Broad Street Newsletter
October 2023
A message from Ms. Alexander, Principal
As we shift into October we are approaching the mid point of our first trimester. Next week you will receive information on how to sign-up for a conference with your child's teacher to discuss their progress toward grade level goals and the approaches to learning as outlined on the report cards.
Conferences will be held as face-to-face meetings which will allow teachers to share work samples and other evidence of your child's progress.
Zoom can be accommodated if necessary. Either way, we appreciate your time.
In addition, teachers can schedule one conference per family, but the conference can be a combination of face-to-face and virtual participation if needed.
In addition to meeting with your child's regular education teacher consider setting up a time to meet with the Fine and Applied Arts teachers (Music, PE, Art, Library). These educators have valuable insights about students beyond the classroom setting and can be a good resource for additional information about your child.
I look forward to seeing you on October 25 or October 27!
Important Dates
October:
- Tuesday, October 3 - Chalk the Walk 3:30 - 5:30 (see below)
- Wednesday, October 4 - Walk to School Day
- Wednesday, October 4 - 1st Grade Field Trip - Environmental Center
- Friday, October 6 - NO SCHOOL - Act 80 Day
- Monday, October 9 - NO SCHOOL - Columbus Day Recess
- Tuesday, October 10 - 2nd Grade Field Trip - Environmental Center
- Thursday, October 19 - Unity Day - Wear Orange
- Wednesday, October 25 - Parent/Teacher Conferences 3:00 - 7:30
- Thursday, October 26 - Fall Fest (see below)
- Thursday, October 26 - PTO Sub Sale orders with payment DUE
- Friday, October 27 - NO SCHOOL - Act 80 Day (Parent/Teacher Conferences)
November:
- Thursday, November 2 - Broad Street Community Dinner 5:00 - 6:30
- Monday, November 6 - NO SCHOOL - Professional Development Day
- Tuesday, November 7 - PTO Meeting @ 6:30 in the Library
- Thursday, November 9 - PTO Sub Sale - Pick up orders between 3:30 - 5:30 in the Broad Street Lobby.
- Wednesday, November 15 - Lifetouch picture day
- Wednesday, November 22 - NO SCHOOL - Contracted In-Service Day
- Thursday, November 23 - Monday, November 27 - NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Recess
- Wednesday, November 29 - End of Trimester 1
December:
- Thursday, December 7 - Elementary Progress Reports sent home
- Friday, December 22 - Sunday, December 31 - NO SCHOOL - Winter Recess
January:
- Monday, January 1 - NO SCHOOL - Winter Recess
- Tuesday, January 2 - NO SCHOOL - Contracted In-Service
- Wednesday, January 10 - Lifetouch picture retakes
- Monday, January 15 - NO SCHOOL - Martin Luther King Recess
- Tuesday, January 16 - NO SCHOOL - Act 80 Day
FALL FEST CLASSROOM CELEBRATIONS
This year, all K-3 buildings are planning to hold a Fall Fest on October 26th. While we will celebrate the season with a class party and fall-related activities, we will not be wearing costumes. For those looking for opportunities to dress-up in our community we encourage you to check-out these community events:
- CANCELLED: Halloween Parade: October 10
- Mechanicsburg Streets of Treats: October 21 10AM - 2PM
- Mechanicsburg Borough: October 31 from 6-8:00 PM (no rain date)
- Upper Allen: October 26 from 6:00 -8:00 PM; rain date: Saturday, October 28th, 4-6pm
Attendance
Phone - 717-691-4574 or email: broadstreetoffice@mbgsd.org
Note: Illness, Quarantine and Death in the immediate family are the only excuses accepted by the state. A doctor’s excuse must be submitted for an absence of five (5) or more school days.
Emergency Drill Notice
MASD schools practice secure in place and/or lockdown procedures when conducting a security drill. Schools are required to conduct one emergency drill within the first 90 calendar days of the school year in place of a fire drill and a second security drill during the second semester.
Broad Street Elementary will be conducting emergency drills following these guidelines throughout the year. If you have specific questions about these drills, please consult the student handbook.
Volunteers
Need to complete the volunteer requirements? All of this information can be found on our website
Sooner rather than later, sometimes it take a while to complete. :)
Counselor Corner
Lessons
My whole class lessons for October will focus on bullying prevention and how to encourage students to follow our school norms of CATS - communicate with respect, achieve personal goals, tackle challenges, and serve others. If we can encourage students to engage in perspective-taking then they are more likely to be successful when it comes to developing healthy relationships. We will be using this stoplight visual as a way to help students think about the steps involved in making positive choices.
