Dragon Blast
Mary C. Howse Elementary School
From the Principal
Dear MCH Parents:
I look forward to seeing all of you next week during parent conferences. A wonderful time to have that face to face conversation and really engage ourselves in all of the progress of our students as well as focusing on areas we want to help them develop.
There is a lot of information being communicated about stress among our students, especially our HS and MS children. I say children because they are, in fact, still growing and developing and in desperate need for our support. However, we also have to balance that with allowing them to experience disappointment, mistakes and even failure. Parenting is the toughest job in the world.
Let's hope for better, dryer weather ahead and let's keep those lines of communication flowing!
Please look through our newsletter - see all of the wonderful events coming up, things we are doing and important dates.
Dr. Cat
Announcements and Reminders
- Car line ENDS at 8:55 AM this year. Please make every effort to get your child to school before then. We have seen such an improvement thus far.
Heritage Night at MCH - February 28th - 6:30 to 8:00
March 6th & 7th 1/2 day for students - 12:10 dismissal
March 8th - No school for students
Parent-teacher conferences March 6 - 8
Spring Fair - Saturday, March 16th
Power of Parents Workshop at MCH - March 27th - 6:30
What's going on for Black History Month?
> In Ms. Jacien's 5th grade, they will be learning about the women, Katherine Goble, Mary Jackson and Dorothy Vaughan, from the movie Hidden Figures.
> Mrs. Wackerman's 2nd graders completed reports and parents could see them on SeeSaw!
> Mrs. Grecco's 4th grade put together a mural and made videos - their display is right outside of their classroom!
> 3rd grade will be embedding African American literature into their English/Language Arts lessons!
SPRING FIELD TRIPS
OUTDOOR RECESS
Hello MCH Parents,
Outdoor Recess in Cold Weather:
The WCASD follows recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Association of School Nurses for outdoor recess during the cold weather. Barring extreme temperatures, children will play outside for at least part of their recess time. Please plan for this and make sure that your child is dressed appropriately.
AFTER SCHOOL SPORTS SCHEDULE
5th Grade Boys
March 5
March 14
4th Grade Boys
March 7
4th and 5th Grade Girls
Feb. 28
March 12
Becki Monte
Health and Physical Education
Mary C. Howse Elementary School
FROM THE NURSES OFFICE
Sleep and School-aged Children
According to the National Sleep Foundation, children aged six to 13 need 9-11 hours of sleep. Poor or inadequate sleep can lead to mood swings and behavioral and cognitive problems that can impact on their ability to learn in school.
Sleep Tips for School Aged Children
- Emphasize need for regular and consistent sleep schedule and bedtime routine.
- Keep TV and computers out of the bedroom.
- Avoid caffeine.
· Following a bedtime routine and tucking in at a reasonable hour.
· Get Outside! Getting physical increases the body’s temperature—and after it lowers, the drop may help kids fall asleep more easily.
· Watch the Clock! Staying up too late is a big reason kids aren’t getting the sleep they need each night. In fact, a child who heads to bed too late can take longer to fall asleep and may wake more frequently during the night.
· Set the Scene! A calming bedroom atmosphere can help ease sleep struggles. Be sure the room is dark enough and the temperature is comfortably cool.
· A rumbling tummy can keep kids awake, so offer a light snack before bed.
· Power Down Devices! Watch out for electronics before bed. The blue light emitted by iPads, computers, and the television can keep kids awake. Turn off devices at least an hour before your kid turns in.
· If lifestyle and environmental adjustments aren’t helping your child get back on track with sleep, talk to a pediatrician.
GOTR & STRIDE LEADERS NEEDED
The time of season is coming around for our GOTR/STRIDE programs, and I am recruiting coaches for MCH. I have had interest from parents in bringing a program to MCH, so I am hoping that you can help spread the word to the MCH community that we are looking for coaches to fulfill spots on both a GOTR and STRIDE team. The coach to participant ratios are: 2:15, 3:20, 4:30. Please help us find some great coaches! I am currently speaking with a WCU student who would like to volunteer, so I can place her at MCH. That means we will have one full-time coach!
SPRING SEASON
03/11/2019 - 05/31/2019
5K
06/01/2019 - New Garden Airport, Toughkenamon, PA
PRIORITY REGISTRATION (for coaches only)
02/06/2019 - 02/07/2019
OPEN REGISTRATION (early bird)
02/11/2019 - 03/10/2019
LATE REGISTRATION
Price Increase ($10)03/11/2019 - 03/15/2019 (last day to register)
The links to coach registration are here:
SUMMER ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES!
The West Chester Area School District is pleased to announce a partnership with the Chester County Night School to offer more than 20 summer enrichment opportunities for students. Please take a moment to review the variety of activities offered for one to two weeks this July. All classes are taught by certified WCASD teachers in our schools.
