Union Canal Connection
November
From The Principal's Desk
Dear Parents/Guardians:
What a busy month at Union Canal! Union Canal has officially come together as one community for the 2022-23 school year. Our classrooms and grade levels have spent enough time together to understand and acknowledge individual personalities and create a pulse together as they grow.
This past month a lot of new learning has taken place along with review as well as opening up ideas of character and belief systems. We started our journey of learning. Please read below what has taken place!
Our students are well on their way with academic learning. They have all completed diagnostic assessments as well as benchmark assessments and are making progress through the curriculum on their learning goals. It is unbelievable but we are through the first quarter of the 2022-23 school year! Please make sure that you have a conference time selected to meet with your child's teacher to go over their progress and content abilities. Please sign up for Parent Teacher Conferences through this link using PTCFAST Parent/Teacher Conference Scheduler.
Entering into the second marking period we will have a shift from a 4 day to a 5 day school week cycle. This change allows for computer technology special area instruction to happen within grades 1-5 special area daily curriculum. Cycle day special area instruction for marking period 2 can be found below.
Union Canal and Ebenezer held a family engagement evening for families to help families find ways to incorporate reading and reading comprehension together at home in unconventional ways. Union Canal hosted a wonderful event reading together, making non-bake apple pies, and and discovering comprehension inquiries in non-conventional ways. Thank you to our reading teachers and over 70 families who came and joined us in this wonderful event.
This month many classrooms and grade levels celebrated fall fun by learning and experiencing ways to live a healthy life. This took many forms from learning about how fruits and vegetables grow, to living drug free, and how local protective services (police/fire) help our communities thrive. Please take some time and discuss with your child(ren) what they have experienced and how everyday actions help them live a healthy life style. Thank you to all of the fire/police officers and teachers that made these experiences and lessons possible!
We started a new cross grade level experience this month. All of our students were split into Falcon Families! Each family consisted of 10-13 students between grade 1-2 or 3-5. The students have a community connection in each 'family', as most of them live in the same general area. Our falcon families discussed what respect is and what it looks/feels like in action. Each month our families will meet together to discuss and share the highlighted monthly character trait to help support our students growing their individual values and foundational belief system.
Finally our UCPTT hosted a wonderful family engagement event, 'Trunk or Treat'! This was the first time in 2 years we were able to host a family function like we used to do in the past. This was a wonderful event that many families participated in and came together for the kids. Thank you to all families and staff who supported this event with a 'Trunk' and/or treats. Thank you to all of our parents for attending the event with and for your child(ren). A big thank you to our parents who organized and created the event, as well as, a shout out and thank you to 5th grader Caleb Horning for taking such cool pictures by drone! A great successful evening which we hope to be able to provide through our parent group and volunteers in the future.
Generally formal and informal student behavior incidents have been reduced this school year. At Union Canal we continue to work with our students on their actions and behavior through positive reinforcement, teaching and processing behavior interactions, and introducing feelings as emotions that are motivation for action. We NEED YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT! Please support our guidance at home by reinforcing behavior and having daily conversations with your students on how they should act and react toward others' actions daily. Unstructured areas of the bus, playground, and cafeteria are still a daily high point of negative student behavior and we would greatly appreciate your reinforcement of your child's actions, with daily conversations of what is going on, in that environment.
Don't forget...Volunteering! We would love to find ways for you to volunteer during the school day. This may not be in your child's classroom or with them but you still can be of great support! Call us to find out how you can volunteer to help our staff with our students in the building. Specific areas include, cafeteria, hallways, office, and playgrounds. If you have your volunteer clearance through CLSD you can support our school in many ways. Find out how you can receive this clearance here.
As always if you have any questions or concerns about our school or operations please do not hesitate to reach out to me via phone 717-270-7227 or email bmcginty@clsd.k12.pa.us .
Yours In Education,
Bernard J. McGinty
Principal
Email: bmcginty@clsd.k12.pa.us
Website: https://www.clsd.k12.pa.us/Domain/13
Location: 400 Narrows Drive, Lebanon, PA 17046, USA
Phone: 717-270-7227
Twitter: @Union_Canal_El
Trunk or Treat
The Trunk or Treat Event at Union Canal was perfect. The weather held out. The costumes and the decorated trunks were so creative. The kids enjoyed the games as well. Thanks to the PTT for organizing, the parents and teachers for participating, and the students dressing up and enjoying the fun!!! Pictures below:
Reading With Recipes
This month, families of Title 1 students from Union Canal joined families of Title 1 students from Ebenezer for a night of “Reading with Recipes”. The children and their families learned about purposeful reading with a focus on reading recipes. Everyone listened to a story titled, How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World, by Marjorie Priceman, and read a recipe to make and eat an “apple pie in a cup”. All of the families went home with more recipes to try, a box cake mix with recipe to read, and a delicious meal provided by our district food service department. The night was organized by UC and EB Title 1 teachers, and funded by the district’s Title 1 program. It was wonderful to have so many families come together to work on reading and have fun!
