James P. Wickersham Elementary 401 N. Reservoir Street

(717)291-6291

Staff Directory

Principal • Ashley D. Mercado- ext. 16500

Leadership Team Principal Resident

• Danielle Barnett - ext. 16511 Instructional Coach

• Corey Lipisko- ext. 16590 Student & Family Resource Specialist

• Abigail Griffith- ext. 16512 Guidance Counselor

• Ryan Wertman- ext. 16520 Student Health Services School Nurse

• ext. 16516 PA Counseling

• Katie Kresge- ext. 16539 • Jessica Simeral- ext. 16208

Main Office Building Secretaries

• Amanda Melendez- ext. 16500

Family Events Calendar 2019-2020

Date Event Time August 21 Back to School Night 5:00-7:00 PM August 26 First Student Day of School 8:30 August 30 - September 2 No School – Labor Day September 20 #WickBreakfast (PAC/PTO) 8:30 AM October 3 Fall Picture Day October 14 No School – Columbus Day October 18 #WickBreakfast (PAC/PTO) 9:30-10:30 AM October 18 Wickersham Wellness Run October 24 Millersville Math Night 6:00-7:30 PM November 5 No School – Election Day November 8 #WickBreakfast (PAC/PTO) 8:30 AM November 12 Fall Picture Re-Take Day November 25, 26 Parent/Teacher Conferences - No School November 27 - Dec. 2 No School - Thanksgiving Break December 5 Winter Concert @ JPM 6:00 PM December 9 International / Wick Family Dinner 5:00-6:30 PM December 20 #WickBreakfast (PAC/PTO) 8:30 AM December 23 - January 1 No School – Winter Break January 17 #WickBreakfast (PAC/PTO) 8:30 AM January 20, 21 No School – MLK Holiday January 27 No School- Professional Development February 13, 14 Parent/Teacher Conferences - No School February 17 No School – President’s Day February 21 #WickBreakfast (PAC/PTO) 8:30 AM March 20 #WickBreakfast (PAC/PTO) 8:30 AM April 9-13 No School- Spring Break April 17 #WickBreakfast (PAC/PTO) 8:30 AM April 22 Science Factory Night 5:00-7:00 PM April 28 No School- Weather Make Up Day May 15 Spring Carnival 5:00-6:30 PM May 21 Spring Concert/Night of the Arts 6:00 PM May 22 Spring Carnival (Rain Date) May 25 No School – Memorial Day June 8 Tentative Final Student Day

Please note: Dates are subject to change

There will be NO Approved Educational Field Trips During PSSAs

Important Note: The following dates

Wickersham will dismiss at 12:15pm.

September 11 & 25 October 9

November 13 December 11

January 8 February 12 & 26

March 11 & 25 April 8 May 13

Aviso Importante: Los estudiantes de la escuela Wickersham salen a las 12:15 PM los siguientes días:

11 & 25 de septiembre

9 de octubre 13 de noviembre 11 de diciembre

8 de enero 12 & 26 de febrero 11 & 25 de marzo

8 de abril 13 de mayo

Wickersham Elementary Daily Schedule Horario Diario de la Escuela

8:15 AM Students enter the building and report to class or breakfast Los estudiantes entran a la escuela y van a sus salones o desayuno 8:15-8:30 AM Breakfast Served in Cafeteria- No students served after 8:30

Comienza el servicio de desayuno en la cafeteria. Estudiantes no pueden tomar el desayuno despues del 8:30

8:30 AM Students must be in class, ready for morning announcements

Los estudiantes deben estar en sus salones, listos para escuchar los anuncios del dia

8:40-9:00 AM Morning Meeting / Reunión de Mañana 11:10-1:35 PM Lunch and Recess Blocks / Turnos de almuerzo y de receso 11:10-11:55 K5 Lunch/Recess 1st Recess/Lunch 12:00-12:45 2nd Lunch/Recess 3rd Recess/Lunch 12:50-1:35 4th Lunch/Recess 5th Recess/Lunch 3:00 PM **Student Dismissal / Los estudiantes salen de la escuela ** Student Dismissal: Parents or emergency contacts are the only ones allowed to pick students up from school. Parents can update this information by requesting a Student Info Verification Form. In the event someone must pick up your child who is not authorized on your student’s record, written notice must be sent to school with your child prior to the pick-up. No students will be dismissed between 2:30 and 3:00 pm without official notice of a doctor’s appointment. Local authorities may be notified if parents (or their designee) fail to pick students up within one half hour of dismissal time. ** Despedida de Estudiantes: Los padres o los contactos de emergencia son los únicos que pueden recoger a los estudiantes de la escuela. Los padres pueden actualizar la informacion solicitando un formulario de verificacion de informacion del estudiante. En el caso de que alguien tiene que recoger a su hijo que no está autorizado en el expediente de su hijo, el aviso escrito debe ser enviado a la escuela con su hijo antes de la recogida. Las autoridades locales pueden ser notificados si los padres (o su designado) no pueden recoger a los estudiantes dentro de media hora desde la hora de la salida.

