McDonald Elementary School
MARCH 2016 NEWSLETTER
A Note from the Principal
We had many wonderful activities that happened in February, with many students celebrating the 100th Day of School, Student Recognition Assemblies, Parent Teacher Conferences, and Valentine’s Parties.
It has definitely been a challenge with the snow and cold weather. However, our students are on track to have their best academic year ever. In first grade classrooms, students continue to develop their understanding of text evidence and text features. In our ESL reading classes, ESL students are increasing their vocabulary, and creating detailed writing pieces. The hands-on science experiments throughout the school are both enjoyable and enriching for students. After-school programs that are being offered by Home and School and the district are extending the education of many of our students.
If you ever have any questions or concerns, always please feel free to email me at vanbmi@centennialsd.org, or call me at (215)441-6157 ext. 16001.
Kindergarten Registration
The springtime will be here before we know it, which brings the excitement of new students entering school for the fall. If you have a little one that will be 5 years of age either on or before the last day of August then they are ready for Kindergarten.
Kindergarten registration is scheduled for Wednesday, March 9th beginning at 7:00 PM in the Gym. You must bring the following items in order to register your child:
· The child’s birth certificate (original & a copy)
· The child’s immunizations (copy)
· The child’s social security card, if available (copy)
· And (4) proofs of residency for yourself. Examples are: lease, bank statement, telephone bill, electric bill, driver’s license, etc.
If you are unable to attend this date to register your child or you have older children that you may need to register you may call the Administration Building at 215-441-6000 ext. 11046 to arrange an appointment to register your child(ren) for the upcoming school year.
Celebration Books
Volunteer
The McDonald Library is the place for you!
Library volunteers not only have fun, they play an important role in keeping our library running smoothly. Opportunities for volunteers are available during the morning sessions and the afternoon sessions. We will train you. Duties include checking books in and out, putting books back on the shelf, mending books, helping students, and doing other tasks as they come up. Please contact our volunteer library coordinator Mrs. Silberman at pandora0517@aol.com, librarians Mrs. Wolf wolfch@centennialsd.org or Mrs. Brown browjo@centennialsd.org if interested in serving as a library volunteer.
Read Across America
Our Dr. Seuss Read Across America Day celebration will take place on Wednesday, March 2nd. In fact, we will be celebrating Dr. Seuss all week so please join us in these fun activities:
Monday, February 29- Dr. Seuss Hat Day- wear your Dr. Seuss hat today in honor of Dr. Seuss and Read Across America Day.
Tuesday, March 1 – Stripe Day- wear your favorite stripes to school. The Cat in the Hat loves red and white stripes.
Wednesday, March 2 - Make today a WACKY WEDNESDAY by wearing clothes that clash. Mix patterns and colors and put together your wackiest combination of clothing!
Thursday, March 3 – Green Day- wear something green (in honor of Green Eggs and Ham)
Friday, March 4 - Wear your CRAZY SOCKS-be like the fox and wear your socks (in honor of The Foot Book and Fox in Socks)
Many thanks to our Home & School Association for providing bookmarks. We would also like to thank Ms. Brown and Ms. Wolf for coordinating this fun day!
Spelling Bee
McDonald held their school Spelling Bee on Wednesday, February 3, 2016. The participants include: Quinn M., Miranda S., Jaylen Y., Grace B., Miguel G., Jaiden W., Tristan F., Adeline D., Alec W., Carolina L., Sirleaf (Ralph) T., Gigi D. and, Alex G.
The school champion was Gigi D. and the runner-up was Sirleaf (Ralph) T. The H&S graciously provided both students with a new Kindle. Gigi has been invited to compete in the countywide spelling bee on March 12th at Pennridge Central Middle School. We are very proud of her!!!
We appreciate all the hard work of the students and teachers. A special thank you to Mrs. Landy, Mrs. Miele, Mrs. Murphy, and Mrs. Stackhouse, for judging and coordinating this competition!
PSSA Save the Dates
The PSSA is a state-mandated assessment, which all grade 3-5 students participate in during the designated testing window. We would kindly ask that you do not schedule vacations or appointments during these testing days. Thank you!
PSSA Testing Dates
April 11-14: PSSA English/Language Arts (Grs. 3-5)
April 18-20: PSSA Math (Gr. 3-5)
April 25-April 27: PSSA Science (Gr. 4)
Notes from the School Nurse
Get the whole family moving - Plan times for everyone to get moving together. Take walks, ride bikes, go swimming, garden, or just play hide-and-seek outside. Everyone will benefit from the exercise and the time together.
Be realistic - Setting realistic goals and limits are key to adopting any new behavior. Small steps and gradual changes can make a big difference in your health over time, so start small, and build up.
Make dinnertime a family time - When everyone sits down together to eat, there’s less chance of children eating the wrong foods, or snacking too much. Get your kids involved in cooking and planning meals. Everyone develops good eating habits together, and the quality time with the family will be an added bonus.
Limit TV, video game and computer time - These habits lead to a sedentary lifestyle, and excessive snacking, which increase risks for obesity and cardiovascular disease. Limit screen time to 2 hours per day.
Pick truly rewarding rewards - Don’t reward children with TV, video games, candy, or snacks for a job well done. Find other ways to celebrate good behavior.
Encourage physical activities that they’ll really enjoy - Every child is unique. Let your child experiment with different activities until they find something that they really love doing. They’ll stick with it longer, if they love it.
Make a game of reading food labels - The whole family will learn what’s good for their health and be more conscious of what they eat. It’s a habit that helps change behavior for a lifetime.
Stay involved - Be an advocate for healthier children. Insist on good food choices at school. Make sure your children’s healthcare providers are monitoring cardiovascular indicators like BMI, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Contact public officials on matters of the heart. Make your voice heard.
