Third Grade Team Teaching will begin this year with updates from the teachers on what is being taught. Click HERE for a link to the Teaming Updates. The user name is Third, and the password is Phillips. Capitals must be respected to gain access.

The Principal’s and Citizenship awards are given monthly at each of the elementary schools. Every teacher nominates a student for the Principal award and the Citizenship award each month. The Principal’s award is given to a student that has achieved the greatest academic or social progress throughout the month. The citizenship award correlates with the monthly character component within the Riverhead School District’s character education program.

Caught Being Good Program. Students can be given a Caught Being Good Ticket for being respectful, following directions, being cooperative or coming to someone’s aid. This process starts with the first day assembly at the Aquebogue Elementary School.

Breakfast with the Principal is rewards program for students caught being good. Students at the Phillips Avenue School are responsible for placing their own tickets (with their names, grade and room number) in a box in the lobby. At the end of each month the office will pick 25 tickets from the box. These students will be invited to the Caught Being Good Breakfast with Ms. Nugent and Ms. Moloney.

Have you Filled a Bucket Today?
This program is based on the book, Have You filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud. Mr. Poole, the literacy coach, discovered the book while discussing the importance of incorporating social and emotional learning into the school community.

“The book vividly demonstrates how we are all connected to one another. All children want to feel connected to their family, peers and to their school. This book shows children how they have the power to build relationships through kind acts and words,” shares Mr. Poole.

(Description on website: www.bucketfillers101.com) “In a new twist on the Golden Rule, Have You Filled a Bucket Today? explains to children that we all carry an invisible bucket in which we keep our feelings about ourselves. When our buckets are full, we are happy; when they are empty, we are sad. It’s important to know that we can fill our own bucket and so can others. We can also dip into it.”

“Bucket fillers” are those who help without being asked, give hugs and compliments, and generally spread their love and good feelings to others. The simple metaphor of a bucket helps even preschoolers understand the importance of consideration and love, particularly towards those who bully. “Bucket dippers” rob us of happy feelings by refusing to help with a task or by saying or doing cruel things.

The Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Academy is a new program at Phillips Avenue School. The goal is to keep students in school while providing instruction and guidance regarding inappropriate behavior. Students in grades K-2 attend the Academy for up to three days and students in grades 3-4 attend for five days always during their lunch and recess periods. The SEL Academy has given students the opportunity to express their ideas about their actions and learn strategies to cope with future situations.

“We know our students’ overall well being and achievement are affected by their use of appropriate social skills and the development of emotional resilience. Implementing this program at Phillips Avenue has shown our students that we value their social as well as academic growth,” states Ms. Nugent.

During the sessions, the students participate in various activities and discussions that address many issues. Students learn to recognize and manage emotions, develop care and concern for others, establish positive relationships, make responsible decisions, resolve conflicts respectfully and handle challenging situations. The students who participate in the SEL Academy will often be asked to write an apology note to the person that might have been affected by their behavior. A signed document – a Promise for the Future – is the culminating activity for every participant. The students have to generate their promise in their own words which is reviewed with them by Ms. Nugent and then signed by the student and administrator.

“I am so proud of all the new and exciting social programs we have initiated this year,” states Ms. Nugent. “I am proud to announce that Phillips Avenue is a school filled with bucket fillers.”