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Penn-Lincoln Gazette
Catherine L. Keefe, Principal
Newsletter April/May/June 2015
April Calendar
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March 27 – 3rd Marking Period Ends
March 29 – April 4 – Five Below Fundraiser
Sun 10 AM – 6 PM; Mon. – Sat. 10 AM – 9 PM
March 30 – Chipotle Fundraiser 5 PM – 9 PM
April 3 – SPRING BREAK – NO SCHOOL
April 6 – SNOW MAKE UP DAY – SCHOOL IS IN SESSION
(from March 2nd - Day 3A)
April 6 – Report cards go home
April 13-17 – PSSA ELA Window for Grades 3-6
May and June Calendar
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May 1 – Sixth graders visit Jr. High
May 13 – Altoona Curve Game – 6th Grade
May 25 – MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY – NO SCHOOL
May 28 – Sixth Grade Recognition: Dinner 5:30 PM;
Program 7:00 PM
June 1 – Patrol Trip to Knoebels (Tentative)
June 4– Snow Make-Up Day from Feb. 19, 2015 (Day 5B)
Last day of School for Students
June 6 – DelGrosso’s Family Picnic
April 14 – Circus (K-2)
April 17 – Circus (Grs. 3-6)
April 20-24 – PSSA Math Window for Grades 3-6
April 27 – May 1 – PSSA Science Window for Gr. 4
April 29 – Last day of Buddy Club
April 30 – Student/Basketball Game
August Calendar
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August 26 – First Day of School for Students in
Grades 1 – 6.
SIXTH GRADE PARENTS: IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
April 29th – Last Day of Buddy Club
May 1st – Sixth grade visits AAJHS
May 13th – 6th Grade Altoona Curve Field Trip
May 28th – 6th Grade Recognition Dinner and Ceremony
June 1st – Tentative Patrol Trip- Knoebels Amusement Park,
Elysburg, PA
School Newsletter
Page 2 of 5
Message from Mrs. Keefe, Principal…
As we approach the last marking period, there is still plenty of learning to take place. All
classes have integrated STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) modules into their
daily instruction. These modules include plenty of cooperative learning and higher-level
thinking skills. Most classes will be integrating the engineering component of their module in
the weeks to come. Ask your child what special STEM module they worked on; they have
become experts and I’m sure they would be glad to share their expertise with you!
Much information about the PSSA is included in this newsletter as well as parent letters being
sent home with your child. Please encourage your child to “Show what you know”; they do this
every day in their classes, now is the time to show off that hard work!
We have offered a few parent workshops during the school year (a few were not attended due
to the snow) and parents seemed to enjoy the speakers/activities and meeting with other
parents. If you have ideas for next year, please contact me at 946-8396.
Safety is ALWAYS my primary concern for your children. Since we are a walking school, please
be ever vigilant when bringing your child to and from school and follow all rules of safety.
Cross at crosswalks, take advantage of the intersections with crossing guards and be a
respectful neighbor (do not litter, stay on sidewalks, be courteous, etc.).
It appears that Spring has arrived and our students will finally be able to enjoy our beautiful
playground! Please make sure to send your children with appropriate footwear/outerwear so
that they can take advantage of the fresh air as often as possible.
Thank you ALL for your support this year! Our teachers and staff work extremely hard to make
your child’s day/educational experience a great one. We work to help them grow academically
and socially and prepare them for the future. We thank you for working with us as a TEAM;
your children deserve the absolute best that we can give!
UPCOMING SCHOOL EVENTS
Jaffa Circus
The circus is coming to town and WE are going! All grade levels will be going to the Jaffa
Circus; grades K-2 will attend on April 14th and grades 3-6 will attend on April 17th. Funds to
cover bussing are made possible by our fundraising efforts throughout the year. Thanks to
parents and relatives who purchase and sell items to help our students!
Family Picnic at DelGrosso’s
Our PTO will sponsor a family picnic at DelGrosso’s Park on Saturday, June 6 th. DelGrosso’s has
donated a pavilion for the day and will allow us to purchase all-day ride passes for a discounted
rate. More information will be coming soon.
