From your PTA Co-President

Volume 14, Issue 2
June, 2014
Roadrunner
LEE ROAD PTA, WANTAGH, NY
Editor: Roma Nowak
From your PTA Co-President
It is hard to believe that the end of yet another
school year is upon us. I can almost hear the
splashing and laughter of the children in the pool .
My two years as PTA Co-President are at an
end. It has been an honor to watch our children
learn and grow over these past years. I have
learned soo much from them, it was truly a great
opportunity. I have also learned soo much from all
the wonderful parents and staff at Lee Road. I
definitely could not have done it without you, I
Thank You all!
I would like to take this time to say Thank You!
There really are no words big enough or long
enough to explain how I feel. The PTA Executive
Committee is truly The BEST! I know everyone
thinks it is an easy job, but it isn't. The amount of
hours dedicated to our children and school is enormous. The planning of events, and then the execution of that said event is extremely hard. You ladies
pull it all off so well, you make it look easy. Thank
you to all the great and wonderful parents who
volunteer their time to help run some of the committees and events. Whether you donated a few
hours of your time or donated items for an event, it
does not go unnoticed, without you those events
truly would not happen. Our children see what we
do and truly appreciate it. You see their smiles and
hear their cheers and you know, a job well done!
I cannot forget about Mr. Goss. It has been a
pleasure to be able to work with you. I thank you
for allowing the PTA to do sooo much with our
children. Your commitment and dedication to our
children are greatly appreciated. The flexibility
and support for the Lee Road staff is wonderful. I
truly felt like one of the team!
As I leave my term as Co-President, I do not leave
you alone. I had the great opportunity to work
close with Marguerite Lieb this year. It has been
a great experience to work with her and to learn
from one another. Marguerite has great ideas for
our children's future, and I cannot wait to see where
she brings them. Tara Carr will be Marguerites
new teammate. Together they are the new team to
look out for. I wish them the best of luck. I will
always be there to help them in any way I can.
So I saved the best for last:
CONGRATS CLASS OF 2014!
I wish you all the best for an exciting and sun- filled
summer. You have all grown so much at Lee
Road. I know you will continue to grow in your
new home of SALK. I wish you the best of luck
and happiness as you start a new school. I know
you all will be your very best at Salk.
Thank You again, sincerely,
Margaret Costa
Lee Road PTA Co-President
June & September 2014 Dates to Remember
June 11: Field Day
June 13: PTA Installation Dinner at Borelli’s, 7:30 p.m.
June 19: Lee Road Car Wash 4:00 p.m. — 6:00 p.m.
June 24: 5th Grade Moving-Up, 9:45 a.m.
June 25: Last Day of LAP
June 26: Last Day of School—10:10 a.m. dismissal
Sept. 3:
First Day of School
HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!!!
Stay connected
to the Lee Road
PTA!
Become a PTA member,
share your email address,
and we will send you
weekly newsletters with
important reminders and
notices!
For more info, email:
membership@
leeroadpta.com
Principal’s Message
Although the summer is fast approaching, our youngsters are still working
towards learning and achieving. Recently, some of our classes have engaged in
new initiatives that were extremely rewarding for our students. In fifth grade,
our boys and girls learned basic principles of economics and free enterprise in
their classrooms. Afterwards, they visited Commerce Plaza where they put their knowledge to work in a hands-on
environment that included having a job, receiving salaries (play money), and writing checks.
Our first grade youngsters recently enjoyed their field trip to MacArthur High School where they engaged in a hands-on
Science Workshop with science instructor, Mr. Dave Friedman. In the lab, they learned about “Animal Habitats” and
were introduced to science words such as biotic, organism, and environment. After their experience, many of our
youngsters said they hope to become scientists when they grow up!
Lee Road students and staff are very excited about an upgrade in our instructional technology, as we recently received
twenty-eight new portable wireless lap top computers. The laptops have been in high demand, as our youngsters have used
them to access and research information across all subject areas in their classrooms.
