Onondaga Road Elementary

Dear Onondaga Road families,

It’s hard to believe that we are already approaching the final week of school! Time has truly flown by, and what a fantastic year it has been at Onondaga Road Elementary.

We held our annual Onondaga Road Olympics, and it was a huge success! The students had an amazing time participating in fun, active events. The energy, teamwork, and school spirit on display made it a truly memorable day for all.

This past week, we had the honor of welcoming back our former Onondaga Road students who are now graduating seniors. It was a joy to see them return to their elementary roots and celebrate their many accomplishments. We are so proud of all they have achieved and wish them the very best as they take their next steps.

Looking ahead, we are excited to celebrate our wonderful fourth graders during our Fourth Grade Recognition Ceremony, which will take place on Wednesday, June 25 from 10:00–10:45 a.m. in the gymnasium. Due to limited space and time constraints, we kindly ask that only parents and/or guardians attend this special event.

Thank you for your continued support throughout the school year. Let’s finish strong and enjoy our final week together!

Respectfully,

Michelle Collier

Dear Onondaga Road families,

We had a fantastic week at Onondaga Road! Our Annual Flag Day Parade was a big success, and we’re so glad the weather was on our side. A huge thank you to the Fairmount Fire Department for joining us and helping make the parade extra special. We also want to thank our amazing PTA for the red, white, and blue popsicle treats—our students loved them!

This week, our third graders also got an exciting preview of the musical instruments they can choose from next year. It’s been a week full of fun, learning, and great memories!

As part of our commitment to keeping students safe, we will be conducting state-mandated safety drills next week. Please know that we approach these drills in an age-appropriate and calm manner, with the goal of helping students feel confident and prepared in the event of an emergency.

Respectfully,

Michelle Collier

Dear Onondaga Road families,

What a wonderful time of year it is to be part of the Onondaga Road Elementary School community! I’d like to start with a big shout out to our amazing PTA and all of the volunteers who helped make our recent Family Picnic such a tremendous success. It was heartwarming to see so many families come together to enjoy food, laughter, and each other’s company. Events like these remind us just how strong and supportive our school community is—we truly are better together.

Our fourth graders rolled up their sleeves and got our Onondaga Road Garden off to a great start. With lots of enthusiasm and teamwork, they planted a variety of vegetables and flowers that we’re excited to watch grow over the summer months.

Our second grade students have been sharpening their math skills in a fun and imaginative way. They built “array cities” to practice multiplication and understand the concept of arrays. These kinds of hands-on projects make learning so meaningful and memorable.

And let’s not forget our first graders, who recently took a fascinating field trip to Hospital Land. They learned all about different roles in healthcare and what to expect if they ever need to visit a hospital. The experience helped to ease fears and inspire curiosity—plus, it was a lot of fun!

As part of our commitment to keeping students safe, we will be conducting state-mandated safety drills next week. Please know that we approach these drills in an age-appropriate and calm manner, with the goal of helping students feel confident and prepared in the event of an emergency.

As we head into the final stretch of the school year, I am filled with pride for all that our students, staff, and families have accomplished together. Thank you for your continued support and for making Onondaga Road such a special place to learn and grow.

Respectfully,

Michelle Collier

Dear Onondaga Road families,

We had a fantastic week at Onondaga Road Elementary! Even though it was a short week, we packed in a lot of wonderful experiences.

Our students had a blast participating in our Wildcat Olympics, showing their school spirit, teamwork, and perseverance. It was a great reminder of the importance of physical activity, sportsmanship, and fun!

Our third graders also had an exciting adventure as they took a field trip to Baltimore Woods. This trip supported their Ecology unit, allowing them to explore nature, learn more about ecosystems, and make connections to their classroom learning.

Thank you for your continued support in making these special events possible. We look forward to more learning and celebrations next week!

Respectfully,

Michelle Collier

As we approach Memorial Day, I want to take a moment to recognize the importance of this national day of remembrance. Memorial Day is a time to honor and remember the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.

In addition, I want to inform you that we will be conducting safety drills over the next couple of weeks. These drills are part of our ongoing efforts to ensure that all students and staff know how to respond safely and effectively in the event of an emergency. Teachers will prepare students in advance so they understand the importance of the drills without causing unnecessary worry.

We hope your family enjoys a safe and meaningful Memorial Day weekend. Thank you for being a part of our wonderful school community.

Respectfully,

Michelle Collier

Dear Onondaga Road families,

What an incredible evening we shared at our Spring Open House! The energy throughout the school was absolutely heartwarming, and I want to thank every one of you who took the time to attend and celebrate our students’ accomplishments. Thank you to all of our amazing teachers who displayed all of the students' projects. Thank you to all of the families who took time out of their busy schedules to come. And finally, thank you to Charlie's Ice Cream for bringing the sweet treats that were a perfect ending to a great night.

