North Wales Back To School Bulletin
November 6, 2023
From The Principal's Desk
Greetings North Wales Families,
November is here! This month is very busy. We have American Education Week, Parent-Teacher Conferences, Thanksgiving Break and our Food Drive Collections.
- Tuesday, November 7th is Election Day. Schools are closed for students.
- Thursday, November 9th is the last day to RSVP for American Education Week. Please use this link to RSVP: NW American Ed Week Invitation
- Spirit days this week: Thursday, November 9th- Kindness Day (wear a message of kindness)
As always, we thank you so much for being a part of the North Wales family!
Warmly,
Ms. Kenney
Principal
Important Dates To Remember
Nov. 7: Election Day- School is Closed
Nov. 8: Fall Picture Retake Day
Noc. 8-10: School Store This Week
Nov. 13-16: American Education Week NW American Ed Week Invitation
Nov. 20 & 21: Parent Teacher Conferences
Nov. 20-26: School is Closed for Thanksgiving Break
Weekly Schedule
Tuesday - School is Closed
Wednesday - Day 4
Thursday - Day 1
Friday - Day 2
School Store This Week
The School Store is Back!
The School Store will once again be up and running for the 2023-2024 school year.
Similar to years past, we will have one day for each grade to shop during morning arrival.
Our first school store will run 11/8-11/10 with the following schedule:
*Wednesday 11/8: 4th and 5th grade
*Thursday 11/09: 1st and 2nd grade
*Friday 11/10: 3rd and 6th grade
*Kindergarten: K will not participate until the last school store as like last year (unless you tell me you want otherwise)
-school store items will be between $0.50 and $3.00
Interested in volunteering: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0F4BA4A62DA5FA7-nwschool#/
English Language Arts Family Information Session Coming Up
On Monday, November 13th, NPSD will be hosting two virtual English Language Arts (ELA) focused sessions to deepen your understanding of the Science of Reading and showcase the curriculum resource, Wit & Wisdom, which was implemented this school year. The sessions will be held at 10 am and 6 pm and will last for approximately one hour.
During the virtual meetings, you will have an opportunity to learn about the ELA programs utilized by North Penn for a comprehensive and enriching literacy experience for all students. You will gain an understanding of the research behind these instructional shifts and how they guide teaching and learning.
It is important that you RSVP by November 8th by using this form. A link for the meeting will be sent to all who register closer to the date.
Food Truck Coming- Monday Nov. 20th
Please order your food using this Google Form. The sooner, the better, as we want to make sure there is enough buy-in before they come.
Reading Challenge For School
Donuts with a Cop
North Penn Parent Special Education Alliance is Hosting a Glow Dance
NPPSEA Glow Dance
Nov 11
5:30-9 pm @ NPHS Senior Cafe
$5 per person
13 and under must be accompanied by an adult
Cultural Highlights Of The Week
November Highlights We Celebrate
Native American Heritage Month
The goal of our recognition month is to expand our knowledge of the history of American Indians and to also highlight accurate depictions of their lives today.
The attached American Indian Heritage Month 2023 resource provides a historical overview, insight into the present lives of American Indians and information about ways to teach Thanksgiving from a more inclusive perspective. These resources have been updated from last year.
Veterans Day- November 10th
If you are looking for resources to expand the representation of veterans, check out the resources below:
Why We Serve - Native Americans in the Armed Forces -National Museum of American Indian
https://americanindian.si.edu/nk360/resources/Native-Words-Native-Warriors
National Adoption Month
The following resources are designed to:
Expand our general knowledge about adoption
Provide positive and supportive language related to adoption
Share books that serve as windows and mirrors into the experiences of our students' families in authentic ways
Diwali
Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is one of the most significant festivals celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and some Buddhists. It holds great cultural and religious significance in various parts of the world. Diwali is a multi-day festival that usually falls between October and November, depending on the lunar calendar. This year, Diwali will be celebrated on Sunday, November 12th.
Cereal Box Challenge Wed. Nov 1-17
NWES Sixers Night Out- Handful of Tickets Left!