School Newsletter
Page 3 of 5
Kindergarten News
Kindergarten will be dying Easter Eggs soon. We will also be going to the circus on April 14. We will soon be learning
all about life on the farm. We are still working very hard on our DIBELS skills in preparation for the final benchmark in
May. In June, we will celebrate a great Kindergarten year!
First Grade
In April, First Grade will be making Easter baskets and
dying Easter Eggs! Please look for more information to
come home about this fun event! Also, First Grade will be
taking a field trip to see the Jaffa Shrine Circus. Students
are NOT permitted to bring money for this field trip. More
information will come home soon about this field trip. In
May, we will be completing many fun Spring activities!
We look forward to celebrating the warm weather! Also,
we are preparing for the final DIBELS reading test. Please
continue to practice any words or stories that are sent
home with your child.
Second Grade
Second Grade has been very busy! We have taken trips to
the planetarium to view sky shows with Mr. Jim Krug, as
well as our visits to the Altoona Area Public Library with
Ms. Adrienne Brown. In the classroom, we have been
focusing on our STEM unit about soils. We recently
welcomed our newest friends, red worms! Our upcoming
field trip to the Jaffa Shrine Circus will be happening on
Tuesday, April 14, 2015.
Third Grade
Third graders are working hard on learning their
Multiplication Facts! To motivate our third graders,
teachers are planning an ice cream sundae party for all
students who learn their multiplication facts. Parents
can help their child by practicing math facts every night.
In addition to math, third graders will visit the Altoona
Public Library in March, April, and May.
We are
encouraging students to read every day!
Fourth Grade
Fourth grade will be busy during March and April. We are
working hard to improve our Reading and Math skills in
preparation for the PSSA tests in April. We are excited to
be collaborating with the AAPL. We will be visiting two
more times this year. We are also anxious to spend time
with Mrs. Roberts during library instruction in March. Our
classes are earning lots of PAWS for excellent behavior –
We can’t wait to participate in the many exciting
rewards that have been planned for the next two months
(extra gym time, karaoke, board games)!
Fifth Grade
Hello Spring!
Fifth grade is currently preparing
students for the PSSA test, which will take place from
April 13-24. Continue to read nightly with your
children and remember we are taking a positive
approach to behavior in our classrooms. Whether this
be the PAWS program, or simply with kind words.
Every child matters!
Sixth Grade
Sixth grade is working hard to prepare for PSSA and
other end of the year activities. We will be attending
a Curve game in May and patrols will again be going to
Knoebel’s Amusement Park. We ask that you remain
active in your child’s education. Please ask what
he/she did in school and check to see if their
homework is done and monitor ProgressBook. Those
students that are not making good choices or doing
their work will not earn field trips and special
assemblies.
Student Activities Committee
We are continuing the “Pawsitively Awesome” Rewards
Program. Your child has the potential to earn paws for
positive behavior they show throughout the school day.
This behavior may be as simple as working hard during
the school day and raising his or her hand with
questions rather than shouting out. He or she can then
turn these paws in for rewards such as a movie or a
special day. Be sure to encourage appropriate behavior
in your child. Try mini rewards when you see this
desired behavior.
Page 4 of 5
School Newsletter
Student Attendance
Q-SITE
An illegal or unexcused day of absence from school is
any day of absence for reasons other than illness,
health care, death in the immediate family, approved
field trips, approved temporary absences, approved
religious holiday, and any emergency approved by the
Principal. A student will not be permitted to make
up work missed as a result of an unexcused absence.
(Reference: Board Policy 5008R4 – Make-Up Policy.)
March is the last month for the Pizza Hut Book-It Program.
Thank you for all of the students and parents that
participated in this awesome program!
All absences require a written acceptable excuse by
the
parents/guardians/physician
regardless
of
student’s age or the absence is considered illegal or
unexcused. The written excuse must be presented to
the school when determined by the Attendance
Director or the Principal’s designee, but no later than
three school days after the return from absence.
If a student is absent from school, he/she will not be
permitted to participate in extracurricular activities
after school on that particular day – no exceptions!
You can view your child’s attendance through
Progress Book at http://grades.altoonasd.com
Reminders from the Cafeteria
When sending money into school with your child,
please place it in a sealed envelope with child’s full
name, teacher’s name, and the amount written
clearly on it. Please write checks out to AASD
Cafeteria. Thank you.
