1. education
2. school

COPPER BEECH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PARENT
NEWSLETTER
825 N. Easton Road, Glenside, PA 19038
FALL 2014
CHANGES TO RECESS
This year, our SWPBIS (Schoolwide Positive Behavior Instruction and
Support) Committee made changes to recess to promote CARES behavior
and hopefully reduce the number of incidents that occur during recess.
Calendar of Events
10/23 & 24 Author Visit for students
(Candace Fleming)
10/24 Spirit Day or Wear Orange Day
10/24 Goodies with Guests (7:30AM)Kindergarten Only
10/28 School Board Meeting (7:30PM)
10/31 9:30 AM Halloween Parade
Afternoon Halloween Festivities
11/3-7 Non-Violent Conflict Resolution
Week
11/4 Students off—Teacher Inservice
Day
11/11 School Board Meeting (7:30PM)
11/12 10-12 Picture Retake Day
11/14 Red, White & Blue Day
11/17-11/21 American Education
Week and PTA Book Fair
11/19 CB PTA Meeting (7:00 PM)
11/21 PTA Book Fair & Hoagie Night
11/25 School Board Meeting (7:30PM)
11/26 1st Marking Period Ends
12/4 CB PTA Meeting (7:00PM)
12/9,10,11 12:20 Early Dismissal &
Parent Conferences
12/10 4:30 Literature Night at Barnes
& Noble
12/15 9:30 Winter Concert -Students
12/15 1:30 Winter Concert - Parents
12/24-1/2 School Closed-Winter Break
Students still have a 30-minute recess and a 30-minute lunch. However,
the schedule was altered so that students have recess before lunch.
Research has shown that this makes a positive impact on behavior and
improves the transition into the classroom.
We also wanted to provide students with more options during recess. Due
to the generosity of the PTA, we were able to purchase recess equipment .
Students can choose to play at one of the various stations:
1. Courtyard– Students can read, play board games, or draw with chalk.
2. Upper Blacktop– Students can play with jumpropes, hula hoops, or
hopscotch, or Wall Ball.
3. Blacktop– Students can play basketball or FourSquare.
4.
Field– The field is subdivided into sections for 2 kickball games,
2 soccer games, and free play (including catch).
SOME REMINDERS
SCHOOL DAY is 8:50AM-3:30PM. Supervision of students during arrival
begins at 8:30 AM. Students enter the building at 8:50 AM and instruction
begins at 9:00 AM. Students who are enjoying breakfast at Copper Beech
may enter the B-side of the building beginning at 8:30AM and go directly to
the cafeteria.
RECESS/LUNCH: 11:00-12:00 Grades 1 &2 | 11:30-12:30 Grades 3 & 4
12:00-1:00 Grades 5 & 6 | 12:30-1:30 Kindergarten
The cost of a school lunch is $2.65 and includes milk. Ala carte items, such as
milk or snacks, cost from 35¢ to $1.00. Milk is 55¢. Chartwell‘s is the district‘s
food service provider and has an online prepayment service. You can create
an account at MySchoolBucks.com. If you prefer to pay by check, make
checks payable to Abington School District.
Inside this issue:
Halloween
Page 2
American Education Week Schedule
Page 4
Copper Beech Anti-Bullying Rules
Page 5
Copper Beech C.A.R.E.S. Rules
Page 5
Clubs– Parent Coaches Wanted
Page 6
Copper Beech Peacemaker Pledge
Page 7
PARKING LOT SAFETY—We remind parents to be mindful of our new
procedures and would like to thank all those who have been making a
positive impact. Our new procedures are in our online Parent Handbook,
page 21. It may be accessed by going to the Abington School District
website and click on Copper Beech.
We ask parents to not walk dogs/pets onto school grounds due to allergies
and fears. This is a safety precaution we would like to implement.
COPPER BEECH ELEMENTARY
Page 2
2014 SUMMER READING INCENTIVE
The Copper Beech staff would like to congratulate the students
who participated in the 2014 Summer Reading Incentive. Before
the end of the last school year, students set a goal to read during
the summer. We are delighted to report that over two hundred
students completed the Summer Reading Incentive calendar. The
calendar helped the students to track how much they read
during the summer. As a result, students were able to remain
focused on their goal. At the beginning of this school year,
students were able to spend their ―pennies‖ and redeem their
prizes at the ―Reading Corner.‖
Research says that students‘ independent reading correlates to
students‘ achievement in reading at school. The practice of
reading improves students‘ proficiency. We encourage you to
continue reading every night at home.
We appreciate your participation with keeping literacy active at
home.
