Week of December 1, 2014

An Article from the American Academy of Pediatrics
Media and Children

Media is everywhere. TV, Internet, computer and video games all vie for our children's attention. The AAP has recommendations for parents and pediatricians.

Today's children are spending an average of seven hours a day on entertainment media, including televisions, computers, phones and other electronic devices. To help kids make wise media choices, parents should monitor their media diet. Parents can make use of established ratings systems for shows, movies and games to avoid inappropriate content, such as violence, explicit sexual content or glorified tobacco and alcohol use.

Studies have shown that excessive media use can lead to attention problems, school difficulties, sleep and eating disorders, and obesity. In addition, the Internet and cell phones can provide platforms for illicit and risky behaviors.

By limiting screen time and offering educational media and non-electronic formats such as books, newspapers and board games, and watching television with their children, parents can help guide their children's media experience. Putting questionable content into context and teaching kids about advertising contributes to their media literacy.

The AAP recommends that parents establish "screen-free" zones at home by making sure there are no televisions, computers or video games in children's bedrooms, and by turning off the TV during dinner. Children and teens should engage with entertainment media for no more than one or two hours per day, and that should be high-quality content. It is important for kids to spend time on outdoor play, reading, hobbies, and using their imaginations in free play.

Television and other entertainment media should be avoided for infants and children under age 2. A child's brain develops rapidly during these first years, and young children learn best by interacting with people, not screens.
- See more at: http://www.aap.org/en-us/advocacy-and-policy/aap-health-initiatives/Pages/Media-and-Children.aspx#sthash.GE9NEtd0.dpuf



Advent like Lent is a time of preparation.
Why not think of preparing for Christmas like you do for Lent by giving up something? Look at the article above and think about turning off some form of media daily for a period of time. Just think how much better your life would be if you turned off the phone for one hour, maybe two hours a day or definitely turning it off when going to bed so that you don't hear the bings of text messages, e-mails etc. all night.
Think how much calmer you will be when Christmas comes having avoiding some of the nonsense that bombards us daily.

Sunday November 30, 2014 - First Sunday of Advent

Monday December 1, 2014 - World AIDS Awareness Day
Calendars for December will be sent home today.

Tuesday December 2, 2014

Wednesday December 3, 2014 Feast of St. Francis Xavier
Reading Coach will work with students today.

Thursday December 4, 2014

Friday December 5, 2014

St. Nicholas Day at OLQM

Saturday December 6, 2014
150th Anniversary Celebration in honor of the Franciscan Sisters of Peekskill- 8th grade will attend
The Franciscan Sisters worked at OLQM from 1932-1980.

Sunday December 7th - Second Sunday of Advent
Reconciliation Class 12:00 noon
1:00 PM Mass for all students
No Biology Class

Announcements Week of November 23, 2014

New York City Department of Health Inspection Tuesday November 25th
The New York City Department of Health will be here to inspect The PreK and Kindergarten classrooms along with children's records.
A number of children do not have a current medical form on file in the office. The Department of Health may request that the child not return to school if the form is not in the file. This has happened in the past with students in the upper grades and immunizations. An IRIS alert was sent Sunday morning alerting those parents that forms were missing.

Income Survey for Free/Reduced Lunch
The school has only received 184 out of 277 Income forms that were distributed in September. The tally for the forms is due to the Superintendent's Office also on Tuesday. If the forms is not returned you may be charged for lunch. If you have a form please return it as soon as possible. If you need a new form please see the office staff. Please do not complain later if you are notified that the form was not handed it and you are now being charged for lunch. Mr. Woods had spoken about the need for the lunch forms to be handed in at the opening meetings in September.
The breakdown is:
PreK-1 - only 17 forms out of 31 students
PreK-2 - 30 forms out 31 students - good job!
Kindergarten -20 forms out of 33
Grade 1 - 20 forms handed in out of 31
Grade 2 - 14 forms handed in out of 30
Grade 3 - 10 forms out of 22 students
Grade 4 - 5 forms out of 17 students
Grade 5 - 25 forms --PERFECT
Grade 6 - 8 out of 11
Grade 7 - 12 forms out of 23
Grade 8 - 23 forms - PERFECT

Dental Screening - December 9, 2014
Forms are being sent home today for FREE dental screening. This is FREE and each child will receive a new toothbrush and toothpaste.
They give a short class to the students and speak to them about oral care.
They may only see students who have parent permission so please return the forms as soon as possible.
We have used this agency for a number of years and they have been instrumental in helping students understand how to brush their teeth correctly.

Turkey and Canned Food Drive
As of today we have raised enough money to purchase 26 turkeys through dress down Fridays. If any parent wishes to contribute more please see your child's teacher or the office staff.
The turkeys and canned foods will be delivered, by the 7th and 8th grade students, to St. Patrick's Home in the Bronx for their outreach Thanksgiving program to the poor.