Attendance Policies

In order for your child to have the best learning experience here at Wickersham, good attendance is absolutely essential. Good attendance in

elementary will help your child feel better about school and themselves. The following district policies are in place to ensure that students arrive to school

on time & ready to learn.

Perfect Attendance- Students who come to school daily are recognized at our monthly celebrations on the second Wednesday of every month. Students with perfect attendance take home a perfect attendance pencil and are entered into a prize drawing. Wick also holds

“Perfect Attendance Challenges” throughout the year. Students must be in school on time and stay all day to qualify- look for flyers with more info! Student Attendance- As a very important safety check, every morning after the daily attendance is recorded, parents will receive an automated phone message from the school district if their child is either tardy or absent.

Student Tardiness- Students are to be at school by 8:30 AM. Student tardiness will only be excused when documented attendance at a doctor’s appointment is turned into the office.

Student Absence- A written excuse must be submitted for ANY student absence from school within 3 days of the absence. All excuses must contain student name, date of absence, reason and parent/guardian signature. Excuse slips are available in the office. Early dismissals and/or late arrivals due to doctor appointments count as absences and are excused only if verification of the appointment is brought to school. Three or more days of unexcused absence will generate a “First Notice” letter and may lead to legal prosecution for truancy.

Política de Asistencia- Notificación de Ausencias a los Padres deben considerarse como sin excusa/ilegal hasta que el distrito reciba una excusa escrita explicando la ausencia, para ser presentada dentro de los tres (3) días de la ausencia. Un máximo de diez (10) días de ausencias acumulativas verificadas por una notificación de padres debe ser permitida durante un año escolar. Todas las ausencias más allá de diez (10) días acumulativos deben requerir una excusa de un médico. Salidas tempranas y/o llegadas tarde a causa de citas con el medico tambien cuentan como ausencias y son justificadas solamente si la verificación de la cita se llevó a la escuela. Cuando un estudiante tiene 3 días o mas de ausencias sin excusa, los padres reciben una carta del Distrito sobre inasistencia y pueden recibir una multa.

Safe Schools Initiative Entering School: All visitors must sign in/register in the Main Office and show a photo ID. Visitors will then be issued a “Visitor’s Badge” which must be worn at all times while on school property. Todos los visitantes deben registrarse en la oficina principal y mostrar una identificación con foto. Luego, a los visitantes se les emitirá una "Insignia de visitante" que se debe usar en todo momento mientras se encuentre en la propiedad de la escuela. Parent Contact Information: Parents must notify the school immediately if there is a change of emergency contact information. The school needs to maintain current contact names and phone numbers for each student in case of emergency. Proof of any change in the student’s address such as a copy of lease, mortgage, or current utility bill must be supplied to the Office. Los padres deben notificar a la escuela inmediatamente si hay un cambio en la información de contacto de emergencia. La escuela necesita mantener los nombres y números de teléfono actualizados de cada estudiante en caso de emergencia. Student Information: For the safety of our students, no information regarding any student may be given out over the phone. Parents must come in to the Main Office (with photo I.D.) to obtain attendance or any other information about their child. Parents may also log on to the SDOL Home Access Center. Para la seguridad de nuestros estudiantes, no se puede dar información sobre ningún estudiante por teléfono. Classroom Phone Calls: Out of respect for instructional time, phone calls will not be put through to classrooms unless the teacher informs the main office that they are expecting a call from the parent. Parents may leave a message for the teacher by calling the main office at (717) 291-6291. Por respeto al tiempo de instrucción, las llamadas telefónicas no se enviarán a las aulas a menos que el maestro le informe a la oficina principal que está esperando una llamada del padre. Classroom Visitation: Parents/Guardians wishing to spend time with their child during school hours for any reason must first meet with the teacher ahead of time to make arrangements for their visit. Los padres / tutores que deseen pasar tiempo con su hijo durante el horario escolar por cualquier motivo, primero deben reunirse con el maestro antes de tiempo para hacer los arreglos para su visita.

