The students in Mrs. Lopez’s and Ms. Rice’s 3rd Grade class at Cairo Durham Elementary School recently initiated and completed an amazing community project titled 100,010 Smiles!
Each day, the students at CDES engage in a Positivity Project lesson, which is part of a character education curriculum that is dedicated to empowering students to build stronger and more positive relationships. One of 24 character traits is emphasized each week in order to help students recognize the strengths in themselves and others.
Mrs. Lopez and Ms. Rice begin their day with these extraordinary lessons. In addition to the trait of the week, "kindness" is emphasized each morning. The 3rd graders share a random act of kindness every morning and have learned that being kind to others will also help them feel better about themselves especially when they are going through a rough time. During these discussions, the class decided to complete a P2 Kindness Project. It started out as a simple plan to create cards for the residents at The Pines in Catskill, NY. 17 students-17 cards. As the conversations continued, the students felt that they wanted to create a card for each resident. Research concluded that there were approximately 130 residents at The Pines, so that became their goal. Further discussion led the students to the idea that the people at The Pines would love to have a card accompany their meals. The students practiced writing complete sentences and drawing pictures during ELA, free time and at home until 137 cards were completed! The project became a major topic during math instruction as well, as the students solved multiplication and word problems. During this time, the project evolved again and again.
The final plan became to have the cards laminated and make it a goal for The Pines to deliver 137 cards for 2 years. If you do the math, this will result in 100,010 smiles!
The students and teachers are extremely excited about their 100,010 Smiles Project. Students made t-shirts for themselves and the administration, and visited The Pines on May 11 in order to hand deliver lunch cards! The students visited two dining rooms and spoke to residents as they shared their words and drawings. Callum Molloy and Patrick Palmieri also played their Tin Whistles as a special surprise. Everyone had a fabulous time!
Mrs. Lopez, Ms. Rice and the students would like to thank Mrs. Harp from The Pines, and CDES Principal Christopher Stein for helping them coordinate the event. They would also like to convey their sincere appreciation to Hope Restoration in Windham and Jennifer from Two Brothers Pizza in Cairo for helping them celebrate the efforts of these extraordinary students with a special meal and more!
The students in Mrs. Lopez’s and Ms. Rice’s 3rd Grade class at Cairo Durham Elementary School recently initiated and completed an amazing community project titled 100,010 Smiles!
Each day, the students at CDES engage in a Positivity Project lesson, which is part of a character education curriculum that is dedicated to empowering students to build stronger and more positive relationships. One of 24 character traits is emphasized each week in order to help students recognize the strengths in themselves and others.
Mrs. Lopez and Ms. Rice begin their day with these extraordinary lessons. In addition to the trait of the week, "kindness" is emphasized each morning. The 3rd graders share a random act of kindness every morning and have learned that being kind to others will also help them feel better about themselves especially when they are going through a rough time. During these discussions, the class decided to complete a P2 Kindness Project. It started out as a simple plan to create cards for the residents at The Pines in Catskill, NY. 17 students-17 cards. As the conversations continued, the students felt that they wanted to create a card for each resident. Research concluded that there were approximately 130 residents at The Pines, so that became their goal. Further discussion led the students to the idea that the people at The Pines would love to have a card accompany their meals. The students practiced writing complete sentences and drawing pictures during ELA, free time and at home until 137 cards were completed! The project became a major topic during math instruction as well, as the students solved multiplication and word problems. During this time, the project evolved again and again.
The final plan became to have the cards laminated and make it a goal for The Pines to deliver 137 cards for 2 years. If you do the math, this will result in 100,010 smiles!
The students and teachers are extremely excited about their 100,010 Smiles Project. Students made t-shirts for themselves and the administration, and visited The Pines on May 11 in order to hand deliver lunch cards! The students visited two dining rooms and spoke to residents as they shared their words and drawings. Callum Molloy and Patrick Palmieri also played their Tin Whistles as a special surprise. Everyone had a fabulous time!
Mrs. Lopez, Ms. Rice and the students would like to thank Mrs. Harp from The Pines, and CDES Principal Christopher Stein for helping them coordinate the event. They would also like to convey their sincere appreciation to Hope Restoration in Windham and Jennifer from Two Brothers Pizza in Cairo for helping them celebrate the efforts of these extraordinary students with a special meal and more!
Attention prospective 2023-24 Pre-K Families:
The lottery drawing for full-day Pre-K for the 2023-24 school year will take place on May 31 at 1:30 p.m. Completed registration packets to be included in the lottery drawing are due to the Elementary School Main Office by May 26. Only 18 full-day slots are available for the 2023-24 school year. The drawing will be recorded and parents/guardians are allowed to attend. The District is still accepting half-day AM/PM Pre-K applications, as well. Those applications will be accepted until all slots are filled. For more information, please contact Joanne Cleary at 518-622-3231.
Thank you very much for your understanding and cooperation.
Sincerely,
The Cairo-Durham Elementary School
The power of positivity was strong with the faculty and staff of Cairo-Durham Elementary School on May 9, as the team took a group photo wearing their P2 shirts!
The annual Cairo-Durham Art Exhibit is BACK on May 16 from 5-7 p.m. at the C-D MS/HS campus! Looking forward to seeing you all there with the amazing artwork from our K-12 students!
