Mercersburg Elementary
News from the Nest
Office of the Principal
Greetings parents! I want to thank you all for a great first month of school.
My staff and I are thrilled at the opportunity to work together with you to help our students not only reach but exceed their educational goals. At times the students are met with challenges in the classroom, but it has been awesome to see them persevere, productively struggle and then come to the answer. The students are showing that hard work does pay off and nothing good ever comes easy. I encourage you all to stay involved in your child's education throughout the year and keep the lines of communication between home and school open! Please sit down each night and go through the concepts that your child is learning at school. Have your child teach you how to solve the problems that they are currently working on in math. Ask your child about the plot of the story they are currently reading. This allows the children to teach you a concept ( which is the highest level of understanding) and shows that you are involved in their education. I hope you all are enjoying the first month of school.
Attendance
Mercersburg Elementary
Email: ryan.kaczmark@tus.k12.pa.us
Website: www.tus.k12.pa.us
Location: 30 South Park Avenue, Mercersburg, PA, USA
Phone: 7173283127
Car Riders
Dismissal
Book Fair
Lost and Found
Notes to the office
Include child's FULL NAME as well as the teacher's name on any notes sent from home.
Notes should be sent anytime you are planning to pick up your child for an early dismissal.
Notes for sending your child home on a different bus should be limited to emergency requests. If you need additional forms please contact the office.
Parent Volunteer Policy
PARENT VOLUNTEER POLICY
If you are planning to volunteer for any school day event, which includes the Race for Ed event, Fun Day and field trips, you must complete and return the following clearances:
Volunteer Registration Form
Child Abuse History Clearance
PA Criminal Record Check
Act 24 – Arrest/Conviction Form
Federal Criminal History Record Check
Tuberculin Test Results Form
Mandated Reporter Training (instructions provided in Volunteer Letter)
Volunteer clearance packets are available in the school office and on the district’s website at www.tus.k12.pa.us (select Mercersburg under “TSD Schools” tab, then listed under “Volunteer Clearances” tab). Some reports may take several weeks to complete.
Health Information
When do I keep my child home?
As always, if your child has flu-like systems such as diarrhea, vomiting, or a fever,
we ask that you keep him/her home.
Your child must be symptom-free for 24 hours before returning to school.
This means without the help of medications.
Medications
District policy states students cannot bring medication to school unless it is in a labeled container. Prescription medications must be in the bottle from the drug store with the student’s name, doctor, dosage, and prescription number. A school form needs to be filled out by the doctor and parent, and must accompany any prescription medication regarding proper dosage. Over-the-counter medications must be in the original container, having labeled it with the student’s name. A parental note and a doctor’s note must accompany over-the-counter medications. No medications will be given unless these guidelines are followed.
Physical Exams
The state requires all kindergarten students as well as have a physical. This physical exam must be completed within 1 year of entering the school system.
Please return the physical form as soon as possible.
Dental Exams
All kindergarten and third grade students are required to have a dental exam. This dental exam must be completed within 1 year of entering the school system.
Please return the dental form as soon as possible.
TWEP Open House
2018-2019 TWEP Open House Schedule at Charles Brightbill Environmental Center:
Sunday, October 7 - 2:00 - 4:00 - Come learn about honeybees with Randy and David King,
program begins at 2:30
Sunday, November 4 - 2:00 - 4:00 - Photo Contest Display; Special Speaker, Derek
Small, skilled in macrophotography - 3:00 in the North American Room at the Center
Sunday, December 2 - 2:00 - 4:00 - Nature Crafts for Kids activities
Sunday, February 3 - 2:00 - 4:00 - Game Day, come enjoy TWEP Nature Bingo, Bird Bingo
and more, games begin at 2:30
Sunday, March 3 - 2:00 - 4:00 - “Continental Critters”
presented by the Catoctin Zoo * in the JBHS auditorium at 3:00;
Elementary Art Show at the Center from 2:00 - 3:00 and
immediately after
Sunday, April 7 - 2:00 - 4:00 - tentative, Cumberland Valley Woodcarvers
Thursday, May 2 - 6:00 - 8:00 - High School/Middle School Art Show with
artist demos
Sunday, May 5 - 2:00 - 4:00 - Open House; No program planned
Open House events are free at the Center, unless otherwise noted with *
Want to visit the Center, but can’t make the dates? Call the Center 717-328-2126 and make
arrangements for a visit at another time.
Watch our TWEP website at www.twep.org for all current info and “Friend” us on Facebook
Handbook and Acceptable Use Policy
The Parent & Student Handbook and the Acceptable Use Policy (for computer and internet use) is posted on the Tuscarora School District / Mercersburg Elementary School website. We are asking each family to review both documents online so you are familiar with the expectations we hold for parents, faculty, staff, and students. If you wish to receive a hard copy of either document, please send a note to school with your child or contact the school office at 328-2023 ext. 2500.
To access the Parent & Student Handbook and Acceptable Use Policy:
TSD website - www.tus.k12.pa.us; Select “Mercersburg Elementary School” under the "Schools" tab. Both documents are available under the “Students” tab.
Signatures will be required at the beginning of the school year, that you have reviewed and understand the rules and policies within each document.
School Day Hours
7:20: Doors open
7:35: Announcements and Breakfast is done being served
7:40: School day starts
2:10: Dismissal starts