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Jackson Primary

Corey the Dribbler steals the show on Reading Night at Jackson Primary

By Howard B. Owens
corey the dribbler
Corey the Dribbler introduces himself to the students at Jackson Primary on Reading Night with some ball spins and flips.
Photo by Howard Owens.

Storytime, games, crafts, and hot dogs were all part of the fun of Jackson Primary Reading Night on Wednesday evening, but the highlight of the night for hundreds of clapping, laughing, and screaming school children was Corey The Dribbler.

Corey The Dribbler (Corey Rich) is a former Harlem Globetrotter and eight-time Guinness World Record holder.  After getting the attention of the children with his spectacular ball-handling skills, he shared a positive message about how the students can reach their goals and treat others with respect.

Photos by Howard Owens.

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corey the dribbler
corey the dribbler
corey the dribbler

 

Community night spotlights social-emotional learning at Jackson Primary

By Howard B. Owens

On Thursday at Jackson Primary School, more than 70 students and their parents joined together to celebrate learning more about social and emotional well-being.

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) has become an important component of public school education, and it's particularly important at Jackson and Robert Morris, Principal Maureen Notaro said, because young students are getting their first exposure to both educational lessons and being part of a larger community that includes their peers.

"Every day when kids walk in, we're their first experience," Notaro said. "They're greeted with a smile. They're accepted. They're welcomed. It's their first experience with school, so we go out of our way to try to make sure that they're socially and emotionally connected to the school."

Thursday's events included dance, yoga, a de-escalation class for parents, a chance for children to make affirmation jars and worry sticks, and for parents and kids to learn about Bouncy, the SEL dog that helps children learn to cope with their emotions. There were also community agencies in the gym for families to visit, including Batavia PD, City Fire, State Police, Community Schools, Eat Well Grill, and the Health Department.  Mr. Sunshine (top photo) led a participatory concert later in the evening.

Notaro said elementary schools have developed over time approaches that help students grow into their new roles as members of a community that include a lot of different kinds of people.

"We're kind of honed in on it more, the social-emotional piece of it, like making friends," Notaro said. "We focus on qualities every month -- honesty, generosity, we look for those traits in kids. We try to promote those and acceptance and all those different character traits in kids to help them grow to be good citizens."

Photos by Howard Owens.

One session during the event focused on Bouncy, an animatronic (mechanical) that is designed to help children cope with their emotions, particularly negative feelings. It's a pilot program, Notaro said.

"Bouncy teaches the children how to stop and deep breathe and take a minute if they get upset, and to recognize nice feelings when they become worked up and are upset," Notaro said. "Bouncy kind of helps them dial it back. We're piloting it in a couple of kindergarten classrooms. It's not a real dog. It's an animal animatronic dog, and the kids get an actual stuffed animal with it too. They're trying to relate to Bouncy, and how Bouncy teaches them acceptance because Bouncy has some disabilities."

Parents met with a teacher to learn about de-escalation techniques while their children were in another classroom making affirmation jars and worry sticks. 

"They're just little affirmations that kids can pull out every day that say, 'I'm happy,' 'I'm loved,' 'I'm, funny,' 'I'm smart," Notaro said. "It ties into our literacy goal, too, because we're trying to promote literacy at home."

On display during the community night were artworks created both by kindergarteners and high school students. Kindergartners drew pictures of monsters, and then high school students made clay sculptures based on those drawings.

Photos: Hawley collects Valentines for Veterans at Jackson Primary

By Howard B. Owens

Friday morning at Jackson Primary School, kindergartners Royal and Ryder presented Assemblyman Steve Hawley with Valentine's Day cards they and their classmates made for veterans.

Hawley then drove to the NYS Veterans Home to deliver the cards to veterans staying there.  The event has become an annual tradition for Hawley.

Photos by Howard Owens.

Batavia City Schools, police and City Church work to ease traffic at Jackson Primary

By Press Release

Press release:

BATAVIA, NY– In an effort to ensure the safety of students and staff during arrival and dismissal periods at Jackson Primary, the Batavia City School District, Batavia Police Department, and City Church have joined together to create a new recommended pickup route for the City Church Community Food Distribution program at St. Anthony’s. 

