South Lebanon Elementary
November 2023
Principal's Spotlight
Dear South Lebanon Families,
October has been a busy month at South Lebanon Elementary. We held our first SOAR Day of the year on October 20. Students were reunited with their SOAR groups from last year and were able to meet a few new group members as well. These groups are an excellent way for students to make connections across grade levels and with other adults in the building. Our focus in our SOAR groups this year is all about building connections through our school community. Our SOAR program continues to expand. This year we've added classroom rewards so that our students can work collaboratively with their homerooms to win a class reward. Some of the rewards include lunch with the teacher, lunch with the principal, extra recess, or a special board game day. To win a class reward, the classes earn a falcon to hang on their SOAR sign outside of their classroom door. When the class earns four falcons, the class earns a prize.
In addition to SOAR Day, our students also participated in Red Ribbon Week. We kicked off the week with an assembly put on by Boston Backert, a magician and acrobat with Tourette's Syndrome. Boston gave the students a powerful message about focusing on the things they can do instead of the things they can't do as a way to overcome obstacles. The students absolutely loved the assembly!
In closing, we have already reached the end of the first marking period. Now that we have reached the end of the marking period, we are quickly approaching parent/teacher conferences. If you have not made an appointment, please reach out to the office or to your child's teacher to make an appointment. Conferences will be held on Monday, November 20 from 2:00-9:00 PM and on Tuesday, November 21 from 8:00-3:00 PM. The last day of school for students prior to Thanksgiving break will be Friday, November 17. Thanksgiving vacation will be from November 20-November 27. Please mark your calendars for these important events.
To follow the events that are happening at South Lebanon, you can check out our School Story on Class Dojo.
Mrs. Lebo, Dean of Students
Over the last two months, students and staff at our elementary schools have been busy! Important routines have been established, a new reading program has been implemented, successful fundraising events have taken place, and spirit weeks and character trait assemblies are under way! While every elementary school has its own vibe, they all exhibit a unified excitement, diligence, and dedication toward learning!
To catch some of the highlights happening in our elementary schools, feel free to follow @mrsleboclsd on Instagram. If there are activities, special days, or events happening in/around your school, please let me know so I can capture the action!
Lastly, please review the important Elementary District-Provided Transportation Letter with your child(ren) that was emailed on October 25, to ensure our buses/vans are a safe method of transportation for our students. Remember, the use of district transportation is a privilege, not a right, and at any time students found to be in misconduct may be subject to school consequences without warning and have this privilege revoked.
Thanks for your cooperation and support!
Picture Retake Day
Fall picture retake day will be held on Monday, November 13th. If your child was absent during the original picture day (Monday, October 2nd) or if they are new to our school since then, they will be able to get their picture retaken as well. Please note, any child that is a PM kindergarten student that needs their picture retaken will have to be brought to school in the morning as retakes will only take place in the morning on 11/13, from 9:15 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
Book Fair
SAVE THE DATE!
Be sure to visit our first District-Wide MEGA Book Fair, being held November 20th from 12:00-8:30 PM and November 21st from 8:30 AM-4:00 PM at the Cedar Crest Middle School Cafeteria. This book fair will be open to all CLSD students, families and the general public. A huge variety of books and other items will be available from the Books a Million (BAM) company. It’s a great opportunity to get some holiday shopping done and a portion of the proceeds benefits our CLSD libraries, including South Lebanon. Hope to see you there!
PTP News
South Lebanon PTP Happenings
Wow! Late fall is such a busy time for our South Lebanon PTP. Our volunteers are busy helping with vision screening, height and weight checks, planning the teachers’ conference dinner, and the Santa Shop. Below you’ll find updates on PTP events.
Race for Education
This year’s RACE was awesome! A great time was had by both students and staff! Thank you so much to all the volunteers that made this fundraiser and fun day possible! We are proud to announce we exceeded our goal! All thanks to the students, staff and parents’ dedication!
Conference Dinner
Each year, PTP volunteers donate dishes for a meal for the teachers during their long night of parent-teacher conferences. This will take place on Monday, November 20. If you are interested in donating a dish, please sign-up using the Signup Genius link provided.
Santa Shop
The 2023 Santa Shop will be Wednesday, November 29, Thursday, November 30 and Friday, December 1st. Volunteers are needed for shopping days! You can choose a morning or afternoon shift or all day. The morning shift is 9:10am-12:40pm and the afternoon shift is 12:10-3:40pm. All Day would be 9:10-3:40. At this time, we do NOT have the class shopping schedule so we cannot tell you when your child will shop. It does however take many volunteers to help the kids shop and keep the classes on schedule, so feel free to volunteer for as much time as you can. *Volunteers must have clearances and be registered to volunteer through the district.
If you are interested in helping, please use this link: Santa Shop Volunteer Sign Up
Any questions can be directed to Charlotte Badger at parrottbadger@gmail.com.