On May 5, Mrs. Lopez, Mrs. Rice and their amazing 3rd grade class learned some facts about Mexico and Mexican culture in order to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.
They watched a video about traditional Mexican dancing, clothing and the history of Cinco de Mayo. The class also looked at authentic Mexican sombreros, pesos and Mexican artwork!
On National School Nurses Day and National Nurses Week, the Cairo-Durham Central School District would like to recognize Stefania Pebler, Kristyn D'Errico, Bonnie Diamond and Sarah Brown for all they do for our students!
The annual Cairo-Durham Art Exhibit is BACK on May 16 from 5-7 p.m. at the C-D MS/HS campus! Looking forward to seeing you all there with the amazing artwork from our K-12 students!
Check this out! Nadav and Luke from Mrs. Williams' 5th grade class put this NASA inspired LEGO lunar space mobile together in library. Their creation was inspired by the moon launch in November. Way to go!
Miss Flubacher and Miss Prinz's 5th grade classes enjoyed a fun virtual field trip on May 4 to prep for their real field trip on May 5, Cinco de Mayo, to Casa Vallarta, a Mexican restaurant in Kingston, to celebrate the end of state testing and Cinco de Mayo!
Students were given tickets for their "flight" and then taken on a virtual trip through all of the major attractions in Mexico. Students then were given the opportunity to try chips with salsa and guacamole to have a taste of Mexico with their trip. The classes finished the morning with some musical chairs to authentic salsa music!
Graduation photos for Pre-K, Kindergarten and 5th grade students are right around the corner! Pre-K and Kindergarten photos will take place on May 8 starting at 9:30 a.m. and 5th grade photos will take place on May 9 at 9:30 a.m.
Caps and gowns will be provided for the students to use.
Happy Cinco de Mayo from Mrs. Choinsky's 1st grade class!
Graduation photos for Pre-K, Kindergarten and 5th grade students are right around the corner! Pre-K and Kindergarten photos will take place on May 8 starting at 9:30 a.m. and 5th grade photos will take place on May 9 at 9:30 a.m.
Caps and gowns will be provided for the students to use.
The Cairo-Durham 3rd grade has been studying the country of Japan, and as a special treat, former Assemblyman of 11 years, Peter Lopez, met with all 5 classes to share some knowledge about Japanese culture.
Lopez has been a student of a specific style of Japanese Karate, known as Shotokan, for 46 years. During his presentation, Mr. Lopez emphasized the many benefits of studying martial arts, such as learning and practicing respect, self-control, and perseverance. He also focused on how martial arts and other activities can improve one’s mental and physical health.
In addition, all of the students learned some Japanese terms, how to count to ten, and a series of movements known as a kata. They, of course, found the most joy in practicing the kiai (気合). This is a Japanese term for a short, spirited shout!
The teachers and students enjoyed their session with Mr. Lopez and greatly appreciated his time and valuable message.
Ms. Flubacher's 5th grade students earned “Lunch in Class” which is an option for her whole class reward system. The class took advantage of the nice weather on April 28 and moved lunch outside!
Before the day concludes, the Cairo-Durham Central School District would like to take a moment to acknowledge all of our principals on National School Principals Day! Thank you, Christopher Stein, Rachel Pollard, Danielle Czech, Evan Klauber and David Proper for all you do for our Mustangs!
Graduation photos for Pre-K, Kindergarten and 5th grade students are right around the corner! Pre-K and Kindergarten photos will take place on May 8 starting at 9:30 a.m. and 5th grade photos will take place on May 9 at 9:30 a.m.
Caps and gowns will be provided for the students to use.
Last week, Cairo-Durham CSD celebrated Administrative Professional Day/Administrative Assistant Day! Thank you to following individuals for all they do for our schools: Elizabeth Bailey, Danielle Lacitignola, Mary Savoia, Shawna Post, Cheryl Dorpfeld, Georgia Houghtaling, Alyssa Wickham, Joanne Cleary and Dawn Drexler.
The Cairo-Durham Central School District is proud to partner with Twin County Recovery Services in acknowledging Mental Health/Prevention Month for May 2023.
The Cairo-Durham Central School District would like to congratulate Cairo-Durham High School sophomores Jessica Baeckmann, Lauren Zecca and Cairo-Durham Elementary School Special Education teacher Sarah Hasbrook on being named recipients of the Capital District YMCA (Greene County) Outstanding Student and Educator Award!
The award and event on April 26 at the Pegasus Restaurant in Coxsackie recognized the "best of the best" in our local high schools; spotlighting those students and educators that demonstrate leadership and volunteerism in their respective school, community and/or YMCA. Award winners received a one-year youth/adult membership to the YMCA, an award plaque and a certificate.
Student and educator criteria include demonstrating leadership and dedication in service to their schools, communities and/or the YMCA. The teacher/student must have a character that embraces the values of the YMCA: Caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.
In attendance to support the recipients were Superintendent Michael Wetherbee, CDES Principal Christopher Stein, Director of Pupil Services Doug Morrissey, Guidance Counselors Justin Karker and Emily Gannon and Board of Education President Elizabeth Daly.
