West Manheim Newsletter

Dear West Manheim Parents/Guardians,

Sunday, March 2nd was the birthday of Dr. Seuss. Below you will nd some facts about why Dr. Seuss books are wrien the way they are. Aer WWII, Dr. Seuss began wring childrens books. Favorites among those were If I Ran The Zoo, in 1950, Scrambled Eggs Super!, in1953, On Beyond Zebra, in 1955, If I Ran The Circus, in 1956, and How The Grinch Stole Christmas, in 1956.

South Western School District

March 2014

Inside this issue:

Specialists School Counselor Kindergarten Registration Got Star Cards? Handbook Highlights A Taste of the Arts Dates to Remember

2 5 6 8 9 10 12

West Manheim Elementary School In 1954, a report appeared in Life magazine which documented the illiteracy in 2000 Baltimore Pike schools and concluded that children were not learning to read because the Hanover, PA 17331 books that they had to read in school were boring. Based on this, Dr. Seuss pubPhone: 717-633-4890 lisher made a list of 400 important words and asked Dr. Seuss to cut the list Fax: 717-637-2011 down to 250 words and write a book using only those words. Using 220 of those Office hours: 7 AM-3:30 PM words, Dr. Seuss worked for 6 months and wrote The Cat in The Hat (1950). FolWest Manheim Website lowing this trend, Dr. Seuss created the book Green Eggs and Ham which used only 50 words. Both these books remain favorites all over the world as beginner books for children who are learning to read. These books were very challenging for him to write as he struggled with the use of the limited vocabuWest Manheim Facebook lary. Please take the me this month to read some of his classics with your children.

It is that me of year when our third, fourth, and h graders are busy preparing for our upcoming PSSA tests. These students will be assessed in reading and math from March 25th-April 3rd. April 8th-10th our h graders will take the Wring assessment and from April 29th-30th our fourth graders will take the Science assessment. Here are some suggesons to help your child do well on any tests at school: Make sure your child gets a good nights sleep before every Provide a light, healthy breakfast on test day. test.

West Manheim Twitter

A Tradition of Excellence.
Were on the web at: swsd.k12.pa.us

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Letter from the Principal continued...

Build condence in your child. Provide words of support such as: Youll do great! Recommend that your child take deep breaths to relax before and during the test. Remind your child to read direcons carefully and look at all answers before Tell your child to check his work before turning in the test. Make sure your child is at school on the days of the test. Avoid scheduling appointments or trips and arrive at school on me. choosing one.

Sincerely,

Brian M. Cromer Principal

Fitness Forum

By Miss Hull

West Manheim students in Physical Educaon classes are nishing up their jumping unit. This year our students in grades 3-5 raised $3197.00 during their Jump Rope for Heart event that benets the American Heart Associaon. Thank you to all of those who contributed to this worthy cause. Students in grades 3-5 will also be taking their second round of tness tesng.

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Library Links

By Mrs. Fisher

The results have been tabulated! Thanks to the philanthropic efforts of West Manheim readers (and their family and friends!), we were able to raise $1,262.50 for the York County Literacy Council through their Buck A Book reading program held in January. Your donations will provide free confidential literacy tutoring to York County adults who cannot read or write! Students worked hard to earn the individual prizes that will be awarded in the spring and should be proud of their hard work toward a worthwhile community cause! ResearchResearchResearch!!! 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders have been working diligently on their research projects. Students are learning how to find and use credible resources to answer their information needs and how to appropriately take notes. They are learning to record only key words and phrases, use their own words, and to correctly cite their sources so they do not plagiarize and break the law. Research requires stamina and perseverance, and we are working hard to plant the seeds for future ethical behavior. Fifth and first graders will begin their research projects in a few weeks.

Answers from Art

By Mrs. Shaub

Reminder! West Manheim Art Fair Wednesday, April 9th 6:30 to 8 p.m. Think, Explore, Create!
Spend a few minutes or the whole evening sharing a special moment with your child.

