Deibler Dispatch
S.T.A.R.S. Smart, Thoughtful, and Responsible Students
September 2018
Welcome Back
This is the first issue of our Deibler Dispatch for this school year. The monthly newsletter contains information about current and future happenings at Deibler Elementary. Stay informed by reading the Deibler Dispatch each month!
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parents will be using Sign-up Genius to schedule the November Parent-Teacher Conferences this year. A Black Board Connect (BBC) message will be sent out to all families in early October with the Sign-up link.
Parent-Teacher Conferences dates and times are as follows:
Nov. 15
3:50-7:20 PM Parent
Nov. 20
3:50-7:20 PM
Nov. 21
7:30AM -11:30AM
PSSA Dates
Please note the PSSA test administration dates listed below:
April 15-17, 2019 PSSA Gr. 3, 4, 5 English Language Arts
April 29-30, 2019 PSSA Gr. 3, 4, 5 Math
May 1-2, 2019 PSSA Gr. 4 Science
As you choose dates to take vacation during the school year, please keep in mind that I cannot approve vacation during PSSA testing. Thank you.
Parent Portal
The Pennridge School District uses the Parent Portal to keep track of student information. This secure site allows parents to update student information, access student grades, attendance, and other important information via the internet. All new students’ parents should have received a letter with instructions on setting up an account. If you did not receive your letter, please email Shirl at sheimbac@pennridge.org or call the school office at 215-257-1146 and a copy will be sent home with your child. Once you create your account, it is extremely important that you sign-in to the portal and click on the INFOSNAP link to complete your child’s emergency information.
Court Documents
Please make sure that the school has a copy of any court documents regarding child custody and related matters. We must assume that both parents have equal access to their children, and by law we must release students to either parent unless we have court papers that state otherwise. If there are documents of which we need to be made aware, please let us know as soon as possible by giving us a copy that we can keep on file. Thank you!
Deibler Ticket Program
Our faculty and staff will use the “YET” ticket program to recognize students for making a difference. Students can earn tickets when they are following our S.T.A.R.S. behaviors and for displaying the Power of YET! Students may also earn tickets when they demonstrate the T.A.K.E.S P.R.I.D.E. initiative, the program is designed to encourage our students to demonstrate Trustworthiness, Acceptance, Kindness, Empathy, Service, Perseverance, Respect, Initiative, Dependability, and Esteem- building. The goal of the program is to establish and maintain a positive school environment, which is conducive to teaching and learning. Drawings of the tickets earned in each classroom will take place at our Spirit Assemblies, with lucky winners receiving a prize. In addition to the drawings, at the assemblies, each class will have a YET ticket jar. Once the class fills their jar, the entire class will earn a class-wide reward.
Cafeteria Prices
Breakfast is $1.25
Lunch is $2.50
Reduced Breakfast is $.30
Reduced Lunch is $.40
Important Request
Homework
Upon their return from a single day of absence, students will learn what assignments need to be made up and when they are due. On the 2nd consecutive day of absence, parents calling to inform the school that the child will be out again may request that work missed so far be sent home with another child or sent to the office lobby to be picked up after school.
Back To School Luncheon
We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the parents, whose food contributions and assistance with setting up helped make our August 28th Faculty/Staff luncheon a huge success!
The event was a wonderful way for our faculty and staff to begin the new school year. Thank you!
Transportation Information
To access information regarding transportation, please visit the PSD Home Page (www.pennridge.org) and click on the “Departments” tab across the top and then “Transportation Services.”
Counselors Corner - Sondi Alderfer, M.A., School Counselor
Welcome to the 2018-2019 school year! I am the School Counselor at Deibler Elementary and I’m looking forward to working with your child(ren). J
If there is something going on in your child’s home life that may affect their school life, please let me or the teacher know as soon as possible – I can relay the information to appropriate parties on a “need to know” basis, and everything is kept confidential. It’s always best to be proactive! You can reach me at 215-257-1146 x541006 and/or salderfe@pennridge.org.
Look for the Counselor’s Corner, with helpful hints and information, in each Deibler Dispatch throughout the school year. Have a great September and enjoy the excitement of “back-to-school!”
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Safety Tips
- Make sure you know where your children are at all times. Know their friends and be clear with your children about the places and homes they may visit.
- Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle, whether it is running or not.
- Be involved in your children’s activities. As an active participant, you’ll have a better opportunity to observe how the adults in charge interact with your children.
- Listen to your children. Pay attention if they tell you that they don’t want to be with someone or go somewhere, as this may be an indication of more than a personality conflict or lack of interest in an activity.
