Lower Pottsgrove Elementary School
September 16, 2019
News and Notes for LPES Families
It is hard to believe we are headed into our fourth week of school already. We are off to a fantastic start. It was wonderful to see so many of you at Back to School night. The opportunity to start the school year with everyone and to set the tone for the year has been a welcomed experience for Mr. Dargan and I. We have met with all of the teams to review the Falcon Four Expectations and this coming week, we will be meeting with all of the classes to review the expectations for the school bus. We will be holding an Intruder Drill this coming week as part of our ongoing commitment to the safety of all students. Just like a fire drill, we want to be sure that the children know what to do should an unexpected situation occur. The drills will be occurring in all of the buildings in PGSD over the next few weeks. A separate letter will be coming home on Monday, September 16 and I will be sending out an email blast the day of our drill so that you can follow up with your children at home.
First Day Packets: This is an important reminder to all parents regarding the online first day packets. Please update all information, especially the emergency form, as soon as possible. If a student does not have a current emergency form on file, the student may not be permitted to go on field trips or participate in field day. It is very important that we have updated information for all students. Thank you in advance for your cooperation!
Car Line Reminder: We had a bit of confusion early in the school year with the process for car line, as the line forms, it is important to keep the lots next to the gym and in front of the portico open for vans and buses. The line forms in front of the office and down the hill, the line then moves into the side lot at the bottom of the driveway to keep the line moving in an orderly fashion. We will have staff at the bottom of the hill periodically to direct and make sure everyone understands the process.
Dismissal: If you need to pick your son or daughter up in car line but they typically go home another way, please be sure to send in a note so we can make sure your child is in the area for car riders at dismissal.
Identification: We have a large student body at Lower Pottsgrove Elementary School. If you are coming in to the office to pick up your son or daughter, for a meeting or to volunteer we ask that you bring your photo ID. We want to ensure the safety of all children and while it may seem inconvenient, we ask for ID for the protection of your child as well as the other children at LPES. Thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation.
Student Progress: We are committed to the success of every student. If you have academic or behavioral concerns about your son or daughter please reach out to the classroom teacher. The teacher can provide insight on what they are seeing in the classroom and the teacher can also provide suggestions on things you can do at home to support your son or daughter. If concerns persist, we encourage the teacher to refer the child to our Instructional Support teacher. From there we review the academic and or behavioral data we have for the student and as a team develop an intervention plan. We involve parents in this process as well. We monitor the student and their response to the interventions we put into place. If the team, which includes parents, feel that the child may be in need of further support we may recommend a multi-disciplinary evaluation to dig deeper into the needs of the child. If you have questions about the process, please feel to reach out to me or to Mr. Sawchuk, our Instructional Support Teacher.
Pottsgrove Sporting Events: Parents are reminded that if a student attending a Pottsgrove sporting event is not following the expectations of the Falcon Four, they will be asked to leave the game and they may not be permitted to attend future games. We want the children to attend the games and support the student athletes, we do ask that students follow the school expectations when in attendance at a game.
Picture Day: Picture Day for all students will be on October 10. Students in Mrs. Kaercher, Mrs. Rhoadarmer and Mrs. Bellitto's classes going on the fourth grade field trip will have their pictures taken on October 8. Paperwork will be coming home in the coming weeks. All students get their pictures taken even if they are not purchasing a package. The photos are included in our annual yearbook.
Act 80 Day: Throughout the year we have early dismissal days in order to offer professional development for our teachers. Our first early dismissal day will be on Friday, September 27. Dismissal will begin at 1:25 PM. Please be sure to notify us if your child will be going home in a manner different from a typical day and also please notify your child care providers about the change in schedule .
Youth Night at PGHS!
Go Falcons!
9/11 Tribute! Thank you Scouts!
Looking Ahead
Dates to Remember
September 2019:
20- School Store
24- School Board Meeting 7:30 PM HS LGI Room
27- Act 80 Day- 1:30 PM Dismissal
30- Book Fair
October 2019:
1-4- Book Fair
2- PTA Meeting 6:30 PM LPES Library
4- Movie Night and Family Night at the Book Fair
9- Book Swap
10- Picture Day ( October 8 for fourth grade classes going on the field trip on 10/10)
14- No School, Columbus Day
17- Rainforest Animals Assembly
18- Stephanie Grace Assembly (sponsored by Lower Pottsgrove PD)
26- Trunk or Treat 4-6 PM
28- Trunk or Treat Rain Date 6-8 PM
31- Act 80 Day 1:30 PM Dismissal
November 2019:
1- STEAM Day in the AM
1- Fall Parties in the PM
5- No School- Election Day
6- Book Swap
6- PTA Meeting 6:30 PM Library
11- Veteran's Day
12- American Education Week Visitation grade 5- 9:15, grade 3- 11:45
13- American Education Week Visitation grade 4: 1:00
15- Picture Retakes
25- Parent Conferences 12-8 PM, No School for Students
26- Parent Conferences 12-8 PM, No School for Students
27-29 No School, Thanksgiving Break
Lower Pottsgrove Elementary School
Email: tkoehler@pgsd.org
Website: www.pgsd.org
Location: 1329 Buchert Road, Pottstown, PA, USA
Phone: 610-323-7510