Wrightstown Ravens' News
December 3, 2021
I hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday! December is an exciting month with fun activities planned. We have our upcoming vocal and instrumental winter concerts, Book Fair, and classroom parties before the Winter Break. The STEM and Scrabble Clubs are up and running too! The energy in the building during this time of year is amazing and highly contagious! It is however important that we finish 2021 strong as expectations for work and behavior remain in place. The staff and I greatly appreciate the support from families to reinforce this message at home to make the school experiences positive for all children during this time.
This month's PTO meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, 12/8 at 7:00 P.M. in the Art Room. We hope you can join us!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Beth
Important Dates
Wednesday, December 1st through Friday, December 10th - Student Council Hat, Gloves and Scarf Drive
Monday, December 6th - Rockin' Ravens at 8:25am
Tuesday, December 7th - Rockin' Ravens at 8:25am
Wednesday, December 8th Scholastic Book Fair during Library Classes
Wednesday, December 8th - 6th Grade Scrabble Club at 8:15am/Young Rembrandts at 3:45pm/PTO Meeting at 7:00pm
Thursday, December 9th - Scholastic Book Fair during Library Classes/Winter Instrumental Concert at 7:00pm at Newtown Middle School
Friday, December 10th - Scholastic Book Fair during Library Classes
Monday, December 13th - Rockin' Ravens at 8:25am
Tuesday, December 14th - Winter Choral Concert at 7:00pm at Newtown Middle School
Wednesday, December 15th - 6th Grade Scrabble Club at 8:15am/Young Rembrandts at 3:45pm
Friday, December 17th - STEM Club at 8:00am/4th Grade Gifted Support Trip to HMS
Monday, December 20th - Student Council Spirit Day (Ugly Sweater Day)
Wednesday, December 22nd - 6th Grade Scrabble Club at 8:15am/Holiday Parties/Last Day before Winter Break/Young Rembrandts at 3:45pm
PSSAs - Grades 3-6
For your planning, below are the dates that we will administer the PSSA’s for the 21-22 school year. Please plan accordingly.
Assessment Dates /Grade(s)
English Language Arts- April 25-29, 2022 Grades 3-6
Mathematics- May 2- 6, 2022 Grades 3-6
Science - May 2- 6, 2022 Grade 4
5th Grade WES Wordsmiths Scrabble Club
Attention 5th Graders!
Thanks to a CREF grant, we are excited to announce the start of the WES WORDSMITHS SCRABBLE CLUB! This club will focus on playing the game of Scrabble, learning strategies and having some friendly, competitive fun! This 2nd session is for 5th GRADERS ONLY and will take place before school in the Library from 8:15-9:00 am on Wednesdays in January. 6th Grade still has openings if anyone is interested for this month and 4th grade will meet in February. 5th graders if you are interested, please register at the link below! Space is limited so register ASAP! Please contact Mrs. French (jfrench@crsd.org) if you have any questions! See you at the Scrabble board!
Register here: https://forms.gle/vsMLAk3P42PmjBVD7
Recess Outdoors!
It's cold outside! Please be sure your child is dressed appropriately for outside weather. Warm jackets, hats, sturdy shoes, pants, and gloves are essential for the children to safely enjoy their recess. Unless the weather is extreme (rain or excessive cold – 22 degrees or below), children will have recess outside. Please send your child in with appropriate clothing daily so they are prepared.
Book Fair
We are excited to host an in person book fair at WES!
Dec 8th – Dec 10th during all library classes.
Online shopping begins Dec 6th and runs through Dec 19th.
Online shopping https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bookfairs/cptoolkit/homepage.do?method=homepage&url=wrightstown
Look for flyers and reminders to arrive home with your student
Hats, Scarves & Gloves Giving Tree
Student Council is collecting NEW hats, scarves, and gloves to be donated to Newtown Presbyterian Church. These donations will be distributed within our community. Students can bring the items into school from December 1st through December 10th and place them directly on our Wrightstown “Giving Tree” located by the Gym. We will also have a box located in the front vestibule for any families who would like to drop off their donations. Thank you in advance for your kind donations!
