March 2015
Mark your calendars:
March
03 PTA Meeting in the Library, 7:00 pm
06 Teacher in Service - NO SCHOOL for Students
08 Daylight Savings Time - set clocks ahead one hour
10 Deadline for ordering Yearbooks
10 Kindergarten Registration at West Hanover
20 First Day of Spring!
27 End of the 3rd Marking Period
April
02-06 Spring Break – NO SCHOOL
07 PTA Meeting in the Library, 7:00 pm
08 Scholarship Applications Due
NOTES FROM Mr. C.
It is hard to believe that over 2 1/2 marking periods are over and we only have 3 full months of school left. Progress reports for grades 3-5 were made available on HAC on February 23rd. If you were not able to access your child’s, please let us know.
It is also that time of the year again for the PSSA testing which begins next month for all students in grades 3-5. The testing window for the English/Language Arts Assessment will be from April 13 - April 17, the Math Assessment will be from April 20-24, and the 4th Grade Science Assessment window will be April 27 – May 1. Good luck to all our 3rd, 4th and 5th graders as they take the PSSA assessments this year!
Just a reminder, Educational Trips cannot be approved during the PSSA testing. Also, please note that all cell phones, smart phones, and other prohibited electronic devices are to be off and in the student’s backpack during all testing. Unapproved devices are not permitted in a testing location. It is recommended that these devices remain home during the testing days.
Please share with your child how important these tests are to themselves as well as the school and the district and ask them to do their very best. Without your support and encouragement, your children will not do as well as they are capable of doing. Please make sure your child is well rested and eats a good breakfast prior to coming to school, especially on the testing days.
One final reminder, there is no school on Friday, March 6 as it is a Teacher Inservice Day.
“MR.C.” "LEARN LIKE A CHAMPION TODAY
PTA OFFICERS
Check out West Hanover PTA on the web!!! Go to www.cdschools.org/westhanover under “organizations”
Heather Wagner President 651-0724
Connie Billett Treasurer 583-2209
Kelly Horney Secretary 541-1340
NOTES FROM THE PTA
While there is not much going on this month, the PTA committees are busy planning great things for April, May and June. The PTA is in need of parent volunteers on Tuesday, March 10th to assist with Kindergarten registration. We will need 3-4 volunteers for the entire day. If interested, please contact Heather Wagner at . At the end of this newsletter you will find a Committee Sign Up Sheet for the 2015-2016 School Year. Please consider getting involved by volunteering to chair or become a member of any of our current committees. Without your help some committees may not be able to continue. Thank you for all of your support!
REFLECTIONS
Congratulations to the following students whose Reflections entries placed in the regional competition and will move on to the state contest.
Myra W. - third place visual arts, primary division
Morgan F. - first place film production, intermediate division
Josh L. - second place photography, intermediate division
Devika S. - first place visual arts, intermediate division
TALENT SHOW
The West Hanover Talent Show committee wishes to recognize the talented students who participated in this year's talent show! The show was well represented with dancers, comedians, singers, actors and even martial arts. Visual Art pieces were also on display this year. Thank you for sharing your talent! Everyone did a great job and we hope to see everyone again next year! The talent show was recorded this year by John DeVitis of JD Video Productions. DVDs are on sale now for $19.08. An order form is attached at the end of the newsletter for anyone interested in purchasing a copy.
BOX TOPS/CAMPBELLS
Thank you to all the students who participated in the Box Tops Blizzard Contest. Our school collected a combined total of 11,127 box tops and labels during this contest. The following classrooms collected the most per grade and enjoyed a cookie and hot cocoa party at the end of February: K – Miss Hutchins AM (210), 1st – Mrs. Walak (748), 2nd – Mrs. Santomieri (593), 3rd – Mrs. Sheridan (738), 4th – Mrs. Manley (1326), 5th – Mr. Neff (879). Please continue to save and send into school. With everyone’s help, we can earn cash for our school. Thank you for your support!
YEARBOOK
Time is running out to order yearbooks, Order online at https://ybpay.lifetouch.com (ID code 11064815) or ask Mrs. Shuller for a form. All orders must be placed by March 10. If you are unsure if you ordered yours yet, you may contact Tina Henry at .
GIANT A+
During the current school year, West Hanover has earned $2828.88 from Giant shoppers who designated their bonus cards to support our school. The program runs through March 21. As always, thank you for your continued support.
SCHOLARSHIP
West Hanover Elementary PTA will be awarding two $1,000 scholarships to two graduating seniors who completed at least three years at West Hanover Elementary School. Please encourage any college bound senior who meets the criteria to apply. The application form can be found on the West Hanover Website. All completed applications should be forwarded to the address listed on the application by April 8, 2015. If you need any additional assistance, please contact Melissa Van Eck at .
5th GRADE COMMITTEE Attention all 5th grade parents!!!!! 5th Grade Graduation event planning has begun. Please reserve Thursday, May 21st, 4:00-9:00PM for the student class trip and Wednesday, May 27th, 7:00PM for 5th Grade Graduation ceremony. If you have questions or are interested in helping with the committee, please contact Nancy Ludwig at .
REMINDER TO 5th GRADE PARENTS: If you haven't already done so, pleasesend in your photos for the 5th grade graduation ceremony as soon as you can. We need a kindergarten school picture and 5th grade school picture of each student.We are alsolooking for pictures (preferably groups of kids) taken at school functions such as class parties, PTA events, field trips, etc. Send your photos via email to . CDs or memory sticks can be sent into school in the labeled bag that was previously sent home.
Happy March Birthday to our staff….
10 Mrs. Griffo
Mrs. Lee
27 Mrs. Walak
28 Mrs. Macfarlane
Mrs. O’Neil
John DeVitis of JD VIDEO PRODUCTIONS
has completed...
