IMES Family News
April 2026
Calendar Update
Due to the snow days, Tuesday, May 26 will now be a school day for all students and staff.
Kindergarten Registration for the 26-27 School Year
Families with a child turning five years old on or before December 1, 2026 are eligible for Kindergarten Registration.
Online Registration is available on the link below.
K-5 March Curriculum Highlights
Kindergarten: Kindergarteners are ready for an exciting April filled with learning, growth, and engaging learning experiences! In reading, students will continue practicing their CVC word reading skills and begin learning how to decode longer words that include consonant blends and digraphs. We will also have many opportunities for rich conversations about books, helping children make connections to themselves, other texts, and the world around them. In writing, students will keep working on their How‑To books. They’ll continue to study mentor texts, learn how to revise their writing, and practice making their steps clear for readers. We will also encourage students to proudly share their finished books with classmates! In math, students will continue building strong addition and subtraction skills through hands-on games and activities that help them apply math to real-life situations. We’ll also begin exploring teen numbers and understanding how they are composed. Kindergarteners will also learn about sustainability and the importance of reducing, reusing, and recycling to help take care of our environment.
Grade 1: First graders will continue developing their knowledge of vowels during both reading and word work, practicing flexibility when reading words with more complex vowel teams that make new sounds rather than typical long or short vowel sounds. They will also strengthen comprehension skills by retelling, asking and answering questions, and visualizing. In Fundations, students have been working with closed syllable words and will now learn about vowel-consonant-e syllable patterns to help them read and spell longer words. In writing, students are building on their opinion writing by creating reviews of favorite places and things in their community and supporting their ideas with clear reasons and explanations. In math, students will explore a variety of tools and strategies to compare numbers and add two-digit numbers using concrete models, drawings, and place value. In Social Studies, students will continue exploring maps and deepen their awareness of needs and wants, learning that needs are essential for survival, such as food and water, while wants are things we may desire but do not need. This month, students will also visit the Norwalk Maritime Center to enhance their science learning, where they will explore how animals use different defense strategies to survive in their environments.
Grade 2: Second graders continue to work on vowel teams during Fundations lessons. In addition, identifying syllable types, building vocabulary, and practicing trick words keep students busy! In writing, 2nd graders will create awards for books and write justifications. Next up in ELA, students will combine their reading and writing skills to research and publish an informational text on an insect of choice. Students studied economics last month, learning about consumers and producers. Second graders will finish up work with numbers to 1,000, skip counting, and greater than/less than and move into addition and subtraction of 3-digit numbers. Applying computational abilities to solve one and two step word problems continues to be a focus in second grade math. We ended our study of landforms with a guest presenter on erosion, and our next science unit will explore seed dispersal.
Grade 3: In this month's reading and writing workshop, students will continue honing their close reading skills and answering text-based questions. They will focus on identifying key words in questions to help craft accurate responses. Additionally, students will practice referring back to the text to find specific details and quotes that support their answers to short response questions. In Fundations, students will explore the final stable syllable, which is a syllable found at the end of a multisyllabic word. In math, we will soon begin studying the attributes of two‑dimensional shapes and then review all previously taught concepts. Finally, in social studies, students will learn how goods and services are bought and sold, why scarcity affects the choices people make, and how our country’s free market system works—including how supply and demand influence prices and decisions made by buyers and sellers.
Grade 4: In April, fourth graders will continue reading both fiction and informational texts independently, strengthening their reading muscles as they work on making connections between different parts of a text. They will also continue writing structured essays and responses that require analyzing and integrating text evidence to support a claim while comparing texts, identifying common themes or main ideas, and elaborating their thoughts. In math, students will continue their study of geometry, which focuses on two main concepts: angle identification and measurement, and analyzing, describing, and classifying shapes based on the properties of their sides, angles, and lines of symmetry. In social studies, students will continue learning about the American Revolution, with an exciting focus on spies during the war. In science, fourth graders will continue their energy unit. Students will focus on renewable and nonrenewable energy resources, and how to convert energy sources to support sustainable environments. As part of this work, students will also participate in a “Trash to Treasure” sustainability art project, where they will reuse and repurpose everyday materials to create original artwork. This hands-on project will encourage creativity while reinforcing the importance of reducing waste and caring for our environment.
Grade 5: In April, 5th grade students will continue to fine tune their interpretative reading skills and build their reading and writing stamina. Understanding the meaning of a constructed response in both math and ELA will be part of this work in developing skills in organization of thought and writing. In ELA, part of this work will be done through poetry as students look for themes and main ideas in poems and connect them to other texts. This will allow learners to develop their understanding of figurative language and poetic techniques such as inner thinking, white space, and repetition. In math, students will learn how to represent data through line plots. They will delve into measurement, including the customary and metric systems. Studying the particulate nature of matter through the Modeling Matter unit in science will continue in April.
