The Cornwell Connection ~ April '26

Welcome to The Cornwell Connection

At Cornwell Avenue, we believe school should be a place where children feel safe, known, challenged, and deeply cared for. Every day, our staff shows up with intention and heart, creating classrooms where learning is joyful, expectations are high, and relationships come first. The Cornwell Connection is one way we stay connected with you as partners in that work — from our school to your home.

Our days are full and meaningful. You will see students reading, writing, questioning, celebrating growth, and learning how to be part of a community. Behind the scenes, teachers and staff are thoughtfully planning, reflecting, and adjusting to meet the needs of every child. We take seriously the responsibility of creating a school where children are supported, challenged, and given what they need to grow — academically, socially, and emotionally.

As you read through The Cornwell Connection, we hope you feel the heart of our school — the pride we have in our students, the care we have for one another, and the joy that lives in our classrooms. Thank you for trusting us with your children and for being such an important part of the Cornwell community. Together, we are growing, learning, and making each day beautiful.

Where every child matters.

🐏😀🖤💛🌿🌺🌻🪷🦋🌳🌼

Dear CA Families,

There’s something special about this time of year. As spring begins to bloom 🌸, it brings a sense of renewal—a chance to pause, take a breath, and appreciate all the growth we’re seeing in our students each and every day.

One idea that has really stayed with me this week is simple, but powerful: every moment matters. The small, everyday interactions—kind words, patience, encouragement—can make a lasting difference for our children. We see it in our classrooms, in the hallways, and in the way our students support one another.

As we approach spring break, we recognize that this time can look different for every child. While many are excited for time with family and rest, others benefit most from the structure and routine that school provides. As we head into the break, we are focused on ensuring all of our students feel supported, valued, and cared for.

We also hope this upcoming break provides your family with time to relax, recharge, and enjoy meaningful moments together.

I’d like to take a moment to thank our families for your continued partnership. Events like our recent Math Family Game Day were a wonderful example of what makes our school community so special. The energy, smiles, and connections we saw were truly memorable, and we are so grateful for your involvement and support.

At CA, we are proud of the strong sense of community we share. It is built on kindness, collaboration, and a shared commitment to doing what’s best for children. Together, we create an environment where students feel safe, supported, and inspired to grow.

Thank you for all you do to support your children and our school community. It truly makes a difference.

Wishing you a wonderful spring break ahead 🌸

With appreciation and #RamPride,
Deanna
🖤💛 Every child, every day, any way!

Love, appreciation, and #RamPride!

Enjoy free, family-friendly trips in Nassau County, NY, by exploring the expansive sculpture gardens at the Nassau County Museum of Art, hiking the trails at Bailey Arboretum, or visiting the African American Museum of Nassau County. Summer evenings offer free movies/concerts at Eisenhower Park, while year-round indoor fun is available via free library museum passes.

ILoveNY.com +4

Outdoor Adventure & Nature

• Bailey Arboretum (Lattingtown): Features 42 acres of gardens, walking trails, and the world's largest Dawn Redwood.
• Norman J. Levy Park & Preserve (Merrick): A popular spot for hiking and spotting wildlife, including goats.
• Eisenhower Park (East Meadow): Known for its "field of dreams" playground, walking paths, and summer concert series.
• Bethpage State Park (Farmingdale): Offers hiking and biking trails (fees apply during peak season, often free in off-season).

  ILoveNY.com +4

Culture & Learning

• Nassau County Museum of Art (Roslyn Harbor): While the museum requires admission, the sprawling sculpture gardens are free to walk through.
• African American Museum of Nassau County (Hempstead): Explores local history and art.
• Hofstra University Museum of Art (Hempstead): Features outdoor sculptures and often provides free activity packets for children.

Indoor & Free Library Fun

• Library Museum Passes: Use your Nassau County library card to reserve free passes to top attractions like the Long Island Children's Museum or Cradle of Aviation Museum.
• Chick-Fil-A Play Spaces (Westbury/Hicksville): Free indoor, walled-in play areas for young children.
• Amateur Astronomers Association (Various): Offers free stargazing and nighttime sky observing events.

In future editions of The Cornwell Connection, we’ll continue to share timely updates and meaningful opportunities for families as this newsletter grows alongside our school community.

