Manchester Elementary School Where Learning Never Ends

Catherine Cramer, Principal Frank Klauder, Assistant Principal Yellow Jacket News February 2018 Our “Happy Bee” logo is used with permission from DJ Inkers, www.djinkers.com.

I was working with a student a few days ago when he looked at me and said, “Did you know today is the half-way day?” I asked what that meant, and he excitedly told me, “We are halfway done the school year!” WOW. Sometimes when students hear that we are halfway done the school year they get into coasting mode. They think, “I know the rules, the 4 B’s, and the routines”. It can seem like the days are the same and with the cold winter weather indoor recess does not give much of an energy release break in the day and that feeling of complacency can set in. We often talk about goal setting in January with the start of a new year, but we have an added opportunity with the change of marking periods to re-teach some of the basic concepts that can become mundane and forgotten. As a staff, we will be taking the next few weeks to focus on our 4 B’s with all students in specific areas throughout the school. Our first focus area will be the hallways. We have many students that work in small groups with teachers and assistants throughout the building, as well as many classroom teachers that leave their doors open to welcome students who come and go. When our hallways are noisy it creates distractions to learning so starting February 5 we will revisit the teaching of our 4B’s in the hallway and staff will be challenged to issue more hallway tickets every day! We will try to add some fun “double ticket days” and other challenges as well. The second area that we will focus on a little later in the month is the cafeteria. We will send out some reminders that you can work with your children as the month progresses. We appreciate your support of our PBIS program and are hopeful that with some reminders and incentives students will rise to the level of respectful and responsible behavior we have seen in the first part of the year! While we are talking about reminders, I want to take a minute to review the Bring Your Own Device Policy. We will be reviewing these policies with students in grades 3-5, especially since it will mean some changes in the way some students have been using their devices during the school day. The BYOD policy states: The Board of Education recognizes that the use of personally-owned portable electronic devices plays a beneficial role in the educational process. Carroll County Public Schools allows for the use of portable electronic devices owned by adults and students in grades 3-12 during the school day when used within established guidelines. The use of these devices is voluntary. https://www.carrollk12.org/instruction/Documents/Guidelines-%20Portable%20Electronic%20Devices%206-15.pdf Just like the routines and rules students know but sometimes forget to show, the guidelines need to be revisited to ensure devices are being used for academic reasons and at the appropriate times. The expectations at the Hive as part of the BYOD policy are as follows:

1. Students may use their device on the bus with earbuds unless otherwise directed by the driver. 2. The classroom, media center and field trips are appropriate places for devices to be used for educational

reasons unless otherwise directed.

  

3. Students MAY NOT use their devices in the hallways and stairwells or during lunch unless permission is granted by a staff member.

4. Students may not use their device in the restroom. 5. Students may not use their devices at recess unless directed by as staff member.

The biggest areas that students will see a change in is lunch, recess, and dismissal. As a school, we have decided that devices will not be allowed to be used at lunch and recess on a daily basis. There may be exceptions made for special occasions, but we will make those determinations in advance and also send home notification that it would be a “device day.” Because it is indoor recess season, our incredible PTA is funding some recess carts complete with new games, toy, activities, and art materials. Students who enjoy reading may use an e-reader equipped device to do that, and each room will have a designated reading area. The rationale behind this decision is that some students are connecting to one another’s devices to play group games. This is not allowed and is very difficult to monitor. It is also difficult for our instructional assistants to monitor the content that individual students are playing or accessing during indoor recess. We know that this will be a difficult adjustment for some students and we are hopeful that the new carts and activities will facilitate social interactions and creative play. We have also found that students are not paying attention during dismissal because they are using their devices leading to missed busses and students running to catch their bus at the last reminder call. The hallways are a busy place, and many students are not putting their devices away to travel to their bus. For these reasons, we are also telling students that devices need to be put away during dismissal time. We are looking forward to an excellent second half of the year. As I was thinking about how to visualize the school year I came up with the analogy of a roller coaster. The first half of the year is the climb to the top full of anticipation, but the second half of the year is full of excitement. The second half of the year is not a downhill coast; it is full of the twists, turns, bends, and thrills that come from having a solid start to the year and learning even more each day. This was an incredibly lengthy newsletter this month, so I want to take the time to say thank you for reading all our updates. The home-school partnership is one of the ways that Manchester Elementary school shines and Mr. Klauder and I, along with the teachers and staff appreciate your support.

