Dragon Blast
Mary C. Howse Elementary School
From the Principal
Dear MCH Parents:
As you are aware, this Monday starts all in person students in school (no more cohorts). Remote Wednesdays remain for 3/24 and 3/31. 3/24 our 5 day per week students would be in person. 3/31 - ALL students are remote. I want to keep this as brief as possible but do not hesitate to reach out with questions or if you feel confused (I know I can be at times!)
A couple of reminders/changes:
> Starting 3/22 - if your child is sick, it is a full sick day. There is NO MORE option for them to remote in. If it is a Covid related absence, see below in nurse's notes. Either way, you must still call in their absence and provide a note to follow up. These are recorded as parent notes or doctor notes (if you obtain one).
> Busses/Car lines - With the increase in students, we anticipate car line to be longer - more patience will be required. I have communicated with WW Police as I know the PM can get stressful with cars honking, passing by, speeding, etc. - I plan to try ot be out to direct traffic as well. If you have nowhere in particular to be, your best bet is to come between 3:15 and 3:20 - for the most part, you will be in and out inside of 5-6 minutes. If you come at 3:05 or before, you will be waiting for anywhere from 5-10 minutes up to 25-30.
> Breakfast/Lunch is still offered at no cost to all students until the end of the school year.
> While our social distancing requirements have lessened to 3 feet, students will be placed more than 3 feet apart in all classrooms. 3 feet apart is not typical under normal circumstances (desks all too close for adults to pass through!)
> - Students will sit 6 feet apart, facing the same direction in the cafeteria.
> On nice days, we will be starting our AM recess time - Kids will be excited about this!
> For our experienced MCH families, we will be starting up our school wide expectations and acknowledgement system (dragon dollars) again.
Take a deep breath - with all of these changes, guess what? Your kids are doing awesome and they are learning!!! For those who need reassurance of this, do not hesitate to reach out to your child's teacher - we have that data!!!
Enjoy your weekend!
Dr. Cat
NURSE'S NOTES
COVID-Related Student Absence
If your child has to isolate or quarantine due to COVID symptoms and/or testing in your household, s/he may be eligible to learn remotely for that time. Please contact the principal or nurse, if your child is absent for this reason. If your child is unable to attend school due to other illness or is absent for other reasons, please contact your child's teacher to arrange for make-up of missed work. Please always contact attendance when your child is absent from school.
MCH Motophoto link
ARCHIVED PICTURES FROM MOTOPHOTO
Mary C. Howse Equity Team - UPDATE
Update - our team is reading "A Guide to Gender". Please never hesitate to reach out with questions, comments, feeling, stories or just wanting to chat!
WCASD Equity Mission:
Eradicate institutional racism and inequities through social justice, promoting the emotional development of staff and students, and embracing diverse perspectives.
WCASD Equity Goals:
- Teach an inclusive curriculum that teaches anti-racism, celebrates differences, promotes understanding, and seeks multiple perspectives.
- Promote a positive school climate in which students feel safe, respected, and appreciated.
- Provide on-going professional development to all staff in all aspects of equity.
- Engage staff, students, parents, and community members in our work.
- Provide equitable access to district programming.
At Mary C. Howse - we meet at least monthly and our members include - Rebecca McAllister, Jason Benfield, Jackie Pascale, Terrence Wright, Mike Murray, Shabree White, Danielle Donoghue, Kim Fallon, Rosemary McGeehin, Chelsey Hurd, Mary Tanue, Anne Noone, Yolanda Stanton, Steve Catrambone, Alyssa Cotellese and Tara Jackson.
Events such as our Black History Museum and Hearts for Heritage Night have evolved from this group. We have formed smaller subcommittees for parent outreach, beautification, professional development and our School Wide behavior program.
We will use these sections to keep everyone abreast of what is going on - we want to branch out for more parent involvement but this pandemic has slowed that down a bit so stay tuned! Of course, NEVER hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns - you can contact ANYONE from the above list - just use their "first initial" "last name" @wcasd.net - for example - rmcallister@wcasd.net
Health Care Workers cards
Many children created hand crafted notes of thanks with messages of kindness and gratitude for health care workers in our community. The notes were attached to baskets to our 5 Chester County emergency departments to acknowledge and thank them for their sacrifice and dedication in our community. These Care Baskets were full of healthy snacks, Hugs, Kisses, Lifesavers, cookies, and other treats. They were greatly appreciated by the people who received them. They sent this statement:
“I wish to extend my great appreciation for your efforts to get the cards made for the front line workers. My committee members LOVED them and delivered a few baskets yesterday and will do the rest today. The ones delivered yesterday were received with such joy! The touch of handmade notes by kids was a wonderful way to lift their spirits! Please let MCH know how much their work was enjoyed.”
Health Care Hero Baskets
Thank you basket!
Health Care Heroes with their baskets!
FROM YOUR GUIDANCE COUNSELOR
Positive Praise
Dear Ms.Rothemich,
You are awesome. Thank you so much for being a wonderful Teacher!!!! My daughter enjoyed learning with you and we are really going to miss you. We hope we can see you again. All the very best for your future endeavors!
Good Morning Dr. Alba,
Today is our daughter's last day of school. It's been a great experience with you this year. You are the best teacher a student could get. You have played a major role in shaping her into a responsible kid. I have stopped worrying about her.
You are an awesome teacher. I always admire you for the follow-ups and the commitment you have given. Thank you for all the hard work you put in during this remote learning process.
This email is not only for her last day of school I really mean it, Our respect and admiration for you cannot be expressed in words.
Stay safe and Healthy.
Thank you so much
Mrs. Keefe,
God bless your heart for teaching these sweet little souls. I thank you for all of your help. I would be lost without great teachers like you.
