The Manavon and ELC Messenger
March 18, 2024
Calendar of Events
March 21: Fifth Grade Musical, 7 pm, gymnasium
March 22: Character Trait Assemblies
March 25-29: Spring Break, No School for Students
April 1-5: ELC Spring Book Fair
April 5: End of Marking Period 3
April 10: No School for Students
April 12: Career Day
April 15: Second Grade Field Trip (Houseman, Krisiewicz, Chelli)
April 17-18: Kindergarten Field Trip
April 17: MES HSA Meeting, 7 pm, Zoom
April 26: Second Grade Field Trip (Iero, Moore, Zeplin)
Women's History Month
Halle Berry
Aside from being a talented actor and fashion icon, Berry has left a special mark on Hollywood. In 2002, she became the first Black woman to win the Best Actress Oscar for Monster’s Ball. In 2023, she presented the same award to Michelle Yeoh—the second woman of color to ever win the award.
Lucille Ball
While she was an undeniable light onscreen in I Love Lucy, Ball was an extremely powerful figure off camera as well. She was the first woman to own a major studio, called Desilu Productions. She died at age 77 in 1989.
Michelle Kwan
Kwan dominated the ice throughout the ’90s, quickly becoming the most decorated figure skater in American history. She represented both the United States and Asian Americans on the world stage, winning 43 championships and two Olympic medals.
Malala Yousafzai
Yousafzai began fighting for girls’ rights to education in Pakistan at just 11 years old. After surviving an assassination attempt a few years later, she has courageously continued to be a worldwide voice for young women. In 2014, she became the world’s youngest Nobel Peace Prize recipient.
Rosa Parks
Parks famously became a leader in the 1950s Civil Rights Movement when she refused to give up her seat on the bus for a white passenger. Her bravery sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott and was a major factor in the end of legal segregation. She continued her activism well into her later years before dying at age 92 in 2005.
Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth II served as head of the royal family for 70 years, making her the longest-reigning monarch in British history. She celebrated her Platinum Jubilee in June 2022, just three months before she passed away at 96 years old.
Drivers Modeling Our Schoolwide Expectations
BE SAFE, BE RESPONSIBLE, and BE RESPECTFUL in the Carline
Lately, we have noticed more tense and unsafe moments between drivers during drop off and pick up. Keeping our students and staff safe is extremely important, so it is crucial that everyone follows the car line rules. It has been shocking to see the extremely unsafe, disrespectful, and irresponsible behavior from drivers in our carline, especially knowing our students are watching. Let us all try to be more patient and ensure we are setting better examples for our students by showing respect and understanding where we lead with kindness and safety in the carline.
Celebrating Different Cultures
Recognizing and honoring the different cultures in our community fosters a sense of belonging, encourages inclusion and acceptance, and expands our students' knowledge of others to help them develop empathy and compassion.
Thank you to Ms. Mai who volunteered her time to teach our students about Ramadan. Having volunteers in our school to teach our students about different cultures grows our students in the most important ways.
Come See the Fifth Grade Musical: Summer Camp
Manavon Elementary is proud to present SUMMER CAMP: A Musical Caper! Welcome to Camp Runamok and the wackiest summer camp experience you could ever wish for! Put away your technology and allow this nostalgic romp to take you on a journey of finding a place to belong, through the mighty highs and comic lows of Summer Camp! Join us on Thursday, March 21st at 7pm in the Manavon gym (doors open at 6:30). Tickets can be purchased at the door or online at https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/82121
More from Read Across America Week
Mrs. Finkbohner and Mrs. Hall's classes celebrated Read Across America week by making bookmarks and buddy reading together.
Tommy in Mrs. Gutierrez's class got a chance to see his cousins who came from the high school to read!
So Much Happening in STEM
Gummy Bear Boy
Second graders read the Mr. Paparone's story called, The Gummy Bear Boy. Much like the Gingerbread Man, the Gummy Bear Boy had to cross a river to avoid getting eaten. Second graders were given a limited number of supplies that they could use to build a raft to float their gummy bear to safety (until it was eaten by a student...)
Budgeting to Build a Shelter
Third grade had to learn how to budget for this challenge! They had to build a shelter to protect their family from the rain. The only catch was that they only had $10 to buy supplies. At the end of class Mr. Paparone came around and poured water on each shelter to make sure it really worked!
Square One Art
Square One Art is coming soon! Manavon is once again participating in the Square One Art program. This program allows families to purchase gifts that are customized with their child’s artwork. Look out for order forms going home the week of April 1. (No purchase is necessary, however all participating students will receive a catalog showcasing their work!)
High School Musical: The Secret Garden
Thank you to the students at the high school who presented an excerpt from the high school's spring musical, The Secret Garden. Our students loved it!
