
EPE Express
East Pennsboro Elementary School Newsletter
February 2022
Principal's Message
Greetings EPE Families,
We have been cruising through the month of January here at EPE! As the weather has reached its coldest point we would like to remind all families to send their child(ren) to school with a winter coat, gloves, and a hat so they are comfortable for wintertime outdoor recesses. Of course, when it becomes too cold, we have indoor recess. Occasionally we are asked about how we make this decision. EPASD utilizes the following matrix to make indoor/outdoor recess and PE decisions: https://www.c-uphd.org/documents/wellness/weatherwatch.pdf. A general rule of thumb is a "feels like" temperature below 20 degrees Fahrenheit is not conducive to outdoor recess.
We would like to remind all of our families who utilize the parent drop off and pick up loop to stay in their cars so that we can be as efficient as possible. Now that we are in the groove at parent pick up, the entire process takes 15 minutes; starting at 3:20 PM and wrapping up at approximately 3:35 PM. We would like to thank all of our staff who take their time in the afternoon to help queue students in the cafeteria, create our pick up list, guide students out of the building, and ensure their safety as they board the correct vehicle. We also appreciate all of the patience and grace of our families as there are, at times, unforeseen circumstances that occur. Please be sure to always have your child's pick up loop name hanger displayed in your vehicle's front window so that we can ensure the proper person is picking up your child. Lastly, if you do need to exit your vehicle at the morning drop off for reasons such as child safety locks, child seat fasteners, etc, please pull to the right of the cones so as not to delay the rest of the line and our other families. We appreciate everyone's attention to these procedures so that we can ensure a safe and efficient experience for all.
As we move into February, each EPE grade level and specials area has plans to celebrate Black History Month. One of the highlights of these experiences will be EPE welcoming groups of EP High School Students to each classroom in our school to meet with, read to, and discuss Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Thank you to the 50 High School Students and chaperones who will be working with our teachers and students on this wonderful educational project!
As always, if there is ever a question or concern, please do not hesitate to reach out to myself or Mr. Etter here at EPE.
Respectfully,
Rich Tysarczyk, Principal
Dan Etter, Assistant Principal
717-732-0441
Nominate an EPE Staff Member With Our "Panther Spotlight" Form
If you have something amazing to share about an EPE staff member, please consider doing so using the following short form:
https://forms.gle/f13ZhDceewQp42wX8
We appreciate the feedback and may share it in future newsletters.
Upcoming Elementary PTO Events
PTO MEETING
Tuesday, February 8
West Creek Hills Elementary School - Library
7:00 PM
PIZZA with the PTO INFORMATION NIGHT
Wednesday, February 23
East Pennsboro Elementary School - LGI Room (back of building)
5:30PM to 7:30PM
PTO MEETING
Tuesday, March 8
East Pennsboro Elementary School - Library
7:00 PM
BINGO
Friday, March 11 (was originally scheduled for 2/11)
East Pennsboro Elementary School - Cafeteria
2 Sessions: 5PM to 6:30PM and 7PM to 8:30PM
**More Information Coming Soon!
SPIRIT WEAR SALE
To order East Pennsboro Panthers apparel, please visit our online store at:
*If you are interested in volunteering or want more information, please email us at epasdelempto@outlook.com.
EPASD Elementary PTO Meeting Dates and Locations
It's Kids Heart Challenge Season! (formerly Jump Rope for the Heart)
https://www2.heart.org/site/TR?pg=company&fr_id=6321&company_id=334939
EPE Core Value Award Recipients
EPE Science Explorers Registration Information
EPE and EPMS Welcomes our New 5th Grade Specials Teachers!
Get to Know Mackenzie Day - 5th Grade Library/Media
Education: Studied at Southeast Missouri State University and got her BS in Secondary English Education
Teaching Experience: She taught her first year (last year) in Missouri, teaching 11th and 12th grade literature
Personal Interests: Outside of school she enjoys watching hockey, finding new restaurants, and anything that encourages the competitive spirit.
