Dragon Blast
Mary C. Howse Elementary School
From the Principal
Dear MCH Parents:
Allow me to take this moment to express my gratitude to all of you. I am so fortunate to serve your children and this community and I get to do it alongside amazing individuals within the walls of MCH daily.. This school year has been different for me as I have embarked on a new, personal journey of no longer being a parent to a school aged child.
Click on the video below for the rest of my portion. It is about 7 minutes long, not overly exciting but gives you an opportunity to listen, rather then read...see you all in 2019!
Dr. Cat
Announcements and Reminders
- Car line will end 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.
Holiday break begins at 3:40 PM on Friday, December 21, 2018 and ends Wednesday, January 2, 2019 at 9:10 AM.
OUTDOOR RECESS
Hello MCH Parents,
Outdoor Recess in Cold Weather:
The WCASD follows recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Association of School Nurses for outdoor recess during the cold weather. Barring extreme temperatures, children will play outside for at least part of their recess time. Please plan for this and make sure that your child is dressed appropriately.
FROM THE NURSE'S OFFICE
ANNUAL HEALTH SCREENINGS
Health screenings information for parents:
Annual Student Health Screenings have been completed. These screenings include Vision, Hearing, and BMI. Vision and BMI screenings are assessed for all students. Hearing screenings are completed based on the grade level.
Results are available on the Parent Portal page. The health screening tab is located on the left hand side of the parent page. Please note that screening results are not available on the student portal page. If your child has failed a screening, a referral form has been sent home already. Referrals should be completed by a physician and returned to the school nurse. Referrals are noted on the screening page.
Vision Screenings:
Please note that 20/40 is passing for Kindergarten and 1st Grade; passing for 2nd through 5th grades is 20/30.
BMI percentages are calculated using CDC standards:
Underweight: <5th percentile
Normal/Healthy Weight: >5th percentile but <85th percentile
Overweight: >85th but <95th percentile
Obese: >95th percentile
Concerns about the results of your child’s BMI should be discussed with your child’s primary care physician.
Please call the nurses office at 484-266-1306 for any general questions about the student health screenings.
SECOND STEP
WCASD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Parent Second Step Letter
Dear Parents,
Over the past three school years the WCASD has been implementing the Second Step program in our elementary schools. We are excited that the program now encompasses all elementary grades K-5. This program was selected as a way to introduce our children to the critical skills needed to get along with others.
Each grade using Second Step will have four main concepts or units that will be covered with individual lessons for each unit. There are approximately 26 lessons depending on the grade level.
The four main units covered in each grade level are:
SKILLS FOR LEARNING- Students gain the skills to help them learn including how to focus their attention, listen carefully, learn to be assertive and learn to ask for help.
EMPATHY-students will learn to identify their own and other’s feelings
EMOTION MANGEMENT- students learn specific skills for calming down when experiencing strong feelings
PROBLEM SOLVING-student will learn a process for solving problems with others in a positive way
Each unit has lessons that teach the skills related to that main topic. The younger grades learn many of the skills through singing and puppets and the older grades learn skills through role playing and videos showing actual situations they could encounter during the school day. Your child’s teacher will be able to tell you which unit the class has completed or what skill the class is working on as the year progresses.
Throughout the school year your child will be listening and learning about the skills necessary to get along with others. Please ask your child to share what they are learning and help them to use the skills they have been taught as they learn and grow.
www.secondstep.org Kindergarten enter: SSPK FAMI LY70
First grade enter: SSP1 EQAY 99EJ
Second grade enter: SSP2 BX9m 6DZM
Third grade enter: SSP3 CYA7 7EHU
Fourth grade enter: SSP4 B6G8 7LPV
Fifth grade enter: SSP5 CBGD 8RQ2
Thank you
WCASD School Counselors
After School Math & Winter STEM Flyers
AFTER SCHOOL SPORTS SCHEDULE FOR NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER
5th Grade Boys
Nov. 28
Dec. 4
Dec. 13
Jan. 10
4th Grade Boys
Nov. 27
Dec. 6
Jan. 3
4th and 5th Grade Girls
Nov. 29
Dec. 11
Jan. 8
POSTIVE PRAISE
Dr. Cat, thank you for talking to the kids about responsibilities and doing things on their own yesterday. My daughter came home excited and willing to taking on additional responsibilities at home.
Much appreciated
Hey Dr. Cat,
I just wanted to say thanks for being such a great communicator. It really helps as a parent to know what’s going on, and you always go out of your way to do that. Just wanted to send some appreciation your way. I really found the anxiety and uncertainty handouts you sent this week to be helpful—I’m a teacher, too, and unfortunately over-planning and preparing for many different possible scenarios is part of the job. But it was great to think about how that can creep into your life and cause problems, too.
Thanks and have a great weekend!
Hi Dr. Cat,
This may sound silly, but I want to thank you for your words to the 5th graders yesterday during lunch regarding responsibility and independence. I’m not sure about other students, but it had a huge impact on my daughter. She came home and told me about what you said, took initiative with out being asked, listened and responded the first time I asked, woke up to her own set alarm clock, made her bed, fed her fish, got ready for school, and packed her own lunch! She felt empowered and proud! For now at least, she’s "my daughter" 2.0! So helpful and respectful! I will keep on reinforcing! Thank you!
Citadel Heart of Learning Award
Each year, Citadel receives thousands of nominations to honor local teachers with the nationally recognized Citadel Heart of Learning Award.
Nominate a Teacher here: https://www.citadelbanking.com/giving-back/citadel-heart-of-learning
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
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