Many thanks to those who attended the recent Kathy Catalano Fun Night, as your involvement helped to raise more than
four-thousand five-hundred dollars for the Catalano Memorial Scholarship Fund. Also, our recent March of Dimes
fundraiser helped to collect over one-thousand dollars. Your support and contributions have not only assisted these
worthwhile causes, but have also helped teach our youngsters the value of participating and assisting others in need in
their community.
Have a happy, healthy and enjoyable summer. Finally, I would like to thank our outgoing PTA Co-President,
Mrs. Margaret Costa, for her two years of hard work, outstanding leadership and service to the Lee Road Community.
Sincerely, Anthony Goss ~ Principal
Practicing Social Skills with your Child
The summer is a wonderful time to practice social skills with your child. Parents make great coaches for social skills, as children learn from how
their parents treat them as well as when observing how their parents interact with others. Reading social cues, negotiating, accepting the choices
of others, and complimenting others, are just a few of the subtleties of social interactions that parents can practice with their children.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents use a 4-part strategy when helping their children develop social skills; Practice,
Praise, Point out, and Prompt. Parents should first identify a specific skill that needs improvement. They should then point out the problem area
privately and sensitively to their child. Below is a brief summary of the four steps.
Practice involves substituting an appropriate response for an inappropriate one. Parents can review alternative
responses and then practice it with the child through scripting, role plays, and using the newly learned skills in real
situations.
Praise involves rewarding your child when the new skills are practiced as a way of helping the skills become
habits. This can be done verbally (“You did a great job of agreeing on a game with your friend instead of arguing
about it”), a nonverbal sign such as a high five, or even a treat (10 minutes extra play time before bed.)
Pointing out involves using opportunities to show your child when others are using the desired skill. (“Wow! It’s so
nice how Sam just shared his toy with Erica!”) It might be a specific behavior that another child or even a character
on TV is engaging in. Specific examples and role models are helpful for reinforcement.
Prompting involves gently reminding your child to use a new skill when the opportunity arises. Verbal (“Now is a good time to take a deep breath”)
or nonverbal (holding a finger up your lips when a child is about to interrupt) cues can be used.
Two great resources to use to reinforce social skills are: “The Unwritten Rules of Friendship: Simple Strategies to Help Your Child Make Friends”
by Natalie Madorsky Elman, and “Raise Your Child's Social IQ Stepping Stones to People Skills for Kids” by Cathi Cohen.
Please feel free to call me for further information on social skills at 783-5190, extension 128. Wishing you and your family a great summer!
~ Lisa Gribetz ~ School Social Worker
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ROADRUNNER
From the School Nurse
Dear Parents,
It’s so hard to believe that another school year has gone by so quickly and summer
vacation will be right around the corner! I would like to thank all of our Lee Road families for all their
help and cooperation throughout the year. I hope this summer brings you some much
needed time for rest and relaxation.
Here are just a few reminders for September. Please take a moment to read.
1. All students entering Kindergarten, 2nd, and 4th grades in September must submit a physical examination
report prior to October 1st. Please schedule Doctor’s appointments early to comply with District policy. Physical and
dental forms will be sent home during the last week of school, and can also be downloaded from the district website.
2. All medication, prescription, as well as over-the-counter medication, that needs to be given during school hours,
must be accompanied by a written Doctor’s Order. These forms can be picked up in the Health Office or downloaded
from the district website. All medication must be brought in by a parent in the original container.
**NO MEDICATION WILL BE ADMINISTERED WITHOUT A DOCTOR’S ORDER, as mandated by New York State.
This is imperative and will be enforced for the protection of all our students.
3. All medication left in the health office at the end of each school year will be discarded on the last day of school,
unless picked up by a parent. It cannot be stored year to year.
4. There are new immunization requirements for students entering 6th grade in September 2014. Students
entering 6th grade, and who are 11 years old must show proof of receiving the Tdap or Boostrix vaccine, as well as a
2nd Varicella vaccine, prior to entering school in September.
Last, but not least, I would like to wish all of our 5 th grade students Good Luck and Best Wishes as they leave Lee
Road and move on to Salk Middle School. You will all be missed!. I know you will do well in all your future
endeavors. Have a happy, healthy and enjoyable summer!!!
