QE Weekly Update

September 10, 2023

Important Information

PBIS Recognition

We are pleased to announce that we were recognized for meeting criteria for implementing School-Wide (SWPBIS) Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports with fidelity during the 2022-2023 school year! This is the 2nd year in a row that we were recognized by the State and we will have a few staff members on the PBIS Team heading to Hershey in early November to receive our award.

Parent Right to Know Letter

Dear Parent(s)/Legal Guardian(s):


Your child attends Quakertown Elementary School, which receives Federal Title I funds to assist students in meeting state achievement standards. Throughout the school year, we will be providing you with important information about this law and your child’s education. This letter lets you know about your right to request information about the qualifications of the classroom staff working with your child.


At Quakertown Elementary School, we are very proud of our teachers and feel they are ready for the coming school year and are prepared to give your child a high-quality education. As a Title I school, we must meet federal regulations related to teacher qualifications as defined in ESEA. These regulations allow you to learn more about your child’s teachers’ training and credentials. We are happy to provide this information to you. At any time, you may ask:


● Whether the teacher met state qualifications and certification requirements for the grade level and subject he/she is teaching,

● Whether the teacher received an emergency or conditional certificate through which state

qualifications were waived, and

● What undergraduate or graduate degrees the teacher holds, including graduate certificates and additional degrees, and major(s) or area(s) of concentration.


You may also ask whether your child receives help from a paraprofessional. If your child receives this assistance, we can provide you with information about the paraprofessional’s qualifications.


Our staff is committed to helping your child develop the academic knowledge and critical thinking he/she needs to succeed in school and beyond. That commitment includes making sure that all of our teachers and paraprofessionals meet applicable Pennsylvania state requirements.


If you have any questions about your child’s assignment to a teacher or paraprofessional, please contact Dr. Gregory Lesher at Quakertown Elementary School at 215-529-2412 or email me at glesher@qcsd.org.


Sincerely,

Dr. Gregory Lesher

Principal - Quakertown Elementary School

Dental Van Visit Coming Soon - Date TBD

The Star Community Dental Van is back for the 2023-2024 school year to provide top notch

and convenient dental care!


Services Provided:

• Dental Exams, X-Rays and Cleanings

• Sealants

• Fillings

• Further treatment if needed


Who is Eligible? EVERYONE!

We believe all children are deserving of accessible dental care. We have a dedicated team to help.

• CHILDREN CURRENTLY UNDER THE CARE OF A DENTIST ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO SIGN UP

UNLESS THEY WILL BE DISCONTINUING CARE WITH THEIR CURRENT DENTST.

• Children who have Medical Assistance, AmeriHealth Caritas, Gateway, Avesis, United Health Care,

Capital Blue Cross, Cigna, Delta Dental, Guardian, Metlife and United Concordia.

• No Insurance? Or have insurance we do not participate with? We can help!


We believe all children are deserving of accessible dental care. We have a dedicated team to help.


Please contact our Patient Access Coordinator, Tanya Claudio at 484-822-7867 for any questions or assistance.


TO HAVE YOUR CHILD SEEN FOR SERVICES IN THE DENTAL VAN: PLEASE COMPLETE BOTH

SIDES AND RETURN THE ATTACHED FORMS TO THE SCHOOL IMMEDIATELY OR CONTACT


YOUR CHILD’S SCHOOL NURSE.


*Affiliated with St. Luke’s University Health Network*

Fall Fun at the Fab Lab

Don’t miss the FUN at the Fab Lab Center this fall!


AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS run for a full 13 weeks (NEW this year) with 5 club themes to choose from! All start the week of September 18th so REGISTER NOW!

STEAM Saturdays offer a few hours of interactive activities sure to engage and create tons of smiles. Select from any of the 6 - or all of them - and share in the fun!

DISCOUNTS available until 9-30-23 – find out more/register: www.BucksIU.org/FabLab/Events

Second Step SEL Lessons

Dear Family,

We want your child to be successful in school and that means supporting and encouraging their whole development. While excelling in academic classes is important, children also need skills to take on learning challenges, make good decisions, manage strong emotions, and get along with others.


In two weeks, we’ll begin Second Step® Elementary, a research-based social-emotional learning program designed to improve children’s social-emotional skills. Second Step skills and concepts are designed to help children both in and out of school. Four units will cover the following:


Growth Mindset & Goal-Setting: Children learn how to pay attention and manage distractions, develop a growth mindset, and apply goal-setting strategies to their social and academic lives.


Emotion Management: Children learn how to identify and label emotions and use emotion-

management strategies—including stress management for older students—to calm strong feelings.


Empathy & Kindness: Children learn how to recognize kindness and act kindly, have empathy for others and take others’ perspectives, and recognize kind acts and empathy as important elements of building and maintaining relationships.


Problem-Solving: Children learn how to identify and state a problem, recognize if a problem is an accident, and use the STEP problem-solving process:


S: Say the problem

T: Think of solutions

E: Explore the outcomes

P: Pick a solution


You’ll receive weekly communications from your child’s teacher to help you reinforce Second Step language, skills, and goals at home. If you have any questions about Second Step Elementary, please don’t hesitate to contact me or your child’s teacher for more information. Thank you for your support as we work to build a safe and supportive school community.

Family Tech Talk - October 17 at 7 PM

From Roblox to TikTok, technology is changing fast, and many of us are struggling to stay one step ahead of our kids. Please join us on Tuesday, October 17 at 7 PM for an expert Zoom presentation and Q&A about how to help your children stay safe online. This engaging presentation will cover:


• What kids are doing online, from popular apps to online gaming

• Tips for managing screen time

• Best practices to help kids be safe, savvy, and kind online

• Ways to manage a child’s devices, including app settings for age-appropriate content, and more

• Plus, ask your own questions during a live Q&A chat!


Join other parents for this free Zoom event at: https://trendmicro.zoom.us/j/95280197801?pwd=T3NjcyszNUY2dC9lNkt5R2I4THZxdz09


(P.S. Be sure to sign in when prompted, because you’ll be entered to win a $50 Amazon gift card from Trend Micro! Rules: https://bit.ly/3rUpUvE)

In Need of New and Used Clothing

We are in dire need of used clothing in our nurse's office for students who have accidents during the day. If families would be willing to donate used small shorts, small pants, and small t-shirts (gender specific and gender neutral) in addition to new underwear for girls (size 5-6) it would be greatly appreciated!

Upcoming Important Dates

Wednesday, September 13 - PRIDE Assembly


Wednesday, September 20 - Back to School Night (6:00 PM - 7:30 PM)


Monday, September 25 - No School!


Wednesday, September 27 - PIE Meeting (6:30 PM - 8:00 PM)


Tuesday, October 3 - Picture Day (More Info to Come)


Wednesday, October 4 - Emergency Dril (More Info to Come)


Friday, October 6 - Hausman's Farm (More Info to Come)

About Us

At QE, we challenge our students academically and behaviorally through our state-recognized Positive Behavior Support Program, P.R.I.D.E. Every QE student is taught to presevere, show respect, be in control, show dependability, and effort in all school and life endeavors.

The children are our most cherished possessions. Please know that we will do everything in our power to make sure your child feels respected, safe, happy, and successful at Quakertown Elementary School. When we are working together; parents, teachers, staff, and students, we will come together to help each child reach their fullest learning potential.