The Blackhawk Weekly
Volume 1, Issue 1: August 8 (Special Edition: Updates)
--------------- Love. Care. Encouragement. ---------------
Hello!
This special summer update edition is a little bit different, however, as I simply wish to share with you some updates from the summer and give you a foretaste of things coming up as we gear up for the school year to kick off.
Great Things and Shout Outs
Thank you! Dziękuję! Merci! Danke! 謝謝! Gracias! mulțumesc! ευχαριστώ! Дякую тобі!
The John Beck Promise.
------- LOVE. CARE. ENCOURAGEMENT. -------
Our students and staff must experience and offer to others constant affirmation that they are loved, cared for, and encouraged. Granted, love can be tough, care can be challenging, and encouragement can be rigorous. However, we cannot afford to be tough without love, confront challenges without care, and expect rigor without encouragement.
I ask that we all embody the John Beck Promise in our interactions with students AND among ourselves. Yes, the John Beck Promise extends beyond our students and families, but to ourselves as staff members.
Staffing: New Hires
Ms. Arianna Dykshoorn (4th Grade Teacher): Ms. Dykshoorn should be a familiar face to many of you as she served admirably as a substitute here at John Beck in 2021-2022. With Ms. Vigilante's retirement, we count ourselves as lucky to have been able to land Ms. Dykshoorn as our new teacher in 4th grade.
Staffing: New Hires
Staffing: Happy Trails
Mrs. Colleen Heckman (School Counselor): It is with some bittersweetness that I confirm that Mrs. Heckman has left her position as counselor here John Beck Elementary in order to take on the responsibility of Director of Student Services here in Warwick. We are sad to see her passion, energy, and knowledge go, but we sill count our blessings knowing that she is still here in the district and ready to pitch in and serve all of our families here in Warwick!
Mrs. Kristin Bedger (School Nurse): Mrs. Bedger has accepted a position to work at Warwick High School. We are so sad to see her go, and thankful for her service to our students. We also have absolutely no doubt at all that she will do an amazing job serving the community at the high school!
Staffing: Familiar Faces in New Places
ESY and Summer Academy
Roofing Project
Nuts and Bolts
Building Access
Now - August 11:
- Monday - Thursday: 7:00 AM - 3:30 PM
August 15th- August 19th:
- Monday - Friday: 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
- Saturday - Sunday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Beginning August 22nd:
- Monday - Friday: 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM
- Saturday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Sunday: 8:00 AM - 10 PM
We Want to Hear Your Voice! Friendsgiving / PTO Generosity Survey
This survey centers of "Friendsgiving," which has taken place during the two-day fall parent conference near the end of November. Traditionally (pre-COVID), this was held as a pot luck luncheon by the staff on the 1st day of conferences (with leftovers on the 2nd day). There are some other ideas in the mix, so we are curious as to your thoughts. Once again, we would love to hear your thoughts about this and other matters.
Your Summer Pictures Wanted by August 24
John Beck Master Schedule 2022-2023
1st Day of School Playbook
The 1st day of school is an event for which I have traditionally created a playbook. This year will not be any different, so please be on the look out of that in the near future.
Here's our Ultimate Goal For Day 1: Our children must experience the John Beck Promise. They must know that they are loved, cared for, and encouraged.
Emergency Drills
- August 31: (2:00) Administrative Lockdown Drill
- September 1: (1:15) Fire Drill
- September 19: (10:00) Lockdown Drill
Severe Weather Drill: Special Note for Severe Weather Drill: Homeroom teachers, please also review the procedures for the Severe Weather Drill by Tuesday, September 13. Please consult the map linked on the button below for your classroom locations for the Severe Weather Drill.
Reverse Drill: This will be scheduled on for October 14 at 11:55 AM. If you are outside (e.g. recess) please make sure your students are gathered and returned indoors as soon as possible. This drill prepares our classes to come into the building in the event of some sort of exterior threat (e.g. emergency crises, weather, etc.). ALL CLASSES will need to review the procedure ahead of time, even if only a handful of classes are impacted on the 14th.
School Families Are Back!
These are days that work best with all hands on deck, and I encourage staff to try to make sure they are present on the 4 days we conduct school families. Because your participation and guidance is so essential and crucial, I wanted to share with you the dates as early as possible.
- September 23: 1:15-2:15 (including transition time)
- December 23: 9:15-10:15* (including transition time)
- February 2: 1:15-2:15 (including transition time)
- April 21: 1:15-2:15 (including transition time)
*Note: There are some scheduling considerations for December 23, and the actual time may be subject to adjustments as plans firm up.
UPCOMING EVENTS AND NOTICES
The Near Future
Wednesday, August 10:
- Lititz Borough Police Department (LBPD) Night Out at the Treehouse of Lititz: (5:00-8:00) Lititz Church of the Brethren. Steven to be in the Dunk Tank (6:50-7:10).
- Core Team Meeting
- Kindergarten Bus Orientation: (9:00-10:00)
- Warwick School Board Meeting: (6:00) District Board Room
Wednesday, August 24:
- Submit 2 digital photos of you and a summer moment/memory to Allecia at alleciamiller@warwicksd.org (see details above)
Monday, August 29:
- Teachers Report: (More details forthcoming)
- PTO to coordinate lunch for staff: Lunch from Dream Dinners and desserts from PTO volunteers.
- Staff photo in front of the building: (Time TBD)
- John Beck and John Beck PTO: (3:30-6:00) Popsicles on the Playground & Chalk the Walk
Tuesday, August 30 (Day A):
- 1st Day of School for Students in Grade 1-6: 1st Day of School Playbook forthcoming.
- Kindergarten Conferences
Wednesday, August 31 (Day B):
- 1st Day of School for Kindergarten
- Instrument Demo Assembly for 4th Grade: (1:35-2:25) Cafeteria. Please note that the administrative lockdown at 2:00 (see below) will only require 4th grade students to remain in the gym for the assembly, which will proceed as planned.
- Administrative Lockdown Drill: (2:00)
Thursday, September 1 (Day C):
- Fire Drill: (1:15)
Friday, September 2:
- No School for Students and Staff
Monday, September 5:
- Labor Day: No School for Students and Staff
Tuesday, September 6 (Day D):
- A-Team and CDT Testing Window Begins
- 3 R's Assembly: (8:15) Gym
- PTO Meeting: (6:00) John Beck Library
Wednesday, September 7 (Day A):
Thursday, September 8 (Day B):
Friday, September 9 (Day C):
- Learning Facilitator (LF) Meeting: (1:00)
Monday, September 12 (Day D):
- Warwick School Board Building/Property Committee Meeting: (6:00) Steven in attendance
Tuesday, September 13 (Day A):
- Due Date for Homeroom Teachers to review the procedures for the Severe Weather Drill.
- Elementary Team Meeting: (9:00-4:00) Steven in attendance
Wednesday, September 14 (Day B):
Thursday, September 15 (Day C):
- Leadership Team Meeting: (8:30-12:00) Steven in attendance
- Library Department Meeting: (3:00-4:00) at Lititz Elementary Library
Friday, September 16 (Day D):
- A-Team and CDT Testing Window Ends
- Learning Facilitator (LF) Meeting: (1:00)
Monday, September 19 (Day A):
- Lockdown Drill: (10:00)
- Faculty Council: (2:45)
Tuesday, September 20 (Day B):
- Back to School Night: (6:00-8:00)
Wednesday, September 21 (Day C):
- Dr. Hershey Visit to John Beck
- 5th Grade Level Meeting: (2:45)
Thursday, September 22 (Day D):
- 4th Grade Level Meeting: (2:45)
Friday, September 23 (Day A):
- Learning Facilitator (LF) Meeting: (1:00)
- School Families: (1:15)
- 6th Grade Level Meeting: (2:45)
Monday, September 26 (Day B):
- 3rd Grade Level Meeting: (2:45)
Tuesday, September 27 (Day C):
- 2nd Grade Level Meeting: (2:45)
Wednesday, September 28 (Day D):
- Picture Day at John Beck: (Schedule forthcoming)
- 1st Grade Level Meeting: (2:45)
Thursday, September 29 (Day A):
- Summer Reading Celebration: (1:30-1:15) Cafeteria
Friday, September 30 (Day B):
- Kindergarten Grade Level Meeting: (2:45)
Monday, October 3 (Day C):
- Faculty Meeting (Extended): 2:45-4:00)
The John Beck Promise.
Email: slin@warwicksd.org
Website: https://www.warwicksd.org/website/school.php?schoolid=0002
Location: 418 East Lexington Road, Lititz, PA, USA
Phone: 717-626-3704
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnBeckPTO
Twitter: @JohnBeckWSD