South Lebanon Elementary Newsletter
October 2023
Principal's Spotlight
It has been a great start to the 2023-2024 school year! At South Lebanon, we are committed to creating an environment where students are excited for learning and where everybody is somebody. During the month of October, we are excited to have our first SOAR Day of the school year. Our focus for SOAR Day will be to build a community among our students. Students, for the most part, will remain in the same SOAR group as last year so that they can continue to build relationships with those students that they've met last year. Additionally in October, we will be having our annual Race For Education and at the end of the month we will be having a special assembly for Red Ribbon Week. Boston Bachard is a juggler and performer who will be coming to talk with the students about perseverance and kindness while putting on an exciting show!
To start the school year, we brought back our SOAR program with some new and exciting improvements. The students have been working to receive individual punches on their punch card. when the students fill their cards with 20 punches, they are able to receive a prize in the office and put their name in a drawing for one of our monthly prizes. These monthly prizes are displayed in the office so that the students can choose the prize that they would like to try to get. The more cards turned in, the more chances a student has to win. So far, the most popular prize is the Avocado Toast Squishmallow. In addition to individual prizes, the students will be working to earn class rewards for earning 4 Falcons on their SOAR posters outside of their classroom.
As always, thank you for your continued support in your child's education. Our strongest resource is the partnership that we have with parents. Together, we can all ensure that all students will achieve success.
Parent Teacher Conferences
Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held on November 20-21, 2023. We will be using an online sign up tool called PTCFast to allow you to sign up for a conference time for your children. The button below will become active on Monday, October 9, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. You can use the button below or access the link on the South Lebanon page of the district website. If you are unable to access the link, please feel free to contact the South Lebanon office and our staff will assist you in securing a time. The PTCFast link will be unavailable as of Monday, November 6, 2023. To sign up for a conference after November 6th, please contact your child's teacher or the South Lebanon Office.
News From the Nurse's Office
Don’t Forget! Frequent hand washing is the best way to break down the transmission of germs!
1. A reminder for any Kindergarten student who did not return a physical and dental form-- Please submit the form to the nurse's office as soon as possible.
2. A reminder to 3rd grade students who did not return a dental form--Please submit the form to the nurse's office as soon as possible.
3. State mandated screenings (vision, hearing, height and weight) will take place on October 24, 25 and 26, 2023. Results will be entered into Skyward under the Health tab. Referrals will be mailed to students that are screened outside the normal range. Please remember to send glasses with your child during screening dates.
4. Apple Crunch will be celebrated on Friday, October 27, 2023. If you like, please have your child wear red to celebrate eating healthy every day.
If your child has tested positive for COVID, please inform your child’s healthcare provider and follow their guidance regarding a return-to-school date. A note from the healthcare provider should be submitted to the school office upon your child’s return to school. In the event the provider’s note does not indicate a return date, the school nurse will work with parents/guardians to determine a return date, based on CDC guidelines. Parents/guardians who do not have a healthcare provider’s note are advised to write a parent ill note that will count toward the 10 days of allowable absences per school year.
Counselor's Corner
We are off to a good start this year. Students appear to be adjusting well from their summer hours to their current school routine. I understand that this rigor is demanding but it is needed for student success.
Now that we are entering October, our plan is to start our group counseling meetings. We would like to start groups like coping with anxiety, healthy relationships, friendships, grief and loss, anger management, and a few more from last year.
I will send out surveys this year to request topics of discussions via Skyward. If you feel I need to cover some topics sooner than later, please contact me here at the school.
We are looking to continue a good year and your support is needed for the success of your students.
STEM Lab News from Mrs. Cavic
Hello from the STEM lab! As we make the transition from a technology special to a STEM special, we are in need of some supplies. I have placed a donation box outside the lab for easy collection.
