SouthwoodElementary School

It is hard to believe it is already April and we only have two months left of the 2018-19 school year. Even though only a short time is left, we have multiple opportunities for involvement and participation coming up in April and May.  April 18th, PTA will host an Internet safety night for parents and on May 2nd, STEM Family Fun Night. Details will be sent home closer to the event dates.

Art and music education is very dear to my heart and research shows that students involved in these activities often make better grades and stay out of trouble more than those who do not participate. Thursday, May 14 will be Southwood’s Spring Concert featuring beautiful music from Southwood Sound, sponsored by Mr. Sharp and Orchestra students, sponsored by Ms. McFadyen. Please join us and support your child and school.

Reading and math are often our most talked about subjects but I want to emphasize that at Southwood, your child is receiving an excellent science education as well. Teachers are actively working with students to think scientifically and integrate science into all aspects of the curriculum. I am proud to announce that our STEM team, led by Ms. Cristofaro and Ms. Sonnabend, participated in the Rube Goldberg Challenge, a DIY create your own task event, building Rube Goldberg Machines. They had an amazing experience creating their machines. We are very proud of them!

Studies have shown that learning and regularly playing the game of Chess can improve problem solving skills and memory, increase creativity, and even strengthen one’s ability to concentrate. For these reasons and more, Southwood has a Chess Club that has been meeting weekly since November.  Every Monday afternoon, twenty of our 4th and 5th graders of every ability level - from complete beginners to more accomplished veterans - meet to challenge each other, learn and try out new skills, and practice using them in actual games. Lead by our resident expert, Mr. Holmes, the students have an opportunity to play and learn strategies from each other, all while forming and strengthening friendships, thanks to their shared interest in the game. Best of luck to our chess club members as they compete in their district wide culminating tournament next month!

Southwood raised $3,583.00 for Pennies for Patients.  A special thank you to our own Ms. Cosmark who partnered with Olive Garden’s Pasta for Pennies program which rewards elementary school children for their participation in the LLS Student Series, a unique service-learning, philanthropy and character-building initiative in which students collect donations, including their own spare change, to support LLS’s efforts to find cures for blood cancers and ensure that patients have access to treatments.  Thank you to all of the students and parents who supported our efforts.

FSA testing season is upon us.  We will be administering assessments for our intermediate students on the following days:  April 2, 3 and May 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, and 9. To accommodate testing, please note our lunch and specials schedule will be modified.  In order to keep our testing environment as quiet as possible throughout the entire day for our students, we will not be able to allow lunch guest (parents or visitors) or volunteers on campus on testing days.  Thank you for your understanding. Please continue to ensure your child is on time to school, has plenty of rest at night, and eats a healthy breakfast. All of our students and teachers have worked diligently to prepare your child for this test. We want our students to “show what they know” on those days.  Please encourage your child to do their very best.

Important Times to Remember:

Stacey Tanenbaum

Principal, Southwood Elementary School
407-858-2230
stacey.tanenbaum@ocps.net