Hello Dr. Cat.,
I saw the off-center school sign when I dropped off the girls off at school today. It made me chuckle...then it made me think about what excellence really means. It doesn’t mean perfection. In fact, sometimes it means missing the mark, dusting yourself off and straightening the sign, only to watch it slowly tip off- center again. I know this is what the girls are learning at MCH. We are so lucky to have a principal and staff who are so committed, gracious and understanding during these formative years - not only toward the children, but toward us parents who are definitely striving for our own excellence. Happy Friday!
Good Morning Dr. Cat,
Today is the last day of our daughter going to Dr. Alba's class. It's been a great journey in MCH since kindergarten. Our daughter misses MCH and every one of you.
She has been redistricted to Exton elementary next year. She always says " I miss Dr. Cat" I personally thank every one of you for the support and the care.
GIRLS ON THE RUN!
Helping your 3rd, 4th or 5th grader
Helping your K, 1st or 2nd grade child.
Of course....sometimes they just need a really big HUG!
Tech Support for Parents and FAQs
See: https://www.wcasd.net/site/Default.aspx?PageID=13027
Technology News:
Please remember to Charge your child’s iPad every night.
Use this link if you are having technical difficultly at home, and your child’s teacher is unable to assist you.
https://www.iorad.com/help-center/75865?roleId=419
or email: MCHtech_support@wcasd.net
Tech Tip from our very own 4th grader, Nova A. How to split your screen on an ipad.
NEW STUDENT DISMISSAL CHANGE SOFTWARE PICKUP PATROL
Current Classroom Teachers
1st grade - Mrs. Kane (Ms. Braccia), Mrs. Conner and Mrs. Skalski
2nd grade - Ms. Forbes, Ms. Dougherty, Mrs. Seese and Mr. Jacobus
3rd grade - Ms. Cotellese, Mrs. Ross, and Dr. Alba
4th grade - Mrs. Pohlig, Ms. Verrichia, and Ms. Flynn
5th grade - Mrs. Powers, Mrs. Keefe and Mr. Raws
Cyber Kindergarten - Mrs. Hower, Mrs. Greaves
Cyber 1st grade - Mrs. McAllister
Cyber 2nd grade - Mrs. Sochacki, Mrs. Hoban (Ms. Rothemich)
Cyber 3rd grade - Mrs. Cheney
Cyber 5th grade - Mr. Fabian
Cyber Reading Specialist - Mrs. Donoghue
What is Working at Home? Feel free to email Dr. Cat and share!!!
> Take the time to research your Internet Providers parental controls!!! It is worth it!!!!
> Back to the old board games! My kids love them!!!
> Let them be more responsible and accountable - we met with our child's teacher and it was suggested to us to help/remind them to get on their zooms, but that was it! It was up to them to follow the directions and complete the assignments - just like as if they were in school!
OFFICE NOTES
Reminders from the office - please note as we get questions about the information listed:
SUPPLY PICKUP - If a teacher has requested that you pick up supplies at school, please stop by and get it as soon as you can. The supplies are in bins and boxes outside the building with the teachers names on each one. The office staff does not have anything to do with what is placed in the bins and if you have questions on what you received please email the teacher.
ABSENTEE HOTLINE - Please call 484-266-1310 and leave a message when you know your child will be absent from school or late. You can call the number at any time.
To all parents, guardians, and guests: You must come into the office to be checked in via the RAPTOR system with your driver’s license and receive a Visitor’s Badge prior to going anywhere in the building. Your license will be scanned in September and again in January. We appreciate your cooperation and assistance in helping to make and keep our school safe. Thank you for your cooperation.
ACTIVITY FEE - Just a reminder, there are no activity fees this year if your student will be participating in Chorus, Band, Orchestra (Honors as well), and After School Sports.
LUNCHES/LUNCH ACCOUNTS - Just a reminder that all students are entitled to a free lunch. If a student forgets a lunch, it is not necessary to bring lunch to school if you are not able to.
VACATION REQUESTS - When needing family vacation time, email Dr. Catrambone: Scatrambone@wcasd.net and cc: lpolito@wcasd.net with your request. Five days are allowed as excused absences for family vacation.
STUDENT CAR LINE - Drop off and pick up begins behind the school building. Please do not drop students off in the morning before 8:30 as supervision is not available. We ask that you do not exit your car during drop off or pick up. Also, please do not drive around the line unless directed to do so. Remember to be patient and courteous to one another in the car line. Please DO NOT ENTER the bus lane.
EARLY PICK UP - When needing an early dismissal, for any reason, please email Mrs. Duffy (Aduffy@wcasd.net), Mrs. Polito (Lpolito@wcasd.net) and your student's teacher. If someone other than yourself is picking up your student, include that in your email (name, relationship). They will be asked to show identification. Any afternoon pick-ups must be before 2:45.
Parent Resources
How to Help Kids Deal with School Closings and Cancelled Plans
Community Bulletin Board:
For activities offered around West Chester, see:
http://home.wcasd.net/pages/West_Chester_Area_SD/Community_Bulletin_Board/Other
Keeping in Touch
· Please bookmark our school website. This is where we post many updates, school newsletter, supply list, pictures and our parent/student handbook. It can be found at: https://www.wcasd.net/Domain/661
·
· Mary C. Howse Webpage - https://www.wcasd.net/Domain/661
o See MCH School Tour link in upper right hand corner
· Twitter – Follow - @MCH_Elem - you’ll receive updates once you are a follower.
· Youtube – Mary C. Howse – found here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCveR39XTwn8AgmiOVqA6GZA
· MCH PTO Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/mchpto/ - be sure to become a follower to receive updates when changes occur.
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
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.
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