Hawk Happenings

December was a truly busy and exciting month in our classrooms! Our students worked diligently to complete their units in Math, ELA, Science, and Social Studies, demonstrating impressive growth in their collaboration and problem-solving skills. Throughout the month, we focused on reviewing key concepts and completing assessments, providing students with the opportunity to reflect on their learning as we successfully concluded the first half of the school year.

Beyond the academics, our halls were filled with the spirit of community. We enjoyed several festive activities that emphasized the importance of kindness, teamwork, and responsibility. It was a joy to celebrate our students' many accomplishments together, including a special recognition for those who earned a place on the Honor Roll. Thank you for your continued support during this bustling season. We hope your family enjoys a restful and joyful winter break, and we look forward to starting the new year refreshed and ready to learn.

❄️✨ Bring on 2026

So much learning + lots of fun equals Mrs. Stols' class in December! Students enjoyed a holiday-themed mathematical addition review and a mammal scavenger hunt to finish their CKLA unit!

The Holiday Shop is such a quintessential school memory! Beyond the sheer excitement of "secret shopping," these events are actually incredible learning laboratories for students.

It’s heartwarming to see them move from "What do I want?" to "What would my grandmother love?" It’s a huge milestone in their social and emotional development. A huge shout-out to our PTO (and Ms. Nemec) for all of their hard work in setting up and running this event.

It is also particularly thoughtful to provide gift cards for older students from our Steen PTO (Steen Cares Initiative). This initiative clearly shows how much the Steen community values looking out for one another.

The Student Council's involvement adds a beautiful, personal layer to the holiday drive by ensuring each gift is accompanied by a heartfelt message. By taking the time to hand-write these cards, these young leaders are learning that the most meaningful gifts often come with a genuine personal connection. Their dedicated efforts ensure that the toys and books being shared will bring even more warmth and joy to children throughout the community this season.

Our Student Council worked hard to get all of our holiday gifts and books organized and ready to donate for the holiday season. Students spent time sorting, and preparing each item with care, showing responsibility and compassion throughout the process. Their efforts reflect the true spirit of giving and service, and we are proud of their commitment to helping spread kindness and joy within our community during this special time of year. Thank you to everyone who donated to help make this season bright and exciting for others.

Mrs. Gadd’s Media class is transforming abstract coding concepts into a hands-on adventure as 3rd graders use Ozobot robots to explore the fundamentals of logic and sequencing. By using color-coded paths to guide these tiny robots, students are developing essential problem-solving skills and learning how to "debug" their ideas in real-time. This interactive experience builds a strong foundation in computer science while fostering the persistence and creativity needed to navigate the digital world.

Mrs. Stols' class had a wonderful experience exploring the Bogota Public Library and meeting Mr. Tommy, the children’s librarian, who introduced them to the wealth of resources available right in their own community. By stepping out of the classroom and into the library, the students discovered how to navigate a world of books and digital tools, fostering a sense of independence and curiosity about lifelong learning. This visit not only strengthens the connection between the school and the neighborhood but also empowers these young readers to see the library as a welcoming space where they can pursue their interests and expand their horizons.

5P explored the prehistoric era by creating food webs featuring herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores—making connections and bringing ancient ecosystems to life!

The students in 5C are acting as environmental engineers by developing innovative plans to prevent and treat harmful algae blooms in our waterways. By investigating the science of nutrient runoff, researchers are discovering that proactive conservation is the most effective way to maintain healthy and safe ecosystems.

Winter Week at Steen School is off to a magical start as students embrace the festive spirit and enjoy quality time with their friends. These celebratory activities offer a wonderful way to conclude the year and strengthen school bonds before everyone heads off for winter break. It’s a joy to see the students soaking up every moment of fun and friendship during this special week together.

Ms. Dellosa spread holiday cheer throughout the school by traveling from classroom to classroom with her piano, jingle bells, and caroling books. Each grade had the opportunity to sing along and enjoy festive songs together, creating a joyful and memorable experience for students and staff alike. 🎶✨

Our staff Elf on the Shelf has brought lots of fun and laughter to the school! Ms. Decongelio loves hiding “Elfy” around the building, turning each day into a friendly hunt for staff. This festive tradition has helped spread holiday cheer, encouraged teamwork, and added a little extra joy to the season.

