Deibler Dispatch
S.T.A.R.S. Smart, Thoughtful, and Responsible Students
November 2018
Progress Reports
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 by Friday, October 5th with the Sign-up link.
Parent-Teacher Conferences dates and times are as follows:
Nov. 15
4:00 -7:20 PM Parent
Nov. 20
4:00-7:20 PM
Nov. 21
8:00AM -11:30AM
Picture Retakes
Picture retakes have been scheduled for Monday, November 5th, from 1-2 PM. Return the entire picture package at that time so that the photographer can note which package was purchased and needs replacement. If your child was absent on picture day, or has enrolled in our school since the first pictures were taken, he/she should have his/her picture taken on retake day. Stop by the office before 1PM Monday if you need a picture form. Make checks payable to Lifetouch. *Attention Parents of AM Kindergarteners- If you need a retake please bring your child to the school between 1-2PM on November 6th that is the only time that retakes may be taken.
Student Council Spirit Day
Student Council Spirit Day is Friday, November 12th. In honor of Veteran’s Day, show your spirit by wearing America’s favorite colors…red, white and blue!
ROCKS, ROCKS and MORE ROCKS!!
Dynamic Dolphin Awards
DYNAMIC DOLPHIN AWARD: This award, created by the Deibler Faculty, recognizes students for their successful accomplishments and improvements in school. At the end of each marking period, classroom and special area teacher, select one or two students from each class, grades K-5, to receive the Dynamic Dolphin Award. The number of recipients is small to make the award a truly special one. Students selected for the Dynamic Dolphin Award will receive a certificate signed by their teacher and Mrs. Plourde indicating the area or areas of success and/or improvement for which the child is being recognized. Areas of success or improvement may include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following:
*Success in Academic Areas
*Demonstrating Strong Leadership Skills
*Improvement in Academic Responsibilities
*Having a Positive Attitude
*Demonstrating Appropriate School Behavior
*Being a Responsible Student
*Demonstrating Outstanding School Citizenship
*Demonstrating Outstanding Sportsmanship
*Consistently Completing Homework
*Demonstrating Excellent Work Habits
*Putting Forth Consistent Effort
*Working Well With Others
Dynamic Dolphin Awards will be announced at the Spirit Assembly on December 7th
Fire Prevention Assembly
Thank you to the Perkasie Volunteer Fire Company and Pennridge Regional Police Department! Members from the fire company presented fire safety assemblies to our students on Wednesday, October 3rd. Officers from the police department have been visiting our students during lunch. We greatly appreciate the support from these departments and all they do for our community.
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 the district policy states 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!
Raptor
The safety of our students is always a top priority for the Pennridge School District. The Pennridge School District utilizes the Raptor Security System for the school buildings.
As you may be aware, Raptor provides an effective way to help schools keep unwanted visitors out while keeping track of those admitted into the buildings. Raptor allows us to:
Electronically sign in and sign out visitors
Print visitor badges
Screen all visitors against the national sex offender database
Provide real-time offender alerts
By simply scanning a visitor’s driver’s license, Raptor instantly screens for registered sex offenders in all 50 states. If a potential threat is identified, the Raptor system sends instant alerts to designated officials, including administrators, law enforcement and school security via email and/or text messaging.
If you have not had your driver’s license scanned, you will need to do so the next time you are in the building. If you have already had your ID scanned into the Raptor system at Deibler it will NOT need to be rescanned at this time.
Please know that confidentiality is very important to us and the only information maintained in the Raptor database is your name, date of birth and photo.
Missing Items
Is your child missing a jacket, lunchbox, backpack, or other item? If so, we have a Lost and Found! Please stop by the office and let us know what you are missing.
Change in Dismissal Routine
If you are planning on changing your child’s pick-up routine, please send in a note. Remember, if your child is being picked up by a friend’s parent, we need a note from BOTH parties; you, the parent, and the parent picking them up. If you are unable to send in a note due to an unexpected change of plans, please call by 2:00 PM. Dismissal is a very busy time of day and we want to assure all students take the appropriate transportation home.
Counselors Corner - Sondi Alderfer, M.A., School Counselor
Suggestions for Parent-Teacher Conferences
The key to a successful conference – parents and teachers agree – is two-way communication. By exchanging information, parents and teachers can set the stage for a great school year.
Before the Conference
Spend a few minutes talking with your child. Tell him/her you need help preparing for the conference. You might:
ü Ask what he/she would like you to talk about with the teacher.
ü Ask what he/she thinks the teacher will say.
ü Ask about things he/she likes and doesn’t like, his problems and successes.
ü Let him/her know that after the conference you will discuss what the teacher said (within reason).
Prepare some questions in advance. Here are some suggestions:
ü What will be covered in this grade (or subject) this year?
ü What are your expectations for homework? Has my child missed any assignments?
ü How are my child’s work habits? Does he/she use time well?
ü Is my child able to do the reading and math you would expect for a student in this grade?
ü Is my child in different groups for different subjects? Why?
ü Does my child get along well with others?
ü What can I do at home to help my child be more successful at school?
At the Conference
Here is some information you might want to share with your child’s teacher:
ü Favorite subjects
ü Outside interests and hobbies
ü Any medical or health needs
ü Things happening at home that may affect school work (ie. moving, divorce, the birth of a child)
ü Ask to see your child’s work. There’s no better way to see how your child is progressing.
ü Ask the teacher to explain anything you don’t understand. Every profession has its own jargon which can be hard to understand. If you don’t understand what’s being said, ask.
ü Sum up what you think has been said. This will make sure you both agree on any decisions you have made about your child. If necessary, ask to meet again.
After the Conference
ü Follow up (stay in touch with the teacher). If you think of any questions you didn’t ask, write a note.
ü Talk with your child.
ü Stress the positive things the teacher said.
ü Talk about suggestions for improvement. Plan with your child how to carry out these suggestions.
Giant Food Stores A+Program
We are participating in Giant Food Stores A+ Rewards Program again this year. We are happy to announce that we have 287 bonus cards designated to our school. Thank you to those who have already signed up. If you have not yet done so, please consider participating in this great opportunity for our school.
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.
Fall Weather
Fall has arrived; please remember to send in your child’s jacket, sweatshirt, etc. to wear outside for recess. It is always a good idea to label your child's clothing, lunchbox, etc. in case they are left behind.
School Attendance
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 trips.
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 215-453-7106, 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.
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.
Nurses Notes - Nikki DeMarco, Certified School Nurse
Below are some reminders to help our children maintain optimum health as we face the winter months ahead:
© Sleep: Children need at least 8 hours of sleep each night. Monitor your child’s weekly plans to be sure that they are not “over- scheduled”.
© Diet: Breakfast is the most important meal. Quick, healthy breakfasts may include: yogurt, a piece of fruit, whole grain cereal, a granola bar, and milk. Make sandwiches with whole grain bread. Apples, dried fruit, and baby carrots are colorful and easy to pack. It is important for your child to stay hydrated but, not all juices are created equally. Look for juice that is 100 % fruit juice. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, kids who drink 1 can of soda per day increase their risk of obesity by 60 %. The family dinner should include protein (chicken, beef, fish) and leafy green vegetables at least several times a week. Some parents may want to supplement their child’s diet with a children’s daily multivitamin.
© Exercise: Physical activity builds vitality! Raking leaves is a fun, family activity at this time of year!
© Stress: Children feel stress too. Try to be aware of stressors in your child’s life and help your child manage with stress reduction techniques.
© Handwashing: Wash hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water before eating, and after using the bathroom or playing outside.
© Disinfect: Disinfect contaminated household items such as toys, phones, and computer keyboards.
© Avoid: Avoid visiting friends who are not feeling well or are sick.
© Cough etiquette: Cough and sneeze into your elbow or into a tissue.
© Dress: Dress properly in cold weather: hats, gloves, and jackets.
Excerpts taken from: www.webmd.com
Other helpful sites for parents include: www.chop.edu; www.kidshealthgalaxy.com; and www.mayoclinic.com.
State required health forms:
¬ 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. 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.
¬ Parents of 2nd Grade Students – In 3rd grade the state mandates that your child have a dental exam on file in the school health office. You can send in a copy of your child’s dental exam that has been completed after 9/3/2018 to fulfill this requirement. Dental forms are available on our website.
¬ Parents of 5th Grade Students – In 6th grade the state mandates that your child have a physical exam on file in the school health office. You can send in a copy of your child’s physical exam that has been completed after 9/3/2018 to fulfill this requirement. Physical exam forms are available on our website.
A Speical Thank You!
To all of our parents who assisted the nurses with the Annual Hearing Screening. We could not have accomplished this without your help and we thank you so very much!!
Thank you to all of our parents for working with us to keep your children healthy!