November 2026... News to Know
Dear Parents/Guardians,
The excitement of Halloween has passed, daylight savings has come to an end, there is a chill in the air, and the leaves are falling faster... November is officially here! Although there are less actual school days this month, it is still a busy time!
Last Thursday, we held our first Partner's Pride assembly of the 2026-2027 school year. Throughout the year we will use these monthly Partner's Pride assemblies to recognize students for Partner's Proud Moments- being respectful, responsible, safe and kind. We will also present brief social emotional learning lessons using the Zones of Regulation. The Zones can also be used at home! To learn more about this resource use this link- What are the Four Zones of Regulation?
Parent/Family Conferences will take place later this month on Monday, November 23rd and Tuesday, November 24th. These conferences offer an opportunity to discuss your child's progress and to learn more about our educational program. Teachers will be communicating information on how to schedule your conference date/time soon.
As always, thank you for your support at home!
Sincerely,
Marcie Ware
Principal
Eric Traugott
Assistant Principal
- Tuesday, November 10th— Wear red, white, and blue in honor of Veterans Day; Assembly at 9:30 AM; IL Gym; more details below!
- Wednesday, November 11th— NO SCHOOL Veterans Day Holiday
- Thursday, November 12th- PTO Meeting, 7:00 PM; Indian Landing Library
- Thursday, November 19th- Partner's Pride Assembly; 2:15 PM; IL Gym
- Friday, November 20th- PTO Movie Night; 6:00-8:00 PM; IL Cafeteria; more details below!
- Monday, November 23rd and Tuesday, November 24th —NO SCHOOL Parent Teacher Conference Days
- November 25th-29th —NO SCHOOL Thanksgiving Recess
All students are encourage to wear red, white, and blue for Tuesday's ceremony!
Due to space limitations, this special event is for veterans and family members only. If you require special accommodations, please contact Marcie Ware at mware@penfield.edu or by phone at 249-6905.
Our Mental Health team discussed bullying in their October lessons and in November we will begin to focus on the Monique Burr Child Safety Matters lessons. Students will be learning about the 5 Safety Rules:
- #1. Know What's Up
- #2. Spot Red Flags
- #3. Make a Move
- #4. Talk it Up
- #5. No Blame No Shame).
A visual of these 5 rules can be found below.
Most classes will also be discussing what a safe adult is and students will have the chance to think about safe adults in their life. Keep an eye out for bookmarks that will be coming home with more information!
At our October assembly our ZONES Friends shared the word "impulsive" and talked about the Press Pause tool. This strategy allows you to take a breath and think about your options (and their impact) before acting. It's great to point out impulsive moments you might have at home as a way to talk about and model how we pause ourselves before acting.
Our goal is to touch as many families as we can so our Holiday Helping Hands program will look a little different this year to make sure we can meet the needs of many families. More details can be provided on the online form. If your family would like to request assistance through our Holiday Helping Hands initiative, please complete this REQUEST FOR HOLIDAY HELPING HANDS by November 6th. Details about the program can be found as part of the form. You may also contact our school social worker Ms. Ebenhoe directly at 249-6921 or by email at eebenhoe@penfield.edu. While we will ask for information regarding your children's interests, all personal information is kept confidential.
Many IL families are supported through Holiday Helping Hands and this initiative can't happen without your support. Monetary donations can be submitted through our PTO Square site at any time. We will also be collecting non-perishable food the week of November 16th and are seeking gift card donations to support families this year. The Leadership Club's Holiday Helping Hands coin collection will take place the first week of December so please keep an eye out for more information.
If you would like to lend your support to our Holiday Helping Hands initiative, donations can be submitted through our PTO square site: CLICK TO DONATE
There are over 9 million Native Americans and Native Alaskans living in the United States today. And with over 500 federally recognized tribes, there are hundreds of different cultures that are as unique as the people they represent. From artwork and literature, to cuisine and music, there is much to appreciate and learn.
While many refer to Native people as Native American, the National Museum of the American Indian notes that it's best to use the individual tribal name, when possible. In the United States, Native American is the most common term, but many Native people prefer the terms American Indian or Indigenous American instead. That said, the best term to use in a given situation usually comes down to preference — not your personal preference, but the preference of the person you’re speaking with. They might dislike “Native American” and prefer “American Indian,” or vice versa, but you have no way of knowing unless you have a relationship and ask respectfully.
Every November, we celebrate Native American Heritage Month, also known as American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month. The month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people. Heritage Month is also an opportune time to educate the general public about tribes, to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges Native people have faced both historically and, in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges. (Source: National Congress of American Indians).
Native American languages were not traditionally written instead they were shared orally and recorded using different methods. Events were passed down generations and had to be remembered by people. There were important roles of “storytellers” in indigenous cultures who were tasked with remembering the events and passing them down to future generations. Storytellers changed generation through generation in order to preserve history of indigenous people.