Sincerely, Joanne Kusky RN ~ School Nurse
Lee Road Food Drive 2014
In March, the Lee Road Elementary School
Community Service Committee organized a
food drive for the Levittown Food Pantry.
The pantry is housed at Wisdom Lane Middle
School. Most of the patrons who use the
pantry reside in the Levittown School
District, however, no one in need is ever
turned away.
The families of Lee Road filled four large
barrels with their donations! People in need
will benefit greatly from their generosity and
compassion. We send out an exuberant
THANK YOU to our wonderful Lee Road
children, parents, and staff!
~ Mrs. Smith
JUNE, 2014
Page 3
Membership
Lee Road Car Wash
THANKS again to all who joined our Lee Road PTA family via
membership this year! Our final tally: 270 total memberships: * 91 ‘family’ (182 parents) * 56 ‘individual’ parents
* 32 teacher/staff
Leslie Cassidy— 2nd VP, Membership
On Thursday, June 19, 2014, the
Get.A.Voice Club along with the Community Service Committee, will be holding
a car wash. It will take
place in the Lee Road
parking lot/bus circle,
from 4:00—6:00 p.m.
The cost per car will be
$5.00, and $7.00 per
truck. This fundraiser will support the
Get.A.Voice Program in our school.
Families Leaving Lee Road….
Best wishes in the future and thank you for all your support all
these years — we will miss you!
Andino
Jennings
Suarez
Banegas
Kopack
Vartoukian
Boccio
McMenomy
Vasile-Cozzo
Cassonetto
Piscitelli
Vetrone
Connelly
Player
Visconti
Coppola
Portello
Walther
Dougherty
Quasem
Wiggins
Graziano
Recchia
Hernandez
Ross
So come on down and get your car
or truck ready for summer. It will be
suds of fun!
A special thanks to all those who volunteered this
year—your time and effort are truly appreciated!!!
Alicia Arancibia
Marisol Banegas
Geraldine Banks
Linda Biley
Teresa Budek
Jackie Butler
Matt Butler
Diane Byrnes
Jim Byrnes
Lynne Calabro
Drew Cardon
Alan Carr
Tara Carr
Anna Cassese
Bobby Cassidy
Leslie Cassidy
Ann Connelly
Laura Coppola
Margaret Costa
Tony Costa
Page 4
Karen Coyle
Jeannie DelGrosso
Gerard DelGrosso
Gene Dell Italia
Tracy Dell Italia
Coreen Desabato
Dina DePace
Kathy Dinkelman
Grace DiNorcia
Sandra Duffy
Laurel Fanning
Lisa Field
Tracy Finamore
Chinet Finck
Michele Galella
Donna Ganiaris
Lucia Genna
Danielle Hamilton
Julia Hegner
Donna Hoesten
Bridgette Hogan
Michael Hogan
Michelle Iannuzzi
Jennifer Jennings
Lisa Jimenez
Kathy Kassimatis
Vanessa Kelly
Dina Kovoros
Joanne Kopack
Cindy Larkin
Marguerite Lieb
Kim Lopes
Laurie Loughnane
Kevin McMenomy
Marie Mendes
Denise Mejia
Deana Michielini
Gina Muckle
Denise Mueller
Jacklyn Mulieri
Angela Mumolo
Diana Murphy
Ed Nowak
Roma Nowak
Dawn O’Leary
Bill O’Leary
Tina Pardi
Denise Parrish
Lori Pereira
Donna Portanova
Gina Portello
Maria Recchia
Stacy Reynolds
Meghan Rodriquez
Carmela Rojas
Stacy Santoro
Beth Shapiro
Pam Sharp
Kate Sheehan
Beth Simmons
Audrey Soto
Alison Speranza
Laura Stake
Monica Steiner
Andrea Tantillo
Helen Thiem
Patricia Tolve
Marie Vandett
Susan Vartoukian
Diane Vetrone
Linda Viviano
Janice Walther
Angela Weber
Steve Weber
Dyanna Wunsch
Fred Wunsch
Eric Yousha. MD
LaDonna Yousha
Julissa Zambrano
ROADRUNNER
Fundraising
A Big-Time Thank You!!!
