By the time you are reading this, the Hepburn-Lycoming Primary School Walk-A-Thon will be just two days

away. I hope that you as a family are planning on joining us at the WAHS stadium from 1:00-4:00 p.m. This

will be our fourth annual “Walk-A-Thon.” It is such a great day, raising money for our school activities while

at the same time being healthy. I am always amazed at the turn out of students, siblings, parents, grandparents,

aunts, uncles, and the list goes on. We have had great weather for the walk-a-thon each year and the company

is even greater. It is not too late to plan to come to this wonderful event.

Come to the WAHS stadium on Sunday, starting at 12:30 p.m. and you can

purchase a walking lanyard and be part of this great Hepburn-Lycoming Pri-

mary School event! I want to take this time to thank Rose-Marie Gross and

her great team for the countless hours and days they have spent planning this

event. The planning started last spring before school was out for the sum-

mer. I hope to see you on the track Sunday!

On November 1, 2013, you will receive the first WASD elementary elec-

tronic report card. This report card will be printed from our Power Schools

student management program as the middle school and high school report

cards have been printed for years. You will not be required to return the re-

port card. The report card will be sent home with your child in an envelope.

You will sign the envelope and return it to school so that we know you have

received your child’s report card. Each marking period the report card will

come home in the same envelope to be signed and returned. This will allow

you to keep the report card each marking period for your reference. Parent-

teacher conferences will be held November 26 and 27, 2013. Please plan to attend your child’s conference.

Conference forms will be coming home with the report card and you will have the opportunity to request a

time of day. Due to the large number of requests for evening conferences, we cannot possibly accommodate

all requests. However, if you do not receive an evening conference time for November conferences, you will

receive an evening time for spring conferences. Please remember you can contact your child’s teacher or me

at any time with concerns using voice mail or e-mail. We are off to a GREAT start for the 2013-14 school

year.

From the Desk of Dr. Williams

Hepburn-Lycoming Primary School

October 2013

Dr. Williams

PTO HAPPENINGS

Page 2 Hepburn Happenings

We are once again collecting Box Tops for Education (www.btfe.com) and Labels for Education (www.labelsforeducation.com). Each class is challenged to collect 2500 points or more by May 16th to earn a pizza party for their class! There are many other great prize levels along the way. Please visit our website for more information. Box Tops and Labels for Education can be turned in to your child's teacher throughout the school year. Label the bag or envelope with the teacher’s name to ensure the proper class gets credit. Thanks for your participation!

SPIRIT CUP SALE

The Fall Book Fair

will be held during

the week of October

21st - 25th. Look for

more information

coming home on

this popular

event later

this month.

As always, email us with comments/suggestions at hepburnlycomingpto@gmail.com, or to

volunteer for any of the events listed here. We will put you in touch with the right committee

chair. Speaking of committee chairs…we are still in need of volunteers to head up some of

our important committees, including an opening on our Executive Board for Fundraising Co-

Chair. Please let us know how you’d like to help out or get involved!

"Like" us on Facebook at Hepburn Lycoming Primary School PTO, and visit our webpage by clicking on

the PTO tab at www.wasd.org/hepburn.

We were encouraged by the awesome turnout at our first PTO

meeting, but if you couldn't make it - we missed you! Our

PTO meetings are held the first Thursday of the month during the school year at 6:30 pm in the school cafeteria. Please con-

sider joining us to hear firsthand from the PTO, principal and

teachers present what is happening at your school. The next

meeting is on November 7th. There will be a vote to amend the cur-

rent bylaws in order to change the name of the organization to Hep-

burn-Lycoming Primary School PTO.

This coming Sunday, October 6th, from 1:00 - 4:00 PM we

will be holding our 4th Annual Walk-a-Thon at the Wil-

liamsport High School Athletic Complex. Thanks to every-

one who has already turned in their donations for our larg-

est fundraiser, but it's not too late to participate. Please

make plans to be there and enjoy a day of outdoor fun

with your family and friends. Check our website or Face-

book page for any last minute updates or changes.

