December Newsletter
"Knowledge is Power"
From The Principal's Desk
Dear Parents/Guardians:
As Principal of Union Canal, I am super thankful for the students, faculty and Staff, and the community that I serve. This is a wonderful community that is super supportive and passionate about providing the best learning experience for our children. During this season of thanks please help Union Canal by providing food donations to Lebanon County Christian Ministries.
Starting December 8th, we have special theme days to get us in the spirit of “Giving With Gratitude” throughout the month of December. Students can show their school spirit with the following festive themes while also supporting the Market on 7th food distribution program at Lebanon County Christian Ministries. The Market on 7th serves households within the Lebanon, Cornwall-Lebanon, and ELCO school districts that are experiencing food insecurity and/or food assistance for low-income families. The Market on 7th is a place that families can come and shop for free groceries. Union Canal will be collecting non-perishable food items to help support the Market on 7th. Click here for more information about Lebanon County Christian Ministries. Click here for more information about the Market on 7th.
- Food Item Collection List:
- Rice, particularly Whole Grain, All Varieties 1lb Bags or Boxes
- Canned Tuna, 9-Ounce Cans Preferred
- Canned Salmon, 9-Ounce Cans Preferred
- Canned Chicken, 9-Ounce Cans Preferred
- Whole Grain Pasta, All Varieties 1lb Boxes
- Pasta Sauce, 24-Ounce Cans
- Boxed Cereal, Healthy Varieties, Less Than 6grams of Sugar
December Spirit Days!
December 6—Holiday Cheer: Wear red or green while spreading Holiday Cheer!
December 8—Winter Wonderland Day: White Out! Wear All White!
December 13—Candy Cane Day: Wear Red & White
December 15—Holiday Headgear: Wear reindeer Antlers, Santa Hats, or other Holiday Headgear.
December 19—Merry & Bright! Wear anything that sparkles… (tinsel, lights, ect.)
December 20—Holiday Best! Wear your best holiday tie, dress, or outfit!
December 21—Grinch Day! Wear Green, Grinchy Outfit, or Miserable like Dr. McGrinchy!
During the month of November we looked at the character trait of Kindness and Courtesy and met in small 'Union Canal Family Groups' to discuss what this character trait is. Within December we will spend time talking about Friendship.
As always if you have any questions or concerns about our school or operations please do not hesitate to reach out to me via phone 717-270-7227 or email bmcginty@clsd.k12.pa.us .
Yours In Education,
Bernard J. McGinty, Ed.D.
Principal
Email: bmcginty@clsd.k12.pa.us
Website: https://www.clsd.k12.pa.us/Domain/13
Location: 400 Narrows Drive, Lebanon, PA 17046, USA
Phone: 717-270-7227
Twitter: @Union_Canal_El
Recognition for Perfect Attendance
Donuts With Dr. McGinty
Students who achieved perfect attendance during each marking period will be rewarded with "Donuts with Dr. McGinty". Mrs. Madeleine McCurdy, Union Canal's Student Liaison, helped initiate the program to reward students for exemplary school attendance. When the students arrive at school on these designated days, they will head down to the cafeteria for fresh donuts and juice. Pictured below are the students who participated in the first event on Monday, November 6th.
From the Nurse
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.
Union Canal "DARE" Program Save the Date
D.A.R.E. Graduation Ceremony at Union Canal Friday, January 12 at 2:00 PM
Officer Gallese from the North Lebanon Township Police Department had been providing instruction to the 5th grade students every Monday and Wednesday. DARE instruction incorporates skills and abilities to help teach students to resist drugs and violence. Please SAVE THE DATE of January 12th at 2:00 PM to attend their graduation and join the students as they receive their certificates from the program.
Ornaments for Seniors
Elementary students had the chance to decorate ornaments to be used as favors for the annual CLSD Holiday Breakfast for Seniors. Below is a picture of several of the classes, completing their special gifts.
