I Love this PS22 Chorus!!

Well, just a quick one...
One of my favorite songs from the last few years is Coldplay's "Viva la Vida", which, if this works right, can be heard here:

Viva La Vida - Coldplay

Well, the talented, outstanding students from PS22 have a terrific version of it, of course!! What a pleasure to listen to students that are obviously showing terrific commitment!

AGAIN???

Looks like we could be in for another snowstorm!  (Although, the "line" of rain/snow is really close...)

Snow Day!!!!!

Woohoo!!!

This is what a snow day looks like at my house...Im assuming it's the same at yours!  (Funny - the reporter on Channel 6 was live from Eastern Avenue this morning - she said the roads were terrible!)



So, have fun, enjoy the day off---read a book!  (And, finish your fiction stories, if you haven't done so!)

Ouch.

Hmm...see you tomorrow...maybe??

Vancouver

Well, I hope by this time, most of you are in bed, fast asleep, dreaming wonderful thoughts of school tomorrow! :-)
Anyway, if not, I hope some of you are watching the terrific hockey game between the United States and Canada...right now, it's 4-2 USA.  Hope it ends that way!

This was a terrific week off to watch the Olympics...I really get into the games.  Plus, it has been a wonderful showcase for the beautiful city of Vancouver, Canada.  Located in the Pacific Northwest, it truly was one of the most visually stunning cities I have ever been to. Located on the water and surrounded by mountains, one doesnt have to go too far to find a picture that could be a postcard.  

Anyway, the Opening Ceremonies featured a terrific video piece about the relationship between the United States and Canada.  Enjoy!

Simply Awesome.

Sometimes you see things that just make you smile.  Last year, someone turned me on to the musical work at Public School 22 in Staten Island, NYC.  This is not a special school for music, with hand selected students from all around New York City - no, this is a neighborhood school, comprised of a racially diverse student body and varied backgrounds.  However, for some years now, the music coming from this school has garnered national attention.

Music teacher Gregg Breinberg, or "Mr. B" as the students call him, has inspired these students to produce beautiful music for years.  Covering many famous songs, easily recognizable, the students have gained national and international attention, appearing on NBC's Today Show, Nightline, and dozens of newspapers, including the New York Times, The Guardian (London, England), and many, many others.  The students have met and had the honor of singing with numerous musicians, such as Rihanna, Tori Amos, Crowded House, Lady Gaga, Beyonce, and more.  Unreal.

Anyway, here are a few of their songs - remember, these students are in sixth FIFTH AND FOURTH grade (and below)...  (And, thanks for the correction, anonymous poster!)

Jay-Z and Rihanna - "Run This Town"


Jay-Z and Alicia Keys - "Empire State of Mind"


Lady Gaga - "Just Dance"


Owl City - "Fireflies"


You can check out lots more from this amazing school here.

Pluto - the Ninth Planet (Depending on who you ask).

Well, I hope everyone is enjoying their vacation!  (And, of course we're getting snow tomorrow - we're already off!).  Hopefully you all are having a good time - this could be a terrific time to read a book that you have always wanted to get to!
I saw this video this morning and wanted to share it.  It's from National Geographic, and creates a computer-generated look at what scientists think Pluto looks like.  Pretty interesting...I always pictured it as a desolate ball of ice and dust.

Have a good one - get your shovels ready tomorrow!

Happy Valentine's Day!

From

Valentine's Dance!

Don't forget, tomorrow is the Valentine's Day dance at Hamilton Elementary School (see the map below).  This was a great time last year, and hopefully will be as well attended from Elmer students as it was last year.  Remember, attending events such as these is a privilege, not a right - meaning, your behavior in and out of the classroom needs to be at a level where you can be trusted to attend.

Anyway, I hope to see you all there!  Remember, the dance is from 6:00 to 8:00.  Please have your ride ready to pick you up by that time.

(Oh, and if you need another permission slip, click here)


View Larger Map

Let's Hear From You!

Well, as the year has gone on, I know many of you have come here, some have commented, some haven't.  I hope this can become a part of everyone's day - at least to come and check homework, etc.

Anyway, a good place to start would be to comment on some of the things I post...I want to hear from you.  So, just in case some of you dont know how to, here ya go...

First, decide on a post you would like to comment on....it can be a question, a comment, whatever.  So, once you find that post you would like to comment on, you can click on the comment button, shown below :

Once, you do that, the screen will shift/reload, and a box will appear where you can type, like this...

Simply follow these directions (sign in, if possible...) and click "Post comment".  It's that easy!  And hopefully people will respond to each other....who wants to listen to me all day?? :-)

Have a great Saturday!

Moving on to Ancient Rome

Well, as we "put a bow" on Ancient Rome, I hope you enjoyed the project.  Im sure it was a good learning experience for everyone - and hopefully you all learned a lot about yourselves.  Miss Valenti and I are going to sit down this week and grade them together - allowing me to see her students' work, and she can see ours.

On Monday we will be starting our unit on Ancient Rome.  Rome was one of the first major civilizations of the world - and grew so large around the world, the saying was that the "Sun never set on the Roman Empire".  The city of Rome still exists today as the capital of Italy.  Politically, Rome is an important part of world history, as it is the first documented case of a republican government.

So, before we get started - why not look around?  Check out this website - a great, easy way to get started.  Enjoy!!

Pennies for Patients

Today was the kickoff for our "Pennies for Patients" campaign, which helps benefit research to cure leukemia and lymphoma, two rare blood cancers that have a high rate of affect in children.  Every penny, nickel, dime or quarter that is donated goes to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, which funds blood cancer research around the world.
As was alluded to this morning, twenty years ago, the prognosis for someone diagnosed with leukemia or lymphoma was grim.  Now, with the help and support of all your change, there has been major advancement in the treatment of these serious diseases.  So, please, any change you have - drop it off in the jar on my desk.