- What: Exciting, fun, and affordable summer classes covering lots of subjects!
- Where: Most classes are at Rustin High School. Some classes for younger students are at Penn Wood Elementary.
- When: July 8-19 (one week and two week sessions available)
- Who: Any student from pre-school to high school from any school. This is NOT restricted to WCASD students. Parochial, private, and students from other districts are more than welcome.Taught by WCASD certified teachers.
- How: For class descriptions and to register, go to: https://chestercountynightschool.org/ShowSchedule.awp?&Mode=GROUP&Group=CHECK&Title=Kids%27+Summer+Camp+Enrichment+(CHECK)
If your child is taking a morning and an afternoon class, inquire about lunch bunch opportunities by contacting Leslie@chestercountynightschool.org.
If you have questions about the classes or teachers, contact Linda Mangold at lmangold@wcasd.net.
Cooking
Orchestra – Elem & Middle
Band – Elem & Middle
A Cappella Singing
Robotics & Coding
Readers & Writers Workshop
Kindergarten Kickstart
Art
Irish Dance
SECOND STEP
WCASD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Parent Second Step Letter
Dear Parents,
Over the past three school years the WCASD has been implementing the Second Step program in our elementary schools. We are excited that the program now encompasses all elementary grades K-5. This program was selected as a way to introduce our children to the critical skills needed to get along with others.
Each grade using Second Step will have four main concepts or units that will be covered with individual lessons for each unit. There are approximately 26 lessons depending on the grade level.
The four main units covered in each grade level are:
SKILLS FOR LEARNING- Students gain the skills to help them learn including how to focus their attention, listen carefully, learn to be assertive and learn to ask for help.
EMPATHY-students will learn to identify their own and other’s feelings
EMOTION MANGEMENT- students learn specific skills for calming down when experiencing strong feelings
PROBLEM SOLVING-student will learn a process for solving problems with others in a positive way
Each unit has lessons that teach the skills related to that main topic. The younger grades learn many of the skills through singing and puppets and the older grades learn skills through role playing and videos showing actual situations they could encounter during the school day. Your child’s teacher will be able to tell you which unit the class has completed or what skill the class is working on as the year progresses.
Throughout the school year your child will be listening and learning about the skills necessary to get along with others. Please ask your child to share what they are learning and help them to use the skills they have been taught as they learn and grow.
www.secondstep.org Kindergarten enter: SSPK FAMI LY70
First grade enter: SSP1 EQAY 99EJ
Second grade enter: SSP2 BX9m 6DZM
Third grade enter: SSP3 CYA7 7EHU
Fourth grade enter: SSP4 B6G8 7LPV
Fifth grade enter: SSP5 CBGD 8RQ2
Thank you
WCASD School Counselors
POSTIVE PRAISE
Sadly we are moving back to New Jersey late next month. This is a great opportunity for them to be closer to their dad and big sister. I wanted to thank all of you for providing such an amazing elementary school experience for our kids. Mary C Howse is truly an exceptional school with incredible teachers and staff. We appreciate you and all you do for our kids while they are in your care. As a mother to a post college aged student, I appreciate the culture and dedication this school provides its students and its families- I am so grateful my little ones had the opportunity to fall in love with school while at Mary C.
Parent Portal
Use the link below to access the parent portal page:
http://home.wcasd.net/pages/West_Chester_Area_SD/ForParents/Parent_Portal
On the page, there is written documentation (English and Spanish,) as well as videos (English only) that walk parents through how to set up your parent portal account, how to access grades and set alerts, how to view the online report card, how to check attendance, etc. There is even an app for your phone if you prefer.
Please call the office for your child’s user name and password if you do not have the information that was provided to you at the beginning of the school year.
Parent Resources
Community Bulletin Board:
For activities offered around West Chester, see:
http://home.wcasd.net/pages/West_Chester_Area_SD/Community_Bulletin_Board/Other
Articles to consider:
Should we still give grades?
Are letter grades failing our students?
- http://neatoday.org/2015/08/19/are-letter-grades-failing-our-students/
Allowing students redos and retakes: http://wp.vcu.edu/hhughesdecatur/files/2012/08/Wormeli_Redos-and-Retakes-.pdf
Our Mary C. Howse School Pledge
I pledge
To be the best that I can be
Respect myself and others
Make safe choices
And take responsibility
For my learning and behavior
Contact and Additional Information
Email: scatrambone@wcasd.net
Website: http://www.edline.net/pages/mary_c__howse_elementary_schoo
Location: 641 West Boot Road, West Chester, PA, United States
Phone: 484-266-1302
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mchpto/
Twitter: @SteveCat19