Wrightstown Ravens' News
January, 2017
Mrs. Beth A. Fox, Principal
Wrightstown Elementary School
729 Penns Park Road
Wrightstown, PA 18940
(215) 944-2306
(215) 944-2397 (FAX)
From the Principal's Desk
Dear Wrightstown Families,
Happy New Year! I hope your family enjoyed a wonderful holiday season. I look forward to beginning the new year as I return from my maternity leave. I am excited to reconnect with students, families, and my school team. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mrs. Lawall for her great work in my absence. She has provided a smooth transition for me to return to WES. Thank you, Mrs. Lawall!
It’s that time of year again. CR Education Week will be here before we know it. During the week of January 17th through January 20th parents are invited to visit classrooms from Tuesday to Thursday. On Friday, January 20th we will offer parent sessions. This year there will be a Parent Coffee Chat - BYOC. Mrs. Daniels, Mrs. Jachimski, Mrs. Borah, and Mrs. Etgen will be present for these sessions. Please see the information below regarding this event.
January is School Board Appreciation Month. We would like to recognize all of the Council Rock School District Board Members for their time, support, and commitment to our students and school system. Thank you to Andy Block, Denise Brooks, Mark Byelich, Bill Foster, Ph.D., Jerold Grupp, Kyle McKessy, Wendi Thomas, Edward Tate, and Dr. Michael Thorwart.
The Annual CR Cares Martin Luther King Day of Service is underway. Beginning January 3, 2017 through Thursday, January 12, 2017 students are encouraged, if possible, to donate specific items to help local families in need. On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day sixth grade students throughout the district, and fourth grade students from WES participate in the CRSD Day of Service. We greatly appreciate any item donations you are able to contribute in advance. Please find a list of donation items on our school website under the eFriday folder tab.
The PTO has organized some wonderful events this month that promise to bring fun and excitement into the new year. We are looking forward to the Annual Bingo Night scheduled for Friday, January 6, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. in the APR. We hope you can join the fun! On Friday, January 13, 2017 students will attend a habitat assembly presented by the Philadelphia Zoo. The January PTO Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 10, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. in the Art Room.
For the second half of the year we welcome two student teachers to Wrightstown. Ms. Amanda Parker will join Mrs. Murray’s and Mrs. Pierce's classes and Ms. Erin Stalheim will join Mrs. Downer’s class.
I wish you and your family a healthy and Happy New Year!
Sincerely,
Beth A. Fox
Principal
Early Dismissal Reminder
On Friday, January 20th, 2017, we will have an
Early Dismissal at 12:15 p.m.
AM Kindergarten attends.
January Dates to Remember
Tuesday, January 3rd - CR Cares Collection Begins
Wednesday, January 4th - Crazy 8's Math Club (Session #1) at 8:00 a.m.
Friday, January 6th - STEAM Club at 8:00 a.m./PTO Family Bingo Night at 7:00 p.m. in the APR
Tuesday, January 10th - Crazy 8's Math Club (Session #2) at 8:00 a.m./PTO Meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the Art Room
Wednesday, January 11th - Crazy 8's Math Club (Session #1) at 8:00 a.m.
Thursday, January 12th - Last day for CR Cares Donations
Friday, January 13th - STEAM Club at 8:00 a.m./Philadelphia Zoo Habitat Assembly
Monday, January 16th - NO SCHOOL/CR Cares Martin Luther King Day of Service
Tuesday, January 17th - Crazy 8's Math Club (Session #2) at 8:00 a.m./CR Education Week Visitation
Wednesday, January 18th - Crazy 8's Math Club (Session #1) at 8:00 a.m./CR Education Week Visitation
Thursday, January 19th - CR Education Week Visitation
Friday, January 20th -STEAM Club at 8:00 a.m./CR Education Week Coffee Chat (BYOC) 9:00 a.m. in the APR/EARLY DISMISSAL at 12:15 p.m. - AM Kindergarten Attends
Tuesday, January 24th - Crazy 8's Math Club (Session #2) at 8:00 a.m.
Wednesday, January 25th - Crazy 8's Math Club (Session #1) at 8:00 a.m.
Friday, January 27th - STEAM Club at 8:00 a.m.
Tuesday, January 31st - Crazy 8's Math Club (Session #2) at 8:00 a.m.
Library News
CR Cares Donation Collection
Each year, 6th graders in each elementary school and 4th graders from WES participate in the CRSD Day of Service held on Martin Luther King Jr. Day which will be Monday, January 16th.
We will hold a collection for items that will be donated to local families in need. If you would like to make a contribution, below are some suggestions. All donations must be received by Thursday, January 12th.
