PARENT UPDATE
September 21, 2018
As we come to the close of our second week we once again wanted to thank you for all your support with getting the school year up and running! This week we hosted our 2nd grade Back To School Night, had our school expectations assemblies, and conducted our first fire drill. We hope you have an awesome weekend!
Vanessa and Adam
Congratulations to some of our Summer Reading Winners!!!!
Upcoming week Schedule
Thursday 9/27 - CES HSA Meeting
Drop Off Times
The student day will be adjusted by 5 minutes. The day will now begin at 8:45 and end at 3:15. Morning drop-off time for students being driven to school will now be 8:25 to 8:45 in the gym. Students wishing to take advantage of our breakfast program in the cafeteria can do so between 8:25 and 8:45. The "grace period" for arrival is 8:45 to 8:55. Please note that students arriving after 8:55 will be marked late. Thank you
THERAPY DOG!
Dear Concord Families,
We are excited that our CES Therapy Dog Program will continue this year! On Fridays, therapy dog, Roux, will be in the building. He will attend groups, support students individually, visit classrooms by teacher request, and will also be available for struggling readers. Any student that visits the guidance office during the time that Roux is “working” is welcome to say hello! However, if you prefer your child to NOT interact with Roux throughout this year, that is completely okay: Please complete the form below:
Therapy Dog Program Opt-Out Form
https://goo.gl/forms/lAG3CALQcMXXd5zl1
Additional information on the CES Therapy Dog Program:
What is a Therapy Dog?
Therapy dogs are dogs who go with their owners to volunteer in settings such as schools, hospitals, and nursing homes.
Therapy dogs and their owners work together as a team to improve the lives of other people.
Therapy dogs are not service dogs. Service dogs are dogs who are specially trained to perform specific tasks to help a person who has a disability.
Goals of a Therapy Dog
Increase empathy/compassion in school-aged children and improve self-esteem in academic and social/emotional areas
Help students stay connected and help them to advocate for themselves
Reduce anxiety levels and help children to decompress after heightened emotions or traumatic circumstances as well as assist students who are emotionally withdrawn or have communication needs
Improve reading skills, comprehension, and increase confidence and literary interest
Breaking down natural barriers between people who are meeting for the first time and facilitate a connection with students in an environment of unconditional acceptance
Create immediate connection between the therapy dog and the school counselor
Benefits of a Therapy Dog
Physical: reduces blood pressure and provides tactile stimulation. The simple act of petting animals releases an automatic relaxation response.
Humans interacting with animals have found that petting the animal promoted the release of serotonin, prolactin and oxytocin- all hormones that can play a part in elevating moods.
Lowers anxiety and helps people relax.
Provides comfort.
Reduces loneliness.
Increases mental stimulation.
Social: visits with a dog provides a positive mutual topic for discussion, helps to break the ice, promotes greater self-esteem and well-being, and focused interaction with others
Cognitive: companionship with a dog stimulates memory, problem solving, and game playing
Emotional: dogs improve self-esteem, acceptance from others, and may reduce the resistance that might accompany counseling
Environmental: A dog in a facility lifts moods and can provide an escape or happy distraction
For any questions, please contact:
Michele Ventura
School Counselor
610-579-6157
Seesaw for Parents
Important Information
New Digital Emergency Card and Parent Agreement Forms
All Garnet Valley School District emergency cards and parent forms will now be completed online usingFamilyID. This means that all of the information that was once mailed home and stored on paper is now digital, making the process for both our parents and staff more efficient. Family ID is a secure registration platform that provides families with an easy, user-friendly way to complete school emergency cards, sign school policies, media releases, and more. FamilyID also helps the district to be more administratively efficient and environmentally responsible. When you register through FamilyID, the system keeps track of your information in your FamilyID profile. You enter your information only once for each family member for multiple uses and multiple programs.
Please click here to access the FamilyID Site and create or sign into your account (top right corner of the page). All emergency cards should be completed before the start of school.
HSA Information
Concord HSA would like to thank everyone who stopped by the HSA and Spiritwear tables at back to school nights. It was great to meet lots of new families and reconnect with old friends.
If you are still interested in Spiritwear please contact Concord HSA at concordhsa@gmail.com
The link for the HSA Back to School forms is http://bit.ly/HSAForms2018 . Today is the last day, so if you have not completed it, please do so ASAP. Please reach out to concordhsa@gmail.com if you have any questions!
