Buckingham Elementary School
The Mighty Knight Connection - Issue 7 - December
Making Our Mark!
Important Announcements
Text Message Alerts - Inclement Weather/School Cancellations
The Central Bucks School District is able to provide text messaging for emergency school closings, delayed openings, early dismissals, and bus transportation issues via SMS text messaging to mobile phones. Regulations require that text messages can only be sent to recipients who have subscribed to receive these messages - but will not send an SMS message to any phone that is not in the list of subscribed phone numbers.
Ensure your cell phone is on-file - You may review your demographic information on Parent Portal to verify if your current cell phone is on-record. If not, you may contact the school if you did not include it on your Census Verification Form.
To Subscribe: From your cell phone, text the word "Join" to number "56360". If our messaging system finds a match for your number in its database, you will receive a confirmation message thanking you for joining School Alerts.
If you have been a subscriber in previous years, you will still be in the system. Click Here for more information.
Buckingham Veteran's Day Ceremony on CBTV
We are pleased to share that CBTV has begun to "air" Buckingham's Veteran's Day Ceremony from this past November. If you'd like to see the program, please review the CBTV Schedule HERE over the next few weeks - (It shows today (December 2nd) beginning at 6:39PM for 45 minutes).
Comcast - Channel 28
Verizon - Channel 40
Giant A+ Rewards - Earning for Buckingham!
Through the Giant A+ Rewards Program, Buckingham Elementary earned $320 for the months of October/November - Thanks to all the families who signed-up their Giant Rewards Cards! If interested in learning how to participate - it's simple - Please click here to review how you can particpate in the Giant A+ Rewards program.
News & Upcoming Events
School Calendar
December:
Hanukkah Continues Through December 5th
December 2 - School Board Reorganization/Business Meeting - 7:00PM - ESC - 16 Welden
December 5 - Annual Lockdown Drill (PM)
December 6 & 7 - Secret Shoppe; Friday - 6PM-9PM (Kids Only); Saturday - 10AM-12PM
December 11 - 5th/6th Musical Auditions - Chorus Only - 4:00-5:00PM
December 12 - 5th/6th Musical - Student Solos Only - 4:00-4:30PM - Song Introductions
December 16 - Great Holly Concert - 7:00PM
December 17 - 3rd Grade Talent Show: Whiton - 9:30AM; Hayden - 2:00PM - Cafeteria
December 18 - 3rd Grade Talent Show: McComsey - 9:30AM - Cafeteria
December 18 - 5th/6th Musical Auditions - Student Solos Only - 4:00-5:30PM
December 19 - 3rd Grade Talent Show: Story- 9:30AM - Cafeteria
December 20 - Holiday Sing (Students & Staff Only) - 9:30AM; PM KDG Invited to Attend
December 23 - January 1 - Winter Recess - No School for Students
December 24 - Christmas Eve
December 25 - Christmas Day
December 31 - New Years Eve
School Resumes: Thursday, January 2nd, 2014 - Happy New Year!
Buckingham 5th & 6th Grade Musical Auditions - "The Ever After"
The Ever After is a musical comedy based on a parody of daytime TV – Is “ever after” really all it’s cracked up to be? Fairy tale characters find out as they reunite 20 years later. The show is packed with songs, comedy and the opportunity to shine. Auditions are open to all 5th and 6th grade students, and the show is scheduled for two evening performances on April 3rd and 4th. Students will be guaranteed a spot in the show with a commitment to attend all rehearsals and performances. Rehearsals will be after school 1-3 times a week (depending on your child’s part in the show) from January until April.
Chorus auditions - require one after school committment
Wednesday, December 11th from 4:00-5:00PM.
During the chorus auditions, students will be taught a short piece of music from the show, and then will sing it individually.
Solo auditions - require two after school commitments:
Thursday, December 12th from 4:00-4:30PM to learn the audition song
Wednesday, December 18th, 4:00-5:30PM. Student solo auditions.
