Posted 4/27/12

Karigon teacher Bryan Sawyer, is one of 12 candidates competing to be named “Top Teacher” on the ABC morning TV show, “LIVE! With KELLY.” If he wins, the prizes include a $25,000 donation to the school district. People have until April 30th to vote for Bryan at http://dadt.com/live/contest/topteachersearch/12/vote/

Posted 4/25/12

The Buddy Program is an afterschool program for students of all abilities run by Mr. Sawyer and Ms. Kunz. This program occurs every other Wednesday for the entire school year. The children participate in a variety of activities including arts & crafts, cooking, and games. The goal of the Buddy Program is to provide the opportunity for all students to work and play as a member of a group while learning to be compassionate and caring individuals.

Posted 4/16/12

Karigon 5th graders in Mrs. Palmieri’s class had a video conference with students in Hudson City Schools. Students practiced parts of speech by sharing MadLibs.

Posted 4/16/12

Karigon-"5th Grade's Got Talent"
The third annual "5th Grade's Got Talent" show was held in March and it was a wonderful night! The kids had fun performing for their friends and families and were greeted with cheers across the board. The talent ranged from singers, piano recital, video of ice skating routine to hula hoop routine, dancers, gymnastics, violin trio and magic act. Everyone that attended was entertained and got to taste many delicious treats donated by 5th grade parents. Thanks to the 5th grade teachers who organized the show and the Alex Haff Jazz Band from Shen High School East that set the mood for fun. Funds raise from the event will enable the 5th graders to give a Legacy Gift back to Karigon.

Posted 3/27/12

On Saturday, March 3rd, two teams from Karigon competed in the Regional Odyssey of the Mind Competition. The teams, You Make the Call and Weird Science worked for 5 months to prepare for the competition.

Posted 3/27/12

On Tuesday March 20th, Fourth Grade string students from Karigon participated in their first Orchestra Showcase Performance. The warm first day of spring arrived in time to find everyone playing and looking their best. The students each played a small group solo along with the large ensemble pieces. They also serenaded their parents in the audience to Beethoven’s Ode to Joy. Congratulations to Karigon students for a successful performance!

Posted 3/27/12

Karigon Kaleidoscope workshops are once again a big hit. Most all the classes were filled the first night of registration as the popularity has grown each year. The students are being introduced to new dance techniques, learning how to do magic tricks, learning a new language (French, Italian or Mandarin) as well as artistic activities of scrapbooking, arts & crafts or cooking. The kids are enjoying themselves learning in a more casual atmosphere during these 4 week courses. The parents, teachers and community volunteers who have volunteered to assist also got to have fun watching the imaginations of the kids soar. Here are pictures from Tuesday classes: Dance, Arts & Crafts, Melvin's Magic and scrapbooking. Great fun!

Posted 3/16/12

Karigon Holds Relay for Life Dance Party
Friday, March 9th Karigon families took part in the Relay for Life Dance Party. Relay for Life helps communities across the globe celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer and fight back against the disease. The teachers and volunteers did a wonderful job keeping the kids dancing, smiling and cheering for more. They had a game of musical chairs, the limbo, dances of Cotton Eye Joe, Macarena and the cupid shuttle to name a few. The night ended with a raffle of baskets from donated items from parents of all the Karigon grades K-5. 12 lucky winners left with arms full of books, movies, games and more. Another fun & successful night at Karigon. Thank you all who joined the fun!

Posted 3/2/12

As part of Shenendehowa’s “Turn It Off” Respect the Earth Campaign, Mrs. Morrissey’s 3rd grade students will read their persuasive letters about saving energy to students in grades 1-3 on
Friday, March 16th at Karigon Elementary School’s Morning Program in the Cafeteria. Click here for more information regarding this month long event at the 8 elementary schools.

Posted 2/17/12

The Karigon Family Science night was held 2/3/12 and was a night filled with family fun. There was Jenga, Rockets, Bubble experiments and more. As the children went room to room, they had the opportunity to try each activity hands on. Thank you for all the volunteers who made this another annual success.

Posted 2/17/12

Mrs. Adams’ 5th graders made a positive contribution to their community by sewing their class quilt for the Shenendehowa Quilting Project. All students worked cooperatively to accomplish the goal of designing, pinning, ironing, and sewing the quilt to be given to someone in need through the project.

