Pawpower Press
Joseph Ferdebar ES
LOST AND FOUND
PSSA SCHEDULE & INFO
Pennsylvania public school students are required to participate in the 2016 Pennsylvania System of School Assessments (PSSA) and/or Keystone Exam. The specific assessment, pertinent grade level, and testing window are:
PSSA Assessment
Grade Levels
Testing Window
English Language Arts
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
April 11th through April 15th
Mathematics
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
April 18th through April 22nd
Science
4 and 8
April 25th through April 29th
Keystone Exam
High School & Middle School Varies per subject & grade
May 16th through May 27th
As noted above, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) provides our school district with a “window” of time to administer and complete the assessments. This allows sufficient time for make-up testing should your child be absent during the school’s designated test dates.
School districts are required by PDE to notify parents of the following;
Copying or duplicating the material from the assessment, including the taking of a photograph, is a violation of the federal Copyright Act. Penalties for violations of the Copyright Act may include the cost of replacing the compromised test item(s) or fines.
Electronic devices are not permitted. Electronic devices include cell phones, smartphones, E-readers, Nooks, Kindles, iPads, iPods, tablets, camera-ready devices, and any other electronic devices which can be used to photograph or duplicate test materials, access the internet and/or communicate with others during the administration of the assessment. Please speak with your child and let him or her know that the possession and/or use of a cell phone or other electronic device during the administration of the assessment will result in certain consequences.
If a student is discovered using and/or having a cellphone or other electronic device in his or her possession during the administration of the assessment, you will be contacted by the school. A student who ignores this directive will be subject to the school’s discipline policy and the Department of Education’s requirement that the student’s test will not be scored and the student will be required to retake the entire test.
In addition, the electronic device will be held by school staff and the device’s stored photographs will be searched. School staff will also ask for permission to search other functions of the electronic device. If a photo of the assessment is discovered or if permission to search other functions of the electronic device is refused, the device will be held by the school staff and, because the Pennsylvania Department of Education holds the copyright to all material contained within the assessment, the Pennsylvania Department of Education will be contacted.
If, after testing is complete and test materials have been returned, it is discovered that a student used and/or had a cell phone or other electronic device in his or her possession during the administration of the test, the school’s discipline policy will be followed and the student’s scores will be invalidated.
We respectfully ask that you join us in impressing upon your child that these assessments need to be taken seriously. Please encourage your child to get a good night’s rest on the evenings before testing days and a healthy breakfast on the mornings of testing days. The highest possible level of individual student performance is important for our students, their future and the future of our schools and programs.
A copy of Information for Parents or Guardians, regarding the assessments, will be posted on the district’s website. A copy will also be available in your child’s school office. If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact your child’s guidance counselor.
Dangers of Lead Poisoning
Do you know the dangers of lead in pre 1978 housing and what steps to take to reduce exposure?
Even small amount may cause learning problems in reading and math, executive functioning and overall school achievement (among other things). Lead can be breathed in (dust)or ingested from a variety of sources. Lead can also enter the body through the skin.
See the link below from the New York Times for more information.
Vocal Music Notes from Ms. Patrick
Vocal Music Notes from Ms. Patrick
Chorus rehearsals are in full swing! We are excitedly working to learn our new music, which will include even more solos and small groups. Auditions for solos and announcers will take place in late April. We will have a new group to debut at our Spring Concert – the 3rd grade chorus. This chorus started at the beginning of February and are really excelling as they learn vocal techniques and how to sing as a group!
Ferderbar was well-represented at the Bux/Mont Choral Festival for the second year in a row. This day-long festival took place on Saturday, March 12th. Seven of Ferderbar’s finest singers attended the event. The students met at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on Street Road at 9 am, joining members of the Pennsylvania Youth Chorale Senior Choir as well as other singers from Bucks and Montgomery Counties. The students received and learned their music that day and put on a fabulous concert at 4 pm. Representing Ferderbar were: Muke Akume, Ryan Day, Angelina Ferrandino, Trinity Lewanowicz, and Lacey Powell. Alyssa Burns and Skyler Perraria also participated in the festival as members of the Pennsylvania Youth Chorale’s Junior Chorus. Congratulations!
Mark your calendars! The Junior Honors Concert will take place on Wednesday, April 6th at 7 pm in the Carl Sandburg auditorium. This concert will feature 4th and 5th grade orchestra, band, and choral members that were hand-picked by their directors. Our Spring Instrumental Concert will take place on Thursday, May 19th and our spring Choral Concert will take place on Monday, May 23rd. Both concerts will take place at 7 pm in the Poquessing auditorium. And, of course, save the date for the Ferderbar Panther Players’ production of Thwacked! on Wednesday, June 1st at 7 pm in the Poquessing auditorium.
Popcorn Party!!
Lucky Charms
Cereal Box Book Report
Turtle in Paradise Cereal Box Book Report
Written by: Muke Akume & James Gonglik
PawPower Press Staff
The past two weeks Mrs. Brand's class has been making a cereal box project. The project was on the book they read Turtle in Paradise. The class really showed their creativity by making amazing boxes that all had something to do with the book. In addition to a summary and a list of characters, the students were able to decorate the front of the box, and have a game on the back. Everyone had a good time doing and sharing this project and they hope to do something like this again.
Puttin on the Kids
Spring Break
Happy Spring which officially begins on March 20th.
Just a reminder that schools are closed for our students from Monday, March 21st through Friday, March 25th. School resumes on Monday, March 28th.