Counselor's Corner
Holiday Assistance
Each year, North Wales Elementary School has partnered with several community resources to help our families in need with gifts and food over the holidays. While there may be many families in need, North Wales families are eligible to receive this holiday support if they meet the following criteria:
Families are in need of assistance for the holiday season.
Families are not receiving holiday assistance from another organization.
Families provide a thank you note that can be passed on to community resources (it could be signed “North Wales’ Family” to maintain confidentiality).
If your family is interested in this assistance, please complete this form. Or contact Tracy Schaefer, School Counselor, 215-699-4471 ext. 1652 or contact her at schaeft@npenn.org by Friday, Nov. 11th.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc3Dw5_aPvEuZv37hV4ztpZYqzcb2Vrx7AmlrmxrTYei4uHUA/viewform
Home and School Information
On behalf of Home & School - Welcome to the new school year!
Whether it's your first year here, or your last, you are a part of this strong community. And we want to help make sure you have all the latest info on our events planned for this year - Popsicles on the Playground, Sports Night, Trunk or Treat, School Store, Teacher Appreciation, Color Run, VIP Dance, Cereal Box Knock Down, Class Field Trips, Assemblies, and more!
Can you spare 5 minutes for Home & School?
Contact Form - keep in touch with H&S and Homeroom Grownups this year!
HundredX Fundraiser - help us raise funds at zero cost in just 2 minutes!
Volunteer Interest - let us know if you want to know more about how you can get involved!
Pre- K Counts
PreK Counts
The Montgomery County Intermediate Unit delivers high-quality pre-kindergarten programs to age-appropriate children at no cost to income eligible families in Montgomery County. North Penn has two site locations for PreK Counts: Montgomery Elementary and Bridle Path Elementary. For more information, to see if your family is eligible, or to complete an application, please visit the PreK Counts website.Friendly Reminders
Adult Supervision Before/After School Hours
Providing adult supervision on the playground before/after school hours is essential for ensuring the safety and well-being of children. Here are several reasons why adult supervision is important:
Safety: Adults can quickly respond to any accidents, injuries, or emergencies that may occur on the playground.
Conflict Resolution: Adults can help resolve conflicts among children, preventing potential fights or disagreements from escalating.
Inclusivity: Adults can encourage inclusive play, ensuring that all children feel welcome and are included in activities. They can help children who may be shy or introverted to join in group activities, fostering a sense of belonging.
Security: Adult presence deters unwanted visitors or strangers from entering the playground area, enhancing the overall security of the environment.
In summary, adult supervision on the playground before/after school hours is crucial for ensuring the safety, well-being, and positive social development of children. It creates a secure environment where children can engage in play, learn essential social skills, and have fun while staying safe. If there are issues that arise during these hours, please reach out to North Wales Police Department so they are aware and can address the concern immediately.
Office Hours Reminder
We would like to remind you of our school office hours, which are from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday. During these hours, our dedicated staff members are available to assist you with any inquiries or concerns you may have.
For any inquiries or messages after 4:00 PM, we kindly ask that you leave a voicemail message on our school's main phone line. Alternatively, you can send an email to the appropriate staff member, and they will get back to you as soon as possible.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. We appreciate your partnership in ensuring the success of our students.
SMARTWATCH/CELL PHONE REMINDER
Please note, cell phones should be in silent mode or turned off and stored in bookbags throughout the day. Smartwatches should not be used to make calls, send messages, or take photos/videos during the school day. Also, note the school is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged personal electronic devices. Our school team will be reminding our students of these expectations regarding personal devices.
We thank all of our families for their continued support and cooperation in limiting disruptions to the classroom.
Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
Sandy- Our Therapy Dog is Back!
I would like to introduce you to Sandy, our North Wales’ therapy dog!
Please click on the link to learn more about Sandy- Sandy Our Therapy Dog
If you would not like your child to interact with Sandy in any way, please complete this Google form or let your child’s teacher know.
Arrival/Dismissal Procedures
Parent Volunteers for the Library
We are looking for volunteers to assist in the library. If you are interested in helping out and you have your current clearances, please complete the google form below.
North Wales Elementary
Website: https://northwales.npenn.org/
Location: 201 Summit Street, North Wales, PA 19454
Phone: 215-699-4471
Twitter: @NWelementary