Posted 2/14/12

Third grade students from Mrs. Bortoloni and Mrs. Henson’s class at Karigon are learning to get along with each other. Third graders celebrated Martin Luther King, Jr., by sharing artwork and listening to the inspirational work of Martin Luther King, Jr. They created and shared this project at Karigon’s Morning Program. Click here to see the video . This activity was a terrific way to learn about compassion, equality and fairness. This presentation shows how students are demonstrating the following attributes of the “Profile of an Elementary Student”:
-Culturally Appreciative Persons
Who value and respect creative expression of interests, talents and experiences.
Essential Skills—Students who…
Develop awareness of many cultures/peoples
- Involved Students
Who demonstrate the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values necessary to contribute positively to their community.
- Clear Communicators
Who understand and express knowledge, thoughts and feelings about themselves and others.

Posted 2/14/12

Karigon students created snowflakes representing each caring and compassionate deed they carried out during the months of December and January. They are on display on the moveable wall in the cafeteria.
During the months of December and January, during their lunchtimes, Karigon students showed that they are responsible, involved students. They pledged to be compassionate and caring young people, and upon making this pledge, each student cut out a star to be displayed on the cafeteria bulletin board. After making the pledge, a snowflake was made for each caring and compassionate act performed by the student. The snowflakes are all on display on the moveable wall in the cafeteria.

Posted 2/1/12

 The second grade students in Ms. Douty and Mrs. Karpovich’s class know the importance of staying active year round. They wanted to give others ideas for staying active in the winter, so they created a Photo Story for Karigon’s Morning Program. Click here to view. In it, they shared the many different ways they are active, indoors and out. This presentation shows how Karigon students are demonstrating the following attributes of the “Profile of an Elementary Student”:
-Responsible Children
Who take care of themselves – both body and mind and take care of others, including family members, friends and others in need.
- Involved Students
Who demonstrate the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values necessary to contribute positively to their community.
- Clear Communicators
Who understand and express knowledge, thoughts and feelings about themselves and others.

Posted 1/13/12

On December 20 & 21 the Karigon PTA sponsored "A Christmas Carol" by The Puppet People for the 3rd and 5th graders in the Media Center. This is an example one of the objectives of “Profile of an Elementary Student”: Culturally Appreciative Persons- Enjoy art, plays, and music inside and outside the classroom; Learn about, understand and appreciate different forms of art.

Posted 12/16/11

Karigon & Orenda 4th & 5th graders once again are enjoying the Intramural Ice Skating program at the Clifton Park Arena. The kids are smiling every week as they enjoy the time on the ice for 10 afternoons beginning in November and ending in February. Kids at all levels participate and fun is had by all!

Posted 12/7/11

Compassion is the Character Word for the Month of December. This PowerPoint by MRS. KNISS’
FIRST GRADE CLASS also demonstrates the Profile of an Elementary Student in practice:
Responsible Children
Who take care of themselves – both body and mind and take care of others, including family members, friends and others in need.
Essential skills—Students who…
• Treat others as they would like to be treated; respect the opinions and rights of others
• Respect themselves by dressing and presenting themselves appropriately, avoiding drugs, alcohol and other dangerous behaviors
• Make good choices
• Develop a good character by practicing such things as respect, honesty, responsibility and caring for others

Posted 11/17/11

Each year the Karigon School faculty and staff invite parents to accompany their child(ren) into the classroom as a way of celebrating “Bring Your Parents to School Day” during American Education Week. This year 356 parents attended!

Posted 11/1/11

Karigon 4th Graders arrive to school in a fire truck after winning the Fire Prevention Poster contest!

Posted 11/1/11

The Monster Mash party was fun had by all,
Kids, parents and teachers all had a ball.

There were Witches & Waldo & Wizards like Harry,
The Angels & Cheerleaders & taco weren't scary.

I saw Zombies, Vampires and Devils galour,
I even saw the Six Flags guy stroll through the door.

There was pizza, cupcakes and cookies to eat,
The cafeteria was busy but always had a seat.

The gym was a rockin with tag games and more,
Limbos and shuffles with streamers at the door.

Special thanks to the parents who helped with the mash,
Another successful event now classified a bash.

Posted 10/13/11

Students in Mrs. Philo's 4th Grade class at Karigon enjoy hands-on math with Base 10 blocks funded through DonorsChoose.org!

POsted 10/4/11

Sunday, October 2nd was the first Karigon Fun Run. The sun came out and the event was a success with 50 student walkers and several parents. There was music for the Macarena and limbo contest while the children waited for everyone to arrive. After a brief warm up to stretch the muscles the children began their 15 minute walk/run and had a fun afternoon with their classmates.

Posted 9/13/11

On Friday, September 9th the Karigon Partnership Team hosted its first annual Karigon Family Picnic.
The event was a huge success for the Karigon Community. About 20 staff members, 60 students and their parents enjoyed great weather, food, fun and music.
Many thanks to everyone who attended the event.