Pleasant Valley Elementary School



Pleasant Valley Elementary School

March 2015 Newsletter

Mr. Roger Pomposello Ms. Erica Greer Ms. Valerie Rudawski

Assistant Principal Principal Dean of Students

Be sure to look for the PVE Newsletter and other pertinent school information

on the Pleasant Valley School District web site at .

To access the School Board Meeting Agenda, go to ,

click on “Our District,” click on “Board of Education,” and click on “Tentative Board Meeting Agenda.”

Pleasant Valley School District can be reached at 570-402-1000

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Pleasant Valley Elementary School is to inspire all students toward physical, intellectual, emotional, and social growth as lifelong learners.

What’s Going On at PVE?

Seat Belt Information

Act 81, which went into effect Dec. 27, 2011, ushered in changes to young driver licensing and passenger requirements. Drivers and occupants in a vehicle who are under the age of 18 must wear a properly adjusted and fastened seat belt, and children under the age of eight must be securely fastened in a child restraint system. Failure to comply with the new law’s seat belt provisions is a primary offense, meaning that a driver can be pulled over and cited solely for that violation. For information on penalties and restrictions under the law, visit dmv.state.pa.us and click on “New Teen Driver Law 2011.”

Stepping Up

Please make note that the last day for Stepping Up is Thursday, April 9th. Mark your calendars accordingly.

Important Reminder:

The front doors at PVE are opened at 9:07 AM. Parents/Guardians who are dropping students off or dropping off projects should plan accordingly. At the end of the day, doors are opened at 3:42 PM for parent pickup. Picking up your child between 3:15 PM to 3:42 PM is discouraged as teachers are wrapping up instruction, assigning homework, passing out important papers, etc. Please keep this in mind when scheduling appointments for your child.

A note to all parents/guardians: Please make sure you bring your photo ID when picking up your child.

Parents/guardians must always be prepared to show photo ID since sometimes a substitute staff member may be dismissing your child.

A Message from the Nurse

            The nurses are asking that anyone who borrowed clothing to please return the cleaned garments to the nurses’ office. This way it will be available for any other student who is in need of clothing.

Immunization Reminder

            Students who lack Pennsylvania State required immunizations are granted an eight- month provisional enrollment period by the Pleasant Valley School District in accordance with the Pennsylvania Department of Health School Immunization Regulation.   Students in need of immunizations, will not be allowed to attend school if the school nurse does receive proof they have completed the required immunizations by the last day of the eight- month period.

Required Examinations

The Pennsylvania School Health Act requires physical examinations be on file for all Kindergarten and transfer students who do not have documentation of a completed examination.

The Pennsylvania School Health Act requires dental examinations for all Kindergarten, 3rd Grade, and transfer students who do not have documentation of a completed examination.

Parents/guardians have the choice to have the above examinations completed by a properly licensed doctor or dentist of their choice at their own expense or to have the examinations completed at school by the school doctor, school dentist, or through the Smile Pennsylvania Mobile Dentist Program.  No examinations will be done at school without permission from a parent/guardian. 

Students who fail to complete and/or submit acceptable evidence of the required physical examination and/or dental examination by no later than April 30th of the academic year the examination is required, will be excluded from participation in all extracurricular activities beginning May 1st of that year until acceptable proof of the required examination is received in accordance with SCHOOL BOARD POLICY 209, HEALTH EXAMINATIONS.

Mobile Dentist

The Smile Program, mobile dentist, will be providing on-site dental care at PVE on Tuesday, May 26th, Wednesday May 27th, and Thursday, May 28th .

If you wish to take advantage of this program, please fill out the permission slip that will be sent home with your student and return it to school by Tuesday, April 1st.  You can learn more about Smile Programs by going to and watching the short video about the dental care program.

PLANET LEARN: Kindergarten Family Night

Getting Ready for First Grade

Thursday, April 9th, 2015

At Pleasant Valley Elementary School

5:30 – 7:00 PM

 

Kindergarten students and families are invited to attend our second Planet LEARN Program during the 2014-2015 school year. The focus of this spring session is to provide parents/guardians with activities and ideas to support your child in transitioning from Kindergarten to 1st Grade. Our fall program was well attended and a huge success for parents and students. We look forward to Kindergarten students and families attending this session to support reading, writing, technology and math instruction at home. Participation forms will come home with your Kindergarten student in March. If you would like to attend this program, please return the form to your classroom teacher.

