
EPE Express
East Pennsboro Elementary School Newsletter
March 2022
Principal's Message
Greetings EPE Families,
We are gearing up for three exciting events this month at EPE!
The first event is a combined EPE and WCH PTO Bingo Night here in the EPE Cafeteria on Friday, March 11. There will be 2 sessions: Session #1 - 5PM to 6:30PM and Session #2 - 7PM to 8:30PM. In order to attend, you must RVSP (using the link below). Due to limited room capacity for each session, your time preference is not a guarantee, therefore, you will be receiving an email to confirm your RSVP (within 48-72 hours). We appreciate your patience and understanding! Tickets are $2.00 per person and include 1 bingo card (payment will be due upon arrival). Additional bingo cards can be purchased at the event and concessions will be available, too! Tickets, bingo cards and concessions will be CASH ONLY!
To RSVP for a BINGO session, please click on the following link:
https://forms.gle/Cy4QSr7kDsko71bC6
Thank you and we hope to see you and your family there! If you have any questions, please email epasdelempto@outlook.com.
The second event is our very first EPE Academic Showcase. This will be held on Wednesday, March 23rd from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. This evening will begin with a Title 1 Informational seminar in the LGI rooms for families of students who receive Title 1 reading or math support. This portion of the evening will be by invite only from 5:30 to 6:00 PM. Additionally, the entire school will be open for K-5 Science Project displays, Numeracy Stations, and Literacy Stations. The Science Projects on display will be based on the following topics by grade level:
- Kindergarten - Trees from Each Season
- First Grade - Animal Projects
- Second Grade - Landform Dioramas
- Third Grade - Invention Convention
- Fourth Grade - Ecosystem Dioramas
- Fifth Grade - Innovate to Elevate (inventions)
We ask for everyone's understanding, grace, and patience when it comes to parking for this event. We anticipate a large crowd and have limited parking. Parking is available in the main lot in the front of the building, the side playground via the gravel access road near the softball fields, the rear playground where most park for school board meetings, along the hill in the designated spots coming up to the EPE campus, and the administration center parking lot.
The third event, The EPE Spring Chorus and Band Concert, will be held on Thursday, March 31st at 7:00 PM in the EPE Cafeteria/Stage. We look forward to seeing our musicians shine at this concert!
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
My son was so worried about going to school and he has loved every day of it! Mrs. Smith (kindergarten) has made it so easy on him and he loves it! She is great with these kids!
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.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Lessons
Student-Published Books at EPE
Students at East Pennsboro Elementary have been busy writing and publishing books in their school library this year. Publishing student created books in the school library became available thanks to a novel idea from a few fourth grade students back in 2018. These budding authors asked if it was possible to ‘publish’ their books in their school library for other students to check out. Our librarian, Mrs. Barcavage, loved the idea and promptly put together a book makerspace in the library where students could access materials to help them learn to write a book, put a rough draft of a book together and later create a final copy and have it published for circulation among the students.
Over the years, students have created ‘how to’ books, graphic novels, fan fiction and many other original stories. Sadly, this exciting space was forgotten about during these past few difficult years but has been revived this school year and is more popular than ever after one of our fourth graders, Caleb Cashman, came into the library with an amazing idea for a comic book. “He had an entire comic book series planned out in his head and was looking for support in getting it written and published.” Mrs. Barcavage explained. “That’s when the idea came back to the forefront. That day, the book makerspace was replenished and is now being promoted in all the library classes.” Students are buzzing with enthusiasm for writing. It is contagious. There are students working together writing and illustrating books. Other students are creating books to share their hobbies and interests such as sports cars, dinosaurs, etc. The books that have been published keep flying off the shelves. Many students ask for the books by name when they come in.
It’s really empowering for these students to have a place where their voice and ideas can be heard. The pride in their faces, the first time they see their book on the shelf and listed on Destiny with their name is pretty amazing to witness. It’s given us some hope and joy in our building. It’s little things like this that bring us together and motivate us to keep going.
An Update Regarding Library "Late Fines"
EPE Yearbook Information
https://ybpay.lifetouch.com/Order/
The East Pennsboro Elementary code is: 9493922
Orders are due by March 18th.
Yearbooks will be priced from $16 and will be delivered to students in late May here at the school.
Collaboration Skills Tested with Egg Drop
Read Across America Spirit Week
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.
Upcoming Elementary PTO Events
PTO MEETING
Tuesday, March 8
East Pennsboro Elementary School - Library
7:00 PM
BINGO Family Night
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
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
Kids Heart Challenge Results!
Band Lessons!
EPE Core Value Award Recipients
Retired EPE Teacher, Mrs. Guida, returned for Dental Hygiene Lessons
Owl Pellet Lessons
EPE Science Explorers Registration Information
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
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
March 2022:
1 - High School Musical - EPE Preview Day
3 - Bus Evacuation Drills
3 - School Board Meeting at EPE LGI - 7:00 PM
11 - PTO BINGO NIGHT at the EPE Cafeteria from 5:00-6:30PM and 7:00-8:30 PM
17 - School Board Meeting at EPE LGI - 7:00 PM
23 - EPE Academic Showcase - 5:30-7:30 PM
23 - Spring Title 1 Seminar (by invite only) - 5:30-6:00 PM EPE LGI
24 - Spring Picture Day
25 - End of Marking Period 3
31 - EPE Chorus and Band Concert 7:00 PM
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/