Character Trait Assemblies
Every month an assembly is held to explain to students the meaning of a particular character trait and provide an example of how to carry out that trait in a positive manner. The "Character Trait" for November is "kindness/courtesy". At the end of the month of November students in each classroom that best represented that particular character trait will be recognized and given a certificate. Pictured below are the students who received the award for the month of November.
Grade K Mrs. Mays - Roman Oxenreider
Grade K Mrs. Fiebig AM- Sebastian Kless
Grade K Mrs. Fiebig PM- Sevanna Boyer
Grade K Mrs. Eberly - Thiana Bolanos Gomez
Grade 1 Mrs. Schmidt - Genesis Neal
Grade 1 Mrs. Derr - Grace Santiago
Grade 1 Mrs. Raub- Laney Tillinger
Grade 2 Mr. Menser- Laylah Blouch
Grade 2 Ms. Haag- Asher Sipos
Grade 2 Mrs. Wenzke- Faithe Kauffman
Grade 2 Mrs. Campbell- Collin Reager
Grade 3 Mrs. Mori- Jaryelis Montanez
Grade 3 Mrs. Martinez- William Drexel
Grade 3 Mrs. Waranavage- Naianelys Falcon Hernandez
Grade 3 Mrs. Horst - Timothy Ricard-Fleisch
Grade 4 Mrs. Rest- Dylan Fox
Grade 4 Mrs. Wagner - Gianna Quinones
Grade 4 Miss Stamm- Landon Cummings
Grade 5 Mrs. Pedrick- Chloe Edwards
Grade 5 Mrs. Marsh- McKinley Bixler
Grade 5 Mrs. Stellar- Jaidah Jeter
Grade 5 Special’s Teachers- Azariah Rhette
Upcoming PTT Events at Union Canal
Elves Magic Land
On December 7th & 8th, the PTT will be sponsoring our annual Elves Magic Land Event here at Union Canal.
Elves Magic Land is a shopping experience that allows our students to purchase items for their family members for the holiday season. Please know that children are not required to shop at Elves Magic Land. They may simply browse and enjoy a treat with their class.
From the District Office
- CCHS Holiday Concert: Sunday, Dec. 10, 2 PM, Cedar Crest High School Auditorium. Tickets are $2 for general seating. Present your CLSD Gold Cards for free admission for card holder.
- Holiday Breakfast Concert for District Residents age 65+: Thursday, Dec. 14, 8 AM, Cedar Crest Middle School cafetorium. Doors to the CCMS cafetorium at the rear of the building will open at 7:30 AM. Tickets are required. Stop by the District office, 105 E. Evergreen Rd., (717) 272-2031 before Dec. 6 to pick up free tickets, first come, first served.
- Please visit and bookmark the District’s online Community Bulletin Board for information and opportunities for students and families: www.clsd.k12.pa.us. Click on the Community tab at the top of the page. This website is provided as a community service and items appearing there in no way constitute an endorsement by Cornwall-Lebanon School District. All questions should be directed to the contacts listed. To have your information considered for inclusion here, please submit the Community Announcement submission form located under the drop-down menu under the COMMUNITY tab. Items submitted will be reviewed for approval according to CLSD policies and procedures.
- The next meeting of the CLSD Board of School Directors is Monday, Dec. 4, 2023, at 5:30 p.m., in the large group instruction room (LGI) at the high school. This is the annual reorganization meeting of the Board. There is no work session scheduled in December. Please register to attend under the School Board tab on the District website.
- Cornwall-Lebanon School District will be closed for Winter Break: Friday, Dec. 22 through and including Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. School will resume on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024.
School Lunch
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.
Log into 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
School Hours
- School opens and breakfast is available for students beginning at 8:50 AM each day
- Parent drop-off begins at 8:50 AM and ends at 9:00 AM
- The instructional day begins at 9:10 AM; Students arriving after 9:10 AM will be marked tardy
- AM Kindergarten hours are 9:10-11:45 AM
- PM Kindergarten hours are 1:05-3:40 PM
- The elementary school day ends at 3:40 PM