Wrightstown Ravens' News
December 17, 2021
Dear WES Families,
I would like to thank Mrs. Staffieri, Mr. Basalik, and all of our talented performers for an outstanding Winter Concert. Kudos to students for their hard work, and special thanks to all parents for their support.
Schools will be closed from Thursday, December 23rd - Sunday, January 2nd. Schools will resume on Monday, January 3rd, 2022.
The WES community has always shown so much support to our school through your generosity and kindness not only during the holiday season but throughout the year. On behalf of the WES Staff, I wish you a happy and healthy holiday season!
Sincerely,
Beth
Important Dates
Sunday, December 19th - PTO Holiday Lights Tour and Social
Monday, December 20th - Student Council Spirit Day (Ugly Sweater Day)/PTO Dine & Donate at Dairy Queen in Richboro 4:00pm-9:00pm
Tuesday, December 21st - Student Council Spirt Day (Rock your Favorite Seasonal Socks)
Wednesday, December 22nd - Student Council Spirit Day (Wear your Favorite Seasonal Pajamas)/6th Grade Scrabble Club at 8:15am/Holiday Parties/Last Day before Winter Break/Young Rembrandts at 3:45pm
Thursday, December 23rd through Friday, December 31st - SCHOOL OFFICE CLOSED
Monday, January 3rd - School Reopens
Monday, January 3rd through Friday, January 7th - FAB LAB Visits WES
Wednesday, January 5th - 5th Grade Scrabble Club at 8:15am/Young Rembrandts at 3:45pm
Friday, January 7th - STEM Club at 8:00am
NEW DISTRICT REQUIREMENT: DISTRICT ISSUED DEVICES
Message from CRSD:
Dear CR Families,
As a district, one of our goals remains the use of technology as a tool to enhance and enrich teaching and learning. To support this goal, we have committed to provide a 1:1 environment in each school. Shipping delays and supply shortages resulting from the pandemic delayed our 1:1 goal. We are thrilled that we are now able to provide every student with a Chromebook.
Because all students now have a district-issued device, our expectation is that your child will use the district-issued device in school and keep any personal laptops at home. The district Chromebook allows students full access to our educational programs and resources. Additionally, the device is equipped with security features and technology support for any break/fix issues. Beginning January 3, 2022, the district expectation is that your child uses the district device in school and keeps any personal laptops at home.
For more information and support with the use of the district-issued Chromebook, please visit the Parent and Student Technology Resources Site.
Thank you for your support!
School Spirit Days
Winter Classroom Parties
Winter parties will be held in the classrooms on Wednesday, December 22nd. Homeroom Parents will be in contact with classroom families for food and other party donations. If food is to be brought to school, it is important that it arrive pre-packaged with the food’s ingredients clearly labeled (per district pupil services department).
FAB LAB at Wrightstown!
The BCIU Fab Lab will be spending the week of January 3 at Wrightstown! The Mobile Fab Lab will be bringing innovative STEAM and computer science learning to grades 2-6. Students will be exposed to various innovative digital fabrication equipment, coding strategies and an array of robotics. Grades 2, 3, 4 and 6 will be visiting the lab once during the week, while 5th grade will have a more immersive experience, visiting four times throughout the Fab Lab’s residency. We are looking forward to this FABulous experience!
GEO BEE
While National Geographic is not hosting their annual Geography Bee this year, Wrightstown Elementary will still be holding their own Bee!
On January 27, All 5th and 6th graders will take the preliminary test during their Social Studies block with their homerooms. The top ten finalists will then compete on February 17 at 2:15 pm. The event on February 17 will be livestreamed to all 4th, 5th, and 6th grade classrooms as well as to the families of the finalists. We are looking forward to another year of great competition!
Martin Luther King Day of Service - Monday, January 17, 2022
Since 2005, students and staff of Council Rock have taken part in a day of service in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This day of service is dedicated to meet the current needs of our community members.
To get ready for this day of service, students throughout our district will be donating items to fill local pantries with food and baby items, as well as supporting the homeless and our veterans.
Here are some things that our community is in need of:
Baby formula, diapers, wipes, and bath supplies
Coffee, tea, juice, juice boxes, cereal boxes, and canned foods (such as canned fruit, gravy, tuna, chunky soups, spaghetti sauce, applesauce)
We will be collecting items here at Wrightstown starting January 3rd through January 14th. Boxes will be located in the lobby for all donated items.
