Conti Chatter Dr. Michael Conti School PS 5

November 3, 2023

SEL & Character Education @ PS5

From top: 1st- graders in 208 & 209 start their days with self-affirmations, reminding themselves that they are "incredible, brave, kind"...In 209, after a read-aloud of I Like Myself, students took a good look in the mirror and shared both inner and outer qualities that they appreciate most about themselves...6th-graders in 309 learned about emotional survival skills...2nd-graders in 216 made "heart pledges" listing specific ways they will show others Respect...4th-graders in 202 & 203 wrote about what Respect looks likes, sounds like, and feels like.

At Conti, we firmly believe character education is essential to student success, so social emotional learning (SEL) is embedded in the curriculum and daily practice. In addition to school counselors Emma Santiago-Hernandez & Maria Munoz, and CIT Lou DeCarlo, who visit classrooms to offer SEL lessons and support, this school year we have the presence of additional clinical workers via the JCPS Project Resilience program, designed to provide extra support for students experiencing mental health issues, and also help guide our teachers to become "trauma-informed" educators.

GROWTH MINDSET: POSITIVE CHARACTER TRAITS CAN BE MASTERED

An important part of SEL is teaching kids that character traits are not set in stone; each and every child can aim to improve and become better at mastering positive traits...This also ties into the Jersey City Public Schools revamped Student Code of Conduct/Compass Code, with PS5 being chosen as one of only two schools in the district to pilot the new program this year. Our approach to discipline aims to incorporate more restorative justice practices and promote collaboration between parents and educators to ensure that our students develop emotional intelligence, empathy, self-awareness, and interpersonal skills. "This school year is a year of learning & growth as we embrace this updated approach to school discipline," says Conti Principal John J. Rivero.

The stated mission of the COMPASS CODE, the district's new disciplinary model, is to "empower and ensure all students within its diverse community have the foundational skills to be lifelong learners and to ensure students’ academic, social emotional and career success through safe environments and equitable access to opportunities.”

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STUDENTS OF THE MONTH

The focus TRAIT for Students of the Month of OCTOBER was RESPECT:

Shout out to our October Students of the Month [Please click on each photo to enlarge!]

CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE LEARNING

"What do we do when life gets hard?" That is the essential question our 6-graders are tackling as they immerse themselves in Gary Paulsen's award-winning novel Hatchet...while 3rd-graders in 205 showcase their backgrounds and native countries in a Community & Culture Show & Tell.

COLLABORATIVE LEARNING

Whether engaging in peer support, as 3rd graders organize ideas to compare & contrast animal adaptations...or working in small reading groups to complete an activity...or 4th graders checking in together to write & share reflections, Conti students learn the importance of teamwork.

THE ART EXPERIENCE

Linear Design: Through the study of lines, shapes, & color, 1st and 2nd graders have been creating various types of textile, henna, and abstract designs in Art specialist Mike Markman's classes.

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LIFE CYCLES

First graders in Room 208 & 209 are so excited about adopting baby calves Bretta and Allie! Through the Discovery Diary program, students get to watch their adoptees grow, learn all about taking care of cows and about farm life, and will also get to visit a farm in the spring.

Students in Rm 211 learned about the life cycle of a plant through read-a-louds, viewing a Mystery Science video about pumpkins, drawing a diagram of the life cycle of pumpkins seeds, and then planting the seeds.

SPOOKY LEARNING

Ms. Johnson's class went on a ghost hunt through the halls and classrooms this month. After reading the Halloween story, Gustavo the Shy Ghost, they got word that there were some friendly ghosts floating around our school. It was only right they go and find them! More than 50 friendly ghosts were found!

Ms. O'Mara's kids were busy making math-fact spiders at their skill level. They also learned about absorption- using salt, glue, & watercolors to paint spider webs.

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS: Big Brothers Big Sisters

At Conti, community partnerships also play an important role in student success, with the Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentoring Program, facilitated by CIT Lou DeCarlo, a valuable resource for our students for the past eleven years. BBBS recently sponsored a workshop at PS5, with a registered dietician from the JC Medical Center teaching our kids about healthy eating choices. Students also participated in a cooking demonstration, creating a nutritious snack-- Pumpkin Oat Energy bars, yum!

PS5 students in the BBBS Mentoring program also got to design holiday ornaments that will be displayed in the Macy's Herald Square Holiday Windows in the heart of New York City. How awesome!

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HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH DOOR DECORATING CONTEST

The decorating theme this year was "Somos Uno, Somos Todos: We Are All, We Are One." Congrats to our school winners, who will get class pizza parties!

FIRST TWO PHOTOS are of Gr. 3-5 category winner, a joint project from Rm. 311 & Rm. 312 (Martinez/Flores)- when anyone stands in front of their decorated door it looks like the person has wings made up of the individual flags- cool!...BOTTOM ROW LEFT PHOTO is of K- Gr.2 category winner, from Rm 210 (Trinidad/Colon)...BOTTOM ROW RIGHT PHOTO of Rm. 212's door (Delgado/Montes) was decorated after the contest, but it's lovely so we are sharing it too.

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS

The Conti Garden was the backdrop for our PTA-sponsored commemoration of the Day of the Dead, honoring the life and memories of loved ones who have passed.

Autumnal Celebrations

PUMPKIN PATCH

Pre-schoolers had a fantastic time playing games and picking pumpkins at Conti's very own Pumpkin Patch set up in the field by our school.

HALLOWEEN 2023!

(Click on photos to enlarge)

Some of our classroom HALLOWEEN COSTUME WINNERS [Click on a photo to enlarge]

HARVESTFEST

Attendees at the PTA-sponsored HARVESTFEST last week enjoyed a gorgeous fall afternoon!

Colorfest

The PTA's Colorfest Fundraiser culminated in a field day today, where our kids had an absolute blast! Students in grades 4 - 8 lit up the track for a colorful Fun Run, while PreK to grade 3 classes engaged in thrilling games...This fundraiser has so far raised nearly $10,000, to support educational opportunities for our students. For example, the PTA helps fund the Speranza Theatre Program which we have for Grades K-5. (The PTA funds the program for Kindergarten and 1st Grade, while the school funds grades 2 through 5.) The PTA also donates money for our annual Spring Carnival and other school activities, such as the 8th grade trip to Philadelphia.

We can't praise PS#5's Parent-Teacher Association enough, and believe it to be the most proactive and effective PTA in the district. All to our students' benefit!...Want to volunteer/get more involved? Then follow this link.

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Enjoy the week ~ see you back to school on Monday, November 13th!

Thank you!

Conti Chatter @ 2023-24 Created by K. Sexton, Library Media Specialist

Principal John J. Rivero

Assistant Principal Albert Padilla