Final Touches!

Final preparations are being made for Tuesday's 4th Grade Recognition Dinner. Mrs. Thompson and Mrs. Romito have done a wonderful job planning this event. Our 4th graders will remember this special night for many years to come. I'm really looking forward to it. If anyone would like to help decorate the gym Tuesday afternoon, please contact Mrs. Thompson or Mrs. Romito.

Our Relay for Life efforts are going exceptionally well thanks to our school's overall generosity. Thank you students, parents and staff for your support. To date, "Team North" has raised over $7,000 dollars. WOW! Please remember the event is quickly approaching. If you are interested in participating, please let me know ASAP. All participants must complete a registration form prior to the event.

Enjoy the weekend.

Thanks,

Mr. Mssucci

Sticky..Sticky

It sure is a sticky day! There was an occasional breeze, but extremely humid. Final plans are being made for Tuesday's 4th Grade Recognition. Please be sure to get those reservations in as soon as possible. The evening will begin at 6:00 p.m.

It's hard to believe the end of the week has arrived. The days sure are flying by. There are only 9 more days of school!

Be sure to stop in and pick up your tomato and pepper plants.

Thanks,

Mr. Masucci

Great News!

When I do not know what good news to share first, it's a good day! First........Thanks to YSU our school has received yet another grant. Those who were able to make it to this year's Family Technology Nights may remember using student response systems. These handheld devices allow students to respond to questions in a new and exciting way. Teachers like them because they provide instant feedback and are able to store quite a bit of data. Our school was awarded close to $3,000 and now has two sets of student response systems. Along with the grant will come training for staff. I am thrilled to have this new technology in the building.

Next............I was informed yesterday that our school was the overall winner in this year's "Cash for Cans" contest. This is the second year in a row that Poland North has come out on top! Thank you to everyone who saved their cans and dropped them off over the course of the year. Keep 'em coming next year!

Thank you,

Mr. Masucci

A Short Week!

I apologize that I am a bit late getting to the blog today. It has been a very busy day. I hope everyone enjoyed the long weekend and celebrated Memorial Day with family and friends.

Tomorrow I'll be sharing some more great news about our school.


I will be mailing a check to the Pirates tomorrow and should receive tickets for the June 28th game before school is out. The Pirates have been playing some pretty good baseball. Check out their website!



Be sure to listen to today's VOKI. Great job Kaitlyn!



Thanks,
Mr. Masucci

It's FRIDAY!

Today will wrap op what has been a beautiful week. Let's hope this weather shows up on Monday for Poland's Memorial Day Parade. I hope to see as many of our students and their families as possible on Monday. The parade will begin at 10:00 a.m.

We still have some tomato and pepper plants in our greenhouse. Stop by and do a little shopping if you'd like. If you have already sent in your money, plan on stopping by today to pick up your plants. Happy Gardening!

Have a great 3-day weekend!

Thanks,

Mr. Masucci

A Nice Day!

Wow! Today was another beautiful day. It really has been a great week. Our 3rd graders are very excited about tomorrow's trip to Pittsburgh. They'll ride on the Gateway Clipper and tour PNC Park. It will be a great way to kick off the long weekend.

I also have more great news about our school. Poland North was awarded a $3,000.00 grant from Youngstown State University. It will be used to purchase the student response systems our students and staff used during this year's technology nights. In addition to the systems, we'll receive training and support from Turning Technologies, a locally based company that sells the equipment.

I spent a good portion of the morning attending the County Commissioners meeting at the Mahoning County Courthouse. Two of our students were honored for their 1st place placemat entries. Congratulations to Brianna and Alex! Their winning entries will be made into placemats at the following restaurants: A&W, Belleria in Canfield, Carchedi's, and Yankee Kitchen. In all, 1,338 students participated.

Thank you,

Mr. Masucci

A Special Visit!

We had some special visitors today. The Green Team's Jim Petuch and Peg Flynn stopped by to see our courtyard, greenhouse and gardens. Poland Village Council member Joe Mazur visited, too. Students from various grades met them outside and were hard at work plantin seeds and vegetable plants. Be on the lookout for plants coming home.

Don't forget to pick up your tomato plants. They are ready to go!



Thank you,
Mr. Masucci

Talent with a captial "T"!

We had an amazing quartet perform at school. During one of the music classes today, these four students shared their musical talents with their peers. Dr. Szabo was very impressed and invited me to the stage to hear them perform. I was impressed, too. It takes a lot of hard work, practice and dedication to play an instrument. The picture is a bit dark for some reason. Sorry!

The Mahoning County Commissioners and the Green Team's Peg Flynn and Jim Petuch will be stopping by tomorrow for a visit. They are interested in taking a look at our school's greenhouse, gardens and courtyard.

Thank you,
Mr. Masucci

Brrrrr! .............on May 18th?

Although the sun is shining and it looks like it is going to be a beautiful week, it sure was cold this morning. That will be the extent of my complaints today. I looked ahead to Friday's forecast. By the looks of things, our 3rd graders are going to have a wonderful day to visit Pittsburgh.

From here on out, each and every week is packed full of special events. Keep your eyes and ears on our website for more information.

Our current 3rd graders planted this buckeye tree in front of our school last year. 2nd graders learn quite a bit about Ohio and Mrs. Gunn and Mrs. Saculla thought it would be nice to plant our state tree. To say it is doing well would be an understatement. It has grown exceptionally well.

Thanks.

Mr. Masucci

P.S. Get those Pirate ticket orders in ASAP.

The Weekend has Arrived!

If anyone would like to drop off items for tomorrow's rummage sale, you may do so after school today. Clothes will not be accepted. Take a look around the house and consider collecting a pile of unwanted items. Miss Gura and Mrs. Kellgren will be at school to accept them. The sale will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Please consider stopping by. All proceeds will go toward our Relay for Life efforts.

Have a great weekend.

Thank you,

Mr. Masucci

Rain..Rain..Go Away!

It looks as if the rain missed us today. That worked out well for the 2nd graders who headed out to see a performance of the Magic Treehouse. From what I hear, it was exceptionally good.

Our flamingos were busy visiting another house last night. This morning I asked a little girl if she had any visitors last night. She said, "Yes! We have a bunch of pink peacocks in our grass!" You gotta' love kindergarten.

Thanks,

Mr. Masucci

Great News!

Poland North Elementary School has received yet another award. Because of our building's strong physical education, tobacco education and nutritional education programs, our school has received the Buckeye Best Healthy School Silver Award. Great job!

Please spend some time reviewing school rules with your children. This is always a very challenging time of year. Summer fever is in full swing. The rules on the bus, in school and on the playground have not changed. I have been and will continue to be much more visible these last few weeks of school. After that......................they are all yours! As always, I appreciate your support.

Thank you,

Mr. Masucci

Rummage Sale!

Poland North Elementary School's Relay for Life Teams will be having a HUGE rummage sale at school on Saturday, May 16th. It will take place from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. All proceeds from the sale will be donated to the American Cancer Society. Please plan on stopping by. You never know what you may find.

Be sure to take a look at the paper coming home today about the Pittsburgh Pirates. Once again, the Bucs and Major League Baseball have been impressed with our school. They have offered each student in our building a free ticket to an upcoming game at PNC Park. All ticket orders need to be turned in no later than Friday, May 22nd.

Have a great day!

Thanks,

Mr. Masucci

Better Late than Never!

I realize I am a bit late today, but it's been one of those days. I'll be sure to change the Voki tomorrow.

Friday's Thunder game was a lot of fun. I'd like to thank the families that were able to make it. In all, the Mahoning Valley Thunder will be donating over $100.00 to our school's Relay for Life efforts. The highlight of the night was Mr. Jason Smith diving over 34 rows of chairs to capture one the many footballs that made it into the stands. Fortunately, no one was hurt and Poland North Elementary School is still welcome to attend events at the newly named Covelli Center! Thanks for being a good sport Mr. Smith. The Thunder could have used you.

Thanks,

Mr. Masucci

The Weekend has Arrived!

Another week has gone by! It is hard to imagine that there are only 22 days of school left. Wait a minute. Allow me to rephrase that............It is very nice to know that there are only 22 days of school left. That's better!

Today's breakfast was delicious. On behalf of our staff, I'd like to thank our PTO members who cooked for, volunteered at and contributed to today's special treat. Mrs. O'Kane did an amazing job this week. Thank you. Know you are all appreciated, too.

I'd also like to thank those who made it back to last night's "BYGO" Book Fair. It was one of our most successful events. Great job Mrs. Sabrin.

I'm looking forward to tonight's Mahoning Valley Thunder game. I'm taking my two girls out for the night. They won't care one bit about the game, but will be extremely interested in the snacks.

Thanks,

Mr. Masucci

Thank You PTO!

Our PTO held their final meeting of the school year today. I'd like to thank our officers and members for another wonderful year. Marilyn Blasko did an incredible job as President. It's a tough job, but one made easier when students and their interests are put first. On behalf of our students, staff and parents, I'd like to say thank you to this amazing group.

Please try to swing by the "BYGO" Book Fair tonight. It will take place from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thank you Mrs. Sabrin and committee for your time and effort.

Have a great day.

Thank you,

Mr. Masucci

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Our greenhouse is in full swing! Your children will be planting watermelon and pumpkin seeds soon! Once the seeds sprout, the plants will be sent home. The vines of these plants spread quickly, so you can thank me now for the jungle that awaits your backyards. In addition, tomato and pepper plants will soon be on sale. All proceeds from this sale go right back into our greenhouse fund for future projects. More information will be headed home soon.

I'll be sharing some great news on Monday, May 11th.

There will be a PTO Meeting tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. Hope to see you there.

Thanks,

Mr. Masucci

A Nice Day!

Poland's Superintendent, Dr. Robert Zorn, visited our building this morning. As part of Staff Appreciation Week, he stopped by to express his gratitude to our entire staff. While he was here, a few students mumbled, "I think that is the guy Mr. Masucci talks about. He's in charge of Poland." Dr. Zorn found that to be a bit funny. He commented on how well behaved our students were as they left the gym this morning!

Lori Casey also stopped by for a visit. National City Bank and our PTO presented gifts to our classroom teachers and library. Thank you! Your generosity is deeply appreciated. I was also lucky enough to accept a gift on behalf of the school. A digital picture frame is perfect for our school! It can hold up to 8,000 pictures. (That should keep us busy for a few days!)

Enjoy the day!

Thanks,

Mr. Masucci

Staff Appreciation Week

I'd like to thank our incredible PTO for planning this year's Staff Appreciation Week. Mrs. O'Kane and her committee have a wonderful week in store for everyone. There may be a few surprises along the way, too.

Don't forget PTO's monthly meeting this Thursday at 11:00 a.m. There are lots of events to discuss. I hope to see you there.

Get those Thunder ticket orders in.

Thank you,

Mr. Masucci

It's May!

May has arrived! Despite a few raindrops, it has turned out to be a pretty nice day. Once again, Mr. Sofranec and I went shopping and returned with some new additions for the courtyard. Some of our 4th graders helped build a new birdhouse that will be installed this weekend. Other students helped transplant some tomato and pepper plants. Take a look at the pictures below.

Be sure to read over the information sent home regarding the swine flu. If you happen to have any questions, please feel free to call.

Enjoy the weekend!

Thanks you,

Mr. Masucci