G R A D U A T I O N

On June 23rd - a sticky, humid, summer evening, our sixth graders

who have called Gunther their home away from home for 7 years,  GRADUATED!

This group of kids has come a long way and we are all very proud of them.

Good luck and congratulations on all of your future endeavors!

Don't forget the three words Mrs. Testa left you with during her commencement address:

~  THINK, COURAGE, ACTION ~

                            Jacob Gunther's

6th Grade Award Ceremony

On Tuesday, June 22, 2010 Jacob Gunther School was alive with recognition for the graduates-to-be as they all received pins, certificates and awards for their unique gifts, hard work and proud achievements!

Faculty, Staff, Students, Moms, Dads and siblings filled the All Purpose Room and  beamed with pride as they witnessed their graduate family member receive affirmation for their talents and accomplishments.

Sixth Graders - We are all so very proud of you.  Good luck in all your future endeavors!!

An immense and heartfelt "Thank You" to Gunther's PTA

for so generously making this week so special for Jacob Gunther's faculty and staff.

MONDAY:  Everyone received a brown bagged breakfast with homemade muffins.  YUM!

TUESDAY:  We were delighted and entertained by the million dollar bills left for us containing Mrs. Testa's face!

WEDNESDAY:  We were all very well fed on Wednesday afternoon as the PTA hosted a delicious luncheon.  They outdid themselves and those of us that went back for seconds and thirds, can attest to that!

THURSDAY:  We all had loads of fun looking for the little musical icons hidden around the building for the scavenger hunt!  A lot of work went into that and we appreciated it!

FRIDAY:  Each faculty and staff member received a beautiful highlighter along with the thoughtful and dear note, "We can't highlight all you do for our children."

We also came together for the PTA's Installation Dinner at Piccolo's in Bellmore.  Thank you Jacob Gunther parents for being so generous & supportive.  The children reap the benefits of our teamwork!

Crazy Hair Day

While parents voted on the Bond last month, the District's student got to vote on having a special day at school"

Their choice was Crazy Hair Day.

So on Friday, May 14 the District's faculty, staff and students celebrated.

Check out Gunther's School Spirit.....

A Day in the Life at Gunther School

We are all so proud to show you how our faculty, staff and students

work together daily to bring to life

the District's mission and core values.

TAKE A LOOK...

Student/Faculty Basketball Game

It's become an annual tradition, that the 'graduates-to-be' play basketball with faculty and staff.

What an exciting event! 

During the first half of the game, the faculty was way, WAY behind

but rallied back impressively during the second half. 

The students walked away with the win but by only 2 points - FINAL SCORE: 60-58

Check out our Bucket Filling Kindergarteners !

After learning that a fellow classmate wasn't feeling well, these students created a

'Get Well' banner and planted it in the front of the school!

Gunther Students Sing at the NY Islander Game!!

We LOVE our Superintendent!!

..and so does third grader, Phillip!

Earth Day !

On Thursday, April 22, faculty, staff and students gathered on the South Field to celebrate Earth Day!  

Boys Scouts and Girl Scouts from our community told us about Earth Day and shared some poems. 

 We were then all entertained by the 3rd and 4th grade boys with a cheer called "Chip-Chop-Timber!"

Mrs. Montalti read us "The Good Tree" followed by 4th grade girls telling some Earth Day jokes.

We all sang the "Clean up/Recycle" song and then had another cheer.

Give a Hoot - Don't pollute!  Hug a Tree today!! 

                                    COOL KIDS!!                                             Mr. Mulvey says, " It's cool to RECYLCE!!"

               Enjoying the beautiful weather on Earth Day.                               Relaxing before the festivities.

Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts getting ready to present.

January Bucket Fillers - Congratulations!!

These students were all called by name and awarded a special certificate

at our January Bucket Filling Assembly.

They were recognized this month for their efforts in "filling the buckets of others" with kind words and deeds.  :o)

Gunther MUSIC....

This Winter we have begun some very interesting explorations in music class.  The Fifth and Sixth graders have begun learning an African Drumming technique, and have been exposed to African songs and instruments as well as the experience of leading a 'drum circle' (their classmates) in order to create a composition.

In Fourth Grade we have been inprovising in the style of Wolfgang Mozart, using his variations on 'Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star' as a guide. 

The Third Graders have been hard at work learning how to read notes on the musical staff and play them on the Recorder.  Learning how to play notes on the musical staff is a challenge, and we have already begun playing some of those notes in second grade, composing rhythms and playing them on xylophones and metallophones.

