Dragon Blast
Mary C. Howse Elementary School
From the Principal
Dear MCH Parents:
Obstacles continue to come our way, but together we have been able to persevere. A light at the end of this Covid tunnel seems to be approaching. For some, I know it cannot come soon enough. I know for many people, the past 9 months have not only been difficult, but they have also provided us with a new outlook on what is really important in life. I cannot even count the number of conversations, either through zoom, email, or over the phone I have had with staff and parents where the conversation has been about re-shaping our perspectives. For some, it has been forced upon us and for others, we have had the opportunity to choose this new found path. Either way, let's hope for a positive outcome. When the chaotic dust settles one day, hopefully we can all look back and know that we are better people.
A special shout out to our music department for putting together our virtual concert last Thursday. What an awesome job under crazy circumstances. Mrs. Belczyk. Mrs. Litzenberg and Ms. Letherland always pull an amazing event together!
Thank you to Ms. Noone for pulling together our MCH Food Pantry - any items that do not go out to our MCH families will be donated to our local food bank. Please reach out to Anne Noone if you could benefit from our food bank - anoone@wcasd.net.
We continue to meet and discuss student progress (albeit mostly over Zooms!) as well as, and more importantly, how students are doing socially and mentally. I am so proud to say that students are learning - while the delivery is different, the pace is slower at times, and the way we assess has changed in some ways, they are gaining the concepts. The gap between what they do not know and what they should know (as of December 2020) is closing. It really is!
Lastly, I cannot count how many conversations I have had with parents over the past 9 months where I have said - "Just make sure your child(ren) get on zooms, then walk away!", "Let the teacher be in charge just like it is the classroom - we will check in to be sure they are following directions, completing their work, etc." You just be the parent. Now, we know it is not "that easy" but if there is an high level of stress over schoolwork in your home, please reach out. We have seen situations from the past we have worked through and in follow up discussions with families, they have proven to be successful approaches!
See brief video below as well.
As always, reach out to me anytime.
Dr. Cat
Mary C. Howse Equity Team
WCASD Equity Mission:
Eradicate institutional racism and inequities through social justice, promoting the emotional development of staff and students, and embracing diverse perspectives.
WCASD Equity Goals:
- Teach an inclusive curriculum that teaches anti-racism, celebrates differences, promotes understanding, and seeks multiple perspectives.
- Promote a positive school climate in which students feel safe, respected, and appreciated.
- Provide on-going professional development to all staff in all aspects of equity.
- Engage staff, students, parents, and community members in our work.
- Provide equitable access to district programming.
At Mary C. Howse - we meet at least monthly and our members include - Rebecca McAllister, Jason Benfield, Jackie Pascale, Terrence Wright, Mike Murray, Shabree White, Danielle Donoghue, Kim Fallon, Rosemary McGeehin, Chelsey Hurd, Mary Tanue, Anne Noone, Yolanda Stanton, Steve Catrambone, Alyssa Cotellese and Tara Jackson.
Currently, we are reading "Unpack your Impact" as a book club. In the past, events such as our Black History Museum and Hearts for Heritage Night have evolved from this group. We have formed smaller subcommittees for parent outreach, beautification, professional development and our School Wide behavior program.
We will use this section to keep everyone abreast of what is going on - we want to branch out for more parent involvement but this pandemic has slowed that down a bit so stay tuned! Of course, NEVER hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns - you can contact ANYONE from the above list - just use their first initiallastname@wcasd.net - for example - rmcallister@wcasd.net
Helping your 3rd, 4th or 5th grader
Helping your K, 1st or 2nd grade child.
Of course....sometimes they just need a really big HUG!
NEWS FROM THE OFFICE
FROM YOUR GUIDANCE COUNSELOR
FOOD PANTRY COLLECTION
Tech Support for Parents and FAQs
NEW STUDENT DISMISSAL CHANGE SOFTWARE PICKUP PATROL
NURSE'S NOTES
Learn more about Health Services in Our School. Visit the Nurse Office Website.