Healthy Schools Initiative

The School District of Lancaster recognizes that student wellness and proper nutrition are related to students’ physical well-being, growth, development,

and readiness to learn. In a healthy school environment, students will learn and participate in a positive dietary and lifestyle practices that can improve student achievement. Wickersham is committed to following the Wellness Policy. Your

support and cooperation are greatly appreciated.

Healthy Drinking: Staying hydrated is very important for children of school age. Water is the best form of hydration and is the only beverage allowed in our classrooms. Please follow these guidelines:

• Water bottles must be clear. • Gatorade and sports beverages are not allowed in classrooms. • No McDonalds cups or drinks are allowed in Wickersham.

Packed Lunches: Any foods brought into the Wickersham cafeteria should comply with the SDOL Wellness policy. Please follow these guidelines when packing student lunches:

• Candy is not permitted at Wickersham. • Soda is not permitted at Wickersham.

Classroom Celebrations: Arrangements must be made in advance with the student’s teacher to bring in refreshments for birthday or other celebrations. All food must be shared during the student’s lunch break in the Cafeteria or ten minutes before dismissal so as not to interrupt learning. All food items meant for sharing should be individually wrapped/packaged. Parents are expected to follow the SDOL and state recommendations for healthy snacks and non-food items: no sugary birthday treats like cupcakes, cookies or snacks will be accepted. Birthday Treat Suggestions:

Emergency Procedures

Emergency Drills: Practice drills for emergency situations (fire, inclement weather, lock-down, etc.) are conducted routinely during the school year. During these drills phone calls to the school will not be answered and access to the school building will not be permitted. Emergency Evacuation: In the event of an actual emergency evacuation of the school, all of our students will be taken J.P. McCaskey High School. Parents/Guardians will be contacted by SDOL officials and local authorities using the contact information currently on file at school. Only PARENTS/GUARDIANS and the PERSONS DESIGNATED IN THE STUDENT’S SCHOOL RECORD will be able to pick up students in the J.P McCaskey High or Lincoln Middle School Gymnasium. Simulacros de Emergencias: Ejercicios de práctica para situaciones de emergencia (incendio, inclemencias del tiempo, etc.) se llevan a cabo rutinariamente durante el año escolar. Durante estos ejercicios las llamadas telefónicas a la escuela no serán contestadas y no se permitirá el acceso a la escuela. Evacuación de Emergencia: En el caso de una evacuación de emergencia real de la escuela, todos nuestros estudiantes irán a la escuela J.P. McCaskey High School. Los padres / guardianes serán contactados por los oficiales de SDOL y las autoridades locales usando la información de contacto actualmente archivada en la escuela. Solamente los PADRES / GUARDIANES y las PERSONAS DESIGNADAS EN EL REGISTRO ESCOLAR DEL ESTUDIANTE podrán recoger a los estudiantes en el J.P McCaskey High o el gimnasio Lincoln Middle School.

Parent Volunteers

Wickersham Elementary encourages parents and community members to utilize their talents and knowledge by serving as volunteers in our schools. State regulations require that all volunteers who spend time with students outside the classroom (field trips, etc.) must have the following clearances:

•PA State Police Criminal History Report (No Cost) Dated no more than two years prior to the application date. •PA Department of Human Services Child Abuse Report (No Cost) Dated no more than two years prior to the application date. •FBI Criminal History Report (Cost $27.50) Dated no more than two years prior to the application date. The Federal Criminal History Report is not required for a volunteer who has lived in PA during the entirety of the previous 10-year period.

When applying for clearances, begin the process well in advance of when you want to start volunteering. Please take all original clearances to the School Volunteer Coordinator in the main office.

Wickersham PAC/PTO

Our Wickersham PAC/PTO #WickBreakfasts are held on the 3rd Friday of every month at 8:30am in the Media Center. Parents and administrators meet and share a meal to discuss the best ways to improve our school. Please consider joining us, all are welcome!

Friday, September 20th

Friday, October 18th Friday, November 8th Friday, December 20th

Friday, January 17th Friday, February 21st

Friday, March 20th Friday, April 17th

Parent FAQ

Student Uniforms: Tops Bottoms Over Wear

White, Navy or Light Blue

Navy, Tan, Khaki White, Navy or Light Blue

Collared button front shirts, collared blouses,

turtleneck shirts, collared polo shirts- with school name is optional

Girls: Slacks and cargo style pants, skirts,

skorts, shorts, Capri pants, & skirt bottom

jumpers

Cardigan, V-neck, crew neck, turtleneck

sweaters & sweater vests may be worn over

collared shirts & blouses.