State Troopers Visit Union Canal
The students were very fortunate to have Mrs. Pedrick's brother Trooper Keith Lear and Officer Shaun Buck and Officer Apollo pay us a visit in a helicopter. They shared the duties of a State Trooper with the students and gave them a tour of the helicopter.
North Lebanon Township Police Visit Union Canal
- The Police Officers of North Lebanon Township came to Union Canal to speak to the students to talk about their job duties and responsibilities.
Weavertown Fire Company Visit and Presentation
Fire Prevention
North Lebanon Township Fire Department came to Union Canal and gave a fire prevention presentation and allowed the students to explore the fire trucks and their capabilities.
Pink Out - Cancer Awareness
Students wore their pink to promote cancer awareness.
Red Ribbon Week at Union Canal
October 24th started off "Red Ribbon Week" at Union Canal. The Theme for this year is "Celebrate Life. Live Drug Free."
The various activities that were scheduled during the week were:
A poster contest - "Make a poster to represent the theme "Celebrate Life. Live Drug Free."
"Wear Red Day" - Students were asked to wear as much red as possible.
"Celebration Day" - Students wrote about how they celebrate events in their lives.
"School Spirit Day" - Students invited to wear Falcon Spirit Wear.
"Party Day" - Students dressed as if they were going to a celebration.
The pictures below show the students participating in these events.
Responsibility
The students pictured below received recognition certificates for "Responsibility" during the
month of September.
Grade K Mrs. Mays Evelyn Miller
Grade K Mrs. Fiebig AM Jerelitza Gonzalez
Grade K Mrs. Fiebig PM Om Soin
Grade K Mrs. Eberly Izabella Light
Grade 1 Mrs. Schmidt Jeunesse Caraballo Baez
Grade 1 Mrs. Derr Leighton Gruber
Grade 1 Mrs. Raub Blake Boyer
Grade 2 Mr. Menser Griffyn Aurentz
Grade 2 Ms. Haag Davion Serrano
Grade 2 Mrs. Wenzke Luciano Aungst
Grade 3 Mrs. Mori Joshua Ramos
Grade 3 Mrs. Campbell Justyne McGee
Grade 3 Mrs. Martinez Dylan Fox
Grade 3 Mrs. Waranavage Emma Jenkins
Grade 4 Mrs. Wagner Kate Batdorf
Grade 4 Mrs. Horst Lorenzo Green, Jr.
Grade 4 Mrs. Rest Jackson Wright
Grade 4 Miss Fink Alyanna Williams
Grade 4 Miss Stamm Aiden Thomas
Grade 5 Mrs. Pedrick Adalyn Shay
Grade 5 Mrs. Marsh Garret Brubaker
Grade 5 Mrs. Stellar Adina Lentz
Parent Teacher Conferences
Union Canal will be conducting conferences for parents of elementary students as follows:
- Mrs. Fiebig's Kindergarten class on Thursday, November 17, 2022 from 1:00 PM until 3:40 PM.
- For all students on Monday, November 21st from 2:00 PM until 8:40 PM
- For all students on Tuesday, November 22nd from 8:00 AM until 2:40 PM.
We will be using online scheduling through PTCFast this year. The online scheduling will be open beginning on Monday, October 17th at 4:00 pm at the link below:
News From The District Office
1) Cedar Crest Middle School Performing Arts presents three performances of its fall play, Night at the Wax Museum: Friday, Nov. 11, and Saturday, Nov. 12 at 7 PM; and Saturday, Nov. 12 at 3 PM, CCMS Auditorium. Thursday, November 10 is Elementary Night (Adults or older students who cannot attend a regular performance may attend this one), beginning at 6 PM. All Seats are reserved. Tickets are $10 for adults/$5 for students and senior citizens (age 62+)/Free for preschool children. CLSD Gold Card holders who reserve a seat online and present their card at Will Call will receive free admission to one performance. Reservations are required. To purchase tickets, please visit: https://bit.ly/3gxLPmO. Any questions, please email: kglassford@clsd.k12.pa.us.
3) Cedar Crest High School presents its Fall Play, Peter Pan, November 17-19. Performances are scheduled for 7 PM each evening, CCHS Auditorium. Reserved seat ticket sales are available now: https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/68034. In-Person ticket sales will be available at the door one hour prior to each show. Tickets are $10 for adults; $5 for students. CLSD Gold Card holders who reserve a seat online and present their card at Will Call will receive free admission to one performance.
4) Thank an Educator This Holiday Season!: Recognize your student’s special teachers, staff members, or coaches with a Certificate of Appreciation by donating to the Falcon Foundation through the “Thank an Educator” program. Make a donation in any amount of your choosing by Friday, Dec. 9, 2022, for certificate delivery the week of December 12. Visit www.clsd.pa.us and select Falcon Foundation under the COMMUNITY tab menu.