Grades K-2
Baby Items (New)
Formula/Diapers
Baby Wipes/Shampoos & Lotions
Grades 3-4
Coffee/Tea/Juice
Cereal
Canned or Dry Goods
PTO Family Bingo Night
When: Friday, January 6, 2017
Time: 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Where: WES All-Purpose Room
Come out for a fun time! No sign-up is needed! See you there!
CR Education Week
Tuesday, January 17th thru Thursday, January 19th
Classroom Visitation from 9:30 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Friday, January 20th
BYOC (Bring Your Own Coffee) Chat
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Hosted by
Mrs. Beth Fox, Principal
Mrs. Charlene Borah, 4th Grade Teacher and STEAM Coordinator
Mrs. Paula Etgen, Literacy Specialist
Mrs. Dana Daniels, School Nurse
Mrs. Nancy Jachimski, Guidance Counselor
Cold Weather Reminder
Student Council News
Our gingerbread competition fundraiser was a huge success! We donated $250.00 to the Neighborhood Outreach Foundation (NOF) and $150.00 to the Leukemia Society.
Thank you to all who contributed to this fun event!
Counselor Corner with Mrs. Jachimski
Happy New Year!!!
To start off the new year, our fourth graders will participate in a guidance lesson using the book Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson. By telling the story of Maya from the viewpoint of Chloe, the author has children thinking about how failing to show empathy and kindness can boomerang with long term effects. Chloe and her friends won't play with the new girl, Maya. Every time Maya tries to join Chloe and her friends, they reject her. Eventually Maya stops coming to school. When Chloe's teacher gives a lesson about how even small acts of kindness can change the world, Chloe is stung by the lost opportunity for friendship, and thinks about how much better it could have been if she had shown a little kindness toward Maya. Our students will have the opportunity to work in groups to share feelings about the characters and how the events of the story could have unfolded differently.
7 Habits of Happy Kids - Home Connection:
Thank you for participating in December’s poster challenge for Habit 3: Put First Things First (Work First, Then Play). Here are some samples of the posters that were turned in by our families!
Stay tuned for details for the next Home Connection challenge for Habit 4 – Think Win-Win (Everyone Can Win)!
News from the Art Department
Our hall exhibit is growing! The unit on Oldenburg-inspired stuffed sculptures has energized the 4th grade artists individually and as a group. Can you guess what our theme is? Along with a group sculpture, each student will create a personal sized sculpture!
3rd grade just completed sun sculptures - look for them soon on the bulletin board!
2nd grade is almost ready to display African Masks, while the 1st grade is starting a winter theme unit focusing on painting skills.
~Mrs. Marian Heffren
Music Notes from Mrs. Nanette Lutz
Things have gotten pretty ‘nutty’ in the General Music Classroom as we explore different elements of Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite”.
Kindergarten students colored a ‘listening glyph’ about “The Overture”. We also rode on candy cane ‘horses’ and played jingle bells and woodblocks along with the form of “The March”.
In First Grade we also studied “The March” with a paper plate routine. We also made Nutcracker paper bag puppets who seemed to enjoy singing!
Second Graders also worked on “The March” by performing a routine with a giant parachute. That was so much fun!
In Third Grade, we played rhythm sticks and tambourines to the form of “Dance of The Sugar Plum Fairy” and learned about an unusual instrument called a celeste.
Fourth grade students learned to play “Trepak” (also known as “The Russian Dance”) on bucket drums. We tapped the top and sides of a 5 gallon bucket and clicked our drum sticks along with the form of the song. Those crazy drums made a really neat sound!
Second though fourth grade classes rounded out the unit by watching some portions of The New York City Ballet’s performance of “The Nutcracker” and making nutcracker ornaments. You might have one in your house!
Literacy Corner with Mrs. Etgen
Welcome, 2017! I hope that you all enjoyed a healthy and happy holiday season! I hope that you could fit in a little reading for enjoyment in your schedules. If one of your resolutions is to guide your child to read a bit more, this reading resolution link might be helpful! http://www.crsd.org/cms/lib10/PA01000188/Centricity/Domain/1980/new-years-reading-resolutions.pdf
If your student is involved in the Reading Enrichment Book Bowl, formerly known as Reading Olympics, Jr., all the information can be found at this link: http://www.crsd.org/site/default.aspx?PageID=49467 As always, I hope that you find the time to turn off the new electronics and enjoy some family time reading together!
Coming Soon to PE...
SAVE THE DATE!
What: STEAM Night
When: Tuesday, March 14, 2017
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Where: WES
More details to follow!
PSSA Testing Window 2016-2017 School Year
English Language Arts: April 3, 2017 - April 7, 2017 for Grades 3 thru 8
Math: April 24, 2017 - April 28, 2017 for Grades 3 thru 8
Science: May 1, 2017 - May 5, 2017 for Grades 4 and 8
Make-Up Window: May 8, 2017 - May 12, 2017