Baylis Newsletter

We kicked off Mental Health Awareness Month with a spirit day of wearing green to address the importance of this subject matter. Our Mental Health Team in collaboration with our Peer Mediators facilitated weekly announcements. During our morning announcements, our students read the Mental Health Quote of the Week, such as this example: “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” – Plato OR “It’s okay to not be okay.” – Unknown. This was followed by the Mental Health Fact of the Week, such as “Did you know that taking deep breaths can help your brain calm down when you're feeling big emotions?” A book list for read-alouds links to videos were suggested to teachers to facilitate Mental Health Awareness in the classroom. Lastly, we also shared a list of self-care strategies to support their well being as well. Additionally, our fifth graders engaged in an "empathy" activity facilitated by our peer mediators. They participated at three stations designated to experience physical differences, sensory experience, and language differences. They recorded their reflections after participating at each station to provide

Thank you PTA for the incredible Teacher Appreciation Week you provided to our Baylis staff. Everyone was so appreciative of your thoughtfulness and generosity! This culminated with Staff Recognition Day where we were visited by Dr. Rogers and members of the Board of Ed and the district. It was quite challenging to keep this as a secret to our staff, but we pulled it off with the incredible covert work by Christine Sostack. This year’s honorees were Mrs. Nouri, Mr. Karson, Mrs. Frank, and Mrs. Ward. We also recognized the retirement of our teaching assistant Shirley Zeidman who will be moving to sunny Florida to be with her family.

We had wonderful grade 3 events in May, such as the Curriculum Celebration focused on a STEAM project where students and their families built bridges together and then tested how much weight the bridge could hold. Teams revised their bridges several times to improve their structures, which is part of the engineering design process. Grade 3 concert is a tradition we perform at Baylis for the families. It was another wonderful way to showcase our musical talents. This year’s orchestra concert was quite unique as it was a musical journey that led the families to experience their growth from September to now.

One of our favorite staff events is welcoming our newest students into our building. Kindergarten Orientation was an example of how we foster a strong partnership with our PTA as we introduce part of our executive board and support them with connecting our new families. This year we reserved a yellow school bus and provided the opportunity for our future kindergarteners to have the experience of sitting on the bus with their peers, while learning some safety advice such as buckling their own seatbelts. This all happened simultaneously singing “The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round” with our teachers.

As we approach the close of the school year, these final weeks are filled with precious moments and celebrations. I encourage you to savor these times and create lasting memories with your children as we wrap up another fantastic year!

Fourth graders have been studying plant and animal structures. In May, students took part in a squid dissection to learn about their internal and external structures and how their bodies have adapted to their environments. They also dissected seeds and flowers to learn about the structures of plants and flowers.

Our fifth grade students are diving into an important chapter of American history, the Civil Rights Movement. Through engaging lessons and meaningful discussions, they’re learning about the people, events, and ideas that helped shape the fight for equality and justice. As part of their learning, students are creating their own nonfiction books to showcase what they have discovered. We are so proud of their thoughtful work and growing understanding of this powerful time in history.

General Music students spent the month of April highlighting Arab American Heritage Month, Deaf Musicians, Easter, and Passover. During May, we have been highlighting music for Asian American Pacific Islands Heritage Month and Jewish American Heritage Month. We have worked hard and advanced our musical skills throughout the year.

Our 3rd grade orchestra, chorus and recorders had a wonderful musical celebration on Monday, May 19th.

Our 4th and 5th grade performing groups are ready to share our beautiful music at our spring concert on June 5th.

Soliciting Meeting Ideas & Volunteers for Next Year

Now that June has arrived, we are already beginning to plan for next year. If you have any topics you would like to see discussed at one of our meetings next year and/or would like to help out & volunteer, send us an email!! We would love to hear from you! Email - syossetnysepta@gmail.com

6/2 In school Spring Concert

6/3 Grades K-5 Field Day

6/4 Kindergarten AAA bike safety program, Grade 4/5 Rehearsal for Spring Concert @HBT

6/5 Kindergarten trip to Planting Fields, Grade 4/5 Spring Concert @ HBT

6/6 Eid al Adha (School Closed)

6/9 Spelling Bee (K&1), Board of Education Mtg, NYSITELL (Day 1)

6/10 Spelling Bee (2&3), NYSITELL (Day 2)

6/11 Spelling Bee (4&5) , Gr. 2 Sands Point field trip, Gr. 5 Broadway trip

6/12 Gr. 2 Sands Point field trip (rain date)

6/13 Student Council Spirit Day, PTA Men’s Boutique, SHS Senior Walk at Baylis

6/16 Gr. 5 Sunken Forest/Fire Island field trip, Grade 3 Music Awards Party

6/17 Gr. 3 Sweetbriar Field trip, Grade 4/5 Music Awards Party

6/18 PTA 5th grade party

6/19 Juneteenth (School Closed)

6/20 Drop the Tech Challenge, PTA Gr. 5 Breakfast, Grade 5 Day of Play: So Fun Game Show, and Grade 5 BBQ

6/23 Baylis Olympics K-5

6/24 Baylis Moving Up Ceremony

6/27 End of 4th Marking Period, Last Day of School