Your help is greatly appreciated! ~~ Mrs. Cavic
Materials List
Empty toilet paper rolls
Empty paper towel rolls
2 liter or 20 oz. soda bottle caps
CD’s
Bird seed
Peanut butter
Mini Marshmallows
Toothpicks
Balloons
Q-tips
Marbles
Straws
Physical Education News from Mrs. Houtz
Please be sure to have your child wear sneakers (preferably with laces or velcro) on days that they have Physical Education (PE) class. It is SUPER important for their safety.
- Please try to avoid having your child wear any of the following to PE: crocs, clogs, sandals, flip flops, wheelies, dress shoes, boots, keens, wedges, slides, hey dudes or boat shoes.
*If you do not know when they have PE class reach out to their teacher or Mrs. Houtz (PE teacher)
Save the Date! – Family PE Week (November 6 – 10, 2023)
You will be invited to participate in Physical Education class with your student. Look for more information to come home at the beginning of October!
Anyone attending will be required to have clearances on file with the school district and be on the volunteer list. (See Volunteer Information on the Community tab on the www.clsd.k12.pa.us website for more information on being a volunteer)
We Are Hiring
Job Postings
We still have the following positions open for the 2023-2024 school year. Please use the button below to view job postings for the district.
- Primary Assistant/Cafeteria Proctor
- Personal Care Aide
- Short Term Substitute - 5th Grade
- Substitute Teachers
- If you have a bachelors degree outside of education, you can become a substitute teacher by taking Guest Teacher Certification courses through the IU13. Click here for more information.
- Substitute School Nurses
- Substitute Aides
- Substitute Secretaries
South Lebanon PTP News
October is a very busy month for the South Lebanon PTP. A favorite student event and our biggest fundraiser, The Race for Education will take place on Friday, October 6th. If you haven’t already registered your child and shared the fundraiser with friends and family, it’s not too late! Click the link below to help the PTP raise funds for our awesome school community. We look forward to a great event!
Thank you to those who attended our September PTP meeting. We are so thankful for your enthusiasm and willingness to volunteer. Everyone is welcome to join us at our next meeting on Wednesday, October 11th at 6:30 p.m. in the library. Childcare will be provided by our high school volunteers.
If you have signed up to volunteer throughout the year, you will receive an email from the coordinator with details about the event. As the school year continues the PTP is always looking for various volunteers, both with clearances and without. If you are interested in volunteering for any events use the link below to sign up.
Any way you can help is appreciated by the students and staff at South Lebanon.
If you have any questions, please email the PTP at ptp.southlebanon@gmail.com and/or visit the PTP website, https://sites.google.com/view/southlebanonptp/home.
See you at the next PTP meeting!
The South Lebanon PTP Officers
Tiffany Lutz, President
Melissa Stefonich, Vice President
Tanya Hornberger, Treasurer
Rachael Love, Secretary
Important Links:
School Identifier: 6308c7c9d7c75
October Menu
Parents can limit their child(ren)’s a la carte purchases? A la Carte purchases are items not included with a meal, such as ice cream, cookie, chips, gummy snacks, small bottled water, etc.
Here’s how:
- Log in to Skyward Family Access
- Click Food Service Tab
- Click Set Purchase Limit
- Choose to Set a limit -OR- Do Not Allow Purchases
- Click Save to save all changes
To see a sample picture of Skyward Family Access Food Service account, click here
News from CLSD
From the District Office:
Student Breakfast/Lunch Reminders: Looking for the menu for your child’s school … ? Want to check or add money to your child’s food service account in Skyward …? Need to refile an application for free and reduced school meals …? Click on the “Lunch Menu” quick link icon on all CLSD websites (www.clsd.k12.pa.us) to find information and helpful links. Important Note: Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, is the deadline for the carry-over Free & Reduced Price Meal applications. All previous years’ applications for free or reduced meals expire after October 10, 2023. If the CLSD Food Service Department has not received a new application for your student by Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, your student’s account will revert to paying status and their account will be charged for each meal they receive. Parents/guardians are responsible for all charges to their student’s school meal account as outlined in Board Policy 808.1 (Food Service School Meal Account Charges).
