Groveland Elementary School
May 2013 Newsletter
Message from the Administrative Team
It is hard to believe that we are already in the month of May and we are in the midst of the last month and a half of school already. We have much to be proud of this year -as we have added more "Points of Pride" to the list that makes Groveland such a great place for students and adults.
One of the most important Points of Pride we have here at Groveland is YOU. That is right, the parents. We are so fortunate to have such an active Home and School Association at Groveland who really provide great opportunities for our students, both in and out of the classroom. Our parent volunteers spend countless hours planning, organizing, and running family fun events for our students and their families. Our volunteers are helpers in the classrooms, chaperones for field trips and school events, support our fundraisers - this list goes on and on. Because of you and your support of our school community, our GHSA is able to provide our school with new and exciting technology. In fact, the Home and School Association has funded the purchase of several Smart Boards that are installed and being used daily. In addition, the GHSA is responsible for the following and much more:
100% funding of the monthly Great Grizzly Program assemblies scheduled and provided by the school counselor’s office and the 40 Assets Committee
100% funding of Young Author’s Day, Student Scholarships, and Reading Olympics
Supplementing costs for grade-level field trips
Providing stipends for the Giving Grove and 6th Grade Ropes Course
Providing classroom supplies via a teacher reimbursement allowance
Replenishing books in the Library, and on and on and on!
Hats off to our GHSA Executive Board and all of the Committee Chairs for their time and efforts this year. To all parents we say a genuine Thank You for your support. We are proud that you are such an integral part of our school community and a very important "Point of Pride" for Groveland Elementary!
Just a reminder...the GHSA's biggest fundraiser, Race for Education, is right around the corner on Friday, May 10th. This fundraiser is the means to providing all of the wonderful opportunities for our students and families. We appreciate all the time and energy our volunteers have put into this event and our thanks to all of you and your families that have supported the Race for Education. We hope it continues to be as successful as it has been in the past. We hope to see you there!
The Groveland Veggie Garden Begins to Grow!
5th Grade students worked alongside master gardener, Bonnie Oliver, to begin planting the first seeds and seedlings into the raised beds of the Groveland Veggie Garden. We have planted 4 of the 20 beds so far with radishes, spinach, onions, and herbs. These are cold weather resistant crops and there will be much more variety to follow. Our goal for this year is to be successful in a small harvest prior to school getting out. If the weather is willing to cooperate, we should be able to make that happen. While 5th Grade is currently handling the watering and weeding, the responsibilities will be shared with the entire school as the garden continues to expand into the other raised beds. The garden will be a great asset for the school and the community, but we are going to begin small so that we can better ensure success. As the students and teachers learn more about the food growing process, we will be able to better plan for the future.
A big thank you to the Veggie Garden Committee - Jill Jankowski, Marion Mass, Bonnie Olliver, Pam Cohen, Gail Blum, Siobhan Barr, Jesse Shaw & Matt Alderfer - and all parent volunteers who have been instrumental in helping to bring this idea to Groveland. We have received a ton of community support through donations as well. In addition, the Chubby's Fundraiser on Earth Day was a big success. Thank you to ALL who have contributed in one way or another to support this initiative at Groveland.
As famous Roman Marcus Tullius Cicero once said: “If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.” Groveland is now lucky enough to have both.
Registration for the 2013-14 School Year
Student Scoop
Student Scoop, Earth Day, Student Recognition, and Classroom Updates
Click here to find some of our Paw Print Favorites and to read the news happening around Groveland. Student Scoop featured authors for this month are Kathleen Schiela and Shreya Babu.
"Strut Your Mutt with Roxy Reading" Charity Dog Parade
Click on the links below to find out how you can be a part of the first ever "Strut Your Mutt with Roxy Reading" Charity Dog Parade on Saturday, May 4th.
Dress Code Reminders
As the warmer weather approaches, the following are apparel guidelines for all students. Please help your child to make good judgements when choosing their attire.
1. All clothes should be clean, neat, and in good taste.
2. The length of shorts is to be appropriate for school and there is to be no wording on the seat.
3. Flip-flops and beach footwear are not appropriate for school. Children will be playing outside on the woodchips, running on the blacktop and the field.
