May 2017

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www.pmes.pennsmanor.org 6003 Route 553 Hwy, Clymer, PA 15728 724-254-2666

15-18 3rd Grade Recorder Concerts

16 Life Skills Class End of Year CBI Field Trip18 Spring Choral & Band Concert, 7PM

19 Spring Concert Assembly, 9:30 AM

19 Sterlen Barr Assembly

22 5th Grade Junior Achievement Assembly

23 5th Grade Rocket Launch

24 5th Grade Science Field Day

24 4th Grade Field Trip

25 PTG: BOGO Book Fair

25 Kindergarten Celebration

25 PTG: BOGO Book Fair Family Night, 6-8 PM

25 Evergreen Boys & Girls Club Last Day

26 Luau

29 No School: Memorial Day Holiday

30 4th Grade Awards, 10:30 AM

30 5th Grade Awards, 11:30 AM

June 1 PreK Farewell

2 Last Student Day, 2016-17 School Year

2 Honor Roll Assembly, Grades 3-5

5 Teacher In-Service

6-8 Summer Boys & Girls Club

8 Report Cards Mailed

13-15 Evergreen Boys & Girls Club

20-22 Evergreen Boys & Girls Club

27-29 Evergreen Boys & Girls Club

27 Summer Library, 9 AM-2 PM

July 5 Summer Library, 9 AM-2 PM

11 Summer Library, 9 AM-2 PM

August 1 Summer Library, 9 AM-2 PM

8-10 Evergreen Boys & Girls Club

9-11 Jump Start

14 Kindgarten Orientation, 6 PM

14-18 Jump Start

15 PreK Orientation, 6 PM

15-17 Evergreen Boys & Girls Club

16 Kindergarten/PreK Classroom Visits, 3-5 PM

17 PreK Mock Class Day

24-25 Teacher In-Service

28 First Student Day, 2017-18 School Year

30 Evergreen Boys & Girls Club First Day

May Calendar

June-August Calendar

High Goals Met In 1st Grade

As of May 10, first grade has TEN students that have earned over 100 AR points during this school year. This is the most first grade students we have ever had in one year attain this level of achievement.

Pictured above, with points earned so far, are: (front) Dustin Eck (113.8), Jackson Hardesty (193.5), Geoffrey Eck (103.9), (back row) Isabella Agro (109.6), Josslyn Bennett (139.8), Chloe Freno (100.1), Allison Lieb (103.9), Emilee Palmer (133.7), and Teegan Boston (121.5). Absent from photo: Lilly Clutter (100.4). These points together represent a total of 2,092,633 words! Great job, first grade!

May 2017

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Jump Start

Don’t forget to sign your students up for the Jump Start Program. Sign-ups were sent home with

students or you can pick one up in the elementary office (due May 31). Dates for Jump Start are

August 9-11 and 14-18.

A Note From The Nurse

Please remember to give any immunization updates to the school nurse. Also, for the 2017-2018 school year, physical exams are required for Pre-K and kindergarten students. Dental exams are required for Pre-K, kindergarten and third grade students.

Thank you to all the Box Top clippers out there that have collected Box Tops for Penns Manor this year. We submitted and received $1,775 this school year!

This money was combined with prior collections to purchase equipment, such as document cameras, to help our teachers provide better instruction to our students.

Thank you for all your hard work and keep collecting them for us. A little ten cent Box Top adds up fast!

Submitted by Mr. Shearer, Box Tops Collections Coordinator

May 2017

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A long-standing, end-of-the-year tradition

continues in Mr. Cowles’ third grade classroom. This practice began in the spring of 1992, when Dr. Susan Smits, then principal, suggested a collaborative fairy-tale and puppet show. In the beginning, the puppets were formed over a paper towel tube and balloon. All the features (such as hair) were added with tempera paint. Since then the puppets have improved their looks considerably, but the process has remained basically the same.

The class is divided into four or five groups. This year there were four. Several classic fairy-tales are selected. Several versions of each story are read. This year each group read two or three versions of the Brothers Grimm tales of Rapunzel, Rumpelstiltskin, Hansel & Gretel, and The Musicians of Bremen. These stories are then rewritten from a basic narrative into a puppet play with all of the action being told in the conversations of the characters.

As the plays are written, the puppets are created. A balloon is still used for the basic round shape of the head. Now, in place of paper towel tubes (that

Third Grade Puppet Plays! Submitted by Mr. Cowles, Third Grade Teacher

would get wet and flimsy) we use pieces of PVC pipe. Balloons and pipe are still covered with a plaster-craft cloth. This cloth is the same as doctors once used to make a cast for broken bones. The plaster-craft cloth is dipped in hot water and applied over the balloon and pipe. Two covers must be made for the puppet structure to be hard enough to remain solid once the balloon inside breaks or deflates. Once the two coverings are made, special features are formed from cardboard, paper towels, plastic cups, and masking tape. These make the shapes of ears, eyebrows, snouts, etc. These are then covered with more plaster-craft. Finally, the puppets are ready to paint. These days, many of the puppets wear real looking hair (wigs purchased after Halloween). Many have earrings and other accessories.