The continuation of our Honor Roll recognition for Grades 4 and 5 provides a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the academic achievements and hard work of our upper elementary students. To earn a place on the list, students must achieve consistently high marks across their core subjects while demonstrating a strong commitment to excellence in their daily classroom efforts. This recognition not only rewards past performance but also serves as a motivating goal that encourages every student to strive for their personal best throughout the school year.

🏅 First Honors: A’s in all subjects
🏅 Second Honors: 3 A’s and 1 B in major subjects; A’s and B’s in minor subjects
🏅 Third Honors: 2 A’s and 2 B’s in major subjects; A’s and B’s in minor subjects
🏅 Honorable Mention: A’s and/or B’s in all subjects

We are so proud of our students’ hard work and dedication—keep striving for success! 🌟

FIRST HONORS

Christopher Arguello, Isabel Aviles, Jeremy Boadi, Isa Chaudhry, Dyliani Difo Almengo, Nikolina Iloski, Raxtzel Jimenez-Fernandez, Omar Lopez, Emma Loza, Harang Maeng, Aubree Marical, Gabriella Sanchez, Linette Segovia, Jeronimo Vallejo Arias, and Ethan Vasconez.

SECOND HONORS

Alvi Ahmed, Ethan Brkovic, Scarlett Colon, Mackenzie Hordern, and J’adore Riley.

THIRD HONORS

Valerie Argueta, Elizaveta Bordukh, Alicia Bustamante, Nahyonys Cabrera-Reyes, Jean Collado, Reese Cox, Liam Salmeron, Leonardo Soto, and Caiden Villatoro.

HONORABLE MENTION

Wilder Alvero, Brooke Arrington, Analia Auquilla, Kayden Cabrera-Reyes, Jonah Campoverde, Yazaira Cosme Quiroz, Noah De La Cruz, Ethan Fana, Arty Farg, Kali Holland, Gabriel Liranzo, Jana Mahran, Avalyn Mandetta, Landon Martinez, Mateo Mona, Maya Morales, Sadie Philbin, Sasha Pisco, Liam Sosa, Jocelyn Tenezaca, and Reid Valentin.

FIRST HONORS

Affan Aabid, Isabella Daza Rodriguez, Valentina De La Rosa, Jamie Gamez, Patrick Hordern, Isaac Infante, Anna Morales-Aparicio, Amirah Robinson, and Aanvi Sah.

SECOND HONORS

Elijah Cabreja, Rosselyn Galvez, Ibrahim Iqbal, Pavneet Kaur, Lacey Kohles, Noah Mejia, Fatima Mudassar, and Bharveer Singh.

THIRD HONORS

Zoey Almonte, Anna Bautista, Dylan Criollo Quinonez, Rahanaelle Desir, Matthew Figueroa, Gabriel Funes, Sophie Jimenez, Aaron Mendoza Garcia, Katherine Ochoa-Moriano, Francesca Odorisio, Analisse Ramos, Abner Rodriguez, Jayce Sanchez, Elena Velez, Ethan Villatoro, and Lucia Wells.

HONORABLE MENTION

Genesis Aguilar Barrientos, Emanuel Alba, Sebastian Arce, Jaylee Arroyo, Abigail Canario, Angelina Charles, James Collado, Ashely Criollo, Gabriel Demetriades, Katherin Garcia-Lopez, Sofia Hernandez, Adrian Hernandez Ceballos, Emmanuel Hurtado Daza, Blair Mitchell, Sophie Nunez, Amy Olarte Cardenas, Adna Redzic, Shelsey Rodriguez, Matthew Rondon, and Edrin Taylor.

• 1/5/26- Return to School
• 1/19/26- MLK Day- No School

Here are a few friendly reminders to help keep everyone feeling their best:

• Handwashing: Encourage your child to wash hands regularly—especially before eating and after using the restroom.

• Rest & Nutrition: A good night’s sleep and healthy meals support learning and immunity.

• Illness: If your child feels unwell, please keep them home and notify the school so we can support their recovery and protect other students.

• Birthdays: ONLY treats labeled as nut free/made in a nut free factory will be allowed in school. We have severe nut allergies. Thank you for your understanding.

Facebook: Lillian M Steen Elementary School Bogota NJ

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Location: 134 West Main Street, Bogota, NJ, USA
Phone: 201.342.6446