When I was five years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down 'happy'. They told me I didn't understand the assignment, and I told them they didn't understand LIFE! - John Lennon
Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play IS serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood. - Mr. Fred Rogers
GTO
Great Teacher Oscar...
...an educator who will strive to heighten the utmost capablities of his pupils through love, compassion, tender dicipline, and through journeying above and beyond predicted or determined norms & creatively expanding their intuition which will be essential towards life's wonderful endeavors.
-Never had a relative/friend in the school system get me MY job.
-Never had ANY political connections, so no succumbing to anyone's whim/agenda.
-Never gave up on the MOST difficult of students.
*I've been teaching at #5 School since the year 2000*
-US ARMY Rakkasan Ranger 3/187th Infantry Veteran (1991-1995)
-The infamous Running Singer that you see/hear on the streets of WNY!
-A Latino w/PuertoRican,Dominican,Spanish heritage so I KNOW my community.
*2017 Teacher of the Year * (voted genuinely by my peers, NOT by writing my own essay)
Room 203, the place to be!
-Come and see my amazing figure collection! My students have a story to tell (and write) with each and every one of them.
-Come and witness my cool cereal magnet collection! Saturday morning toons with a bowl of cereal defined fun for kids of the old skool. (I wish we had that today.)
-Listen to the songs of Room 203! Each and every student feels wanted and important in my class as they each have their own memorable song to sing to.
-Kids and adults have, many times, complimented on how comfortable it is in my class as I decorate for every month and make a child feel 'like a kid' within their school environment.
But you can't show some far off idyllic conception of behavior if you want the kids to come see your picture. You've got to show what it's really like, and try to reach them on their own grounds....Only the gentle are ever really strong. -James Dean
Almost always, the creative, dedicated minority has made the world a better place.-Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
*Special Event*
It's the first day of school! Yipeeee! After an eventful kindergarten, learning so many things, they are now entering year one with a new perspective! Meet me in the courtyard on Friday, September 5th, 2025 at 8:40am. Let's make it a great second time around!
Learning is definitely not mere imitation, nor is it the ability to accumulate and regurgitate fixed knowledge. Learning is a constant process of discovery-a process without end. -Master Bruce Lee
School supplies (new students): In order to be a successful 1st grader you will need:
- sharpened pencils + a sharpener
-1 soft (zippered) pencil case (I will not accept hard cases.)
-Eraser (if necessary)
-1 Folder (for tests)
My classroom is already prepared with glue, scissors, and crayons. No need for those.
I have also provided them with Journals, Homework folders, and Mr. G's music folders containing all the wonderful songs that we'll sing throughout the year!
Don't forget to always check the Homework on Mr. G's Google Classroom!
Special Subjects
Monday: GYM
Tuesday:Art
Wednesday:Digital/Literacy Skills (computers)
Thursday:World Language
Friday:Music
Infinite Love is the only truth, everything else is an illusion. -David Icke
For access to online encyclopedia type: username: slibrary password: hudson
PS: I hold extra-help classes in the mornings at 8:07am-8:37am on Tuesdays & Thursdays (give or take that I'm not late from my running and singin' in the morning!)
Email me: [email protected] Phone: (201) 553-4080 ext.55203