5) The next regular meeting of the CLSD Board of School Directors is Monday, Nov. 21, 2022, 5:30 p.m., in the large group instruction room (LGI) at the high school. A work session will be held Monday, Nov. 14, 2022, 5:30 p.m., in the same location. Both meetings are open to the public. Meetings also are live streamed. Visit to watch the live stream, or to register to attend the next meeting, visit: https://www.clsd.k12.pa.us/cornwall-lebanon-school-district/our-district/school-board/2022-2023-board-meeting-dates/
6) Free Holiday Breakfast Concert for District Residents age 65+: Ticket order forms for the annual Holiday Breakfast Concert will be available the first week in November for District residents age 65 or older. A person under age 65 may attend only if accompanying his or her spouse who meets the age requirement. A maximum of two free tickets may be requested per form. Order forms are available in these locations:
· at any District school building office
· on the District website in the News section and under the COMMUNITY tab –>Activities & Events: www.clsd.k12.pa.us
Bring the completed ticket order form to the rear of the middle school on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2022. Ticket distribution will begin at 1 PM, and continue until either all 400 tickets have been distributed, or until 1:30 PM. Senior citizens will not need to leave their car to exchange their order form for a ticket. After the ticket distribution date and time, any tickets that remain may be picked up at the District office, 105 E. Evergreen Rd. The breakfast concert is Tuesday, Dec. 13, beginning at 8 AM, at the middle school cafetorium. Doors to the CCMS cafetorium at the rear of the building will open at 7:30 AM. Tickets are required.
7) Online Community Bulletin Board: Check the online Community Bulletin Board regularly for information about upcoming events, activities and fundraisers throughout the CLSD community (Click on the “COMMUNITY” tab on the District website: www.clsd.k12.pa.us). Currently, you can find out about sports activities for the participant and spectator … Scouting opportunities … Student club Fundraisers ... community events & activities ... and many more items of possible interest!
8) Inclement Weather Procedures & Skylert Notification System: The decision to close school or open two hours later will be announced before 7:00 AM on the CLSD Home page, www.clsd.k12.pa.us, as well as on the Cornwall-Lebanon School District Facebook and Twitter pages (@CLSD_Schools), and on local radio and TV stations. The Skylert automated notification system also will be used to contact parents/guardians during the school day in the event of a building power failure, hazardous situation, or an early dismissal. Please review the important information that is printed inside the front cover of the CLSD 2022-23 Calendar of Events. The District website is the first place important information is posted. Please, do not contact school or District offices in the case of these events, as it is important for our phone lines to be available for emergency communications.
Remember, the Skylert notification system is only as accurate as the information you have provided to the District. Be sure your phone and email settings allow (do not Block) these three phone numbers: (717) 272-2031, (717) 272-2036, and (717) 389-1810, and emails from addresses ending in @clsd.k12.pa.us. Please review your information in Skylert, as well, and make any updates (for general information sharing, including school closings):
- Login to your Skyward account.
- Click the word “Skylert” in the left menu.
- Fill-in and check or uncheck your desired settings.
- Click “SAVE” in the upper right side of the page when you are done.
9) Volunteers and Chaperones: Cornwall-Lebanon School District greatly appreciates the volunteers and chaperones who provide assistance to students and teachers through their participation in classroom support, as well as special events and activities. Volunteers are essential to the success of students. Anyone who will be serving as a long-term or short-term volunteer for the District must submit completed clearances to the School District prior to serving as a volunteer. Look under the “Community” tab on the District Home page for more details: www.clsd.k12.pa.us
10) Calendar Information:
- Friday, Nov. 4: Professional Learning Day (No School for Students; Professional Development for staff members)
- Sunday, Nov. 6: Daylight Savings Time Ends at 2 AM
- Thursday, Nov. 10: Report Cards available online beginning this day (all grade levels)
- Saturday, Nov. 19: CCHS Marching Band performs in the Lebanon Holiday Parade, 2 PM
- Monday & Tuesday, Nov. 21 & 22: No School for Elementary and Middle School Students: Parent-Teacher Conferences; CCHS is in Session both days (Kindergarten Parent-Teacher Conferences are Thursday, Nov. 17.)
- Wednesday, Nov. 23 through Monday, Nov. 28, 2022: Thanksgiving Break
- Wednesday, Nov. 30: Ticket Distribution for the Holiday Breakfast Concert for CLSD Residents Age 65+ (See #6, above for details)
Union Canal "PTT" Parent & Teachers Together
Upcoming Events Sponsored by The Union Canal PTT
R & K Sub Sale 11-14-22 through 12-5-22
Family Night "Dinner and a Show" tentative schedule 1-20-23
World's Finest Chocolate Fundraiser tentative schedule - February 2022
Family Roller-skating Night 3-9-22
Breakfast with Someone Special - 3-28-22, 4-19-22