NY State Assessments: Grades 3, 4, and 5
All Katonah-Lewisboro Elementary Schools will be administering the Grades 3-8 English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics Tests, and the Grade 5 Science Test in the coming weeks. These annual tests for students in grades 3-8 are required by the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015. The tests are designed to measure how well students are mastering the learning standards that guide classroom instruction. Schools use these assessments as one of the measures of student progress.
The ELA test involves students reading, writing, and responding to multiple choice, short answer, and extended response questions. The Math test assesses concepts and skills related to the math curriculum and consists of multiple-choice questions, short-response, and extended-response questions. The Science Test involves multiple choice and constructed response questions to assess student proficiency with the New York State Science Learning Standards.
All state assessments will be administered in a computer-based testing format (CBT), using district issued iPads. Testing continues to be untimed, allowing students to work at their own pace to completion.
You may access the additional links below for more information.
Parent Resource Regarding NY State Assessments
The testing dates are listed below:
English Language Arts: Tuesday, April 14 and Wednesday, April 15
Science (Grade 5 only): Thursday, May 7th
Mathematics: Tuesday, April 28th and Wednesday, April 29th
Please be sure your child arrives on time for school each day as the tests will be administered first thing in the morning. The only preparation that is required is a good night’s sleep and a solid breakfast.
The results will be reported to parents as soon as they become available.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
Belonging at IMES
Over the past year, members of SEPTO collaborated with teams from IMES, KES, and MPES to develop a comprehensive scope and sequence focused on understanding different disabilities called Learning to Include. This month, students in a designated grade will learn about one specific disability. By the time students complete elementary school, they will have developed background knowledge and awareness of six different disabilities.
Below you will see the topics for each of the grade levels. Each grade level will have multiple lessons on each topic. The first lesson will be an introduction and will happen during morning meeting. The next lesson includes a read aloud, which is followed by an activity. Additionally, our clinical staff will continue their push-in lessons and will also focus on understanding and celebrating differences. Our overall goal is to help students understand that inclusion means valuing everyone’s unique abilities.
Are you interested in seeing which book each grade will read?
K- Let's Go Play by Shelby McCarthy
1st Grade- I Am a Masterpiece by Mia Armstrong
2nd Grade- My Brain is a Racecar by Nell Harris
3rd Grade- A Walk in the Words by Hudson Talbott
4th Grade- My Friend with Autism by Beverly Bishop
5th Grade- Violet's Victory by Valerie Goldstein
Sustainability at IMES
This month, our common read is Sydney & Simon Go Green by Paul Reynolds. This picture book is a child-friendly environmental book that teaches students simple, everyday ways to care for the planet. Through the characters Sydney and Simon, children learn practical habits such as recycling, conserving water, saving energy, and keeping their community clean.
We also look forward to celebrating both Earth Day and Arbor Day on April 22 with special assemblies and activities planned, including planting and harvesting this month in our school garden!
News from the Library, Mrs. Hoffman
April in the library will have a strong STREAM focus, with students across all grade levels engaging in hands-on, inquiry-based learning. Kindergarten and 1st grade will wrap up their exploration of wordless picture books before transitioning into mini STEM stories, where a high interest children’s book is paired with a brief, engaging STEM activity. Meanwhile, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th grades will launch their major STREAM projects of the year: 2nd grade will design and test water filters, 3rd grade will apply biomimicry to create products that solve real-world human problems, and 5th grade will begin preparations for an exciting mission to Mars. 4th grade will conclude their alternative energy unit by finishing and testing their windmill builds and reflecting on renewable energy concepts as a segue into our work preparing for Earth Day!
PARP - Pick A Reading Partner
We had a wonderful March celebrating PARP! Events such as the Scholastic Book Fair, Reading Under the Stars, Dress as Your Favorite Character Day, Mystery Readers, the March Madness Book Bracket, and our closing assemblies—featuring JJHS students performing books—were engaging, educational, and filled with joy.
Congratulations to our students who won the book raffle—we hope you get hooked on those series! A big shout‑out to our families who volunteered and to Ms. Hoffman, who led our PARP initiative with an outstanding calendar that brought the month to life.
Music Notes from Increase Miller!