Student recordings and more information about the upper grade explorations are available on Ms. D'Andrilli's website:  www.msdsmusicroom.com

Ms. D'Andrilli invites you to visit the website and listen to some of the class recordings.  :o)

Our PARP BINGO was a huge success! 

Our children thoroughly enjoyed themselves

as some PTA parents volunteered to run this event

during recess time on February 9, 2010.

WOW! 

Mrs.Testa is

a Principal As A Reading Partner!

Our very dedicated Principal, Mrs. Testa, took time out this week and welcomed classes into her office so she could share her love of reading with them.  The children were thrilled to have this special time with their principal and loved the way she very animately read her stories to them.  There were so many laughs, giggles and "ooo's & aahh's" coming from her office that Mrs. Stublick and Mrs. Roach were entertained as well! 

Thank you Mrs. Testa for your passion and dedication to our children and our school!!

Goowins Balloowins!!

Mrs. Morrissey's Class

Visits the Hofstra Playhouse

The 2nd graders enjoyed their first field trip this year to Hofstra

Playhouse to see "Click Clack Moo- Cows that Type,"  based on the book by Doreen Cronin.  The students then had the opportunity to construct Venn diagrams in class,  to compare and contrast the play to the book.   Mrs.  Morrissey is very proud of her student's behavior and enthusiasm at the playhouse.  Great job 2nd graders!!! 

It's Red Ribbon Week!

January 25 - January 29

This week we focus on making positive decisions and saying "No!" to drugs.  Each day this week at Gunther, we are raising awareness in a fun and different way.  Monday we reminded the children, with the theme, "Don't let drugs twist your mind" by giving out nut free pretzels to all the students and then inviting them all to guess how many pretzels were in the big jar in the lobby.  We had a tie!  Our winners were both from Mrs. Tournour's class -

Tuesday - "Hooked on Books, not Drugs" - Students can bring in a favorite book and will decorate a book mark during library class with our librarian, Mrs. Michel.

Wednesday - We're all wearing something colorful to coincide with the day's theme of "Lei off drugs".  The students will receive a lei to wear.

Thursday - We're wearing yellow and black today as a way to celebrate the theme: "Drugs sting - Bee drug free".

Friday - We are "Building a wall against drugs" by wearing red and writing their pledges on the paper bricks that were sent home.  Your child can write, "I, ____________, promise to block out drugs."  These bricks will be collected and hung up with a sign: "Jacob Gunther Elementary School built a wall to block out drugs."

December bucket fillers

The following children were recognized, by grade level and class, at our December BUCKET FILLING Assembly:

Kindergarten Bucket Fillers

First Grade Bucket Fillers   

Bucket Fillers for Ms. Guba's and Mrs. Mitchell's Classes

Here are our Bucket Fillers for Mr. Lopez's Class

Second Grade Bucket Fillers

Third Grade Bucket Fillers

Fourth Grade Bucket Fillers

Fifth Grade Bucket Fillers

Sixth Grade Bucket Fillers

                                                                 Good Job People  !!!

Meet our 'Gunther Times'

Editor in Chief

It's Time For...

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION!

Registration Dates:  February 2 & 3, 9:30am-12:00 noon

•  If you have a Kindergarten aged child, please call the school office and notify Mrs. Stublick as we are working on projected   Kindergarten enrollment for Fall 2010.
•  If you know of a family who has a Kindergarten aged child who is not already a Gunther family, please advise them to call the school office.
• Appointments are not necessary.
• Please register at your home school.
• Children must be 5 on or before December 1, 2010 to enter kindergarten in September 2010.
• Registration information is posted on the district website: www.northbellmoreschools.org/enrollment/index.cfm
• If you do not have Internet access, we recommend that you pick up a registration packet prior to your registration date in Gunthers main office.

Check Out Out Main Floor Bulletin Boards!

In our Main Lobby, we've got our BUCKET FILLER bulletin board which the children excitedly watch for additions and updates.  There is also the PTA bulletin board Soaring Us to New Heights.  But between the cafeteria and mid-building staircase, there is a board our each grade level takes turns using.  Right now our FIRST GRADERS are showcasing the different dreams they've been pondering after learning about Martin Luther King Jr.   Look at these pictures which will give you some beautiful examples.

Book Fair Photos

Our book fair was a great success with all of our little book worms perusing the many goodies set up in the gym.

Thanks for another job well done from the Gunther PTA. 

As usual, their committment to Gunther really shines through everything they do!  :o)

Birthday Luncheons

We are lucky here at Gunther with Mrs. Testa at the helm.  Every month or two, she gathers all the students celebrating birthdays and has lunch with them.  Thank you, Mrs. Testa for truly caring and for being such a wonderful leader.  We love you!

Haven't You Heard?

