Dragon Blast
Mary C. Howse Elementary School
From the Principal
Dear MCH Parents:
The school year has been running well considering several obstacles from heat and fallen trees! We really do look forward to our first, full 5 day student week starting October 8th. Routines are so important for not only us as adults, but for our children.
Our school year also started with a wonderful staff/student activity - when you come to school now you can see these awesome rocks which have made our school even more inviting. Our students (and staff) have plenty of new things to learn this year - you may hear terms like Schoolwide (our new ELA program), math workshop (an collaborative, differentiated approach to learning math), See Saw, Schoology, to name a few. When it comes to the technological piece, your children probably know more so do not be afraid to ask them! We do! Our Fun Run will be October 4th so that will be another great day for our school and staff to show unity - thanks to all of our volunteers and PTO as it always proves to be such a great day!
As always, do not hesitate to reach out - I have had amazing conversations and meetings with parents (safety, town talk, etc.) thus far and want to continue. With social media, it is so important to be sure we have the correct information.
Have a great weekend!
Dr. Cat
Announcements and Reminders
- Car line will end at 8:55 AM this year. Please make every effort to get your child to school before then. We have seen such an improvement thus far.
- We are dismissing 4-5 buses first in the PM - this allows us to extend our day a few minutes. I realize this may be an issue for some to wait longer in car line, but so far we have seen car line still conclude by 3:50, or before. If you are simply picking up without having to be somewhere at 4:00, 4:30, etc. then your best bet is to come at 3:43 to 3:45. You will find that you will drive in, no wait, pick up your child and be out on Boot Road in about a minute.
- No school October 5th. Teacher In-Service Day
- Picture Day: October 10th
FROM THE NURSE'S OFFICE - Student Injuries
When a students has an injury that requires activity restrictions, a doctor’s note must be sent to the Health Office on the 1st day that your child returns to school. This includes any student with a supportive device like a splint, cast or crutches. Usually these student have restrictions such as no gym or recess for a period of time. Until specific doctor’s instructions are received, any student with a supportive device will not be permitted to participate in gym or recess. When a student’s restrictions are lifted by the Health Care Provider, a medical clearance note from the provider must be given to the School Nurse.
If a student requires a non-medical exclusion from participation in gym class, a parent note is required. Any gym exclusion for more than 1 day requires a doctor’s note.
FROM THE LIBRARY!!
MCH Library Databases and Search Engines
On-Line Catalog: Students can access the Mary C. Howse On-Line Catalog at home by going through the MCH Library Webpage. Students can search the library collection. However, they cannot see their check out information.
On-Line Databases:
Our on-line databases can be accessed through our MCH Library webpage. These are great sources for research. Students should always use books or databases before using information found on the internet for research projects.
Encyclopedia Britannica. This online version of the encyclopedia has three levels, elementary, middle school and high school. Therefore it is a valuable research tool for all of our West Chester students.
Username: wcasd Password: 19380
Brain Pop and Brain Pop Jr. This database consists of animated curriculum based videos aligned to the PA standards.
Username: mch Password: library
Pebble Go: This is an awesome database for emergent readers. The text is levels. It includes 4 databases: Animals, Earth and Space, Biographies and Social Studies
Username: howse Password: school
FactCite- Biographies for Beginners: Illustrated biographies written especially for beginning and striving readers.
Username: MCH Password: library
POWER LIBRARY: a great collection of on-line databases. For home access go to your public library website and use your public library card number. At school: no username or password needed.
Works Cited Info: Students in grades 4-5 are taught how to create Works Cited documents using the Noodletools free works cited creator. To access the Works Cited documents they are creating at school; from the Noodletools link on the MCH Library page, click on Noodletools MLA lite. Enter the student’s username/password. Students’ usernames are their school usernames with the number 1 added at the end. All students password: library)
Search Engines: Google is not recommended for Elementary School students. Recommended search engines include: Google Junior www.juniorsafesearch.com Kiddle www.kiddle.com
Copyright Free Image Sites:
Pics4Learning: www.pics4learning.com
Web Weaver (clip art) www.webweaver.nu
After-School Sports
Hello Parents of 4th and 5th Grade,
After school sports started Sept. 18, and will continue on Tuesdays and Thursdays until April 18th. This year there will be a rotating schedule between three groups for after school sports; 4th and 5th grade girls, 5th grade boys and 4th grade boys. Please use the attached schedule to help plan when your child meets for after school sports. This is a voluntary program, and students do not need to attend every session to be part of after school sports. If your child is interested, please have them hand in the after school sports permission slip to Mrs. Monte before they attend. If I do not have a permission slip they cannot stay for after school sports. Pick up will be at 5:00 in front of the building.
Becki Monte
Health and Physical Education
Mary C. Howse Elementary School
After-school sports permission form
After-School Sports 2018-19
Mary C. Howse Elementary School
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Mary C. Howse Elementary School is offering an After-School Sports program to all interested 4th and 5th grade boys and girls. The program will consist of various games and sports that may be played indoors or outdoors after school. Anyone may participate regardless of skill level.
