Dragon Blast
Mary C. Howse Elementary School
From the Principal
Dear MCH Parents:
I added the video I sent a few days ago below for anyone who may have missed it. I appreciate the feedback and I am just trying to make things as clear as possible as it seems we are all wading through a lot of mud lately!
Remember - NO School Monday, 10/12.
Tuesday, 10/13 through Friday, 10/16 - School is 9-11 only. NO PM classes.
More info. will be coming in the next week - what to look for?
> Bus information - should be emailed early next week. Information will be in parent portal too
> Teachers will communicate new schedules next week.
> What can you do as a parent to help us? To start, if you are going to pack your child's lunch, please be sure they can OPEN everything in their lunch - practice opening bags, thermos, putting straws in juice boxes, etc.
I will send out more information next week - stay tuned.
If you, your child, or your family is struggling in any way, please reach out to the teacher, myself, our guidance counselor (Anoone@wcasd.net). I have even offered to drive out for a short visit - in the driveway - might be what a child (and me) needs!
Also, your children have been able to view our morning announcements each Monday - if you have not had a chance to view with your child, see an example below - this was for the week of 10/6
Stay safe, healthy and happy (sane) - we got this! Have a great weekend!
Dr. Cat
Schedule for Upcoming Weeks
SCHEDULE FOR NEXT WEEK
During the week of October 12th, teachers and staff will prepare for the shift to hybrid.
- Monday, October 12th - Teacher in-service, No School for students. (this was already on the district calendar).
- October 13th-16th - Half days. Students will follow their normal schedule, 9-11am. There is no school and will be no work assigned for the afternoons.
Starting on the 19th, The student day is from 9:10AM - 3:10PM. Parent/Car drop off will be from 8:30am-8:55 am. Parent/Car Pick Up will be from 3:05 PM-3:15/20PM.
SCHEDULE FOR WEEK OF OCTOBER 19th
During the week of October 19th, teachers and staff will focus on teaching and practicing our modified school procedures, with safety being paramount (more information on these coming next week!) Asynchronous learning activities will be provided for the days children are at home. Therefore, those students choosing to stay 100% remote will have at least 2 days of asynchronous learning in addition to the remote Wednesday.
- Monday, October 19th & Tuesday, October 20th: Cohort A (A-K).
- Wednesday, October 21st: Virtual/Remote Learning for ALL students
- Thursday, October 22nd and Friday, October 23rd: Cohort B (L-Z)
- Students in our learning support program and English Language Learners are invited to attend school 4 days per week.
- Students in our emotional and autistic support programs are invited to attend school 5 days per week.
Tech Support for Parents and FAQs
What is Working at Home?
A Video from Ms. Noone - our guidance counselor
Current Classroom Teachers
1st grade - Mrs. Kane, Mrs. Conner and Mrs. Skalski
2nd grade - Ms. Forbes, Ms. Dougherty, Mrs. Seese and Mr. Jacobus
3rd grade - Ms. Cotellese, Ms. Leary, and Dr. Alba
4th grade - Mrs. DeCicco, Ms. Verrichia, and Ms. Flynn
5th grade - Mrs. Powers, Mrs. Keefe and Mr. Raws
Cyber Kindergarten - Mrs. Hower, Mrs. Greaves
Cyber 1st grade - Mrs. McAllister
Cyber 2nd grade - Mrs. Sochacki, Mrs. Hoban
Cyber 3rd grade - Mrs. Cheney
Cyber 5th grade - Mr. Fabian
Cyber Reading Specialist - Mrs. Donoghue
Positive Praise
Hi Mrs Skalski thank you for being my teacher I like the way you’re so kind thank you again I love love love the way your teech first grade is fine I really wish we could go back to school normal I like art gym music and library MCH has been a good experience for me it’s so fun and I like how Mrs Monte mrs. Litsinberg Mrs chborak and Miss clum teach exciting music and exciting PE and really exciting books and and I like the way Miss clum teeches us how to draw.?!
I have been very impressed with how well the year has gone so far. Mrs. Pohlig is doing a great job!! I don't know how she remains so calm when tech issues arise and all the kids panic at once!
Hey Mrs. Litzenberg,
I hope my son was talking to you when I overheard him saying how fun music class was!
He was so cute, singing his heart out…dancing and really engaged. He is still singing as I type this. That kind of happiness is contagious.
He is always singing around the house about what’s going on, current songs, etc….Just wanted you to know how much fun he had and how he LOVES your class this year : )
Thank you thank you thank you!
Hi Dr. Cat
I just wanted to thank you SO much for the visit! Our daughter was ecstatic to tell me all about it when I got home. Thank you for everything your team is doing to make our kids feel so special!
Wish I could have captured a picture of my kids who stayed up to hear the vote tonight. Jumping up and down for hybrid. They miss school, they miss their teachers and miss their friends. I am pretty strict about bedtime and even made my hockey player go to bed last night and miss the stanley cup final playoff game but allowed them to stay up to watch the vote and be inspired by the 3 high school students participating. Lets keep it going and get to 5 days a week! Way to go WCASD!