Be a good role model - You don’t have to be perfect all the time, but if kids see you trying to eat right and getting physically active, they’ll take notice of your efforts. You’ll send a message that good health is important to your family.
Keep things positive - Kids don’t like to hear what they can’t do; tell them what they can do instead. Keep it fun and positive. Everyone likes to be praised for a job well done. Celebrate successes, and help children and teens develop a good self-image.
A friendly reminder: please check your child’s head for lice on a weekly basis. The first sign of lice is always itching. When you notice that your child is itching, have them sit in a well-lit area, and look for an oval shaped “nit” or egg along the hairline. They stick to the hair, and they are not easily removed. If you have any questions about what you are looking for, please feel free to call the nurse’s office for guidance. As we are in the winter season, we do encourage the children to never share hats, coats, or play with the hair of others.
Please call or email us for any concerns regarding your child during the school day.
Elizabeth Fleming (FlemEl@CentennialSD.org) or Jill Matz (MatzJi@CentennialSD.org ) at 215-441-6157 ext. 16025.
Bulldog Book Buddies
• Read a book or chapter outside of school
• Fill out a Book Bone – please remember to complete all areas – LAST name is required
• Rewards are given to one student in each homeroom once a month
• Names are announced over morning announcements
Each book bone requires a parent signature. Please sign only for books that your child has read.
Happy Reading!
The Reading Specialists
Mrs. Landy, Mrs. Miele, Mrs. Murphy and Mrs. Stackhouse
Home and School
Home and School officers meet on the first Monday of each month at 6:30 PM in the Library. All members of Home and School are invited to join us for those meetings to help plan future events, and to hear about the school and District news.
School Counselor Information
Sneakers
A Visit from Art Goes to School
Staff News
- Ms. Julie Howell will be the long-term sub for Molly Kreisher (special education teacher) for the 2nd half of the school year.
- Ms. Jen Barnhart has returned to her kindergarten classroom.
- Ms. Paige Cooper is the substitute for Ms. Erika Markowski, who is currently on leave.
- Ms. Rebecca Holtz will be filling in for Ms. Kristi Bedford during her absence.
Character Counts Winners
Awarded on February 5: Leah B., Madison B., Bobby C., Hanna L., Jailen L., Kelly L., Ryan M., C.J. M., Veer P., Emily R., Brock R., James S.,
Awarded on February 11: James D., Valentina G., Bryan H., Calvin H., Sofia K., Julian K., Hanna L., Olivia M., Miranda S., Tatiana S., Veronica W., Andy Z.
Awarded on February 19: Hannah B., Jayden I., Matthew J., Braelyn L., Kayla M., Yumeivi M., Aiden Q., Caleb R., Bryan S., Diana S., Nicholas S.
January Character Counts Respect Winners: Payton S., Helena S., Kyle G., Amaya G., Brenda A. & Samantha M.
February Character Counts Caring Winners: Lucas M., Natalie P., Angelyna R., Landon M., Shianyce S., Carolina L.
BARK AWARD
Grade 1: Rm B01 - Madeline M., Rm B02 - Emily R. & Ryder H., Rm B03 - Kenadee M. & Tyreak D., Rm B04 - Emily A., Adelson A. & Emma V., Rm B05 - Katerine G. & Leo B., Rm B06 - Megan S. & Michael K., Rm B07 - Honor B. & Yahir V.
Grade 2: Rm C01 - Rinesa S. & Rafael R., Rm C02 - Arabella S. & Jonny F., Rm C03 - Madisyn R., Julian K. & Helen H., Rm C04 - Jessica R. & John C. Rm C05 - Sophia S. & Angel N., Rm C06 - Camryn J., Michael A. & Alex A.
Grade 3: Rm A21 - Amber P. & Max K., Rm A23 - Niki W. & Lucas M., Rm A24 - Amaya G. & Alex P., Rm A25 - Nahomi P. & Aiden S., Rm A26 - Jaedee M., Kade R. & Qusay A.
Grade 4: Rm B21 - Jasmine A. & CJ M., Rm B22 - Cianni W. & Javier S., Rm B23 - Giana C. & Justin B., Rm B24 - Paige S. & Zach D., Rm B25 - Summer R. & Andrew H., Rm B26 - Jeanette P. & Dominick P., Rm B27 - Ethan A.
Grade 5: Rm C21 - Dayana V., Rm C22 - Tara R. & Braden H., Rm C23 - Eva R. & Mark D., Rm C24 - Olivia C. & Mark C., Rm C25 - Gigi D. & Aidan J.
GRIT AWARDS
Grade 2: Rm C01 - Eric H. & Ella O., Rm C02 - Abrielle A. & Valentina G., Rm C03 - Helen H. & Rayne H., - Rm C04 - Benjamin P., Rm C05 - Trevor M. & Madison M., Rm C06 -Steven E. & Tatiana O.
Grade 3: Rm A21 - Braelyn L. & Erin G., Rm A23 - Anushka A. & Naomi A., Rm A24 - Jonathan H. & Anastasia K., Rm A25 - Sofia K. & Allison K., Rm A26 - Joey H., Lillian K. & Veronica G.
Grade 4: B21 - Kimberly M. & Aaliyah T., B22 - Abigail S. & Tristan F., B23 - Aubrie T., B24 - Chase B. & Katrina S., Rm B25 - Tyler D. & Connor H., Rm B26 - Jaiden W. & Brenda A.
Grade 5: Rm C22 - Endy A. & Delaney L., Rm C23 - Hunter M., Rm C24 - Allison C., Rm C25 - Colin C. & Kayla K.
MARCH 2016 CALENDAR
Please visit the link below for the March events: