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 Rhino Reading

We've shaved our heads, sat in a dunk tank, got tickets for every kid to a Jackal's game and slept on the roof of the school.  Rhino Reading is well underway this year, but we still haven't presented the kids with a reward.

ANY IDEAS?????

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 DUDES

When 3rd and 4th graders do great deeds of kindness, they are recognized with a DUDES ticket (Doers of Unique Deeds of Excellence).  Those tickets go into a raffle bin and then the winning tickets receive gift cards to various places (ex:  Barnes and Noble, Toys R Us, Applegate Farms, etc...)

Our 3rd Grade Winners were:

Christian T- Ms. Liberman's Class

Tim V- Mrs. Johnson's Class

Lucas A- Ms. Morrissey/Mrs. Roberts' Class

Daryush D- Mrs. Bauer's Class

Alex L- Ms. Hirschberg's Class

Will S- Ms. Hirschberg's Class

Our 4th Grade Winners were:

Brian S- Ms. DeSimone's Class

John T- Mrs. Ippolito's Class

Storm W- Ms. DeSimone's Class

James G- Mrs. Ippolito's Class

Lily T- Ms. Plateroti's Class

Jose M-V- Ms. Plateroti's Class

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In October, we had a wonderful assembly presented to us about bullying by John Halligan (thanks to Mr. Heitmann and Mrs. Kobylinski from the High School and MAC).  Mr. Halligan's son had been bullied starting in 5th grade and after years of non-stop bullying, which then led to cyber-bullying, Ryan Patrick Halligan commited suicide when he was 13.  The presentation was shared with our 6th graders and then there was a night presentation for parents.  His message was very powerful and gave the students and parents so much to think about.  Mr. Halligan has a website which contains bullying resources.  Bullying will be a big focus at Ridgewood Avenue this year; we already have a Character Education Committee of teachers focusing on this important topic.  For more information about Mr. Halligan and his son, Ryan, visit-

www.ryanpatrickhalligan.com

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GENDER DEFENDERS

We have a great group of 6th grade boys this year.  Right now, we are planning a Half-Court Shot Contest for anyone at RAS and deciding on what charity the proceeds should go to.  Click on the below Wall Wisher to give your input:

http://www.wallwisher.com/wall/Donovan

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A student gave me a book titled 1,001 Ways to Save the Earth by Joanna Yarrow.  Each time I update my page, I will also update a tip on how we can GO GREEN!!!!!!

Does the whole room need to be ablaze with light to illuminate you reading a book in one corner?  If not, switch off the overhead lighting and snuggle up next to a lamp.  If a million homes all reduced their average electricity load by just 60 watts, they'd cut carbon emissions by around 5 million tons a year.

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Our Character Education Focus for the month of December is...

CITIZENSHIP

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CAFEPRESS.COM/RIDGEWOODAVE

  Thanks to the organization efforts of Tracey St. Auburn, the Ridgewood Avenue Home and School Association has begun a new adventure.  When you get a chance, visit the website below and you can buy plenty of great products with a Ridgewood Avenue School logo on them (courtesy of Jennifer Schmidt's father).  A portion of the proceeds from each purchase comes directly back to the RAS Home and School...which ultimately goes back to your children!

www.Cafepress.com/RidgewoodAve 

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