Please remember the PERFECT attendance prizes for the
school year.
One marking period of PERFECT ATTENDANCE = a free
book and coupon
Two marking periods of PERFECT ATTENDANCE = a free
Penn-Lincoln drawstring bag
Three marking periods of PERFECT ATTENDANCE = a free
Penn-Lincoln T-shirt
Four marking periods of PERFECT ATTENDANCE = a
Mystery Prize!!
Make sure you come to school on time every day so you
can win these awesome prizes!!!
Student Council
Penn-Lincoln’s Student Council collected $420.67 to
donate to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Way to
go to Penn-Lincoln!
Penn-Lincoln’s Student Council also has some very
exciting ideas for April/May. Please look for more
information in the upcoming months!
Family Component (Dr. Seuss)
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News from the Nurse
School physicals will be scheduled in either late April
or early May. This involves K and 6 th grade. Notes
will be sent to remind parents of this and also to
request reports of physical exams done by private
physicians.
In addition, the school nurses are
continuing to send notes home for updated
immunization records.
Prompt return of this
information to the nurse is very much appreciated
and helps to prevent repeated notes going home.
School Schedule
9:00
9:10
3:20
3:25
3:30
AM
AM
PM
PM
PM
First Bell (Students enter School)
Classes Begin
Kindergarten Dismisses
Primary Grades Dismiss
Intermediate Grades Dismiss
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March 2nd - Students brought their favorite Dr.
Seuss story to read to another student.
March 4th - Dr. Seuss Trivia Day and 10 winners
received prizes.
March 5th - School Door Decorating Contest.
Winners were Ms. Miller, Mrs. Douglas, and Mrs.
Donley – Winners received pencils and PAWS.
Penn-Lincoln’s grand total was: 21,274 minutes read over
seven days. Excellent job!!!
Penn-Lincoln Elementary School
411 12th Street
Altoona, PA 16602
Phone:
(814)946-8396
We’re on the Web!
http://www.aasdcat.com
Page 5 of 5
School Newsletter
hool Newsletter
From the Counselor
Student Dress – SHORTS
At Penn-Lincoln Elementary School, we will continue
to strictly enforce our current dress code policy.
Shorts may be worn in the months of April, May,
June and August, September and October. No short
shorts or short tops. We believe that student dress
should not create a safety hazard and should not
cause a disruption to the learning environment. Our
main concerns are student safety and learning.
Please review the policy in the Parent Handbook and
support our school as we encourage students to dress
for their “job”. If you are in doubt about the
appropriateness of your child’s dress, the child
should probably dress otherwise.
Please be reminded of these key issues:
1. Clothes must fit properly; i.e., slacks are not
permitted to hang low on students’ hips thus pant
legs drag on the floor.
2. Inappropriate pictures and/or slogans on shirts
are prohibited. Please use good judgment. The
school’s discretion will be final.
3. Students should dress modestly.
4. Ripped or frayed clothes are not permitted.
5. Footwear must cover entire foot. NO SANDALS
OR CLOGS.
6. Hair color and style must not disrupt the learning
of students.
Spending Quality Time With Your Child
It is important to spend time every day with your child.
 Tuck your child into bed at night and talk
about their day.
 Take an evening walk together.
 Have dinner or breakfast together. Your child
can help you with the preparation and cleanup.
 Turn the music and cell off in the car and take
advantage of having an uninterrupted
conversation.
 If you don’t live with your child, spend as much
time as possible with them. Find ways to talk
to them every day over the phone or by email.
These special efforts will help you stay connected with
your child. It keeps the lines of communication open
and positive.
Penn-Lincoln Clear Expectations
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We come to school ready to
listen and ready to learn
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We keep hands, feet and
objects to ourselves
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We do not allow bullying
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We use polite, respectful
language
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We respect the feelings,
property, and space of others
PENN-LINCOLN LIST SERV
If you would like to join Penn-Lincoln’s List Serv, simply send in a note with your name, your child’s name and
your email address. You will be added to the List Serv and begin receiving emails with important and up-todate information about our school.