Brax Spirit Cups go on sale this month. This

is a popular fundraiser for the PTO that we

are bringing back with even more product of-

ferings this year. A flyer with all the details will

be coming home soon. In the meantime, be

sure to check out the samples at the Walk-a-

Thon so you can see firsthand the style and

quality of this product. Delivery will be in

plenty of time for gift-giving season.

RAINDATE-

OCTOBER 13TH

Page 3 Hepburn Happenings

First Grade has started out the year great! We are settling down into our daily routines and

procedures. We have begun our first Treasures Unit – All About Us. The children are excited about

sharing things about themselves and displaying work from centers as we discuss what is unique

about each and every child. Small reading groups have begun and the children are having the oppor-

tunity to work at learning centers with their classmates.

Spelling also began the last week of September with students bringing home flashcards for

extra practice. Spelling tests will be given at the end of each week. We continue to add high fre-

quency words to our classroom word walls which is a great help as the children work to become even

more fluent writers.

We have concluded our first unit in Everyday Math – Establishing Routines. The children

have been investigating the number line, using mathematical tools such as pattern blocks, geoboards,

base-10 blocks, and pennies and learned a few new math games. First graders also have been re-

cording tally marks for a variety of different things.

Thank you parents for supporting your first grader in their homework. Please continue to

return the take-home reader and math homelink the following day in your child’s folder. As always,

please email, call or send in a note if you have any questions, or concerns regarding first grade. We

look forward to having a wonderful year with your child!!

Mrs. Gower, Mrs. Schmack & Mrs. Wagner

Planning has begun for this year's Fall Festival, which

will be a full day of activities during the school day on

October 18th. This is always a fun and festive day for

our students and staff, and also a great way for parents

and family members to get involved by signing up to vol-

unteer. Please contact Bobbi Jo Vilello

(bvilello@gmail.com) for more information or

to volunteer.

Page 4 Hepburn Happenings

Page 5 Hepburn Happenings

PARENT–TEACHER

CONFERENCES

Parent-Teacher conferences will be held on November 26 and 27,

2013. There will be no school for students on these days. The con-

ferences on November 26th will be held between the hours of 8:00 a.m.

and 8:00 p.m. The conference hours will be 8:00 – 11:00 a.m. on

Wednesday, November 27th. More information will be coming home on

November 1st with the report cards.

SEPTEMBER

STUDENT OF THE MONTH

Irina Savage

Laila Kiessling

Emma Vollman

Lillian Fry

Sarah Stugart

Jayden Ulmer

Marissa DiMarco

Kieran Varner

Anna Harstead

Emileah Bird

Zoe Wright

Caleb Fausnaught

Madisyn Plocinski

Chais Shief

Owen Gair

Mark Kimble

Sydney Kelley

Today, October 4th, every student walked

1 mile around the school grounds to em-

phasize a healthy lifestyle walking with

friends. What a great start to the day!

On Monday, October 7, 2013, the Hep-

burn-Lycoming Primary School will

practice an emergency evacuation

drill. This drill is being held as a prac-

tice in the event that there would ever

be an emergency in the building that

would result in all students, faculty,

and staff having to evacuate to an alternate site. Route

973 East will be blocked by emergency personnel

while we walk to the fire company social hall and then

walk back. Please have your child wear sneakers or

safe walking shoes on Monday. Parents will not be able

to access the school parking lot from the time the drill

starts at 10:00 a.m. unit it is over at approximately 10:30

a.m. There will be no spectators allowed during the

drill. If you have any questions, please contact the

school at 494-1112.

Page 6 Hepburn Happenings

Welcome to another year at the new Hepburn-Lycoming Primary School. This has been a great beginning to the year with meeting many terrific and new faces here at Hepburn. I just wanted to give a welcome to all and let parents know I am available to meet with you if a need arises this year. The phone number is 570-494-1112, extension 33130 for Mrs. Phillips, School Counselor, to set up an appointment.

We have kicked off our School Wide Positive Behavior program this year and it pleases me to see the terrific positive behavior our students display each and every day. You will hear the students recite the four B’s…

Be Present

Be Respectful

Be Responsible

Be Safe….

It is up to Me!!