Don't Forget to Follow Concord HSA on Social Media for all the latest school happenings!!
Homeroom parent selection is in process. If you are selected, you will be contacted over the weekend. The homeroom parent meeting is Thursday, Sept 27th at 9:30 AM. Class photographers will be selected next week.
Kidstuff Coupon Book
Tuesday kicked off our Kidstuff Coupon Book fundraiser. We hope you take the opportunity to purchase book and seize some great deals. It includes amazing discounts to many children's attractions, clothing stores, sporting goods & grocery stores. The book quickly pays for
itself after a visit to places such as ACME or DICK's Sporting Goods. Along with the book, you'll receive access to the coupon APP. This makes saving even more convenient. Not only are the deals great, but Concord HSA receives half of all proceeds. This helps fund many great student programs such as field day. The sale runs from Sept. 11th-25th. Books were sent home with students on Tuesday, September 11 and are $25 each. Payments can be made via MySchoolbucks, returned payment envelope to your teacher, or online at the Kidstuff website. Purchasing out of state books for friends and relatives can easily be done online as well. Thank you in advance for your support!
GVHS Student Council Royal Brunch!
Location: Garnet Valley High School
Date: 09/22/18 from 9am-12pm
Cost: $5 per person at the door
Come spend a day with your favorite princes and princesses and enjoy food, music, games, and crafts! Costumes are encouraged!
This event will help Garnet Valley High School fundraise for Mini-THON, a 12-hour dance-a-thon that raises money for kids diagnosed with pediatric cancer. We hope you attend our “Royal Brunch” and share a day full of fun supporting those in need!
Library Volunteers
child's teacher. Please note you must have your clearances to
volunteer for the library.
AM Kindergarten
www.signupgenius.com/tabs/5317FDC05A2CDECC53-kindergarten
PM Kindergarten
www.signupgenius.com/tabs/5317FDC05A2CDECC53-kindergarten1
1st grade
www.signupgenius.com/tabs/5317FDC05A2CDECC53-firstlibrary
2nd grade
www.signupgenius.com/tabs/5317FDC05A2CDECC53-second
Directions For Logging Into Alma 1st Time Users
2. Click on the link and follow the instructions for setting your password.
Your password must be between 7-30 characters and it must match 3 of the following 4 requirements:
- Letter
- Number
- Capital Letter
- Character (!@#$%^&*)
3. Once you have created your password you can access alma by going to https://ces.getalma.com/
Would you like your child to learn Spanish?
VEFLS (Voluntary Elementary Foreign Language Studies) will once again be offering Spanish classes which will begin the 3rd week of October at Concord Elementary School for the 2018-2019 school year. Classes will be held 1x/week for a total of 20 classes. All classes begin at 8:00 AM and dismissal is at 8:40 AM. (SPECIAL NOTE: YMCA morning care kids can be brought down to classes!) Students then proceed directly to their homerooms. All classes are held in the Cafeteria. (Parents need to walk up and buzz their children INTO the building to ensure they get inside safely. You may momentarily park your car right out front in circle.)
Classes begin in October and usually end around April. We follow the school calendar so when there is a day off of school, we do not hold classes. Also, NO classes will be held the weeks of Thanksgiving and Christmas. Furthermore, if school is canceled or delayed due to weather conditions, then classes will NOT be held. No phone calls will be made. Make-up classes will be added on to the end of the year so that your child will receive the full 20 weeks of instruction.
The classes offer a fun and exciting way for your child to learn a foreign language. Games, activities, and music are used to keep the children engaged. To create an atmosphere conducive to learning, students will be expected to exhibit proper classroom behavior. (Should the need arise, disciplinary problems will be brought to the attention of the parents by the Director. VEFLS reserves the right to remove any student whose behavior becomes a detriment to the program. TUITION WILL NOT BE REFUNDED).
Class Choices
SPANISH for Kindergarten: Mondays (begins Oct.15)
SPANISH for Grades 1&2: Tuesdays, Thursdays, OR Fridays (begins Oct. 16, 18, and 19)
Questions: KELLY GARDLER, Director/Spanish Instructor @ KGardler@Yahoo.com OR 610-717-2755
Questions: KELLY GARDLER, Director/Spanish Instructor @ KGardler@Yahoo.com OR 610-717-2755
To enroll your child, simply fill out the bottom portion of this form and mail with payment ASAP. (Enrollment is on a first-come, first served basis.)
