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APRIL 2017

MANHEIM NEWS

District Vision Statement: “Learners have a voice and choice for self-directed, customized learn-

ing supported by a caring and progressive network of educators.”

Dear Manheim Parents/Guardians:

Spring has sprung at Manheim Elementary School! There are so many learning experiences and events

taking place this spring that I thought I would highlight a few for you. Take a look:

We celebrated Dr. Seuss with a fun week of dressing up to salute some of his most famous books. We

also had a “penny war” and collected over $103 for the Andrea and Blaise Neiderer Reading Memorial

Fund. Just an FYI that Green Eggs and Ham was the unanimous winner of our penny war – collecting

over $65!

We voted for our favorite Pennsylvania Young Readers Choice Book. The winning titles were:

K-3 Winner- I'm Trying to Love Spiders by Bethany Barton

3-5 Winner- The Terrible Two by Mac Barnett and Jory John

Many of our grades have been experiencing some great field trips or will be going on one in the near

future. Field trips are always a memorable experience for our learners!

Author, Jacqueline Davies, came to visit us and share her experience as a writer. We were all very ex-

cited to hear about how she wrote The Lemonade Wars, our One District, One Book title this year!

We had our vocal music concerts for grades 1 and 2 on March 28, 2017 and grades 3, 4, and 5 on

March 29, 2017. We hope that everyone in attendance as greatly entertained.

Our PTO hosted the annual “Manheim’s Got Talent” event. We enjoyed singing, dancing, gymnastics,

and more on this great night!

We are gearing up for our art extravaganza, as well as the fourth and fifth grade Gym-o-Ree in May.

We have continued with great learning in every classroom. Math, reading, writing, social studies, sci-

ence, and more, are the focus all year long and will continue till June 8th.

Sincerely,

Dr. Mary Kay Kelly, Elementary Supervisor/Principal

MANHEIM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, 5778 Blooming Grove Rd., Glenville, PA 17329 717-229-2930, Fax: 717-227-9059

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A Result of Manheim’s Penny War:

Dr. Seuss Book Voted Favorite Choice

by Manheim Students

Last month, Manheim learners brought in their pennies and loose

change to vote for their favorite Dr. Seuss book. We designated all

proceeds to go to the Andrea and Blaise Neiderer Reading Memorial

Fund. We are happy to announce the results:

Green Eggs and Ham—1st Place, Total $65.89

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish,

Blue Fish— 2nd Place, $23.44

Fox in Socks - 3rd Place, Total

$5.27

Total $103.62

Thank you to everyone who donated to

this Reading memorial.

APRIL SCHEDULE CHANGE—

Important!! PLEASE KNOW, SOUTH WESTERN SD schools

are OPEN for all students, (Gr. K-12) on April 13, 2017. (THIS IS A SNOW MAKE-UP DAY from March 14th.)

Schools are Closed for Easter April 14-17. Thank you.

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MANHEIM KINDERGARTEN

REGISTRATION: Thursday, May 11, 2017

Do you know someone who needs this information?

Please help pass it along!

PLEASE CALL MANHEIM SCHOOL OFFICE, 717-229-2930, if

you have not scheduled your child’s Kindergarten registration

appointment for the 2017-18 school year.

All appointments are reserved by calling and scheduling with

the office. A few appointments are still available, but not many.

Details are on page 8 of this newsletter. Thank you!

The Manheim Office could use an extra set of

hands if you would like to help us with our

Kindergarten registration process.

We could use someone who has their clear-

ances up to date, to make copies of paperwork

in the lobby. Please call Mrs. Cover in the office, 717-229-2930, if you can offer to help out an hour

or two. Thank you!

DID YOU ORDER YOUR MANHEIM YEARBOOK?

April 7-18 will be the final sale for the Manheim Elementary

yearbook. Please have your child stop at the Manheim School

office to find an order form which needs completed and include

payment by Tuesday 4/18. Price is now $18.00 each.

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MANHEIM STAR LEARNERS FOR MARCH 2017!! CONGRATULATIONS!!

I was a STAR today! HOORAY!!

