RICHLAND REFLECTIONS
Week of 4/12/21 at Richland Elementary School
We have lots happening in April! This week, we bring back NED's Mindset Mission in a virtual assembly. A performer will use storytelling, illusions, yo-yo tricks, and humor to inspire students to Never give up, Encourage others, and Do their best. Students will watch in their classrooms, and virtual students may watch from home with the link below. Parents are invited to tune in too!
We are also getting ready for our first ever Jump Rope Fundraiser sponsored by our PTO. See below for more details. Students will watch an inspiring video to try their best at jump roping during recess.
Check out pictures from our first week of Virtual Field Trip Fridays in April. So much to explore! And don't miss our March Leaders of the Month and this week's 3 staff members who share how they live the 7 habits.
Enjoy your week!
Nicole Zuerblis
Richland Principal
VIRTUAL ASSEMBLY THIS THURSDAY @ 10:00
We have an exciting upcoming live stream event. All of our students will experience The NED Show: Mindset Mission, on Thursday, Apr 15, from 10:00am - 10:45am! If your child is learning from home at that time, please use the link below to join. You are welcome to join, too! Make sure to log in 5 minutes early so we can get started on time.
NED's Mindset Mission is a character education program that centers around three important messages that have lifelong relevance: Never give up, Encourage others, and Do your best. During the assembly, students will learn about the importance of these three life skills while also enjoying storytelling, magic, humor, and yo-yo tricks.
Learn more at http://www.mindsetmission.com/assembly.html and check out the order form for yo-yos below.
Click this link on the day of the show! https://youtu.be/ylGBluc7cmY
We look forward to seeing everyone there!
YO-YO ORDER FORM BELOW
FIELD TRIP FRIDAYS IN APRIL!
HERE ARE SCENES FROM SOME OF THIS WEEK'S TRIPS!
RICHIE THE RICHLAND PANTHER VISITS!
Check it out here! https://richlandelementary2021.itemorder.com/sale
The store is open now and closes on April 19th.
PTO JUMP ROPE FUNDRAISER 4/21!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATIONS!
MARCH STUDENT LEADERS OF THE MONTH
APRIL IS AUTISM ACCEPTANCE MONTH
SPIRIT WEEK COMING APRIL 26-30
Find more information here.
https://www.autism-society.org/get-involved/national-autism-awareness-month/
PSSA TESTING FOR GRADES 3-5
SAVE THE DATES
The Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) will be administered online to students in grades 3-5 in early June. Scheduled dates for the PSSA are below.
June 2-4: English Language Arts (ELA)
June 8-9: Math
June 10-11: Science (grade 4 only)
Students receiving in-person instruction will take online assessments at school on the morning of these dates.
Students learning virtually will take online assessments at school in the afternoon, after in-person students are dismissed. Parents will be contacted with details closer to the PSSA dates.
Students in grades 3-5 who are scheduled to take the PSSA but opt-out will have required asynchronous learning at home on the testing dates.
Should you have any questions related to PSSA testing, please contact our school office.
STAFF HABIT SPOTLIGHT!
MR. NAGLE, LIBRARIAN
Habit 2, Begin with the End in Mind & Habit 7, Sharpen the Saw
My family and I have taken on the 52 hike challenge. We seek out a new hiking trail in the tri-state area almost every weekend to spend a little time in nature. It allows us to take a break from the regular routine and get lost in some exploration and adventure. We find that hiking provides both physical and mental rewards, allowing us to recharge for the work and school week ahead.
The 52 hike challenge wouldn’t happen without Habit # 2, Begin with the End in Mind. Sure we have an end goal of completing 52 hikes in a year, but in order to reap the benefits of being out on the trail every weekend, it takes many smaller end goals of weekly planning in regard to location, distance, and level of difficulty. I’ve found that when you set a goal that you are excited to reach, the road (or should I say trail) to get there is part of the fun!
MRS. MOYER, OFFICE SECRETARY
Habit 6, Synergize
In the Moyer house, my husband and I realize that for things to run smoothly we must work together. Mr. Moyer knows that I am not fond of grocery shopping so he has taken on that task. My husband doesn’t like to do laundry so I handle that one. Whoever gets home from work first starts dinner or cooks the whole meal. This helps us both not to feel overwhelmed by the many things we have to do.
When either one of us has a particularly rough day or week, the other one tries to be especially helpful and kind. This is the kind of teamwork that makes the dream work!
MR. MASKO, SECOND GRADE TEACHER
Habit 7, Sharpen the Saw
Listening to and playing music has always been my way of re-setting and "sharpening the saw." When life gets hectic, it's so useful to remember the calming effect of a good melody.
Whether I'm playing an old favorite, listening to a song for the very first time, or writing one of my own, I find that there is always room to grow and always more to learn. Taking a break after a busy day and focusing on music is a great way to keep on track both mentally and emotionally. Afterward, I feel rejuvenated, relaxed, and ready to approach new challenges with a fresh perspective.
HABITS HOMEWORK
LOOK FOR OPTIONAL FAMILY ACTIVITIES IN SEESAW EACH WEEK!
THIS WEEK'S DAILY QUESTIONS
MONDAY: How can you increase the trust you share with your family?
TUESDAY: What’s the secret to a great friendship?
WEDNESDAY: How can you increase the trust you share with this class?
THURSDAY: How can you decrease the trust you share with your family?
FRIDAY: How can you decrease the trust you share with this class?
ACTIVE APRIL
Let's reap the benefits of getting our bodies moving and breathing more deeply as a result of exercising, laughing, and even singing! We don't all need to run marathons - there are simple things we can all do to take care of our bodies - for example unplugging from technology, getting outside, and - importantly - making sure we get enough sleep!
