Lower Pottsgrove Elementary School
April 8, 2020
News and Notes
I want to thank all of our parents and families for your patience and support during our current school closure. I know it has been a challenge for you. The teachers, staff and I appreciate all of your efforts to support the children at home. We are here for you! I also want to extend a sincere thank you and express my gratitude to all of our parents and family members that are on the front lines supporting our community in so many ways. Thank you for all you are doing!
Reminders for Parents:
Attendance is taken daily, in order to be counted as present the students should answer the daily attendance question or the daily attendance assignment designated by the teacher. Attendance is taken by 10:00 AM for the previous day to allow for opportunities throughout the day for children to complete and turn in assignments. (Monday attendance is taken by 10:00 AM on Tuesday). Please contact your son or daughter's teacher with any questions.
Report Cards: Second Trimester report cards will be sent via email on April 15. You will receive the report card in an email from your son or daughter's teacher.
Encore Classes: In an effort to address the concerns shared regarding Encore class assignments, we have made the following adjustment. Beginning the week of April 14, we will be posting assignments for 3 Encore classes each week instead of all 6. This will be done on a rotating basis as follows:
April 14-April 17: Art, Computers and Health
April 20-24: Library, Music, Physical Education
This rotation will continue until we return to school
Parent Meetings: We will be moving to the grade level format for parent meetings after Spring Break. The meetings are scheduled as follows:
Grade 5: Wednesday, April 15 at 6:00 PM
Grade 3: Monday, April 20 at 6:00 PM
Grade 4: Monday, April 20 at 7:00 PM
The Zoom links will be sent in a separate communication early next week. If you have specific questions that you would like to have addressed, please submit them at this link: https://forms.gle/tyn1xkBTR5jTbDD39
Yearbooks:
The deadline to order a yearbook is MONDAY 4/13! It is NOT 4/20 like the email you may have received says.
School ID: 7642920
Please email lowerpgyearbook@gmail.com with any questions or to see if you've ordered already.
100 Book Club: While we still want our students to continue to read and log their reading, we will not be purchasing t-shirts or gift cards this year for students in the 100 Book Club. The reading team will be looking for other ways to recognize the children for their accomplishment. The t-shirts and gift cards are purchased by the elementary PTA organizations in each building. Due to the school closure, the PTAs have not been able to hold some of their big spring fundraisers and therefore do not have the funds to make this purchase this year. Thank you for understanding.
While it does not seem possible, it is time to start thinking about class placements for next year!
Class Assignments for 2020-2021
We consider classroom placement to be one of our most important tasks and I would like to share the process with you. Student placement is determined and reviewed by a team of professional educators. Each child’s academic, social and emotional growth, peer relations and needs are considered and discussed. We strive to create classes that are heterogeneous, function as cohesive groups, and provide each child with a teacher whose style will best meet his or her needs. We feel our time is well spent because we have a personal investment in each child. While we do welcome input regarding your child’s learning style, the elementary division of the Pottsgrove School District does not accept specific teacher requests. If you have any information you wish to share regarding your child or the type of teacher that would best suit your child, please send me an email or note by Friday May 8, 2020. We take all of this information into consideration when placing children in a class for the new school year.
Thank you! Thank you also to the number of you that have already reached out to me. All emails regarding class placement should go to Mrs. Koehler at tkoehler@pgsd.org
Mental Health Support:
We recognize that the current status of our world can be troubling and both adults and children are feeling anxious and uncertain. We are all missing our routine and the recent closures of businesses may have impacted the employment status of adults in the home. Here are some resources that you may find helpful at this time:
- Social Worker Provides Resources for Parents
- Montgomery County Mobile Crisis Unit - Phone Number (855) 634-HOPE
- Crisis Text Line - crisis text line text “HOME” to 741-741
Our school counselors, social worker, Mr. Dargan and myself are also available to provide support.
Counselors:
Mrs. Flannagan: jflanagan2@pgsd.org
Mr. Bell: aaronbell@ggsd.org
Social Worker:
Mrs. Manzon: mmanzon@pgsd.org
Administration:
Mrs. Koehler: tkoehler@pgsd.org
Mr. Dargan: jdargan@pgsd.org
You can also contact the number below for support. This is a resource being provided by the Commonwealth of PA.
The toll-free, round-the-clock support line is available at
1-855-284-2494. For TTY, dial 724-631-5600.
Enjoy the break !
Stay Safe and Healthy!
Parent Meetings! See above for details!
Looking Ahead
Dates to Remember
8-13- Spring Break- no academic expectations for students
14- Classes Resume Online
14- Deadline to order a yearbook
15- Meal Distribution: LPES and West Pottsgrove ES 10AM-12PM
15- Grade 5 Parent Zoom Meeting 6:00 PM
20- Meal Distribution: LPES and West Pottsgrove ES 10AM-12PM
20- Grade 3 Parent Zoom Meeting 6:00 PM
20- Grade 4 Parent Zoom Meeting 7:00 PM
May 2020:
8- Deadline to submit class assignment information ( see above)
Lower Pottsgrove Elementary School
Email: TKOEHLER@PGSD.ORG
Website: www.pgsd.org
Location: 1329 Buchert Road, Pottstown, PA, USA
Phone: 610-323-7510