Hawk Happenings

On February 12th, we celebrated 100 Days of School! It was exciting to see the creative ways each grade level marked this special milestone in the classroom. From dressing up as 100-year-olds to designing 100 Days of School shirts with their families, participating in 100-cup stacking challenges, and writing $100-themed prompts, there was no shortage of 100th-day fun!

Our amazing Steen PTO, along with the Bixby PTO, hosted two separate dances at Steen School for our town's elementary students. The result? Two incredible Glow Dance parties! Students and their families had an unforgettable time!

Mystery Science is just so much fun! Our new Science program really gives our students a hands-on way of exploring the world! Our kindergarten students learned about the seasons and how animals adapt to those seasons. They then had the opportunity to experiment and explore how birds build nests and protect their eggs!

Our students had a great time dressing in red and giving out Valentine's!

In this lesson, our 2nd-grade students explored how large structures, like houses, are built from smaller components. During the Paper Towers activity, they designed their own structures using an unconventional building material—paper! Using 3" x 5" index cards and paper clips, students first built tall towers. Then, they took on an exciting challenge: constructing towers strong enough to support a hardcover book!

Our 3rd graders are hard at work during Language Arts reading about Ancient Roman Civilization! Our students are so excited to read nonfiction and learn new vocabulary!

Our 4th graders plotted volcanic activity on a map to learn about patterns of Earth's features. Students explored the past and present pattern of where volcanoes exist and analyzed the maps to discover that volcanoes form a "Ring of Fire!"

Our fifth graders designed their very own board games and invited their classmates to play together! Even our principal joined in on the fun. What amazing creativity and teamwork!

Our Preschool students got to work with some BHS AP Psychology students. Together, they got to participate in fun science experiments!

Ms. Cataldi has been a valued member of our Steen family for the past 17 years. She began her journey as a K-6 Special Education teacher before transitioning to her current role as a third-grade teacher. Dedicated to both her students and colleagues, she continuously seeks new ways to engage and inspire her learners.

A lifelong learner herself, Ms. Cataldi stays up-to-date with the latest educational trends and thoughtfully incorporates professional development to best support her students. Her classroom is a warm and welcoming space where every child feels valued. She meets students at their individual levels and works tirelessly to help them grow academically and personally.

Ms. Cataldi has a passion for making reading fun, using engaging read-alouds to spark excitement and encourage book discussions among her students. She also creates memorable third-grade traditions, such as Friendship Soup and the Wax Museum, leaving lasting impressions on her students.

Beyond the classroom, Ms. Cataldi is a true team player, always willing to mentor fellow teachers, share successful strategies, and support her peers. As a proud Bogota graduate, she takes great pride in teaching in the district where she grew up.

Outside of school, she enjoys going for walks, watching her son play baseball and basketball, reading, and catching up with friends.

We are incredibly fortunate to have such a dedicated and passionate educator at Steen School. Congratulations, Ms. Cataldi—this honor is well deserved!

We love our staff and all the work that goes into each and every day. If you know a staff member who deserves to be recognized, use the included link to nominate them now. Staff will be chosen monthly. https://forms.gle/9Hnsz8jZapo5uZrf9

"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

Kindergarten - July Uzhca Sotamba

1st Grade - Miarosse Lopez

2nd Grade - Liliana Rodriquez

3rd Grade - Phineas Brown

4th Grade Malahny Hayes

5th Grade - Ryan Lara

Staff - Ms. Jennifer Cataldi

Our Student Council Kindness Coin initiative continues this year! Throughout the month, students who are caught performing an act of kindness without being asked are given a paper yellow coin on our pot of gold mural. At the end of the month, these students are recognized over the loudspeaker and presented with a certificate. Congratulations to all of our Kindness Coin recipients!

No School - Spring Break

April 14 - 21

We have been seeing an increase in illnesses this winter. In order to help keep our school community healthy this season, please monitor your child and keep them home if they experience any of the following:

• Vomiting or diarrhea – Students must remain home for 24 hours after the last episode of vomiting or diarrhea and should be able to eat their normal diet before returning to school. Students should not throw up and come to school (within the first 24 hours) EVEN if they feel better. They may still be contagious.

• Fever (temperature 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher) – students must remain home until 24 hours fever-free WITHOUT the use of medicine such as Tylenol or Motrin (even if they are feeling better). They may still be contagious. Any other symptoms such as cough, sore throat, or headache that accompany the fever should also be improving before your child returns to school.

• Please remind your child of good respiratory etiquette, which includes covering coughs and sneezes with their elbow, using a tissue to blow and wipe their nose and dispose of it in the garbage, and frequent and thorough hand washing with soap and water.

• Students may not carry or self-administer any medication while at school. This includes over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol, Motrin, and cough drops as well as prescription medication.

• Please follow up with your child's pediatrician and obtain a doctor's note to excuse their absences and establish when they are no longer contagious and can return to school.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Mrs. Buonadonna, the School Nurse at 201-342-6446 x 3002 or jbuonadonna@bogotaboe.com.

Twitter: @LillianMSteen1

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