Other: She recently moved from MO and she’s beyond excited to be working in an elementary school!
Get to Know Kelly Krizan - 5th Grade Band & General Music
Education: Kelly graduated from Lebanon Valley College with a B.S. in Music Education with a minor in Music and concentration in Percussive Performance. Kelly also received her M. Ed in Educational Development and Strategies from Wilkes University.
Teaching Experience: Kelly taught for 5 ½ years at Empire Elementary School in Carson City, Nevada. She taught K-5 general music 5th grade band, and 3rd-5th grade choir. She taught with MS and HS age students as a percussion coordinator for their Indoor Drumline and Marching Band Programs.
Personal Interests: In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Zack, and their family. She also enjoys walking with, and training their new puppy, Pretzel. For fun, she knits and loves watching movies. She also enjoys anything musical - going to concerts, rockin’ out at home, and listening to music of all genres!
Other: She was born and raised in central PA, and took an adventure out west to teach. She moved back closer to her and her husband’s families for her husband’s new job. She also absolutely loves animals and have seven pets: two rabbits, four cats, and one dog. She is beyond excited to be returning to the classroom and teaching band!
Reflections of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Spring 2022 Girls On The Run Information
Please see the flyer below for Spring 2022 GOTR registration information. The Spring registration opens on February 10th and our Spring club season starts March 14th.
Cumberland Valley Youth Lacrosse Registration Information
Giant Food Stores Feeding School Kids Program
GIANT Food Store’s Feeding School Kids Program will once again be running from January 1, 2022 through February 28, 2022. During that time period, anyone who shops at GIANT will be able to “round up at the register” to donate to support our schools. Last year, the program raised $15,114.34 for students in our district.
Weis4School Program Information
Become a Junior Achievement Volunteer!
- Volunteer basis in our school
- 5-8 sessions with a class per year
- Scripted lessons from JA
- Topics centered around careers, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, community.
Interested community members may email the EPE Administration or our JA contact, Gini Riese, directly at griese@jascpa.org.
To learn more about Junior Achievement, visit the following websites:
https://www.jascpa.org/classroomk-5
Classrooms Still in Need of a Junior Achievement Volunteer:
Mrs. Staub Grade 2 - February 2022 - Program: JA Our Community
Mrs. Kulp Grade 2 - March 2022 - Program: JA Our Community
Mrs. Powers Grade 2 - March 2022 - Program: JA Our Community
Miss Hegman Grade 3 - April 2022 - Program: JA Our City
Mr. Houtz Grade 4 - May 2022 - Program: JA Our Region
Mrs. Knox Grade 4 - May 2022 - Program: JA Our Region
Miss Emick Grade 4 - May 2022 - Program: JA Our Region
Please email Tammy at Junior Achievement if you would be interested in volunteering in these classrooms at tmeisenhelter@jascpa.org.
General EPE Information:
Change in Routine Procedures
The classroom teachers follow routine dismissal procedures daily. Changes in those routines
should be for urgent reasons and must be accompanied by a Change of Routine Notice or a
written parental notice requesting such a change. All student verbal requests for such changes will be denied without written notice or a phone call from a parent/guardian. Seesaw messages, text messages, and emails will not be accepted during the school day of a change of routine. Please have these requests into the school ahead of time so we can ensure students are where they need to be for a safe and secure dismissal.
EPASD Attendance Procedures
EPE accepts attendance notifications (excuse cards, absence notes, etc.) via email. Parents can email epesattendance@epasd.org as a means of reporting your child’s absence. Paper notes will still be accepted as well. Reminder that all excuse notifications are required to be submitted within three school days of your child’s absences.
Excused Absences:
When a child is enrolled in the district’s educational program, the student is subject to the
Pennsylvania State Attendance Laws. The Board considers the following conditions to constitute an excused absence from school:
1. Illness
2. Quarantine
3. Student required court attendance
4. Prearranged doctor and dentist appointment for time of appointment and appropriate travel time only
5. Authorized school activities
6. Pre-approved educational tours and trips, not school sponsored
7. Other urgent reasons, including funerals, that apply to the child and approved by the building administrator
Parents/guardians are expected to telephone the school when students are absent for any reason. In addition, a written excuse from a parent/guardian is required for each absence.
