Buckingham Elementary School
The Mighty Knight Connection - March 2014 - Issue 14
Making Our Mark!
Important Announcements
Buckingham at its Finest!
When I became the principal at Buckingham, there were many things I knew about this school from my experiences in the District. I knew of the rich history of Buckingham Elementary - only several years ago celebrating our 50th Anniversary! I knew about the high expectations for teaching and learning - from this school community's parents, teachers and students! I knew about the passion for the arts and culture - including the fine arts, musical arts and performing arts.
One of of the most impressive qualities of this school that I have come to learn first-hand is how "giving" and "supportive" this community is for people in need. Throughout the year, our teachers lead service-learning initiatives to support a cause or group and I am always so impressed with how eager our parents and students are with donating their time and energy to these projects. Most recently, we completed two school-wide service-learning initiatives for American Red Cross's: Jump Rope for Heart and United Way of Bucks County's: Operation Helping Hand. It goes to show that when this school community comes together for a purpose - we definitely Make Our Mark! Thank you for your efforts in helping your children learn about the gifts of giving.
School Calendar Approved
At the March 12 School Board Meeting, Central Bucks School Board voted to finalize the school calendar for the missed days due to poor weather. Please note all changes below:
1. April Changes:
- The Early Dismissal day previously scheduled for April 3rd is changed to Friday, April 4th. Kindergarten AM reports only (NO PM Kindergarten).
- The 3rd Marking Period now ends Thursday, April 10.
- April 17th will become an Early Dismissal day for Grade 1-6 students. The afternoon will be scheduled portfolio conferences for all elementary teachers. Kindergarten AM reports only (NO PM Kindergarten).
- April 21st is a Full Day for students.
June Changes:
- The last day of school for students will be June 20th - and High School Graduation moved to June 20.
- June 20th is an early dismissal day with AM Kindergarten attending (NO PM Kindergarten) - this will be the last day of school for students.
Please Note: NO Kindergarten - April 15 & 16 for KDG Parent Conferences.
Click Here for the updated one-page calendar.
Elementary Report Card Update & Information
As you know, one goal of the Central Bucks School District is to revise our current elementary reporting tools. As the District works to finalize our new reporting system, we want to continue to offer resources to help facilitate the transition to the “new” report card, and explain the rationale to the work that has been done thus far.
With that being said, we invite you to attend one of our three cluster meetings. District clusters include all elementary schools affiliated with each high school attendance area. In each one-hour meeting, we will define the goals of a standards-based reporting system by highlighting the characteristics that enhance our educational programming for elementary school children. Mark your calendar for Monday, April 7th at 7:00 PM. Central Bucks staff will make a presentation to “Future CB East” parents at Cold Spring Elementary School. For more information and to RSVP for this meeting, please click here.
Additional resources recently released:
- Video – Progress Report Overview
- Video – Progress Report Up Close
- Video – Central Bucks Standards Based Report Card Video – as aired on CB TV
PSSA Assessment Dates at Buckingham
- March 24-31 - Grade 3-6 - PSSA Reading and Math
- April 7-9 - Grade 5 - PSSA Writing
- April 28-29 - Grade 4 - PSSA Science
Please CLICK HERE for more information including Parent FAQs for PSSA from the PA Department of Education.
News & Information
School Calendar
March:
March 17 - St. Patrick's Day
March 20 - Welcome Spring!
