North Wales Bulletin
December 5, 2022
From The Principal's Desk
Greetings North Wales Families,
December is here! We are welcoming December with open arms. An opportunity to celebrate the holdidays with family and friends.
As we approach the holiday season, there are three holidays celebrated in December:
Hanukkah - December 18-26
Christmas- December 25th
Kwanzaa- December 26- January 1
I have updated the December To Remember Spirit Month to be inclusive of all the holidays celebrated during this season. Please see the updated attachment.
We started collection for our annual American Legion Food Drive. Collections will continue through December 21st. We are collecting all non perishable items. Please consider sending in a canned or boxed food items with your child to help feed members of our own community during the holidays.
I am looking forward to another great week!
Warmly,
Ms. Dana Kenney
Principal
Inclusive Schools Week
Important Updates For The Week
Reading Olympics is Coming!
Students in grades 5 and 6 that turned in their contract and permission slip will attend their first meeting.The first meeting takes place Wednesday, December 7th 3:35-4:30 in the library.
Holiday Shops- December 6th-8th
Girls On The Run is Coming!
Registration for Girls on the Run opens on November 1st and will be open through December 12th.
Weekly Schedule: December 5th- December 9th
Monday, December 5th - Day 4
Tuesday, December 6th - Day 1
Wednesday, December 7th - Day 2
Thursday, December 8th - Day 3
Friday, December 9th- Day 4
December Breakfast and Lunch Menus
Holiday Shops at North Wales!
The Holiday Shop is back for 2022, taking place December 6, 7, and 8. The Holiday Shop provides an opportunity for students to pick out their own gifts for family and friends this holiday season.
Each classroom will have a designated time for students to shop. Items will range in price from $0.25 - $12. The Holiday Shop accepts cash or pre-purchased gift certificates. You can buy your student a certificate at holidayshop.org/giftcert
Please ensure to take a look at the gift certificates Frequently Asked Questions prior to purchase.
Classes shopping on December 6 (by teacher last name): Rumsey, Durante, Heiserman, Helwig, Splendido, Sylvester, Jablonski
Classes shopping on December 7 (by teacher last name): Jimenez, Werdt, Patterson, Dermody, Mock, Mohr, Weir
Classes shopping on December 8 (by teacher last name): Gormley, Kersey, Bush, DiStefano, Oberholtzer, Kornstein, Becker, Shotwell
If you would like to volunteer at the Holiday Shop, please sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d4aaea72aa3fcce9-nweholiday
Active clearances must be on file with the office.
6th Grade Yearbook Photo Submissions
The 6th grade yearbook is a memory book featuring photos from Kindergarten to 6th grade created specifically for this class. The goal is to ensure that all 6th grade students are represented. It may feel like this is an end-of-year item, but layout, printing, shipping, etc. all take time and can't be done without PHOTOS!
The yearbook committee needs your help ASAP! Please take these two steps:
- If you have not already, send a photo of your student in their baby/toddler stage! So far we only have 50% of the 6th grade accounted for in this section.
- Go through your photos and search for photos of your child, or groups of children, at school-sponsored events, and submit also! Think about field trips, class parties, H&S events, etc.
Submission Directions:
UPLOAD if you have a Google Account. Please use the folders sorted by year and event.
EMAIL high resolution photos to NWEyearbook23@gmail.com (only 5 images per email)
TEXT photos to Jess Phelan at 267-307-3066
Please name each photo with YEAR/GRADE and EVENT or take your best guess!
Only upload one copy of the same moment - choose your best photo and share!
We already missed our targeted deadline so we really need these in the next few weeks to get going!
Any QUESTIONS please contact Jessica Phelan 267-307-3066 or gottrvlbug@gmail.com or Jackie Bonner 610-637-3209 or jackie.bonner00@gmail.com
Therapy Dog Coming To North Wales
We are so excited to begin our planning and preparation of our new staff member, our therapy dog Sandy! The plan at North Wales is for the therapy dog to support individual students, small group sessions, as well as visit specific classrooms. Please know that all therapy dogs have been individually trained and certified to provide emotional support, comfort, therapeutic benefits, emotional well-being or companionship to students. Further, therapy dogs are up-to-date on their vaccinations and immunizations. They are also clean, well-groomed, and housebroken.
If you wish for your child to not interact with the therapy dog, please complete the Google Form below.
Sandy Our Therapy Dog Came to Introduce Herself To Some of Our Classes
Cultural Highlights for December
Hanukkah
Hanukkah is the Jewish eight-day “festival of lights,” celebrated with a nightly menorah lighting. The Hebrew word Chanukah or Hanukkah (variations of the spelling) means “dedication,” and is thus named because it celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple. The menorah holds nine flames, one of which is the shamash (“attendant”), which is used to kindle the other eight lights. On the first night of Hanukkah, we light just one flame. On the second night, an additional flame is lit. By the eighth night of Chanukah, all eight lights are kindled.
Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa is a cultural holiday that celebrates African heritage and identity. The name, Kwanzaa, comes from the Swahili phrase “matunda ya kwanza,” which translates to “first fruits,” and the holiday is based on traditional African harvest festivals. Kwanzaa is usually celebrated during Dec 26th to Jan 1st. During this holiday, seven candles are lighted and people place seven symbols around their home: umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity), and Imani (faith).