When the plays are written and the puppets finished, the show is rehearsed and then presented to other classes, parents, and other community members. This year the shows will be on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, May 16-18. Shows will be at 9:15, 10:00, 1:00, and 1:45 daily. This project would not have been possible without the help of (Continued on page 4)

Left to right, front: Dominic Habel, James Byers-McGee, Johnathan Shilling, Gaberial Crook, Zackary Yackuboskey, Austin Horchak, Cody Sims, Noah Lapso, Mason Isenberg. Back: Kaylen Klingensmith, Dakota Pennington, MaKenzie Hopkins, Sidnee Hrubochak, Brooke Mason, Kaylee Simmers, Sophia Patterson, Katie Ferguson, Mr. Cowles, Rebecca Hildebrand. Absent: Meghan Galentine (Mr. Cowles is holding her puppet.)

May 2017

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Third Grade Puppet Plays continued from page 3…

Miss Shannon Baxley, a student teacher from the University of Phoenix, working in Mr. Cowles’ classroom. The casts are as follows:

Hansel & Gretel Mason Isenberg (Hansel), Meghan Galentine (Gretel), Johnathan Shilling (Father), Rebecca Hildebrand (Step-Mother), and Sidnee Hrubochak (Witch).

Rumpelstiltskin James Byers-McGee (Miller), Zackary Yackuboskey (Daughter/Queen), Gaberial Crook (King), and Sophia Patterson (Rumpelstiltskin).

Rapunzel Katie Ferguson (Mother), Dominic Habel (Father), Cody Sims (Rapunzel), Kaylee Simmers (Sorceress), and Brooke Mason (Prince).

Musicians of Bremen Dakota Pennington (Donkey), Noah Lapso (Dog), Kaylen Klingensmith (Cat), MaKenzie Hopkins (Rooster), and Austin Horchak (Robber).

DON’T

FORGET!

May 24: PTG Fun Fest

DJ, Games, Prizes

Come sing, dance, play games,

and enjoy refreshments from

6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

May 26: Olweus Committee End-of-Year Luau

5th Grade STEM Project Flies High Submitted by Mr. Shearer, 5th Grade Math Teacher

In fifth grade math, the students are wrapping up the year with a STEM project. The project is making model rockets. The project involves a hands-on review of the skills that the students learned throughout the year. To kick off the unit, students are to create a logo using the design process. They are also to create a rocket mission statement stating their team’s goals. Near the end of May, students will get to launch their work up into the air to see how successful they were. This project is sponsored by the PTG. The photo above is an example of the mission statement banners that the students created. This sample was created by Vayda Hagerman and Trinity Patterson.

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Civil War Assembly Submitted by Mrs. Driskel, 5th Grade Social Studies Teacher

As part of the Social Studies Committee’s commitment to a well-rounded education, the fourth and fifth grade students experienced life during the Civil War. Local reenactors, Jim McConnell and Don and Becky Becker, displayed hands-on materials so that the students could see how soldiers lived, dressed, and communicated during the war, as well as how life was handled on the home-front.

Pictured at right is Devin Cessna, trying on clothing and equipment that would have been used by a Civil War soldier. Below left, Elizabeth Diehl models typical dress for a woman of the era. Below right, Breezy Horn displays flag signals used by soldiers to communicate.

Seamless Summer Lunch Program

Free lunches will be available to children this summer during several summer activities, such as Boys & Girls Club and basketball camp. Even if your child (up to age 18) is not involved in these programs, you can bring them to the elementary cafeteria for a FREE lunch (adults may eat but will have to pay regular adult price of $4). Lunches are served from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. The dates for the program are: June 6-8, 12-16, 20-22, 27-29 and August 7-11, 14-18.

Summer Fun on the Horizon

Visit the Children’s Advisory Commission’s (CAC) website and Facebook page for some fun (and sometimes FREE) things going on in Indiana County.

Website: www.childrensadvisorycommission.org Facebook: Children’s Advisory Commission of Indiana

County

May 2017

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Soak Up Some Summer Fun With

Evergreen Boys & Girls Club!

FREE 6 Week Summer Program: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

June August 6, 7, 8 8, 9, 10 13, 14, 15 12, 13, 14 20, 21, 22 27, 28, 29 Members within the district receive bus transportation, breakfast, and

lunch. (There will be no van transportation during our summer program.)

