Neidig Chalkboard
Building a Community of Leaders Who Inspire Greatness!
Neidig Elementary School
Email: lclymer@qcsd.org
Website: https://nes.qcsd.org/
Location: 201 North Penrose Street, Quakertown, PA, USA
Phone: 215-529-2360
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/neidigqcsd
Twitter: @NeidigElem
October 25, 2020
Principal's Message
As we head into our 6th week of school, I would like to take some time discuss the parameters of our school day. This message is predominantly for students who attend class in-person, but this does impact virtual learners as well. Specifically, I want to share the expecatations with the ending time of our school day.
Due to the pandemic, all QCSD students have an adjusted schedule. At the elementary level, we dismiss 2:00 PM. However, the school day does not end at 2:00. The expectation is learning continues at home for approximately one hour after that 2:00 PM dismissal. The QCSD curriculum is rigorous and requires students to demonstrate a great deal of learning. The shortened school day presents a challenge to that demonstration of learning, so we do have the expectation that learning continues at home. Yes, this is challenging with young learners.
When students leave Neidig, their work falls into different catergories:
New Learning for All
Sometimes, teachers offer synchronous (Google Meets) lessons for new learning for the whole class. Or, students participate in structured lessons (Zearn, Imagine Learning, iReady,...) to solidify their understanding of new concepts.
Individual or Small Group Work
Sometimes, students participate in one on one or small group work sessions. This might be with one of their teachers or with a teaching assistant.
Asynchronous Work
Sometimes, students use the after school time to practice or catch up on work that was not completed earlier in the day. This work occurs on a computer or with physical materials.
Reading
Children learn to read by reading, and the after school time can be a time to curl up with a good book.
We know this school year is different, and we know everyone is working tirelessly to meet our learners' needs. Thank you! Please continue to ask questions, make suggestions, and provide feedback. We are all learning, and together we are making great progress.
Scott D. Godshalk, Neidig Principal
Neidig's Back to School Night
Neidig Parent / Guardian Conference Dates!
Neidig Construction Update
There is still ongoing work at our school. Due to pandemic related issues, there are some materials that have not arrived at our school. Two quick examples - We are waiting for materials to complete the Learning Stairs in the lobby area, and we are waiting for audio / visual equipment for the gym and cafeteria.
2020 - 2021 Attendance Procedures
Live / In-Person Learning
If your child physically attends school at Neidig, attendance is 100% based on whether or not he or she comes to the building that day. If the child is in class, that child is marked present. If the child is not in class, the child marked absent. The most popular question:
"IF MY CHILD IS SUPPOSED TO BE IN CLASS, BUT IS HOME SICK TODAY, CAN SHE COMPLETE THE SEE SAW ACTIVITIES AND BE MARKED PRESENT?"
Answer - - No
Attendance for in-person learners is based on physical attendance at school. If your child is feeling well enough to complete learning activities, yes, your child can keep up with the work and complete the learning activities posted online. However, if they are not physically present in school, they will be marked absent. Parents / guardians must provide an excuse note for each absence.
There is an exception here for live, in-person learners. If your child has been placed on quarantine, and is required to stay home for a period of time, that student shifts from in-person attendance to virtual attendance. (See below.) The reason for this is the school required the child to be out of school. Only Mrs. Gol, our school nurse, can officially place students in the quarantine status.
Virtual Learners
Virtual learners must complete an attendance check-in every day. There are two ways to do this. First, if your child attends the homeroom teacher's Google Meet that day, the student is marked present. Sometimes, virtual learners cannot attend that synchronous Google Meet. In that case, the virtual learner has another option. Each teacher also has an asynchronous attendance check-in. This option is found on the teacher's schedule in See Saw. This is typically a Google Form or a See Saw Activity. If you are not sure about your virtual learner's attendance check-in options, please contact your child's teacher.
Storybook Character Spirit Day!
- Students will be in their book character outfit all day. They should come to school in their storybook character outfit, and they will go home in their book character outfit. There is not a time to change.
- No Masks, other than students' approved face covering. Any masks other than an approved face covering will have to be taken off.
- No weapons or violent themes.
- No full face paint. Pretend freckles (away from their face covering) and such are okay. The understanding is students cannot have full face paint.
- Students need to be comfortable for the full day and cannot distract other students with the book character outfit.