Unexcused Absences:
An unexcused absence shall be defined as:
• Absence from school with parent/guardian consent for reasons other than those considered
excusable.
• Leaving school during school hours without permission from the administrator.
• Absence from school without knowledge/permission of parent/guardian (truancy).
• Absence from school without knowledge/permission of school authorities.
• Absences from school without written parental excuse submitted within 3 school days of the absence.
You may refer to the Elementary Student Handbook in the link below to review more specific information about our attendance policies in certain situations (Page 10 of the document). Please contact our school office if you have any questions about our attendance policies or procedures.
https://4.files.edl.io/69d5/07/19/21/151326-d52fa66e-ffe7-4c30-b50d-154126ce7428.pdf
Automated Absence Alert:
EPE will begin sending automated absence alerts this school year. The Automated Absence Alert system was implemented to inform parents when their students are absent from school. If/when your student is absent or does not report to their classroom they are recorded as absent. When the daily attendance is submitted electronically, an automated message will be sent to a phone identified by the parent/guardian. This call will normally occur by approximately 10:00 am. Should you have questions or concerns you may contact the
attendance secretary by calling: East Pennsboro Elementary School (EPE), (717) 732-0441.
Car Rider Procedures
School Buses:
School buses will queue at the rear of the school building, behind the new addition for arrival and departure.
Car Riders:
Cars for parent drop off and pick up will queue in front of the school. Please pull up to the stop sign rather than stopping midway through the loop to unload. In the afternoon, parents must have their name hanger tags visible for student pickup. Students may only be dropped off or picked up within the “loading zone” that will be marked in the front of the school - approximately the first ten cars at a time. Parents may not park in the parking lot and walk up to the loop attendant. Please stay in your car at all times. Please review the map below of the car rider loop.
School Vans:
School vans will utilize the small loop near the baseball fields for arrival and dismissal. No cars should be in this loop.
Times:
Parent drop-off begins at 8:25 AM. Students must be in the building by 8:50 AM.
Parent pick up times run from 3:20-3:40 PM.
We certainly appreciate your understanding and flexibility as we ensure a safe and orderly process for each student. We continue to recommend that you send your EPE students to and from school on our school buses.
Create a Sapphire Parent Portal!
Please create a Sapphire Parent Portal account. There are several benefits to creating a parent portal account:
- You can access your child's report cards when they are published
- You can keep track of your child's attendance
- You will be able to receive important notifications about your child
To create a parent portal account:
- Go to our website www.epasd.org
- Hover over the "Students" tab
- Click "Sapphire Community Web Portal"
- Click "Create a Web Portal Account"
- Follow the remaining on screen instructions to enter your information.
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Wadlinger at pwadlinger@epasd.org. She would be happy to help!
2021-2022 School Year Calendar
https://3.files.edl.io/a46e/21/07/12/193153-0662518b-7b67-41b7-9b1b-05072d4992b6.png
2022-2023 School Year Calendar
Click the link below for the 2022-2023 School Year Calendar:
Important Dates
February 2022:
3 - School Board Meeting 7:00 PM EPE LGI
8 - PTO at West Creek Hills 7:00 PM WCH Library
17 - School Board Meeting 7:00 PM EPE LGI
18 - School Closed to Students - Staff In-Service Day
21 - School Closed to Students and Staff - Presidents Day
23 - Pizza with the PTO Information Night - EPE LGI 5:30 to 7:30 PM
25 - 1:20 Dismissal for Students
28 - Read Across America Spirit Week (see flyer below this section)
All above dates are subject to change. Any changes will be communicated via our blackboard connect system.
Please see our previous newsletters:
About us
Email: rtysarczyk@epasd.org
Website: https://www.epasd.org/
Location: 840 Panther Parkway, East Pennsboro Township, PA, USA
Phone: 717-732-0441
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EastPennsboroElem/