Mercesburg Elementary
News from the Nest!
It's Concert Time
Kindergarten Registration, Tuesday March 31st
https://registration.powerschool.com/family/gosnap.aspx?action=21926&culture=en
Volunteers and Clearnances
PARENT VOLUNTEER POLICY - INCLUDES FIELD TRIPS AND END OF YEAR ACTIVITIES
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.
Important Survey for Parents
TITLE IIA, IVA SURVEYS
IMPORTANT LINKS FOR PARENTS
We would like to invite you to participate in our Federal Programs annual surveys! We’d like to hear from you regarding our Title programs! Please take a few minutes to respond!
TITLE IIA PARENT SURVEY LINK: https://bit.ly/2QF7bPV
TITLE IVA PARENT SURVEY LINK:
Last Year’s Survey Summary:
Attendance Policy
As we enter cold and flu season, please be aware of the attendance policy in regards to returning notes for your child's absences from school.
Attendance Policy: In keeping with PA state regulations and the Tuscarora School Board policy #204, absences shall be treated as unlawful until the school office receives a written excuse for the reason of absence. Written excuses must be submitted to the office within three days of the absence. Even if you have communicated with your child's teacher regarding an absence (by phone call or class Dojo), a written note for the office is still required.If the office has not received a written excuse for your child's absence, you will receive a call/text from the district's notification system, as a reminder to send in a note with a reason for absence. Sending a note by email is also an option at the following address - brooke.mccardell@tus.k12.pa.us
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 written excuses received, please contact the school secretary at 328-2023 ext. 2500.
Notes to School
- Include child's first AND LAST NAME on any notes sent from home.
- When your child is absent from school, a note stating the reason for the absence must be submitted within 3 days upon their return to school.
- Notes should be sent anytime you are planning to pick up your child for an early dismissal.
- Notes for sending your child home on a different bus should be limited to emergency requests.
Classroom Celebration Policy
Tuscarora School District is a food allergy aware school district. This letter is to inform you that there are several students at our schools who have potentially life-threatening food allergies. The most common allergens that can cause anaphylaxis are peanuts; tree nuts; milk; egg; fish; shellfish; soy and wheat. Eating these foods, even in trace amounts, may cause a severe reaction (anaphylaxis) that can lead to death. Sometimes even touching contaminated surfaces may cause a reaction. School staff have been trained to recognize such a reaction and to administer medication (epinephrine) in an emergency.
You can help staff and students by helping your child understand the foods they freely enjoy can be dangerous to others. Equally important, however, is to let them know they can support their classmates by eating and handling food responsibly.
Here are a few suggestions for you as parents:
· Never take food allergies lightly; they can be serious and life-threatening
· Tell your child, “Do not share your snack or lunch with classmates.”
· Please communicate with your child’s teacher BEFORE sending any food to school (other than their lunch)
· Tell your child to get help from an adult immediately if a schoolmate has a reaction
There is a policy that has been approved by the Tuscarora School Board which states birthday celebrations may be held ONCE per month per classroom. Please communicate with your child’s teacher about when this will happen. We will be enforcing this policy throughout the elementary schools.
We will also be enforcing the following:
· Only store-bought items will be served for birthday celebrations. We encourage healthy food items or non-food items to be shared for birthday celebrations.
· The school nurse WILL review all ingredients before food is served. PLEASE NOTE: even if the word “nuts” does not appear in the ingredients list, it may be noted on the item somewhere that the food was prepared in a facility where nuts are present. These items will not be allowed due to the possible presence of nuts in the food.
· Food will be served in the café on a day at the teacher’s discretion (all birthdays for that month will be celebrated in one day)
If you have questions or concerns, please contact your building principal. Thank you very much for your understanding and cooperation.
Sincerely,
Ryan Kaczmark & Brett Kagarise,
Principal Principals
Mercersburg & Montgomery, Mountain View & St. Thomas
Read Across America Week!
Tuesday, March 3rd - Fox in Socks : Wear fun socks
Wednesday, March 4th - Wacky Wednesday: Wear a mismatched outfit.
Thursday, March 5th - Oh the Places You Will Go: Dress up like your future career
Friday, March 6th - Read Across America: Wear red white and blue.
Read Across America Week
Tuesday, March 3rd - Fox in Socks : Wear fun socks
Wednesday, March 4th - Wacky Wednesday: Wear a mismatched outfit.
Thursday, March 5th - Oh the Places You Will Go: Dress up like your future career
Friday, March 6th - Read Across America: Wear red white and blue.
Monday, Mar 2, 2020, 07:30 AM
Mercersburg Elementary School, South Park Avenue, Mercersburg, PA, USA
Spring Concert
Tuesday, Mar 3, 2020, 07:00 PM
James Buchanan Middle School, Fort Loudon Road, Mercersburg, PA, USA
PTO Meeting
Tuesday, Mar 10, 2020, 06:30 PM
Mercersburg Elementary School, South Park Avenue, Mercersburg, PA, USA
Early Dismissal
Friday, Mar 13, 2020, 09:00 PM
Mercersburg Elementary
No School Act 80 Day
Monday, Mar 16, 2020, 07:30 AM
Mercersburg Elementary School, South Park Avenue, Mercersburg, PA, USA
End of the Marking Period
Monday, Mar 23, 2020, 02:30 PM
Mercersburg Elementary School, South Park Avenue, Mercersburg, PA, USA
Literacy Night/ Planetarium Visit
Time: 3-5:35