Welcome back and to a new year! We hope that the break brought you a change of pace and time spent well as we move into 2025! We are jumping right into it here at Big Cross. Please see some of our events and dates below.

A reminder to have students dress for the weather as we will try to go outside for recess as long as temperatures and conditions allow for it.

Wishing you a great 2025!

Sincerely,

Paul

-K-4 students will be taking their second administration of the iReady Reading and Math assessments. PLEASE encourage your child(ren) to do their best as the window opens on the 21st. Here is a link for families: https://i-readycentral.com/familycenter/what-is-i-ready/

-Friday, January 10 our grade 4 students will begin our Middle School Transition program by hosting all grade 4 students from the other buildings for our first activity

-Monday, January 20-No School Martin Luther King, Jr Day

-Wednesday, January 29-No School Lunar New Year

UPK-91.2

K-93.2

First-90.5

Second-92.7

Third-92.2

Fourth-94.1

**All things considered compared to last year for the month of Dec. we are have increased!!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1H8vIdZcnO7jDnqVREiJHDEk_w2hltXHH/view?usp=sharing

BIG NEWS! Your child in grades 1-4 can join our FREE swim lesson program in the month of March! Glens Falls City School District is offering a learn-to-swim program for all first through fourth grade students at Abe Wing, Big Cross, Jackson Heights, and Kensington. Lessons will be held at the Glens Falls High School Pool on Wednesdays and Thursdays during March, and there is NO COST to attend! Swimsuits and towels can be provided, and plenty of approved instructors and lifeguards will be on hand to make this a great experience for your child. Sign up today using this form: https://forms.gle/gMpd1pZWK61mNUjJ8

Resharing from Parent Square email on Thursday:

This year's NYS ELA and Math Assessments will be taken during a testing window from April/May for all grade 3 and 4 students. Specific dates will be coming.

Students will also be taking a very brief Simulation test, mandated by NYS, on January 28 to become more aware of the tools and formats. Below, I am resharing the same video that was sent out at the beginning of the year to be helpful for you in assisting your child at home. Please take a look and feel free to practice some of these items.

Practice Test Information (about 5 min.)

As always, please feel free to reach out to myself or your child's teacher with testing questions. Thank you for what you all do each day!

-A reminder that there is not any supervision before 8:20 a.m. outside in the morning.

-Please dress warm for the weather as we do go outside, when conditions are safe, for recess daily.

-Please be patient when traveling around the building at arrival and dismissal as everyone navigates the elements this winter.

Mission: GFSD educates, supports, and inspires all students as they learn to become productive and engaged members of their community.

Vision: At GFSD, we are a dynamic and inclusive school community focused on the success of all students in achieving graduation by fostering diverse pathways and providing a multitude of engaging experiences.

Core Values: We believe that we can achieve our vision and accomplish our mission if in all of our work we focus on clearly defined and consistently demonstrated core beliefs.

Email: pmorcone@gfsd.org
Website: https://www.gfsd.org/big-cross-elementary/
Location: 15 Big Cross Street, Glens Falls, NY, 12801
Phone: (518)792-2619
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GlensFallsCSD/
X: @BCMorcone

Instagram: bigcrossgf and bcmorcone