As we welcome the energy of spring, our students are busy making music, exploring new skills,
and preparing for exciting performances! Here’s what each grade level has been working on:
Kindergarten
Kindergarten students are celebrating the season with Spring and Earth Day songs! They are
also learning new folk dances, experimenting with found sounds, and beginning their journey
into writing simple rhythms.
First Grade
First graders are building their musical literacy by focusing on writing notes and rests, while
reviewing solfege pitches and rhythms. They are also joining in the celebration with Earth
Day songs.
Second Grade
Second grade is beginning preparation for their Flag Day concert, which will take place on June
11th. Stay tuned for more details as they continue practicing!
Third Grade
Third graders are continuing their work on the recorder. Their hard work will culminate in
concerts at the end of May—more information on dates and times will be shared soon.
Fourth Grade
Fourth grade students are exploring the world of composers, with a special focus on Beethoven.
They are also celebrating with Earth Day songs and working on Ukulele and Orff instrument
arrangements.
Fifth Grade
Fifth graders are hard at work preparing for their musical production of Matilda Jr.!
Performance Dates:
• May 13th (Crivelli & Miller classes) at 6:30 PM
• May 14th (Rieger & Ackley classes) at 6:30 PM
We can’t wait to see their incredible performances! Thank you for supporting our young
musicians. It’s shaping up to be a wonderful season filled with music, creativity, and growth!As we welcome the energy of spring, our students are busy making music, exploring new skills, and preparing for exciting performances! Here’s what each grade level has been working on:
Mrs. Higgins & Mr. Vazquez
Orchestra with Ms. Willet Grades 4 & 5
Students are making steady progress on their spring concert music. 5th graders are discussing the advanced techniques of bow distribution and hidden repeats called codas. 4th graders are refining their 3 major scales and working on playing eighth notes. At the end of April, 11 IMES orchestra students will be participating in the NYSSMA festival!
Band with Mr. Partee: Grades 4 & 5
Students are making steady progress on their spring concert music. 5th graders are learning to most effectively utilize their air to create multiple articulations and dynamics. 4th graders are refining their new notes and working on playing eighth notes, as well as learning a new time signature, 2/4 time.
What's Happening in the Art Room at IMES!
April in the art room is all about sustainability and creativity! Students are learning how to take care of our planet while making art! Some exciting projects include a Trash to Treasure 3D artwork, recycling old markers into watercolor paint, turning magazines into beautiful bowls, and using cardboard to build unique 3D abstract sculptures. With spring in the air, many of our projects are also inspired by nature, bringing fresh colors and ideas into our artwork. It’s a fun and meaningful month of creating, reusing, and celebrating the world around us!
Please also keep an eye out for messages from the PTO regarding our Square 1 Art fundraiser. Your child’s artwork will be available to purchase on special keepsakes like mugs, pillows, and more—perfect for celebrating their creativity!
Physical Education
In accordance with Desha's Law and guidance from the New York State Education Department, students will receive developmentally appropriate instruction on heart safety and emergency awareness during their regularly scheduled Physical Education classes.
Physical Education teachers will use age-appropriate training videos and guided discussions to present the information in a clear, supportive, and reassuring way. This instruction is awareness-based only. To see videos please visit the Athletic website.
What Students Will Learn
Our introduction is gentle, supportive, and designed for young learners. Focus areas include:
Simple explanations of what a “heart emergency” (such as Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA)) might look like.
Recognizing warning signs such as chest pain, dizziness, or fainting.
How and when to quickly get help from a teacher, staff member, or other trusted adult.
What students are expected to do during an emergency (stay calm and get an adult right away).
What an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is, and where AEDs are located in the school.
Understanding that AEDs are special tools trained adults use to help in an emergency.
Students will be reassured that heart emergencies are rare and that adults in the building are trained and prepared to help.
Our goal is to build confidence, awareness, and safety.
Shout Outs!
Thank you to Mrs. Hoffman for leading our PARP - Pick A Reading Partner - Program including special character days, the book swap, and Reading Under the Stars!
Thank you to our Social Emotional Wellness Committee, including Ms. Lividini, for planning our monthly sharing assemblies that feature heritage months, buddy experiences, social emotional monthly themes, and new learning!
Thank you to the PTO' STREAM Committee for hosting the STREAM Convention for our budding scientists!
Thank you to our students for demonstrating Kind, Responsible, and Safe behaviors and for working hard each day!
Book Swap in Action!
Grade 5 Science
Conducting Experiments
Green Team at our Sharing Assembly
Thank you, Mr. O'Donnell!
Eagle Eye Winners!
Eagle Eye Winners!
Grade 1 Writers in Action
HS student perform for PARP!
Grade 3 Art at KMA
Visit to Katonah Museum of Art
