annual school-wide Halloween Parade in the afternoon. Students may wear their halloween costume to school as long as the costume is comfortable to sit in. Blow up costumes cannot be worn to school but students can change into them before the start of the parade. For security reasons, parents are not allowed to attend the Halloween Parade as a spectator.
Prohibited entirely:
Full face paint
Synthetic (fake) blood
Costume themes involving extreme gore
Fake weapons of any kind
Need a costume? Sargent has a variety of Halloween costumes that are new or gently used. If your family is in need of assistance securing a Halloween costume for your student, please reach out to our school social worker, Mrs. Camille Cortina, by emailing cortina.c@beaconk12.org.
We hope to see all of our Sargent families at Student Progress Conferences on November 23rd and 24th! Conferences are a wonderful opportunity to connect with your child’s teacher, celebrate their growth, and discuss how we can work together to support their continued success. If you haven’t scheduled a conference yet, please reach out to your child’s teacher. Students will be dismissed at 11:40 AM on both days. See the letter below which explains the academic calendar and the upcoming conferences. We look forward to partnering with you!
The Student Council is excited to kick off our Annual Food Drive! This year, they are adding a competitive twist to our collection!
- Each class will have its own collection box and a list of specific food items to collect. Every week, your assigned Student Council leaders will visit your classroom to count the items collected.
- A poster will be displayed near the House bulletin board so everyone can keep track of which class is ahead!
- The class with the MOST DONATIONS will win a PIZZA & ICE CREAM PARTY at lunch, courtesy of Student Council!
- All items collected will help support Fareground & Community and families in need right here in our community.
Collection Dates - October 14 – November 21 (Turkey Trot Day)
We are so excited about this year’s Food Drive and can’t wait to see some friendly competition, teamwork, school spirit, and generosity!
“Banana Splits” counseling groups will be forming at Sargent Elementary School for students who are enrolled in grades 1-5. This nationally recognized program has been established to address the needs of children whose families are facing major changes as a result of separation, divorce, and/or remarriage. These support groups are designed to help children handle problems associated with the emotions that parental separation and divorce can evoke. Our goal is to reach children who are currently experiencing difficulties at home or at school as a result of family restructuring. The program is considered a peer support group in which children realize they are not alone in their feelings and concerns about loss and change. This is accomplished through activities and appropriate discussions.
If you feel as though your child could benefit from participating in this group, please complete the permission slip below and return to the classroom teacher.
The BackPack Program, through Common Ground Farm, is designed to meet the nutritional needs of food insecure, elementary-age students on weekends when free school meals aren’t available. The program currently delivers 75 backpacks filled with child-friendly, convenient, nutritious foods to participating schools every Thursday for the duration of the school year. If your family could benefit from this additional food support due to food insecurity, please contact our social worker Camille Cortina (ext. 4520) , who can help you get set up with the program.
Calling All Fifth Grade Writers!
In celebration of Italian Heritage and Culture Month, the Beacon Sons and Daughters of Italy is sponsoring a scholarship essay contest for fifth graders! Students of all backgrounds are invited to write an essay of at least 150 words, in their own words, about an Italian or Italian American from the past or present and their contributions to American culture and society. One winner from each Beacon elementary school will receive a $50 award and be invited to read their essay at a December Lodge meeting. Essays must be emailed to Cmaggio0406@gmail.com and joe.baffuto@yahoo.com by Friday, October 23, 2026. Please include the student’s name, school, and teacher’s name on a separate final page. See the attached flyer for complete details. We encourage our fifth graders to share their research and showcase their writing!
Common Ground Farm’s new Teeny Greenies program gives children a fun way to explore local farmers’ markets while learning about healthy eating and managing money! Throughout October and November, children visiting the Beacon or Newburgh Farmers’ Market can stop by the market manager tent to receive two $2 coupons to spend with market vendors, plus an activity booklet focused on food, nutrition, and financial literacy. Young shoppers can practice budgeting and make their own purchasing decisions while connecting with local farmers and businesses. Families can also visit Tasting Stations to sample foods from market vendors and receive a sticker. Bring your little shoppers and enjoy learning together!
We are excited to offer Newspaper Club with Mrs. Orlando again for the 26-27 school year!
The club schedules are:
- Grades 3–5: Every Wednesday beginning 11/4 and continuing through May.
- Grades 1–2 Junior Reporters: Once per month on Tuesdays: 11/10, 12/8, 1/12, 2/9, 3/9, 4/13, 5/11
- All meetings will take place from 3:20–4:20 PM in the library.
Senior and Junior Reporters will collaborate to write 4 editions of the Sargent Times. 3-5 students who want to participate should fill out the application below.