Death of Mr. Frank Lacuna
Mr. Frank Lacuna, the husband of Mrs. Lacuna a long time teacher here at Our Lady Queen Martyrs died this past Saturday.
Mrs. Lacuna taught many students over her 15 plus years here at OLQM including many parents of present students.
The wake will be on Monday from 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Luchese Funeral Home
726 Morris Park Avenue
Bronx, New York 10462
718-828-1800

Monday - November 24, 2014
Reading Coach will work with students today.
Dental screening forms will be sent home. If you signed one on report card night there is no need to sign another form.

Tuesday- November 25th
Department of Health Inspection - PreK and Kindergarten

Wednesday- November 26th
Thanksgiving Mass at 9:00 AM led by the 7th and 8th grade students
Honors Assembly following Mass - parents welcome
Dismissal at 3:00 PM
After School Program in session.

Thursday - Thanksgiving 2014 School Closed

Friday - School Closed

Sunday - November 30th - First Sunday of Advent
12:00 noon - Reconciliation Class
1:00 PM - Mass for all students
3:00 PM - Biology Class

Report Card Day Friday November 21st
A reminder that report cards will be distributed by Fr.Antonio on Friday November 21st.
Any student who does not receive their report card did not do well academically and their parents are required to meet with their teacher(s).
Dismissal on Friday will be at 12:00 noon.
After School Program will be in session and there will be parent teacher conferences from 1:00 PM until 7:00 PM.
Alan will be available in the library to assist parents with Cornerstone Student Information System (SIS).
Ms.Levine will also be available to meet with parents as will the Tite I teachers until 3:00 PM.
Please remember that you should keep your conversatio with the teachers to 5 minutes so that all parents may see the teachers. The teachers will make appointments with you at the Parent Teacher Confence if you need to meet for a longer time to discuss your child's academic progress.
A reminder that Tuitiion must be paid for your child to receive did report card.

Yankee Candle Fund Raising Due
Yankee Candle fund raising money is due to the tuition office by Monday November 17th.
Anyone in need of an extension should speak to Mrs. Resto or Alba.

Canned Food Drive
The annual canned food drive for the poor will continue until Wednesday November 26th.
Students I. Grades 7 and 8 will distribute the canned food to the poor at St. Patrick's Home located in the Bronx.
the class that brings in the greatest Amon t of cans will receive a pizza party. please remember that dress down days on Fridays are assisting us I. Raise g money to buy turkeys to go with the canned foods.


Monday November 17, 2014
Mr. Woods in Albany meeting at Non-public school principal conference with the Stats Education Department.
Yankee Candle Money Due
AIS - A anemic Intervention Forms due back to teachers. Parents will receive a copy with their child's report card. Signed copy must be on file as per NYS education regulations and CCSS - Common Core State Standards.

Tuesday November 18th
Mr. Woods in Albany.
AntiBullying Curriculum will be covered today.

Wednesday November 19th
Class Picture Day all students should be in full uniform.

Thursday November 20th
Mr. Woods mets with the Regional Board concerning the Catholic Identiy of the School.

Friday November 21st
Report card day dismissal at 12 noon
After school program in session
Parent teacher conferences 1:00 PM until 7:00 PM
Alan available in library to assist parents with the Student Information System- Cornerstone

Sunday November 23rd
Communion Class 12:00 noon
Mass at 1:00 PM
Biology Class 3:00 PM

Week of November 3, 2014 Announcements

November ---Canned Food Month
Canned Foods will be collected during the month of November. The canned food along with 24 turkeys last year were delivered to St. Patrick's Home in the Bronx the Wednesday before Thanksgiving by the students of the 7th and 8th grade.

First Quarter Exams
First Quarter Exams will be administered this week to students in grades K-8
The exams will cover material from September until October 31st.
Please check below for the schedule.

PWC - Price WaterHouse Cooper
Representatives from PWC will be here on Wednesday to work with students in grades 3-8.
They were well received by the students last year and we are happy to have them return.

ELA Coach Grades 1, 3, 5 and 7
We welcome Mrs.Maggie Strauss as an ELA coach who will work with students and teachers on The Common Core ELA standards.

Yankee Candle Fund Raising
Yankee Candle envelopes were sent home last week. The selling of candles enables parents who have not sold candy bars to have an alternative fund raising venue. The money is due to the tuition office on November 17th.

Monday - November 3, 2014- Feast of St. Martin de Porres
End of First Quarter
Calendars for November will be sent home

Tuesday- November 4, 2014 Feast of St. Charles Borromeo
Election Day ---School is OPEN
Quarterly Exams - Science & Reading

Wednesday - November 5, 2014
PWC will work with students in grades 3-8
ELA Coach will be working with teachers and students today
Quarterly Exams - ELA and Social Studies

Thursday - November 6, 2014
Quarterly Exams - Mathematics and Religion

Friday - November 7, 2014
EARLY DISMISSAL DAY 11:30 AM
SuperKids Workshop for Teachers
TACHS test for 8th grade students

Sunday - November 9th
SCHOOL OFFICE CLOSED
No Classes
Students in sacramental program are to attend Mass with their parents at whatever time the parent wants.

Monday - November 10th - SCHOOL CLOSED
Tuesday- November 11th - Veteran's Day SCHOOL CLOSED