TWO IMPORTANT NUMBERS
CHILD CHECK: 215-881-2011
NURSE: 215-881-2747
HALLOWEEN PARADE, OCTOBER 31, 2014
Copper Beech will be hosting a Halloween Parade on Friday, October 31st at 9:30 AM.
Spectators are welcome. If you plan to park your car in the parking area behind the
school, it will be open from 8:30-9:15 AM. Onlookers may view the parade by
standing in the bus lane or on the hillside in front of the school. Sidewalks around the
school will remain clear for the students to parade. After the parade, cars will need to
be removed from the parking area by 10:45 AM.
Children may wear their costumes to school. They will be given time to change after
the parade. Since safety and positive character are two of our school‘s priorities, we
request that costumes are suitable for elementary level children. Inappropriate costumes or accessories, such as fake weapons and blood, are not allowed. Additionally,
for the safety of our students, masks may not be worn by adults on school grounds.
Teachers will hold classroom festivities later in the day. Teachers and homeroom parents will contact parents to assist. Parents who are assisting with classroom activities
will be given a special wristband for entry. We appreciate everyone‘s cooperation in
making this an exciting, yet safe, day for the students.
Page 3
PARENT NEWSLETTER
WELCOME TO COPPER BEECH—NEW STAFF
RICHARD WELSH is our new Elementary Curriculum Specialist. He attended Indiana University of
Pennsylvania & Gwynedd-Mercy College earning a Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education and a
Masters of Science in Educational Leadership, respectively. He has been with Abington School District for 7
years. He enjoys working with our students and providing them with enrichment and remediation
opportunities. Some of his hobbies are recreational sports, jogging, reading, movies, and snowboarding.
MICHAEL STASZKIW (pronounced—StasQ) joins us after 6 years at Roslyn Elementary School. He has
attended Boston and Arcadia Universities with a degree in elementary and Special Education and a Master of
Education-Reading/ESL concentration. Mr. Staszkiw grew up in the Roslyn and Glenside area. He enjoys
swimming, traveling, just completed a half-marathon, and has an interest in the environment and
conservation.
PAMELA (PAM) SHEFCIK is one of our part time library clerks. She attended Hood College and New England
Culinary Institute, holding an Associates degree in Culinary Arts. She is married, has two sons, a cat and a dog.
Along with her love of books, she enjoys cooking, baking and photography.
TRACY BERGER has been an employee of Abington for 6 years and is a paraprofessional at Copper Beech.
She has been married for 24 years to Walt and has 4 sons—Sean & David (twins), Paulie, and Eric. She loves to
travel, especially to the shore and is a huge Eagles fan.
ELIZABETH MACDONALD is one of our Speech/Language Pathologists. She was an undergraduate at West
Chester University and attended LaSalle University. She has a BA in Communicative Disorders and an MS in
Speech Language Pathology. Ms. MacDonald has 2 sisters and a cat; loves reading and running.
CHRISTINE STEINMETZ is our new Kindergarten teacher. She earned her BS in Rehabilitation and Human
Services at Penn State and her Early Elementary & Special Education with a Masters at Arcadia University. She
enjoys playing and coaching volleyball and spending time down the shore with her 3 younger sisters. She has
been a volleyball coach for the last 5 years.
NADINE HOFFMAN is our new Itinerant Instrumental Music teacher. She obtained her BA in music education
through Susquehanna University. She has one brother. She enjoys hiking, dancing, cooking/baking,
crocheting, and, of course music, which she loves sharing with our students.
FRAN O‘TOOLE is a paraprofessional and has been with Abington School District in many capacities over the
past 27 years. She loves decorating her home, has one son and is a ―Mom-Mom‖ to 3 beautiful
granddaughters.
ELIZABETH DUPOLDT has joined us as an Administrative Assistant. She is new to Abington School District but
has spent the last 3 years in another school district. She was a music major at the University of the Arts,
Temple and loves all kinds of music. She has a son, Frank, and a daughter, Sophia. With her knowledge of
how a school is run, she will be a big asset to the front office.
CASEY FITZSIMMONS is known to her students as ―Ms. Fitz‖. She is our new Special Education Itinerant
teacher and is starting her second year in Abington. She attended West Chester University and has a degree
in Early Grade Prep (K-4) and Special Education. She has 2 sisters, a new brother-in-law, and over 30 first
cousins. She loves traveling, photography, swimming, and has played water polo for 5 years.
Page 4
PICTURE DAYS AT COPPER BEECH
Copper Beech offers two Picture Day sessions during the school year. Students participate
in both for different reasons (i.e. Fall for an individual picture for emergency cards and
Spring for the class picture).
Every student takes a Fall picture (in early October), which we use to attach to the
emergency cards and for our student database. If you would like to order the pictures for your family, you
must have placed an order before the picture was taken.
