WISE Words #3
November 2025
A Message from Our Leadership Team
As we close out November, we want to share how grateful we are for our staff, families, and students. Your support, flexibility, and encouragement have meant so much. We’ve seen students growing day by day, finding success in their learning, and showing kindness and responsibility in small moments that matter. It has been wonderful to see that progress, both in classrooms and around our school.
We also want to highlight the positive steps we’re seeing with attendance. Being here each day helps build confidence, strengthens routines, and opens up more opportunities for learning. Our second grade team deserves a special congratulations for the progress they’ve made toward their attendance goals. We are proud of their effort and the example they’re setting.
December is just ahead, and we can already feel the excitement that comes with it. For those who celebrate, there will be touches of Christmas joy, along with other moments of celebration and togetherness that brighten the season. We hope everyone stays tuned for the events and activities we have planned. We look forward to sharing them with you.
Thank you for being such an important part of our school community. We are truly thankful for all you do and for the care you show our students each day.
With appreciation,
Mrs. Coia and Mr. Cifaloglio
This month, Gifted and Talented teacher Mr. Jeff Martine launched a schoolwide gratitude project that invited families, students, and staff to share messages of thanks through a Google Form. Our original goal was to collect 100 notes before Thanksgiving, but our community went above and beyond with nearly 800 heartfelt submissions. Staff members loved receiving them and passing them along to one another, and the smiles they brought were unforgettable. A very special thank you to our Safety Patrol team for helping distribute the messages throughout the building and spreading so much joy.
Pics of your room
Pics of students
Our Rossi Owls embraced Empathy,one of our Wise Traits in the most fun and meaningful way!
Students dressed as staff, and staff dressed as students to symbolize walking in someone else’s shoes. It was such a powerful reminder of understanding, connection, and seeing the world from another perspective.
Proud of our school community for showing what empathy looks like in action!
Check out this video Mrs. Leanna Stasuk made highlighting some of our staff members walking a mile in their students' shoes! https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1SYiSb55jJ/
Mrs. Pangburn’s 4th and 5th graders learned about the tradition of America’s White Table, a beautiful symbol of honor and remembrance for the men and women who have served our country.
After reading America’s White Table by Margot Theis Raven, we discussed what each item on the table represents and reflected on what it means to show gratitude and respect. Students also rotated through Veterans Day centers — at our STEM station, they built American flags, and at our writing station, they created heartfelt cards to thank veterans for their service.
Mrs. Gonzalez's Class Thanks Our Veterans
Mrs. Gonzalez’s third -grade students learned about the meaning and importance of Veteran’s Day. They created a beautiful patriotic quilt, which will be displayed at the residence center at the Veteran’s home. The students also discussed and wrote about why it is important to thank our Veterans.
Thank you to all the Veterans for your service !
Mrs. Higinbotham's Class Celebrates Veterans' Day
Mrs. Higinbotham’s class celebrated Veterans Day by making cards for our local Veterans
A-4 Celebrates World Kindness Day
Ms. Deanna and Ms. Jackie’s class had a groovy time celebrating World Kindness Day! Students enjoyed reading Pete the Cat’s Groovy Guide to Kindness, shared a thoughtful discussion about what it means to be a “kind cat,” and completed a fun activity to show the many ways we can spread kindness each day.
Mrs. Lee's Class "Digs In" to Non-fiction!
After reading the nonfiction text, “Soil”, students in Mrs. Lee’s class made a real-life diagram of the layers of soil. Students worked with partners to review their knowledge and cite evidence on the topic. Then they made a soil dessert, where different ingredients represented the layers of soil. Students were able to explain their learning and tie it into a delicious dessert!
Mrs. Higinbotham's Class Has Fun With Science!
Mrs. Higinbotham’s class had fun studying reversible and irreversible changes!
They learned first hand that popping popcorn and frying farm fresh eggs are irreversible and melting water/ freezing ice are reversible!
Ms. Deanna's Class Polls Pies!
Students in Ms. Deanna’s class enjoyed a pie-tasting activity and voted on which pie was their favorite. They also used math skills to count the votes and compare which pie had the most and least votes.
Ms. Schallus' and Mrs. Nash's Class Buddy Up for Thanksgiving!
Miss Schallus’ and Mrs. Nash’s Room Buddies had a fun Thanksgiving activity tasting different pies! Students enjoyed trying new flavors, sharing their reactions, and spending time with their buddies. It was a sweet morning filled with laughter and fall fun!
Balloons On "B-Wing"! 2nd Graders Parade for Thanksgiving
Our second graders filled the hallway with excitement and creativity during their Thanksgiving Balloon Parade! From colorful balloon characters to big smiles, they truly made the day special.
We are so proud of the hard work and imagination our 2nd graders put into this fun tradition.
American Littoral Society and Mrs. Trionfos/Mr. Cervi's Class Team Up for Clean and Green Garden!
Students in Mrs. Trionfo’s and Mr. Cervi’s class teamed up with the American Littoral Society to clean up and add new plants to our school’s rain gardens!
They loved this hands-on activity—especially after finishing our book Soil. It was awesome hearing them make real-world connections as they explored, planted, dug in the dirt, and even found lots of insects (worms were a big hit!).
They were having so much fun that they had to stop for specials, but our amazing partners from the American Littoral Society stayed so they could continue planting when they returned.
Not only did they learn and laugh together, but they also helped make our school a cleaner, greener place!
