Deibler Dispatch
February 2019
S.T.A.R.S. Smart, Thoughtful, and Responsible Students
Pasta for Pennies
Again this year, Deibler Elementary School is proud to join hundreds of schools statewide to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Pasta for Pennies Program which benefits children throughout Eastern Pennsylvania. This is a national program where children work together to help other children who are battling this deadly disease. The collection will begin on Monday, February 4th and will conclude on Friday, February 22nd. During these dates, students are encouraged to bring in spare change: pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters. We will even take dollars! Students may use their collection boxes to collect their donations and bring them to school. There are collection banks in every classroom. The class who collects the most money will win a Hospitaliano Luncheon party at the Olive Garden!
February's Spirit Day, Thursday, February 14th
Students are encouraged to wear red and/or pink to show their appreciation and love for our safeties.
Student Council/PTO Family Fun Dance
A reminder that our annual Family Fun Dance will be held next Friday, February 8th from 7-9PM. There will be plenty of fun and a few surprises. All of our proceeds will benefit Student Council Activities. The ticket order form was sent home on Tuesday, January 22.
Progress Reports
Progress Reports will be distributed on Tuesday, February 12th.
Parent-Teacher Conferences - Invitation Only
If your child’s teacher has requested a conference, you will receive a conference invitation Monday, February 4th. The conference invitation should be responded to by Friday, February 8th. If you do not receive a conference notice, but have a question or you would like to speak or meet with the teacher about your child’s progress, please call the school at 215-257-1146 to leave a message with your child’s teacher. She will return your call as promptly as possible.
Health Updates/Changes
Electronic Devices
As per the 2018-2019 Elementary School Student Handbook, electronic devices, such as: cell phones, iPads, iPods, MP3 players, CD players, video players, video game players, radios or any other electronic equipment may not be brought to school. Apple watches and SMART watches are electronic devices, and therefore, students are NOT permitted to wear them at school.
Please remind your child(ren) that they must remove their SMART watches during school hours.
The elementary schools will not assume any liability for the electronic device(s).
Thank you for your support!
2019 Kindergarten Registration
The Pennridge School District is currently in the process of planning Kindergarten registration for the 2019-2020 school year. Information will be posted on the district website (Pennridge.org) the week of February 11th for any resident with a child who will reach the age of 5 on or before August 31, 2019. If you or someone you know has a child that meets the age requirement, please direct them to the district website to complete the online registration process. Once the online process is submitted and you receive confirmation, you will be given a phone number to call to arrange an appointment to complete the registration process.
Parent Portal
Please remember to update the Parent Portal with any changes to your child’s emergency contact information that may occur throughout the school year. This will assure that their records are updated and that we are prepared to handle any situation that may arise during the school day.
Dressing for the Weather
Please make sure that your child comes to school dressed to match current weather conditions. Our nurse is unable to provide jackets or sweatshirts to those who have forgotten them. Unless temperatures are in the teens, it is raining steadily, or there is a severe wind-chill factor, students do go out for recess to get some fresh air, take a break, and run off energy. Also, please understand that we cannot accommodate requests for students to stay in the classroom during recess. Classroom teachers supervise recess on a rotating basis, so the teacher may have recess duty on that particular day. If the teacher doesn’t have duty, there is no guarantee that he/she will be in the classroom during recess, since that time is often reserved for returning phone calls, making photocopies, or attending scheduled meetings. If you are concerned about limiting your child’s activity level, please remind him/her that he/she can still enjoy outside recess by sitting at a picnic table or on a swing, or by walking around and socializing with friends.
Birthday Celebrations
If your child wishes to celebrate his/her birthday in school, please check with your child’s teacher first. If treats are sent in without prior teacher approval, please understand that your child may not be able to distribute his/her treats that day. Invitations to private parties may not be distributed in school.
School Attendance Law
Please be aware that the Pennridge School District enforces the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s School Attendance Law. The law states: “A maximum of ten days of cumulative lawful absences verified by parental notification may be permitted during a school year. All absences beyond ten cumulative days should require an excuse from a physician.” The law clearly states no student may be absent from school more than ten cumulative days without a written doctor’s excuse including pre-arranged/approved educational trips or family vacations.
UNLAWFUL ABSENCES – An absence is considered cumulative and unlawful if we do not receive a phone call, email or written excuse with a reason within 3 days of your child’s return to school. To notify the office of an absence, you may contact Mrs. Keeler at 215-453-2765, extension 541003; by email at pkeeler@pennridge.org or by sending in a note to your child’s classroom teacher. Thank you for your cooperation.
Counselor's Corner - Sondi Alderfer, M.A., School Counselor
Holding regular family meetings is one of the most valuable things you can do as a family. Why? Family meetings provide an opportunity to teach children valuable social and life skills for good character. They will learn:
- Listening skills
- Brainstorming skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Mutual respect
- The value of cooling off before solving a problem (problems are put on a “weekly challenges” list, so a cooling-off period takes place before focusing on solutions to the challenge)
- Concern for others
- Cooperation
- Accountability in a safe environment (people don’t worry about admitting mistakes when they know they will be supported to find solutions instead of experiencing blame, shame, or pain)
- How to choose solutions that are respectful to everyone concerned
- A sense of belonging and significance
- Social interest
- That mistakes are wonderful opportunities to learn
Family meetings provide an opportunity for parents to:
- Avoid power struggles by respectfully sharing control
- Avoid micromanaging children, so children learn self-discipline
- Listen in ways that invite children to listen
- Respectfully share responsibility
- Create good memories through a family tradition
- Model all of the skills they want their children to learn
If parents really understand the value of family meetings, it can be their most valuable parenting tool.
Make every effort to schedule 15 to 30 minutes a week for family meetings.
Source: PositiveDiscipline.com
Nurses Notes - Nikki DeMarco, Certified School Nurse
TIPS FOR PREPARING YOUR CHILD FOR SCHOOL
CHAPSTICK: Many students have chapped lips during the winter months.
LIFESAVERS: Soothe a dry, irritated throat during the winter months. This is a common concern of students who visit the health office.
CHANGE OF CLOTHES FOR HIS/HER BACKPACK: Appropriate outerwear should be worn as students go out for recess everyday unless there is a wind chill factor less than 20 degrees. Students must be prepared for the winter weather in Pennsylvania. J
FLU SYMPTOMS: The onset of flu symptoms are abrupt and include: high fever, dry cough, sore throat, fatigue, headache, runny or stuffy nose, and muscle or body ache. The illness lasts 3 to 7 days. Please be vigilant and keep sick children home. Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), getting a flu shot is still beneficial. Although it takes 2 weeks for the body to develop an immune response, flu activity in the U.S. may continue as late as May.
MEDICATIONS: Nurses are not permitted to dispense any medication in school without a written order from a physician. Medication refers to both prescription and non-prescription drugs such as Motrin, and cough/cold medication. It is important that students are not given any medication for school without following the school policy.
Did you know that February is National Dental Month? Here is a fun website where your kids can learn about taking care of their teeth: http://www.mouthhealthykids.org/en/
PSSA Dates
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.