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By Mrs. Evelan

Music Notes

20132014 PSSA TESTING DATES UPDATEDPLEASE ADJUST YOUR CALENDAR

All South Western Elementary Students in grades 3, 4, and 5 will parcipate in the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) on the dates below. Thank you for your support in not scheduling vacaon, appointments or other absences from school on these dates. Grade 5 Wring: April 8, 9 & 10, 2014 Grade 3, 4, 5 Reading & Math: March 25, 26 & 27, 2014 and April 1, 2, 3, 2014 Grade 4 Science: April 29 & 30, 2014 (no change)

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Handbook Highlights
~From page 32 of the South Western School District Elementary Handbook

Bus Rules Bus drivers have a difficult job and students and parents can help make it easier. The exercise of caution, good manners, and consideration for other people, will make a bus ride more pleasant and safe for all. School buses are equipped with video cameras, both audio and video, to monitor the students activities. In the event that a student is traveling home on another students bus, written requests need to be submitted by both sets of parents. I. General Information A. B. Proper conduct is expected at all times. Bus drivers are permitted to pick up or discharge students only at the students' stop. For other consideration, parents must submit a written request to the building principal prior to the date of the change. Notes from parents to bus drivers are not acceptable for such arrangements. Requests of private school students should be referred to South Western's Supervisor of Pupil Transportation.

Outdoor Recess
~From page 13 of the South Western School District Elementary Handbook

Outdoor Recess Children need fresh air, sunshine, and exercise; therefore, they are expected to go outside for recess. Staff members on duty will determine if the weather is not suitable for outside play. As a general rule, if the outside temperature is 20or above, outdoor recess will take place. Children are not permitted to bring toys or electronic games to school. Playground balls and board games are available for students to use at recess. If a child must remain inside during recess, a note must be written each day to cover that day only. A doctor's written explanation will be required for long term requests. Children should be dressed appropriately for all weather conditions.

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KITCHEN TIDBITS
National School Breakfast Week runs March 3rd through the 7th. To celebrate this week, there will be a chef visiting each of the elementary buildings one morning during the week cooking scrambled eggs, sausage and biscuits for the students. And on Friday, March 7th each elementary student will be permitted to receive a free breakfast if they come to the cafeteria for breakfast that morning during the normal breakfast time period. Join us for breakfast and help us celebrate National School Breakfast Week Chefs Building Schedule Monday, March 3rd Baresville Tuesday, March 4th Park Hills Wednesday, March 5th West Manheim Thursday, March 6th Manheim

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WMPTO LABEL COLLECTION

COMMUNITY FITNESSSWSD Adult Education Classes

Zumba, Aqua Zumba, Community Swim, Open Volleyball. Get Moving, Get Exercising! Visit www.swsd.k12.pa.us for more details about adult education classes at South Western School District

CALENDAR CHANGESNOW/ICE MAKE UP DAYS

Thursday, April 17, 2014 will be our second School Make-up day. Monday, March 31, 2014 will be our third School Make-up day. Monday, April 21, 2014 will be our fourth School Make-up day. Friday, June 6, 2014 will be our final make up day with Wednesday, June 4, 2014 being a full day for students and Thursday, June 5th & Friday, June 6th being
early dismissal days. School will be in session on these days. This is due to the school closing on January 3, January 21, February 3, 5, 13, and 14 due to snow. Please adjust your school calendars to reflect these changes. Thank you.

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MARCH CALENDAR OF EVENTS

March3 Read Across America All Elementaries Gr. 5 After School Math, 2:30-3:30 PM Gr. 5 After School Reading, 2:30-3:30 PM Grade 5 Vocal Concert, 7:30 PM March21 March4 Gr. 3 After School Reading, 2:30-3:30 PM March22 Grade 3 Vocal Concert, 6-7 PM Grade 4 Vocal Concert, 7:308:30 March5 York Co. Elem. Choral Festival Rehearsal, 2:30-3:30 PM Gr. 4 After School Reading, 2:30-3:30 PM (Make up if needed) Gr. 5 After School Reading, 2:30-3:30 PM WM PTO Market Day Pick up, 7-8 PM March6 Gr. 3 After School Reading, 2:30-3:30 PM P.A.C. Meeting, 2:30-3:30 PM Grade 1 Vocal Concert, 6-7 PM Grade 2 Vocal Concert, 7:30-8:30 PM March7 March9 March 10-14 March10 After School Bowling, 2:30-5:15 PM Daylight Saving Time BeginsTurn clocks ahead one hour. PSSA Peppiness Week Spirit DayPajama Day Gr. 5 After School Math, 2:30-3:30 PM March11 Spirit DayVocabulary Day
April3 April2 April1