S- Strive to do your best

T- Take Responsibility

A- Always be safe

R- Respect People and Property

Mr. Riddle AM K – Molly Knight

Mr. Riddle PM K- Mikaela Rubenstein

Mrs. Abendschein - Sarah Allen

Mrs. Klinedinst - Tala Young

Mrs. McCullough – Bryce Chaney

Mrs. McKowen – Liv Loughry

Mrs. Wilson – Kendall Moul

Mrs. Wentz – Gavin Fraim

Mrs. Amoss – Morgan Saunders

Miss Krysiak– Benjamin Klein Cafeteria Golden Fork Award—Mrs. Ecker’s &

Mrs. Klunk – Bailey Beckworth Mrs. Crooks’ classes

Mrs. Plappert – Aryana Warnock Library Star - Allie Arentz

PE Star - Jake Utz

Mrs. Ecker - Hunter Utz Music Star - Kelsi Delozier

Mrs. Crooks—Eric Cunningham Art Star - Catherine Brown

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MARK YOUR CALENDAR… 2017 PSSA ASSESSMENTS

All South Western Elementary students in grades 3, 4 and 5 are participating in the Penn-sylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) on the dates below:

MANHEIM, GET READY, GET SET!!

UPCOMING PTO DATES!!

Tuesday, May 2- Ice Cream Social & ART Extravaganza! 6:30 p.m. —This is held in the Man-heim multipurpose room and in the hallways. Come for a FUN night of ART appreciation with Mrs. Sengia, Manheim’s new Art teacher!

May 11-18—Spring Book Fair, the annual Buy One, Get One sale!

Friday, May 19 is our Manheim Carnival — A SUPER FUN Night! More details will follow with this exciting night of activities for all your family!

Grades 3, 4, & 5 - PSSA Reading & Language Arts on

April 4, 5, 6, 7, 2017

Grades 3, 4, & 5 - PSSA Math on April 25, 26, 27, 2017

Grade 4 - PSSA Science on May 2 & 3, 2017

Educational travel requests will be denied during the PSSA testing days listed above.

Thank you for your support in not scheduling vacations, appointments or other absences from school on these dates.

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EXTRA CLASS PICTURES AVAILABLE

The Manheim Spring Classroom pictures were taken on February 7th. Please know if

you did not purchase a class picture, the office does have some extras available.

Please call or stop by to ask about them. The cost is $12.90 Including tax.

KITCHEN TIDBITS FROM FOOD SERVICES

Just a Reminder!

When writing a check for payment for your learner(s) account please use only blue or black ink and include their name and account number to ensure that the payment is applied to the correct account. In addition, parents always have the option of adding funds online at

www.schoolcafe.com. Please note there is a slight service fee for using this option.

GRANDPARENTS’ DAY ~ MAY 5, 2017

Manheim Elementary School extends a special invitation to the grand-

parents to visit their grandchild’s classroom on Friday, May 5, 2017

Grandparents of students in AM Kindergarten, first grade,

and second grade are welcome to visit from 9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m. on May 5,

2017.

Grandparents of students in PM Kindergarten, third grade, fourth grade,

and fifth grade may visit from 12:45 p.m.-2:15 p.m. on May 5, 2017.

Please be sure to return all Grandparents’ Day visitation requests, (sent

home last week on peach paper) to your child’s teacher as soon as possible!

Grandparents’ Day Visitor tags will be issued to you along with permission

slips needed for dismissal with grandparents. If you need an additional

form, please pick up at the school office.

This information is extremely important in keeping our Manheim learners secure and safe!!

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KINDERGARTEN

REGISTRATION

March, 2017

DEAR PARENTS AND GUARDIANS:

We are excited to share that Kindergarten registration will take place during the week of May 8, 2017. The child being registered must accompany you to the registration to have hearing, vision, speech and readiness skills screenings done. Registrations for NEW first grade learners will also occur at this time.

The South Western School Board’s policy for the cut-off date for entrance to kindergarten and first grade dictates that children must turn 5 on or before September 1, 2017, to attend kindergarten for the 2017-2018 school year. This also affects the cut-off date for entry into first grade. Learners need to turn 6 on or before September 1, 2017. No exceptions will be made for the age requirement.