Summer Program Includes:

*Academically enriching activities designed to help prevent summer learning loss.

*Social recreation—air hockey, iPads, board games, Xbox, WiiU *Health & fitness—flag football, basketball, baseball, dodgeball, and

other sports! *Arts & crafts

*LOTS OF FUN!!!

TO REGISTER: Submit a completed application (can be picked up in the school office)

QUESTIONS? Call Cheri at 724-254-2666, extension 1180

Penns Manor Elementary Boys & Girls Club

Youth of the Month Submitted by Cheri Shultz,

Penns Manor EBGC Program Director

Evergreen Boys & Girls Club of Indiana County at Penns Manor Elementary School has chosen Emmaleigh Pennington as Youth of the Month for April 2017. Emmaleigh is in fourth grade and is the daughter of Rhonda Pennington. She has three siblings: Collin, Zack, and Greg.

Emmaleigh’s favorite thing about Club is art and playing outside for sports. Outside of Club, Emmaleigh likes to play basketball and soccer.

Emmaleigh was chosen by staff because she exhibits the characteristics that Club seeks to instill in its members. She comes to Club prepared and works hard during Project Learn to complete her homework. She is kind, cooperative and helpful. Emmaleigh shows respect to staff and other Club members and follows all Club rules.

Congratulations, Emmaleigh!

Deputy Phil Poster Winner

Deputy Phil recently returned to Penns Manor Elementary to deliver a prize to third grade student, Johnathan Shilling (pictured at right with Mr. Cowles and Deputy Phil). Johnathan’s safety poster was chosen as the second place winner in the Deputy Phil Poster Contest. Congratualtions, Johnathan and have fun spending your prize money!

May 2017

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In recognition of Earth Day, fifth grade students participated in the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful project. As they have done for the past several years, students and teachers donned orange vests and vinyl gloves and went around our school grounds for a litter pick up on April 19. Thank you to all who made this project possible and thank you to fifth grade for once again cleaning up our school grounds!

May 2017

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Radio Stars

Several of Mrs. Vodopivec’s first grade students were selected to read their “Fractured Fairy Tales” during this month’s visit to WQMU 1160FM radio station. Students are selected each month to speak during the radio broadcast about what is happening at Penns Manor or activities they are involved in.

Pictured at right are (left to right) Allison Lieb, Marley Smochek, and Gavin Foehrenbach.

Fractured fairy tales are stories that use fairy tales we all know with changes in characters, setting, point of view, or the plot. Often events happen in threes and the stories are about good versus evil. A fractured fairy tale may also teach a lesson or moral, such as work hard or always be yourself. Enjoy Allison, Marley, and Gavin’s fractured fairy tales below.

Little Red and the Big Good Wolf (Based on Little Red Riding Hood)

By Allison Lieb

Once upon a time at the studio, Little Red was getting ready for the next show. The Big Good Wolf was getting ready too. Then they started playing their song. So Little Red and the Big Good Wolf were playing their song and noticed they had 10 fans. So they left the studio and went to find more fans. They found 4 more fans in the forest. But they wanted 20 fans so they went off. In Candyland they found six more fans and 4+10+6=20. So Little Red and the Big Good Wolf and the fans went back to the studio and played their song.

Seriously My Stepsisters Talk Too Much (Based on Cinderella) By Marley Smocheck

Once upon a time the prince gave letters to go to the ball. He gave the letters to all the people in his town. The stepsisters talk all day and all night. Cindy tells them nicely to be quiet. 1 year later Cindy and her stepsisters were playing with each other. They were playing princesses. They were nice to each other. Cindy was the queen her stepsisters Rose and Sunflower were the princesses. They all had a good time together. They all love each other and they all had a happy ending.

The Three Little Ninjas and the Big Bad Wolf

(The Three Little Pigs) By Gavin Foehrenbach

Once upon a time the first little ninja cut down five trees. He stacked them on a pine tree. Then he went in. The second little ninja broke some ferns and three sticks and piled the ferns on the sticks and went in to take a nap. The third little ninja gathered some rocks in the river. He got ten rocks. He went to his building site and set to work. He went in to eat. The wolf went in the forest. He smelled the ninjas. He said, “Little ninja, little ninja let me come in.” No okay then I’ll blow your house down. He did. The ninja ran to his brother’s house. The wolf ran after him. He saw the second little ninja’s house. He said, “Little ninja, little ninja let me come in.” No, then I’ll blow your house down. The two little ninjas ran to the third little ninja’s house and the wolf ran after them. He said, “Little ninjas, little ninjas let me come in.” No. Then I’ll blow your house down. I don’t care. Then I’ll go down the chimney and he did and he fell in the soup. Then they ate the wolf for dinner.