Springfield Elementary
Panther Newsletter -- October 10, 2014
Principal's Welcome
Dear Parent/Guardian:
I’m looking forward to having a school newsletter so we can share all the wonderful activities happening at Springfield. There are so many exciting events coming this year that I want to keep you informed about, so please check out the Principal's Corner later in the newsletter.
It’s definitely going to be an exciting year!
Scott Davis
Principal
Upcoming October Events
10/5 Giant A+ rewards begins. No need to re-register; for new registrations go to: Giant A+
10/13 Fiscal Oversight Subcommittee meeting 9am in the District Office
10/13 SEPTA Meeting in the Springfield Elementary Library at 12:10pm. All are welcome! Agenda includes a rep from Source4Teachers discussing substitute aids & secretaries.
10/15 Regular Board Meeting, 7:30pm, PHS Library
10/15 Picture Re-take day
10/16 Free & Reduced Lunch Application due
10/17 Race for Education: K(am)-2nd gr, 9:30-10:30am / K(pm) & 3rd-5th gr, 1:30-2:30pm
10/28 Deadline for Box Top & Labels for Education Fall Submission
10/31 Springfield Elementary Halloween parade, 2:15pm followed by class parties
Did You Know?
- Soup is offered in the cafeteria beginning this month
- Parents are welcome to attend assemblies and join their children for lunch
- Clearances get returned to Susan Keogh in the District office
- Emailed after-school pick-up notices should be received by Mrs. Burns by 3pm. You should receive a short confirmation response. If you don't, please call her to confirm
Sunflowers courtesy of garden committee
Dancing at October Panther Pride Assembly
Watch for Upcoming Events on our Sign
Race for Education
Specific race times are: K(am)-2nd grade, 9:30-10:30am /
K(pm) & 3rd-5th grade, 1:30-2:30pm
Friday, Oct 17, 2014, 09:30 AM
Springfield Elementary School Field
Mystery Artwork
1st Grade-Three Fish Art
2nd Grade-Eric Carle Flowers
3rd Grade-Picasso Portraits
Clearances
Elementary School Closure Meeting
Wednesday, Nov 5, 2014, 06:00 PM
Palisades High School (Library), Church Hill Road, Kintnersville
-- Kudos --
100-Step Reading Challenge
Summer 100-step Challenge
Congratulations to those students who read 100 Steps over the summer:
Grade 1
William Z., Jared N., Mason B., Wesley D., Gianna N., Dylan V., Megan R., Louden H.
Grade 2
Johonna S., Gavin Y., Ben F., Lukas B., Olivia O.
Grade 4
Joseph Z., Michael Z., Melissa R., Jordan M.
-- 100 Step Reading "Roof" Challenge --
Springfield students have been challenged by Mr. Davis to read 100 steps (25 hours) by mid-May. If each student reaches this goal, Mr. Davis will pitch a tent and sleep one night on the roof!
- What? The 100 Step Reading Challenge is a school-wide reading initiative. One step is equal to 15 minutes of independent reading. The “Step” program allows students to read at their own reading level.
- How? Students should log their reading and hand the completed sheets to classroom teachers. Reading logs can be obtained from teachers, the 100 Step Bulletin Board outside of the library, or by clicking the following link: Reading Logs
- Why? Research has shown that, “Students who read independently become better readers, score higher on achievement tests in all subject areas, and have greater content knowledge than those who do not (Krashen, Cunningham and Stanovich 1993).
The Springfield staff has also been participating in the Reading Challenge. They are setting a great example for students. Please contact Mrs. McKenney at kmckenney@palisadessd.org for further questions. Happy Reading!
Panthers Are Worthy Students (PAWS)
Congratulations to those students who have won PAWS Awards so far this year!
Left to right in photo below: Galen L., Cameron H., Kathleen A., Josh H., Jon S., Kyli J., Haley Sb., & Aubrey B. Amy T. is not pictured.
Summary of Board Meeting on October 1st
Springfield Elementary-related topics:
1. Mrs. Cuff (Librarian), Mrs. Jefferson (Spanish teacher), & Mrs. Becker (PAL teacher) were acknowledged for their completion of the Google Educator Certification. They are now our Google for Education Tech leaders and will be completing 150 hours as tech leaders advising on technology in our building.
2. The Education subcommittee meeting will be held 10/8/14 at 7pm in the Audion at PHS. Agenda includes a language arts curriculum review and a student achievement data presentation.
3. Another bus will be put into the routing system by October 13th to shorten the time for students on Bus 12 to return home.
4. A transportation hotline has been set up so you can call if you are unsure your bus is late: 610-847-5131, ext. 4300
5. The next Facilities Building Use Study Committee Meeting will be held 11/5/14 at 6pm in the PHS library. This newly developed subcommittee was put together to review the closing of one of the district's three Elementary schools. Agenda includes discussion on hiring a company to complete a demographic study & it's relevance at this time.
5. Dr. O'Connell was selected as one of the top 5 superintendents in the country. Find out more at: Bammy or in this article. Follow her on her new blog for all types of special interest stories and educational issues.
For more meeting information, contact Tamara Rambo at tamararambo7@gmail.com
SEPTA
SEPTA (Springfield Elementary Parent Teacher Alliance) raises funds for many school needs that are not covered by standard school funding. BUT, SEPTA is way more than just fundraising! Our goal is to ensure our children get an exceptional education and the support they need while doing it. Additionally, we keep our members informed of school issues so that they can be aware of and participate in decision-making for establishing school policy. Remember, all parents & guardians of Springfield Elementary students are members of SEPTA--so let's get involved!
2014/2015 SEPTA Officers:
President: Jill Triani, Front Left in photo
jilltriani@yahoo.com
Vice President: Tamara Rambo, Front Right in photo
Treasurer: Lyla Cookson, Back Left in photo
Secretary: Jen Keller, Back Right in photo
Principal's Corner
Here are some things I'm excited about for the upcoming year:
· Federal funding for Title 1 Reading support which allowed us to hire an additional reading teacher & two assistants
· Sleeping on the roof if all students meet 100-step Reading Challenge goal by mid-May.
· School programs & activities helping students develop positive relationships with each other & their teachers such as:
- The Positive Panther program, recognizing students who display good character & make good choices
- Classroom ambassador program
- Bus ambassador program
- Student Council
- The new gardening committee--helping our students learn to compost, build bird houses, plant flowers, grow and then eat vegetables like tomatoes & green beans.
- Building an outdoor classroom in the courtyard by the art room with Home Depot.
To keep things running smoothly, here are a couple of things I'd like you to be aware of:
· A proposed automated calling system will notify you when your child has been marked absent from school and remind you to turn in a written and signed absence excuse within 3 days. More information is available in the Parent Handbook under Attendance.
· Visitors & volunteers must sign in at the main office & show a picture ID. Clearances are required for the two different levels of volunteers. Clearance forms, and an explanation of the volunteer levels are available here: Clearance Forms
Thank you,
Scott Davis
Principal, Springfield Elementary
Innovations
How often do you find yourself telling your child to slow down on the video games? What if there was a way to make gaming a positive learning experience? Read about innovative ways that gaming and coding are being used to enhance learning for students of all ages. These ideas, which were implemented in the classroom, can also transcend into the child's home.
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/coding-and-gaming-enhance-learning-douglas-kiang
Stay Tuned!
Bus Ambassadors
Permanent Art Collection
Soup details
and much more...
Comments, Thoughts, Ideas
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