March 20 - PTO General Meeting - 9:30AM - Cafeteria
March 24-31 - PSSA Reading & Math - Grades 3-6 - State Assessments in AM
March 25 - Reading Olympics Meeting - Library - 8:00AM
March 25 - School Board Meeting - Educational Services Center - 7:30PM
April:
April 3 - Buckingham Musical - "The Ever After" - 7:00PM - Tickets Needed for Entry
April 4 - CALENDAR UPDATE - Half-Day - K-6 Dismissal @ 12:10PM - No PM KDG
April 4 - Buckingham Musical - "The Ever After" - 7:00PM - Tickets Needed for Entry
April 7-9 - PSSA Writing - Grade 5 - State Assessments in AM
April 7 - New Report Card Information Meeting - Cold Spring Elementary - 7:00PM
April 8 - Spirit Day - Wear "Favorite Team" Jersey
April 8 - Spirit Assembly - Reptile Discovery (AM)
April 8 - Reading Olympics Event - Mill Creek Elementary School
April 8 - School Board Meeting - Educational Services Center - 7:30PM
April 10 - End of 3rd Marking Period
April 11 - Mighty Knight at the Movies - 7:00PM
April 14 - Passover Begins (through to 4/22)
April 15-16 - NO KDG - Parent/Teacher Conferences
April 17 - CALENDAR UPDATE - Half-Day - K-6 Dismissal @ 12:10PM - No PM KDG
April 17 - Portfolio Conferences - By Appointment
April 18 - No School - Good Friday
April 20 - Easter
April 21 - CALENDAR UPDATE - School in Session - Full Day
April 21 - Emergency Weather Drill @ Buckingham (PM)
April 22 - School Board Meeting - Educational Services Center - 7:30PM
April 23 - Report Cards Sent Home (Middle & High Schools Only)
April 23 - Administrative Professionals Day (Secretary's Day)
April 23 - Market Day - Gym Foyer - 3:00-5:00PM
April 28-29 - PSSA Science - Grade 4 - State Assessments in AM
Ticket Information - The Ever After - April 3 & 4
The Ever After is Buckingham’s 2014 Spring Musical. Our talented cast and chorus of 5th & 6th grade students have been working hard after school to present a wonderful evening of music and comedy on April 3rd and 4th.
Ticket order forms have gone out to the families of the cast for those evening performances. Don’t miss an opportunity to see our 5th and 6th graders perform in the musical Ever After. Tickets for the upcoming performance are now available for purchase for the Thursday, April 3rd and Friday, April 4th evening performances. Ticket prices are $ 4.00 each for the 7:00 PM show and the order form is available at in the main office or by clicking here. Both shows are expected to sell out early. Note: Students will see the hour-long performance during school.
The Pennsylvania Writing and Literature Project (PAWLP) Student Summer Courses
"Writing and Reading Brighten Your Mind!"
The Central Bucks School District and the Pennsylvania Writing and Literature Project (PAWLP) are partnering to provide summer courses for students Grades K-8 who have a love of rich literature and creative writing. If interested, see the attached brochure by clicking here!
Buckingham Veggie Garden Volunteer Opportunity!
District Art Show
CB Cares Boomerang Nominations
March: #38 Self-Esteem - Young person demonstrates a confidence that promotes positive behaviors and relationships. He/she is proud to be the person that they are, and they serve as a role model to others because of their healthy self-confidence.
Students/Parents/Teachers, please nominate a Buckingham student by clicking here! In your paragraph, include how your nominee exemplifies this month’s asset. Nominations are due to Mr. Rosica by Friday, March 21st.
School Happenings
5th Grade Pi (3.14) Day
5th Grade Field Trip to Valley Forge, PA
!Fiesta! at the Buckingham Spring Book Fair!
A heartfelt thank you to the students, families, staff, and volunteers involved with the Spring Book Fair. Our fun Fiesta theme had students and staff excited to visit the fair as well as many families who came out to support our family nights help make our fair great fun for all!
The vast selection of books provided an opportunity for all readers to find something that they found interesting. The Classroom Wish List program provided children and their families the opportunity to donate books to help build our teachers libraries. While our library was able to add an amazing selection of new titles that our children will now be able to access due to the success of the Fair.
Many thanks to Mrs. Kraus and Mrs. Diodati for allowing us to use the library to host the Fair as well as their tireless, hands-on support.