School District Website

Please visit our Pleasant Valley School District website at . The web-site contains pertinent information such as dress code information, School Board meeting dates, times, and locations, as well as the School Board meeting agendas and approved minutes. School Board policies can also be accessed from the website.

To access the School Board Meeting Agenda, go to , click on “Our District,” click on “Board of Education,” and click on “Tentative Board Meeting Agenda.”

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The Pleasant Valley School District has established an emergency “HOTLINE” available to parents/guardians, students, and the general public.

1-570-402-1000, ext. 4444

This number is to be used to report THREATS or TIPS with regard to the safety or well-being of the Pleasant Valley School District or any members of the school community (e.g. students, faculty, or staff).

ALL CALLS WILL REMAIN ANONYMOUS.

NOTE: Calls may be recorded. Any person making false claims or reports will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law!!

Homework Request

As a courtesy to our teachers, assignments will be available 24 hours from the time of the request. We are asking parents/guardians to please follow these guidelines.

(Val, not in New Handbook – should I remove this paragraph?)

Pupil Attendance/Important Attendance

Procedures

            In accordance with compulsory school attendance requirements, as outlined in the School Law of Pennsylvania, the Pleasant Valley School District will follow the policies listed below.

School attendance is closely related to a student’s academic progress. It is the parent’s responsibility to see that a pupil attends school. The parent should not hesitate to call the school office and request assistance if there is a problem.

1. Excused Absences – There are times when students must be absent. Examples of excused absences are illness, death in the family, quarantine, and health care appointments.

2. Excuses – For excused absences, it is the parent’s responsibility to send a written excuse to the school on the day the student returns. If a note is not received within three (3) school days, the absence will be considered unlawfull. An unexcused absence will result in the absence being considered unlawful (children 16 years old and younger). After three (3) unlawful excuses, a citation warning will be issued, and attendance may be required at a school district truancy meeting.

3. A doctor’s note may be required for six (6) or more consecutive days absent.

Unexcused Absence

On a regular basis, the principal and the attendance secretary review the excuses to determine if absences are excused or unexcused. Students who have excessive absences will receive a letter. Please keep us informed of situations that may be interfering with your child’s attendance so we can determine whether the absence is excused or unexcused. All unexcused absences will be recorded as unlawful. Examples of absences which may be declared unexcused and unlawful include, but are not limited to: oversleeping, missing the bus, car trouble, traffic problems, babysitting, refusing to come to school, personal reasons, staying up late, parent/sibling appointment, getting home late, and relatives visiting.

Please note it is important that we receive a written excuse upon your child’s return to school.

Be sure to carefully read through the Handbook with your child to review other elementary school procedures along with additional transportation and attendance rules and regulations. The Handbook can also be accessed online at .

March Is National Music In Our Schools Month!

The purpose of MIOSM is to raise awareness of the importance of music education for all children – and to remind citizens that school is where all children should have access to music.

At PVE, the Music Department enjoys singing, dancing, reading and composing music, and performing on instruments on a daily basis with your children. 

You can also enjoy making music at home with your family by singing in the car or to the radio, dancing, or banging on pots and pans!

Just a Note from the Music Department

3rd Grade Students:

• All 3rd Grade students have received their very own recorders!  We will be learning how to play recorders in music class as well as learning to read and compose music!

• Students need to bring their recorder, folder, and pencil to every music class!  They will be graded on being prepared and participating!

• Students should be practicing their recorders at home. Encourage your child to play at home by asking them to play for you.

• Wash recorders with soap and warm water or place them in the dishwasher.

• Recorders SHOULD NOT be played on the bus or shared with anyone.

Smencils!

• Smencil sales have been great!  The music department would like to thank all of the students and families for purchasing Smencils!

• Smencils are sold for $1 in School Store!

• Remember: 100% of Smencil sales go toward buying new instruments and materials to be used in music class!