During the Spring (in March), we take the class picture. Pictures are not pre-ordered. Every child will receive
an individual picture package and the class picture, and you may decide whether you would like to purchase
the picture after the picture is taken. Payment for the pictures you choose to keep are returned to school as
well as any unwanted pictures.
AMERICAN EDUCATION WEEK
NOVEMBER 17-21, 2014
During American Education
Week , we invite you to visit
Copper Beech Elementary
School to participate in an
instructional lesson taught by
your child‘s teacher. We have
planned many special
activities to celebrate this
event. The children and staff
look forward to your
attendance. Due to the
format of the presentations,
we ask that preschool children not attend the
classroom visitation.
Please enter the building via
the main entrance (by clock
tower) and receive a visitor‘s
pass. ―Cougar Kids‖ will assist
you in finding the classrooms,
if needed. Adults are not permitted to stay at the school
during lunch or recess due to
school security.
MONDAY , NOVEMBER 17
Grade 1 & K
10:15-11:00
Mrs. Loeffel
A-268
Mrs. McKeough A-267
Mrs. Moran
A-269
Mrs. Scholly
A-264
Mrs. Seltzer
A-261
Mrs. Sutch
A-260
Mrs. Wolf
A-265
1:45-2:30
Mrs. Bowlin
A225
Ms. Chapple A227
Mrs.Conway B241
Mrs. McAleer B-230
Mrs. Nicholson A223
Mrs. Steinmetz B233
Mrs. Woods
B232
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18
Grade 5
9:45-10:30
Dr. Portman A122
11:15-12:00
Mrs, Chung
A129
Ms. Costa
A121
Mrs. Gemzik A123
Mrs. Hagarty A118
Ms. Richards A128
Ms. Ryan
A127
Mr. Staszkiw A116
Ms. Wentz
A126
National Education Association,
“Raise Your Hand for Student Success.”
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19
Grade 2 & 3
10:15-11:00
Ms. Ansuini
B309
Ms. Dooley
B315
Mr. Falcone
B237
Mrs. Mangin B312
Mrs. Rehill
B236
Mrs. Schuyler B240
Ms. Sincavage B239
10:45-11:30
Ms. Coyne
A316
Mrs. Gabrys
A315
Ms. Gaskin
A321
Ms. Malloy
A324
Mrs. Philippi
A323
Mrs. Slinger
A317
Mrs. Smith
A322
Mrs. Trabert
A311
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20
Grade 6
1:15-2:00
Ms. Crompton B125
Mrs. Gerson
B129
Mrs. Hideck
B122
Ms. Jackson
B130
Mr. Murphy
B126
Mr. Oldham
B132
Mr. Price
B131
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21
Grade 4
10:15-11:00
Ms. Boyd
B318
Mrs. Egan
B310
Ms. Gogel
B321
Mrs. Hagan
B320
Mrs. Matthews B313
Mrs. McFadden B319
Mrs. Schellinger A313
Mrs. Scholl-Moore A318
Mr. West
B320
C.B. C.A.R.E.S. and You Should, Too!
We believe ―Copper Beech CARES‖ makes a difference and helps children behave in a cooperative way,
have a positive attitude, demonstrate respect for others and themselves, have empathy, and practice safety.
Below, you will find our school rules, including our anti-bullying rules. Please take a moment and review
this information with your child/ren, then sign the Peacemaker Pledge on the last page and return it to
school.
NON-VIOLENT
CONFLICT
RESOLUTION WEEK,
NOVEMBER 3-7
PEACE RALLY
AND PTA ASSEMBLY,
DIVERSITY IS COOL
COUGAR KIDS—Student ambassadors chosen for consistently demonstrating CB CARES behavior.
Grade 6: Nicholas Abrams, Paris Corbin, Zachary DePaul, Lindsay Heinrich, Cody Hurst, Raees Khan,
Haley Mancini, Ciani Peay, Sophia Peech, Jackson Reazor, Joseph Rush, Jacob Siani, Jessica Sokolski,
Meghan Strange
Grade 5: Nijah Coward-Crawford, Justin Coyle, Andrew Duffy, Colin Haney, Alyssa Hegerich, Evan Koch,
Abigail McClain, Ewan McMullan, Ashley Reilly, Aneesa Rohrer-Smith, Sydney Steiner, Zach Whiting,
Daniel Whittock, Evan Williams
GREAT SHAKE OUT EARTHQUAKE DRILL & LOCKDOWN DRILL
The school district participated in the world‘s largest earthquake drill on October16, 2014. To practice in the
event of an earthquake, the students and all staff members assume positions in their classrooms and protect
themselves under desks by Drop, Cover, and Hold On.