On April 11, 2014, the Lee Road PTA transformed the Jonas Salk Middle School
Gym into an Epic Wrestling Arena! Our Big-Time Wrestling Event SOLD OUT with
over 800 Fans not only from our own school, but over a dozen surrounding towns here
on Long Island. Everyone was given the opportunity to meet the wrestlers such as:
Mick Foley, Jake the Snake Roberts, Matt Hardy, The Patriot, Flex Armstrong, and many more. Autographs were
signed, photographs were taken, raffles were sold, and fans were cheering!!!
A very special Thank You to my amazing PTA Team for all your help & support from day one. I couldn't have
done it without any of you! Thank you to all the staff members at Lee Road who chipped-in towards Segesta Pizza, and
to Mr. Z, and all the Staff at Salk Middle School, and The Board Members who supported the event. To Segesta
Pizzeria for all their hard work and help, to Dr. Yousha for helping us out, to all the Dads who helped with security—
you were all true professionals. Thank you to Damien Darling for greeting our children and signing autographs at Lee
Road. To all the families and businesses who sponsored the event, and to all the families from everywhere who came
out to support our school, helped out, and had fun. We Thank You!
The Crowd that night on April 11th was electric, as dozens of exited fans, both old and young flooded Salk Middle
School to watch Big-Time Wrestling at their best! As I planned and organized for eight long months, with the help of
my friends, nothing prepared me for the actual turnout we received. As I stood in the Gym that night, I observed the
crowd and couldn't believe we sold out, I loved the moment when one of our Security Dads—Matt Butler— was chased
by one of the girl wrestlers. It was amazing how a crowd can get the gym to rumble while having an 8 ft. python in a
room, the excitement and smiles on everyone's faces, and the amount of positive feedback from that night, still to this
day, is beyond rewarding.
My favorite moment of the evening was watching everyone's faces, especially the children, as they had the
opportunity to be in the room with 3 Hall of Famers. Watching the kids have the opportunity to high-five the wrestlers
on their way out of the curtain, grab a photo with the wrestlers, and the screaming, yelling and cheering for their
favorites!!!! The amount of Energy in the gym that Night was Amazing! And Lee Road, together with Salk, and many
others, created a unique and one-of-a-kind PTA Event!!! Thank you again to everyone!
Bridgette Hogan ~ 2nd VP, Fundraising
JUNE, 2014
Page 5
Cultural Arts
Nightsky Educational Services came to Lee Road School on May 28 & May 29 as arranged by the PTA Cultural Arts Committee. They brought
a portable planetarium right to our school. Each class was invited to sit inside the giant inflatable dome that mimicked the canvas of the night
sky with all its stars, constellations, and planets.
The program provided a mix of culture, etymology (root words), and science, to the students on a tangible level for each grade.
Many of the classes learned that constellations was a marriage on "con" + "stella" or drawing with the stars to form a
picture. The artist discussed many of the myths of early cultures that surrounded those star drawings and how those
themes are still popping up in present day, such as the Disney animated feature Hercules, or the latest Percy Jackson movie, and instructing students how to identify those constellations in the sky. Students were also taught how to
identify the Big Dipper, and use that to navigate to the North Star and find direction.
The guest artist also discussed how early civilizations thought that it was the sun that went around the earth, but how
later night sky observers detected the difference between the stars and planets in the night sky (stars twinkle), and
were able to deduce that the earth instead would orbit the sun.
A number of other items were discussed such as the Sun, Moon and our Solar System. They discussed the composition of the sun (molten hot
gases) being like all the other stars in the sky, but it is so much closer to the earth. Our nearest orbiting satellite, the Moon, and discoveries
from those missions to the moon several decades ago.
If this experience was enticing, and students wanted to learn more, there are tons of resources available to explore by speaking with their
parents, teacher, and librarians.
~ Dina Kovoros ~ Cultural Arts Chairperson
Kids Corner
Getting Ready to Graduate
It’s that time of year where I say goodbye to
those who put their heart and soul into helping me through the last 6 years of my favorite
place to be. Now it’s time for me to return the
favor. I will work my hardest by using all the
methods that you showed and taught me.