Mindful Resources for Families
Information from Previous Messages
PSSA Information for Third, Fourth, and Fifth Graders
As spring begins so does preparation for the PSSA. All students in third, fourth, and fifth grade will be taking the English/Language Arts and Math portions of the assessment. Additionally, fourth graders will take the Science PSSA. The information obtained from the PSSA serves as a valuable tool for planning future school programs, student advanced placement, developing curriculum, in-service training, and informing the public about student achievement. Please see the linked letter below and the information posted on the district's website: PSSA - Phoenixville Area School District (pasd.com)
Cozy Cubs Reading Night
Phoenixville Area Early Learning Center
Cubs Reading Night
Date: Thursday, April 4, 2024
Time: 6:00-7:30pm
Location: Phoenixville Area Early Learning Center
Highlights:
· Early Learning Center Staff will read stories.
· Students can wear pajamas with their PAELC T-shirts.
· Each family who attends will get to take home a FREE book!
· Students can make a bookmark craft to take home.
· Students can enjoy a FREE soft pretzel and water.
· Books available for purchase at our Scholastic Book Fair!
Parents/Guardians must supervise their children at this event. Thank you.
Please click on the link below to sign up for this fun night to celebrate literacy! English - https://forms.office.com/r/TbW9sXqBYb Spanish - https://forms.office.com/r/ADGwfaMWJv Portuguese - https://forms.office.com/r/Kvx4Rp3q5g
Student Medication Important Reminders
Any medication a student may need to take during the school day MUST be dropped off by an adult with doctor's orders and in packaging with your child's prescription information. Please DO NOT send in any medication with your child in his/her backpack or lunch box (This includes inhalers and EPI pens.)
Car Line Pick Up Reminders
Our car line is consistently going later than our staffing hours and we are hoping to move the line more efficiently. Please remember to stay in your car when picking your child up at the end of the day and arrive promptly.
Pick Up Patrol for Early Dismissal
Ensuring School and Student Safety
As the schools continue to make safety a priority, we are asking that when using Pick Up Patrol for an early dismissal the following information be typed into the "MORE INFO" box.
1) reason for the dismissal
2) if they are returning
3) name of the person picking up
This will allow us to keep the dismissal efficient while also ensuring the students' safety.
Kindergarten Tours
Please use the link to schedule a school tour of the Early Learning Center. Slots are limited and are on a first come, first serve basis, so sign up soon!
Clothing Returns and Donations
Students are often lent clothing from the nurse's office for accidents, spills, etc. If you child borrowed clothes from the nurse, please wash and return them as our stockpiles are running low. Also, please donate gently used clothing, especially elastic waistband pants.
Breakfast on Half Days
On days that we have a two-hour delay, breakfast will not be served. Our cafeteria staff will be busy preparing lunches as students arrive, since we begin serving lunch within 10 minutes of students' arrival.
Important Arrival Procedures
- Arrive on time: doors will close at 8:55 am.
- If the doors are closed, you must escort your child into the building.
- Please do not stop in any driving areas to drop your child off.
- You MUST be in the car line or PARKED in a spot to let your child out of the car.
- If you were given a red placard stay in the left side of the car line. At the stop sign where double lane ends make a left into visitor spots. Do not come through parking lot and ask for barricades to be moved.
- Do not use visitor spots if you were not assigned one.
Reminder: Cell Phones and Smart Watches
Birthday/Holiday Treats
Due to the many students with allergies and food reactions food items to celebrate student birthdays are not permitted. We are requesting that all birthday recognitions be non-food based. We do want to acknowledge student birthdays but encourage families to do so in other ways. For example, small items such as pencils or stickers for classmates or the donation of a book to the school or classroom library in honor of a child’s birthday would be appropriate. Thank you for honoring and respecting this request.
Holiday celebrations will be held in compliance with School Board Policy #246 Student Wellness. The policy states “The district recognizes that classroom parties and celebrations are a tradition at school. School staff and parents/guardians are encouraged to include healthy food offerings, as defined in this policy, at school parties and events to support a healthy environment throughout the district.” Policy 246 can be viewed in its entirety by visiting the district’s website.
Holiday celebrations and end-of-year classroom celebrations will be announced in advance for parents to be prepared in determining food choices with their children. Birthday celebrations are held randomly and do not allow for parent awareness prior to the event in the school setting, which contributed to the decision for birthday recognitions to be non-food based.
Manavon Elementary School
Assistant Principal: Mrs. Lisa Freeman
Interim Assistant Principal: Dr. Frank McKnight
Secretaries: Mrs. Becky Sinapius and Mrs. Carolyn Lolli
Clerks: Mrs. Karen Martz and Mrs. Kate Chippari
Email: celotton@pasd.com
Website: https://mes.pasd.com/ or https://paelc.pasd.com/
Location: 1-2 Phantom Way, Phoenixville, PA, USA
Phone: (484) 927-5350 or (484) 927-5450