RICHLAND REFLECTIONS

Week of 4/26/21 at Richland Elementary School

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Dear Richland Families,


Lots happening as we end the month of April. Our first ever Jump Rope Day fundraiser was a hit! See highlights from this week below. We thank you for your generosity of donations toward classroom supplies used this school year. Stay tuned for donation totals!


Please complete the 2021-2022 Intention to Register Form below to help us plan for our next school year.


We recognize Autism Acceptance with a spirit week beginning Monday. Check out the details below to participate!


Enjoy your week!



Nicole Zuerblis

Richland Principal

To best make decisions on future classroom sizes, placements and ordering supplies for next year, we like to know which families plan to attend Richland for the 2021-2022 school year. Please take a few minutes to fill out this Google Form to help us make those decisions. Please note that every student needs to have a response, so if you have two or more students, you will need to fill them out for each student. Please submit your response by April 30, 2021.


Thank you for your help in our planning for next year!

APRIL IS AUTISM ACCEPTANCE MONTH

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What is Autism? Autism is a complex developmental disability that affects a person’s ability with social interaction and communication. Autism is a spectrum disorder, meaning it affects different people in different ways.


Show your support of Autism Awareness and Acceptance by participating in our weeklong spirit days!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM JUMP ROPE DAY!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATIONS!

STAY TUNED FOR THE GRAND TOTAL OF DONATIONS!

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YOU CAN WATCH IT AGAIN!

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FIELD TRIP FRIDAYS IN APRIL!

Every Friday in April, Richland students will go on a virtual field trip. Individual classroom "trips" will vary. You will hear from your child's teacher about weekly trip information.

HERE ARE SCENES FROM SOME OF THIS WEEK'S TRIPS!

PSSA TESTING FOR GRADES 3-5

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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.

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STAFF HABIT SPOTLIGHT!

MRS. SPARWASSER, LEARNING SUPPORT INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT

Habit 5, Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood


“Listening is an art, understanding is a masterpiece.” Author Unknown


Among the hustle and bustle surrounding our family of 6, the Sparwassers have to make it a priority to embrace Habit #5- Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood. Sometimes the commotion of our busy lives running here and there creates a fog of noise that makes listening to each other difficult. We all have to work hard to make it a point to stop and actively listen with our ears, eyes and hearts. Since each of us has different ideas and perspectives to share, we have to practice taking turns respectfully and think about what our family members are telling us by listening, not just hearing. It is not always easy to listen without interrupting each other but we try to take the time to understand viewpoints other than our own. With a wide variety of interests, beliefs and feelings just in our own family, we talk about the importance of being confident in voicing our opinions with as much significance as accepting differences. We remind each other that what might not seem important to one person might be of great value to someone else. Although we do not always see eye to eye, it helps to know our voices are heard and respected by each member of our family. These conversations bring us closer together and help us enjoy some time together playing volleyball or taking a long walk with our dogs. Sharpening the Saw is always the best way to continue our family’s collaboration!

MRS. MURPHY, THIRD GRADE TEACHER

Habit 7, Sharpening the Saw


The habit that is used most in our house is Habit 7- Sharpening the Saw. Our week is filled with soccer practice and games, and the occasional family game in the backyard. We love to get ourselves outside going on hikes and finding new bike trails to ride on. The Murphys like to explore new places like Pymatuning State Park (near Lake Erie) and the Chesapeake Bay. We go to new places to learn new things during our summers together. We also sharpen our minds and hearts by reading to each other and having family game night. Our favorite is Uno Attack! By following this habit, we keep a balance with our busy lives. It is important to remember to take time for yourself and those around you.


MRS. LEWIS, LEARNING SUPPORT INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT

Habit 7, Sharpen the Saw,is about taking care of your body, mind, and spirit. It is important to eat right and make good choices to stay healthy. I love spending time with my family. My husband and I have 3 adult children and 2 still in school. We love the outdoors whether the mountains or the beach. Long walks are the best, especially with my 2 grandchildren! Connecting with nature and being with the people I love brings me happiness and a peaceful mind. Relaxing by painting with my sisters, singing with my father, or learning something new like botany fill my heart to overflowing.


A great way to express gratitude. I share these weekly with staff. Keep the shout outs coming!

THIS WEEK'S DAILY QUESTIONS

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Each day, we read a question of the day that stems from our work with Leader in Me. We encourage you to continue the conversations at home! Below are this week's questions. We'd love you to participate! Share your answers each day on Twitter @RichlandQCSD.


MONDAY: What was the one promise that you made that was hard to keep?

TUESDAY: What is empathy?

WEDNESDAY: How do you show others that you are listening?

THURSDAY: When have you recently judged someone?

FRIDAY: How do you work with people who frustrate you?

ACTIVE APRIL

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This month we're encouraging you to get active, get outdoors and take care of your body! Sharpen the saw!


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.

A dedicated section of the website serves as a COVID-19 directory place for families to locate resources and see the impact of the pandemic on the district. It's located in the Community Section and titled COVID-19 directory.

OUR WORDS FOR 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR

Each school year, Richland staff adopts one word. This year called for two! We invite you to join us in supporting each other with courage and grace and explore what these words mean to you.

DISTRICT BOOSTS PAY FOR SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS

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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

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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.

LIVE AND VIRTUAL DAILY ATTENDANCE

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Attendance is mandatory for school age children, and the live portion of our school day is 9:00-2:00, with additional time allotted for work after these hours.


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

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Thank you for your support in making the changes to this year's drop off and pick up run so smoothly! To accommodate more car riders, that location has been moved to the back of the school. Please enter in the morning and afternoon from 313 on Chestnut Street.


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

SEL DAY 5/3

Social-emotional Day/ YOU MATTER Day

VIRTUAL AUTHOR VISITS 5/4

VIRTUAL BOOK FAIR 5/6-5/18

INTERNATIONAL WEEK 5/10-5/14

VIRTUAL RAINFOREST ASSEMBLY 5/10

ELECTION DAY - NO SCHOOL 5/18

DIGITAL PROJECT PROUD 5/21

RES REDISTRICTED STUDENTS VISIT NEW SCHOOLS 5/25

MEMORIAL DAY- NO SCHOOL 5/31

PSSA TESTING FOR GRADES 3-5

6/2-6/4 ELA

6/8-6/9 MATH

6/10-6/11 SCIENCE (grade 4 only)


Virtual students will come to Richland at 2:30.

FIELD DAY 6/14

VIRTUAL SCIENCE ASSEMBLIES 6/17

5TH GRADE PROMOTION 6/18

Live streamed at 9:30

KINDERGARTEN GRADUATION 6/21

Live streamed

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL 6/21