Here at Indian Landing, we will be celebrating and learning together through daily announcements, shared stories, Community Circles, and other activities. K-5 students your child will be learning
about the different ways oral storytelling was recorded in indigenous cultures. Your child will be
learning about two specific storytelling recordings: Winter Counts and Wampum Belts. Winter
Counts utilize pictographs to record events between the first snowfall of the year to next year’s first snowfall in indigenous cultures. Winter Counts were used mainly in the Northern and Great Plains regions of the United States. Wampum Belts utilize beads made of shells to showcase important events, agreements, and stories. These are used traditionally by the Haudenosaunee who lived in
the Northeastern part of America (including Penfield). Native American storytelling traditions are diverse and vary from tribal groups and geographical zones. Native American culture is not
monolithic; it is incredibly diverse with rich customs and traditions varying from each tribe.
Information about Native American Heritage Month and how to do a Winter Count at Home will be sent home in student backpacks later this week. There are also a wide variety of Native American Heritage Month activities in and around Rochester that feature community celebrations, museum programs, and cultural markets:
- National Native American Heritage Month Celebration at The Strong Museum: Held on Saturday, November 14, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM at The Strong National Museum of Play, this family-friendly event features an exhibition on Haudenosaunee history and lacrosse, traditional dance performances by Gaëni:yo, storytelling, staff interactions from the Ganondagan Seneca Historic Site, and a hands-on workshop to make cornhusk dolls
- Native American Scavenger Book Hunt at Phillis Wheatley Community Library: Held on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, at 5:30 PM at the Phillis Wheatley Community Library, this family-oriented indoor scavenger hunt guides participants through books and stories highlighting Indigenous history and culture.
- Raised Beadwork Workshop at Phillis Wheatley Community Library: Held on Wednesday, November 25, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM in the teen area of the Phillis Wheatley Community Library, teens can learn about traditional raised beadwork by creating their own piece.
- Fifth Native Made Market at the Central Library: Held on Saturday, November 28, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Small Business Saturday at the Central Library of Rochester & Monroe County, this free public market showcases Indigenous artists, entrepreneurs, and makers from across Turtle Island with original artwork, beadwork, leather goods, fashion, food samplings, and live performances.
- Exhibits and Longhouse Tours at Ganondagan State Historic Site: Located nearby in Victor, NY, the Seneca Art & Culture Center at Ganondagan remains a premier regional destination open Wednesday through Saturday (9:00 AM – 4:00 PM) featuring a full-scale replica bark longhouse, historical galleries, and guided trail walks focused on Haudenosaunee heritage.
It won't be long before the first snowflakes of the season make their appearance so it is the perfect time for a reminder about cold weather gear for recess.
Recess is a time for students to decompress, be active and get fresh air. During the winter months, we make every effort to send students outside whenever possible. Students go outside for recess when the temperature (including wind chill) is at or above 15 degrees. Staff who supervise recess will be instructed on when it is appropriate to send students inside, i.e. complaint of numbness or tingling or complaint of feeling cold. It is important to make sure that your child comes to school appropriately dressed for the weather with the following items- jacket, snow pants, hat, boots, and gloves/mittens.
District policy will not allow students to wear shorts outside when it is less than 50 degrees.
The Indian Landing (IL) Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is a partnership of parents, guardians, teachers, and administrators committed to supporting and enhancing the educational and social growth of all students at Indian Landing Elementary School.
Make sure you check out the Everyone Counts page on the PTO website for information on all the ways you can contribute and support the PTO. One of the most important ways you can support the PTO is by becoming a member! A family membership costs $15 and all funds go directly to supporting activities and initiatives at Indian Landing: Become a Member
Want to learn more? You are welcome to join us at our next meeting! We will meet on Thursday, November 12th at 7:00 PM in the Indian Landing Library. Please check out the PTO website for more information.
Email: IndianLandingPTO@gmail.com
Website: https://indianlandingpto.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/IndianLandingPTO
Twitter: @indianlandngpto
Our district's goals continue to focus on developing and supporting the whole student. Our approach to positive behavior support will emphasize the idea of Be a Partner! Students will learn specific expectations focused on these key concepts-
Be Respectful. Be Responsible. Be Safe. Be Kind.
These ideas are a part of what we do each and every day, and our staff will continually be looking for ways to acknowledge students who are respectful, responsible, safe and kind. Students will receive Partner's Pride stickers as recognition from adults in the building and on the bus. Students who receive stickers will be eligible for random prizes such as bracelets and t-shirts. Once a month, we will be recognizing "Partners Proud Moments". Students selected for this honor can be selected by a teacher for any reason. A positive attitude, responsible behavior, overcoming a difficulty, or meeting a personal goal are just a few examples of reasons why a student may be selected for a Partner's Proud Moment. These students receive an Outstanding Student certificate, as well as a special star pin.
Email: Principal mware@penfield.edu
Assistant Principal etraugott@penfield.edu
Website: https://www.penfield.edu/47290_2
Location: 702 North Landing Road, Rochester, NY, United States
Phone: 585-249-6900
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IndianLandingElementarySchool/
Instagram: @indianlandingelementary