Thank you to all of our Wrightstown Family!
A Note from the Nurse
Please remember to keep children home when showing signs or symptoms of illness. Please refer to our school district health services tab regarding when to keep your child home:
- Illness that prevents the child from participating in activities.
- Fever (100° or higher). Students may not return to school until free of fever without fever medication for 24 hours.
- Diarrhea or vomiting during the previous 24 hours. Student may not return to school until appetite has returned to normal.
- Rash with a fever.
- Other conditions deemed appropriate after assessment by the certified school nurse and/or the staff nurse.
As the days are getting colder, please provide your children with appropriate winter coats, hats, and gloves/mittens. While we have a limited supply of extra coats, we do not have gloves or hats. If your child needs winter outerwear, please contact the health office and it will be provided.
Happy Holidays!
Mrs. Berman and Mrs. Englehardt
Notes from the School Counselor
This week I have have been back in the classroom for guidance lessons:
- 6th Grade students have participated in classroom lessons focused on Respect and Dignity.
- 1st Grade students learned about the importance of taking care of themselves and accepting others.
After the Winter Break, I look forward to continuing to deliver classroom guidance lessons and begin small group counseling sessions.
All the best,
Mrs. Barbara Aiello
School Counselor
Wrightstown Elementary School
Literacy Corner with Mrs. Etgen
Happy Holidays! I know that this can be a busy time for families, but please try to continue to squeeze reading and writing into daily activities. The holiday season is a perfect time for children to write lists, cards, or even gift coupons! As for reading, maybe a homemade gift could be coupons to read to a younger sibling, or even the family pet! If reading is incorporated into daily life, your child will blossom as a reader!
If you are searching for some last minute gifts, Bookwizard and my website have some ideas for leveled books. You can also check out this site for some more book titles. Also, if you would like some online stories and activities to keep your child busy over the break, here is a holiday library that they could use! Remember our kids need to read in order to become better readers! Have a wonderful, safe, and happy holiday season!
Try a Math Challenge!
Keep your Math Skills Sharp over the break. Explore some fun and educational math resources, games, and challenges!
Chorus Notes
The Wrightstown Choruses put on a wonderful Winter concert this week! It was wonderful to have a performance and to share music with the Wrightstown family. I am so incredibly proud of all of the students' hard work and dedication to their performance. If you would like extra programs please reach out to me, as we have extras!
Thank you for all of your support of your students and the Wrightstown music program. We are looking forward to our next concert in the Spring! If your student is interested in joining the special chorus for the second half of the year, please email me! Have a wonderful Winter break!
Musically,
Mrs. Staffieri
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News from the Library
We were thrilled to host an in-person book fair this year. Thank you to all the WES families for supporting the book fair as these funds will allow students to visit with a guest author or illustrator.
Student Council Notes
The Student Council had a busy December. The first event was collecting new hats, mittens, and scarves for those in need. We had 53 hats and 61 sets of gloves and mittens. They will be given to the Newtown Presbyterian Church and handed out to those in need right in our community. Thank you for your support and donations.
Another event that our Student Council has been working hard and preparing for is the Grand Opening of Wrightstown’s school store, The Nest. The Nest will have a “soft” opening this Monday, 12/20 & Tuesday, 12/21. Students can visit The Nest when they arrive at school from 8:50-9:15. We will be selling items such as pencils, smelly erasers, bookmarks, stickers, notebooks, colorful pens just to name a few! Items will cost between $.50 & $2.00. We are excited to start this endeavor. The Nest will re-open in January, dates to be determined.
Spirit Days are coming! Please mark these fun days on your calendar!
Monday 12/20 ~ UGLY SWEATER DAY
Tuesday 12/21 ~ SEASONAL SOCK DAY
Wednesday 12/22 ~ SEASONAL PAJAMA DAY
Next Student Council Meeting is on Wednesday January 12th at 8:15 AM!
PSSAs - Grades 3-6
For your planning, below are the dates that we will administer the PSSA’s for the 21-22 school year. Please plan accordingly.