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the teachers of MCH and you, for the tremendous efforts you are taking to support children's education.
NURSE'S NOTES
Dear Parents,
For those of you who have children returning to the brick and mortar setting…WELCOME back to school! Know that the health, well-being and safety of all students, their families, and our entire school community is our priority. Please take a look at the updates below as we strive to meet this goal.
Wellness:
1. Perform your child's health screening before coming to school each day. If your child is sick keep him/her home.
2. Ensure that your child has a properly fitting mask and reinforce the importance of wearing it over the mouth and nose.
3. Send a water bottle to school each day with your child.
4. Review good handwashing practices with your child.
School Nurses Office:
1. Social distancing and strict infection prevention practices will be observed in the school nurses office. We will be using "colored dots" on chairs/beds to help students to comply with distancing guidelines.
2. To decrease risk to healthy students, your nurses will provide scheduled medications and treatments in the student classroom area as is possible.
3. When a student requires isolation, the nurses office will be closed for a time.
4. Students who need urgent care always will be prioritized and have their health needs addressed.
Individual Health Needs at School:
1. If your child needs to have a medication kept as school, please have your doctor complete the appropriate district form (attached) and send it in to school with the medication. Remember parent signed permission also is needed.
2. Students will eat lunch in the cafeteria. Since students will be social distancing during meals and tables will be disinfected between uses, the Nutfree Table has been eliminated for the time being. Good handwashing practices will be stressed throughout the day. (When sending food from home, please use "easy open" containers whenever possible and practice opening food packages with your child.)
3. Aramark will be offering breakfast and lunch to all students; these meals continue to be nutfree. If your child has food allergies, please give him/her instructions about eating these food offerings. All students may bring their own food to school.
Required Health Information:
PA State mandated immunizations and physical and dental examination requirements have not changed; the state deadline for immunizations if November 9, 2020. If you have been contacted by the nurses office and informed that all of your child's required reports have not been provided, please forward these documents to the school nurses office as soon as possible. If due to the pandemic, you will be delaying any of the mandated examinations/vaccinations, please contact the nurses office to discuss how to move forward.
Please feel free to contact the school nurses office with any questions. I am also including a Zoom Link so that you may ask any additional questions to me in that venue. Thank you.
Join Zoom Meeting – October 13th at 1PM
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87594569032?pwd=MGxuSnhQYytGVEMzdmw0b0ZoS0R6Zz09
Meeting ID: 875 9456 9032
Passcode: Nurse
Jeanne Latimer, MSN, MEd, RN, CSN
MCH and WTE School Nurse
MCH Health Office 484-266-1306 Fax 484-266-1399
WTE Health Office 484-266-1806 Fax 484-266-1899
Learn more about Health Services in Our School. Visit the Nurse Office Website.
MCH Nurses Office Website: https://sites.google.com/wcasd.net/nursing-office-news/home
WTE Nurses Office Website: https://sites.google.com/wcasd.net/health-office-news/home
Parent Portal
Use the link below to access the parent portal page:
http://home.wcasd.net/pages/West_Chester_Area_SD/ForParents/Parent_Portal
On the page, there is written documentation (English and Spanish,) as well as videos (English only) that walk parents through how to set up your parent portal account, how to access grades and set alerts, how to view the online report card, how to check attendance, etc. There is even an app for your phone if you prefer.
Please call the office for your child’s user name and password if you do not have the information that was provided to you at the beginning of the school year.
Keeping in Touch
· Please bookmark our school website. This is where we post many updates, school newsletter, supply list, pictures and our parent/student handbook. It can be found at: https://www.wcasd.net/Domain/661
·
· Mary C. Howse Webpage - https://www.wcasd.net/Domain/661
o See MCH School Tour link in upper right hand corner
· Twitter – Follow - @MCH_Elem - you’ll receive updates once you are a follower.
· Youtube – Mary C. Howse – found here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCveR39XTwn8AgmiOVqA6GZA
· MCH PTO Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/mchpto/ - be sure to become a follower to receive updates when changes occur.
Parent Resources
How to Help Kids Deal with School Closings and Cancelled Plans
Community Bulletin Board:
For activities offered around West Chester, see:
http://home.wcasd.net/pages/West_Chester_Area_SD/Community_Bulletin_Board/Other
Our Mary C. Howse School Pledge
I pledge
To be the best that I can be
Respect myself and others
Make safe choices
And take responsibility
For my learning and behavior
Contact and Additional Information
Email: scatrambone@wcasd.net
Website: http://www.edline.net/pages/mary_c__howse_elementary_schoo
Location: 641 West Boot Road, West Chester, PA, United States
Phone: 484-266-1302
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mchpto/
Twitter: @SteveCat19