- Students should bring a copy of the book featuring their storybook character.
- Due to the pandemic, we cannot have a traditional classroom party that includes food items. Students and families will not bring in food items on this day. Teachers may elect to have their students participate in appropriately themed activities, but there will not be a traditional classroom party involving food this year.
Again, we ask for your understanding and cooperation. We are doing our best to make the most of a challenging situation. We want our students to have fun and enjoy the day, and we ask for your thoughtfulness and understanding when selecting your child's storybook character outfit. If you have questions, please ask your child's teacher, or feel free to contact me. 215-529-2362, or at sgodshalk@qcsd.org.
Head Start Classroom at Neidig!
Our Early Childhood Programs promote school readiness by enhancing the
child’s thinking, learning, social, and emotional development. In a positive
learning environment, we are able to offer a variety of services and programs in
support of early learning, health and nutrition, and family well-being.
• For children 3 - 5 years of age
• Monday through Friday class schedule
(August-June)
• Class sizes are 15-20 students
• Interactive learning environments
• Nutritional snacks and meals
• Family Engagement
Would you like your 3 - 5 year old enrolled in this program? Apply below to check eligibility!
Apply Now!
215 - 348 - 2940 Ext. 8800
AM Arrival Time - Car Rider Line
IS YOUR FAMILY IN NEED OF HELP THIS HOLIDAY SEASON?
SHOP WITH A COP
December 10th, 2020 at Quakertown Walmart
Eligibility criteria includes:
Must be from the Quakertown School District or referred to the program by a partnering Police Department
Children must be 5-13 years of age
Families have been faced with a life challenge such as homelessness, loss of job, military deployment, etc
To Apply: Please fill out the application that can be found HERE
For more information: Quakertown.org/SWAC
Applications must be submitted to Borough Hall (35 N. Third Street, Quakertown, Attn: Ashton Rosenberger). Or emailed to arosenberger@quakertown.org
DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 20th
QUAKERTOWN COMMUNITY OUTREACH & QUAKERTOWN CARES
Providing gifts to those in need through community donations
Eligibility criteria includes:
QCSD residents only
Free or Reduced lunch eligible (or case by case special circumstances)
DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 10th (on a First come, first served basis)
To Apply: Please fill out the form that can be found HERE
Any questions can be directed to quakertownoutreach@gmail.com
PAL Pumpkin Event!
Here are the Flipgrid links again:
From Mrs. Gol - School Nurse
Keeping your Child(ren) Home From School
Each morning your child is attending in-person school, please screen them for COVID-19 symptoms listed below. If they have one symptom in Group A or two symptoms in Group B please keep them home and contact their doctor.
Are you/is the student experiencing any of the following?
In order to return to school, you must follow the guidance found in our Exclusion From and Return to School Guidelines https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zGaLntPUmbBa2MpStHtxaUzAzXaxlrG6jvGU20_ho58/edit
If you have any questions, please contact the High School Nurse’s Office at 215-529-2075
Technology Problems?
If you have a technology issue which requires a device repair or swap in person, please complete the Sign Up Genius at the link below. We have appointment slots for Tuesdays through 10/20/20 between 1 and 3:30 pm. This will take place at the district office, 100 Commerce Dr, Quakertown, PA 18951, at the loading dock on the side of the building opposite of 663.
If you have a technology issue which could be handled virtually or over the phone (ie. login information, Clever badge, PowerSchool related questions, etc.), please call 267-371-1262 or fill out the form at the following link:
Thank you!
QCSD Technology Team
QCSD Student and Family Support Page
The Office for Teaching and Learning (OTL) put together this Parent and Family website. The site provides an overview of a variety of instructional models, resources to support social emotional learning at home, technology support resources, and answers to frequently asked questions. Please take a look around for many supports to help you through this year of education.
UPDATE! FREE Meals All Year!
Previously, this program lasted until December. We are pleased to announce that The United States Department of Agriculture has extended a nationwide waiver to allow the Quakertown Community School District to provide FREE meals to ALL students regardless of need through the entire 2020 - 2021 school year! No qualification or identification is needed.
Please see here for the communication regarding the details of the plan.
New Social Media Pages!
HERE is the Neidig PAL page. Please follow both!
Check out the Neidig PAL Instagram page HERE!