Dragon Blast
Mary C. Howse Elementary School
From the Principal
Dear MCH Families:
At this point in the school year, it is so important for you, as parents, to keep up with pertinent information in this newsletter and your child's classroom teacher. So, this portion of my newsletter will be short so you can focus on the stuff below.
I just want to say that I absolutely love seeing your children each and every day - we have something special in this school nd community and our children are feeling it!
Have a great weekend!!!!!
Dr. Cat
2021-2022 SCHOOL HOURS
9:10 - 3:40
Carline starts at 8:30 and runs until 8:55. If you arrive after that time you must park and walk your child up to the front door and sign them in. DO NOT use the bus loop unless you arrive AFTER 9:10
Afternoon carline is called at 3:35. It lasts until 3:50.
TECHNOLOGY NEWS
CHESTER COUNTY FOOD BANK DONATION
Twenty two pounds of peppers and cucumbers were picked by Miss Forbes class and were donated to the Chester County Food Bank last week. Spinach and salad turnups will be planted this week by our third grade classes!
AFTER SCHOOL SPORTS
4th and 5th grade after school sports will be starting September 28. This after school program is available for all 4th and 5th grade students, from 3:50-5:00. Boys will meet on Tuesdays and Girls will meet on Thursdays. If interested, have your child stop in the gym to pick up an information packet. All participants must have a completed permission form to participate.
Becki Monte
Health and Physical Education
Mary C. Howse Elementary School
An Update on our Equity work here at MCH
At Mary C. Howse our Equity Team is focused on providing a safe, inclusive, and just environment for all our students and families. We meet as a whole group monthly and our subcommittees meet on an as needed basis. Our members include - Rebecca McAllister, Tara Jackson, Jackie Pascale, Kim Fallon, Rosemary McGeehin, Yolanda Stanton, Steve Catrambone, Kristen Cheney, Alyssa Cotellese and Michael McMonagle.
Last year our team read Unpack Your Impact by Lanesha Tabb and Naomi O’Brian. This text has prompted us to look more closely at how we incorporate our students’ cultures into our curriculum and daily activities. You may have noticed a large emphasis on culture with the first whole-school project – the rocks! This is, in part, due to the efforts of last year’s Equity Team working closely with the School Wide Positive Behavior Support Team. (SWPBS)
We hope to continue incorporating initiatives like this into the school culture of Mary C. Howse so that our students can learn to embrace each other’s differences with love, dignity and immeasurable worth.
If you are interest in becoming involved, please reach out to any of our team members. You can contact ANYONE from the above list - just use their "first initial" "last name" @wcasd.net - for example - rmcallister@wcasd.net. The one exception to this is Tara Jackson: tjackson1@wcasd.net.
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
School Wide Positive Behavioral Program
Beautification Committee
The Beautification Committee is expanding its’ scope this year! Going forward, our mission is to enhance the exterior and interior of MCH to reflect our values and support our school community. We will approach this by looking through both a student and parent lens and working collaboratively with other school committees (PBIS, Equity, PTO, and Technology), while maintaining our central theme of: One School, One Family, One World.
Members: Cheryl Chaborek, Ann Duffy, Danielle Flynn, Carolyn Gorrie, Jeanne Latimer, Jackie Pascale, Alison Sweeney, Yolanda Stanton, and Heidi Watson
NURSE'S NOTES -STUDENT INJURIES
When a students has an injury that requires activity restrictions, a doctor’s note must be sent to the Health Office on the 1st day that your child returns to school. This includes any student with a supportive device like a splint, cast or crutches. Usually these student have restrictions such as no gym or recess for a period of time. Until specific doctor’s instructions are received, any student with a supportive device will not be permitted to participate in gym or recess. When a student’s restrictions are lifted by the Health Care Provider, a medical clearance note from the provider must be given to the School Nurse.
If a student requires a non-medical exclusion from participation in gym class, a parent note is required. Any gym exclusion for more than 1 day requires a doctor’s note.
Dates to Keep in Mind
October 14th Picture Day
POSITIVE PRAISE
My son is so happy with you as his teacher. He is very good at expressing himself and I want to tell you how he sees you:
Things he says…even last night….basically every night I hear something about how great Ms. Flynn is. She is so nice. She is fun and cool. She never yells or makes us feel bad even when we are doing something wrong. She is patient. We are on time. I like how scheduled our routine is (he is a creature of habit). She is one of the best teachers I’ve ever had. Overall he is singing your praises all the time to me. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Teachers for 21-22
1st grade - Mrs. Kane, Mrs. Conner and Mrs. Seese
2nd grade - Ms. Forbes, Ms. Dougherty, Mrs. Sochacki and Mrs. McAllister
3rd grade - Ms. Cotellese, Mrs. Ross, Mr. Jacobus and Mrs. Cheney
4th grade - Mrs. Pohlig, Ms. Verrichia, and Ms. Flynn
5th grade - Mrs. Powers, Mrs. Grecco, Mr. Fabian and Mr. Raws
Guidance - Mr. Mike McGonagle (LTS until December) - Jessica Salley (new) is scheduled to return from leave.
Gifted Resource Teacher/Math Intervention - Amanda Hoban
Psychologist - Dr. Yolanda Stanton
LS Teachers - Heidi Watson, Kim Fallon
Reading Specialists - Carolyn Gorrie and Alison Sweeney
ELL Teacher - Jackie Pascale
Special Area - Mary Litzenberg, Cheryl Chaborek, Becki Monte, Sarah Clum
Band & Orchestra - Lauren Letherland, Mary Belczyk.
Instructional Coach - Rosemary McGeehin
SP/L - Mandy McClure
Tech Support - Betsy McDonald
OT - Tina Karpinski
Custodians - Terrence Wright, Mike Murray - LTS William Fowlkes, Frank Correa
Paraprofessionals - Linda DiMatteo, Kimberly Wood
Cafe Staff - Tracy Dwyer, Norma Rivera
OFFICE NOTES -
Reminders from the office - please note as we get questions about the information listed:
ABSENTEE HOTLINE - Please call 484-266-1310 and leave a message or go into PUP (Pickup Patrol) to report it when you know your child will be late or absent from school. You can call the phone number at any time.
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 - There is an activity fee if your student will be participating in Chorus, Band, Orchestra (Honors as well), and After School Sports. It is $25 per student. https://www.wcasd.net/Domain/1012
LUNCHES/LUNCH ACCOUNTS - Just a reminder that all students are entitled to a free breakfast and 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 or go into PUP (Pickup Patrol). 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.
AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITES - NOT RUN BY MCH
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
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