Falcon Foundation applications are due October 15: The Falcon Foundation, educational foundation for the Cornwall-Lebanon School District, is pleased to announce that grants and awards will again be offered this fall to district students, employees and community members: Student Educational Opportunity Awards, Employee Educational Opportunity Awards, and Project Grants. Descriptions and applications for these grants and awards are posted online. Visit any CLSD school or the District website (www.clsd.k12.pa.us) and click on the “Falcon Foundation” Quick Link for more details. Deadline for submitting applications is Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023.
Special Invitation for CLSD Veterans & our Military families: A complimentary breakfast is planned for Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023, to honor veterans who reside within the Cornwall-Lebanon School District. Each veteran may bring one guest. District veterans are asked to call (717) 389-1810, to register and receive details prior to October 27. We also extend this invitation to those within our district family (employees, parents/guardians of district students) who are currently serving in any branch of the United States military or National Guard. Families of CLSD students are asked to complete the Military Families Survey that will be sent via Skyward Message in early October. You will be able to make reservations on the survey to attend the breakfast. Reservations are required by October 27 due to space and menu preparation needs.
Online Community Bulletin Board: Check the online Community Bulletin Board regularly for information about upcoming events, activities and fundraisers throughout the CLSD community (Click on the “COMMUNITY” tab on the District website: www.clsd.k12.pa.us, or Look under the “COMMUNITY” tab on any CLSD school page.) Currently, you can find out about sports activities for the participant and spectator … Scouting opportunities … Student club and parent group Fundraisers ... community events & activities ... and many more items of possible interest! Submit an item to be considered for posting on the Community Bulletin Board by completing the “Community Announcement Form,” located under the same tab.
Inclement Weather Procedures & Skylert Notification System: The decision to close school or open two hours later will be announced before 7:00 AM on the CLSD Home page, (www.clsd.k12.pa.us), as well as on the Cornwall-Lebanon School District Facebook and X/Twitter (@CLSD_Schools) pages, and on local radio and TV stations. The Skylert automated notification system also will be used to contact parents/guardians during the school day in the event of a building power failure, hazardous situation, or an early dismissal. Please review the important information that is printed inside the front cover of the CLSD 2023-24 Calendar of Events. The District website is the first place important information is posted. Please, do not contact school or District offices in the case of these events as it is important for our phone lines to be available for emergency communications.
Remember, the Skylert notification system is only as accurate as the information you have provided to the District. Be sure your phone and email settings allow (do not Block) these numbers: (717) 272-2031; (717) 272-2036 and (717) 389-1810, and emails from @clsd.k12.pa.us addresses. Please review your information and make any updates in Skylert (for general information sharing, including school closings):
- Login to your Skyward account.
- Click the word “Skylert” in the left menu.
- Fill-in and check or uncheck your desired settings.
- Click “SAVE” in the upper right side of the page when you are done.
Note: If you need to change any “Emergency Contact” information, please contact your student’s school office.
Volunteers and Chaperones: Cornwall-Lebanon School District greatly appreciates the volunteers and chaperones who provide assistance to students and teachers through their participation in classroom support, as well as special events and activities. Volunteers are essential to the success of students. Look under the “Community” tab on the District Home page for details: www.clsd.k12.pa.us. Anyone who will be serving as a long-term or short-term volunteer for the District must complete the Volunteer Information packet, located on the website, prior to serving as a volunteer.
October Calendar Items:
Oct. 7: Falcon Foundation Golf Tournament at Pine Meadows Golf Course, 8 AM start. For details and to register, click here!
· Oct. 9: No School for Students. This is a Professional Learning Day for staff members.
· Oct. 9: School Board Public Work Session, 5:30 PM, CCHS LGI
· Oct. 15: Application Deadline for Falcon Foundation Grants & Awards
· Oct. 16: School Board Meeting, 5:30 PM, CCHS LGI
· Oct. 19: School Transportation Drivers Recognition Day
· Week of October 23-27: Red Ribbon Week
· Oct. 27: Deadline to register for the Nov. 9 Breakfast Program for Veterans & Students of Military Families – See info above.