Groups
I have started my small counseling groups for students. The topics for these first few months will include self-control, friendship skills, and being successful at school. Some groups will be offered during lunch and others will be offered during morning meeting time. I have included a letter that outlines what can be expected in each group.
Feedback
Here is a GoogleForm to provide feedback for my school counseling program so I can make it fit the needs of your students: https://forms.gle/nYQQTYF5AJ2W5Fad7
As always, please feel free to reach out with questions!
Unity Day
- Communicating with respect
- The Bully Poster
- The word Unity and it's meaning => coming together, getting along, respecting each other
- Friendship
If You Need Support with Food
News from the Health Room - Mrs. Henson & Mrs. Klienfelter
Some friendly reminders from the Health Room at Broad Street Elementary:
- The weather is getting colder; please have your student dress warmly, as students will be outdoors for recess daily. If you need assistance with winter clothing needs, please reach out to the school nurse or counselor.
- Third graders are required to submit a dental form. The forms can be found on the MASD website – District Services – Health Services – Health Forms or send in proof of dental visit. We can accept dental visits, up to one year prior.
- Do you need help finding a dental provider for your student? We work with several local agencies, along with the Mobile Dentist, to ensure our students regularly see a dentist. If you need help getting this appointment for your student, please contact Cerissa Kleinfelter, School Nurse at 717-691-4576 ext. 5105.
- Students should stay home for a fever of 100.4 degrees or greater. The student can return to school after he/she has been fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication such as Tylenol or Motrin. Therefore, if a student is sent home from school with a fever, they may not return the next day.
- A child with vomiting/diarrhea should stay home and return to school only after being symptom free for 24 hours.
Broad Street PTO
Mark your calendars:
- PTO Meetings:
- November 7 and March 5.
- All meetings will start at 6:30 p.m. and will be held in the Broad Street Library
Walk to School Day - October 4
Walk to School Day is an annual tradition here at Broad Street. This year, in addition to celebrating Walk to School Day, we are hoping to promote overall health and wellness through our planned activities.
This year's celebration will include:
- Chalk the Walk - Families are encouraged to decorate their sidewalks with drawings and/or encouraging messages. Alternately, you can join the PTO to chalk the Broad Street sidewalks on Tues, Oct 3 from 3:30 - 5:30 (we will have chalk onsite).
- Spirit Day - Students are encouraged to show their school spirit by wearing their Mechanicsburg Strong t-shirts, maroon & steel, or other Wildcat apparel.
- Obstacle Course - Students will be able to enjoy a chalk obstacle course on the playground during recess.
- Crossing Guard Appreciation - Students will make cards of appreciation for the crossing guards.
PTO Hospitality - October
Broad Street PTO is excited to organize the first teacher hospitality event of the school year! We will be organizing a luncheon for the teachers and staff to keep them energized and nourished through Parent-Teacher Conferences. Love to cook or shop? Sign up to bring a soup, salad, or fixings. Love to volunteer? Sign up to set up or clean up (must have volunteer clearances completed).
Sign up link is at: https://ttsu.me/broadstoct2023 or scan the QR Code
PTO R&K Sub Sale
Hi Broad Street Families,
You are invited to participate in an R&K Sub sale. This fundraiser benefits the Broad Street
PTO. All funds raised will go towards sponsoring field trips and special activities and events for students.
- Orders Due: Please return this order form and money in your student’s folder by Thursday, October 26.
- Payment: Payment must be collected up front when you take orders, in the form of cash or checks. Checks should be made out to MAPTO.
- Delivery Pick up: Subs and sandwiches will be available to pick up at Broad Street in the lobby on Thursday, November 9, between 3:30-5:30PM.
This is an optional fundraiser.
Thank you for helping to make Broad Street a wonderful community!
Hard copies of the order form will be going home today! Check your child's backpack
Questions? Please contact: Beth Martini
717-586-8571
MAPTO Fundraiser
All donations are tax deductible and will go directly towards funding field trip opportunities for K-5 students.
The deadline has been extended through October 31.
Click this LINK to donate online or donations can be accepted via cash or check (payable to MAPTO) by sending them in marked 'MAPTO fundraiser'.
MAPTO Spirit Wear Store
The MAPTO Spirit Wear Store is OPEN!
There are a wide variety of items with the traditional logo, new logos, and the Mechanicsburg Strong Logo. The full store will be open until the end of October and orders will be fulfilled in 7 to 10 days, with a variety of delivery options.