Also in October, our school will conduct a ―lockdown drill.‖ This drill will be announced to students and staff
and used as a means to practice procedures that are in place for administrators, teachers, support staff, and
students. During a lockdown, students‘ movement in the building will be restricted and the classrooms and
building will be secured. Entry to the building will also be prohibited throughout the duration of the drill.
This announced drill is designed as an instructional opportunity so that students can know what to expect if
an emergency situation requires that a lockdown be put into place. The drill also will provide a means for staff
to identify areas where procedures may be strengthened. These areas will be reviewed in a session that is
scheduled with Abington School District principals, central staff, and the district emergency management
team.
Please understand that it is not the intent to create distress by conducting this drill. Since this will be an announced drill, we hope that any anxiety related to the lockdown drill will be minimized. Prior to the drill,
teachers will discuss the topic with children in a developmentally appropriate manner. This will be the first
announced lockdown drill this year and other unannounced drills will be scheduled later in the year.
We ask for your support in reinforcing with your children that emergency drills are conducted for practice
and safety. It is important that students cooperate with teachers and staff and respond quickly to direction.
It‘s all about the ―S‖ in CARES!
We believe that each child is provided with a safe and nurturing environment.
During Open House, we spoke about our school-wide positive behavior support and instructional
program, ―Copper Beech CARES,‖ which helps students to think before they react to situations and to make
good choices.
Page 5
Page 6
FALL 2014
WANTED! PARENT COACHES
ODYSSEY OF THE MIND COACHES NEEDED
GRADES 4, 5, 6
GIRLS ON THE RUN
GRADES 3, 4, 5, 6
Coaches are needed for our grades 4, 5, and 6 Odyssey
of the Mind teams. Odyssey of the Mind is a worldwide
creative problem-solving competition.
Under the
direction of a coach, teams work after school and at
home to practice ―spontaneous‖ problem-solving and to
create a unique solution of one of OM‘s long-term
problems.
GOTR is getting geared up for a new season at
Copper Beech. We are working towards a 3rd5th grade team and a 6th grade team. Please
email Dana Phelan dana@gotrpa.org with any
question. The website for more information is
www.gotrpa.org. The new season begins
February 2015.
Please contact Mrs. Viola, in writing, if you are interested
in helping with this worthwhile, challenging endeavor.
GREEN APPLE DAY OF SERVICE
On Saturday, September 27, Mrs. Mary Ryan, fifth grade teacher, and eleven of her students met at Hallowell
Park to participate in the Green Apple Day of Service. Students helped prepare park trees for the winter by filling
buckets of mulch and spreading them around the trees.
Hallowell Park is where many of CB students play soccer.
Mrs. Ryan organized the ‗young tree‘ project with Dr. Rita
Stevens, a former CB parent and President of the Abington
Shade Tree Commission. The theme for the week was Forests of the World. Some of the parents were very pleased
and impressed with the project that they stayed and
helped! It was a beautiful day to help the environment.
ASD ToGo and ASD E-Fliers
ASD ToGo provides information from our
website in a smart phone friendly app – available from
the Apple App Store and from the Google Play Store.
Parents can get information and news on their smart
phones every day and on their way including news, an
events calendar, lunch menus, school information,
School Board Policies and Superintendent‘s
Administrative Procedures, access to the Skyward
portal, maps, and athletic schedules.
Be sure to sign up to like Abington School
District on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
Have you noticed less fliers coming home?
You are now able to access school and community
fliers by going to the Copper Beech website and
clicking on ASD Community E-Fliers
SKYWARD
Please remember you are able to make changes in
your child’s Skyward account by using your Login and
Password. Please keep your phone numbers and
email addresses up-to-date. If you need to change
your address, please contact the school office.
CHIP—INSURANCE INFO
CHIP, Children’s Health Insurance Program, covers uninsured kids and teens
up to age 19 in Pennsylvania.
You can
apply by going to CHIPcoversPAkids.com
or calling 1-800-986-KIDS.
Page 7
825 N. Easton Road | Glenside, PA 19038 | 215-881-2000 | Fax 215-884-9816
Copper Beech Peacemaker Pledge
I am a person who C.A.R.E.S.
I try to
ooperate with others when solving problems.
I keep a positive
I
ttitude when I talk out a problem.
espect everyone even if they look different from me.
I show
I stay
mpathy when I say sorry if I think I have done something wrong.
afe by using my hands to help people and not to hurt anyone.
I have read the Copper Beech school rules and Abington School District exclusion
offenses. I am supportive of the character education program, Copper Beech CARES,
and reviewed the necessary information with my child.
________________________
________________________
Student Signature
Parent Signature
________________________
Homeroom Teacher
**Please sign and return this page to school.**