Learn more at actionforhappiness.org!
CONSIDER APPLYING FOR FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH
Currently, our district is providing ALL families with children up to the age of 18 with FREE breakfast and lunch for the remainder of the school year through funds from the US Department of Agriculture. However, if you do not have a current application on file for the 2020-2021 school year, you could miss benefits from the State, should it decide to provide the Pandemic EBT Benefits again.
Please click here for the Free & Reduced Meal Program applications.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Stacy Reiss, Free & Reduced Lunch Program, at sreiss@qcsd.org or 215-529-2022.
OUR WORDS FOR 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR
DISTRICT BOOSTS PAY FOR SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS
Hoping to incentivize more people with a Bachelor’s degree to become substitute teachers, the Quakertown Community School District is significantly increasing pay for substitute teachers for the 2020-21 school year.
The per diem rate is being raised from $105 to $120 per day. Long term per diem pay is being raised from $140 to $175 per day, highest in the area. The average per diem rate in Bucks County and surrounding districts is $109. The long term substitute rate is $125. Please click here for the story.
QCSD has several job openings that can be found by clicking here. They include substitute nurses, aides, and food service workers.
Click here for job openings in the Upper Bucks County Technical School.
ALL SCHOOL YEAR FREE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH FOR ALL QCSD STUDENTS
The free food program is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture.
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. No qualification or identification is needed.
ALL students are eligible to receive FREE breakfast and FREE lunch through the end of the school year in June.
Breakfast will be served at Richland in our lunch room or classrooms from 8:45-9:00.
Lunch will have three selections daily: A sandwich/wrap/hot entree, a salad with a protein and roll, or a Grape/Peanut Butter Uncrustable. An assortment of fresh fruits and vegetables along with milk will be available daily. Students will order their lunches in the morning and will eat lunch in their classrooms. Lunches will be assembled by the cafeteria staff in bags, with aides delivering to rooms at the scheduled lunch times.
For Virtual Learners, free meal pickup is now held two days a week, Mondays and Wednesdays. On Mondays, students can receive meals for two days, and on Wednesdays for three days. Pickup remains at the Quakertown Community High School bus loop from 11:15 AM until 12:30 PM.
FROM MRS. STAUFFER, OUR SCHOOL NURSE
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO QUARANTINE?
What should you or your child do if asked to quarantine due to exposure to Covid-19? After an exposure to Covid-19, it may take between 2-14 days for symptoms to appear. When ordered to quarantine, you must stay inside of your home until cleared by the Department of Health. Even if you have no symptoms, you or your child should not be outside of your home having close contact with friends and neighbors. If you become infected with the virus, with or without symptoms, interacting with others not in your household can cause community spread of the disease.
While in school, we require children and staff to be masked, wash their hands often, and socially distance to prevent our Richland community from becoming ill. Even if your child has been diagnosed with a common cold, please ensure they avoid contact with other children to prevent transmission and missed school days. Following these same good habits outside of school will prevent you, your children, and others from becoming sick, whether it be from Covid-19, Flu, or any number of common fall and winter illnesses.
For more information, please read QCSD Exclusion from and Return to School Requirements.
LIVE AND VIRTUAL DAILY ATTENDANCE
Every day Monday through Friday is a school day.
Please keep your child home if they show any symptoms and call to let us know. You will receive a follow up call from our school nurse. We will confirm if your child will become a virtual learner for a period of time so they are not marked absent from in person instruction while staying home with symptoms.
FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE PHYSICALLY IN THE BUILDING:
Attendance will be taken as in the past, and students will be marked absent if they are not physically present. *Please note, only students who need to quarantine or are approved by the principal or school nurse will learn virtually instead of in person.
FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE 100% VIRTUAL LEARNERS:
Attendance will be taken daily. All students are to complete their "check-in" activity as explained by their teachers by 2:00 daily. To allow for the completion of work asynchronously, students may complete other school activities after 2:00, but the check-in must be completed by 2:00 in order to be marked as present.
IF YOUR CHILD IS ABSENT:
You will receive an email at 3:00 on the day your child is marked absent. The school must receive an excuse from you within 3 days of the absence.
New this year, you may respond to the email with your absence reason. You can also email an excuse to lmoyer@qcsd.org. If you prefer, you may send in an absence note to the office. All excuses must be received within 3 days of the absence.
ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL PROCEDURES
The live school day begins at 9:00 and ends at 2:00.
Please note AM Kindergarten pick up at 11:00 and PM drop off at 12:00 are in the front of the school.
All buses will drop off and pick up in the front of the school.
UPCOMING EVENTS
NED: MINDSET MISSION VIRTUAL ASSEMBLY 4/15
JUMP ROPE DAY 4/21
VIRTUAL AUTHOR VISITS 5/4
VIRTUAL BOOK FAIR 5/6-5/18
INTERNATIONAL WEEK 5/10-5/14
VIRTUAL RAINFOREST ASSEMBLY 5/10
NO SCHOOL, ELECTION DAY 5/18
DIGITAL PROJECT PROUD 5/21
MEMORIAL DAY- NO SCHOOL 5/31
FIELD DAY 6/14
VIRTUAL SCIENCE ASSEMBLIES 6/17
LAST DAY OF SCHOOL 6/21
Richland Elementary School
Email: nzuerblis@qcsd.org
Website: https://res.qcsd.org/
Location: 500 Fairview Avenue, Quakertown, PA, United States
Phone: 215 529-2452
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RichlandQCSD/
Twitter: @RichlandQCSD
If you have a virtual student, you can drop off the information below with payment to the main office. Email lmoyer@qcsd.org to let her know you come for a pick up order during the dates below.
Pay it forward yo-yo sales will run from Friday, 4/16 through Tuesday, 4/20.