Winter Choral Concert 12/14 at NMS
Our Winter concert is quickly approaching, and you and your families are in for a great treat! The students have been working so hard and are excited to perform. Below is some important information about the chorus concert on Tuesday, December 14th at Newtown Middle School.
The Winter chorus concert will be on Tuesday, December 14th at Newtown Middle School at 7:00 PM. Students will be dropped off at Newtown Middle School at 6:00 PM.
- Students can be dropped off at the main entrance to the building where the front office is located.
- Please note, families will not be able to enter the building until closer to show.
- Students' dress attire will include white tops, black bottoms, or black/white dresses or skirts, and black shoes.
- If your student can not attend the concert due to an emergency, please email me at sstaffieri@crsd.org
Winter Instrumental Concert 12/9 at NMS
December 9th - Wrightstown Instrumental Music Concert @ Newtown Middle School - 7:00 PM
All are welcome to attend!
- Advanced Orchestra Students should arrive by 6:15PM. We will meet in the Newtown Middle School Band Room
- Advanced Band Students should arrive by 6:30PM. We will meet in the Newtown Middle School NMS Music Classroom
Class Updates from Vocal Music
- Sixth grade recently had ukulele stations! Students were able to move around to various stations to practice the chords they have learned on the ukulele so far. One of the stations included a break the ice game with chords on the ice cubes. Make sure to ask your student how it went! Sixth grade will continue to learn about Gustav Holst and his composition called The Planets.
- Fifth grade recently had ukulele stations! Students were able to move around to various stations to practice the chords they have learned on the ukulele so far. One of the stations included pop-it practice! Make sure to ask your student how it went! Fifth grade will continue to learn about Batucada Brasileira and they will perform a Batucada as a class.
- Fourth grade recently learned the G chord on the ukulele. It was a tough chord to learn! Fourth grade will start to learn about the Nutcracker and will focus on Dance of the Mirlitons.
- Third grade is learning a song called Winter Walking. Next week, they will be writing a winter story or poem and turn it into a soundscape! They will be able to use instruments from around the music room to create their soundscape. They are also learning about the Nutcracker and are focusing on the March.
- Second grade is learning a song called Little Snowflakes and using hand percussion instruments with the song. They are also learning the Nutcracker and are focusing on Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. We also spoke about some ballet terms. Second grade also enjoyed comparing and contrasting different performances of the Sugar Plum Fairy. We also played the song Frosty the Snowman on boomwhackers!
- First grade is learning news songs called I'm a Little Penguin and Five Little Snowman. They will be using hand percussion with their songs. They really enjoyed using sleigh bells this week! They are also learning the Nutcracker and are focusing on the Trepak. We also spoke about some ballet terms. First grade also enjoyed comparing and contrasting different performances of the Trepak.
WES Gives Back Dropoff 12/17
I would like to thank all of the families who have generously contributed donations to support Pediatric Speciality Care this holiday season. Thanks to the generosity of you and the WES staff, many children will have a very merry holiday. We are extending the deadline for donations to December 17th. Please drop off your purchased gifts at WES by December 17th! If interested please visit the following link WES Gives Back
PTO Holiday Lights Tour
Mrs. Etgen's Reading Room
By this point in the school year, your child should have built up enough stamina to read for 20 minutes a night. Of course, your eventual goal is for your child to not have to time themselves while reading, because they are actually enjoying it! If your child is still struggling with independent reading time, try to combine reading with other enjoyable activities like family time, drinking hot chocolate, munching on a snack, or even delaying bedtime for a few extra minutes. You would be surprised how those little things make a difference in a young reader! Over the Thanksgiving break, if you would like some extra reading activities to do, check out this Thanksgiving Reading Room! Enjoy reading with your family and spending time together during this Thanksgiving break.
Counselor's Corner with Mrs. Aiello
Gratitude is the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. Practicing gratitude can be a very rewarding experience, improve mental health, and have positive effects on relationships. This time of year especially, we are inclined to experience and practice gratitude. Here are some great resources if you are interested in learning more about this practice:
- Gratitude - a short video on the power of gratitude
- The Best Gratitude Activities for Kids & How to Teach Gratitude to Kids - Ways to discuss gratitude with your child.
