March Newsletter
Blain Elementary School
A Message from Mr. Young
At the February PTO meeting, we were able to hold our Parent and Family Engagement meeting. Led by Mrs. O'Toole, all in attendance were able to view our School and District policies on Family Engagement, as well as our Home/School Compact. During the month of March, all Blain families will be receiving an email regarding an online Parent and Family Engagement Survey. We would appreciate you taking the time to complete this survey as it will help in creating our Schoolwide Comprehensive Plan.
As always, please feel free to contact me at any time regarding any questions or concerns.
Character Trait Focus
Mrs. O'Toole's Reading Corner
Let’s celebrate! March 2nd is Dr. Seuss’ birthday!
Did you know that Dr. Seuss’ real name was Theodore Geisel? Under his pen name of “Dr. Seuss,” he wrote more than 60 books. It was quite by chance that Geisel began writing for children. Returning from Europe by boat in 1936, he amused himself by putting together a nonsense poem to the rhythm of the ship's engine. Later he drew pictures to illustrate the rhyme and in 1937 published And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, his first children's book. Many critics regard it as Geisel’s best work. It is the story of a boy whose imagination transforms a simple horse-drawn wagon into a marvelous and exotic parade of strange creatures and vehicles.
Let’s see if you can name some of Dr. Seuss’ other popular books. If you would like to be entered into a drawing to win one of two coupons for a free $5 book from Scholastic, complete the puzzle (see image below) and send it to sotoole@westperry.org.
Reading is not always a preferred activity; however, it is really important that our children be engaged in reading both at home and at school. Congratulations to Camden Burnside, Avarie Mitten, and Brantley Pierce! Their families caught them reading last month! I’d love to catch your child reading at home! When you see your child reading at home, snap a quick picture and send it to me at sotoole@westperry.org. Since we are celebrating Dr. Seuss’ birthday, I am offering extra incentive to read at home. If you send me a picture of your child reading a Dr. Seuss book, I will let him/her choose TWO free books! I want everyone to be able to participate, so just send me a note or email if you need to borrow one of my many Dr. Seuss books! Even fourth and fifth graders enjoy reading Dr. Seuss’ silly words! If you are looking for more fun Dr. Seuss activities, visit https://www.seussville.com/.
Fifth Graders visit to Senior Center
Daylight Saving Time
Jump Rope for Heart
PSSA Testing Dates
Students will be testing on the following days:
Grades 3, 4, 5
ELA - April 21, 22, 23
Math - April 27, 28
Grade 4
Science - April 29, 30
Please avoid scheduling appointments during this time.
Thursday, March 19 - PTO Meeting, 7:00 PM
Friday, March 20 - No School
March 23, 24, 25 - Kindergarten Registration
Friday, March 27 - End of Third Marking Period
Blain Elementary School
Website: blain.westperry.org
Phone: 717.536.3219
Facebook: facebook.com/blainelem
Twitter: @BlainElemSchool