Never Too Young

The Pre-K class had the opportunity to preview the book fair today.  It's never too early to instill a love for reading in your children!

Get Your Nose in a Book!

The annual Scholastic Book Fair is here!  This year Mrs. Stagno is coordinating the book fair along with the help of some wonderful parent volunteers and members of the student council.  Shopping begins tomorrow as the students in the school have a designated time during the day to visit the fair to purchase novels, picture books, cookbooks, puzzle books, posters, and other items like bookmarks and pencils.  Please refer to the blue memo that was sent home if you would like to shop with your children.

Parents will also be able to make purchases during the evening parent teacher conferences tomorrow night as well as on Friday during the afternoon conferences.  Don't miss this opportunity to enrich your child's home library and to get gifts for the upcoming Christmas season while also supporting the school!

There are sections set up for all ages and for all interests (click the pictures to enlarge).

 

  

Don't forget to take a look at the All Star Teachers board outside the library.  The teachers have been previewing the fair and choosing some books for their own classroom wishlists.  If you want, you can buy a book for your child's teacher.

Gift wrapping will also be available.

We hope to see you there!

Shoes for Christmas!

By Nicky Delaney and Kirsten Kaiser

This Christmas Mrs. Stagno, the school’s performing arts teacher, decided upon doing a play to celebrate the season.  It is called The Christmas Shoe Tree, and it will go hand in hand with our outreach, Soles4Souls.  This outreach shows us that we can make a difference “one shoe at a time” by donating shoes to kids in need.  The musical demonstrates the power of  God’s love in a way that is clear to people of all ages.

The Performing Arts Club has been meeting every Monday and Wednesday after school to make this musical a success. During the first meeting, Mrs. Stagno held auditions for the roles.  We won't be giving any names away so as not to ruin the surprise!  The club will surely give a great performance, like they do every year.

Performing arts members would love to have new people join! If you didn't sign up this semester, be sure to join the fun next time! We love seeing new people with all different talents. This year we have a great group of students for the play. I hope everyone will make it to our Christmas production. It will be one to see!

Gateway Academy Fundraisers

By Raymond Li

During the months of September and October, we participated in three fundraisers here at Gateway Academy.  They were the chocolate sales along with the collection of Labels for Education and Box Tops (these two run throughout the entire year!).

The World's Finest Chocolate sales were introduced this year in October.  Each family was given a box of chocolate with a variety of different flavors to sell.  The family who sold the most chocolate won a prize.  This fundraiser was successful.  Everyone in the school participated to help benefit our school.

The Labels for Education is a new fundraiser that was also introduced this year in October.  It works in the same manner as Box Tops.  These can be found on the following products: BIC, Campbell's, Dannon, Pepperidge Farm, Post, Prego, Swanson, V8, etc.

We have been collecting Box Tops for many years, but it became a bigger fundraiser starting last year during Spirit Year.  Each Box Top is worth ten cents, and the school's goal is to make $2,500.  So far we have made $440.  Don't forget to save them from your boxes of cereal, snacks, and canned goods.  Would you regularly throw away dimes into the garbage?  No way!  Each Box Top may not seem like much, but when combined with the others brought in by fellow students and staff, it can amount to a great deal.  Sheets will be given out so that you can tape them to hand in.  Also, don't forget to ask your friends and family to save them too!

Winners!

• Congratulations to the 8th grade for selling the most boxes of chocolate as a class.  Also, a big congratulations and thanks goes to the Perotta family who sold a grand total of 6 cases!
• Congratulations to the 8th grade class for bringing in the most Box Tops during the month of October.  They will be celebrating with a cookie party.  
• Congratulations to the 4th grade for bringing in the most items for Project Hospitality.  They will be having a cupcake party to celebrate.

Scientific Minds: A Visit from Antonia Bertelle

By Nathaniel Bae, Savannah Cseko, Katherine Esposito, Amanda Mareno, Jay Wilen, and Miss Samantha Cancilla

Miss Bertelle introduces herself to the class.

On October 19, Miss Antonia Bertelle visited Gateway Academy’s 5th grade class to discuss the importance of scientific research and her endeavor to enter medical school this upcoming January. Miss Bertelle is not a stranger to Gateway Academy, as she developed a love for science from her previous teachers: Mrs. Stagno, Mrs. DelPrete, and Mrs. Cancilla. She graduated from the school in 2004 before going to St. Joseph Hill Academy and finally graduated from Wagner College in May 2012.

Miss Cancilla and Miss Bertelle point out certain areas on the map.

As we planned for the upcoming science fair, she told the class about her experience in college doing research studying mosquitoes. Her primary focus was to determine the effects of salt on mosquitoes.  The class learned about the types of viruses mosquitoes might carry, as well as why they bite us! Did you know mosquitoes eat our blood when they pierce us? We learned about what it means to declare a “major” in college and also what it means to study physics, chemistry, and biology. We had a great time asking many interesting questions and can’t wait for Miss Bertelle to come back and tell us more!

The 5th grade class with their teacher, Miss Cancilla, and the guest speaker Miss Bertelle.

The Scores of Spirit Week

By Brooke Wilen

Spirit Week was a blast.  It ended with a fantastic finale.  During the pep rally that took place in the gym, a few representatives from each grade presented the class banner.  Mrs. Stagno introduced each one and they all received applause for their hard work.

The 3rd grade class banner showing how they all run for Christ!

The 4th grade banner showcases how they are strengthened for battle by God.

Many of the classes also planned cheers, songs, and dances to present for extra spirit points.  It is always fun to see the little kids shout their cheers!

Pre-K students enthusiastically sharing their cheer.

Some of the 1st graders presenting their cheer.

The class who won the banner was 7th grade.  Their banner included the boys as soldiers and the girls as angels watching over them as they all fought against sin.  This banner had a lot of scripture representing the theme.   At the bottom of the banner was a fire filled with the words such as the following: gossiping, lying, cheating, cruelty, hatred, and pride.  The main verse they followed was Joel 2:11a, which says, "The Lord thunders at the head of His army; His forces are beyond number, and mighty is the army that obeys His command" (NIV).

Although we were all winners, we had to choose final winners for each grade cluster.  The participation for each day was tallied and then added to the score for the class banner.  The three highest scores were as follows: Pre-K with a total of 716 points, 3rd grade with a total of 732 points, and 8th grade with a total of 761 points!  Congratulations to those grades!

After the scores were announced, we had a little bit of time before dismissal.  Mrs. Stagno asked the students if they had any songs to share, and this began an impromptu praise session.  This tied up a wonderful week, and we are all so proud of each class who participated.

Matthew Esposito and Gabriel Oliveira sing "Trading My Sorrows."

Mrs. Stagno and Christina Anderson sing "This Little Light of Mine."

Pastor Perez leads the students in a song very fitting for this year's Spirit Week theme, "I'm In the Lord's Army." 

Show Your Spirit!

By Christopher Brogna, Teagan Ka, Frankie Pizzolato, Jonathan Weaver, and Mrs. Law-Fung

Spirit Week is an annual tradition where all the students and staff come together to share their enthusiasm for Gateway Academy.  This year it took place during October 1 - October 5.  Each day of the week had a special theme.  On Monday, everyone dressed in camouflage in honor of the soldiers protecting our country.  Each grade was also given a designated location to participate in a prayer walk.

Mrs. Falcone with her 2nd grade class along with her son, Logan, all dressed in camouflage.

The 4th graders give a salute dressed in camouflage. 

On Tuesday, everyone dressed up as a character from a book.  Even the teachers got involved.  The middle school teachers were various characters from Stephanie Tolan's novel Surviving the Applewhites.  Mrs. Swartout also included her baby daughter Kayla (a member of Gateway's daycare) by dressing her as a lamb while she was Mary.

Miss Quan, Mrs. DelPrete, Mrs. Law-Fung, Mrs. Stagno, and Pastor Perez as the characters from Surviving the Applewhites.

Mrs. Swartout as Mary holding her little lamb, Kayla.

Mrs. Cancilla with two of Gateway's new teachers, Miss Sabatell and Miss Cancilla, getting into the spirit of Character Day.

Alexandria D'Amora, Erica Paniss, and DJ Cameron dressed up as characters from the story "The Ransom of Red Chief," a story written by O.Henry and read in the 7th grade.

Antonio Vitacco displaying valor in his knight costume.

On Wednesday, there was a sea of red, white, and blue out in the parking lot during morning line-up.  The skirts on the girls and the ties on the boys were perfect attire for that day's chapel service.

The following day was meant for jerseys and sports uniforms.  Students could proudly show off the sports they participated in or the teams they supported.

Gateway Academy Jets fans.

Mrs. Stagno and a few of the 8th graders rooting for the New York Yankees.

The final day was set aside for the school colors.  It showed the unity of the school.  We look forward to enjoying this week again next year!

Meet Miss Caroline Quan

By Jodie Benitez

Everybody gets excited when a new member of the school comes to Gateway Academy.  Student or teacher, it doesn't matter; they all share the same excitement.  This school could always use some more knights.  This year one of the new teachers is Miss Caroline Quan.

Miss Quan ready for her first day of school.

Miss Quan is a fantastic teacher.  She teachers Pre-K to 2nd grade literacy, computers for the entire school, and middle school science.  She started teaching because she always loved to work with kids.  She believes teachers make an important impact on the students lives.  Miss Quan enjoys teaching because students look up to their teachers and trust them to teach them new things.  In the short time that she has worked here, she's already loved some things in the school.  She enjoys seeing how much the students love God and can express their love, something that can't be done in a public school.  One of Miss Quan's personal favorite verses is 1 Corinthians 13:13, which says, "But now faith, love, hope, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love" (NASB).  She said, "Despite all the things that happen in this world and in my life, I look to this verse to remind myself of what is most important."

