Soaring to Skyview
A newsletter for 4th grade families
Transitioning to Grade 5
It is time for our 4th graders to begin to “soar to Skyview.” We are excited for them to join our 5/6 learning community.
In order to prepare for 5th grade, students will participate in a number of transition activities including:
· Class presentation with Skyview counselor (beginning in May)
· Transition visit at Skyview—students go on guided tours with current students
· Summer Open House - Monday, August 20th 6-7:30 p.m. - Students participate in a “scavenger hunt” activity and have the opportunity to find their homeroom. This is not a “meet the teacher” night. See information below on this event.
· Student Orientation—on the FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL our teams orient students to the building and procedures (including locker assignments!)
Families will also receive a series of newsletters geared to transition topics to help learn about Skyview. The information in this newsletter highlights some of the social and academic characteristics of 5th graders. All children go through developmental stages and each child is unique in their growth. This information was taken from the book, Yardsticks: Children in the Classroom Ages 4– 14.
Skyview "Scavenger Hunt" Open House - Monday, August 20th 6-7:30 p.m.
- presentations available throughout the evening by Mrs. Gorla, Skyview Principal
- a H & S information station with the opportunity to make sure you are "in the know" for Skyview activities
- a station for trying out a Skyview locker
- a "Character Counts" pillar challenge station
This event is not a "meet the teacher" night nor orientation; in fact, Skyview teachers are not present at this event. All Skyview teams will do "orientation" type activities on the first day of school.
We understand that not all families may be able to attend this program. If you are unable to attend the evening program, the following times are offered: Wednesday, August 22 from 3 -4 p.m. and Monday, August 27th from 4-5:30 p.m. During these alternate times students will have the opportunity to locate their homeroom only.If you plan to attend one of these alternate sessions, we ask that you contact the Skyview main office at 610-489-5000 ext. 34204.
Getting to know the administrators and counselors of Skyview
pictured above left to right: Mrs. VanBuren, Mrs. Folwston, Dr. Gallagher Landis, Mrs. Gorla and Mr. Howard
Mrs. Melissa Gorla, Principal
Mrs. Melissa Gorla is the principal of Skyview Upper Elementary. Mrs. Gorla is a graduate of Muhlenberg College and Villanova University. She started her career in education as a middle school German teacher in the Perkiomen Valley School District where she also served as an Assistant Principal. Mrs. Gorla is the former principal of Audubon Elementary School.
Mrs. Gorla lives in Collegeville with her husband and three sons, Joey, Chris, and Vincent. When not at school she can be found cheering at her sons’ sporting events. By far, the favorite part of Mrs. Gorla’s day is interacting with the students and staff at Skyview. Whether it is stopping into a class or greeting students in the morning, she can often be found in the halls of Skyview.
Dr. Judy Gallagher-Landis, Assistant Principal
Dr. Judy Gallagher-Landis is the assistant principal of Skyview Upper Elementary. Dr. Landis is a graduate of Kutztown University, Chestnut Hill College, and Gwynedd Mercy College and University. Starting her career as a computer training specialist, Dr. Landis first taught in Phillipsburg, New Jersey. Later, employed at a non-profit teaching in an alternative school, she set the stage to teach at Methacton High School. Teaching English for nine years, she became the assistant principal and then building principal. After 21 high school years, Dr. Landis’s next adventure is learning more about the elementary curriculum and child development.
Dr. Landis lives in the Souderton School District and enjoys time with family, the Jersey shore, and her dog, Cooper.
Mrs. Danielle Fowlston, Supervisor of Special Education
Mrs. Danielle Fowlston is the Supervisor of Special Education for grades 5 through 8. Mrs. Fowlston is a graduate of Temple University and Wilkes University and is currently working on her doctorate from Immaculata University. She began her career in education as a special education teacher at Methacton High School. After 6 years in the classroom at the high school, she became the Special Education Supervisor at Skyview Upper Elementary School and Arcola Intermediate School. Throughout the day, Mrs. Fowlston can often be found stopping in to classrooms or working with students. The best part of her job is seeing the growth the students make and figuring out how she can best support the students succeed.
Mrs. Fowlston lives in Phoenixville, with her husband and dog, Daisy. When not at Skyview, Mrs. Fowlston enjoys planning her next vacation and travelling. She also enjoys spending time at the gym or on the golf course, if the weather’s nice.
Mrs. Beth VanBuren, 5th Grade School Counselor
Mrs. VanBuren is one of the members of the two-person school counseling team. Mrs. VanBuren is originally from Chester County and is a graduate of both Syracuse University and Northeastern University. She started her career as a middle school special education teacher. Mrs. VanBuren has served as a school counselor in the Methacton School District since 2002 at both Woodland Elementary School and Arcola Intermediate School prior to the opening of Skyview Upper Elementary School in 2010. Mrs. VanBuren will be the fifth grade counselor for the 2018-2019 school year.
Mrs. VanBuren lives locally with her husband and two daughters. She enjoys time with her family and for her personal health and well-being and is a cross-country runner.
Mrs. VanBuren thoroughly enjoys being a member of the Skyview Community and coming to such a great school each and every day.
Mr. Rob Howard, 6th Grade School Counselor
Mr. Howard is the school counselor for students in sixth grade for the 2018-2019 school year. Prior to working at Skyview, he was a behavior specialist for the Chester County Intermediate Unit.
Mr. Howard grew up in State College, Pennsylvania and is a big Penn State Nittany Lions fan. We are! He earned his bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Penn State University in 2010. After he completed his undergraduate degree, he enrolled at West Chester University and received his Masters of Education in School Counseling in 2013.
He really enjoys being a school counselor for Skyview. Mr. Howard has a great passion for helping students succeed and helping them through any difficulties or trials in their lives. He knows it helped a lot to have adults in my life who were there for me at a young age and it is an honor to be able to do the same now.
He lives in West Chester with his wife and in his spare time he enjoys playing sports, watching movies, traveling, playing the guitar, reading and being active in church among many other things. Mr. Howard is always interested in what students have going on outside of school and hopes to support them in any way he can.
Student Placement at Skyview
If you feel that you need to share information about your child that you believe would be important for us to know prior to the start of the school year, this may be emailed to either Beth VanBuren (bvanburen@methacton.org) or Melissa Gorla (mgorla@methacton.org). We respectfully request that families do not include requests for specific teachers.
Common Developmental Characteristics of students ages 9—11
Social
· Competitive but cooperative
· Need adults to be patient and explain clearly
· Enjoy adult recognition
· Need time to talk with peers
· Like to challenge rules, argue and test limits
· Sensitive
· Need adult lightheartedness, humor and encouragement to lighten their mood and ease anxiety
Academic
· Work hard and pay attention to detail, but may jump quickly between interests
· Take pride in their work
· Likes rules and logic
· Begin to challenge adult explanations
· Like “adult tasks” such as researching, interviewing, analyzing—though may outwardly fuss while secretly enjoying the work
Skyview Upper Elementary
Website: http://www.methacton.org/Domain/732
Phone: 610-489-5000
Twitter: @skyview_msd