The Bucks County Symphony Youth Concert
On Sunday, December 8, 2013 the Bucks County Symphony Youth Concert will be held at CB West Auditorium beginning at 3:00PM. This year's concert is featuring twenty Buckingham Orchestra Students who will be performing music composed by Buckingham's own Band Director, Mr. Aric Branchfield. Participating students are: Aditya Gunturi, Connor Sturza, Carl Soderstrom, Christopher Czerwinski, Loren Harper, Jennifer Mershon, Kevin Fay, Michael Herron, Conor Tait, Aydin Zazyczny, Andrew Sheehan, Charles Dell'Orefice, Maggie Young, Ferenc Cseri, Daniel Eckley, Makayla Romanus, Ryan Gray, Maggie Kettelberger, Ryan Hall, and Tyler Young. Please see Poster below for more information. Thanks to the participating students and Mr. Branchfield for Making their Mark representing Buckingham!
CB Cares Boomerang Nominations
December: #17 Creative Activities. Young person participates in creative activities which have a direct positive impact on him/her and others. Their creative activity can take a variety of forms - music, drama, art, writing, or any other creative activity.
Students/Parents/Teachers, please nominate a Buckingham student by clicking here! In your paragraph, include how your nominee exemplifies this month’s asset. Nominations are due to Mr. Rosica by Monday, December, 16th.
School Happenings
Buckingham Student "Lights-Up" Peddler's Village during their Grand Illumination!
On Friday, November 22, 4th grade student from Mrs. Kirsche's classroom - Michael Biafore - assisted Santa with flipping the switch to "ON" - lighting over a million lights at Peddler’s Village's Grand Illumination Event. Michael then escorted Santa to his Giggleberry Fair station where Santa then began receiving children to discuss if they have been Naughty or Nice!
Michael's essay was the chosen essay for the contest this year - one out of hundreds picked allowing him to help Santa this year! Michael wrote how it is his family's tradition to attend this yearly event in Lahaska. It was a very exciting way to start the Holiday Season for Michael and his family! Congratulations on a really great essay, Michael!
WBMK Studios: Buckingham Morning Announcements Televised!
With the support of the Buckingham PTO, Closed Circuit television equipment was installed over the summer in preparation for televised morning announcements during the 2013-2014 school year. Led by Mrs. Kristen Kraus (Librarian) and Mrs. Carrie Vice (PEN), applications were submitted by interested 5th and 6th graders to participate with production, recording, or newscasting! On Monday, December 2nd, 2013, students were showcased during Buckingham's first televised morning announcements. Televised announcements will occur once-a-week throughout the year.
Buckingham Service Learning: Grundy Hall
Buckingham 6th Grade Students contributed their time and energy to residents of Grundy Hall - A senior citizen Bucks County housing facility - during the Thanksgiving Break. Students worked together with the help of their teachers and some parents to assemble Breakfast Bags and went door-to-door to distribute to residents. The children represented Buckingham Elementary School and Made Their Marks during a special time of year!
Buckingham Rockin' Roots Club help to Beautify the Courtyard
Fancy Nancy Illustrator, Robin Preiss Glasser, Comes to Buckingham!
On Friday, November 22nd, Buckingham students in 1st through 3rd grades learned all about how storybook character, Fancy Nancy, came to the pages of their favorite stories! Mrs. Robin Preiss Glasser, illustrator of Fancy Nancy books visited Buckingham and shared stories about some of the pictures of her books - like how Fancy Nancy dancing illustrations are drawings of when Mrs. Preiss-Glasser use to dance professionally -or- how an American Idol contestant was the basis for one of the secondary characters of a chapter book! The children dressed in their favorite "Fancy" outfits and had a great time learning about illustrating Picture Books!
