The MAC TEAM EAST PENN SCHOOL DISTRICT

MACUNGIE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL The MAC TEAM EAST PENN SCHOOL DISTRICT

Creating a safe community of learners Accepting differences Respecting one another Encouraging responsibility Striving for excellence From Mr. Best’s Office-Opening of School Update At about 10:00am, on “the day after” the final school day of last year, I sat in my quiet office and thought Wow…we are officially on summer break, but it is still early June. How awesome is that! (keep in mind that the final day of school, for the past few years, was in late June due to some rough winters) Well, with that thought, the first day of Summer came and went, then it was July 4th, then it was the last day of July, and now, in what seems like a blink of an eye, another school year is upon us. Like you might wonder, I just can’t seem to wrap my mind around how time in late June, July and early August seems to pass by more quickly than time during the winter months. I guess that is one of those phenomenon, kind of like Bigfoot, ghosts and U.F.O’s, that I will never fully understand. In any event, we are back into the swing of things at Macungie Elementary School and, as I stated to the students on the first day, I extend a warm “welcome” to all of you that are new to Macungie Elementary School, and I extend a warm “welcome back” to all of you that have a child or children returning to the school or had children attend the school in past years. In an effort to keep parents informed of school events, changes with staffing and other general information, I utilize my best writing/typing skills to create a Quarterly Update at the conclusion of each marking period. In an effort to save on paper and printing costs, I post the updates on our Macungie School website. In addition, the updates are sent through an email distribution list that you can sign up for via the school website. The school website is: http://eastpennsd.org/macungie/ Please visit the website frequently as we post important information, pertaining to both school and district programs, on the website.

We start our school year with a few new faces on the Macungie staff. Over the summer break, we acquired Ms. Jackie Kokolus as our “other” Administrative Assistant. Ms. Kokolus joined us in late July and she has been working closely with Ms. Martrich to “learn the ropes” in preparation for the upcoming school year. Please extend a warm welcome to Ms. Kokolus-we are very lucky to have her as part of the Macungie team! In addition, we also welcome Tabatha Murante. Ms. Murante joins the first grade team for the first marking period due to Mrs. Bruckner deciding to extend her childrearing leave. A familiar face returns to the fourth grade team as Mrs. Mish takes on the task of balancing “mommy of three” with “teacher of fourth graders”-we wish Mrs. Mish the best of luck with her transition! Over the summer months, I traditionally receive requests from folks in Central Administration to include certain information in the first update. This year, that information is:

●Student grades (report cards included) will be available in electronic versions only. Student grades may be accessed through the Home Access Center. To sign up for Home Access Center use, a parent may visit the District Web Site and complete/print a registration form. Completed registration forms may be returned to the student’s school office.

●Student Insurance Forms will not be mailed this year. The letter and forms will be available on the District Web Site for the parents to print and fill out if they want to apply for this additional insurance.

●Free & reduced lunch/breakfast student applications will not be printed for this school year. We will be asking parents to go online to print the application. If the parent does not have access to a computer, they may call their school and request a copy be sent home.

Well, this update contains quite a bit of information, especially considering that we are still within the first week of school! I conclude the update with a listing of Macungie school events happening in September and October, along with a few gentle reminders. As always, I thank you for your continued support. Take care, stay safe and enjoy our last few weeks of the summer season. Sincerely, Mr. James T. Best, Principal September/October Events: Sept. 11-PTC Meeting @ 6:30pm Sept. 14-School Meeting @ 9:15am Sept. 20-Meet the Leader Night @ 6-7:30pm Oct. 9-PTC Meeting @ 6:30pm Oct. 11-Picture Day Oct. 19-School Meeting @ 2:45pm Oct. 26-Halloween Activities @ 2pm

Gentle Reminders: During the time period between March 11th and April 26th, students in grades 3, 4 and 5 will complete PSSA testing. Because it is very important that students are present for the testing period, family trip requests for weeks that students are testing will not be approved. If you have questions about a family trip during this time period, please contact me ASAP. Thank you for your cooperation with this matter. Specific timeframes for the PSSA’s are: March 11th-15th - Writing PSSA (grade 5) April 8th-18th- Reading & Math PSSA (grades 3-5) April 22nd-26th-Science PSSA (grade 4)

Paper products, such as catalogs, magazines, newspapers, junk mail, office paper, fax paper, shredded paper, notebooks and folders are always welcomed for our ABITIBI recycling bin in the front parking lot (it is the green and yellow bin). ABITIBI requests that phonebooks and cardboard are not placed in the bin. Your efforts in helping the Macungie community have a positive and sustainable impact on or environment are greatly appreciated!

Information from the Emmaus Public Library: Community Heroes Day

Emmaus Public Library

Tuesday, September 11

6 PM until dark

OUTSIDE, RAIN OR SHINE

COME MEET THE PEOPLE WHO TAKE CARE OF YOU. THANK THE PEOPLE WHO HELP TO KEEP YOU SAFE. CLIMB ON A FIRE TRUCK, LOOK INSIDE AN AMBULANCE, SIT IN A POLICE CAR! THIS PROGRAM IS FOR ALL AGES. NO REGISTRATION NECESSARY.

There will also be free child identity kits as time permits in the Margaret Gardner Room of the Library.