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Early Learning Center Update
Welcome Back: August 2023
A Greeting from Dr. Champagne-Lee
Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year! We hope that all students and families had an enjoyable summer. We recognize that the start of the new school year often prompts many emotions; some students are eager to begin while others may be feeling nervous. Regardless of which emotions your son or daughter may be feeling, we are here and ready to support them. Our first day of school is officially on Monday, August 28, 2023! We can't wait to see you!
Educationally Yours,
Keya Champagne-Lee, Ed.D.
Elementary Principal
Upcoming Welcome Events!
As we approach the upcoming week, we're eagerly anticipating your presence. Two significant events are scheduled for Wednesday, August 23rd. Firstly, we have the Meet and Greet session set from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. This daytime gathering is informal, so students and families are welcome to stop in at their convenience between 2:00 and 3:00 p.m. Additionally, at 6:00 p.m. (last name A-M) and 7:00 p.m. (last name N-Z), we'll be hosting our annual Back-to-School Night. While the Meet and Greet is informal, the Back-to-School Night serves as a more formal presentation primarily for parents. However, if any student can't attend the Meet and Greet but wishes to see their classroom before the first day of school, they're welcome to join the Back-to-School Night. From our experiences in recent years, we made changes this year to meet the need of each audience. Our intention with Back to School Night is to involve parents in understanding the curriculum, the instruction, as well as our school routines and procedures. See the flyers linked below.
WELCOME TO THE TEAM π
Welcome to our new staff!
Please join me in welcoming the following new staff:
Teachers:
- Allison Schmid, Kindergarten teacher
- Karen Hawley, Kindergarten teacher
- Joshua Yashin, PE/Health and Kindergarten Specials
- Kelly Dooley, Kindergarten long-term substitute
- Autumn Jermacans, Kindergarten and First grade long-term substitute
- Wesley Paparone, long-term substitute for STEM (grades 1-5)
Support Staff:
- Isaiah Burton, Instructional Aide
- Janice Guenot, Instructional Aide
- Sarah Kinghorn, Instructional Aide
- Carlla Carr, Instructional Aide
- Melissa Clifford, Instructional Aide
- Olivia Ruemmler, Instructional Aide
- Angelique Giorgianni, Registered Behavior Technician
MORNING ARRIVAL: IMPORTANT π
As we seek to make our morning drop off procedure safer and more efficient, we are implementing some changes this year. Parents and guardians are asked to remain in their cars. Please help your child learn to unbuckle seat belts and car seats this summer. *The goal is that all students will be proficient with this task by the first day of school. Remember to give hugs and kisses at home to ensure that the drop off process flows smoothly. Thank you for your grace and patience, particularly during the first few weeks of school. π
Reminder: Drivers should not be on their cell phones during drop off in order to facilitate a safe and speedy drop off.
Student Arrival:
8:40 a.m.-8:55 a.m.
Late arrival:
After 8:55 a.m.
Students must be signed in by a parent/guardian.
Here are the procedures:
- Drivers will enter the parking lot from Pothouse Road and stay to the right following signs to loop around to the car loop lane.
- Doors open at 8:40 a.m. and staff members will be waiting on the sidewalk to greet students. Please note: Staff members cannot open or close car doors for students.
- Students should be seated in the rear passenger side and will exit the vehicle independently. This is a curbside drop-off process. Parents must remain in their cars.
- Students can only exit a car if the car has reached the sidewalk area. Staff members will direct drivers and students when they should exit the car.
- Drivers may not pass other cars unless directed to do so. Please wait until all students in cars next to the sidewalk are completely unloaded.
- Students arriving after 8:55 a.m. will be considered late. After this time, parents or guardians must park in the lot and walk their children into the building. Upon entering the main office, please check-in with an office team member and complete a tardy slip.
*If your child requires special accommodations when exiting the car, and is unable to do this independently, we ask that you park in the lot and escort them to the crosswalk area. Please note, this strategy is only applicable for families with a special need.
NEW DISMISSAL EXPECTATIONS: PICKUP PATROL π
PickUp Patrol is Coming!
