EPE Express

East Pennsboro Elementary School Newsletter

March 2023

Principal's Message

Greetings EPE Families,


Our new EPE Principal was approved by the EPASD Board of Directors on February 16th. Mr. Matthew Stern will assume the position on March 20, 2023. From now until then, Mr. Etter and I will work to show Mr. Stern the systems and processes here at EPE while introducing him to our students, staff, and families. We are excited to welcome Mr. Stern into the EPE community! Below is an introduction provided by Mr. Stern.



The Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) will begin in April. The schedule is below. Our 3rd and 5th grade students take the PSSA English/Language Arts (ELA) and Math assessments. Our 4th grade students take the PSSA ELA, Math, and Science assessments.


ELA:

Tuesday, April 25, 2023

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Thursday, April 27, 2023


Math:

Tuesday, May 2, 2023

Wednesday, May 3, 2023


Science (4th grade only):

Thursday, May 4, 2023

Friday, May 5, 2023


We have a short make up window (the week of May 8) for any student who is not present during the PSSA assessments. Please avoid any educational trip requests during the PSSA assessments if at all possible.


As always, if there is ever a question or concern, please do not hesitate to reach out to us here at EPE.


With Gratitude,


Rich Tysarczyk

EPE Principal

rtysarczyk@epasd.org

717-732-0441


Dan Etter

EPE Assistant Principal

EPASD Athletic Director

detter@epasd.org


Matt Stern

Incoming EPE Principal

mstern@epasd.org

Introduction from new EPE Principal, Mr. Stern

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Elementary BINGO Night at EPE!!

Scan the QR code below to register for a session of Family Bingo!
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2022-2023 EPE Yearbook Order Information

The 2022-2023 Yearbook can be ordered online until March 30th. Please go to the website:


http://ybpay.com


and use the ID Code: 9493923. The Yearbook is $16.


If there are any questions, please contact Mrs. Wadlinger, EPE Secretary and Yearbook Advisor.

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Science Explorers Registration Information

Science Explorers is an after school science club open to 1st through 5th grade students. The club meets once per week starting after Thanksgiving and runs through the end of the school year. Each club is 4 sessions and has a fee of $99 per student. We do cap the clubs at 15 students.


The following clubs will be offered this year at EPE:


Topic: (week of 3/20)

Marine Biology Mania (Jr.)

Dates: 3/21, 3/28, 4/4, 4/11

Make-Up: 4/18 (If needed)


Topic: (week of 4/24)

Marvelous Machines

Dates: 4/25, 5/2, 5/9, (5/16 no school) 5/23


Registration information can be found at

https://scienceexplorers-registration.com/registration/?s=55&z=&r=10&l=363

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Nominate an EPE Staff Member With Our "Panther Spotlight" Form

If you have something amazing to share about an EPE staff member, please consider doing so using the following short form:


https://forms.gle/f13ZhDceewQp42wX8


We appreciate the feedback and may share it in future newsletters.


Check out this amazing commendation regarding 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. Staub:

Mrs. Staub has worked very hard with my son this year I’m very appreciative of all of the hard work and dedication that she has done for him and how much she has taught him. She’s an amazing teacher and she should be recognized!

EPE Spelling Bee

During the month of February, EPE held a K-5 Spelling Bee, one competition for each grade level. We are so proud of all of our participants! Our student audience also did a great job cheering each student on! The Spelling Bee Championships will be held on April 11th for the finalists in grades 3, 4, and 5 and on April 13th for the finalists in grades K, 1, and 2.
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EPE Core Value Awards

These EPE students exhibited our core values during the month of November!
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National School Counseling Week

With National School Counseling Week during the month of February, we would like to recognize Mrs. Goins and Mrs. Fox (with our facility dog, Guilder) for all they do for students, families, and staff! Fun Fact - Mrs. Fox has been EPE Counselor since it opened in 1993!
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EPE Happenings!

Check out these great photos around EPE!

EPE Core Value Spirit Day!

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EPASD Elementary PTO Meeting Dates

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East Pennsboro Community Information:

PANTHER PROWL!

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Panther Pack

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Sports Leagues

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Become a Substitute Teacher at East Pennsboro!

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Become a Guest Teacher!

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Now Hiring: EPASD Bus and Van Drivers

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Junior Achievement Lessons

We sincerely appreciate our community and parent volunteers who take their time to come into our school to teach the Junior Achievement program in our classrooms. If you may be interested in becoming a JA volunteer, please take a look at the link below find out what each grade level program covers at the elementary level:


https://www.flipsnack.com/jainspire/joanne-volunteer-overview-classroom-programs/full-view.html


If you are interested in becoming a JA volunteer at EPE, please contact Tammy Meisenhelter at tmeisenehlter@jascpa.org.

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Weis4School Program Information

Please link your Weis Shoppers Club Card to EPE to help us fund supplies for our school. See the informational flyer below.
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General EPE Information:

Lunch Menus

EPASD Lunch Menus can be accessed here.

My School Bucks Website (School Lunch Payments)

School Lunches are $2.70 this school year. The federal grant has not been reissued for free school lunches for the 2022-2023 school year. For any families that meet Free and Reduced Meal (FARM) requirements, an application form will need completed.

EPE Facebook Page

Please stay connected to EPE at our official Facebook Page. Our most up to date information is posted here, first!