Beth Gidwani and Lori Tinari
***And on behalf of the Buckingham Staff and Students - a Special "THANK YOU" to Mrs. Tinary, Mrs. Gidwani and all our volunteers who helped bring a FIESTA! to Buckingham! It was another great Book Fair!
-Buckingham Elementary School
Sochi Olympics - Bronze Medalist Visits Buckingham 1st Graders!
This year, Buckingham Elementary School has focused on the theme of “Making Your Mark”. During the recent Winter Olympics, our first grade classes spent some time learning about the events that took place in Sochi, Russia. Each student selected a USA Olympic Athlete to research and find ways that those individuals "Made Their Mark" in their sport - or the world - as a whole. Students wrote reports, created posters and shared an oral presentation in front of their classes.
As a culmination of this activity, the first graders were fortunate to receive a special visit from Shochi Bronze Medalist for the Women's Bobsleigh event, Jamie Greubel (Newtown, PA Native). Jamie shared her experiences preparing for and competing in Sochi. She is a living example of how athletes Make Their Mark through hard work, perseverance, and grit. She shared with students that she became involved with bobsledding because she knew it would not be easy and she wanted to challenge herself. Her message included how "falling down and making mistakes" is how we learn and grow. She spent time answering all of our questions and shared her award - her (heavy) bronze medal! THANK YOU to our United States Olympic medalist, Jamie Greubel, for her inspiring message and with being a wonderful example of how we might "Make Our Mark"!
Buckingham Spirit Assembly: The World Mosaic of Music & Dance
From the Buckingham PTO
Buckingham General PTO Meeting - 3/20
Buckingham's "Make Your Mark" Walk - Coming in May
Coming this May:
The Buckingham Elementary “Make Your Mark” Run/Walk
This spring, Buckingham students will be Making Our Mark in our school community with a new tradition—the First Annual Buckingham 3K Fun Run & Walk. Our aim is to celebrate the tremendous effort our Buckingham students have demonstrated during this school year’s “Make Your Mark” theme.
This will be our final fundraiser of the year and 100% of the proceeds will go toward providing additional enrichment opportunities for all students to further enhance their school experience, such as:
· Virtual Field Trips
· Outdoor Classroom
· New Recess Supplies
· E-learning Subscriptions, and
· Assemblies (to name a few)
More information to follow as the date draws closer. Should you have any questions or wish to help with this event, it will be discussed in greater detail at the General PTO meeting on Thursday, March 20 at 9:30 a.m. or you may contact Denise Calafati-Forest: djjforest@gmail.com.
Silver Graphics - Ordering Your Child's Art!
Looking for an easy gift for Mother's Day, Birthdays or the Easter Basket - Consider Silver Graphics online! Through their Online Gallery page, search for your child's artwork completed earlier this year!
All products will be shipped directly to the address you specify. Our school will profit from any online orders placed through our school gallery. So visit the SilverGraphics website to view detailed photos and information on their products.
To view artwork and place orders, visit:
http://www.silvergraphics.com/School-Art-Galleries.html
You will need the following User Name and password (case sensitive):
UserName: Buckingham
Password: Buckingham
Please feel free to contact Ann Piotrowski at amp@sta2ned.com if you have any questions.
School Mission
We, the Buckingham School Community, foster the academic, social, and emotional growth of our children. We establish a safe environment that encourages collaboration and life-long learning where students accomplish their personal goals. We are committed to supporting children through a well-structured learning environment built upon research-based best practices. The Buckingham School Community is dedicated to developing creative students of character who are responsible, contributing citizens.
Buckingham Elementary School
PO Box 158, 2414 Durham Road
Buckingham, PA 18912-0158
Principal, Karl Funseth
Principal's Secretary, Janice Petrie
Email: buckingham@cbsd.org
Website: http://tiny.cc/cbsd_buckingham
Location: Buckingham Elementary School, Durham Road, Buckingham, PA, United States
Phone: (267)893-4200