Austin Road Elementary School

Austin Road News & Headlines

• featured post

  The Study of Animal Adaptations Science in Posters

  Susan Downey’s fifth grade students shared the projects that were the culmination of their Animal Adaptations Science Unit with the entire Austin Road community by displaying them in the main hallway.

  Throughout the unit they learned about the different types of adaptation including physical, behavioral, mimicry, camouflage, hibernation, migration, and dormancy. The children were asked to select a non-domesticated animal and create a poster that showcased how it adapted. Their final score on the project was based on how well they followed the project rubric. Once the posters were completed, each child presented his/hers to the class (both in person and virtually).

  “Every single student earned the highest possible score of 4, something that has never happened before in Downey's class!” Mrs. Downey raved about this year’s students’ efforts and final projects, “They crushed the project this year too. All of the work, with the exception of some research, was done at home.”

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  Austin Celebrates World Autism Day

  April is World Autism Month, beginning with United Nations-sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day on April 2. Throughout the month, people are encouraged to focus on sharing stories and providing opportunities to increase understanding and acceptance of people with autism, fostering worldwide support.

  Austin Road special education teacher Amanda Giacquinta snapped these fabulous pictures of the hallway decorations and said, “I love walking through the halls and seeing this in honor of Autism Awareness Month!”

  We agree, Mrs. Giacquinta!

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  Reading and then becoming a "Marble Champ"

  Students in Beth Doré’s class read The Marble Champ, by Gary Soto which is a story about a girl named Lupe who wants to be good at a sport. She decides to try marbles. The story first tells how Lupe becomes a good marbles player. She strengthens her thumb and practices marbles every day. It’s a little suspenseful in the middle when she has a few competitions. At the end, Lupe is proud that she has finally become good at a sport.

  After reading and discussing the book, the class studied the game of marbles and played together at recess outside and during free time inside.

   

  “It is the perfect responsible, socially distant game,” said Ms. Doré, “and best of all it’s fun!”

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• Students Sign Song of Thanks

  When Austin Road Elementary students can't sing together (check out the video here!), they sign together instead! Music teacher Elizabeth Day, using technology and sign language, helped her students perform "Thanks a Lot" by Raffi in celebration of Thanksgiving and in gratitude. Enjoy!

  The Lyrics of the song are:

  Thanks a lot,
  Thanks for Sun in the sky.

  Thanks a lot,
  Thanks for clouds so high.

  Thanks a lot,
  Thanks for whispering wind.

  Thanks a lot,
  Thanks for the birds in the spring.

  Thanks a lot,
  Thanks for the moonlit night.

  Thanks a lot,
  Thanks for the stars so bright.

  Thanks a lot,
  Thanks for the wondering me.

  Thanks a lot,
  Thanks for the way I feel.

  Thanks for the animals,
  Thanks for the land,
  Thanks for the people everywhere.

  Thanks a lot,
  Thanks for all I've got.
  Thanks for all I've got.

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• 2020-2021 One Page Calendar

  This Calendar includes school breaks, holidays, and color cohort days for the entire 2020-2021 school year. *Please refer to specific communications from schools for building specific changes and updates.* 

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• Welcome Assistant Principal Michelle Tween

  Michelle Tween has joined Austin Road Elementary as the school’s new assistant principal. 

  “I speak for everyone at  Austin Road in saying that I am pleased to welcome Michelle to the Austin Road Family,” said Principal Bryan Gilligan. “I am grateful to the administration and The Board of Education for working diligently to select someone with the combination of educational experience and philosophy that she brings. I look forward to working closely with her to continue the good work being done at Austin Road to the benefit of all our students. I believe that her passion and dedication to early childhood and elementary education is well-aligned with mine and am confident will make a great team.”

  Prior to joining Austin Road, Mrs.Tween spent nearly a decade as Director of Early Childhood Education at the Chapel School in Bronxville supervising and supporting preschool and K-2 team leaders, teachers, and teacher aides. Her other duties included coaching and observing teachers in instruction, management, and planning. She also created and implemented a schedule and protocol for school-wide faculty instructional rounds to create a culture of collegiality and collaboration. She was a reading specialist and a classroom teacher for Kindergarten, first, and second grades and participated on and led several educational and community committees including chairing the Cultural Competence Curriculum Review Committee.

  “I am thrilled to be joining the Austin Road team. The warm welcome I received from Mr. Gilligan, the staff, and all of the teachers has been nothing short of amazing,” said Mrs. Tween.   “Everything that I was told about the culture of Austin Road is what drew me here, and my experience so far is better than I could have imagined.  Austin Road’s commitment to each other, to our students, and to our families will continue to keep us a truly connected and strong community.” 

  Mrs. Tween, who lives in Eastchester, NY, earned both a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Fordham University and a master’s degree in early childhood education and early childhood special education as well as an advanced diploma in school building leadership from The College of New Rochelle. She returned to Fordham to earn an Ed.D in Educational Leadership, Administration & Policy and is planning to graduate in 2021.

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• Spotlight Special Edition: Austin Road Reopening

  Please enjoy this Spotlight especially for Austin Road Families about the Reopening.

  https://youtu.be/ZS6q6HTyesI

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• Austin Road will unfortunately NOT be open for self-guided walk-throughs this summer.

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• Elementary Schools Parade a Success!

  Teachers and staff from all three of Mahopac’s elementary schools - Lakeview, Austin Road, and Fulmer Road - held a parade on Friday, June 5, to pay tribute and say goodbye to their students, who they haven’t seen in person since the pandemic shutdown began. Students lined Route 6 with signs so they could say “goodbye” as well in a touching tribute. 

  Check out pictures of the parade - with many pictures submitted by YOU - here!

  Read more about it and see even more pictures in the Mahopac News: https://www.tapinto.net/towns/mahopac/sections/education/articles/a-parade-of-goodbyes

   

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