The City Church currently hosts a bi-monthly food distribution program for community residents at St. Anthony’s Church. Due to the program's popularity, some traffic concerns have emerged around Jackson Primary, resulting in serious safety issues along with traffic backups during school arrival and dismissal periods. 

In response, a new route has been established to access the Food Distribution Program pickup line. The new route will be in effect starting with the April 27 distribution date. Those community members who wish to participate in the program must access Liberty Street via South Swan Street, Osterhout Avenue, or Otis Street. All food distribution traffic will be redirected to avoid Liberty Street between South Jackson and Sumner Streets and South Jackson between South Swan and Liberty Streets (the areas directly in front of and adjacent to Jackson Primary). Please see the attached map for the updated route. 

The City Church Community Food Distribution program is scheduled every two weeks for the following dates: April 27, May 11, May 25, June 8, and June 22.

“The Batavia Police Department is asking for the cooperation of all motorists in the area of the Jackson Primary during arrival and dismissal times to adhere to all parking and traffic regulations. Specifically, we want to ensure that motorists do not create unsafe conditions near the school during the City Church's food distribution dates as they wait in line. Therefore, we are requiring anyone attending the food distribution program to avoid the area of South Jackson between South Swan and Liberty Streets. We appreciate everyone’s cooperation to ensure the children remain safe during arrival and dismissal times,” said Shawn Heubusch, Chief of Police. 

“I applaud the City Church for providing an important and valuable resource to our community. Our collective priority must also be the safety of our students, staff, and bus drivers at Jackson Primary. I’m happy the school district, City Church, and BPD were able to come together to reach a collaborative and mutually beneficial resolution. I also want to thank Batavia residents for their cooperation as we roll out the new route,” said Jason Smith, BCSD Superintendent of Schools. 

 

 

BCSD Foundation gives Apple Award to former longtime BMS assistant principal

By Billie Owens

Submitted photo and press release:

The Batavia City School District Foundation lnc.'s Board of Directors is pleased to announce the most recent recipient of the BCSD Foundation Apple Award.

On Sept. 8, the BMS counselors recognized Maureen Notaro (in photo, second from left) with the BCSD Foundation Apple Award.

She worked tirelessly to support students, families, staff and the counselors at Batavia Middle School.

Notaro’s presence at BMS over the last 18 years made a significant impact on our school culture and lives of our students.

Her time and dedication are evident, from building community partnerships through PBIS initiatives, to leading the district-wide Trauma, Illness and Grief Team, to supporting students’ social and emotional needs and building relationships with her staff, families and community stakeholders.

Her impact is very apparent by the number of students that come back to visit her year after year.

Notaro was an integral and fearless leader of the BMS counseling team. She calmly and ably assisted them in crisis situations and always collaborated with them to make the best decisions for students. Notaro is an administrator to the whole student; "she has been the heart of our school," counselors said.

She is greatly missed at the middle school, where she served as assistant principal. But the Jackson Primary School community is fortunate to have her as their leader in her new role as interim principal. Those who have worked with her are beyond confident that she will succeed in her new position.

On behalf of the middle school counselors, we wish Mrs. Notaro the best of luck!

The BCSD Foundation Apple award is given by a member of the school and/or local community to a Batavia City School District employee or volunteer. In the opinion of those giving the honor of this distinction, the awardee has gone above and beyond in their role and is being recognized by one or more people for these accomplishments.

Local artist, Mark Jensen, will be making each individual resin apple -- none will be exactly the same.

If you are interested in giving a Foundation Apple award, please submit your nomination form and $75 (payable to the BCSD Foundation Inc. 260 State St., Batavia NY 14020 att: Allison Chua). Nomination forms may be found on our webpage (at www.bataviacsd.org under Quick Links).

Community members with questions are asked to email us at: foundation@bataviacsd.org.

BHS Class of 2029 is moving on up

By James Burns

This morning the Class of 2029 participated in their “Moving Up” ceremony. This celebrated the young classes completing Pre-K to first grade at Jackson Primary and moving up to second grade at John Kennedy School.