Information about kindergarten registration can be accessed through the district’s website: www.swsd.k12.pa.us

(link to kindergarten registration). At the registration, parents must present the following: proof of residency with either a statement of settlement/occupancy permit, or lease agree-

ment, driver’s license with current address, or a current utility bill child’s birth certificate and/or a notarized statement or baptismal certificate showing the

date of birth immunization record The school health laws of Pennsylvania require that all students be completely immunized against the following diseases (minimum dosage requirements): Diphtheria-Tetanus (4) 4

th dose given on or after the fourth birthday,

Poliomyelitis (3), Hepatitis (3), Measles (2), Mumps (2), Rubella (1) and Varicella (Chickenpox-2). A complete written record stating the day, month and year of the child’s immunization must be presented before children are allowed to enter school. Please call one of our elementary schools before April 15, 2017, to schedule an appointment to register your child for kindergarten or first grade. All appointments must be scheduled in advance due to the high number of tightly scheduled appointments. Registration dates and locations are below:

Your attention to and cooperation with the procedures above, to register your child for entrance into kin-dergarten, is most appreciated. Please pass on this information to other parents you know who should be registering their child for kindergarten or first grade for the 2017-2018 school year. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Dr. Mary Kay Kelly

Elementary Supervisor/Principal

School Date Registration Time West Manheim (633-4890)

Baresville (633-4870)

Baresville “

Manheim (229-2930)

Park Hills (633-4880)

Park Hills “

May 8, 2017

May 9, 2017

May 10, 2017 (Over-flow day)

May 11, 2017

May 12, 2017

May 15, 2017 (Over-flow day)

8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

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Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Satur-day

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2 3

Guitar Club

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Guitar Club

MA PTO Meet-

ing, 6:00 p.m.

5 6 After School Math Tutorial, 2:30-

3:30 pm

7 Box Tops

store

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Project Har-mony Day- wear shirts or black &

white

Guitar Club

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Gr. 3 Field Trip-

State Museum

Guitar Club

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YMCA Swim-

ming, 2:30 pm

13 Snow Make

Up Day

SCHOOLS ARE

IN SESSION,

K-12

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Schools Closed,

Spring Break

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Happy

Easter!

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Schools Closed, Spring

Break

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Guitar Club

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YMCA Swim-ming, 2:30 pm-

Last day

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Bricks 4Kidz

2:30-3:45 pm

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Guitar Club

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PSSA Math Gr. 3-

5

Guitar Club

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PSSA Math Gr. 3-

5 School Board Mtg. 7:00 p.m. Admin.

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PSSA Math Gr. 3-5

Bricks 4Kidz

2:30-3:45 pm

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Manheim Spirit Day, wear Man-heim T-shirts

or purple & gold

Box tops store

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April 2017

May 2— MANHEIM ART EXTRAVAGANZA & ICE CREAM SOCIAL, 6:30—8:00 p.m.

MAY 5 - MANHEIM GRANDPARENTS’ DAY, See page 6, 9:00-10:30 a.m. OR 12:45 - 2:15 p.m.

MAY 5 - FAMILY SCIENCE NIGHT @ Park Hills Elementary, 6:00-9:00 p.m.

MAY 6—GR. 5 Washington, DC Trip

MAY 11 - MANHEIM KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION DAY, See pg. 3

MAY 19 - GYM-O-REE, Grades 4 & 5, 9:00 at South Western HS

MAY 19 - MANHEIM CARNIVAL!! 6:30 p.m.

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SCHOOL COUNSELOR ZONE Mrs. Barbara A. Piatt, Certified School Counselor barbara_piatt@swsd.k12.pa.us 717.229-2930

Test Taking Help to Battle Test Anxiety

(adapted from “Relax, It’s Only A Test” by Annie Murphy Paul, Time, February 11, 2013)

Each year, our learners obtain so much knowledge and insight, and at the end of a chapter or a given period of time,

there are often tests or exams. These tests are a good way for us to show what we know and prove to our teachers

and ourselves what we’ve learned. But for some learners, tests are also nerve racking, anxiety provoking chores

that must be completed and may affect some more than others. Annie Murphy Paul quotes Mark Ashcraft, the chair

of UNLV’s psychology department, who says “Test anxiety can have very long-term effects, affecting an individu-

al’s entire life. People who feel anxious about math tests, for example, may avoid taking math and science classes

in high school and college and cut off promising career paths as a result.” So how do you ease those concerns?

