Eagle Express
October 18, 2019
Message From Your Leadership Team
Halloween Guidelines
Below are our guidelines for costumes on Halloween. As a general rule, if you’re not sure if it is school appropriate it probably isn’t!
Halloween will be a lot of fun, but we do have kids as young as 4 in kindergarten and having our children feel safe at school is our highest priority, so please avoid anything that might scare our youngest learners!
Safe footwear (kids still have PE and recess!) is required.
No blood.
No weapons. Also, we know that things like sticks, pool noodles,and plungers make great pretend swords or guns at home, but please make sure your child doesn't bring these pretend weapons to school, either!
No costumes that are in conflict with our CARE behaviors or make fun of others are allowed.
Also, please do not have your child bring in any food to share with others unless it is part of a teacher/classroom-approved activity! Most of our kids will have plenty of candy after the school day ends, so we are fairly sure none of our kids will be too deprived!
Halloween Parade: We will have an in-school Halloween Parade on October 31st. This parade is designed to be an in-school event for the kids to see all the other kids in costume. If this is your only chance to see your child dressed up we will allow you to join us. If not, this might be an event to pass on. You will likely only see your child for a few seconds and parking will be very difficult as Plank North also has a parade.
Please contact your child’s teacher if you do not celebrate Halloween as we will do our best to make the activities of the day as inclusive of all as possible and will make other arrangements for your child during the parade if need be.
Warm Regards,
Jen Sullivan (Principal) and Jill Doyle (Assistant Principal)
Important Dates
10/21-25: Red Ribbon Week
10/24 & 25: Half Days of School, 10:20 dismissal each of those days (10:09 parent pick up)
10/27: Trunk or Treat at Plank South from 3:00-4:00 PM (parking starts at 2:45 and ends promptly at 3:00)
11/6: PTSA meeting at 6:30 PM in the Plank South Think Tank
11/14: Family Night at the Book Fair in the Plank South gym from 6:00-7:30 PM
11/14: Open House at Plank South from 6:30-7:30 PM
Red Ribbon Week
Red Ribbon Week is a way for people and communities to unite and take a stand against drugs. It is meant to provide an opportunity to start conversations with children about making healthy choices and staying drug-free. At Plank South, we will send the message to “Stay Healthy From Head-to-Toe.” Students are encouraged to show their commitment to making healthy choices by wearing the following:
Monday 10/21 - Hat Day: “Put a cap on drugs.” Use your brain to make healthy choices and stay drug-free.
Tuesday 10/22 - Wear your favorite team’s clothing or Plank South spirit wear:
“Team up against drugs.” Team up with a friend and encourage each other to make choices that will keep your body strong and healthy.
Wednesday 10/23 - Sweatpants Day: “Choosing to be drug-free is no sweat.” It is important to exercise each day.
Thursday 10/24 - Crazy Sock Day: “Sock it to unhealthy choices because we are crazy about staying healthy!” Wear mismatched or crazy colored socks today.
Friday 10/25 - Wear Red Day: “Wear Red from Head-to-Toe.” You only live once, so take care of your body from head-to-toe.
Parent resources: Sites that offer ideas about how to start a conversation with your child about making healthy, drug-free choices:
PTSA
Fall Book Fair Volunteers Needed!
The Plank South Fall Book Fair is coming up and we need YOU to help make it a success!
Please use the link below to sign-up for slots to help during the day (11/12-11/14) as well as in the evening during the Open House (11/14)
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0f4aaca72ba3f58-fall2
Trunk or Treat:
We hope to see you at our annual Plank South and Plank North Trunk or Treat Activity on October 27th. Parking is from 2:45pm-3pm. For the safety of our children, Cars WILL NOT be allowed to leave the designated parking area once the Trunk or Treating has started. Please plan accordingly!
For more information, see the flyer that came home in your children's folders this week!
Kindergarten Helpers Still Needed!:
There are still several slots that need to be filled to help our Plank South Kindergarteners during lunch. Parents of kindergarteners are now welcome to sign up to be a Kindergarten Lunch Helper! We have extended the sign-ups through the end of October.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0f4aaca72ba3f58-kindergarten7
Open PTSA Coordinator or Co-Coordinator Positions:
There are several positions that we would like to get filled so that the activities can occur this year. If you have any interest, or want to know what kind of commitment is needed for any of the listed activities, please contact Sue Ball (Sball002@yahoo.com), or Jennifer Lega (jennifer.lega@gmail.com):
- Chess Club
- Garden Club
- Spirit Wear
New Therapy Dog
We are excited to welcome Gracie as our Plank South Speech Therapy Dog. This will be Gracie’s first year at Plank South. She joins Karuna who was our first therapy dog. Gracie loves children and children gravitate towards her. As her name implies, Gracie is inspired by grace and kindness and this is seen in all of her interactions, especially with children. Gracie is excited to meet her new friends at Plank South!
Gracie will be working with students in speech therapy at Plank South. She will be a great conversation partner for students who may be reluctant, unable or challenged in their communication and/or social skills. Students who have difficulty expressing themselves or using their words to communicate, may feel comfortable conversing with Gracie. Gracie can help students learn to listen and take turns talking. Gracie will be a non-judgmental listener for students practicing beginning speech skills (e.g. making eye contact, following directions, using whole body listening, or relating a story.)
A little more information on Gracie: She a soft-coated Wheaten Terrier, she has a hypoallergenic coat and she is certified through Therapy Dog International. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Marla Wendel, Speech/Language Pathologist, at marla_wendel@webstercsd.org or at 585-670-5987 or Jen Sullivan, Principal, at jennifer_sullivan@webstercsd.org or at 585-671-3190. Thank you, in advance, for welcoming Gracie into our school community.
Stay Connected
The School Website: http://www.websterschools.org/plankSouth
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PlankSouth
Parent Portal: https://websterny.infinitecampus.org/campus/portal/webster.jsp (Individuals that need access to their Infinite Campus activation code or have troubleshooting questions should email icportal@websercsd.org)
Remind: For Text Reminders Text @plankro to 81010
Social Worker
If you or another Plank South family is in need of support, please contact our social worker Janet Weisensel, LCSW: 585-670-5980, janet_weisensel@webstercsd.org
Breakfast and Lunch
Check out the menus.