As we reflect upon the school year, scores of experiences that have enriched the lives of our children come to mind. Some of these experiences include but are not limited to the Prediction Marathon, Red Ribbon Week events, Student Council elections and gatherings with our grand friends from the Plattdeutsche Home Society, the Sewanhaka Holiday Play, the Winter Performance, Book Fairs, PTA Fun Night and the many Cultural Art events plannned by PTA, Geography Bee, ELA and Math Academies, visiting illustrator, Brian Collier, Earth Day Awareness activities and the Model UN Conference. Our children were also involved in other life events that taught them about compassion and reaching out to help others in need. Our children collected food for families in the community so they too can have an enjoyable holiday meal and a coat drive was held for community members as well. Canned foods and clothing were collected and donated to help the many people affected by the earthquake in Haiti. By developing the many aspects of our students, we hope to build intelligent and compassionate citizens of the future. We would like to thank the Stewart Manor staff, our parents and PTA members, as well as central administrators for their continued support in building a strong community of learners.
Gotham Avenue School celebrated Better Hearing and Speech Month. For over 75 years, May has been designated as Better Hearing and Speech Month. This annual event provides opportunities to raise awareness about communication disorders and to promote treatment that can improve the quality of life for those who experience problems with speaking, understanding, or hearing.
Ms. Williams and Mrs. Myer took this opportunity to present the faculty, staff and students with information and activities about speech and language. We started the month by providing each member of the faculty with a water bottle and tips for improving their vocal function. Research in voice disorders identifies teachers as “at risk” for vocal disorders. Teachers seek voice therapy more than any other profession. In addition, we provided information on how speech and language skills can affect academic performance. For instance, articulation errors can negatively impact spelling and/or reading, fluency can inhibit classroom participation and affect peer relationships, and deficits in auditory processing can affect performance in all academic areas that require processing of curriculum material, memory and following oral directions. Each Friday in May, fourth graders, Amelie Pierre-Louis and Imani Fuller, improved their public speaking by providing BHSM information over the school’s PA system. The girls provided simple facts about speech-language-hearing disorders. They also told jokes to illustrate how much fun it can be to “play with language.” Students and teachers participated in contests to further raise awareness about this important topic.
Lastly, sixth graders, Grant Reed and Jaquan Gordon participated in the Long Island Speech and Hearing Association’s poster contest and won! Ms. Williams and Mr. Zucker attended an award ceremony with the students and their families to celebrate this wonderful accomplishment. May was a great month over at Gotham Avenue!
2010-2011 started with PROMISE. Students and Teachers RESPONDED to the Call and were INVOLVED as they were DETERMINED to reach their goal of EXCELLENCE for the PRIDE.
During the month of May our talented NYSMA Musicians and school Artists brought it all together as they participated in a Sidewalk Café on Tuesday, May 18th. The sound of Music filled the halls and visitors browsed the exquisite Art Collections created by our children. The message was clear that children who are immersed in the Arts along with their studies achieve excellence. As the PRIDE looks forward to the summer ahead, they would like to thank our PTA for encouraging reading throughout the year and supporting all the many activities that make Dutch Broadway School special. Hear us ROAR…its been a year of PRIDE for Dutch Broadway! We hope you will be able to join us at the 2011-2012 Sidewalk Café in May 2012!