• So far we have purchased Djembe drums, Xylophones, Metallophones, Glockenspiels, Rhythm instruments, Boomwhackers, and much, much more!

Donations

[pic]Thank you to all of our families and staff who continue to support our dress down days at Pleasant Valley Elementary School.  The January fundraiser “Crazy Sock and/or Animal Shirt Denim Day” raised a total of $520.24 for our Families in Need program! WOW! As always, thank you for your generosity.

Counselor’s Corner

Dealing with Test anxiety

As many of you know the PSSA’s are quickly approaching. While we as a school try our hardest to make the preparation a fun learning experience, some children still experience test anxiety. You can help your child reduce their anxiety by:

• Reinforcing good study habits and strategies

• Developing Time Management Skills (Taking your time on the test)

• Organizational skills (take each problem step by step)

• Building confidence (You can do it, You’ve got it )

Here are a few websites to get more information and strategies:







PVSD Academic Fair

The Pleasant Valley School District will be hosting its 15th Annual Academic Fair on Monday, April 27th, at the PV High School from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Students will be performing throughout the evening, and student work from Kindergarten through 12th Grade will be on display in the gymnasiums and other areas of the building. It is a family night out and a time to celebrate the achievements of our talented and conscientious students here at Pleasant Valley. More information will be coming home in a separate flyer.

Parent Advisory Committee (PAC)

As the principal at Pleasant Valley Elementary School, Ms. Greer is committed to creating a school environment that promotes parental involvement along with high academic expectations.

This is an opportunity to meet with other administrators and staff to discuss new ideas and explore new concepts and concerns. In an effort to gain input and feedback from parents/guardians, he holds regular Parent Advisory Committee meetings where parents/guardians are able to discuss their ideas and suggestions allowing for continuous growth of our school.

The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 24th, from 7:00 – 8:00 PM in the PVE Cafeteria. Child care will be provided by the Growing Place for parents who would like to bring their children with them. We look forward to your attendance and participation.

2015-2016 Kindergarten Registration

The Pleasant Valley School District has begun registering the incoming Kindergarten class for the 2015-2016 school year. The first part of the two-part registration process will ask parents to provide Pleasant Valley School District with the basic registration information (child’s legal name, parent’s name(s), birth date, mailing address, and phone numbers). The second phase of the regular Kindergarten registration process will take place Monday, March 23rd through Friday, April 17th, 2015.

Students must be five years of age on or before September 1, 2015 and reside in the Pleasant Valley School District in order to register.

Parents should call Magen Snyder, Registration Secretary at the Pleasant Administration Building (570) 402-1000, ext. 4010, between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM to schedule an appointment. It is important that your child attend registration with you.

Daylight Savings Time begins on Sunday, March 8th. Set your clock AHEAD 1 hour!

Collect tabs for the Ronald McDonald House

Please consider saving your can tabs (such as soda, pull tabs from tuna fish cans, fruit cans, etc.) for this worthwhile cause. These tabs will be turned in to the Ronald McDonald House. Collection bins are available in the main office for your child/children to place the tabs in.

Many families travel far from home to get treatment for their seriously ill or injured children. The treatment may last a day, a month, or even longer. It’s a long time to be away from home, or to divide a family.

Ronald McDonald Houses offer families a way to stay together in close proximity to a treatment hospital and to be comfortable and cared for during their stay.

Simply put, families are stronger when they are together, and having families nearby helps in the healing process. By staying at a Ronald McDonald House, parents/guardians can better communicate with their child’s medical team and keep up with complicated treatment plans when needed.

Communication

Parents/Guardians: It is imperative that you do not leave an important message that requires immediate attention on the office voicemail, as we do not want your message to go without the proper attention. We are asking that you call back later and speak to someone in the office. The same applies to faxing information to the school. Please follow-up any faxes with a phone call to confirm that we received it (parent pickup, early release, etc.). Thank you for your cooperation!