Respectfully, Mrs. Cramer

  

Late Students If you are dropping a child off in the morning, and you DO NOT see an adult on the sidewalk welcoming students, the student is probably late. Please come to the Office with your child and sign them in at the front desk.

Kindergarten Registration Kindergarten registration week is March 12th through March 16th. If you have a child who will be 5 years old on or before September 1st, 2018, please call the school at 410-751-3410 to request a registration packet. Please share this information with friends, family and neighbors who have a child entering kindergarten.

Yearbooks The deadline to order a yearbook for 2017-2018 school year is quickly approaching! Yearbooks can be ordered online at ybpay.lifetouch.com and enter the school code: 11043018. We also have paper order forms in the office. If you need a paper order form, please contact Mrs. Vogelsang at javogel@carrollk12.org or call 410-751-3410. The cost of a soft cover yearbook is $22.00 and a hardcover yearbook is $27.00. Last day to order is Friday, March 16th.

  

Parent Pick-up Just a friendly reminder that parent pick-up notes must be sent into school in writing. Please send them in your child’s Bee folder or email manattendance@carrollk12.org by 1pm. Also children cannot be taken from the classroom by parents/guardians. You must come into the office to sign-out your child and we will call them down from the classroom.

Spring Picture Day

Friday, February 23rd is Spring Picture Day!

Class and individual pictures will be taken this day.

Did you know, on February 11, 1973, the National Inventor’s Hall of Fame was founded? What a coincidence – this is the same organization that created Camp Invention!!! This year, from June 25-June 29, Camp Invention comes to Manchester Elementary. Do you have a budding inventor in grades K-6? If so, Camp Invention is just for them! And the icing on the cake – it is directed and staffed by your very own Manchester teachers! If you register before March 23, use the promo code IDEAS25 to save $25 off the registration fee. All participants of Camp will walk away with two of their very own robots. If you have any questions, visit www.campinvention.org or contact Mr. Cunningham(bacunni@carrollk12.org), 5th Grade STEM Teacher & Camp Invention Director at Manchester Elementary.

  

Music Notes

….from Mrs. Furbay Mrs. Furbay is happy to announce that nine Fifth Grade Chorus students have been selected to represent Manchester Elementary in Region One of the all-county chorus!! The nine students will be performing in the Eisteddfod Concert on Friday, March 23rd at Westminster High School at 7:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend the concert which has been a tradition in Carroll County for 91 years!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Hanna Allen, Lexi Dixon, Julianna Gilberto, Kylie Heidel, Raegan Hunt, Brody Morrison, Eva Shover, Cienna Szper, David Woldeselassie

*Eisteddfod Students and Parents: Please remember these upcoming rehearsal dates and concert dates: Thursday, March 1st , 6:30-8:00 p.m. Monday, March 8th, 6:30-8:00 p.m. At Cranberry Station Elementary School Wednesday, March 14th, 6:30-8:00 p.m. At Sandymount Elementary School Wednesday, March 21st, 5:30-7:00 p.m. At Westminster High School (Final Rehearsal) Concert: Friday, March 23rd at Westminster High School at 7:30 p.m. (Students should arrive at *6:55 p.m.)

Notes from the Nurse’s Office

  

Absence/Sick Notes:

Please send in a note to the school regarding every absence. If you can provide a specific reason for the absence, that is very helpful. In other words, instead of just writing: “Bobby was sick”, give us a little more information, such as: “Bobby saw a doctor, was diagnosed with strep throat, and is now on an antibiotic.” This gives me the information that I need to keep track of illnesses in our community. You may also report an absence by emailing absence notes to manattendance@carrollk12.org or by calling the front office at 410-751-3410.