- Talk to your children. Notice when someone shows one or all of them a great deal of attention or starts giving gifts, and find out why the person is acting this way.
- Teach your children that they have the right to say no to any unwelcome, uncomfortable, or confusing touch or actions by others. Teach them to tell you immediately if this happens, and assure them that you are there to help and it is okay to tell you anything.
- Be sensitive to any changes in your children’s behavior or attitude.
- Be sure to screen babysitters and caregivers.
- Practice basic safety skills with your children.
Source: Quick Tips by The Parent Institute
Keeping Kids Cool at School is a Shared Responsibility
Parents and schools working together can mitigate this problem and keep kids safe. Parents can send their children to school ready to deal with the heat by:
- Sending students in light-weight, loose-fitting, cotton clothing
- Make sure kids have a cap with a brim that protects the face
- Talk to their child about the dangers of getting overheated
Parking
When attending school events, parking is available at the front of the building as well as behind the school. To access the parking lot behind the school, please enter the lower lot and proceed past the Paper Recycling Bin. Do not park in the driveway leading to the back of the building as it presents a safety issue. We appreciate your cooperation. Please DO NOT park on neighboring property.
Recess Before Lunch
Deibler Elementary will continue to have “Recess before Lunch.” Before eating lunch, our 1st-5th grade students will be dismissed to the playground for play and then be brought in to eat. Following lunch, students will return to class, ready to learn. In order for students to clean their hands before eating, sanitizing liquid will be available. If you have any questions, please call Mrs. Plourde (215-257-1146).
From the Art Room
This year we are again requesting that students come to art wearing a shirt to cover their clothes. Although it would be great if all art materials were washable, we cannot make colorful, permanent art without colorful, permanent materials. You do not need to rush out and buy a “smock.” The best art cover-up is a large T-shirt or button-down shirt with the cuffs cut off. Please help by writing your child’s name in marker across the front of the shirt. You may also wish to keep things sanitary by sending the smock in a large Ziploc bag. And, as always we welcome any donations of egg cartons. Thanks for your help. Sincerely, Mrs. Balant
Pets
Due to students with pet allergies and in consideration for those that do not feel comfortable around animals, we are asking that you do not bring your pets to school unless prior arrangements with the classroom teacher have been made. This includes during arrival and dismissal. Thank you for your cooperation.
Dress Code
As per School Board Policy, No. 221 – Dress and Grooming, all students are expected to be neat, clean, fully-clothed and well-groomed at all times. The following guidelines will be enforced by the administration:
êAll clothes should be clean, neat, in good repair, and in good taste.
êStudents may not wear destructive clothing or footwear, (i.e., rivets, cleats, ornamental belts, etc.) which may damage school property or jeopardize the safety of the student or others.
êSlogans, expressions, and symbols must conform with the requirements of Board policy.
ê“Muscle shirts” or garments exposing the stomach, are not to be worn.
êStudents may wear shorts of appropriate length as defined in the student handbook by grade level. The length of the shorts must exceed the length of the student’s fingertips when standing with arms at the side. “Spandex,” cycling or boxer shorts may not be worn as outer clothing.
Nurses Notes - Nikki DeMarco, Certified School Nurse
Welcome back to a Healthy New School Year! Send your child to school feeling well and ready to learn. Make sure they get a good night’s rest. Provide them with a nourishing breakfast. Have them take care of their personal needs and hygiene before they leave home. Give them a great start to their school day, every day. Let’s have a healthy school year! J
¬ Immunizations for all students – If you have been notified by the school nurse that your child is missing immunizations they must be completed by the beginning of the school year. If not your child will be excluded from school September 11, 2018. If your child is missing their immunizations but he/she is not due to receive them before school starts you will need to provide a medical plan signed by your doctor documenting when your child will be receiving his/her required immunizations.
¬ Parents of Kindergarteners and Original Entries- At registration, you should have provided a state mandated dental form and a physical form. If you have not already done so, please send these documents to the nurse’s office by September 28th. Physical and Dental forms are available on our website.
¬ Parents of 3rd Grade Students - The state mandates that all 3rd grade students have a dental exam on file in the school health office. Many of you have already completed this. If you have not already done so, please submit a completed dental form to the nurse’s office. Dental forms are available on our website.
¬ Lice: Please check your child for signs of head lice as a regular part of his/her daily hygiene. Lice are easily transmitted from one person to another. If you discover lice, obtain a lice shampoo and follow all directions. As per the Pennridge School District nit free policy, a student may not return to school until they are nit free.