Shirts should be tucked in and buttoned when

appropriate*

Boys: Slacks, cargo style shorts & cargo pants,

shorts

Sweatshirts: only approved SDoL navy

blue sweatshirts Shoes: Appropriate footwear shall be worn for health and safety reasons. Flip flops/sandals must have a back-strap. What is not Proper Uniform Dress?

• Tops: Any collarless shirts or blouses, bib overalls, sweatshirts, no plain t-shirts.

• Bottoms: Baggy or sagging pants, blue jeans, stretch blue jeans, sweat pants, warm –up pants. Leggings may not be worn as pants.

• Over Wear: Fleece tops, non SDoL sweatshirts, jean or other jacket No logos, stripes, patterns or designs; solid colors only. Shirts must cover the

top of pants, skirts, skorts, or shorts when not tucked in. Lost and Found: Students can look for misplaced lunchboxes, sweaters, gloves, backpacks, etc. in the Parent Resource Center. Eyeglasses, jewelry and/or electronic devices are usually turned into the Main Office. Wickersham will not be responsible for lost or stolen items. Student Cell Phones: Students are allowed to carry cell phones to school. However, phones must be turned off and stored out of sight during school hours. Phones may not be used to talk, take pictures, play games, record or text during school hours, including recesses. Wickersham and the School District of Lancaster will not be responsible for lost, stolen, damaged, or confiscated phones.

First Offense: Phone will be confiscated and held in the office until the end of the school day for student pick up.

Second Offense: Phone will be confiscated and held in the office until the end of the school day for parent pick up.

Third Offense: Student must hand in phone to teacher at arrival to be locked up each day

Preguntas Frecuentes Uniforme Apropiado:

Camisas Pantalones O Faldas Chalecos/Suéter Blanco, Azul Marino,

Azul Claro Azul Marino, Azul Claro,

Canela (caqui) Blanco, Azul Marino,

Azul Claro Camisas de cuello con

botones al frente, cuello de tortuga, camisas polos (nombre de la escuela es opcional)

Niñas: Pantalones, faldas, falda-pantalón,

pantalones cortos, jumpers con faldas

Chaquetas, suéteres con cuello de Tortuga, camisas con cuello en forma de V o

chalecos pueden ser usados encima de camisas

con cuello La camisa debe estar dentro del pantalón o

falda y abotonadas cuando sea apropiado*

Niños: Pantalones de vestir y cortos, tipo

cargo, pantalones cargo, cortos

Camisas de sudaderas: azul marino solamente

aprobadas por el distrito escolar de Lancaster

Zaptatos: Los zapatos aprobados deben ser vestidos por razones de salud y seguridad. Flip flops/sandalias deben de tener una tira trasera. ¿Cual no es el Uniforme Apropiado?

• Camisas: Cualquier camisa o blusa sin cuello, y sudaderas. • Pantalones o Faldas: pantalones holgados o caídos, jeans azules o

ajustados, pantalones de sudadera o de deporte. • Sudaderas que no son del SDoL, mahones o otro chaqueta.

Unicamente colores solidos, sin logos, lineas o dibujos. Camisas deben cubrir la parte de arriba de los pantalones, faldas o pantalones cortos cuando no esten

dentro de los pantalones. Perdidas y Encontradas: Los estudiantes pueden buscar suéteres, guantes, mochilas, etc. en el Centro de Recursos para Padres. Las gafas, las joyas y / o los dispositivos electrónicos se entregan generalmente en la oficina. Wickersham no será responsable de artículos perdidos o robados. Celulares para Estudiantes: A los estudiantes se les permite llevar celulares a la escuela. Sin embargo, los teléfonos deben estar apagados y en las mochilas. Los teléfonos no se pueden usar durante las horas de clase, incluyendo recesos. Wickersham y el Distrito Escolar de Lancaster no serán responsables de los teléfonos perdidos, robados, dañados o confiscados.

Primera Ofensiva- Celular será confiscado y retenido en la oficina hasta el final del día escolar para la recogida del estudiante.

Segunda Ofensiva- Celular será confiscado y retenido en la oficina hasta el final del día escolar para que los padres recojan.

