Mercersburg Elementary
News from the Nest
Welcome Back!!
Go Noodle Stretch Break
IPADS and Chromebooks in action
3rd grade students working hard on their projects
Illness
I hope everyone had a wonderful break!
Now it is time to roll up our sleeves
and trek for the finish line…June!
So far I haven’t seen too much illness. We are holding our own here at Mercersburg.
I’m sure that would be fine with all of you, as well as me, if it stays that way. But working with school age children, I can tell you the chances of that happening are slim.
Please keep your child home if he/she has:
· Fever
· Vomiting
· Diarrhea
Your child should not have any vomiting, diarrhea or fever for 24 hours prior to coming to school. This means that without medication your child does not have a fever.
Mercersburg Elementary
Email: ryan.kaczmark@tus.k12.pa.us
Website: www.tus.k12.pa.us
Location: 30 South Park Avenue, Mercersburg, PA, USA
Phone: 7173285278
Holiday Lunch
All smiles for our holiday lunch
Read 20 minutes everyday
Reminders
School starts at 7:40 a.m.
- Please send an excuse with your child upon their return to school. After 3 days without an excuse, the day becomes unexcused.
- After 10 days absent from school students are required to have a doctor's note for the day to be considered excused.
- Parent drop off and pick up is in the rear of the building.
- Please label your child's belongings. It makes it much easier to return lost items when they include a first and last name.
- The 2nd marking period is quickly coming to an end on January 17th
- Special thanks to all of our parent volunteers. We couldn't do it without you!
- The front bus ramp is not for parent drop-offs unless it is 7:40 a.m. or later.
Notes to 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 unlawful 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.
- If your child is going on an educational trip, please fill out the trip request prior to the trip.
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 fundraising event that teaches students the importance of physical activity and a healthy heart while raising money for children with sick hearts. 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 while making a difference through volunteering and community service. 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.
Last year Mercersburg Elementary raised $3,666! This was the most we raised in a long time! Thank you, everyone, for your help and generosity. It is greatly appreciated! Students in grades K-5 will begin receiving packets for fundraising in the beginning of February. Students can win many cool prizes with their collected donations! Starting this year, there also be a special prize box. For every $25 raised, that student will be able to pick one item from that box! That means if a student raises $100, he/she can choose 4 additional prizes! The deadline to hand in the donation packet is February 28th
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
Kindergarten Registration
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION Will Start SOON!
Kindergarten Registration for the 2020-21 school year is scheduled for children who will be five years of age on or before September 1, 2020. Please call the school your child will attend to establish an appointment for the dates listed below. You may call, at your earliest convenience, between the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
We will launch a school reach message once Kindergarten registration is ready.
Speech and general kindergarten preparedness screening will take place at the time of registration; 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 School District
· 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
Clearances
As we approach the second half of our school year, please be aware that if you are planning to volunteer for any school day event, which include FIELD TRIPS, Race for Ed, and Fun Day, you must complete and submit the following clearances to the Tuscarora School District Human Resources department:
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 packets with clearance applications, forms and directions, are available in the school office and on the school district’s website at www.tus.k12.pa.us (select Mercersburg under “TSD Schools” tab, then listed under “Volunteer Clearances” tab). Some applications may take several weeks to process, so plan accordingly to obtain volunteer approval before end of year activities take place.
SNOW MAKE UP DAY!
Please make sure all of your information is up to date in Sapphire to ensure that you are receiving notifications.
Lost and Found
Cell Phones
Board Policy: #237 (Electronic Devices)
Students are not permitted to have electronic devices in school, on school property or at school-sponsored events. School Board policy prohibits use of personally owned electronic devices any time where use of the device would cause a disruption of either in-school or extracurricular activities as determined by the administration. The district shall not be liable for the loss, damage or misuse of any electronic device brought to school by a student.
Electronic devices may be used for other reasons determined appropriate by the building principal.
Cellular phones that have the capability to take photographs or record audio or video are not permitted to be used during the school day in district buildings. Additionally, any device that provides for a wireless unfiltered connection to the internet is not permitted to be used during the school day in district buildings. The use of cellular phones is prohibited during school hours. In an effort to accommodate parents and students, possession of a cell phone will be permitted under the following stipulations:
The cell phone must be in the “off” mode and not visible during the school day.
The use of cell phones will be allowed after the close of the school academic day.
Violations of this school rule will be addressed by the building administrator. The Tuscarora School District is not responsible for lost or stolen phones.
District Policy on Food Allergies and Classroom Celebrations
Tuscarora School District is a food allergy aware school district. This letter is to inform you that there are several students at our schools who have potentially life-threatening food allergies. The most common allergens that can cause anaphylaxis are peanuts; tree nuts; milk; egg; fish; shellfish; soy and wheat. Eating these foods, even in trace amounts, may cause a severe reaction (anaphylaxis) that can lead to death. Sometimes even touching contaminated surfaces may cause a reaction. School staff have been trained to recognize such a reaction and to administer medication (epinephrine) in an emergency.
You can help staff and students by helping your child understand the foods they freely enjoy can be dangerous to others. Equally important, however, is to let them know they can support their classmates by eating and handling food responsibly.
Here are a few suggestions for you as parents:
· Never take food allergies lightly; they can be serious and life-threatening
· Tell your child, “Do not share your snack or lunch with classmates.”
· Please communicate with your child’s teacher BEFORE sending any food to school (other than their lunch)
· Tell your child to get help from an adult immediately if a schoolmate has a reaction
There is a policy that has been approved by the Tuscarora School Board which states birthday celebrations may be held ONCE per month per classroom. Please communicate with your child’s teacher about when this will happen. We will be enforcing this policy throughout the elementary schools.
We will also be enforcing the following:
· Only store-bought items will be served for birthday celebrations. We encourage healthy food items or non-food items to be shared for birthday celebrations.
· The school nurse WILL review all ingredients before food is served. PLEASE NOTE: even if the word “nuts” does not appear in the ingredients list, it may be noted on the item somewhere that the food was prepared in a facility where nuts are present. These items will not be allowed due to the possible presence of nuts in the food.
· Food will be served in the café on a day at the teacher’s discretion (all birthdays for that month will be celebrated in one day)
If you have questions or concerns, please contact your building principal. Thank you very much for your understanding and cooperation.
Sincerely,
Ryan Kaczmark & Brett Kagarise,
Principal Principals
Mercersburg & Montgomery, Mountain View & St. Thomas