Jacob Gunther Elementary

is now a"Bucket Filling" school !

After reading "Have You Filled Your Bucket Today?" written by Carol McCloud, Jacob Gunther School has  decided to become a "bucket filling" school.

The book encourages positive behavior while it leads the reader to examine his or her own actions in terms of relationships with others.  This imaginative and cleverly written text  sends the message that everyone in the world carries an invisible bucket.  The purpose of the bucket is to hold good thoughts and feelings.  Other people have the ability to fill your bucket via a kind act or dip into your bucket by doing or saying something negative. 

At Jacob Gunther we are tying the bucket-filler and bucket-dipper language to our Levels of Behavior program and to our district mission and core values.   All of our teachers are promoting this message as part of our positive discipline plan and each class has a symbolic colorful plastic bucket.  The teacher’s are incorporating the message in a natural and meaningful manner as children are encouraged to identify bucket-filling behavior.   Additionally, Mrs. Testa had a wonderful time reading the book to each grade level.  Together, the children and Mrs. Testa discussed how the book’s message is similar to our school’s philosophies. 

Beginning in November and continuing each month, the whole school gathers one morning for a "Bucket Filler Celebration Assembly" where the children are recognized for the "bucket-filling" behavior they have exhibited.  Our first assembly was a great success as the children were very positive and excited to celebrate with their peers.

We have the greatest kitchen team at the Gunther Cafe!

Check out Mrs. Hoffman and Mrs. Zegers

halloween costumes!  :o)

We had FUN

at Gunther's Pumpkin Run! 

 Thanks PTA!

Jacob, the Great Gunther Pumpkin,

weighed 23 pounds!!

Look extra spiffy and wear your brightest smile :o)

 for Picture Day, Thursday, October 29th.

Once again the PTA sponsored multiple assemblies delivered by Mr. Michael Harrold.  Mr. Harrold is a world wide traveler and his assemblies focus on the diverse cultures of the countries he visits.  This year, the sixth grade students examined artifacts from Ancient Egypt and were enthralled by Mr. Harrold's slideshow.  Our fifth graders "travelled" to Peru via Mr. Harrold's exciting and fact-filled program and our third graders enthusiastically viewed a magnificent slide show and handled artifacts from different countries.  As always, Mr. Harrold supported our district mission by sharing his stories and accounts of cultures around the world while stressing that all human life is precious and that all people deserve respect.

Animal experts from the Theodore Roosevelt Santuary in Oyster Bay visited our third graders last week with three beautiful owls and a hawk for the students to see.  The one pictured in the photo below is a Screech Owl.  The others we were able to observe were the Barred Owl, the Great Horned Owl and a red tailed hawk. 

There is always lots going on here at Gunther!  Many wonderful opportunities for our faculty and students to learn and expand keep our school fresh and exciting!

National Walk to School at Jacob Gunther was a wonderful success.  Parents, siblings, pets all accompanied their students to school where the faculty greeted them with flags and juice.  It really was a great way to celebrate life here at school and be responsible for our own health as  well as the health of our beautiful Earth at the same time.

"All day long we are either filling up or dipping into each other's buckets by what we say and what we do." 

an excerpt from Have You Filled Your Bucket Today?  by Carol McCloud

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Families,

 My faculty and I enjoyed meeting with you on Back to School Night and I was glad that so many of you were able to join us for the principal’s greeting.  On that evening, I shared that the PTA generously provided each teacher with the book  Have You Filled a Bucket Today?  by Carol McCloud.  This book encourages positive behavior while it leads the reader to examine his or her own actions in terms of relationships with others.  This imaginative and cleverly written text  sends the message that everyone in the world carries an invisible bucket.  The purpose of the bucket is to hold good thoughts and feelings.  Other people have the ability to fill your bucket via a kind act or dip into your bucket by doing or saying something negative.  At Jacob Gunther we are tying the bucket-filler and bucket-dipper language to our Levels of Behavior program and to our district mission and core values.

 All of our teachers are promoting this message as part of our positive discipline plan and each class has a symbolic colorful plastic bucket.  The teacher’s are incorporating the message in a natural and meaningful manner as children are encouraged to identify bucket-filling behavior.   Additionally, I had a wonderful time reading the book to each grade level.  Together, the children and I discussed how the book’s message is similar to our school’s philosophies.  Please take time this weekend to ask your child to share his/her understanding of bucket filler and bucket dipper concepts.

 Enjoy your weekend!

Mrs. Testa

Meet some of Jacob Gunther's Bucket Fillers!

WELCOME BACK to JACOB GUNTHER SCHOOL!!

Published by: Gunther Main Office