Welcome to School #3!

Thanks to our school nurse Mrs. Cheringal, students in grades kindergarten to fifth grade enjoyed the Barns Program on Thursday, April 25, 2013. Students learned 7 health habits: 1. Eat Fruits and Vegetables 2. Exercise 3. Eat Breakfast 4. Sleep 5. Have family Meals 6. Brush & Floss 7. Recycle. Students then got to be "professional tasters" where they tried many different kinds of healthy foods.

First graders have been very busy hunting for 'compound words.' Students in Ms. Spanos' class searched the room for the connecting side of their egg, which when placed together, made a compound word. They had so much fun trying to find where the bunny hid the other word to their egg! Learning is always fun at School #3.

During the week of March 4-8, 2013, students at School #3’s Physical Education classes jumped all over heart disease and stroke by participating in the American Heart Association’s Jump Rope For Heart Event. The students raised more than $1,000 for the American Heart Association, which funds lifesaving heart and stroke research, community and educational programs for our youth. Jump Rope For Heart is a program that promotes physical activity and heart health through jumping rope.

School 3 hosted their annual 'Special Person Day' on Friday, March 15, 2013. On this special day, people who are special to our students were invited to School 3. First, these special people were greeted by Ms. Shyers the School 3 Principal. Then they went into classrooms where they got a glimpse into the lives of our students. Lastly, they visited the Book Fair and enjoyed refreshments provided by the H.S.A. What a Special Day!

On Friday, March 1, 2013 School 3 celebrated Read Across America. Guest readers came to School 3 to read to students. Mayor Anzaldi and Mr. Prunk pictured here are just two out of the many readers who came to promote literacy. School 3 also had our school mascot Patriot Joe visit too. What a fun day!

Students in grades Kindergarten, first and second grade enjoyed a visit from Otto the Auto on February 25, 2013. Students learned how to be safe and smart pedestrians. Two police officers came with Otto the Auto to also share safety tips when crossing a street. Thank you Otto the Auto for helping us stay safe!

100 Day's of School in 1st Grade

February 25, 2012 marked the 100th day of school! In Ms. Howansky's 1st grade class, students each morning have been counting up the days since the first day of school. They learned to count by 10's and make bundles of 10. In celebration of the 100th day, students made t-shirts with 100 items on it and crowns. They are proud to be 100 days smarter!

On Monday, February 11, 2013 students in grades K-5 watched an assembly about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This one man production explored the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. beginning with his childhood to the peak of his career. Students learned how this American hero helped to transform our society to what it is today. Students also learned about the Civil Rights Movement and the critical role Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. played during this important time in history.

International Day

School 3 hosted International Day on Monday, February 4, 2013. Over 200 families cooked food which represented over 25 countries from around the world. Students and staff had an opportunity to dress up in his/her cultural attire and taste food from numerous countries. Prior to International Day, students learned about a specific country and hung their projects in the halls. On International Day, each class walked around the entire school to view, read and learn about other countries. Overall, International Day was a success. Thank you parents for making the delicious food, and a special thank you for the many volunteers who came on International Day to serve the food to the students.

Going For the Stars Assembly

The assembly took place on Thursday, January 24, 2013 for students in grades K-5. Students learned about space, the space shuttle, living on a space shuttle, rockets, and space travel. Students were even introduced to ROBO the friendly robot. At School 3, we hope to inspire tomorrow's generation of scientists, astronauts and engineers. Thank you to the H.S.A. for providing our students with this wonderful assembly.

Holiday Cheer!

The School 3 staff are "Decking the Halls with Boughs of Holly." The staff wore holiday sweaters to show their holiday spirit. Look how festive we all look during this holiday season!

Holiday Concert

The Holiday Concert for School 3 was on Thursday, December 21, 2012. First, Mr. Ostrander lead the Advanced Band and played 3 songs that got us tapping our feet. Next, Ms. Lee lead the Strings Ensemble and played 4 songs that warmed our hearts. Last, Mrs. Liddle finished the concert with her wonderful Chorus. Our Holiday Concert was a huge success!

National Elks Club Hoop Shoot Contest

Recently, students in the third, fourth and fifth grades competed in the National Elks Club Hoop Shoot Contest.  The contest allows students to use the basketball skills learned in their Physical Education classes to shoot free throws.  The winners of the school contest went on to compete against the other elementary schools in Clifton at the High School Annex. Congratulations School Three students for a job well done.

Operation Christmas Card

Ms. Suto’s third grade class participated in the Operation Christmas Cards Program run by EK Success. EK Success is a scrapbooking company, located right here in Clifton.  Students creatively decorated and wrote a total of 56 heart filled cards to our troops overseas who are unable to be home this holiday season.  Ms. Suto’s class was featured in EK Success’ newsletter.