MCH Nurses Office Website: https://sites.google.com/wcasd.net/nursing-office-news/home
GIRLS ON THE RUN!
Positive Praise
Dr. Scanlon,
I wanted to take a moment to send an email to thank you for accelerating the timeline on WC Cyber to provide this option for 2020-2021. My daughter Amelia is in 2nd grade with Mrs. Sochacki. Looking at her work product, she is performing well, in fact even better than she did in person in first grade. She absolutely adores her teacher and I feel like she has as strong and in some cases stronger relationship with Mrs. Sochacki than she has with any of her prior in person teachers. Global pandemic aside, I wouldn’t have pivoted in this way, but my daughter struggles with anxiety and I truly feared she wouldn’t do well with uncertainty and change and this stable offering has been something we celebrate. It isn’t easy for two working parents to support, but it is absolutely the right decision for us and I am so thankful you supported it.
Mrs. Sochacki is amazing. She is so invested in the success of her students and the entire second grade program. She listens to concerns from parents and adapts as needed.
I feel all too often people only write to complain. So, I wanted to take a moment to say thank you, and to let you know how positive our experience has been. It is true it hasn’t exactly been as expected, but it has been a good experience for our family.
Dr. Cat,
Mr. Fabian is a wonderful teacher and he is doing an amazing job with the cyber students!
Dr. Cat,
Thank you for another great update. I really appreciate reading more about the equity team! This is such important work and I am proud of how MCH is taking it on. If we get to a point where the team is looking for more parent involvement, I would be happy to contribute in any way possible.
I also really appreciate your words to parents and families during this continuing time of challenges. MCH has been an extended family to us for many years now. We miss the community so deeply but your words of encouragement remind us of what this community means to all of us and how we can continue to support each other, even at a distance.
Our son is doing really well in cyber school, but he does miss his MCH family. I appreciate that you are keeping us in the loop, and keeping us connected. We are also looking forward to getting school pictures taken when that information is available.
Thank you again for all the heart and soul you put into your job, in addition to everything else. Your openness and candor really makes a difference to the entire school community and the families. When there is so much uncertainty in our world, that little bit means so much.
Happy Holidays! I hope you and your family can enjoy this time and stay well.
Current Classroom Teachers
1st grade - Mrs. Kane (Ms. Braccia), Mrs. Conner and Mrs. Skalski
2nd grade - Ms. Forbes, Ms. Dougherty, Mrs. Seese and Mr. Jacobus
3rd grade - Ms. Cotellese, Mrs. Ross, and Dr. Alba
4th grade - Mrs. Pohlig, Ms. Verrichia, and Ms. Flynn
5th grade - Mrs. Powers, Mrs. Keefe and Mr. Raws
Cyber Kindergarten - Mrs. Hower, Mrs. Greaves
Cyber 1st grade - Mrs. McAllister
Cyber 2nd grade - Mrs. Sochacki, Mrs. Hoban (Ms. Rothemich)
Cyber 3rd grade - Mrs. Cheney
Cyber 5th grade - Mr. Fabian
Cyber Reading Specialist - Mrs. Donoghue
WIZE ONLINE COMPUTER CLASSES
What is Working at Home? Feel free to email Dr. Cat and share!!!
> Take the time to research your Internet Providers parental controls!!! It is worth it!!!!
> Back to the old board games! My kids love them!!!
> Let them be more responsible and accountable - we met with our child's teacher and it was suggested to us to help/remind them to get on their zooms, but that was it! It was up to them to follow the directions and complete the assignments - just like as if they were in school!
OFFICE NOTES
reminders from the office - please note as we get questions about the information listed
SUPPLY PICKUP - If a teacher has requested that you pick up supplies at school, please stop by and get it as soon as you can. The supplies are in bins and boxes outside the building with the teachers names on each one. The office staff does not have anything to do with what is placed in the bins and if you have questions on what you received please email the teacher.
