We have had a busy week here at Menands! Students were salsa dancing,
raising butterflies, doing farm work and so much more. And did Principal Wylie join the Fire Department? We have a lot of great fall and Halloween activities coming up, so get your pumpkins (and your running shoes) ready. Here’s another edition of Tiger Tales!
Tiger Tales of the Week:
As Principal Appreciation Month rolls along we continue to acknowledge all that Principal Wylie does for us. As an educational professional through and through, we expected her expertise to have a big impact in the classroom, of course. But what we did not realize was how much we could learn from her on the basketball court and the dance floor. Check it out HERE! There is no doubt that Principal Wylie does her job with a BURNING passion.
Last Friday, October 13th, our Spanish teacher Patrick Benoit arranged for Felix Ortiz from Baila Albany to come and give salsa dancing lessons to our students. We gathered in the gym, lined up, and let the music take over. Mr. Ortiz led us through the steps, teachers and students alike! Check out our moves HERE!
Our Pre-K and Kindergarten students took a fun and educational trip to Ellms Family Farm this past Tuesday, October 17th. Our hard working farmers picked pumpkins, observed the animals and plowed the fields on tractors. After a long day at work, the students put their feet up, chewed on a piece of straw, and rode the tricycles, ventured the land on a trolley and cow train, rode the mini-coasters, and bounced (a lot) on the jumping pad. Check out our day on the farm HERE.
The Library is so much more than it used to be, Menands! Our Library Media Specialist, Alexandra Gibson, has brought STEM into the classroom with a whole series of projects that have got the students thinking and working in an entirely new way. 4th graders were tasked with carrying pumpkins from one
end of the room to the other using only a few materials. 6th graders were challenged to build a device that could pick candy up off the table without them using their hands. And our 5th graders spent the day constructing catapults that will be used to see who can launch a miniature pumpkin the furthest! Keep an eye out for more STEM-packed days from Ms. Gibson coming up in the future.
Our Kindergartener’s made the world a more beautiful place this week with their butterfly release! They have been dutifully watching their classroom caterpillars grow, keeping an eye on them as they build their chrysalis and complete their transformation. They’ve learned all about how all things grow and change throughout their life and come out more beautiful than before
Friday, October 13th, our Menands School soccer team took the field for a game against St. Thomas! We scored one goal, netted by Naod Woyecha while on the other end Umair Mohamed stood as goalie for all four quarters, making six saves. Evelyn Jaskula was recognized as the most improved player of the game for the great job that she did at midfield and Ashvin Saravana was recognized as the most valuable player for the work he did at the offensive midfield position. Click HERE to see pictures from the game. Good work Tigers!
Our annual Create a Character Pumpkin Contest is back, Menands! It’s that time of year to turn a pumpkin into your favorite book character. Use paint, use markers, use fabric, buttons, yarn. Use anything you like! Just make sure you create the best pumpkin character you can and the students will then take a vote and announce a winner for each grade level. Please do not send in any carved pumpkins, as they will not be accepted.
What We’re Looking Forward To:
Red Ribbon Week is once again being celebrated at the Menands School from Wednesday, October 25th to Tuesday, October 31st. It is a nationally celebrated week in response to the tragic death of a drug enforcement agent named Kiki Camerena. Red Ribbon Week was nationally recognized in 1988 and has been celebrated yearly to raise awareness of the dangers of alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and violence. It is the largest, most visible prevention awareness campaign observed yearly in the United States. Students and staff at Menands are encouraged to participate in theme days listed below to encourage and support a healthy and drug-free lifestyle. Together we can provide a united effort to maintain a drug-free school and community.
- Wednesday 10/25: Red Day: Wear your red to support a drug-free life.
- Thursday, 10/26: Bright Future: My future is bright when I support a drug-free life. Wear bright, neon, and/or sparkly clothes.
- Friday, 10/27: Keep the Tiger Spirit Drug Free: Wear blue and gold to show your school spirit for all Menands Tigers living healthy and drug-free.
- Monday, 10/30: Team Up On Drugs: Wear your favorite sport or team to celebrate a drug-free life.
- Tuesday, 10/31: Scare Away Drugs: Wear black and orange to scare away drugs!
Tuesday, October 31st is the Menands School Pumpkin Run! The Pumpkin Run is a race that will be completed during school hours on school grounds. Parents and guardians are invited and encouraged to cheer their child on from the sidelines or even run with them in the race!
The Menands School Apparel online store is live! Start your holiday gift shopping soon as the storefront closes November 5th at 11:59 pm. Scan the QR Code to get access to all kinds of Menands Tigers t-shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants, water bottles, hats and more! Please be courteous of classmates and order before the deadline. Late orders will not be accepted due to tight timelines. Click HERE for the store’s link.
The Menands Village Fall Harvest Festival has had a change of location! It will still be held Saturday, October 21st but has been relocated to the Capital District Farmers Market at 381 Broadway, Menands NY.. From 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm come and enjoy crafts, vendors, local farmers, live music, food and beverages. From 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm the Menands Public Library will be hosting story time. Admission and parking is FREE. For more information, contact Village of Menands Community Events Coordinator, Meg Greiner at greinerm@villageofmenands.com.
Residents of Menands, please join us for Trunk or Treat and Parade! On Sunday, October 29th a parade escorted by the Police and Fire Departments will begin at the Menands Fire Department and end at the Ganser-Smith Memorial Park where we will have our second ever Trunk or Treat! The parade begins at To sign up, or if you have questions, please email the Menands PBA at menandspolicepba@gmail.com.
Saturday, November 4th the RPI Engineering Ambassadors Program alongside Albany International Airport will be hosting a community-wide STEM program for the whole family in the MillionAir Hangar. RPI student engineering organizations, researching professors, local science museums and corporate partners will be in attendance with activities for all ages to learn and grow in STEM. Best of all, this is a free event, so come when you can and stay as long as you like!