Pleasant Valley Elementary School

Pleasant Valley Elementary School MARCHMARCH 20152015 NEWSLETTERNEWSLETTER 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 www.pvbears.org.

To access the School Board Meeting Agenda, go to www.pvbears.org, 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 plan accordingly. At the end of the day, doors Act 81, which went into effect Dec. are opened at 3:42 PM for parent pickup. 27, 2011, ushered in changes to young driver Picking up your child between 3:15 PM to licensing and passenger requirements. Drivers 3:42 PM is discouraged as teachers are and occupants in a vehicle who are under the wrapping up instruction, assigning age of 18 must wear a properly adjusted and homework, passing out important papers, fastened seat belt, and children under the etc. Please keep this in mind when scheduling age of eight must be securely fastened in a appointments for your child. child restraint system. Failure to comply with A note to all parents/guardians: the new law’s seat belt provisions is a primary Please make sure you bring your photo offense, meaning that a driver can be pulled ID when picking up your child. over and cited solely for that violation. For Parents/guardians must always be information on penalties and restrictions prepared to show photo ID since under the law, visit www.dmv.state.pa.us and sometimes a substitute staff member click on “New Teen Driver Law 2011.” may be dismissing your child. Stepping Up Please make note that A Message from the Nurse the last day for Stepping Up is The nurses are asking that Thursday, April 9th. Mark your anyone who borrowed clothing to calendars accordingly. please return the cleaned garments to the nurses’ office. This way it will Important Reminder: be available for any other student The front doors at PVE are opened at who is in need of clothing. 9:07 AM. Parents/Guardians who are dropping students off or dropping off projects should Immunization Reminder care at PVE on Tuesday, May 26th, Wednesday Students who lack Pennsylvania State May 27th, and Thursday, May 28th . required immunizations are granted an eight- If you wish to take advantage of this month provisional enrollment period by the program, please fill out the permission slip Pleasant Valley School District in accordance that will be sent home with your student and with the Pennsylvania Department of Health return it to school by Tuesday, April 1st. You School Immunization Regulation. Students in can learn more about Smile Programs by going need of immunizations, will not be allowed to to mobiledentists.com and watching the short attend school if the school nurse does receive video about the dental care program. 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 PLANET LEARN: Kindergarten Family Night examination. Getting Ready for First Grade The Pennsylvania School Health Act Thursday, April 9th, 2015 requires dental examinations for all At Pleasant Valley Elementary School Kindergarten, 3rd Grade, and transfer 5:30 – 7:00 PM students who do not have documentation of a Kindergarten students and families completed examination. are invited to attend our second Planet Parents/guardians have the choice to LEARN Program during the 2014-2015 school have the above examinations completed by a year. The focus of this spring session is to properly licensed doctor or dentist of their provide parents/guardians with activities and choice at their own expense or to have the ideas to support your child in transitioning examinations completed at school by the st from Kindergarten to 1 Grade. Our fall school doctor, school dentist, or through the program was well attended and a huge Smile Pennsylvania Mobile Dentist Program. success for parents and students. We look No examinations will be done at school forward to Kindergarten students and without permission from a parent/guardian. families attending this session to support Students who fail to complete and/or reading, writing, technology and math submit acceptable evidence of the required instruction at home. Participation forms will physical examination and/or dental come home with your Kindergarten student in examination by no later than April 30th of March. If you would like to attend this the academic year the examination is program, please return the form to your required, will be excluded from participation classroom teacher. in all extracurricular activities beginning May 1st of that year until acceptable proof of the School District Website required examination is received in Please visit our Pleasant accordance with SCHOOL BOARD POLICY Valley School District website at 209, HEALTH EXAMINATIONS. www.pvbears.org.. The The web-site web-site contains pertinent information such Mobile Dentist as dress code information, School The Smile Program, mobile Board meeting dates, times, and dentist, will be providing on-site dental locations, as well as the School Board meeting (Val, not in New Handbook – should I agendas and approved minutes. School Board remove this paragraph?) policies can also be accessed from the website. Pupil Attendance/Important Attendance To access the School Board Meeting Procedures Agenda, go to www.pvbears.org, click on “Our In accordance with compulsory school District,” click on “Board of Education,” and attendance requirements, as outlined in the click on “Tentative Board Meeting Agenda.” 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 The Pleasant Valley School District request assistance if there is a problem. has established an emergency “HOTLINE” 1. Excused Absences – There are times available to parents/guardians, students, and when students must be absent. the general public. 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 1-570-402-1000, ext. 4444 days, the absence will be considered unlawfull. An unexcused absence will This number is to be used to report result in the absence being considered THREATS or TIPS with regard to the safety unlawful (children 16 years old and or well-being of the Pleasant Valley School younger). After three (3) unlawful District or any members of the school excuses, a citation warning will be community (e.g. students, faculty, or staff). issued, and attendance may be ALL CALLS WILL REMAIN ANONYMOUS. required at a school district truancy meeting. NOTE: Calls may be recorded. Any person 3. A doctor’s note may be required for making false claims or reports will be six (6) or more consecutive days prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law!! absent.