Tercer Ofensiva- El estudiante debe entregar el telefono al mastro diario.

Homework Expectations Purpose: The purpose of homework is to provide ongoing, independent practice of skills for students in the home setting. Propósito: El propósito de las tareas es proveer práctica continua e independiente de las destrezas del estudiante en el ambiente del hogar.

• Reading every night for 30 minutes is expected of all Wickersham students.

• Se espera que todo estudiante de Wickersham lea (30) minutos cada noche.

Homework should be completed with care and thoroughness using appropriate

tools and parental guidance when necessary. Las tareas deben ser completadas cuidadosamente usando los recursos apropiados y la orientación

necesaria de los padres. Develop a homework routine with the following steps:

1. Set a specific, daily homework time. 2. Set a specific homework space for students to work. The

environment should be clear and quiet to minimize distractions. Desarrolle una rutina de tareas con los siguientes pasos:

1. Establezca un horario diario de tareas. 2. Establezca un espacio de tarea específico para que los estudiantes

trabajen. Las tareas deben ser completadas en un ambiente tranquilo y sin distracciones que le permita concentrarse.

If your students need any materials or supplies for homework, ask the

classroom teacher. Si sus estudiantes necesitan materiales o suministros para la tarea, pregúntele al maestro.

PBIS at Wickersham

Wickersham Elementary is entering the 4th year of implementing PBIS. Our goal is to maintain a positive school environment by

meeting the needs of each child academically, socially, and emotionally.

What is PBIS? Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS) System is a nationally recognized program used as a school-wide behavior system. It is a multi-tiered system that allows students’ needs to be met in all areas of their education. How does it work? PBIS focuses on three main expectations: Be responsible, respectful, and safe. Throughout the school environment, students are required to follow these three main expectations and are rewarded when they do. How are students rewarded?

1. Dojo Points- Teachers and staff use Class Dojo to give points to students for being Responsible, Respectful and Safe. Students can use their dojo points for classroom incentives.

2. Monthly Celebrations- Every early release Wednesday students participate in a Monthly Celebration Assembly. Students are recognized for their positive behaviors. Raffles are done for one student in each class to pick a prize and one student in each grade level to have a chance to win Pizza with the Principal.

What are the classroom incentives? Classroom incentive programs vary at each grade level. Students are able to cash in points based on the point system established by their teachers. Some of these incentives may be homework passes, lunch with the teacher, teacher helper, or prize box. The point requirements may change throughout the year. Wickersham also has a school store. Students have the opportunity to save points to cash in for Wickersham Gear.

Parent and Family Resources At Wickersham, we want to ensure that our student’s needs are met in school

and at home. The Student & Family Resource Specialist (SFRS) position was created to offer extra support to students and their families. En Wickersham,

queremos asegurarnos de que las necesidades de nuestros estudiantes se cumplan en la escuela y en el hogar. El puesto de Especialista de Recursos para Estudiantes y Familias se creó para ofrecer apoyo adicional a los estudiantes y

sus familias. We can help with:

• Community referrals for basic needs…food banks, clothing/uniform banks, furniture banks, heating assistance, bill assistance, and housing.

• Connecting families to resources in Lancaster such as daycare, Head Start, summer camps, after-school programs and extracurricular activities.

• Obtaining support through Lancaster County Assistance Office such as medical assistance, health insurance and/or food stamps.

• Accessing & navigating supports through the children’s mental health system

Podemos ayudar con:

• Referencias para necesidades básicas: bancos de alimentos, bancos de ropa / uniformes, bancos de muebles, asistencia para calefacción, asistencia para facturas y vivienda.

• Conectar a las familias con recursos en Lancaster como guardería, Head Start, campamentos de verano, programas después de la escuela y actividades extracurriculares.

• Obtener apoyo a través de la Oficina de Asistencia del Condado de Lancaster, como asistencia médica, seguro de salud y / o cupones de alimentos.

• Acceso y navegación a través del sistema de salud mental de los niños.

To find out more information, please contact

Abby Griffith- Wickersham SFRS Office #: (717) 291-6291 ext. 16511 abigailgriffith@lancaster.k12.pa.us

Stay Connected… To stay up to date on your child’s positive behaviors and what’s

happening at Wick, sign up for class dojo!

Be sure to follow Mrs. Mercado @wickprincipal on Twitter or Wickersham Elementary School (SDoL) on Facebook to see

pictures of the exciting events in our school.

As always, we are #wickproud!