|MARCH CALENDAR OF EVENTS |

|March is Music in Our Schools Month, American Red Cross Month, |

|Women’s History Month, & National Nutrition Month |

| |

|March 2 |Dr. Seuss’s Birthday |

| |Celebrate “Read Across America” Week |

|March 2 - 4 |Kindergarten E.I. registration – by appointment only (snow date – March 11th) |

|March 2 – 6 |National School Breakfast Week |

|March 8 |Daylight Savings Time begins |

|March 10 – 12 |Spring Photos |

|March 11 |SNOW DATE Kindergarten E.I. registration – by appointment only |

|March 12 |Board of Education Meeting – 8:00 PM, School District Office |

|March 14 |Clothing Swap 9:00 – 12:00 |

|March 17 |PVE PTO at 7:00 PM @ PTO Room |

|March 18 |Diversity Task Force @ Central Admin. 9:30 – 11:30 AM |

| |Ready, Set, Read Now! Pre-K program @ PVE 5:30 – 7:30 PM |

|March 20 |1st Day of Spring |

|March 23 – April 17 |Kindergarten Registration for 2014-2015 – by appointment only |

|March 24 |Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) meeting 7:00 – 8:00 PM – PVE Cafeteria |

|March 26 |Board of Education meeting 8:00 PM School District Office |

[pic] RELAX!!! [pic]

PSSA Testing Information for Parents/Guardians

The Pennsylvania System of School Assessments will be administered at PVE throughout the month of April 2015. The PSSA English Language Arts Assessment will take place Monday, April 13th-Wednesday April 15th and the PSSA Mathematics Assessment will take place Monday, April 20th-Wednesday April 22nd for students in 3rd Grade. Assessments are given in the morning to all students. Make-up assessments will be completed in the event a student is absent or unable to take an assessment on a scheduled day.

EXCITING INCENTIVES:

• PSSA Pep Rally on Friday, April 10th – the theme is “Beach Party”

• Classroom breakfast is served daily for all third grade students.

• Smencils (peppermint)

• Peppermint gum

• Perfect attendance students will receive a certificate for a KFC Kids’ Meal

• Following the PSSA, all third grade students will enjoy classroom and school wide activities to celebrate their hard work and success.

The following are tips that will help your child do his or her best throughout the testing period.

✓ Make sure your child is well rested. Set an earlier bedtime throughout the testing period.

✓ Avoid undue stress if possible. A stress free, calm child is more successful.

✓ Make sure your child has plenty of time to get ready for school in the morning. Being tardy for school and walking in late makes for a stressful situation for a child.

✓ All testing is done in the morning. Be sure to schedule any necessary doctor or dentist appointments late in the day so as not to interfere with the assessments.

✓ Provide encouragement, but don’t put excessive pressure on your child.

✓ Remind your child to take his or her time when completing the test, as it is not timed.

✓ Your child looks to you as a role model. Have a positive attitude towards the test and your child will too!

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Preparing for Assessments

Throughout the school year, students complete assessments to show progress and academic success on concepts they have been taught.  In April, PSSA testing will be taking place at the elementary. The PSSA English Language Arts Assessments will take place Monday, April 13th-Wednesday April 15th and the PSSA Mathematics will take place Monday, April 20th-Wednesday April 22nd for students in 3rd Grade.  

Parents/Guardians often ask for suggestions of how to help their child at home to prepare for the assessments throughout the year.  Listed below are suggestions to help your child with any assessment throughout the school year.

Tips to give your elementary child about taking tests:

• Encourage students to relax and do the best they can.  

• Encourage students to ask their teachers if they have a question.

• Their first choice is usually correct. Don't change an answer unless they have a good reason to do so.

• Recognize key words such as "all," "now," "always," "never," "only," and "exactly."

• Watch for words like "not," "no," and "never."

• In multiple choice questions, read all the choices. Test writers want to be sure the correct answer is accurate – they may add lots of details to insure accuracy.

• Color in the whole bubble on the test form for multiple choice questions.

• Answer open-ended questions in complete sentences using examples from the passage.

• Erase all edits or changed answers.

You can assist your elementary child to prepare for testing by doing the following:

•  Make sure your child gets a good night's sleep and eats properly.

•  Maintain a pleasant home environment and avoid unnecessary conflicts.

• Try to make the morning of the test a pleasant one. Avoid adding to your child’s stress.

•  Make sure your child has taken any needed medication.