As I walked through our classrooms, I saw smiles on our students' faces as they proudly showed off their artwork, writing samples, projects, and more. It was a powerful reminder of how much they’ve grown — not just academically, but in confidence and character as well.

Looking ahead to next week, we will be conducting our Spring Universal Screening across all grade levels. We're looking forward to seeing the academic growth that has happened this year. This information will also help us to hit the ground running in September.

Our Fourth Graders will have an opportunity to visit West Genesee Intermediate School on Thursday, an exciting step as they prepare for their transition next fall. We are also looking forward to the Grade 4 Recognition Celebration on Wednesday, June 25th in the gymnasium. Due to limited space, this event will be reserved for parents/guardians only.

Respectfully,

Michelle Collier

Dear Onondaga Road families,

We had a truly wonderful week at Onondaga Road Elementary! The highlight was our Spring Concert, which showcased the incredible talent and dedication of our student musicians. It was inspiring to see the results of so many weeks of hard work, perseverance, and practice. From our instrumentalists to our chorus members, every performance reflected both skill and heart. A big thank you to our music staff for their leadership and to our families for supporting students in their musical journey!

This week was also a special one for our staff as we celebrated Teacher Appreciation Week. Our amazing PTA went above and beyond to recognize and honor our dedicated teachers and staff with thoughtful surprises, delicious treats, and kind gestures. On behalf of the entire Onondaga Road team, thank you for making us feel so appreciated and supported.

Looking ahead, we are excited to welcome families to our Spring Open House on Thursday, May 15. It’s a wonderful opportunity to visit classrooms, see student work, and connect with our school community. We look forward to seeing you there!

Warmly,

Respectfully,

Michelle Collier

Dear Onondaga Road families,

We’ve had a wonderful week here at Onondaga Road, and it's hard to believe we’ve already turned the calendar to May! The final stretch of the school year is upon us, and with it comes a flurry of exciting events, celebrations, and milestones for our students.

Spring is always a joyful and energizing time, filled with field trips, special assemblies, performances, and outdoor learning experiences. Our students are buzzing with enthusiasm, and it’s great to see them so engaged and eager.

As we embrace all the fun and festivities this season brings, we also want to gently remind our school community of the importance of keeping daily routines and expectations consistent. Maintaining structure helps our students continue to feel secure, stay focused, and finish the school year strong—both academically and socially. We will continue to reiterate the importance of remembering our three school rules (Be Responsible, Be Respectful, Be Safe).

Finally, our Grade 3 and Grade 4 students will be taking the New York State Math Assessments next week. We're incredibly proud of how hard they've worked this year, and we know they are ready to show what they've learned.

Thank you for your continued support, partnership, and involvement. We are looking forward to a memorable and successful end to the school year!

Respectfully,

Michelle Collier

Dear Onondaga Road families,

We had an incredible time at last night’s Learning Fair! Our students truly impressed us with their creativity, curiosity, and hard work. Each project reflected their unique interests and talents, and it was such a joy to see them proudly share their learning with families and friends.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to Mrs. Hudson and Mrs. Marchesani for their thoughtful planning and coordination. We’re also so grateful to our amazing PTA for helping make this event such a success!

Wishing all of our students, families, and staff a relaxing and joyful Spring Recess. We’ll see you back soon, ready for the final stretch of the school year!

Respectfully,

Michelle Collier

Dear Onondaga Road families,

We had an incredible time at last night’s Learning Fair! Our students truly impressed us with their creativity, curiosity, and hard work. Each project reflected their unique interests and talents, and it was such a joy to see them proudly share their learning with families and friends.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to Mrs. Hudson and Mrs. Marchesani for their thoughtful planning and coordination. We’re also so grateful to our amazing PTA for helping make this event such a success!

Wishing all of our students, families, and staff a relaxing and joyful Spring Recess. We’ll see you back soon, ready for the final stretch of the school year!

Respectfully,

Michelle Collier

Dear Onondaga Road families,

This week at Onondaga Road was filled with learning, leadership, and lessons in kindness!

Officer Charlie worked with another group of dedicated fourth graders, training them to take on important roles in our school’s Safety Patrol. These students are stepping up as leaders and setting a great example for other students.

Officer Brand also spent time with our students, sharing valuable lessons about kindness and empathy. Through engaging discussions and real-life examples, students learned how small acts of kindness can make a big difference in the lives of others. These important conversations help build a culture of respect and care within our school.

As we head into our last week before Spring Recess, we are looking forward to even more exciting learning experiences, fun activities, and opportunities to celebrate our school community.

Looking forward to another great week ahead!

Respectfully,

Michelle Collier

Dear Onondaga Road families,

As I reflect on this past week, I am reminded of how truly amazing and involved our PTA is in our school community! We are so grateful for their ongoing support and dedication to enriching our students' learning experiences.