This year as a continuation of Safe Schools, I have been visiting all class-rooms to discuss Weapon Awareness. This is a thirty minute presentation to make all students aware of the school board policy with regard to weapons. I always stress we want all students to feel and be SAFE at school.

Upcoming events….I hope to start the “Lunch Bunch” soon with first through third grade. This is a fun, informal gathering of students and me eat-ing lunch together in my conference area. Just a fun way for me to get to know everyone better.

Keep your eyes open for Hepburn’s annual donation collection, shopping, and display of our “Toys for Tots”. Information will be sent home in early No-vember.

Happy Fall to All!

from Mrs. Phillips

Please remember to send your child/children in sneakers

or gym safe shoes on gym day. This will keep your stu-

dent safe and ready to do their very best.

Page 7 Hepburn Happenings

Do you like surprises? How about birthday surprises? Do you like to plan special birthday surprises? If you an-

swered yes to any of these questions, you might enjoy reading The Wednesday Surprise by Eve Bunting. Grandmas

are very special people. She can make you feel warm, accepted, and mystified in a single moment. The children in

this story love having Grandma come and stay with them on Wednesday evenings when their mother stays late at the

office and dad is working. Grandma always carries a large bag when she comes to visit. However, on this particular

evening, celebrating dad’s birthday on Saturday evening, the bag is extra heavy. So heaving that the Anna has to drag

it across the room rather than carry it. What is in the bag? What is the Wednesday/Saturday surprise? What is the

“best birthday gift of all?” You will have to read the book to discover the answers to these questions as well as a won-

derful surprise for you as the reader at the end. This is such a wonderful book that there are four copies in the library,

two in the student collection and two in the teacher collection. I recommend this as a read aloud for the teachers to

read to their students as well as a book to be checked out by our students.

Eve Bunting is one of my favorite authors. I always watch the new book re-

views to read her latest literary works. The reason I enjoy her writing is because

she writes from her life experiences including childhood to adult. She always

has a notebook with her and when an experience comes to mind because of

something she sees or hears, she immediately takes out her notebook and begins

to write thoughts and imagery. She will often go to her notebook and read when

she has the desire to write a new book. One of my favorite books by Eve Bun-

ting is Fly Away Home. The story will not only captivate you but bring you to

tears as well. We have a large collection of her books in the library. Stop by the

library and ask Mrs. Keller where the collection is located and she will be happy

to assist you. As always, see you in the library!

PRINCIPAL’S BOOK REVIEW

Parent volunteers are very impor-

tant to daily life at Hepburn-

Lycoming Primary School. We al-

ways need assistance from parents

to assist in classrooms with working

individually with students . This

might be listening to a child read

or helping a child learn a particu-

lar skill. Please contact the office if

you are willing to volunteer.

Hepburn-Lycoming Primary School is a “food allergy aware” school. In order to

protect the health of all of our children, food items are not permitted to be

brought into classrooms or common areas unless they have been cleared by

the classroom teacher, principal, and/or school nurse (the exception to this

rule would be lunches packed in closed containers). At this time, we are particu-

larly mindful of peanuts and peanut products due to a potentially life threatening

allergy to peanuts. It is possible for an allergic child to suffer serious health

consequences, even by touching peanut products. Please help us ensure the

health of all of our children by abiding by these guidelines.

ATTENTION

Visitors, Parents, and Staff

Page 8 Hepburn Happenings

WILLIAMSPORT AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

DIVISION OF STUDENT SERVICES

DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICES

Dear Parent,

Every year, many children throughout the United States become infected with head lice. Head lice will al-

ways be a part of our society. Since there are many misconceptions about head lice, we are attempting to

provide you with the most accurate scientific information available. If you would like additional information,

there are additional references below or you may contact the school nurse.