West Hanover's Annual
Talent Show 2015
Video
All those interested in purchasing this
Professional Keepsake
can send this Form & Money by FRIDAY, MARCH 27 to
West Hanover Elementary School in an envelope marked:
"West Hanover Talent Show Video -
Attention: Tracy Murphy"
Cash or Check made out to: John DeVitis for $19.08 ($18 plus $1.08 tax)
------
"West Hanover Talent Show Video -
Attention: Tracy Murphy"
Cash or Check made out to: John DeVitis for $19.08 ($18 plus $1.08 tax)
______Number of Videos
______Total $ Amount enclosed
______Name of Parent(s)
______Name of Student
______Teacher & Room #
2015-2016 West Hanover PTA Committee Sign-Ups
The West Hanover PTA is seeking volunteers to serve on and chair the PTA committees for next school year. Listed on the volunteer form is a brief description of each committee and a place you can check whether you would like to serve as a member or a chairperson. More information can be found on line: Check out West Hanover PTA on the web. Go to www.cdschools.org/westhanover under “organizations”. Look under “Committee Binder” for more detailed information regarding the committees.
If you are considering volunteering as a chair, please note:
1) For some committees, it is preferable for a chair to be someone who has previously served on the committee. This is signified by an asterisk (*).
2) Chairs are asked to attend a chairperson meeting in August prior to the school year to receive some additional PTA information and budgetary guidelines.
3) Chairs are required to attend PTA meetings each month (or send a committee representative in their place) to report on committee plans and activities to the general membership.
4) Committee chairs may serve up to 2 years, but sign up is required each year.
Committee Chair assignments will be made before the end of the current school year and included in the June PTA newsletter.
This sign up form is due Tuesday, March 31, 2015. Please return the form to the school office.
Our PTA is so effective for our students because of fabulous parent and family member volunteers. Your time and talents are greatly appreciated. If you have any questions about any of the committees or membership in general, please feel free to contact Heather Wagner, at 651-0724 or by email at .
Thanks in advance for your support of the WH PTA! We look forward to working with you next school year!!
PTA Officers
2015-2016 West Hanover PTA Committees
NAME______(Please print clearly)
PHONE #______E-MAIL______(info to be listed on volunteer sheet)
Committee / Description / Chair / Member(Check to sign up)
Art Goes to School OR Van GO! Program / Coordinates the program once a year and secures classroom volunteers, as needed.
Assemblies / Planning is done throughout the year. Researches topics for school assemblies and works with principal to choose and coordinate program dates.
Bake and Sub Sale / Coordinates the bake and sub sale held during Fall and Spring Election Days. / *
Book Fair / Coordinates the Scholastic Book Fair in Fall and Spring. / *
Consumer Rewards
Box Tops / Collects Box Tops; runs contests throughout the year to increase collections.
Campbell’s Labels / Collects labels, suggests items to purchase for school
Giant A + / Organizes card designations throughout the year to increase participation.
Directory / Compiles a list of students, by grade and class including contact information supplied by parents to be used as school directory.
Fall Fest / Plans an event of fun fall activities for grades K – 3.
Fifth Grade / Plans the end of year celebration activities (graduation ceremony and class trip) for the 5th grade class. / *
Fundraising / Coordinates major PTA fundraiser which is currently Race for Education (held alternating years). / *
Halloween / Plans an event of fun spooky activities for grades 4 and 5. / *
Holiday Workshop / Chooses a vendor and plans a shopping experience for children to purchase seasonal gifts for friends/family.
International Week / Plans a week of activities in the spring for students to experience a foreign country’s traditions and foods.
Legislation / Updates members on state & federal legislation related to children and education.
May Fair / Held the 3rd Saturday in May. Organizes games & prizes, secures volunteers, and contracts food vendors. MUST BE ABLE TO BE PRESENT AT MAY FAIR EVENT. / *
May Fair Raffle
Solicitation Sub-
committee / Procures donations for May Fair raffle. / *
See next page for additional committees
Committee / Description / Chair / Member
Membership / Promotes PTA membership during the annual membership drive and throughout the year. Collects dues and distributes membership cards.
Morning with Moms/Dads & Doughnuts / Plans breakfast at school event in the fall for Dads and a similar event in the spring for Moms.
PAC Representative / The Parents’ Advisory Committee (PAC) is a representative group of parents who discuss issues pertaining to the Central Dauphin School District. West Hanover Representative attends meetings a few times/year and reports back to the PTA.
Party/Homeroom Parents / Coordinates the sign up for homeroom parents and classroom party volunteers
Publicity / Promotes school and PTA activities throughout the community. Enters contests for PTA awards through state PTA and other venues.
Reflections / Promotes the annual National PTA arts contest in the fall, announces winners, presents awards.
Scholarship / Upholds the criteria for the scholarship given to a graduating senior who attended West Hanover Elementary. Chooses judges to review entries and select a recipient.
School Spirit / Plans family fun activities and theme days to encourage school spirit.
School Store / Oversees school store run by 5th grade students and parent volunteers. Open most mornings before school
Service Project / Coordinates school service projects (i.e. Pennies for Patients and canned food drives for the local food pantry). Mini Thon falls under this committee.
Staff Appreciation / Plans activities to show thanks to teachers and staff. Provides staff with conference day luncheon 2 times per year.
Talent Show / Schedules & holds rehearsals for annual talent show typically held in February.
Wildcat Spirit Wear / Organizes two spirit wear sales to encourage school spirit. Selects a vendor, logo design and items to offer.
Yearbook / Creates yearbook for WH Elementary within district guidelines, using a web based design program. Collects candid pictures from parents.
* It is preferable for the chair of some committees to be someone who has previously served on the committee.