DISMISSAL PROCEDURES: The Phoenixville Area Early Learning Center and all elementary buildings will be using PickUp Patrol effective at the start of the year to help us better manage our dismissal process. PickUp Patrol saves time for our office staff, reduces classroom interruptions, and most importantly, adds a layer of safety for our students. PickUp Patrol is used by several neighboring districts to streamline early dismissals and dismissal changes.
On August 8, you should have received a registration email with a link to set up your account.
Use the PUP web app for:
ATTENDANCE: Notify the school office when your child will be absent, arriving late or leaving early.
DISMISSAL CHANGES: Submit changes to your childβs regular dismissal plans.
For example:
β Your child normally rides the bus but is getting picked up today.
β Your child usually goes to aftercare but is leaving early for an appointment.
How it works:
Parents need to enter your child's regular dismissal plan into the system. This is called their Default Plan. Then, whenever you have a change to the Default Plan, youβll submit it through the PUP app. When the change is submitted, the school will be notified, and your childβs teacher will relay the change to them.
Getting started:
1. REGISTER: On August 8, 2023, you should have received a registration email with a link to set up your account.
β The web app is free to parents, and you can use it from your smartphone or computer.
β For easy access, follow the instructions in your registration email for how to add it to your phoneβs home screen (PUP is not accessed through the app stores).
1. ENTER DEFAULT PLANS: Once you register, log into your PickUp Patrol account no later than August 25, 2023 to confirm your childβs default dismissal plan. Itβs important that you complete this step so that we can accurately dismiss your children.
Notes, emails, or phone calls will be accepted for changes for the first week, but starting September 5, 2023, all changes should be submitted through PickUp Patrol.
Thank you for using PUP to make safety a priority and to ensure our dismissal process is efficient for all our students. If you have any questions, please first check the PUP FAQ page. If you still need help, contact us here in the office.
MODULAR UNITS
Our enrollment numbers in the PASD are growing! In order to accommodate the student growth at Manavon Elementary School, modular units have been added to our campus. This was done to help ensure that Manavon students remain here at Manavon until the redistricting process. Although PAELC students will not be utilizing the modulars, they are placed on campus in between our A and B wings and in close proximity to our playground.
π COMING UP!!!
- Friday, August 18 at 4:00 p.m.-Skyward release of classroom assignments. For returning families, your annual update must be completed in order to access this information.
- Wednesday, August 23: Meet and Greet from 2:00-3:00 p.m., Back to School Night- 6:00 p.m. (A-M) and 7:00 p.m. (N-Z)
- Monday, August 28: First Day of School
- Friday, September 1 and Monday, September 4: School closed for Labor Day.
- Wednesday, September 6: Petrucci's Night from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
π‘ BEGINNING OF THE YEAR IMPORTANT TIPS
- Keep in mind that buses may be delayed during the first few weeks of school. Thank you for your understanding during this busy season. Additionally, our arrival and dismissal processes take longer during the first few weeks of school as we strive to safely and accurately dismiss 1,100 students on our shared campus. You will definitely notice that things become faster as we all settle into these routines. π
- Classroom Teachers primarily communicate through the Remind app. Make sure you are connected. Please note that our staff members are encouraged to disconnect after their working hours. As such, if you are emailing or calling beyond the school day, please expect a return reply within 24 hours. Our staff members work incredibly hard each day and we actively promote the importance of having a work-life balance.
- Our teachers and staff work hard during the first few weeks of school to build strong classroom communities. Forming deep and personalized relationships with students helps to ensure that they feel comfortable and welcome. We recognize that for many of our students, this is their very first experience in a school setting. As such, we will spend a considerable amount of time teaching routines, procedures, and explicitly modeling expectations.
NEED HELP?? HAVE QUESTIONS??
While your child's teacher is your primary point of contact, there are times in which you may need to connect with other resources:
IMPORTANT CONTACTS:
- Transportation: transportation@pasd.com
- Attendance: PAELCattendance@pasd.com
- Technology: Click here for the PASD technology page
- School Counselors: Ms. Brittany Dellaquila- Dellaquilab@pasd.com, Mr. Ryan Parsons- Parsonsr@pasd.com
- School Administration: Dr. Keya Champagne-Lee, Principal- Champagneleek@pasd.com, Mrs. Natalie Hrynko, Assistant Principal HrynkoN@pasd.com