Our School Decision Making Team always welcomes new parents, and we encourage anyone interested to join us. Our next meeting will be held on the third Wednesday in April - 4/29/26.

Most importantly, we’ll continue to offer practical ways to support learning at home. And as always, our message remains simple—and powerful: read, read, read!

From our CA article in the District Newsletter:

Primary Center Literacy Update

Grades 1–3 | April

April always feels like a bit of a turning point, and we’re really starting to see that in our classrooms. Across grades 1–3, students are building confidence, taking more risks, and settling into themselves as readers and writers.

In grade 1, there’s been a noticeable shift. Students are working through their phonics and starting to read more smoothly. You can really hear the difference! They’re not just sounding out words anymore; they’re beginning to read with expression and confidence. In writing, they’re becoming more independent, using what they know about sounds to spell and putting their complete thoughts together on paper.

In grade 2, students are digging deeper into what they read. They’re asking questions, talking things through, and making connections that show they really understand the text. Vocabulary is a big focus right now, and they’re getting better at figuring out unfamiliar words on their own. Their writing is growing, too! You’ll see more organization, clearer ideas, and stronger details.

Grade 3 students are really stepping it up. They’re working with more complex texts and thinking about things like main ideas, themes, and how a text is structured. There’s been a lot of strong discussion in classrooms, with students backing up their thinking using evidence from what they read. Their writing reflects that growth as well, especially as they work on opinion and informational pieces and spend more time revising and improving their work.

What We’re Working On
Across all grades, students are continuing to build their foundation with phonics patterns like blends and vowel teams. In reading, many classes are focusing on strategies like visualizing, picturing what’s happening as they read, and making predictions. These are simple strategies, but they go a long way in helping students stay engaged and understand what they’re reading.

A Few Ideas for Home
Nothing complicated, just small things that help:

• Have your child read something from school and act out a favorite part together. It sounds simple, but it really helps with fluency and confidence.

• Turn them into a “word detective” looking for familiar sounds or patterns on signs, menus, or even cereal boxes.

• Remind them it’s okay to go back and re-read when something doesn’t make sense. That’s something we practice all the time in school.

Reading & Classroom Highlights
We’re continuing to encourage students to read as much as possible - whatever interests them. Whether it’s a favorite series, something funny, or a new book from the library, it all counts. Classrooms may also be highlighting an “Author of the Month” so students can get to know different writers a bit more.

You might also see some classroom highlights coming home or being shared, student writing, book reviews, or photos of students reading together, working in groups, or just enjoying a good book in a comfortable spot. These moments matter and really show the progress being made.

Quick Reminders
Keep an eye out for library days, upcoming literacy events, and any important dates or updates from your child’s teacher.

Thank you, as always, for the support at home. Even 10–15 minutes of reading a night makes a real difference, and we’re seeing that pay off. We’re indescribably proud of the progress our students are making and excited to keep things moving as we head further into the spring!

#WHeRiseTogether

With #RamPride,

Mrs. Sinito

Grade 3 took the simulation for the NYS Computer Based Math test in January, and all went smoothly. Please don't hesitate to reach out to your child's teacher for more information or questions!😀

Our 3rd grade State Test dates are as follows:

ELA - April 22nd & 23rd with a make-up day on the 24th.

Math - May 11th & 12th with a make-up day on the 13th.

🌍🚛The Sanitation Dept will be present on April 24. 8am -1pm for our celebration of Earth day and our Recycling day for parents to come in for our "Most Magnificent Thing" Day! Mor information to come! Shout out and HUGE thanks to Mrs. Campbell!

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• If your child will be absent, please call Nurse DeStasio before 8:30 AM at 516-390-3145
• If there will be a change in your child's afternoon transportation, please write a note or email to the teacher/main office. For last-minute changes, please call Mrs. Amaya or Ms. Hernandez before 2:00 PM. 516-390-3140
• Early pick-up must be before 3:00 pm, at which times buses begin arriving. U-turns and speeds of more than 5 MPH are STRICTLY prohibited for everyone's safety.
• Please do not block the driveways of the homes around our school. Also, please exercise patience during drop off and pick-up (no horn-honking, etc.)