WILDCAT BI-WEEKLY Newsletter
Come Together! September 24, 2021
Mr. McIntosh, Principal of Upper Allen Elementary
I had a few inquiries last week about our mitigation efforts in the cafeteria so I took a photo and used it for the newsletter background for you to see. All desks are 3-4 feet apart. Students wear their masks when out of their seats. So far, it seems to be working well.
Students continue to wear their masks while indoors and space themselves out (3 feet or more) whenever possible. In addition, students are provided frequent opportunities for hand washing and sanitizing.
Classroom Birthdays & Celebrations
Birthdays are important to children and we want them to be recognized on their special day. At Upper Allen Elementary student birthdays are acknowledged within the classroom. Student birthdays are also recognized on the morning announcements. While we value our students and feel it is important to recognize students on their special day, the recognition should not interrupt the instructional day. A short recognition is appropriate (Example: Singing Happy Birthday Song as part of morning meeting). Party celebrations are not appropriate (Example: Parent visitors, playing games during instructional time, watching a movie, etc.).
We know that children often like to bring in something to share with their classmates on their birthday. (These would also be appropriate gifts for teachers to give a student on their birthday.) Due to the large number of students with food allergies, we are asking that only non-food items be sent for birthday celebrations.
Some ideas include:
Stickers
Bookmarks
Pencils
Fun items found at the dollar store
Erasers
A donated book to the classroom in their honor
Food items or “treat bags” which contain food will be sent home with the student who brought them.
Fall Fest Celebrations October 28
This year the elementary buildings will forego Halloween activities in favor of more traditional fall-related festivities. There are many opportunities in our community for Halloween fun, and we believe a Fall Fest honors the inclusivity we desire for all students in all buildings.
Classrooms may plan an afternoon of Fall festivities on Thursday, October 28th including a party with food and activities. (This date was chosen because the following is a Student Alternative Schedule day)
We have held similar events in the past, but we will not wear costumes nor have a parade.
Parent visitors and/or volunteers may assist, at your discretion.
Halloween Activities in the 'Burg:
*Halloween Parade: October 12 @ 7:00 PM
*Mechanicsburg Streets of Treats: October 16 10AM - 2PM
*Trick - or -Treat
Mechanicsburg Borough: October 26 from 6-8:00 PM
Upper Allen: October 28 from 6:00 -8:00 PM
Important Dates- new dates added weekly
- Monday, September 27th Individual Student Picture Day
- Friday, October 8th Alternate Learning Day - Students will learn at home on this day.
- October 9th-11th Columbus Day Weekend - No School for Students
- Thursday, October 28th Classroom Fall Fest Parties (Teacher to Provide Details)
Mechanicsburg Elementary Weekend Food Bag Program
Mechanicsburg Area School District is privileged to offer a weekend food distribution program for families in need. The purpose of the program is to provide non-perishable, vitamin-fortified, and easy to prepare foods to children at times when school resources are not available, such as weekends and school vacations. Bags will include two breakfasts, two meals, and two snacks. The program is free of charge.
If your family is interested in receiving weekend food bags, please return the form below to Mrs. Padfield, school counselor (only one per family is needed).
Volunteers Needed:
We are in need of volunteers to pack food bags, and volunteers to pick the bags up from the Kindergarten Academy and deliver to Upper Allen. If you are interested in helping please contact Mrs. Padfield
Recycle for Sight
Paws for Applause!
Student Proudly Brings Paw Print to Office
Mrs. Padfield Reads Students' Paws for Applause Tickets on Morning Announcements!
Students Earn Paw Prints by Following the Wildcat Way!
Fall Parent Teacher Conferences
October 20th-29th, 2021
These conferences provide a great opportunity for teachers and families to meet to discuss student progress over the first few months of school. Your participation is essential, as you are truly your child's first teacher and you know them best!
You have the option this year of meeting your child's teacher face-to-face at Upper Allen OR virtually via Zoom. Either way, we appreciate your time. Please understand teachers can only schedule one conference per family, but can be a combination of face-to-face and virtual participation if needed.
