Family Newsletter - 10-27-25

• Tuesday evening, we welcomed our 5th grade families from around the area to see all of the wonderful programs we offer our I.S. 281 students. Our Open House was a huge success, with a record number of almost 200 families who came for a visit. It was a group effort, so I would like to begin by thanking our Spirit Squad, SGO leaders, and our main lobby crew of snack sellers, tour guide directors, and SSA Agent Ackwood – who all welcomed our guests with smiles and a positive school spirit. Of course, thank you to Ms. Zambri - our balloon artist - and our incredible tour guides and teacher presenters, who provided a wealth of information, reflective of the family feel we hold dear to here at Cav. A shout out to our Cav Dance students, who performed their routine for four straight tour sessions. Finally, a very special thank you to Ms. Wiederhold, whose organization and management of the event was a testament to its success.
   
• As you know, our Food Drive began last week, which will run through November, providing much needed provisions to our Cavallaro families for the holidays. If you would like to donate food, please send in non-perishable items to the main office. Thank you to our Science department for taking care of the Digital Citizenship lessons last week. And it was wonderful see everyone “Pinked Out” Friday for National Breast Cancer Awareness Day.
   
• Last week, we also honored our SGO class reps in leadership during our first Student of the Month breakfast for the 2025-2026 school year. The first Friday of each month, One student from each class is selected as Student of the Month, highlighting different areas of student achievement. Next month is in ELA.
   
• Mr. Baroutsos, Mr. Yodice and Ms. Abdelwahab visited the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens with Classes 813 and 817 as part of Project Green Reach (PGR), and Mr. B says he “was like a kid in a candy shop!”  Students investigated desert plants and their adaptations.  In one month, PGR will send representatives to Cav to provide an in-class workshop and plant potting in which students in 817 & 813 will get a plant of their very own. At the end of the year, students will utilize the plant growth data to create a science project to be donated back to PGR for reference by future participants.
   
• NIA’s “Lights on After School” event was another year of success. This is NIA’s nation-wide event, celebrating the benefits and important role they hold in the lives of students, families and the community. Students spent the afternoon enjoying some finger food, talking about why they love NIA and dancing away to a 70s themed celebration party. NIA also had a special guest appearance by Michael A. Bove, the president of NIA, who stopped by to join in on all the fun
   
• Students in classes 711, 712, 713, 714, 715, 716, 718, 720, 725 enjoyed a day at the Museum of Natural History, where they explored Gems and Minerals, the Hall of Biodiversity and Into the Milky Way.
   
• Also, students in Ms. Zambri’s talent class took their coding skills to new heights – literally! They coded and flew their own drones.
• I would like to share this link to the District 21 October 2025 Newsletter, which highlights important updates, celebrations, and upcoming events within our school community.
• As you know, our annual Fall Festival celebration will take place this Thursday October 30th from 3:30-5:30 pm. Our students will enjoy a DJ, pizza party, costume contest and a pumpkin patch to take cute pics. Permission slips have been available for the past 2 weeks during lunch periods for students to access. I have attached a copy here just in case you would like your child to attend and they didn't bring home the slip.  

Academic Vocabulary Word of the Week: 

10/27/25 – Relevant, Irrelevant

Spanish: Relevante, Irrelevante

Chinese:  相關、不相關

Russian:  Релевантно, Нерелевантно

Urdu:  متعلقہ، غیر متعلقہ

Relevant (adj.): closely related or appropriate to what is being done or considered.

Synonyms: appropriate, related, connected

Irrelevant (adj.): not connected with what is being done or considered.

Synonyms:  unrelated, unconnected

Morphology Map:

Social Emotional Focus: Goal Setting

6th Grade – Good Character

7th Grade – Serving Community

8th Grade – Striving for Excellence