Teachers don't just sit around and do work.  They love to do things we would enjoy too.  Miss Quan likes shopping, meeting with friends, and occasionally going to the movies.  Like most teachers, Miss Quan also likes to relax.

Monthly Bible Verses

September
By John Tawfellos

In 2 Timothy 2:3, Paul tells Timothy, "You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ."  This is a very meaningful verse.  Throughout our whole life, we've faced hardships and we will be facing hardships later on as well.  But we should use the strength that God gave us to stay strong and continue to spiritually fight the devil even if we may be attacked from all sides.  Also, to endure hardship, we must always remember that although things may seem hard and unneeded, God is allowing them for a reason to benefit us.

October
By Sarah Farid

The October monthly Bible verse was 1 Corinthians 9:24, which says, "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win."  When the Bible says "run in the race," it does not literally mean that you will run in a race.  It is talking about your life's journey.  You should always go through life doing your best because each person has his or her own goal.  Not every person is able to reach the same goal.  God wants us to do our best because that's all that He wants and asks of us.  The phrase that is frequently used is "Do your best, and God will do the rest."  If we do our best, God will reward us.  If we do not try our best, we will not receive the prize God has in store for us, and we will not work in life to attain our greatest potential.

November
By Amy Rose Napolitano

In Isaiah 40:31, it says, "Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary."  What this verse states is that when you need something to lift you up when you are down, God does.  When you are tired from a long day at work, He helps you.  When my grandma died, I was very sad and had no joy.  People tried to comfort me, but I was still sad.  So I asked God for help, and He helped lift my spirits by reminding me that I will see her again in heaven.  God is my strength and my Redeemer.

The New York Wheel Will Draw Crowds Like a Magnet

By Christopher Mercado

 An artist's rendering of the Ferris wheel.

[Photo courtesy of the Staten Island Advance]

The ride will be huge.  The views will be breathtaking and spectacular.  The world's largest Ferris wheel is going to be built on the water's edge in the historic Saint George section of the island.  It will have 36 pods, carrying up to 40 people per pod.  This means 1,440 people can be on each ride.  Each ride on the wheel will last about 38 minutes.  That is a lot of tourists and a lot of money for the island.

This will help make Staten Island a fun place to visit, no longer just a ferry ride from Manhattan and back.  This is a positive thing as it will create jobs and promote business growth, especially in the summer.

Proud of Our Bookworm

By Christina Anderson

Isabella Policarpo in the 1st grade class read 413 books in just two months this past summer.  She borrowed many of these books from the Todt Hill-Westerleigh library branch.  It's exciting to find out that young children are taking interest in reading books and reading as many as they can.  We are so proud that top children's reader in the NYPL's Summer Reading Program in Staten Island is one of our very own classmates!

Isabella surrounded by many of the books she read this past summer. 

[Photo courtesy of the Staten Island Advance]

Isabella won a prize for her success.  Her name was on the scoreboard in the Yankee Stadium during the Bronx Bombers game against the Toronto Blue Jays this past August 29.  She was also able to meet the Yankee outfielder Curtis Granderson.  Good going, Isabella!

Welcome to Gateway Academy's Online Newspaper!

If you didn't get a chance to read it, this is the editor's note that was published in the first edition of Gateway Academy's newspaper called Knightly News.

Editor's Note
By Mrs. Rachel Law-Fung

Welcome to the first edition of Gateway Academy's newspaper! It has been a few years since our school has published a newspaper, so when I was given the opportunity to start it once again, I was ecstatic. I think this will be an excellent way for students of all grades as well as their parents to not only get a glimpse of what happens within our school walls but to also serve as a way to preserve all the memories that are made each month. There is a wide variety of topics that will be included in our paper including the following: classroom spotlights, field trips, special events such as Spirit Week and our Christmas and spring shows, school fundraisers and community outreaches, excerpts from students' writing, interviews with our new staff members, and local Staten Island news.

A wonderful group of students signed up to be part of the newspaper staff. I'm looking forward to working with them and helping them learn how to be reporters by writing and editing. Thank you to Christopher Brogna, Teagan Ka, Frankie Pizzolato, Jonathan Weaver, Raymond Li, Christopher Mercado, Brooke Wilen, Jodie Benitez, Nicky Delaney, Kirsten Kaiser, and John Tawfellos for joining me on this new venture!

One major difference between the former editions of the Gateway Gazette and the Knightly News will be the fact that after this first printed edition, all of our articles will be published online using a blog format!  There are many advantages to doing it in this manner. For one, the online newspaper will be updated much faster than any print versions. Once an event occurs, our Gateway family will be able to read about it and see many pictures within a few days. It will be easier to stay connected to one another and share these updates with your own friends and family.

Be sure to bookmark our website: http://GAknightlynews.blogspot.com. If you would like, you can subscribe to the newspaper, and updates will be automatically sent to your email account (the "Follow by Email" can be found in the column on the right). The newspaper staff and I look forward to sharing all of our stories with you!