Also, you may want to schedule a conference with your child's regular education teacher as well as any of our Fine and Applied Arts teachers (Music, PE, Art, Library). These educators have valuable insights about students outside the classroom setting and can be a good resource for additional information about your child.
CLICK HERE for all conference sign-ups!!!!!
Digital Access Library Cards for Free
Apply today!
Whether students are in school or learning remotely, all learners gain knowledge with the help
of library resources. Whether it's free wi-fi, loaning a hot spot, or one of our many databases we are here to help! Here's what you can get with your library card. Get access to reading material without leaving your home
eBooks on Overdrive.
TumbleBooks and other free e-books at cumberlandcountylibraries.org/ebooks4free.
*Trueflix: Award-winning, animated video storybooks paired with related
nonfiction eBooks to build a love of reading and learning. For
PreK – 3rd grade.
Use Tutor.com for homework help.
*Free Personalized Learning Sessions
Every Tutor.com session is personalized to meet the needs of your student, from remedial to advanced levels. It focuses on conceptual learning and critical thinking, not just quick answers.
*Safe and Anonymous
All tutors must pass a rigorous application process including an extensive background check. No personal information is shared between student and tutor. All work is completed in our recorded classroom.
Do research on GALE and the GALE app.
GALE is an e-resource collection of magazine articles and books that
provide an authoritative resource for research.
*Find a reliable research starting point *Browse over 300 age-appropriate topics *Search books, videos, and primary sources.
*Access at home, school, or on the go.
Click the link below which will allow students to receive a Digital Access library card that will provide them with access to e-books and databases, including Tutor.com
PTO News
We are so excited to start planning activities and events for the 2021-2022 school year. Be sure to follow us on Facebook at Upper Allen Elementary PTO to stay up to date on meetings and events.
The PTO is a great way to get involved in the school- Join us!
Around Our School
Gymnasts from Miss Kovach's Second Grade
How is Mrs. Potato Head Like Mrs. Padfield the Counselor?
Mouth for Kind Words
Mrs. Munkittrick Demonstrates Safely Navigating Playground Equipment
Upper Allen in the SPOTlight
Cheer Friday
Upper Allen in the Spotlight!
We are excited to be using the Little Spot series by Diane Alber. Each month as a school, we will focus on a different spot of feelings. This will be taught by Mrs. Padfield, our school counselor and reinforced by teachers during morning meetings, class time, and common area bulletin boards. Recently we read The Little Scribble Spot, by Diane Alber. This is a fun colorful story to help a child easily identify their emotions through color. One day Scribble SPOT isn't feeling very well, he is all tangled with emotions. He feels angry, happy, sad, peaceful, confident, and love all at the same time. A little boy and girl guide him through how to separate his emotions so they can be easily identified and managed. He becomes mindful of his feelings and becomes happy as a result. (Book summary from dianealber.com).
At school we have been sharing examples of how children and adults can get an overwhelmed feeling when they may have many emotions at one time. Being able to name the feelings so you can sort them out is a strategy to be able to self-regulate.
The World Expo at Upper Allen Elementary
One of the strengths of Upper Allen Elementary is the diversity of its students and families. It may surprise you to learn that the parents of Upper Allen students are native to over 15 different countries speaking at least 10 different languages! Students have grandparents or great grandparents who migrated from lands far away. In addition, many students have ancestors who have lived in the US for many generations and still retain some of the traditions native to a particular country. Having such a diverse student population helps our students to value and gain appreciation for others who may look, talk or dress differently from them or their family.
Do you think you might want to help out with the World Expo at Upper Allen? Watch for flyers later in the month and future newsletters for more information.
Click the link below to download the elementary student handbook
21-22 District Calendar
https://4.files.edl.io/1541/06/09/21/171737-527effa3-493e-47e4-b4ee-982b354d7894.pdf
Upper Allen Elementary School
A Learning Community
Inspired to Explore - Empowered to Innovate
Email: jmcintosh@mbgsd.org
Website: https://upperallen.mbgsd.org/
Location: 1790 South Market Street
Phone: (717)691-4594
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=upper%20allen%20elementary%20pto
Twitter: @jmcintosh_john