Union Canal Connection
October 2021
From The Principals Desk
Dear Parents/Guardians:
It has been a wonderful start to our school year! Union Canal has started with a wonderful month of returning to learning. We are continuing to see excitement and joy in our students returning to school this year. At this time our staff are starting to build the routines and processes that will help support the learning that will take place in their individual settings. Please continue in some way to have an open and responsive dialogue with your child(rens) teacher(s).
The autumn days are already becoming shorter as we transition into our first school quarter. As we move through the month of October we will explore our fall season and history. As a school community we will be looking at creating ways to develop our students leadership skills and value driven education. By months end we will be very close to the end of the first marking period. Once the second quarter begins, we look forward to the opportunity to share even more detailed information with parents at our annual Parent/Teacher Conferences. We truly encourage all of our parents to take part in this chance to speak with teachers, and this type of communication is always positive for our students. Once again this year, we will schedule conferences in fifteen minute blocks. Further information detailing this scheduling process will be emailed to parents and posted on our website during the first weeks of October.
There is a lot divisiveness in our world and community. Let’s work together to shed this division and mend together to bring some joy and sparkle to our students. As always if you have any questions or concerns about our school or operations please do not hesitate to reach out to me via phone 717-270-7227 or email bmcginty@clsd.k12.pa.us .
Yours In Education,
Bernard J. McGinty III
Principal
Email: bmcginty@clsd.k12.pa.us
Website: https://www.clsd.k12.pa.us/Domain/13
Location: 400 Narrows Drive, Lebanon, PA 17046, USA
Phone: 717-270-7227
Twitter: @Union_Canal_El
Union Canal Elementary School Parent-Teacher Conferences
Conferences will take place on Thursday, November 18 for kindergarten only (1:00 – 8:00PM), Monday, November 22 (2:00 - 9:00 PM), and Tuesday, November 23 (8:00 AM – 3:00 PM). A letter will be sent home with all students on Friday, October 1, 2021, regarding this year’s conferences. Scheduling will be done online through PTCFast. Parents will find the link on our district website under each elementary school. The registration process requires parents to provide a valid email address. The online scheduling will open at 7:00 PM on Monday, October 4 and will close at 7:00 PM on Monday, November 8.
If you are not able to schedule using the internet, paper request forms will be available in the school office, on the district website, and with your child’s homeroom teacher beginning Monday, October 4. If you are selecting this option, please return the completed form to the school office as soon as possible. If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the Union Canal School Office 717-270-7227.
Dates
October 1 – Letter will be sent home with all students regarding this year’s Parent-Teacher Conferences
October 4 – Online schedule for Parent-Teacher Conferences opens tonight @ 7:00 PM
November 8 – Last day to register online for Parent-Teacher Conferences, closes @ 7:00 PM
Note: all parents/guardians who have not selected a date and time for a parent-teacher conference by November 8 will have one assigned.
Monthly Character Traits
Throughout past school years, Union Canal has recognized a student from each class room who best represents the chosen character trait for that given month. This year we are looking to modify this program slightly. More information to come!
Picture day at Union Canal will be held on Wednesday October 13, 2021.
Please review the attachment for payment options. Pictures may be ordered online or with cash/check on day of pictures directly to Lifetouch photography.
Online Ordering:
Website: https://my.lifetouch.com/mylifetouch/#/portrait-store
School Name: Union Canal Elementary School
Picture Day Date: Wednesday, October 14
Picture Day ID: EVTWXCV7B
-OR-
Cash or Check:
Use envelope provided, fill out information, enclose exact payment amount, return to school on Picture Day.
No School!
Monday October 11, Columbus Day
From the District Office:
Student Breakfast/Lunch Reminders: ALL CLSD enrolled students can receive 1 FREE Breakfast and Lunch each day! Looking for the menu for your child’s school … ? Want to check or add money to your child’s food service account in Skyward …? Click on the “Lunch Menu” Quick Link icon on all CLSD websites (www.clsd.k12.pa.us) to find information and helpful links. Important Note: Please be advised that due to supply chain issues, the CLSD Food Service Department may have to change menus at any school level on a moment’s notice. All efforts will be made to notify families of any changes. In most cases, Food Service expects to substitute like items and keep the service of meals to children as seamless as possible.
Falcon Foundation applications are due October 15: The Falcon Foundation, educational foundation for the Cornwall-Lebanon School District, is pleased to announce that grants and awards will again be offered this fall to district students, employees and community members. Three types of sponsorship are available – Student Educational Opportunity Awards, Employee Educational Opportunity Awards, and Project Grants. Descriptions and applications for these grants and awards are posted online. Visit any CLSD school or the District website (www.clsd.k12.pa.us) and click on the “Falcon Foundation” Quick Link icon for more details. Deadline for submitting applications is Friday, Oct. 15, 2021.
Special Invitation for CLSD Veterans & our Military families: A complimentary breakfast is planned for Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021, to honor veterans who reside within the district. We also extend this invitation to those within our district family (employees, parents/guardians of district students) who are currently serving in the United States military. Please complete the Military Families Survey you will receive via Skyward, or call (717) 389-1810, to register prior to October 29. Each veteran may bring one guest. Reservations are required as space is limited.
Online Community Bulletin Board: Check the online Community Bulletin Board regularly for information about upcoming events, activities and fundraisers throughout the CLSD community (Click on the “COMMUNITY” tab on the District website: www.clsd.k12.pa.us, or Look under the “COMMUNITY” tab on any CLSD school page.) Currently, you can find out about sports activities for the participant and spectator … Scouting opportunities … Student club Fundraisers ... community events & activities ... and many more items of possible interest! Submit an item to be considered for posting on the Community Bulletin Board by completing the “Community Announcement Form,” located under the same tab.
Inclement Weather Procedures & Skylert Notification System: The decision to close school or open two hours later will be announced before 7:00 AM on the CLSD Home page, (www.clsd.k12.pa.us), as well as on the Cornwall-Lebanon School District Facebook and Twitter pages (@CLSD_Schools), and on local radio and TV stations. The Skylert automated notification system also will be used to contact parents/guardians during the school day in the event of a building power failure, hazardous situation, or an early dismissal. Please review the important information that is printed inside the front cover of the CLSD 2021-22 Calendar of Events. The District website is the first place important information is posted. Please, do not contact school or District offices in the case of these events as it is important for our phone lines to be available for emergency communications.
Remember, the Skylert notification system is only as accurate as the information you have provided to the District. Be sure your phone and email settings allow (do not Block) these numbers: (717) 272-2031; (717) 272-2036 and (717) 389-1810, and emails from @clsd.k12.pa.us addresses. Please review your information and make any updates in Skylert (for general information sharing, including school closings):
1. Login to your Skyward account.
2. Click the word “Skylert” in the left menu.
3. Fill-in and check or uncheck your desired settings.
4. Click “SAVE” in the upper right side of the page when you are done.
Note: If you need to change any “Emergency Contact” information, please contact your student’s school office.
Volunteers and Chaperones: Cornwall-Lebanon School District greatly appreciates the volunteers and chaperones who provide assistance to students and teachers through their participation in classroom support, as well as special events and activities. Volunteers are essential to the success of students. Look under the “Community” tab on the District Home page for details: www.clsd.k12.pa.us. Anyone who will be serving as a long-term or short-term volunteer for the District must complete the Volunteer Information packet, located on the website, prior to serving as a volunteer, and follow any existing COVID-19 guidelines pertaining to their volunteer assignment.