Well, Paul reviewed some of the recent research on test taking, and she has a few helpful ideas to share:

1. Write About It – Use Expressive Writing

“One method that proved successful in a recent trial is to have students spend 10 minutes writing about their

thoughts and feelings immediately before taking a test. The practice, called expressive writing, is used by psycholo-

gists to reduce negative thoughts in people with depression. [Scientists] tried this intervention on college students

placed in a testing situation, and in a Chicago school, where ninth-graders did the exercise before their first high

school final. In both cases, students’ test scores ‘significantly improved.’ While one might imagine that writing

about a looming exam would only heighten anxiety, [one scientist] says the opposite was the case. Writing about

their worries had the effect of offloading them onto the page so that the students had more cognitive horsepower

available to apply to solving problems on the test. For both groups, one short writing intervention that brings test-

ing pressures to the forefront enhances the likelihood of excelling, rather than failing, under pressure.”

2. Practice – Simulate A Test Ahead of Time

“One step all students can take to improve their performance on tests is to change how they study for them. ‘Many

students have every reason to be nervous before an exam, because they haven’t prepared adequately and don’t know

how to do so,’ notes Lisa Damour, a consulting psychologist at an all-girls private school in Shaker Heights, Ohio.

‘Then they sit down to take the test, and they freak out because they’ve never practiced doing what the test is asking

them to do.’ Reviewing class notes and textbooks can familiarize students with the material on the test, but it

doesn’t help them take the exam. Damour suggests viewing a test more like a play, with the preparation as a dress

rehearsal that replicates the format and time limit of the exam. ‘You would never just read over your lines and then

show up on the opening night of the school play, right?’ she says. ‘It’s the same thing with a test. To be ready for

it, practice doing what you’ll have to do in the test-taking situation.”

But what about younger learners? Our elementary children? Paul writes, “Even little kids aren’t immune to test

anxiety.”

3. Use Relaxation Exercises

“Psychologist, Heidi Larson, designed an intervention especially for younger students involving breathing and re-

laxation exercises and examined its effectiveness on a group of third-graders. ‘We had students lie on mats on the

floor of their classrooms. They closed their eyes, and we asked them to focus on their breathing, then on tensing

and relaxing groups of muscles in their legs, arms, stomachs and so on,’ Larson recounts. ‘Some of the kids became

so relaxed they fell asleep!’ A control group of students at another school received no such training. A study pub-

lished in the Journal of School Counseling in 2010 reported that the relaxation intervention had ‘a significant effect

in reducing test anxiety.’ ‘We all stress about tests,’ says Zach Bennett, a seventh-grader at Charleston Middle

School in Illinois who took part in the study. That was three years ago, but when Zach starts to get anxious about a

test these days, he still remembers to focus on his breathing the way Larson taught him. ‘It helps make the nervous-

ness go away,’ he says, ‘and it helps me to realize that the test is really no big deal.’”

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STAR FAMILY Fun Day

(In memory of Star Baugher Bechtel)

Saturday, April 29th (10am-2pm)

Park Hills Elementary

A Free Gift for the first 300 children

Purpose: To celebrate LIFE! Come and enjoy a fun-filled day of games, door

prizes, singing, dancing, storytelling, child ID cards, face painting, obstacle

course and FOOD with your friends and family! It is open to the public. All

ages welcome. There is no admission fee. Everyone faces difficulties and

challenges in their lives. This is a day to try to put all that aside and be happy

for what you have NOW!!!

SPRING MARKET PLACE AT SOUTH WESTERN

The South Western High School Music Department is planning their annual Spring Market

Place April 15 from 9am – 2pm at the South Western High School parking lot on Bowman

Road. Yard salers, vendors, and crafters are encouraged to partici-

pate. The public is invited for a day of shopping. Reserve your

space today. All proceeds will benefit the high school music depart-

ment.

For more information, contact Holly Culp at rgchjc@yahoo.com

or call (717)- 632-2548, EXT 21820.

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