Liberty Elementary School
News & Happenings
March 2009 8622 Route 414 Liberty, PA 16930
570-324-2521
By the time this newsletter reaches you we will have completed another round of the PSSA’s. Our students and teachers have worked hard to make sure every student demonstrates a year of academic growth. Thank you for your co-operation and support during this very focused time of the year.
Speaking of focus now is a great time to recalibrate learning and behavioral goals with your child. Much of the effort for the first part of the school year is targeted toward meeting the goals assessed by PSSA’s. Now that the testing is behind us, we have an excellent opportunity to set additional goals for the remainder of the year while we continue to work on core content. As parents and teachers, we can help our children keep learning goals “front and center” for the next several months. Talk to your children about the importance of a good educational foundation in our global economy.
On the curriculum front, we have adjusted to our new reading series, Storytown. The children have become accustomed to the exciting stories and challenging vocabulary. This new program has stretched all of us! Currently, a team of teachers and administrators are examining several math programs. We hope to have a recommendation for adoption in the near future. Research on teaching math is not as comprehensive as the research on reading, so we are carefully examining materials to make sure that we support the most effective program.
Spring has traditionally become the field trip season for our elementary schools. A variety of enriching experiences have been planned for our children during April and May. Your children’s teachers will keep you posted about each of these activities.
Green Hour
April is the month that we celebrate the earth. Instead of just recognizing April 22, 2009 as Earth Day, encourage your kids enjoy the earth every day. The National Wildlife Federation has begun the Green Hour campaign. The campaign is designed to have children reconnect with nature through unstructured play and interaction with the natural world. The average child spends many hours a day plugged in to household technology. The goal of the National Wildlife Federation is to have kids unplug and set them on a path of physical, mental, and emotional well being. At www.greenhour.org you’ll find ideas to guide your child in outdoor explorations and that focus on fun. To reinforce their nature experiences while indoors, have your child read magazines like Ranger Rick, Your Big Back Yard, and Wild Animal Baby. By observing a “green hour” everyday, your child may become healthier, happier, and smarter.
Second Grade News
Mrs. Gonzalez's Second Graders have welcomed Miss Ashly Weider to their classroom as their student teacher for the next several weeks. Miss Weidner is a student at Mansfield University and will graduate in May. Her home is Gardners, PA, near Gettysburg. The students have discovered several facts about Miss Weidner. She played field hockey in college. Her favorite color is purple and she loves chocolate brownies. She likes Liberty Elementary and says that the students and staff are all very friendly. Say "Hello" to her when you see her in the hall!
The Second Graders are busy preparing for their upcoming carnival. The students are creating their own games for all to enjoy. They will be using their money counting skills at the carnival on April 3. The carnival will be held from 8:30 to 11:30 and 1:00 to 2:30. The profits will be used for their trip to the circus on April 17.
L.A.P.A.T MINUTES
March 12, 2009 at 3:30 pm
Sign In: In attendance were President Cathleen Alexander, Treasurer Carolyn Moyer, Vice President/Secretary Norleen Hardy, Principal: Mr. Lindner, and Teachers: Mrs. Cavanaugh, Mrs. Krotzer, Ms. McCarthy, Mrs. Thomas, and Mrs. Williams.
Welcome: Cathleen Alexander called the Meeting to order at 3:30 p.m.
Secretary’s Report: They were approved.
Treasurer’s Report: Total Balance for Checking and Savings is $10,183.74.
Old Business:
Spring Wolfgang Sale: Carolyn reported that we made $5,000.00 profit. That is about the same as we normally sell.
“I’ve got your back” Bully Busters: Carolyn is working on T-shirts for students.
Terrarium: The “terrarium” (located next to the playground doors) is up and running. Thank you to Mrs. Gonzalez for all your hard work and also thank you to the students who are helping to maintain it.
Emergency Kits: L.A.P.A.T. would like to give this project to an Eagle Scout or Senior Project. If anyone is interested or knows of anyone, please contact Cathleen Alexander or Carolyn Moyer.
Snack after PSSA’s: L.A.P.A.T. will be providing ice cream sandwiches on the last day. This is a tradition from L.A.P.A.T. to reward the students for working their hardest.
New Business:
March’s School Board Meeting: Mr. Lindner reported at our meeting about the School Board voting on huge changes to our community schools in the district. The next work session meeting is on Monday, March 30, 2009, in NPHS auditorium, and the school board meeting is the following Monday, April 6, 2009 at 6:30 p.m., at North Penn High School. L.A.P.A.T. would like as much public support as possible. We will be sending out form letters to mail to school board members stating that we do not want to combined schools at millions of dollars.
TV Turn off week: This will happen the last week in April. We need a theme! Last year it was recycling. Any suggestions contact Carolyn Moyer.
2nd Grade Carnival: Is scheduled for Friday, April 3, 2009. L.A.P.A.T. will give each student $0.25 to participate.
Volunteer Appreciation: Please send Carolyn Moyer a list of all volunteers that help out in the classrooms.
Faculty and Staff Appreciation Luncheon: In either April or May, please let us know if you are interested in helping out .
Requests: Mrs. Cavanaugh suggested instead of L.A.P.A.T. putting money into the die cutter to look into a computer cutter, for example ,Cricut. Cathleen told Mrs. Cavanaugh to look into the cost and get back to us for consideration.
Meeting was adjourned at 4:15 p.m., motion to adjourn by Mrs. Cavanaugh and second by Mrs. Thomas.
See you at our next meeting Thursday, April 9, 2009 at 3:30 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Norleen A. Hardy