During the years I had memories left and right,
but the one that stands out the most was
meeting my classmates and teachers. I just
want to say farewell and thanking you for
making these few short years
the best years of my life!
Matthew Field
5th grade ~ Mrs. Vogel
Page 6
Sandra Dandry
2nd grade ~ Mrs. Wolin
ROADRUNNER
Kids Corner
Lee Road School
I love Lee Road. It’s the best school.
I love my class and my teacher.
It is very special and I love the whole school.
Lee Road is the best for everyone.
Eric Weltner
1st grade ~ Mrs. Cacamis
Good Bye to Lee Road School. I am very sad
to leave. But I must go and try out the
Middle School thing now.
Cassidy Steiner, 3rd grade ~ Mrs. Anderson
Summertime Happiness
Summer is the time for happiness.
A time for playing in the pool and having
fun. A time for calling your friends for a
pool party. Going to the beach collecting
shells and chasing beach balls. A time I
wish that could last forever.
Melanie Portanova
4th grade ~ Ms. Boyd
Field Day
I am so excited for Field Day.
I can’t wait for the Oz activity, and the ices at the end of the day.
I think this year I will run faster than I ever ran before!
It’s my sister’s first year doing Field Day.
It’s on Wednesday, June 11th.
I hope everyone has fun!
Taylor Brunn
3rd grade ~ Mr. Bencivenga
Thank you to ALL my GREAT,
WONDERFUL, AMAZING, LOVING,
SMART, FUNNY Teachers: Mrs. Cote,
Mrs. Napoli, Mrs. Cacamis, Mrs. Dillion,
Mrs. Anderson, Mrs. Smith, and Mrs. Vogel,
I have learned so much. I will never forget
you. You all have been so nice and oh, so
much FUN :} all these years. I will miss all
of you.
My Teachers are like Stars
who show me the path to go far
My Teachers are like Birds
who always say sweet words
My Teachers are like Clouds
who make me feel proud
My Teachers are like Trees
who strive to keep us stress free
My Teachers are like Candles
who take great care to handle
My Teachers are like Flowers
whose blessing are like showers
Thank you, Love you,
Christopher Vartoukian
5th grade ~ Mrs. Vogel & Mrs. Cote
JUNE, 2014
Page 7
Around School...
Terrific Kids
Congratulations to the students who were selected to
receive the Terrific Kids Award in June.
Terrific Kids is a school-based character-building
program sponsored by the Levittown Kiwanis Club.
"Terrific" is an acronym that stands for Thoughtful,
Enthusiastic, Respectful, Responsible, Inclusive,
Friendly, Impeccable and Capable.
The students were selected for their outstanding
accomplishments and efforts towards serving our
community.
Kevin Walther, Christopher Vartoukian, Samantha Jennings, Taylor Muckle, Isabella Mazzeo, and Thomas Mejia
Lee Road Spring Concert
I Would Love to be
a Hockey Player
I would love to be a hockey
player;
To soar in the coliseum,
While skating on the ice.
I would love to be a hockey
player;
To soar in the arena while
drifting around.
I would love to be a hockey
player;
To score in the net,
while dancing with excitement.
I am a hockey player,
gliding around,
yelling Goal.
Andrew Portello
5th grade ~ Mr. Louden
Summer
Lee Road PTA Executive Committee — 2013-2014
Co-Presidents
Margaret Costa
4th VP Historian
Tracy Dell Italia
Marguerite Lieb
Recording Secretary
Donna Ganiaris
1st VP Fundraising
Bridgette Hogan
Corresponding Secretary
Lisa Field
2nd VP Membership
Leslie Cassidy
Treasurer
Donna Hoesten
3rd VP Committees
Diane Byrnes
Past President
Roma Nowak
Delegates: Tara Carr, Laura Coppola, Tracy Finamore, Angela Mumolo, Andrea Tantillo,
Dyanna Wunsch, Julissa, Zambrano
Page 8
In the summer I
can play mini
golf and baseball. I can go
swimming in the pool. I like
wearing a shirt, shorts, and
sandals. The weather is hot,
sunny and very humid. I like
building sand castles at the
beach. I love summer!
Valentino Rojas ~1st ~Mrs. Cacamis
ROADRUNNER