• Wish your child good luck each morning, tell your child that he/she is special and that you believe in him/her!

•  Ensure that your child is present during testing (children generally perform better when taking tests in their groups rather than at a makeup time).

•  Arrival at school on time is key; if students are late they can be rushed or miss part of the introduction. Late students may not be able to go to their classroom until testing concludes.

•  Remind your child the test is important. Encourage him/her to do his/her best.

•  If your child is too ill to attend, please contact your child’s teacher.

•  If the test is on a subject for which you can review (such as a spelling test), help your child go over the material.

•  Remind your child to listen carefully to the instructions from the teacher and to read the directions and each question carefully.

•  Explain to your child the importance of using time wisely. If your child gets stuck on a question, encourage him/her to use a process of elimination and make his/her best choice.

•  Tell your child to attempt to answer all of the questions and not to leave any blank.

•  Encourage your child to stay focused on the test, even if other students finish early.

•  If your child is disappointed after taking a test, reassure him/her that there will be plenty of opportunities for teachers to help him/her succeed.

• Communicate with your child’s teacher on a regular basis to support the needs of the child.

Read Across America Day

During the week of March 2nd, PVE students will be celebrating “Read Across America Week” in honor of Dr. Seuss’s birthday. Many fun activities have been planned by teachers and staff. Starting Monday, March 2nd and continuing until Friday, March 6th, students will be participating in Dr. Seuss literacy activities in their classrooms.

Students can make Dr. Seuss hats and add the book titles that they read during Read Across America week. Teachers may invite “Guest Readers” into their classrooms, partner up with another classroom teacher to buddy read, and share their favorite books with their students. Students and teachers will participate in a Dr. Seuss - themed Door Decorating Contest. The doors will be voted on in family hallways and the winning door will receive a book for their classroom library. Students will also have the opportunity to create a paper-bag vest that displays a vocabulary word of their choice. Students can write words, phrases, definitions or draw pictures to depict his/her word. On Friday of that week, students will walk in a “Vocabulary Parade” in their family hallways to showcase their vocabulary vests. Teachers may also sign up their classroom to visit the Dewey Bus and choice a book to take home.

The students and staff will have special dress-up days during “Read Across America Week”. Students are expected to adhere to the standardized dress code but have the option to join in the Dr. Seuss celebration on:

( Monday, March 2nd - Wear a hat for the book, “The Cat In The Hat”

( Tuesday, March 3rd - Wear a wig for the book, “Thing One and Thing Two”

( Wednesday, March 4th - Wear a tie for the book, “Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You?”

( Thursday, March 5th – Wear a fun pair of socks for the book, “Fox in Socks”.

( Friday, March 6th – Wear your HOPE day shirts.

Ticket to Knowledge

Congratulations to Gavin Tonkay in Ms. Falcone-Smith’s class, Julie Cannarella in Ms. Kilker’s class, Phoebe Stone in Ms. Shibley’s class and Maddie Worden in Mr. Pekurney’s class

for correctly answering the January question!

Which United States river is dyed green for St. Patrick’s Day?

Answer ___________________________________

Name ______________________

Teacher ____________________

Return this bottom portion with the correct answer to your teacher.

At the end of the month a name from each grade will be drawn for a free trip to the:

“PAWS Rewards Bear Den”

March 2015 Day / Date Calendar

| |Monday |Tuesday |Wednesday |Thursday |Friday |

|MARCH |2 |3 |4 |5 |6 |

| | | | | | |

| |Day 3 |Day 4 |Day 5 |Day 6 |Day 1 |

| | | | | | |

| |9 |10 |11 |12 |13 |

| |Day 2 |Day 3 |Day 4 |Day 5 |Day 6 |

| | | | | | |

| |16 |17 |18 |19 |20 |

| |Day 1 |Day 2 |Day 3 |Day 4 |Day 5 |

| | | | | | |

| |23 |24 |25 |26 |27 |

| |Day 6 |Day 1 |Day 2 |Day 3 |Day 4 |

| | | | | | |

| |30 |31 |April 1 |April 2 |April 3 |

| |Day 5 |Day 6 |Day 1 |Day 2 |Spring Recess |

| | | | |Early Dismissal | |

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