ABSENTEE HOTLINE - Please call 484-266-1310 and leave a message when you know your child will be absent from school or late. You can call the number at any time. Please do not call 484 266-1300, 1301 or 1302 to report an absence.
To all parents, guardians, and guests: You must come into the office to be checked in via the RAPTOR system with your driver’s license and receive a Visitor’s Badge prior to going anywhere in the building. Your license will be scanned in September and again in January. We appreciate your cooperation and assistance in helping to make and keep our school safe. Thank you for your cooperation.
ACTIVITY FEE - Just a reminder, there are no activity fees this year if your student will be participating in Chorus, Band, Orchestra (Honors as well), and After School Sports.
LUNCHES/LUNCH ACCOUNTS - Just a reminder that all students are entitled to a free lunch. If a student forgets a lunch, it is not necessary to bring lunch to school if you are not able to.
VACATION REQUESTS - When needing family vacation time, email Dr. Catrambone: Scatrambone@wcasd.net and cc: lpolito@wcasd.net with your request. Five days are allowed as excused absences for family vacation.
STUDENT CAR LINE - Drop off and pick up begins behind the school building. Please do not drop students off in the morning before 8:30 as supervision is not available. We ask that you do not exit your car during drop off or pick up. Also, please do not drive around the line unless directed to do so. Remember to be patient and courteous to one another in the car line. Please DO NOT ENTER the bus lane.
EARLY PICK UP - When needing an early dismissal, for any reason, please email Mrs. Duffy (Aduffy@wcasd.net), Mrs. Polito (Lpolito@wcasd.net) and your student's teacher. If someone other than yourself is picking up your student, include that in your email (name, relationship). They will be asked to show identification. Any afternoon pick-ups must be before 2:45.
Parent Resources
How to Help Kids Deal with School Closings and Cancelled Plans
Community Bulletin Board:
For activities offered around West Chester, see:
http://home.wcasd.net/pages/West_Chester_Area_SD/Community_Bulletin_Board/Other
Request for Assistance
In an effort to provide additional support for students and parents during remote learning, the district has created a "Request for Academic Assistance" form. Students, parents and faculty may complete a form on behalf of a student who is struggling with attendance, work completion or social/emotional learning. This form will be reviewed by a member of the Multi-Tiered System of Supports Team (MTSS) to determine the available resources that can be provided. However, as we have always done, the best route is to contact your child's teacher.
MCH Request for Academic Assistance Form
Keeping in Touch
· Please bookmark our school website. This is where we post many updates, school newsletter, supply list, pictures and our parent/student handbook. It can be found at: https://www.wcasd.net/Domain/661
·
· Mary C. Howse Webpage - https://www.wcasd.net/Domain/661
o See MCH School Tour link in upper right hand corner
· Twitter – Follow - @MCH_Elem - you’ll receive updates once you are a follower.
· Youtube – Mary C. Howse – found here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCveR39XTwn8AgmiOVqA6GZA
· MCH PTO Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/mchpto/ - be sure to become a follower to receive updates when changes occur.
Our Mary C. Howse School Pledge
I pledge
To be the best that I can be
Respect myself and others
Make safe choices
And take responsibility
For my learning and behavior
Parent Portal
Use the link below to access the parent portal page:
http://home.wcasd.net/pages/West_Chester_Area_SD/ForParents/Parent_Portal
On the page, there is written documentation (English and Spanish,) as well as videos (English only) that walk parents through how to set up your parent portal account, how to access grades and set alerts, how to view the online report card, how to check attendance, etc. There is even an app for your phone if you prefer.
Please call the office for your child’s user name and password if you do not have the information that was provided to you at the beginning of the school year.
Contact and Additional Information
Email: scatrambone@wcasd.net
Website: http://www.edline.net/pages/mary_c__howse_elementary_schoo
Location: 641 West Boot Road, West Chester, PA, United States
Phone: 484-266-1302
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mchpto/
Twitter: @SteveCat19