Reminder about Restrictions related to Physical Education:

If your child is injured and cannot participate in PE for 3 days or less, a parent letter to the school will be sufficient. However, if the injury is serious or the activity restriction is longer than 3 days, a letter from the health care provider must be provided to school. If the letter does not include a return to full activity date, then the child will need a release note from the doctor in order for him/her to return to physical education classes.

Art News Students have been working very hard in art. We have a few grades that have been working very diligently on long, demanding projects. Fourth graders have been working hard since before the Holiday Break on Puppets. This has been a tradition here at Manchester for years. They use 2-liter soda bottles and transform them into people and animals. Students use a variety of techniques and mixed media to create their masterpieces. We will be working on them for the next few weeks. The students are very excited about how they are turning out! Fifth grade is finishing a self-portrait unit that has taken the entire 2nd quarter to finish. Some students have already finished, while some will need a few more art days. I am very proud of them because they have learned so much about proportion with this project and they really look like them. Look for these as they will be coming home soon! Here is what students will be working on in the 3rd quarter: Kindergarten: Finishing up color theory First grade: Snow globes and Weavings Second grade: Yarn weavings Third grade: Monochromatic Art Fourth grade: Puppets Fifth grade: Finishing up self-portraits and starting Time Capsules

  

  

   

Manchester Elementary School PTA

  

Mark Your Calendars

Friday, Feb. 2nd 6:30 Talent Show

Wednesday, Feb. 7th Brother’s Pizza Day

Friday, Feb. 9th

Snow Date for Talent Show

Friday, March 16th Yearbook Orders Due

Dear Manchester Elementary Families, Please join us on Friday, February 2nd at 6:30 for our annual Talent Show! This is always a fun event. Come out and support all of our talented students. You may even see some of your favorite teachers on stage. Ticket order forms have been sent home with students. Tickets will also be on sale at the door. This year we will be offering Hershey Park tickets at a discounted price, again. Ticket sales will begin the end of February and further information will be coming out soon. Please check our Facebook page by searching for Manchester Elementary PTA; it is a great way to keep up with what is happening at MES. We hope to see you at our many events in 2018! Sincerely, The 2017-2018 PTA Board:

President: Michele Grimm 1st VP Volunteer Coordinator: Danielle Knatz 2nd VP Membership: Jenel Casey Secretary: Annemarie Schmitt Treasurer: Brenda Myers

Fundraising: Laura Tawes Principal: Mrs. Cramer Teacher Liaison: Mrs. Hummel & Mrs. Arndt

  

Yearbook 2017-2018 Information

This school year we have a lot of help with the yearbook. Our yearbook staff is as follows: Volunteer Grade for Yearbook E-mail Karen Rubin Pre-K and Kindergarten krock363@gmail.com Jessica Grimm 1st grade jgrimm2@bcps.org Cristi Fischer 2nd grade cjfisc2@carrollk12.org Casey Villars 3rd grade caseyvillars@gmail.com Irene O’Brien 4th grade or Misc Photos ireneobrien22@gmail.com Candice Hoke 5th grade choke@bcps.org Mary Carroll 5th grade mccarro@carrollk12.org Courtney Baer 5th grade courtneybaer@msn.com Kimberly Shilling Misc Photos mkshilling@me.com We are anxiously awaiting any pictures you may be taking. Please send pictures to the yearbook representative listed above for your child’s grade or activity.

  

Creative Bees Art Contest

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Creative Bees Art Contest. There were 31 entries received. Congratulations to the top three winners of the contest. 1st Place- Brady Bonney, 5th grade, Mrs. Kadis 2nd Place- Eden Rampata, 3rd grade, Mrs. Ryan 3rd Place- Josie McVicker, 2nd grade, Mrs. Kerby

 

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** If schools are closed due to inclement weather, school activities will be canceled.** 

REFRIGERATOR PAGE – February, 2018

February 2 Talent Show February 7 Brother’s Pizza Night

Conference Night Beginner Band Concert – 7:00

February 9 Talent Show – Snow Date February 12 Robotics Club 3:45 – 4:45 February 13 Road to Respect Club 4:00 – 4:45 February 14 Stem Club 4:00 – 4:45 Valentine’s Day February 19 President’s Day Schools/Offices CLOSED February 22 Conference Night February 23 Spring Pictures