The mission of Operation Christmas Cards is to, “Love Our Troops One Card at a Time” to ensure that each of our service members know they are appreciated, supported and loved by the very people they are sacrificing their lives to fight for. As a result of the combined efforts of local schools, organizations, and a partnership with EK Success Brands, Operation Christmas Cards was able to collect more than 400,000 to be delivered in 2012.  Here is their card!

Practicing Math Facts

Ms. Spanos' 1st grade students practiced their addition and subtraction facts using shaving cream! It was messy but students had a great time listening to Ms. Spanos call out math facts and then answer them with shaving cream. Some students even impressed Ms. Spanos with double digit addition! WOW!

Holiday Shop

It is that time of year again where students at School 3 get to purchase gifts at the Holiday Shop. Students get a time to "preview" the shop merchandise and another time to "purchase" gifts for their family members. Proceeds made from the Holiday Shop go back to support School 3. These activities include and are not limited to field trips, School 3 shirts, agendas and events. Thank you to the Home and School Association (H.S.A.) once again for your support.

Totem Poles

Students in kindergarten celebrated Native American month by creating their own totem poles! It was a combined effort. Each Kindergarten split into three tribes with a special animal totem name: Wolf Tribe, Bear Tribe or Beaver Tribe. Each tribe created their very own section of a totem pole using recycled materials such as boxes and cardboard tubes. All the totem pieces were then glued together to form two large totem poles! Our totem poles represent how friends can come together and create amazing things.

Thanksgiving Feast

The first graders learned about the culture of the Native Americans and then created teepees and totem poles. Then they learned about Pilgrims and how they came over on the mayflower. For the culminating event, the entire first grade gathered together to reenact the first Thanksgiving. Learning is a lot of fun in first grade.

Descriptive Paragraphs

Ms. Iapicca's second graders learned to write descriptive paragraphs using sensory words. The students picked their favorite Thanksgiving food to write about. They used their senses to describe how this special dish tastes, looks, smells, feels and sounds. As a publishing celebration, Ms. Iapicca's class had a pumpkin and apple pie tasting treat!

Thanksgiving is fast approaching and families are planning their menu. They are roasting a turkey with potatoes and vegetables and baking an apple pie for dessert. In preparation, they need to figure out the following:
• The cost of a turkey that weighs 24 pounds at $1.25 per pound
• The time it takes to cook a 24 pound turkey at 15 minutes per pound

The fourth grade celebrated Election Day with a Mock Election Day Voting Party! After learning about the history and branches of our government, they took a trip down memory lane to learn more about President history and how the election process works. On Election Day, students celebrated their civic duty by casting their ballots and voted for their desired candidate in a voting booth. They sure are proud to be Americans!

Centers Come Alive in Kindergarten!

In the writing center, students are exploring words with friends. They are using words, stickers and stamps to make books. In the mathematics center, students make growing patterns. Math manipulatives allow students to experiment with various math skills. In the kitchen center, students are developing language skills.

Thank you to the Transportation Security Administration and to the US Federal Air Marshal Service for putting together the best field trip ever! First, students were welcomed by Mr. Donald Drummer, Federal Security Director for Newark Airport. Ms. Ofelia Ruiz in Charge of Customer Support & Quality Improvement then took us to the Gate that the 9/11 terrorists used. Students went through a security checkpoint and took a security baggage tour. Then students watched a K9 demonstration.

Next, the Federal Air Marshal Service accompanied by Mr. Thomas Masters, Assistant Supervisory Air Marshal in Charge, sprung into action and demonstrated how they protect us in the air. Finally, the Transportation Security Specialist - Explosives Team displayed some interesting items taken from passengers and shared with us some safety tips.

Look at our "Crop of Fabulous Writing." Students in first grade are busy little writers. Students learned how to create stories from their very own lives. Now they know how to sketch a picture, label and write sentences. First grade is "Harvesting Future Authors."

The Vikings have sailed their ship to School Three! Thanks to the Home and School Association (H.S.A.), students at School 3 learned all about the Vikings. A Viking boat, artifacts, and a tent were exhibits that students saw in the front of School 3. Also, experts dressed in Viking traditional clothes came to explain to students the typical Viking life.

During Fire Prevention Week, our dear friend Mr. Reilly (former Kindergarten teacher) came to school to talk to our kindergarten, first and second grade students about fire prevention and fire safety. Mr. Reilly also brought his friends from the fire house in Clifton to show students a fire truck.

The fifth graders are participating in the Great Mail Race! They are excited to write and receive letters from all over the United States. Students are writing letters to other fifth graders from various cities in all fifty states. These letters discuss the school atmosphere and what fifth grade classes are like here at School 3. They also ask the students questions about their school and classroom in order to learn about other schools across the United States. Students are learning letter writing skills, the five regions of the U.S., and even about the postal service. This cross curricular project has the fifth graders working extremely hard!

During the week of October 15th, students at School 3 are busy picking and purchasing books at the book fair. Students have a day where they "preview" and write a wish list of books they want to purchase. During the following visit to the book fair, students get to purchase books. Thank you H.S.A. volunteers for your help!