Thanks for volunteering! The kids really enjoy shopping for their families!
PTP Meeting
The next PTP meeting is Wednesday, November 8th at 6:30 in the library. Childcare will be provided by our high school volunteers. See you there!
Important PTP Links:
PTP Volunteers:
Directions on how to use the new Box Tops app:
Click here to learn how to use the Box Tops App
District Volunteer Information:
If you have any questions, please email the PTP at ptp.southlebanon@gmail.com! 😊
Shine At Nine
Did you know that South Lebanon has its very own morning news show called, Shine at 9? Every school day, a group of students broadcast the most important news that the school community needs to know. The students run the entire operation from behind-the-scenes to being the news anchors. If you’re interested in watching Shine at 9, you can go to our YouTube Channel, SL Announcements, at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP7FiASjABdEhUvxTIfme-g. Make sure you subscribe in the upper right hand corner!
Nurse's Office
State mandated dental exam forms for grades K and 3 and physicals forms for grade K are due. If you have not turned your child’s dental or physical forms in to the nurse's office please send them in ASAP.
School physical and school dental exam dates will be determined at a later time and notification will be sent to the parent of the student in need of dental and physical requirement.
Please call the nurse's office with any questions.
Thank you,
Mrs. Kline
Physical Education News
Please be sure to have your child wear sneakers (preferably with laces or velcro) on days that they have Physical Education (PE) class. It is SUPER important for their safety.
- Please try to avoid having your child wear any of the following to PE: crocs, clogs, sandals, flip flops, wheelies, dress shoes, boots, keens, wedges, slides, hey dudes or boat shoes.
*If you do not know when they have PE class reach out to their teacher or Mrs. Houtz (PE teacher)
Are you interested in Volunteering at Physical Education Events?
If you are interested in helping to volunteer for Kids Heart Challenge in February 2024 and/or South Lebanon Field Day in May 2024. Please make sure you complete the necessary paperwork to be a Volunteer in our District. See Volunteer Information on the Community tab on the www.clsd.k12.pa.us website for more information on being a volunteer.
STEM Materials Needed!
Hello from the STEM lab! As we make the transition from a technology special to a STEM special, we are in need of some supplies. I have placed a donation box outside the lab for easy collection.
Your help is greatly appreciated!
Mrs. Cavic
Materials List
Empty toilet paper rolls
Empty paper towel rolls
2 liter or 20 oz. soda bottle caps
CD’s
Bird seed
Peanut butter
Mini Marshmallows
Toothpicks
Balloons
Q-tips
Marbles
Straws
News from Mr. Leal
Thank you for your support this school year. November is here and that means that the end of the first marking period is fast approaching and the holidays will soon be here. With all the holiday programs and excitement planned for our students, they need to stay focused on studies and behavior.
Our counseling department is planning several activities as well. We plan to start our group meetings in early November. The permission slips were sent out for groups that will focus on social skills, emotional regulation, and social skills for our Spanish population.
New this year is a computer-based program called Smart Futures. This program focuses on students’ perceptions of money, careers, education and life-choices. With that stated, our third-grade class is having their first career day in January. Our guest speakers are from the military, Hersheypark, an agricultural conservationist and a veterinarian from Hawk Mountain Sanctuary.
We are planning other events for our students and will keep you posted in our monthly newsletter. Thank you and have a great holiday season.
Warm regards,
Mr. Leal
2 Hour Delay Modified Kindergarten Schedule
When there is inclement weather and school is delayed for two hours, a modified kindergarten plan will be in effect. This means morning kindergarten will attend school two hours later, from 11:10 a.m.-12:45 p.m. The afternoon kindergartners will be picked up at their bus stops approximately one hour later than normal and will be in school from 2:05 p.m.-3:40 p.m.
November Lunch Menu
District News and Information
From the District Office:
1) Cedar Crest Middle School Performing Arts presents three performances of its fall play, “Elf, Jr.,”: Nov. 9, 10 & 11 in the CCMS Auditorium. Thursday, November 9 is Elementary Night, 6 PM – Cast B; Friday, Nov. 10, 7 PM – Cast A; Saturday, Nov. 11: 3 PM – Cast A … and, 7 PM – Cast B. All Seats are reserved. Tickets are available online at www.showtix4u.com/event-details/75250. Prices are: Students, K-grade 12, $7; Adults, $12; CLSD senior citizens who present their CLSD Gold Card, FREE. Any questions, please email: kglassford@clsd.k12.pa.us.
2) Cedar Crest High School presents its Fall Play, "Romeo and Juliet": November 16-18, 7 PM, CCHS Auditorium. This show will be performed "in the round," a more traditional Shakespearean style - meaning the audience and actors will be together on the stage! Seating is limited, so be sure to grab your general admission ticket early! Ticket prices are Students, $12; Adults, $15; CLSD Gold Card holders who present their card, FREE. Tickets are available online: https://www.showtix4u.com/events/cedarcresthighschool
3) Thank an Educator This Holiday Season!: Recognize your student’s special teachers, staff members, or coaches with a Certificate of Appreciation by donating to the Falcon Foundation through the “Thank an Educator” program. Make a donation in any amount of your choosing by Friday, Dec. 8, 2023, for certificate delivery the week of December 11. Visit www.clsd.pa.us and select Falcon Foundation under the COMMUNITY tab menu.
