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Sept. 9-10	Religious Holiday - Schools Closed
Sept. 13	Compact Central Committee Meeting 6:30PM @ NFA
Sept. 14	Primary Election Day
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     Recently, third grade students in Janet DeStefano’s third grade class at Vails Gate High Tech Magnet School in New Windsor were excited to announce that they received a letter from United States President Barack Obama. At the beginning of the school year, the students read the book Flat Stanley, by Jeff Brown. As part of an in-class project, students made their own Flat Stanley to mail to friends and relatives in other cities, states, and countries. Their Stanley’s have gone to China, Russia, Australia, Germany, Ireland, India, Alaska, Hawaii, and many other places around the world. He even saw the space shuttle Endeavour lift off for the space station from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

     “The children are always excited to do this project and it provides a wonderful geography lesson every time he returns,” explained DeStefano. When he returns to the children, they learn about the area he visited and he often brings back a souvenir to share with the class. He has brought back oranges from Florida, a rain stick made by the Aborigines in Australia, candy from Puerto Rico, and many pictures of his adventures.

     Following the inauguration of President Barack Obama last year, the students decided to send a special Flat Stanley to the White House. They included a copy of the book for Sasha and Malia, and a letter explaining their project. Their teaching assistant, Maryanne Haarmann, made Flat Stanley an outfit so that he would be dressed appropriately for such a special visit. In a letter in response from President Obama, he included pictures and information about Flat Stanley’s visit with President Obama and his family. According to DeStefano, “This has given them confidence in knowing that their words can make things happen.”

     It is going to be hard to exceed this White House visit, but DeStefano is hoping to one day be able to teach the children more about the places Stanley visits by using Skype technology to connect with those they send the Flat Stanley’s to and working with SMART Board technology. DeStefano explains, “Once the technology can be put into the classroom, there is no limit to the learning potential.”