What are Head Lice? Head Lice are tiny wingless insects that area about the size of a sesame seed. They

have six legs with claws on each leg. Since they do not have hind legs, they can not jump or hop. Although

they are able to crawl quickly, they are unable to cover great distances.3

The female louse may live for 30 days and lays approximately 10 eggs (nits) per day. The eggs are

attached to the hair by a glue-like substance. The heat from the human body incubates the eggs which will

hatch in 10-14 days. Once hatched, the nymph grows for 9-12 days, mate and lay eggs. Untreated, this cy-

cle will repeat itself every three weeks.2

For pictures of head lice, please visit the web site http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/headlice.html

Medical Implications: Head lice are an infestation not an infection. Head lice do not cause or spread any

diseases and therefore, do not pose any significant threat to one’s health.3

Societal Reactions: Head Lice will always be present in the community at any given time. For years, the

mere mention of lice caused people to react negatively. Research regarding head lice did not exist. Instead,

myths were developed and spread from one generation to the next. Well meaning individuals have communi-

cated myths (which have no scientific basis) to others and this has resulted in many misconceptions about

head lice. Fortunately, with research, many past practices and myths can now be abolished. Instead of seek-

ing the source or someone to blame, parents, schools, and communities need to work together to incorporate

the most appropriate recommendations that are based on the latest scientific research.

Prevention/Early Detection: Prevention of head lice is best attainable through education. Parents and

school staff needs to educate children to avoid sharing hats, combs, brushes, scarves and avoid direct head

to head contact. 1

Home Control Measures: At least twice a week, parents should check their children for head lice. This will

provide parents with the opportunity to talk to their children about head lice and allow parents to detect any

early infestation.

Page 9 Hepburn Happenings

WILLIAMSPORT AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

DIVISION OF STUDENT SERVICES

DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICES

The Facts about Head Lice

Head Lice will always be a part of our society. Since many myths and rumors exist about

lice, we are providing our students and parents with the most accurate scientific informa-

tion available.

Head lice are tiny wingless insects. They do not jump, fly, nor are they able to crawl long distances.

Head lice do not carry disease and do not pose a serious threat to health. They are considered a nuisance problem. Anyone can get head lice!

Prevention of head lice is best attained through education. Parents should learn how to recognize lice and their eggs (nits), and check their children for head lice twice a week

at home. Head lice are most often transmitted in the home environment and where close

personal contact occurs such as sleepovers. The sooner a case of lice is found, the easier

the treatment becomes!

There is no scientific evidence to support the concept that mass screenings for lice are effective in reducing the spread of lice. Therefore, health services staff no longer conduct

mass screenings of classrooms.

When head lice are discovered, do not panic! Treatments are available over the counter

or by contacting your family physician. Follow the directions on the product package

carefully. Elimination of lice takes time and persistence! Please do not spend any of your

valuable time and energy in seeking someone to blame. It is impossible to identify the

exact source of infestation. Your time and energy should be used to treat and educate

your child.

For complete details about head lice and proper treatment, contact your school nurse

and refer to www.wasd.org and follow the link for health services or visit the website

http://www.harvard.edu/headlice.html

Hepburn-Lycoming Elementary

355 Route 973 East

Cogan Station, PA 17728

Phone: 570-494-1112

Fax: 570-494-0534

Developing responsible citizens through excellence in education.

Dr. Williams

Principal

Mrs. Phillips

Counselor

Mrs. Bower

Secretary

Mrs. Grieco

Nurse

PERSONNEL

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1/4

2/5

3/1

9:30– R.I.F.– 1st GR-

”Fired Up for Reading”

6:30– PTO Meeting

4/2 Newsletter distributed

9:15- “Walk At School”

Day

1 mile walk

5

6 1:00-4:00 PM

Walk-A-Thon

WAHS Track

7/3

8/4

9/5

10/1

11/2 9:30 Fire Prevention

Assembly

12

13 1:00-4:00 PM

Walk-A-Thon

Raindate

14 In-Service Day

NO SCHOOL FOR

STUDENTS

15/3

16/4

17/5

18/1 9:30-3:00– Fall

Festival

2:45– PTO Fall Treat

19

20 21/2 BOOK FAIR

22/3 BOOK FAIR

2:00– Respect

Assembly

23/4 BOOK FAIR

24/5 BOOK FAIR

9:15– PICTURE

MAKE-UP DAY

25/1 BOOK FAIR

End of 1st

Marking Period

26

27 28/2 29/3

30/4

11:25-1:05– Princi-

pal’s B-Day Lunch

31/5

SCHOOL STORE

3:00– Student of the

Month pictures