
EPE Express
East Pennsboro Elementary School Newsletter
February 2023
Principal's Message
Greetings EPE Families,
As you have heard via our Blackboard Communication E-mail, I have accepted a new position in the Cumberland Valley School District. Sometime in March, I will assume the principal position at Shaull Elementary School. While this decision was not easy and is very bittersweet, I felt it was a great professional opportunity to pursue. After ten years here at EPE, I have developed so many wonderful relationships with students, staff, and families. I will cherish these connections forever. EPE has a very special place in my heart as our blood, sweat, and tears have been poured into everything we do here. I really have appreciated all the conversations, hugs, handshakes, and well wishes this past week. Moving forward, the district will be interviewing qualified candidates to assume the EPE Principal position throughout the month of February. Following school board approval in February, I will have an opportunity to work on the transition with the new principal before leaving EPASD. We look forward to finding the next decade of leadership that is just right for the EPE community.
As always, if there is ever a question or concern, please do not hesitate to reach out to me here at EPE.
With Gratitude,
Rich Tysarczyk
EPE Principal
717-732-0441
2022-2023 EPE Yearbook Order Information
and use the ID Code: 9493923. The Yearbook is $16.
If there are any questions, please contact Mrs. Wadlinger, EPE Secretary and Yearbook Advisor.
Science Explorers Registration Information
Science Explorers is an after school science club open to 1st through 5th grade students. The club meets once per week starting after Thanksgiving and runs through the end of the school year. Each club is 4 sessions and has a fee of $99 per student. We do cap the clubs at 15 students.
The following clubs will be offered this year at EPE:
Topic: (week of 2/13)
Loose in the Chem. Lab (Jr.)
Dates: 2/14, 2/21, 2/28, 3/7
Make-Up: 3/14 (If needed)
Topic: (week of 3/20)
Marine Biology Mania (Jr.)
Dates: 3/21, 3/28, 4/4, 4/11
Make-Up: 4/18 (If needed)
Topic: (week of 4/24)
Marvelous Machines
Dates: 4/25, 5/2, 5/9, (5/16 no school) 5/23
Registration information can be found at
https://scienceexplorers-registration.com/registration/?s=55&z=&r=10&l=363
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.
EPE Core Value Awards
EPE Happenings!
Chinese New Year in Mrs. Smith's Class
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Lessons
Students with EPE Pride!
Science Lesson on Energy In Dr. Emick's Class
EPASD Elementary PTO Meeting Dates
Notes from the School Nurse about Dental Exams
Dental exam reminder:
EPASD has partnered with Smile PA this year to provide student dental examinations and services. Services provided by Smile PA meet the dental examination recommendation for students who are missing documentation of a completed dental examination and who are in kindergarten and/or third grade. To inquire about services and eligibility please visit:
Smile Pennsylvania will be at EPE on 2/23/23. Please contact Mrs. Raymond, EPE School Nurse, for more information (or to receive a Smile PA dental form).
East Pennsboro Community Information:
PANTHER PROWL!
Panther Pack
Sports Leagues
Become a Substitute Teacher at East Pennsboro!
Become a Guest Teacher!
Now Hiring: EPASD Bus and Van Drivers
Junior Achievement Lessons
https://www.flipsnack.com/jainspire/joanne-volunteer-overview-classroom-programs/full-view.html
If you are interested in becoming a JA volunteer at EPE, please contact Tammy Meisenhelter at tmeisenehlter@jascpa.org.
Weis4School Program Information
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.
Please refer to the Elementary Student Handbook to review more specific information about our attendance policies. Contact our school office if you have any questions about our attendance policies or procedures.
Automated Absence Alert:
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.
For any family that chooses to utilize the EPE Drop-Off and Pick-Up loop, please follow the specific instructions below. In order for this process to run smoothly, it takes each family to do their part by doing the following:
A) Have your name hanger visible on the rearview mirror
B) Stay all the way to the right on the hill coming up from Panther Parkway (This allows school vans, staff vehicles, and buses to move freely as needed)
C) Stay to the left of the cones in the loop area
D) Pull all the way to the Stop sign where the "Parent drop off/pick up" sign is located
E) Stay in your car at all times
F) Be Patient - We get quicker as we get to know the students and families
G) Morning Drop off runs from 8:25 - 8:50 AM
H) Parent Pick up runs from 3:20 - 3:40 PM
I) Do not bypass the drop off/pick up loop by parking in the parking lot and letting your child in or out from the parking lot.
J) Do not pass other cars waiting in the car rider line.
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.
Bus Dismissal and 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!
2022-2023 School Year Calendar
Click the link below for the 2022-2023 School Year Calendar:
Important Dates
February 2023:
2 - School Board Meeting @ EPE 7:00 PM
14 - PTO Meeting @ WCH 7:00 PM
16 - School Board Meeting @ EPE 7:00 PM
17 - SNOW MAKE UP DAY
20 - CLOSED for Presidents Day
22 - Dine out Fundraiser at Chick Fil A (Carlisle Pike) to support the PTO
24 - 1:20 PM Dismissal
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/