Kia Evens, principal of Jackson primary, was host for the event that took place in Batavia HS auditorium and was attended by the Class of 2029's parents, guardians and family members. 

Pack 6069 Annual Pinewood Derby

By Steve Ognibene

Twenty racers from Cub Scout pack 6069 of Batavia were registered with their cars to do their best in the annual Pinewood Derby held at the First United Methodist Church this morning.

Pack den leader Lisa Brown said she has been with the pack for 13 years of its 48 years of existence. Boys competed in their age-appropriate den. Tigers, Wolves, Bears, Weblos I and II. A lot of parents, grandparents look forward to watching the race and it’s a lot of fun for boys to participate.

Track official Paul Crowley said there are four heats and boys get a chance to race in different lanes. Den Leader heather Crowley said all the kids get a trophy in addition to the first-, second-, third-place finishers.

Sixteen extra trophys were also given out to the boys for best color, most Cub Scout pride, super racer and aerodynamic to name a few.

This fall there will be a new "Lion's" den added for kindergarteners.  

Anyone interested to join contact Cub Master Tony Merica at TONY@koolatron.com  

Pack 6069 meets at Jackson School when in session September through June at 6:39 p.m. on Mondays.

Batavia's Kindergarten Registration for 2015-2016 Has Started

By Kathie Scott

The Jackson Primary School staff looks forward to welcoming its new students for 2015-2016! Registration has started in the Batavia City School District’s Business Office for children eligible to begin kindergarten in the 2015-2016 school year. Children who will be five years old on or before December 1, 2015, are eligible to begin school at Jackson Primary in the fall. To register, parents may go to the District Business Office, located in the administration wing of Batavia High School (260 State Street), on school days between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. and bring with them:

  • two proofs  of residency (for example: utility bill for gas, water, electric, cable; lease or rental agreement; mortgage statement; landline phone bill) unless the child is currently enrolled in the District’s Universal Pre-kindergarten program,
  • the child’s birth certificate,
  • the child’s Social Security card, and
  • the child’s complete immunization records.

   If you have questions, please call the Business Office at 343-2480 x1002.

Batavia City Schools Begin Kindergarten Registration for 2015-2016

By Kathie Scott

Registration has started in the Batavia City School District for children eligible to begin kindergarten in the 2015-2016 school year. Children who will be five years old on or before December 1, 2015, are eligible. To register, parents may go to the Business Office, located in the administration wing of Batavia High School (260 State Street), on school days between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. and bring with them:

  • two proofs  of residency (for example: utility bill for gas, water, electric, cable; lease or rental agreement; mortgage statement; landline phone bill) unless the child is currently enrolled in the District’s Universal Pre-Kindergarten program,
  • the child’s birth certificate,
  • the child’s Social Security card, and
  • the child’s complete immunization records.

   If you have questions, please call the Business Office at 343-2480 x1002.

Parents of new first grade pupils are also asked to register their child in the same time frame and with the same documentation.

 

Wanted: Little learners for Batavia’s UPK Program

By Kathie Scott

There are a few openings left, so the Batavia City School District has extended the deadline to submit an application for participation in the Universal Pre-kindergarten (UPK) program for the 2013-2014 school year.

UPK provides an opportunity for 4-year-olds to be involved in half-day, developmentally appropriate educational classes at no cost to their families. The District offers morning and afternoon programs at Jackson Primary School and partners with the Batavia YMCA to provide pre-kindergarten for children at that location.

Children who are residents of the District, are 4 years of age on or before Dec. 1, 2013, and who are not enrolled in a special education program with the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership are eligible to apply.

Letters/applications were mailed to all known eligible families, but also are available for pick-up at the District’s Business Office in the administration wing of Batavia High School; by calling Kelly Snyder at 343-2480, ext. 2008, and requesting that one be mailed; or on the District’s Web site by going to www.bataviacsd.org, using the pull-down menu under “District” and clicking on the link for Curriculum and Instruction, then the link for Universal Pre-k Information.

Applications for the remaining openings will continue to be processed through early October and students placed in the order that they are received. Please return the completed application to the BCSD Business Office, 260 State St., Batavia, NY, 14020.

If you have any questions, please call  343-2480, ext. 2008. for assistance.

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