Due: September 18: $25 activity fee must be paid via the PayForIt system. (Fee can also be paid by going to the Spellman Education Center, 782 Springdale Drive, Exton)
Directions are on the back of this permission form! Do NOT include payment with permission form!
Ø Time: 3:50- 5:00
Ø Day: Tuesdays and Thursdays After-School sports will be on a rotating schedule. (See schedule attached to this permission form for when each group meets).
o 4th & 5 Grade Girls – First meeting is on Tuesday, September 18
o 5th Grade Boys- First meeting is on Thursday, September 20
o 4th Grade Boys – First meeting is on Tuesday September 25
Ø Please be prompt when picking up your child. Pick up is at 5:00 PM. Pick-up will be in the bus loop in front of the school. Move all the way down to the parent pick up line if the bus loop is full. Children who are consistently picked up late will not be able to attend – NO REFUNDS
Ø Children must wear sneakers, bring a water bottle and dress for the weather. We will be going outside into November.
Ø Questions regarding After-school sports contact Mrs. Monte, Physical Education Instructor rmonte@wcasd.net
After-School Sports Permission Slip – Return to Mrs. Monte
To grant permission for your child to participate in the After-School Sports program, please provide the following information.
Student name: ________________________________ Grade: ___________________
I agree to pick up my child no later than 5:00 p.m.
Cell phone number: _____________________Emergency contact number (2): _________________
Parent/Guardian name (print): _________________________________________
Parent/Guardian signature: ___________________________________________
I have paid the $25 activity fee for the 2018-19 school year.
Payment Due: September 18 - NO REFUNDS!
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
Instrumental demos have been done for the 3rd, 4th and 5th graders. If you have a student interested in joining strings, please contact Mrs. Belczyk at MBelczyk1@wcasd.net and if you have a 4th or 5th grade student interested in joining band, please contact Mrs. Pettigrew at cpettigrew@wcasd.net.
MATH CLUB
Love Math?
Want to join a math club?
We are looking for 4th and 5th graders to join Math Club!!
When does it start? October 5th and runs every Friday until February
Where? Mrs. Giuliano’s room (room 36)
Time? 8:20-8:50
The students will be taught the 24 game and participate in logical reasoning puzzles in preparation for the district tournament held in May. Students will try out for the district team in February. MCH will take 6 4th graders and 6 5th graders to compete with other 4/5th grade students in the district. Last year we won 1st place!!!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I, _______________________, give ___________________________permission to join the 24 club.
_______________________________________(parent signature)
Any questions please email Mrs. Giuliano at rgiuliano@wcasd.net
SCIENCE EXPLORERS AFTER SCHOOL SCIENCE CLUB
Science Explorers After-School Science Club
at Mary C Howse for Grades 1-5:
The first club of the school year begins soon!!
Science Club will meet on Thursdays at Mary C Howse
after school from 3:50-4:50pm
and is available to students in grades 1-5.
The first club topic, which begins on Oct. 4th, is SLIME TIME:
Prepare to get elbow deep in gooey fun as we make different slime creations over this 3-week intro into the world of polymer chemistry. You’ll make amazing color changing slime, textured slime with growing orbs and neon slime that you can turn into art!
Club topics later in the school year include Invention Lab, Blinded by the Light, Anatomy Academy, Earth's Mysteries and Magical Mixtures.
Please click here for more information on club dates, cost or to register your child. Class size is limited to 23 students per club...so, please register early to guarantee your child a spot.
Please email questions@scienceexplorers.com or call our office
at 610.816.5047 with any questions.
VOLUNTARY STUDENT ACCIDENT INSURANCE
Dear Families,
West Chester Area School District is pleased to provide parents with the opportunity to purchase voluntary Student Accident Insurance for their children who are enrolled in West Chester Area School District schools. This year, Student Accident Insurance coverage is offered by A-G Administrators, Inc.
This economical insurance is limited to accidental injuries. It is designed to help supplement your existing insurance or limit the possible financial impact of an injury if you have no other insurance.
For the 2018-19 school year, two plans are available for purchase:
School Day Coverage - $28 per school year
OR
24-hour Coverage (excludes all interscholastic sports) - $124 per school year
For more information and an application, please visit:
https://www.wcasd.net/Domain/1025
We wish you and your family a safe and successful 2018-19 school year.
John Scully, Director of Business Affairs
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
From the Kitchen
See: https://www.wcasd.net/site/Default.aspx?PageID=209
for information on food services or see a menu.
Tracey Dwyer - tdwyer@wcasd.net
Mary C Howse Elementary School
Cafe' Manager
484-266-1380
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.
Parent Resources
Community Bulletin Board:
For activities offered around West Chester, see:
http://home.wcasd.net/pages/West_Chester_Area_SD/Community_Bulletin_Board/Other
Articles to consider:
Should we still give grades?
Are letter grades failing our students?
- http://neatoday.org/2015/08/19/are-letter-grades-failing-our-students/
Allowing students redos and retakes: http://wp.vcu.edu/hhughesdecatur/files/2012/08/Wormeli_Redos-and-Retakes-.pdf
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