4) The next regular meeting of the CLSD Board of School Directors is Monday, Nov. 20, 2023, 5:30 p.m., in the large group instruction room (LGI) at the high school. A work session will be held Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, 5:30 p.m., in the same location. Both meetings are open to the public. Meetings also are live streamed. Visit to watch the live stream, or to register to attend the next meeting, visit: https://www.clsd.k12.pa.us/cornwall-lebanon-school-district/our-district/school-board/live-stream-board-meeting/
5) Free Holiday Breakfast Concert for District Residents age 65+: Ticket order forms for the annual Holiday Breakfast Concert will be available the first week in November for District residents age 65 or older. A person under age 65 may attend only if accompanying his or her spouse who meets the age requirement. A maximum of two free tickets may be requested per form. Order forms are available in these locations:
· at any District school building office
· on the District website in the News section and under the COMMUNITY tab –>Activities & Events: www.clsd.k12.pa.us
Bring the completed ticket order form to the rear of the middle school on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023. Ticket distribution will begin at 1 PM, and continue until either all 400 tickets have been distributed, or until 1:30 PM. Senior citizens will not need to leave their car to exchange their order form for a ticket. After the ticket distribution date and time, any tickets that remain may be picked up at the District office, 105 E. Evergreen Rd. The Breakfast Concert is Thursday, Dec. 14, beginning at 8 AM, at the middle school cafetorium. Doors to the CCMS cafetorium at the rear of the building will open at 7:30 AM. Tickets are required.
6) Online Community Bulletin Board: Check the online Community Bulletin Board regularly for information about upcoming events, activities and fundraisers throughout the CLSD community (Click on the “COMMUNITY” tab on the District website: www.clsd.k12.pa.us). Currently, you can find out about sports activities for the participant and spectator … Scouting opportunities … Student club Fundraisers ... community events & activities ... and many more items of possible interest!
7) Inclement Weather Procedures & Skylert Notification System: The decision to close school or open two hours later will be announced before 7 AM on the CLSD Home page, www.clsd.k12.pa.us, as well as on the Cornwall-Lebanon School District Facebook and Twitter pages (@CLSD_Schools), and on local radio and TV stations. The Skylert automated notification system also will be used to contact parents/guardians during the school day in the event of a building power failure, hazardous situation, or an early dismissal. Please review the important information that is printed inside the front cover of the CLSD 2023-24 Calendar of Events. The District website is the first place important information is posted. Please, do not contact school or District offices in the case of these events, as it is important for our phone lines to be available for emergency communications.
Remember, the Skylert notification system is only as accurate as the information you have provided to the District. Be sure your phone and email settings allow (do not Block) these three phone numbers: (717) 272-2031, (717) 272-2036, and (717) 389-1810, and emails from addresses ending in @clsd.k12.pa.us. Please review your information in Skylert, as well, and make any updates (for general information sharing, including school closings):
- Login to your Skyward account.
- Click the word “Skylert” in the left menu.
- Fill-in and check or uncheck your desired settings.
- Click “SAVE” in the upper right side of the page when you are done.
8) Volunteers and Chaperones: Cornwall-Lebanon School District greatly appreciates the volunteers and chaperones who provide assistance to students and teachers through their participation in classroom support, as well as special events and activities. Volunteers are essential to the success of students. Anyone who will be serving as a long-term or short-term volunteer for the District must submit completed clearances to the School District prior to serving as a volunteer. Look under the “Community” tab on the District Home page for more details: www.clsd.k12.pa.us
9) Calendar Information:
- Friday, Nov. 3: Professional Learning Day (No School for Students; Professional Development for staff members)
- Sunday, Nov. 5: Daylight Savings Time Ends at 2 AM
- Thursday, Nov. 9: Report Cards available online beginning this day (all grade levels)
- Wednesday, Nov. 15: Education Support Professionals Day
- Friday, Nov. 17: Substitute Educators Day
- Saturday, Nov. 18: CCHS Marching Band performs in the Lebanon Holiday Parade, 10 AM
- Monday & Tuesday, Nov. 20 & 21: No School for Elementary and Middle School Students: Parent-Teacher Conferences; CCHS is in Session both days (Kindergarten Parent-Teacher Conferences are Thursday, Nov. 16.)
- Wednesday, Nov. 22 through Monday, Nov. 27, 2023: Thanksgiving Break
- Wednesday, Nov. 29: Ticket Distribution for the Holiday Breakfast Concert for CLSD Residents Age 65+ (See #5, above for details!)