- Keep Your MindUP With Gratitude - a quick meditation to demonstrate how you can practice gratitude
Reminders
STEAM Activities
With STEAM education interest and demand continuing to grow, the Bucks IU is excited to announce they will be opening a Fab Lab Center in December 2021 in Warminster, PA! The Fab Lab Center will be the hub for STEAM education in Bucks County, offering educators, students, and industry stakeholders a place to come together to engage in STEAM learning.
STEAM Saturday
• Coding and Robotics - December 11, 2021
After School Fab Lab Clubs (each club meets 1 day/week for six weeks)
• Coding and Robotics - Beginning Tuesday, January 11, 2022
• Engineering and Design - Beginning Wednesday, January 12, 2022
• Making with Digital Fabrication - Beginning Thursday, January 13, 2022
Go to www.BucksIU.org/FabLab/Events, for details and registration.
FirstView Bus Tracking App
The FirstView Bus Tracking App is available for parents to download and use. You can find information for the Tracking App at the bottom of the page at the following LINK.
Soft Pretzel Snack Program
The PTO's Friday Pretzel Snack program is back! The PTO will deliver a soft pretzel to each participating student for snack each Friday. The cost is $20 per child for 28 weeks of pretzels. For more information or to purchase your child's pretzels, see the Pretzel Snack order form.
Pretzel link: https://wrightstownpto.membershiptoolkit.com/form/m/162296
IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM CHARTWELLS REGARDING STUDENT LUNCHES AT SCHOOL
Please take a moment to read the following letter from Chartwells at this LINK. It includes information about what IS and IS NOT included in the free lunch program. Specifically, the letter states:
All Council Rock students in grades 1-8 are eligible to receive a free lunch if they so desire. A student receiving a free meal must choose at least 3 items for the lunch to be considered complete as per the Department of Child Nutrition regulations, one of which must be at least a half-cup serving of a fruit or vegetable. Anything less than this will be considered an a la carte purchase and must be paid for by the student.
Snack prices depend on the items. Snacks are now available for purchase during lunch.
Educational Trip Form
Notes from the Nurse
The health office is welcoming clothing donations. As the weather is getting cooler, we are in need of some warmer clothing. Some of the items we would appreciate and happily accept:
-Boys underpants (sm, med, large)
-Boys pants (size 5-6, 7-8)
-Girls pants (size 8-10)
-Boys/Girls T-shirts (any size)
-Sweatshirts or Jackets (any size)
If your child is absent from school for illness or injury, in addition to notifying the attendance office, please also email the school nurses: Mrs. Berman @ sberman@crsd.org and Mrs. Engelhardt @ katie.engelhardt@crsd.org Thank you for your support!
"Little Rock Stars" Preschool Program
The "Little Rock Stars" Preschool Program at CR North is currently open for enrollment! This is a laboratory type program in which the high school students learn about child development and the skills needed by preschool teachers and caregivers. The students utilize what they learn to plan and prepare activities and lessons for the children. And, of course, it's lots of fun to interact with all the wonderful children at preschool!
This program requires that your child is between the ages of 3 and 5, potty-trained, and demonstrates appropriate behavior. Our program is held every other school day from 8:50-10:30 AM during the Fall and Spring sessions (you may view our calendar here). The cost of nursery school is $80 ($40 per semester) to cover the cost of snacks, equipment, supplies, and other items for your child. This program will be following the CRSD Preschool COVID Policy.
If you are interested in enrolling your child for this program, please fill out this form. Spaces are limited. Enrollment is first come first serve!
For more information about our program, please visit the Little Rock Stars website.
Wrightstown Elementary School
Principal
Email: bfox@crsd.org
Website: https://www.crsd.org/wrightstownes
Location: 729 Penns Park Road, Wrighstown , PA, USA
Phone: (215) 944-2300
Twitter: @BethFox_WES