March19

York Co. Elem. Choral Festival Rehearsal, 2:30-3:30 PM

After School Bowling, 2:30-5:15 PM York County Elem. Choral Fest at Spring Grove High School, 8 AM5 PM Taste of the Arts Gala @ South Western H. S., 1-4:30 PM PSSA Math for Grades 3, 4, 5 PSSA Reading for Grades 3, 4, 5 School Board Mtg., 7-9 PM at Admin

March23 March25 March26

March27 March28 March31

PSSA Math for Grades 3, 4, 5 After School Bowling, 2:30-5:15 PM SCHOOL IS IN SESSIONThird Snow Make up Day Mobile Dentist

LOOKING AHEAD - APRIL DATES TO REMEMBER

PSSA Reading for Grades 3, 4, 5 Spirit DayRoll Reversal: Teachers April18 dress as students and students dress as April19 teachers. PSSA Math for Grades 3, 4, 5 WM PTO Market Day Pick up, 7-8 PM PSSA Reading for Grades 3, 4, 5 WM Grandparents Day After School Bowling, 2:30-5:15 PM April8 Spirit DayWear Project Harmony t-shirt or black and white PSSA Writing for Grade 5 April25 April21 West Manheim PTO Skating Party, at Magic Elm, 4:30-6:30 PM Schools are OpenFourth Snow Make Up Day Spirit DayWear Earth Tone Colors School Board Mtg., 7-9 PM at Admin. West Manheim PTO Talent Show case, 6-8:30 PM Spirit DayWear WM T-shirt or blue and yellow After School Bowling, 2:30-5:15 PM April28 AG Lab PSSA Science for Grade 4 April29 AG Lab PSSA Science for Grade 4 April30 May1 May2 May3 AG Lab AG Lab Family Science Night West Manheim PTO Community Yard Sale Spirit DayWear Project Harmony tshirt or black and white West Manheim Kindergarten Registration, 8-3:30 PM Schools Closed April17 Schools are OpenSecond Snow Make Up Day

April22 April23 April24

Gr. 3 After School Reading, 2:30-3:30 PM

April4

WM PTO Meeting, 6:30-7:30 PM March12 Spirit DayProject Harmony T-shirt or Black and White Gr. 5 After School Reading, 2:30-3:30 PM School Board Planning Mtg., 7-8 PM at Admin. March13 Spirit DayWest Manheim T-shirt or Blue and Yellow Gr. 3 After School Reading, 2:30-3:30 PM March14 Spirit DayColors DayK: orange, 1: purple, 2: yellow, 3: red, 4: blue, 5: green After School Bowling, 2:30-5:15 PM WM PTO Family Bingo Night, 6-9 PM March17 Spirit DayWear Green! Gr. 5 After School Math, 2:30-3:30 PM March18 Group Picture Day Rescheduled Elementary Report Cards Distributed
April13 April14 April15 April10 April11 April9

WM PTO Meeting, 6:30-7:30 PM PSSA Writing for Grade 5 PAC Meeting, 2:30 3:30 PM West Manheim Art Fair, 6:30-8 PM School Board Mtg., 7-9 PM at Admin. PSSA Writing for Grade 5 Star DayWear Yellow or clothing with stars on them. After School Bowling, 2:30-5:15 PM National Library Week Open Library night, Grades K-2, 6-7:30 PM Open Library night, Grades 3-5, 6-7:30 PM

May5

May 7 & 8