Dragon Blast
Mary C. Howse Elementary School
From the Principal
Dear MCH Parents:
Each day I am extremely impressed by the progress of our students, our staff and parents. The moments we all connect, work together and remain supportive are just continued examples of how much our children will benefit. In a world that has become very "fast-paced", and bigger, better, faster, stronger are common themes that seem to inundate us as we look to make our lives better, it is so easy to become frustrated and overwhelmed. See below for a quote - (it will also be shared tonight during the parent workshop)
We have some field trips coming up so look for communication from your child's teacher. Never hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns - nothing is too small to discuss. I encourage our teachers to have face to face meetings, or at the very least, a phone call. Those methods are so much more productive than going back and forth in an e-mail.
Another special thank you to our amazing PTO board and our many volunteers that put together yet another successful Fun Run - what a beautiful day it was!
Dr. Cat
Announcements and Reminders
Date - Event
October 28th - No School - Teacher In-Service Day
October 29th - Picture Retakes
November 5th - No School - Teacher In-Service Day
VETERAN'S DAY COLLECTION AT MCH
Veteran’s Day 2019
If you, a family member, or friend would be interested in coming to MCH and speaking to your child’s class, please email that teacher as soon as possible so he/she can schedule a time on November 11th for your visit.
Also the WCASD marches every year in the Veteran’s Day parade. If your child and a veteran would like to walk, please open the links below to read more about it.
Students are encouraged to participate in the WCASD Parade. Here are links to the parade staging and FAQs about the parade. Please share this link with your class and their families to sign up to participate in the West Chester Veterans Day Parade.
The VA Hospital Collection will start October 29th until December 3rd . There will be boxes in the front hallway for all donations.
Snacks and Treats
Coffee & Tea (K-cups or Ground)
Snack packs - cookies, chips, crackers
Hard candies (no chocolate please!)
A NOTE FROM THE GYM
Hello MCH Families, my name is Becki Monte and I am your child’s Physical Education teacher. So far this school year we have been learning about teamwork, cooperation, developing game strategies and improving our spatial awareness. Grades 3-5 have been focusing on inclusion and game strategies while learning some basic flag football rules, while grades K-2 have been working on maintaining a safe speed and space during partner activities and group tag games. We have also been having great conversations about health topics such as how to recognize signs of being too hot and what to do about that (K-2), as well as how the body grows from year to year (3-5). Please remember your child must wear sneakers for PE classes. Improper footwear can result in injuries; therefore, your child will sit out and not participate in the class activities. If you have questions please contact me at rmonte@wcasd.net.
AFTER SCHOOL SPORTS
After School Sports are in full swing for the 2019-2020 school year. This program is open to any interested 4th and 5th grade student. Sports meet every Tuesday for girls, Thursday for boys, and ends at 5:00. We have just finished the soccer session. We will be moving on to field hockey for girls and flag football for boys. It is not too late to sign up. If interested please have your child stop by the gym and pick up an information packet and permission form. Any questions please contact rmonte@wcasd.net
FROM THE NURSES OFFICE
Please help our school limit the spread of germs by keeping sick children home, and also reinforcing hand washing and proper cough etiquette.
Occasions when students need to be excluded from school include the following:
Students with temperatures of 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit or above should stay home and remain home until they have been fever-free for 24 hours without medication.
Students with persistent vomiting and/or diarrhea should stay home and should return to school only after being symptom‐free for 24 hours.
The following is a list of some common conditions we see in schools and the period of time your child should remain at home:
Strep Throat or Tonsillitis: 24 hours from the initiation of appropriate therapy.
Bacterial Infections: 24 hours from the institution of appropriate antimicrobial therapy and/or judged non-infectious by the School Nurse or the student’s Health Care Provider.
Contagious Conjunctivitis “Pink eye”: 24 hours from the institution of appropriate therapy and/or judged non-infectious by the School Nurse or student’s Health Care Provider.
Impetigo: 24 hours from the institution of appropriate therapy and/or judged non-infectious by the School Nurse or Health Care Provider.
Ringworm: Until judged non-infectious by the School Nurse or student’s Health Care Provider.
Respiratory illnesses must be assessed on a case-by-case basis. If your child has a history of asthma, your Health Care Provider should advise you about treatment. Even children without asthma have difficulty focusing on learning when they have a persistent cough.
In case of contagious illnesses (e.g. chicken pox, flu, pertussis, impetigo, conjunctivitis, lice) please contact the school nurse so that we can monitor for other cases and advise about the student's return to school.
FROM THE LIBRARY!!
POSTIVE PRAISE
Hello Dr. Cat,
I imagine at times your job can feel like you don't get thanked a ton. Having a son in 2nd grade and now a son in Kindergarten I feel blessed to call this school our home.
As a mom it's the hardest job raising our children then sending them on their way. You have made that job much easier. The teachers we have had so far have gone above and beyond our expectations from dealing with a 504 plan to an IEP as well as just the Kindergarten jitters!
I wanted to personally say way to go on raising this school up right! Here's to a great year!
Thanks,
Good Morning,
I just wanted to thank everyone for your time and effort with our daughter last year. Your dedication, professionalism, and genuine concern for her really benefited her.
She is currently getting adjusted to Peirce and the "demands" of Middle School. We both greatly appreciate your efforts and your commitment to helping the students at MCH achieve their full potential !
Anytime you feel like sending us some good news, please do so! With the world so full of negativity in the news, we cannot get enough of the good stuff!!!
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.
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.
Parent Resources
Community Bulletin Board:
For activities offered around West Chester, see:
http://home.wcasd.net/pages/West_Chester_Area_SD/Community_Bulletin_Board/Other
Articles to consider:
Children and Anxiety - what to look for and not everyone has it
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/anxiety-disorders.html?WT.ac
Standards Based Reporting v Grades?
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
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