Dragon Blast
Mary C. Howse Elementary School
From the Principal
Dear MCH Parents:
I call this the "Final Lap" - if you have ever watched NASCAR, you know that the last stretch can be a bit crazy! I urge you to head the other direction - stay calm and relaxed (easier said than done).
We wrapped up our PSSAs and our student did another excellent job - I do not need to see the scores to say that! I saw their hard work each and every day. This month brings field trips and class events - therefore, we will be welcoming many involved parents to our building. Please be prepared. For starters, I would plan to be here 15 minutes sooner than needed due to parking. Second, be sure you have your driver's license ready. Lastly, if you are chaperoning, be sure we have your clearances on file here.
Please, please, please remember that school arrival should be by 8:55 or sooner. Again, if you are driving, plan to be here 15 minutes sooner. If you are, your son/daughter gets to spend some outdoor time with their friends. There is only one other elementary school (out of 10) that has morning recess time for their students! Take advantage of this!
Thank you to those who have recognized our teachers this week. Also, our PTO and teachers recognized our wonderful paraprofessionals and other support staff a few weeks back. Lastly, if you see a volunteer or one of our PTO board members, give them a high five! Look for more information on a celebration for our volunteers coming soon!
Dr. Cat
Announcements and Reminders
- Car line ENDS at 8:55 AM this year. Please make every effort to get your child to school before then. We have seen such an improvement thus far.
NO SCHOOL: Tuesday, May 21st - In-Service Day
NO SCHOOL: Monday, May 27th for Memorial Day
KINDERGARTEN KICKSTART!
Are you looking for a summer camp opportunity for your preschooler? WCASD has partnered with Chester County Night School to offer a one week or two week camp called Kindergarten Kickstart for students who will enter kindergarten this fall.
The program will be taught by WCASD teachers and aims to provide children with a smooth and positive transition to school. It will be held at Penn Wood Elementary School from July 8-19. Choose a morning or afternoon three-hour session.
A description of the CHECK program can be found at www.chestercountynightschool.org. You can register there, too! If you have a 1st or 2nd grade child, check out the Reader’s or Writer’s Workshop on the same Chester County Night School website.
For more information, see the attached poster. Poster.pdf
LYME’S DISEASE AWARENESS
Dear MCH Parents, Families & Staff:
This is a brief note from Dr. Yolanda Stanton-MCH School Psychologist and Becki Monte Physical Education teacher, to inform you that we are collaborating on a school project to increase awareness regarding Lyme’s Disease & Prevention. We have chosen May - Lyme’s Disease Awareness month - to deliver brief presentations to student’s grades 3 - 5 in their physical education classes.
Our mission is to increase awareness about and prevention of Lyme’s Disease. We will be teaching students several aspects of prevention such as how to identify a tick, how to dress appropriately, and how to remove ticks. These skills will be useful as the weather begins to get warmer and our students are playing outside, attending field trips, and going on vacations.
Please look for our display in the main lobby during the month of May! Also, attached is a tick card with brief instructions for parents on how to remove a tick. We hope that this will help both you and your children in understanding more about Lyme’s Disease & Prevention.
Thank you and Happy Spring!
Yolanda Stanton – School Psychologist & Becki Monte – Physical Education
FROM THE NURSES OFFICE
Check out Healthy Tips for Spring from the MCH Nursing Office News Website:
https://sites.google.com/wcasd.net/nursing-office-news/health-update
SUMMER ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES!
The West Chester Area School District is pleased to announce a partnership with the Chester County Night School to offer more than 20 summer enrichment opportunities for students. Please take a moment to review the variety of activities offered for one to two weeks this July. All classes are taught by certified WCASD teachers in our schools.
- What: Exciting, fun, and affordable summer classes covering lots of subjects!
- Where: Most classes are at Rustin High School. Some classes for younger students are at Penn Wood Elementary.
- When: July 8-19 (one week and two week sessions available)
- Who: Any student from pre-school to high school from any school. This is NOT restricted to WCASD students. Parochial, private, and students from other districts are more than welcome.Taught by WCASD certified teachers.
- How: For class descriptions and to register, go to: https://chestercountynightschool.org/ShowSchedule.awp?&Mode=GROUP&Group=CHECK&Title=Kids%27+Summer+Camp+Enrichment+(CHECK)
If your child is taking a morning and an afternoon class, inquire about lunch bunch opportunities by contacting Leslie@chestercountynightschool.org.
If you have questions about the classes or teachers, contact Linda Mangold at lmangold@wcasd.net.
Cooking
Orchestra – Elem & Middle
Band – Elem & Middle
A Cappella Singing
Robotics & Coding
Readers & Writers Workshop
Kindergarten Kickstart
Art
Irish Dance
POSTIVE PRAISE
Hi Dr. Cat,
I just wanted to say how much I love Mrs. Hower's use of SeeSaw! It's such a fantastic way to be connected and to see a slice of their life in the classroom!!
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.
Parent Resources
Community Bulletin Board:
For activities offered around West Chester, see:
http://home.wcasd.net/pages/West_Chester_Area_SD/Community_Bulletin_Board/Other
Articles to consider:
Should we still give grades?
Are letter grades failing our students?
- http://neatoday.org/2015/08/19/are-letter-grades-failing-our-students/
Allowing students redos and retakes: http://wp.vcu.edu/hhughesdecatur/files/2012/08/Wormeli_Redos-and-Retakes-.pdf
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
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