Hawk Happenings

March was a busy and exciting month across our school community! We kicked things off by celebrating Read Across America Week, where students and staff came together to share their love of reading through themed days, classroom activities, and special read-alouds. It was wonderful to see such enthusiasm for books throughout the building.

In the classroom, students were actively engaged in hands-on learning, especially through a variety of science experiments that sparked curiosity and critical thinking. From exploring new concepts to making exciting discoveries, our young scientists truly embraced the learning process with great energy.

Writing was also a major focus this month, with students continuing to strengthen their skills and express their ideas in creative and meaningful ways. We are proud of the growth we are seeing across all grade levels as they develop their unique voices.

Additionally, we are thrilled to share that our newest therapy dogs have successfully completed their training! These incredible additions to our school community will continue to support our students’ social and emotional well-being, and we look forward to the positive impact they will bring to our daily environment.

Overall, March was filled with learning, growth, and many moments worth celebrating!

Crazy/Favorite Hat Day!

Our students topped off the fun with wild, wacky, and well-loved hats as we kicked off our celebration of reading! The hallways were filled with color and creativity, showcasing the unique spirit of our school community. We can’t wait to see what the rest of the week brings as we continue to explore new stories together. Keep turning those pages and embracing the joy of a great book!

Our students showed off their wild side in animal prints and camo as we continued celebrating a love of reading! The creative outfits added a sense of adventure to the school day, reflecting the excitement found within the pages of our favorite books.

Wacky Wednesday!

Things got a little silly around our school today as students showed up in their wackiest outfits to celebrate reading! From mismatched clothes to crazy styles, the creativity was everywhere, bringing a sense of playfulness to our hallways and classrooms. It was a joy to see students expressing their personalities while keeping the focus on our shared love for books.

This whimsical spirit provided the perfect backdrop for our literacy activities, proving that learning and laughter go hand in hand. As we continue through this exciting week, the energy remains high, and we are constantly inspired by the imagination our students bring to every celebration.

What an amazing week filled with so much creativity, fun, and a shared love of reading! From our vibrant themed spirit days to the inspiring visits from guest readers and engaging literacy activities, our students truly enjoyed every moment of the celebration. It was heartening to see the entire building buzzing with excitement for books and storytelling.

We want to extend a sincere thank you to everyone—staff, students, and community members—who helped make this such a memorable event for our school. Your support and enthusiasm are what make our school community thrive, and we are so proud of the way everyone came together to celebrate the power of literacy.

In Ms. P’s 3rd grade class, history came to life as students played Roman Empire Bingo while learning about the fascinating life of Augustus Caesar. This interactive approach allowed the class to dive deep into their CKLA lesson, turning historical facts into an engaging and collaborative experience.

Throughout the activity, students actively asked each other questions and discussed key moments from Caesar’s life to fill their boards. It was wonderful to see our young historians building their knowledge of ancient civilizations while strengthening their communication and critical thinking skills.

Mrs. Sanchez’s fourth grade scientists recently transformed their classroom into a geological laboratory to explore how rocks change as they tumble down a hillside. By building and testing their own physical models, students were able to simulate the journey of Earth materials, observing firsthand the subtle yet powerful transformations that occur during transport.

Through this interactive investigation, the class delved deep into the concepts of weathering and erosion, discovering exactly how natural forces shape our landscape over time. It was an excellent opportunity for our young researchers to engage with the scientific method as they gathered data and drew conclusions about the ever-changing world beneath their feet.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

We hope the day was filled with a little luck, lots of laughs, and maybe even some magic as our students enjoyed our festive celebrations. The building was brimming with positive energy and smiles, creating a wonderful atmosphere for everyone to share in the seasonal fun. Whether through creative activities or simply enjoying a few lighthearted moments together, it was a day that reminded us all of the joy that comes with our vibrant school community.

Fourth grade had an amazing day exploring the scenic trails and discovering the wonders of the natural world at the Tenafly Nature Center. It was a perfect opportunity for our students to step outside the traditional classroom and engage with the environment through direct observation and exploration.

The day was filled with learning and discovery as students identified local flora and fauna, making meaningful connections to their science curriculum. Beyond the educational benefits, it was a wonderful chance for the classes to bond and create lasting memories together in the great outdoors.

4C was soaking up the sunshine while reading and writing poetry in the garden. Creativity was definitely in full bloom!

A note from our principal - If you have ever seen a therapy dog walk into a hospital room, a nursing home, or a guidance office, you know it is about so much more than a wagging tail. It’s about a breakthrough, a smile, and a profound sense of calm.

I am beyond proud to share that Bogota is leading the state as one of the first districts in New Jersey to complete training for ten in-house therapy dogs. These dogs are owned by our dedicated staff members, who have gone above and beyond by attending weekly certification classes to bring this resource to our schools.

We are moving past the days of once-or-twice-a-year visits. By having permanent therapy dogs on-site, we can shine a consistent spotlight on mental health and support our students in brand-new ways. Whether it’s giving a student the confidence to read out loud or providing a silent support system for a child who feels unreachable, these dogs are going to change lives. My heart is full.

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, Nikolina Iloski, Omar Lopez, Emma Loza, Harang Maeng, Avalyn Mandetta, Aubree Marcial

SECOND HONORS

Liam Alvarado, Frederick Angeles Jr, Isabel Aviles, Elizaveta Bordukh, Jean Collado, Scarlett Colon, Dyliani Difo Almengo, Jana Mahran, Abraham Polo, Nashlyn Rodriguez Rivera, Gabriella Sanchez, Jocelyn Tenezaca, Matteo Valenzuela Cornejo

THIRD HONORS

Wilder Alvero Jr, Brooke Arrington, Jonah Campoverde, Arty Farg, Mackenzie Hordern, Raxtzel, Jimenez-Fernandez, Mateo Mona, Nathan Ospina Escobar, Liam Salmeron, Totao Yigo

HONORABLE MENTION

Alvi Ahmed, Valerie Argueta, Jeremy Boadi, Nahyonys Cabrera-Reyes, Yazaira Cosme Quiroz, Ethan Fana, Joaquin Garcia Beltran, Daniel Klima, Gabriel Liranzo, Ana Sofia Lopez Florez, Gerard Mackie, Landon Martinez, Maya Morales, Alexander Pagnotta, J'adore Riley, Ethan Rincon Mendieta, Julien Rodriguez, Reid Valentin, Jeronimo Vallejo Arias, Ethan Vasconez, Caiden Villatoro

FIRST HONORS

Affan Aabid, Anna Bautista, Elijah Cabreja, Valentina De La Rosa, Jamie Gamez, Patrick Hordern, Isaac Infante, Ibrahim Iqbal, Lacey Kohles, Francesca Odorisio, Amirah Robinson, Aanvi Sah, Bharveer Singh

SECOND HONORS

Zoey Almonte, Dylan Criollo Quinonez, Isabella Daza Rodriguez, Rosselyn Galvez, Emmanuel Hurtado Daza, Pavneet Kaur, Noah Mejia, Anna Morales-Aparicio, Fatima Mudassar, Katherine Ochoa-Moriano, Jayce Sanchez, Ezra Taveras, Elena Velez, Lucia Wells

THIRD HONORS

Gabriel Demetriades, Rahanaelle Desir, Abner Rodriguez, Adrian Hernandez Ceballos, Raymond Henry, Gabriel Funes, Anailyssa Aguilar

HONORABLE MENTION

Sebastian Arce, Aislynn Boadi, Phineas Brown, Sarah Bueno, Angelina Charles, James Collado, Giavana Ford, Thiago Garcia Beltran, Katherin Garcia-Lopez, Sofia Hernandez, Sophie Jimenez, Luke Kernes, Aaron Mendoza Garcia, Blair Mitchell

The Student Council's popular Kindness Confetti initiative is back and going strong this year!

This program celebrates students who are "caught" performing an act of kindness without being prompted. When students demonstrate this selfless behavior, their name is written on a colorful piece of "confetti," which is then proudly displayed in the main hallway for all to see.

At the end of the month, these exemplary students are recognized over the loudspeaker and presented with a certificate.

Congratulations to all of our recent Kindness Confetti recipients for making Steen School a kinder place!

"Hawk of the Month Recognition Program." This program is designed to "spotlight" students who bring positive energy to our school. They are uplifting, positive, hard-working, kind, etc. students who are always trying to help, care for others, be a good friend, etc.

Each month staff are given the opportunity to select a student who exemplifies one or more of the characteristics and/or traits outlined below:

• Participates in clubs, extracurricular activities, sports, and/or events and acts as a leader or team player.
• Works hard in class (regardless of grades) to be their best student.
• Consistently demonstrates maturity and is a positive role model.
• Behavior regularly reflects above and beyond what is expected of a student.
• Any other reason you think they should be recognized!!

Hawk Students of the Month

3rd Grade - Alexander Abreu, Adam Bautista, Maryen Perez

4th Grade - Emanuel Alba, Rahanaelle Desir, Isaac Infante, Sofia Hernandez, Valentina De La Rosa, Malaika Sagheer

5th Grade - Gabriel Liranzo, Elizaveta Bordukh, Linette Segovia, Aarush Chavan

Staff -Mrs. Reiher

In a district as large as ours, it is rare to find someone who can navigate every hallway, enter every classroom, and touch every school with the same level of consistent, radiant energy. But for this individual, the miles between buildings are simply opportunities to bring her expertise to another student who needs it.

She is the ultimate "behind-the-scenes" hero. Whether she is modifying a workspace, fine-tuning a student's motor skills, or offering a fresh perspective on a complex challenge, she does so with a signature warmth and humor. As her colleagues have noted, she walks into the building with a smile every single day. Her students don’t just attend their sessions; they truly enjoy going with her, thriving under the genuine rapport she builds from the very first moment.

But her impact goes far beyond her scheduled minutes. She helps her students build the essential skills and confidence they need to navigate their daily routines, but more importantly, she helps each student believe they can achieve those skills. She is constantly looking for ways to improve the classroom environment, ensuring that every student’s individual needs are met with precision and care. She is a master collaborator who loves to problem-solve alongside our teachers, bringing effective strategies to the table that change a child’s day.

What truly sets her apart is her sacrifice. Her dedication is visible in the extra hours she logs and the additional materials she often provides out of her own pocket just to ensure a student has exactly what they need to succeed. She goes above and beyond to ensure that students are being helped in a way that is truly beneficial to them, making a lasting difference in their lives.

She has a massive heart, and she makes a tangible difference in our school community every time she walks through our doors. We are beyond lucky to have her expertise, her patience, and her advocacy.

It is my absolute honor to announce the Hawk Staff Member of the Month: our incredible Occupational Therapist, Mrs. Reiher!

• 4/3: Good Friday- No School
• 4/6-10: Spring Recess- 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

Instagram: lmsteenschoolBogota

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