Assessment Dates /Grade(s)
English Language Arts- April 25-29, 2022 Grades 3-6
Mathematics- May 2- 6, 2022 Grades 3-6
Science - May 2- 6, 2022 Grade 4
5th Grade WES Wordsmiths Scrabble Club
Attention 5th Graders!
Thanks to a CREF grant, we are excited to announce the start of the WES WORDSMITHS SCRABBLE CLUB! This club will focus on playing the game of Scrabble, learning strategies and having some friendly, competitive fun! This 2nd session is for 5th GRADERS ONLY and will take place before school in the Library from 8:15-9:00 am on Wednesdays in January. 6th Grade still has openings if anyone is interested for this month and 4th grade will meet in February. 5th graders if you are interested, please register at the link below! Space is limited so register ASAP! Please contact Mrs. French (jfrench@crsd.org) if you have any questions! See you at the Scrabble board!
Register here: https://forms.gle/vsMLAk3P42PmjBVD7
BCIU STEM Challenge
The Bucks County IU is inviting all students in Grades 4, 5 and 6 to participate virtually in the 2022 STEM Design Challenge. Using only recycled materials or K’Nex pieces, the Challenge requires students working in small teams to design a new or improved transportation system! Next week, all students in Grades 4-6 will be receiving information on the competition, including the requirements and the registration form. Meetings will start before school on Thursday 1/13 for Grades 5/6 and before school on Friday, 1/21 for Grade 4. We are looking forward to a large Wrightstown response! Please direct any questions (Grades 5/6) to Mrs. French (Grades 5/6) jfrench@crsd.org or Mrs. Borah (Grade 4) cborah@crsd.org
PTO Holiday Lights Tour
Recess Outdoors!
It's cold outside! Please be sure your child is dressed appropriately for outside weather. Warm jackets, hats, sturdy shoes, pants, and gloves are essential for the children to safely enjoy their recess. Unless the weather is extreme (rain or excessive cold – 22 degrees or below), children will have recess outside. Please send your child in with appropriate clothing daily so they are prepared.
STEAM Activities
With STEAM education interest and demand continuing to grow, the Bucks IU is excited to announce they will be opening a Fab Lab Center in December 2021 in Warminster, PA! The Fab Lab Center will be the hub for STEAM education in Bucks County, offering educators, students, and industry stakeholders a place to come together to engage in STEAM learning.
STEAM Saturday
• Coding and Robotics - December 11, 2021
After School Fab Lab Clubs (each club meets 1 day/week for six weeks)
• Coding and Robotics - Beginning Tuesday, January 11, 2022
• Engineering and Design - Beginning Wednesday, January 12, 2022
• Making with Digital Fabrication - Beginning Thursday, January 13, 2022
Go to www.BucksIU.org/FabLab/Events, for details and registration.
FirstView Bus Tracking App
The FirstView Bus Tracking App is available for parents to download and use. You can find information for the Tracking App at the bottom of the page at the following LINK.
Soft Pretzel Snack Program
The PTO's Friday Pretzel Snack program is back! The PTO will deliver a soft pretzel to each participating student for snack each Friday. The cost is $20 per child for 28 weeks of pretzels. For more information or to purchase your child's pretzels, see the Pretzel Snack order form.
Pretzel link: https://wrightstownpto.membershiptoolkit.com/form/m/162296
IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM CHARTWELLS REGARDING STUDENT LUNCHES AT SCHOOL
Please take a moment to read the following letter from Chartwells at this LINK. It includes information about what IS and IS NOT included in the free lunch program. Specifically, the letter states:
All Council Rock students in grades 1-8 are eligible to receive a free lunch if they so desire. A student receiving a free meal must choose at least 3 items for the lunch to be considered complete as per the Department of Child Nutrition regulations, one of which must be at least a half-cup serving of a fruit or vegetable. Anything less than this will be considered an a la carte purchase and must be paid for by the student.
Snack prices depend on the items. Snacks are now available for purchase during lunch.
Educational Trip Form
Wrightstown Elementary School
Principal
Email: bfox@crsd.org
Website: https://www.crsd.org/wrightstownes
Location: 729 Penns Park Road, Wrighstown , PA, USA
Phone: (215) 944-2300
Twitter: @BethFox_WES