The Spoonman Assembly at Buckingham - 11/26
On November 26th, the “Spoon Man” came to Buckingham Elementary to showcase his talents during a schoolwide Spirit Day assembly. Jim Cruise, "The Spoon Man", has been playing the spoons for nearly 32 years (he never had a social life) - but professionally for 20 years. The “Spoon Man” is a Published Author who offered a hilarious interactive comedy program for grades 1-6. He gave a real stirring performance. The “Spoon Man” left a lasting impression after playing on the students (literally). It was a spoonful of fun!
From the Buckingham PTO
PTO Welcomes District Superintendent, Dr. David Weitzel
On Thursday, November 21st at 9:30am, new School Superintendent, Dr. David Weitzel, visited our school to speak at the General PTO Meeting. Dr. Weitzel introduced himself as the new New Superintendent of Schools, shared an update on his transition into his new responsibilities and provided a brief look ahead for our school district. Attendees enjoyed the opportunity to ask questions about our school and district. Also covered at the meeting was a review of current fundraisers. Thanks to the dedication of many volunteers and participants, all fundraisers are running smoothly and meeting or exceeding expectations. The PTO Board wishes to extend a heartfelt "THANK YOU!" to all parents who have contributed to the success of Fall Fest, the Fall Book Fair, SilverGraphics, and Kidstuff as well as everyone who supported the Buckingham Elementary Community simply by showing up at one of our Family Fun Nights to enjoy one another's company.
The next General PTO meeting is scheduled for January 23rd at 9:30am. Attending a meeting is a great way to connect with other parents and hear what's going on at school. Mark your calendars so you can hear Mr. Funseth and Mr. Rosica speak about this year's schoolwide initiative entitled, "Make Your Mark".
Secret Shoppe Coming to Buckingham!
Secret Shoppe offers a fun-filled yet safe opportunity for kids to experience some independent holiday shopping. The "shoppe" is open to students and parents as follows:
Friday, December 6 - 6:00PM-9:00PMpm (children only)
Saturday, December 7 - 10:00AM-12:00PM for parents and children.
This is also a great opportunity to for parents to help out with a short-time commitment. To volunteer, please follow this link to Sign-up Genius:
www.SignUpGenius.com/go/4090945A9A72AA31-secret or contact Judy Kleemeier (kleemeier@comcast.net) or Cindy Dobbins (cmdad2@comcast.net.
SilverGraphics Online Gallery
This fun and creative fundraiser was very popular and successful - allowing the PTO to raise money to support the schoolwide art programs and initiatives. SilverGraphics offers an option to extend this fundraiser via their website. You will have access to the Buckingham Elementary Art Gallery where you may purchase additional items that will be shipped directly to your home. This may come in handy as the year progresses and you find that you'd like to have a personalized gift for Mother's Day, Father's Day, Grandparent's Day or someone's birthday. For a period of one year, a percentage of every order will come back to Buckingham Elementary PTO to be used in ways that directly and positively impact our school.
In the near future, you will receive further details to access the password-protected site. If you would prefer that your child's art NOT be posted on-line, please contact Anne Piotrowski by December 4th at amp@sta2ned.com and place "OPT-OUT" in the subject line of your message. In the body of your message, include student name, grade and teacher. Please note that, if you do not opt out via email by December 4th, your child's art will automatically be included on the website.
School Mission
We, the Buckingham School Community, foster the academic, social, and emotional growth of our children. We establish a safe environment that encourages collaboration and life-long learning where students accomplish their personal goals. We are committed to supporting children through a well-structured learning environment built upon research-based best practices. The Buckingham School Community is dedicated to developing creative students of character who are responsible, contributing citizens.
Buckingham Elementary School
PO Box 158, 2414 Durham Road
Buckingham, PA 18912-0158
Principal, Karl Funseth
Principal's Secretary, Janice Petrie
Email: buckingham@cbsd.org
Website: http://tiny.cc/cbsd_buckingham
Location: Buckingham Elementary School, Durham Road, Buckingham, PA, United States
Phone: (267)893-4200