4. Biking shorts, or spandex shorts are not permitted.
5. Halter, spaghetti straps and crop tops for girls are not permitted.
6. Students may not wear destructive clothing or footwear - i.e. rivets, cleats, ornamental belts, etc.
7. Indecent and unsavory slogans, expressions, etc. are not to be worn on clothing.
Any attire the administration considers to interfere with the quality of education shall not be permitted.
Another Successful Reading Olympics
On April 29, 2013, four teams comprised of fifth and sixth grade students from Groveland participated in Reading Olympics at the New Hope Solebury Upper Elementary School. The dismal weather didn’t dampen the spirits of these students. Groveland earned two red and two green ribbons in the competition. Our students read countless books in preparation for this event which would not have been possible without the support of team leaders, Mrs. Guelzow, Mrs. Masciantonio, Mrs. Turner, and Mrs. Sleicher, as well as the other members of the committee: Mrs. Lorber, Mrs. Kenefic, Mrs. Szemanek, Mrs. Wambold, Mrs. Brevic, Mrs. Carroll, Mrs. Sauers, and Mr. Moyer. Many thanks to the dedicated adults, diligent students, and supportive parents who worked together to foster a love of reading and made this event a success.
6th Grade Students Take a Leadership Role with Technology
Some of our Groveland 6th graders have been working with Mrs. Becky Turner (6th Grade Teacher) and Mr. Jason Jaffe (District Technology Staff Development) to create and produce a Webinar for other teachers in our district. Leah Porter, Anna Sacchetti, Nicole Lipa, and Zachary Nieto have given up their recess time to produce the webinar, which will show teachers from across the district how to incorporate "Google Earth" into Power Point Presentations, as they have done with their 6th grade assessments. The webinar will include instructions on: A Traditional Google Earth Tour, Design & Street Modes, Adding Enhancements, and Embedding Google Tours into the presentations.
We thank Mrs. Turner and Mr. Jaffe for their guidance and support in helping the students produce the webinar. Congratulations to Leah, Anna, Nicole, and Zachary who have become "experts" in this realm of technology. You have made Groveland proud!
Second Grade PEN Bridges Trip
Second grade PEN students topped off their Bridges of Bucks County field trip with a visit to Chubby’s Dairy Barn. Mr. Berdinka is so generous that he treated the whole group to ice cream!! Thank you, Mr Berdinka!
Great Grizzly Day Assembly - Chinese Acrobats
Art News from Mrs. Houser
The Lucky Cupcake Company in Pipersville displayed Groveland's first grader's fun cupcake sculptures! The sculptures were on display in the bakery throughout the month of April.
The ArtMobile was parked on our playground from April 2nd – April 9th. Students in grades K – 6 had the opportunity to tour and learn about the art exhibit Tree to Form. The exhibit is created and sponsored by the Bucks County Community College.
Congratulations to Marshall Miller, 5th grade, and Christopher Courduff, 3rd grade! They each came in second place for their grade level in the Thompson Organization’s Draw the Future contest!
You might notice two strange creatures in the halls of Groveland! Art classes celebrated Earth Day by creating two trash sculptures. We used lots of boxes, egg cartons, paper towel tubes and more to “sculpt” our Recyclesauruses!
Throughout the month of May select Groveland students will have artwork on display at State Representative Marguerite Quinn’s office, 1032 N. Easton Rd., Doylestown. The show is open to the public.
Field Day News from Mr. Hochman
Field Day is coming up quickly on May 17th (rain date May 24th). Please remind your children to use sunblock and bring a water bottle. If you wish to volunteer to help Field Day be the great event it has been in the past, please contact Carol Benson, President of GHSA as soon as possible.
New CBSD Website to go live on May 6, 2013!
Dates to Remember
Please click on the link below for upcoming events and dates to remember.
School Board Briefs
Please click on the links below for updated information from the School Board.
http://www.cbsd.org/schlboard/Board%20Briefs/Board%20Briefs%2004-09-13.pdf
http://www.cbsd.org/schlboard/Board%20Briefs/Board%20Briefs%2004-23-13%20pdf.pdf
Groveland Elementary School
Email: dheinema@cbsd.org
Website: www1.cbsd.org
Location: 1100 North Easton Road, Doylestown, PA
Phone: 267-893-4600