The cost of the program is $220 for the year. (EARLY registration/before Aug 31 is $210, and LATE registration/after Sept 30 is $230.) All materials are included and will be provided by the teacher. Please make checks payable to: V.E.F.L.S., and mail along with bottom of this form to:
V.E.F.L.S., c/o Kelly Gardler, 22 Rockland Manor Rd., Garnet Valley, PA 19060
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CONCORD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
STUDENT’S NAME: _________________________
GRADE & GENDER: ________
SPECIAL NEEDS
(allergies or learning/behavioral challenges):_____________________________
PARENT’S NAME: __________________________
PHONE#: ________________
EMAIL ADDRESS: __________________________
STREET ADDRESS: __________________________________________________
CLASS CHOICE(S): _________________________________________________
Transportation Information
The Garnet Valley School District is pleased to introduce a new feature of our bus routing system for the 2018-2019 school year. InfoFinder-i provides online access to assist in finding your child’s bus number, pick-up/drop-off locations and times.
InfoFinder-i allows you to:
- Find your child’s designated bus stop;
- Find the estimated pick-up/drop-off times for your child’s bus stop;
- Locate which school your child would attend if you are planning to move.
This feature will be available beginning August 15, 2018. Parents/guardians are encouraged to check InfoFinder-i periodically between August 15th and the start of school as pick-up and drop-off times may be slightly altered due to daily enrollment changes.
Also, please read this very important procedure change for the 2018-2019 school year. You will also be receiving additional information with detailed instructions on InfoFinder-i the week of August 6th.
Please click here to access the site. Please note, busing information will not be finalized until August 15, 2018, so any information on this site before that date may not be accurate.
Absence Reporting System
Please click here for directions on how to use your phone, app, or computer to report an absence.
Garnet Valley Communities That Care
The GVCTC is a community organization that is driven by the PAYS (Pennsylvania Youth Survey) administered in odd-numbered school years to 6th, 8th, 10th and 12th graders and run by a board including GVSD administration and staff as well as Parents/Community Members.
GVCTC has proudly funded the following:
-New Realities of Parenting Series
- Senior Graduation Walkthrough
-Aevidum Club and SADD Club
-Bullying Prevention
-Speak UP
-Red Ribbon Week
-GVHS Health Fair & GVMS Family Prevention
-Scholarships & Community Service Recognition
- Mindfulness Workshops
Please consider donating to our organization. You can send in an envelope addressed to “GVCTC” to your child’s school with your donation as cash or a check payable to Garnet Valley CTC or donate via MySchoolBucks.com. Go to mySchoolBucks: https://www.myschoolbucks.com/
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Name:__________________________________
Donation Amount: __$10 __ $25 __$50 __$100 ___ I’d like to give more)$
Thank you in advance for Your generous support!
If you have any questions, email us at garnetvalleyctc@gmail.com
PROGRESS REPORT
Our GVSD elementary progress report is updated for the 2018-2019 school year to reflect current trends in education. It remains anchored in a standards based reporting principle where students’ progress towards standards is indicated along with reporting on the Qualities of a Learner. The updated progress report enhances the Qualities of a Learner to reflect 21st century skills and updates academic indicators to be more accessible to students and parents/guardians. Characteristics of an ideal progress report were identified through research on assessment and best practice, examining samples from other districts, and by defining those qualities essential in our own district.
The recent updates were created to achieve different goals. The updated progress report provides more information to parent/guardians, has a consistent grade scale across K-5 via a new rubric, reflects elements of current instructional practices like reading workshop, and will include the level of books the student is reading.
Student progress on each Quality of a Learner and academic indicator will be reported using a 4-point rubric. This rubric is a departure from previously used state reporting language and intended to be more student-centered. The rubric was designed so that grades do not indicate the end of the learning progress. The student score on the rubric informs the student and parent/guardian of where the student currently is on a learning continuum.
A full description of the new progress report will be included in the Elementary Handbook that will be sent to parents when back to school information is sent out.
NEW WEBSITE ADDRESS
The new address for our school's website is https://ces.garnetvalleyschools.com/.
Concord Elementary School
Website: garnetvalleyschools.com
Location: 114 Station Road, Glen Mills, PA, United States
Phone: 610-579-6100
Facebook: facebook.com/ConcordElementarySchool-GVSD
Twitter: @ConcordGV