Mercersburg Elementary
News from the Nest!
Lemonade War
The second week of January Mercersburg and Montgomery Elementary schools kicked off their one book two schools challenge. With the support of the Tuscarora Education Foundation and Mercersburg and Montgomery’s PTO’s every family was provided a copy of Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies.
The school staff created a reading and activity calendar, where each week the families were encouraged to read a chapter of the book together. Our intent was to involve all family members in a family activity that has the greatest impact on a child’s education: reading together. We, of course, wanted them to have an enjoyable experience with the text as well.
To partner with the readings, each week our literacy coaches at each school (Tia Piper and Karen Wise) posed questions that the students could answer to receive various prizes. In addition, we kicked off a penny war between the two schools to raise money for Alex’s Lemonade Stand. We had a number of incentives that the students could earn. Each teacher had a container in their classroom, in which students could place pennies, silver coins or dollars. Pennies counted towards a teacher’s total, where silver and dollars were deducted from their total.
The students between both schools were initially challenged to raise $1,000 with the incentive that Mr. Kaczmark would run 50 laps at the Race for Education dressed in a lemon costume. The classrooms at each school that had the highest positive total would receive a pizza party. Also, the school that raised the most money would be rewarded with an afternoon celebration including a movie. At the start of the challenge, Mr. Kaczmark posted a Google Form on each school’s facebook page, polling the community to determine which teacher should receive $5 in pennies from him and which teacher should receive $5 in silver from him. He encouraged the community to vote and share the poll, and the poll itself reached approximately 13,000 responses!
Throughout the Lemonade War challenge, the students participated in a lemonade tasting experience, enjoyed a Lemonade War skit put on by their teachers who are also brother and sister like the main characters in the story, and cheered on their teachers and staff through a lemon squeezing contest.
By our surprise, the students quickly raised $1,000 in the first week! In the end, after numerous trips to BB&T Bank of Mercersburg (who generously counted all of the change), the students well surpassed their nominal $1,000 goal. Because of the tremendous school and community support, Alex’s Lemonade Stand will be receiving a $5,000 donation to fight childhood cancer! As a result, proudly Mr. Kaczmark declared there are no losers in this contest and awarded both schools the movie celebration. The pride in each student and community support has been heart warming.
Kindergarten Registration
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION PRESS RELEASE
Kindergarten Registration for the 2017-18 school year is scheduled for children who will be five years of age on or before September 1, 2017. Please call the school your child will attend to establish an appointment for the dates listed below. You may call anytime between the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the following extensions:
Extension
Monday, March 27th Mercersburg 2500
Tuesday, March 28th Mt. View 2600
Wednesday March 29th Montgomery 2400
Thursday, March 30th St. Thomas 2700
Registration times are available 12 noon through 7:00 p.m. To reduce your wait time, we request that you call your school as soon as possible to schedule an appointment. If you are unable to make an appointment for a specific time, walk-ins will be accepted on the day of registration. Please recognize that appointments scheduled in advance will be handled before walk-ins; therefore, be prepared for a possible wait.
Before your appointment, visit the Tuscarora School District’s website at www.tus.k12.pa.us and follow the directions below to complete important student information to bring with you. If you do not have a computer, there are computers available at each school.
Directions:
1. Go to www.tus.k12.pa.us >Student Information Registration (in the quick links on the left side of the page).
2. Follow the directions to create a new account. Login > Kindergarten Registration Form 2017-18.
If you are unable to upload documents to your computer, simply bring them with you to your appointment and we will make copies.
Speech and general kindergarten preparedness screening will take place at the time of registration, so please bring your child with you.
The following information is required on the day of registration:
· Proof of child’s age – birth certificate, baptismal certificate
· Custodial documentation (if applicable)
· Immunization Record
· Two proofs of residency in the Tuscarora SD (i.e. mail, bill, lease, driver’s license)
· If your child(ren) will be transported from/to child care, please bring the name, address, and contact number of the provider. The child care must be within the boundary of the school your child attends.
The following documented immunizations are required for entrance into kindergarten:
· 4 Diphtheria Tetanus Pertussis (one dose on or after the 4th birthday)
· 3 Polio
· 2 Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)
· 3 Hepatitis B
· 2 Varicella (Chicken Pox) – either vaccine or date of disease
Mercersburg Elementary
Email: ryan.kaczmark@tus.k12.pa.us
Website: www.tus.k12.pa.us
Location: 30 South Park Avenue, Mercersburg, PA, United States
Phone: 717-328-3127
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MercersburgElementary/?ref=bookmarks
Jump Rope for Heart!
Hello, Everyone! It is that time of year again! This February we will begin our annual Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser! Jump Rope for Heart is a national educational fundraising event that teaches students the importance of physical activity and a healthy heart while raising money for children with heart conditions. Jump Rope for Heart develops rope-jumping skills that are fun for everyone while promoting physical activity and teamwork. The program also teaches students to set and achieve goals and shows them how they can make a difference through volunteering and community service.
Thank you, everyone, for your help and generosity! It is greatly appreciated! Hopefully, we can add to that total this year! Students in grades K-5 will begin receiving packets for fundraising during the second week of February. Students can win many cool prizes with their collected donations! Every donation greatly helps, even if it is only one dollar. The deadline to hand in the donation packet is March 10th. During physical education class, all students in grades K-5 will participate in several fun hula hoop and jump rope activities regardless of whether they participate in the fundraiser or not. Students will also learn why exercising is good for their heart and what exercises work best!
Again, thank you for your help and support! If you have any questions once your child receives a packet, feel free to contact me here at the school. Let’s have a fantastic February!
Mr. Corby
Academic Help!
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 Montgomery under “TSD Schools” tab, then listed under “Volunteer Clearances” tab). Some reports may take several weeks to complete.
Notes from School
- If your child is absent from school, a note stating the reason for absence must be turned in to the office within 3 days or the absence will be counted as an unexcused absence.
- Include child's first AND LAST 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.
Attendance
School Hours
7:20: Doors open
7:35: Announcements and Breakfast is done being served
7:40: School day starts
2:10: Dismissal starts