Mercersburg Elementary
Each day we are better than yesterday!
SNOW MAKE UP DAY!!!!
From the Principal ( Social Media and the Elementary)
- As a parent, I was confronted with a great question from my eleven year old son... "Dad, can I get an Instagram Account?" I asked my son, "Do you know what Instagram is?" He replied, "Yeah, some students were talking about it at school". This led to a long discussion with my son that ended with the statement, "according to the rules of Instagram, Facebook and almost any other social media account, you need to be 13 years old to have a page, so we will talk again in a few years." I must admit that I was completely taken off-guard by this statement and shocked... I did not anticipate having a social media conversation with my son, but I feel that I am not alone in this growing topic... Social media is an ever growing part of society that we all struggle with staying on top of. I thought that since you might be faced with the same issue, I would share some information. A 2015 study finds that children who spend more than 3 hours each school day on social media sites are more than twice as likely to suffer poor mental health. Their immersion in a virtual world may cause these children to experience delay in their emotional and social development. DoSometing.org, “one of the largest organizations for young people and social change”, several bad effects of social media, which includes sleep disorder, depression, addiction, 24/7 stress, isolation, insecurity, and fear of missing out (FOMO).
- FOMO or the fear of missing out on something important (like their friends’ jokes, parties, activities and other ways of having fun) leads to depression and anxiety in teen social media users, according to a survey done by the Australian Psychological Society. FOMO is one of the main reasons for teenagers’ heavy use of social media.
Below you will find a link for parents on social media to help with information and to possibly answer questions that you are facing.
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/social-media/age/tweens
Common sense media is a great site for parents! Important tips are to please be aware that all social media sites have an age limit of 13 years or older. Students at times don’t realize that what they are putting out there is permanent and can have a lasting impact on their future. I am not trying tell anyone how to parent, but as a building principal, I ask that you be mindful of what your children are doing online and and keep access to their account.
It's Concert Time!!!
Our “Think Spring!” The concert has a theme this year: POSITIVITY!!!!
Tuesday, March 5th
Grades K, 2, and 4
7:00 pm
***JBMS Auditorium***
All students should report to their assigned seat in the back of the
auditorium between 6:45 and 6:55 pm.
The concert should last no longer than 50 minutes.
All students should stay for the duration of the concert.
Please do your best to enable your child to participate in the concert.
Students really enjoy being a part of the concert experience.
I’m looking forward to a wonderful concert with these fantastic children! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at the school.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Kristin Zimmerman
Mercersburg Elementary
Email: ryan.kaczmark@tus.k12.pa.us
Website: www.tus.k12.pa.us
Location: 30 South Park Avenue, Mercersburg, PA, USA
Phone: 717-328- 2023
Kindergarten Registration
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION PRESS RELEASE
Kindergarten Registration for the 2019-20 school year is scheduled for children who will be five years of age on or before September 1, 2019. 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. Monday through Friday at the following extensions.
Monday, March 25th at Mercersburg - ext. 2500
Tuesday, March 26th at Montgomery - ext. 2400
Wednesday March 27th at St. Thomas - ext. 2700
Thursday, March 28th at Mountain View - ext. 2600
Registration times available are 12:00 p.m. through 7:00 p.m. To be more efficient, we prefer that you make an appointment as soon as possible. However, if you are unable to pre-register for a specific time, walk-ins will be accepted. Please recognize that appointments that have been scheduled will be handled before walk-ins, therefore, be prepared for a possible wait.
In addition to scheduling an appointment to register, please go to the Tuscarora School District’s website at www.tus.k12.pa.us to complete important student information prior to your appointment. If you do not have a computer, there are computers available at each school.
Directions: go to www.tus.k12.pa.us >Departments & Services > Registration > Kindergarten Registration. Follow the directions to create a new account. Login > Kindergarten Registration Form 2019-20.
If you are unable to load documents to the computer, simply bring them with you to your appointment.
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
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.
Students in grades K-5 will begin receiving packets for fundraising at the beginning of February. Students can win many cool prizes with their collected donations! Prizes will be given out some time in April once they are mailed to me. In addition, 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 $50, he/she can choose 2 additional prizes! The deadline to hand in the donation packet is March 8th.
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
Parent Volunteer Information
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 > Parents tab). Some applications may take several weeks to process, so plan accordingly to obtain volunteer approval before end of year activities take place.
If it has been longer than five years since completing one or more of your clearances, they may have expired and must be renewed before you can continue to volunteer.
TWEP Open House Schedule
2018-2019 TWEP Open House Schedule at Charles Brightbill Environmental Center:
Sunday, February 3 - 2:00 - 4:00 - Game Day, come enjoy TWEP Nature Bingo, Bird Bingo
and more, games begin at 2:30
Sunday, March 3 - 2:00 - 4:00 - “Continental Critters”
presented by the Catoctin Zoo * in the JBHS auditorium at 3:00;
Elementary Art Show at the Center from 2:00 - 3:00 and
immediately after
Sunday, April 7 - 2:00 - 4:00 - tentative, Cumberland Valley Woodcarvers
Thursday, May 2 - 6:00 - 8:00 - High School/Middle School Art Show with
artist demos
Sunday, May 5 - 2:00 - 4:00 - Open House; No program planned
Open House events are free at the Center, unless otherwise noted with *
Want to visit the Center, but can’t make the dates? Call the Center 717-328-2126 and make
arrangements for a visit at another time.
Watch our TWEP website at www.twep.org for all current info and “Friend” us on Facebook
Student Meal Prices
Breakfast - $1.45, Reduced Breakfast - $.30
Lunch - $2.45, Reduced Lunch - $.40
Milk - $.45Attendance Policy
More than three unlawful absences could lead to notification of the local magisterial district judge, as well as a referral to the County Children and Youth Agency. If you have any questions in regards to attendance or excuses received, please contact the school secretary at 328-2023 ext. 2500.