Unexcused Absence Homework Request On a regular basis, the principal and As a courtesy to our the attendance secretary review the excuses teachers, assignments will to determine if absences are excused or be available 24 hours from unexcused. Students who have excessive the time of the request. We absences will receive a letter. Please keep us are asking parents/guardians to please follow informed of situations that may be these guidelines. interfering with your child’s attendance so we can determine whether the absence is excused or unexcused. All unexcused music class! They will be graded on absences will be recorded as unlawful. being prepared and participating! Examples of absences which may be  Students should be practicing their declared unexcused and unlawful include, recorders at home. Encourage your but are not limited to: oversleeping, missing child to play at home by asking them the bus, car trouble, traffic problems, to play for you. babysitting, refusing to come to school,  Wash recorders with soap and warm personal reasons, staying up late, water or place them in the parent/sibling appointment, getting home dishwasher. late, and relatives visiting.  Recorders SHOULD NOT be played Please note it is important that we on the bus or shared with anyone. receive a written excuse upon your child’s return to school. Smencils! Be sure to carefully read through the  Smencil sales have been great! The Handbook with your child to review other music department would like to thank elementary school procedures along with all of the students and families for additional transportation and attendance purchasing Smencils! rules and regulations. The Handbook can also  Smencils are sold for $1 in School be accessed online at www.pvbears.org. Store!  Remember: 100% of Smencil sales go March Is National Music In Our toward buying new instruments and Schools Month! materials to be used in music class! The purpose of MIOSM is to  So far we have purchased Djembe raise awareness of the importance drums, Xylophones, Metallophones, of music education for all children – Glockenspiels, Rhythm instruments, and to remind citizens that school is where all Boomwhackers, and much, much more! 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. Donations 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! Thank you to all of our families and staff who continue to support Just a Note from the Music Department our dress down days at Pleasant Valley 3rd Grade Students: Elementary School. The January fundraiser  All 3rd Grade students “Crazy Sock and/or Animal Shirt Denim Day” have received their raised a total of $520.24 for our Families in very own recorders! Need program! WOW! As always, thank you We will be learning for your generosity. 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 Counselor’s Corner PVSD Academic Fair The Pleasant Valley School District th Dealing with Test anxiety will be hosting its 15 Annual Academic Fair on Monday, April th As many of you know the PSSA’s are quickly 27 , at the PV High School from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Students will approaching. While we as a school try our be performing throughout the hardest to make the preparation a fun evening, and student work from learning experience, some children still Kindergarten through 12th Grade experience test anxiety. You can help your will be on display in the gymnasiums child reduce their anxiety by: and other areas of the building. It is a family night out and a time to  Reinforcing good study habits and celebrate the achievements of our strategies talented and conscientious students here at Pleasant Valley.  Developing Time Management Skills More information will be coming (Taking your time on the test) home in a separate flyer.

 Organizational skills (take each Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) problem step by step) As the principal at Pleasant Valley Elementary School, Ms. Greer is committed to  Building confidence (You can do it, creating a school environment that promotes You’ve got it ) parental involvement along with high academic expectations. Here are a few websites to get more This is an opportunity to meet with information and strategies: other administrators and staff to discuss new ideas and explore new concepts and concerns. http://www.studygs.net/index.htm In an effort to gain input and feedback from parents/guardians, he holds regular Parent http://ezinearticles.com/?Top-Ten-Test- Advisory Committee meetings where Anxiety-Strategies&id=1078744 parents/guardians are able to discuss their ideas and suggestions allowing for continuous http://www.testtakingtips.com/anxiety/index. growth of our school. htm The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 24 th , 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 injured children. The treatment may last a has begun registering the incoming day, a month, or even longer. It’s a long time Kindergarten class for the 2015-2016 school to be away from home, or to divide a family. year. The first part of the two-part Ronald McDonald Houses offer registration process will ask parents to families a way to stay together in close provide Pleasant Valley School District with proximity to a treatment hospital and to be the basic registration information (child’s comfortable and cared for during their stay. legal name, parent’s name(s), birth date, Simply put, families are stronger when mailing address, and phone numbers). The they are together, and having families nearby second phase of the regular Kindergarten helps in the healing process. By staying at a registration process will take place Monday, Ronald McDonald House, parents/guardians March 23rd through Friday, April 17th, 2015. can better communicate with their child’s Students must be five years of age on medical team and keep up with complicated or before September 1, 2015 and reside in treatment plans when needed. the Pleasant Valley School District in order to register. Communication Parents should call Magen Snyder, Registration Secretary at the Pleasant Administration Building (570) 402-1000, ext. Parents/Guardians: It is 4010, between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:00 imperative that you do not leave an PM to schedule an appointment. It is important message that requires important that your child attend registration immediate attention on the office voicemail, with you. 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 Daylight Savings Time to the school. Please follow-up any faxes with begins on Sunday, March 8th. Set a phone call to confirm that we received it your clock AHEAD 1 hour! (parent pickup, early release, etc.). Thank you for your cooperation!

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 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 RELAX!!!

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! 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 2 3 4 5 6 H Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 1 C R 9 10 11 12 13 A Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 M

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