On Monday, we had the pleasure of welcoming author (and CMS Teacher) Kristin Duschen to our school. She shared her wonderful new book, The Magic Balloon, with our students, sparking their imaginations and love for reading. A huge thank you to our PTA for helping make this special event happen!

Looking ahead, we are excited for the PTA’s Learning Fair and Scholastic Book Fair, happening on April 10 from 6:00 – 7:30 PM. We can’t wait to see the incredible projects our students have been working on and encourage families to stop by and explore the great books available.

Additionally, the PTA is helping us promote a love of reading at home with the Spring BINGO Reading Challenge! We love seeing our students engaged in reading outside of school, and we encourage everyone to complete their BINGO boards. Please remember to turn them in by April 11, as we won’t be able to accept any after the deadline.

Thank you to our PTA and families for your continued support. We love seeing our students grow, learn, and explore new opportunities together!

Looking forward to another great week ahead!

Respectfully,

Michelle Collier

Dear Onondaga Road families,

We had a fantastic week filled with creativity, learning, and fun at Onondaga Road! Some of our students enjoyed a hands-on experience making St. Patrick’s Day slime, adding a little festive excitement to their learning.

We were also thrilled to welcome the Rev Theater Company for an interactive performance of Mother Goose. In addition to the show, they led engaging theater workshops with our third and fourth graders. These workshops provided a wonderful opportunity for students to tap into their creativity while learning about the skills and teamwork involved in performing.

Looking ahead, our PTA is sponsoring a March Madness Book Bingo activity to encourage more reading at home. Just six extra minutes of daily reading can make a big difference in a child’s learning and growth! We appreciate your support in fostering a love of reading. Here is a link to an article that highlights the impact that 6 more minutes of reading can have.

Thank you for being a part of our school community! We look forward to another great week ahead.

Respectfully,

Michelle Collier

Dear Onondaga Road families,

Spring is in the air, and our students have been soaking up the beautiful weather! It has been a bustling and exciting week here at Onondaga Road, filled with enriching experiences and celebrations of learning.

A heartfelt thank you to our wonderful PTA and the talented dancers from the Francis Academy of Irish Dance for putting on a fantastic performance today. Our students were thrilled to watch the lively, rhythmic dancing, and many were especially excited to see some familiar faces among the performers. What a great way to celebrate culture and community!

We also had an exciting Battle of the Books this week here at school! Our dedicated 4th-grade participants have been working hard, preparing for their big competition on March 19th at 9:30 AM. This next event will be held virtually, with students competing from their home schools in a quiz-bowl-style challenge. The top-scoring teams from each school will then face off for a chance to move on to the Regional level, where they will compete against students from schools across Central New York. The ultimate winners will advance to the Super Regional event—what an incredible opportunity! We are so proud of our students’ commitment to reading, teamwork, and academic excellence. Be sure to cheer them on!

Additionally, our third-grade students had a special opportunity to experience a live performance showcasing the various orchestra instruments they will have the chance to play next year in our music program. This engaging presentation introduced them to the exciting world of instrumental music, sparking curiosity and enthusiasm as they look ahead to making their own musical choices.

Respectfully,

Michelle Collier

Dear Onondaga Road families,

What a fantastic week we’ve had at Onondaga Road! Our amazing PTA helped make it extra special by treating our teachers to a delicious breakfast. A huge thank you to Cam's Pizzeria and Dunkin’ Donuts for providing the tasty treats! The PTA also created fun BINGO Boards that helped connect our staff with the PTA and each other, and they even handed out prizes to lucky winners—what a great way to build community!

Our students had a unique learning experience this week when Jack Gramlich visited to teach us all about maple syrup. Did you know it takes 40 gallons of sap to make just one gallon of syrup? Incredible!

In addition to all the learning happening in our classrooms, students continued to enjoy lunch in their rooms and had a blast sharing pizza with Officer Charlie.

Thank you for your continued support in making our school such a wonderful place to learn and grow!

Respectfully,

Michelle Collier

Dear Onondaga Road families,

We have now been in school for more than 100 days, and the growth our students have made is truly incredible! The 100th day of school provided a wonderful opportunity for reflection, as students looked back on all they have learned so far. They also engaged in fun and creative learning activities, such as counting and stringing 100 pieces of cereal to make necklaces.

One of my favorite parts of each day is visiting classrooms for morning announcements. Our students continue to impress me with their enthusiasm for learning and their ability to share great examples of showing respect.

Our students are really enjoying the Robotics Club and the Art & Yearbook Club. It is a great way for them to explore some of their interests and to connect with their peers.

Thank you for your continued support in helping our students learn and grow. I look forward to all the amazing things we will accomplish in the weeks ahead!

Respectfully,

Michelle Collier