Christmas
Christmas is the historical celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Whether celebrated for this religious reason or solely as a cultural celebration, Christmas traditions vary around the world. While Americans celebrate with Christmas trees, visits from Santa Claus, and dreams of snowy landscapes, Christmas falls during Australia's summer, where it is popular to go camping or to the beach over the holiday. Some Australians decorate a “Christmas Bush,” a native Australian tree with small green leaves and flowers that turn red during the summer. People in America like to decorate the outsides of their houses with lights and sometimes even statues of Santa Claus, snowmen and reindeer. Some cookies and glass of milk are often left out as a snack for Santa on Christmas Eve!
Ōmisoka
Ōmisoka, New Year’s Eve, is considered the second-most important day in Japanese tradition as it is the final day of the old year and the eve of New Year’s Day, the most important day of the year. Families gather on Ōmisoka for one last time in the old year to have a bowl of toshikoshi-soba or toshikoshi-udon, a tradition based on eating the long noodles to cross over from one year to the next.
At midnight, many visit shrines or temples for Hatsumōde. Shinto shrines prepare amazake to pass out to crowds and most Buddhist temples have large cast bells that are struck once for each of the 108 earthly desires believed to cause human suffering.
Foundation Winter Staff Tribute 2022
Girls On The Run Program
Girls on the Run is an evidence-based program (for grades 3,4,&5) that inspires all girls to build their confidence, kindness, and decision making skills. Dynamic lessons instill valuable life skills including the important connection between physical and emotional health.
The program focuses on movement more than running. It is not necessary to be a runner or an athlete to participate in the program.
We will meet twice a week after school until 5:15pm. Practice starts the last week of February and runs for about 10 weeks (20 practices). *If there is no school, there is no Girls on the Run.*
The 5K celebration is scheduled for 5/21/23. Please note, this is the rain date for the Iron Knights Triathlon. If these events end up on the same day, we can find a way for your girl to participate in both (if they want).
If you have additional questions, please reach out to Jessica Levine jhaaslevine@gmail.com
Notes From The Health Suite
Student Home Injuries
If your child sustains an injury at home and they require a cast, brace, crutches etc., please provide a doctor's note entailing activity restrictions/limitations for school.
Thank you!
Margaret M. Cox BSN, RN, CSN
Arrival and Dismissal Reminders
Please review the arrival and dismissal detailed procedures:
Home and School Information
Please join us for our next Home and School meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, January 10th at 7pm in the library or join virtually.
As always find more information about our Home and School here: https://linktr.ee/nwehs
American Legion Food Drive- The Guidance Corner
North Wales Elementary will be collecting non-perishable food items for our annual American Legion Food Drive. Food will be collected beginning this Wednesday, Nov. 30th until Dec. 21st and then redistributed to families in need right in our North Wales community. Please consider sending in a canned or boxed food items with your child to help feed members of our own community during the holidays.
Manna on Main Street has shared with us their holiday schedule: Manna On Main Street Holiday Schedule
Parent Volunteers for the Library
We are looking for volunteers to assist in the library. If you are interested in helping out and you have your current clearances, please complete the google form below.
PUBLICITY REFUSAL FORM
Photos, videotape footage and personal interviews with North Penn students who are involved in various school-related activities are often used as part of the district's community relations efforts including district publications, North Penn Television programs; the NPSD social media pages such as Twitter, Facebook, and the NPSD Mobile App; NPSD advertisements and on the district's website.
If you do not want photos, videotape footage or interviews featuring your child used in district publications; North Penn Television programs; the NPSD social media pages such as Twitter, Facebook, and the NPSD Mobile App; NPSD advertisements; and on the district's website, please complete the link below.
Parent Communication Chart
NORTH WALES ELEMENTARY IMPORTANT APPS FOR PARENTS/GUARDIANS TO HAVE
HOW TO REPORT ABSENCE, TARDINESS, AND/OR EARLY DISMISSAL
QR Codes for Apps- Apps For Parents to Download
Reports must be made by 9:30am. A "Safe at Home" call will be attempted for students who are marked absent by the teacher.
PREFERRED METHOD: Using your mobile device, download and install the SchoolMessenger app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store (or use the website https://go.schoolmessenger.com). The first time you use the app/website, select Sign Up to create your account using an email address we have on file for you. Select Attendance then Report an Absence, Tardiness, and/or Early Dismissal. (Please note: if you know your child will be out of school ahead of time, you can preschedule the absence using the app.)
North Wales Supplies List
Family Tech Support
If you are new and need a Chromebook or are in need of a repair to your child's Chromebook please visit the Technology Departments Website for more information on pick-ups and repairs.
Looking Ahead
December 5th- End of First Trimester
December 6th -8th - Holiday Shops
December 14th- Early Dismissal
December 18th- Hannukah
December 21st- Report Cards Issued
December 26th- Janaury 2nd - Winter Break
North Wales Elementary
Website: https://northwales.npenn.org/
Location: 201 Summit Street, North Wales, PA 19454
Phone: 215-699-4471
Twitter: @NWelementary