Change in Routine Procedures

The classroom teachers follow routine dismissal procedures daily. Changes in those routines

should be for urgent reasons and must be accompanied by a Change of Routine Notice or a

written parental notice requesting such a change. All student verbal requests for such changes will be denied without written notice or a phone call from a parent/guardian. Seesaw messages, text messages, and emails will not be accepted during the school day of a change of routine. Please have these requests into the school ahead of time so we can ensure students are where they need to be for a safe and secure dismissal.

EPASD Change in Routine Form

The EPASD Change of Routine Notice can be found at this link.

EPASD Attendance Procedures

EPE accepts attendance notifications (excuse cards, absence notes, etc.) via email. Parents can email epesattendance@epasd.org as a means of reporting your child’s absence. Paper notes will still be accepted as well. Reminder that all excuse notifications are required to be submitted within three school days of your child’s absences.


Excused Absences:

When a child is enrolled in the district’s educational program, the student is subject to the

Pennsylvania State Attendance Laws. The Board considers the following conditions to constitute an excused absence from school:

1. Illness

2. Quarantine

3. Student required court attendance

4. Prearranged doctor and dentist appointment for time of appointment and appropriate travel time only

5. Authorized school activities

6. Pre-approved educational tours and trips, not school sponsored

7. Other urgent reasons, including funerals, that apply to the child and approved by the building administrator


Parents/guardians are expected to telephone the school when students are absent for any reason. In addition, a written excuse from a parent/guardian is required for each absence.


Unexcused Absences:

An unexcused absence shall be defined as:

• Absence from school with parent/guardian consent for reasons other than those considered

excusable.

• Leaving school during school hours without permission from the administrator.

• Absence from school without knowledge/permission of parent/guardian (truancy).

• Absence from school without knowledge/permission of school authorities.

• Absences from school without written parental excuse submitted within 3 school days of the absence.


Please refer to the Elementary Student Handbook to review more specific information about our attendance policies. Contact our school office if you have any questions about our attendance policies or procedures.



Automated Absence Alert:

The Automated Absence Alert system was implemented to inform parents when their students are absent from school. If/when your student is absent or does not report to their classroom they are recorded as absent. When the daily attendance is submitted electronically, an automated message will be sent to a phone identified by the parent/guardian. This call will normally occur by approximately 10:00 am. Should you have questions or concerns you may contact the attendance secretary by calling: East Pennsboro Elementary School (EPE), (717) 732-0441.

Car Rider Procedures

School Buses:

School buses will queue at the rear of the school building, behind the new addition for arrival and departure.


Car Riders:

Cars for parent drop off and pick up will queue in front of the school. Please pull up to the stop sign rather than stopping midway through the loop to unload. In the afternoon, parents must have their name hanger tags visible for student pickup. Students may only be dropped off or picked up within the “loading zone” that will be marked in the front of the school - approximately the first ten cars at a time. Parents may not park in the parking lot and walk up to the loop attendant. Please stay in your car at all times. Please review the map below of the car rider loop.


For any family that chooses to utilize the EPE Drop-Off and Pick-Up loop, please follow the specific instructions below. In order for this process to run smoothly, it takes each family to do their part by doing the following:


A) Have your name hanger visible on the rearview mirror

B) Stay all the way to the right on the hill coming up from Panther Parkway (This allows school vans, staff vehicles, and buses to move freely as needed)

C) Stay to the left of the cones in the loop area

D) Pull all the way to the Stop sign where the "Parent drop off/pick up" sign is located

E) Stay in your car at all times

F) Be Patient - We get quicker as we get to know the students and families

G) Morning Drop off runs from 8:25 - 8:50 AM

H) Parent Pick up runs from 3:20 - 3:40 PM

I) Do not bypass the drop off/pick up loop by parking in the parking lot and letting your child in or out from the parking lot.

J) Do not pass other cars waiting in the car rider line.


School Vans:

School vans will utilize the small loop near the baseball fields for arrival and dismissal. No cars should be in this loop.


Times:

Parent drop-off begins at 8:25 AM. Students must be in the building by 8:50 AM.

Bus Dismissal and Parent pick up times run from 3:20-3:40 PM.


We certainly appreciate your understanding and flexibility as we ensure a safe and orderly process for each student. We continue to recommend that you send your EPE students to and from school on our school buses.

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Create a Sapphire Parent Portal!

Please create a Sapphire Parent Portal account. There are several benefits to creating a parent portal account:


  • You can access your child's report cards when they are published
  • You can keep track of your child's attendance
  • You will be able to receive important notifications about your child


To create a parent portal account:


  • Go to our website www.epasd.org
  • Hover over the "Students" tab
  • Click "Sapphire Community Web Portal"
  • Click "Create a Web Portal Account"
  • Follow the remaining on screen instructions to enter your information.


If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Wadlinger at pwadlinger@epasd.org. She would be happy to help!

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2022-2023 School Year Calendar

Click the link below for the 2022-2023 School Year Calendar:


https://4.files.edl.io/ebf1/01/07/22/164517-1789e60a-f841-4fe4-be5a-eaa6cc508e52.pdf

Important Dates

March 2023:


2 - Read Across America Day

2 - Bus Evacuation Drills


10 - PTO Bingo Night @ EPE - SEE FLYER QR CODE TO REGISTER


13 - No School For Students


14 - PTO Meeting 7:00 PM @ EPE


16 - School Board Meeting 7:00 PM @ EPE


23 - End of Marking Period 3

23 - EPE Spring Picture Day


30 - Report Cards Issued

30 - School Board Meeting 7:00 PM @ EPE

Please see our previous newsletters: