Chadds Ford Elementary School
Monthly Newsletter
February Newsletter
Happy February!
We just celebrated the 100th day of school on January 31st. It was an eventful first 100 days, mostly filled with smiles and the joy of learning! Thank you for supporting our events such as the FID day work, Bingo Night, Parent's Night Out, and classroom events. An overwhelming amount of generosity was shared throughout this past month, thank you for your contributions. It was a fun filled and energizing month around Chadds Ford. We are looking forward to the next 82 days with just as much excitement!
There is much to look forward to this upcoming month, throughout the newsletter take notice to the February spirit days, Safe to Say information, technology tips, a new bocce team at CFES, and our service project updates.
Please take note to the below policies as outlined in the Parent Handbook:
- All requests for a student to be excused from school for a family trip or vacation must be submitted to the principal’s office at least one week before the trip is taken. The principal will determine the educational value of the trip, and will grant or deny an excused absence. The principal will also review the student’s academic and attendance records. Such trips will not exceed ten school days within the school year.
Family trips exceeding ten school days will not be approved. A student taking a family trip exceeding ten school days will be withdrawn from school rolls, and truancy charges may be filed if the parents have not made alternative educational provisions approved by the principal.
Any vacation excuses received without prior approval from the principal’s office will be considered unexcused or illegal.
- Smartwatches and cell phones - during school hours, speaking/texting on cell phones and/or smartwatches is prohibited. Keep all electronics in bookbags to be used after school hours. Please review and support the policy with your child.
Charge on Chargers for a month ahead filled with fun, learning, and kindness!
Core Essentials
CFES explores and teaches concepts to help our students develop strong character. The Core Essentials program infuses the social-emotional learning competencies with each of our monthly values.
Thank you for support to engage in conversations at home that enhance the learning at home about the Core Essential traits we will be learning this school year. Our hope is that our Charger students will embody these skills and traits to build their character and succeed in life.
☑Competencies addressed throughout the year: Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills, Responsible Decision-Making
☑ Big Idea Values addressed throughout the year: creativity, friendship, integrity, gratitude, generosity, responsibility, kindness, peace, patience, and commitment
During the month of February, our students will be focusing on the concept of kindness. Kindness is showing others that they are valuable by how you treat them. Chat with your child about navigating situations that require you to express and show kindness and discuss how you can support practicing this skill with your child. Expressions of kindness during recess, cafeteria time, and the bus ride are certainly areas worthy of a reminder and discussion. The resources below provide helpful tips on getting the conversations started at home.
School Updates
Attendance Alerts - attendance, travel plans, and dismissal changes should be communicated on Powerschool and to cfeattendance@ucfsd.net, and please cc the homeroom teacher. All changes to dismissal plans should be submitted before 2:30 pm to ensure a safe dismissal process.
Attendance Reminder for Requested Assignments- 2023-2024 Parent Handbook
If a student is absent from school two days or more days due to illness or injury, homework assignments may be requested by contacting the school. Parents are asked to contact the elementary school before 10:00 A.M. Assignments will be available by the close on the day following the request. Missed assignments for a one day absence can be provided upon the student returning to school.
School Schedule Reminder:
- School starts at 9:10 am and dismissal is at 3:40 pm
- AM Kindergarten reports from 9:10 am - 11:45 am
- PM Kindergarten reports from 1:05 pm -3:40 pm
Important Transportation Note:
A huge shoutout and thank you for honoring and following procedures for the car line. We appreciate your help in maintaining a safe campus for all. As a reminder: If you are a picking up a car rider and arrive on campus before 3:15 pm for a 3:35 pm dismissal you will be asked to wait in the lower gravel lot. The crowded car line poses safety concerns and challenges for late in the day deliveries to the school that need to access the back of the building. Please make note and plan accordingly, car riders will still be dismissed starting at 3:35 pm.
Thank you for your patience with the arrival and dismissal procedures. Safety on campus is extremely important. You can assist in the process by:
- Please stay attentive and pull forward to maximize our car line capacity.
- Stay in your vehicle and advance forward in the loading zone between the cones.
- Drop off and pick up can occur anywhere between the orange cones, pulling forward helps expedite the process.
- If you need more time before your journey home please pull into an open parking space or proceed to the lower gravel lot, this will allow the car line to flow smoothly and quickly.
- Please be mindful of staff entering and leaving the parking areas, you can help by leaving space for parking as needed.
- Keep a watchful eye on traffic control and flow, watch for staff in yellow vests and signs to direct traffic.
- Remember the speed limit on school grounds is 15 MPH!
- When on the driveway entering and exiting the school please yield to the school buses on the smaller bridge area.
Communication - Please regularly check your email or voicemail for updates from the school for any upcoming communications or weather-related events that may impact the school day.
It is important that you review your Parent Portal in Powerschool. All information for your child and family is stored in this portal for communications. A helpful area to review is under the 'Forms' section. In this section, you will find pertinent forms (FERPA, Acceptable Use, etc.) which link permissions to your child that the school references frequently. As a family keeping your portal updated ensures that you receive communications from the school and district. In addition, the school will follow your preferences indicated in the portal. Take a moment to check the portal. Reach out to the main office at Chadds Ford if you need further support.
Staying connected is an important part of the home and school partnership. We appreciate working and growing with our families to create a strong bond that benefits your child. Please keep in mind the school day is busy and it will take some time for staff to respond to emails and calls. We are in this together, your support and understanding are paramount to our success as a team!
Safety and Security
Safety Drills - we participate in monthly safety drills to ensure are practices are relevant, timely, and proactive. Being prepared and responsive is paramount to the safety of our students and school. Our monthly safety drills will occur to practice and refine our processes. Please chat with your child about preparedness and the importance of drills at home. Please review the attached flyer and review the website, https://iloveuguys.org/The-Standard-Response-Protocol.html
From the Nurse's Office - Mrs. Hocking
Updates:
February is National Children’s Dental Health month. It is sponsored by the American Dental Association and seeks to raise awareness about the importance of good oral care in children. This year's campaign theme is "Healthy Habits for Healthy Smiles!" Remind children to brush teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, floss between teeth daily, eat healthy foods and limit sugary beverages, and visit the dentist twice a year.
February is also American Heart month. Remember to take care of your heart. Aim to get plenty of sleep, exercise, and eat a healthy, balanced diet. And don’t forget self care. Take a walk, read a book, meditate, or listen to music.
Students typically participate in outdoor recess. Always send your child to school prepared for outdoor recess with jackets/coats, winter hats, gloves/mittens, and boots as needed. Label items if your child is forgetful so all items can be returned if found.
- I encourage all kindergarten and first grade parents to send an extra pair of clothing with their student to be left in their cubby in the event of accidents/food spills/wet clothing from inclement weather, ect.
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If your child is sick, please review proper handwashing and keep nails trimmed. longer fingernails can harbor more dirt and bacteria than short nails, thus potentially contributing to the spread of infection.
** For any fever, remember to keep your child home from school until they have been fever free for 24 hours (without the use of Tylenol/Motrin).
- As cold and flu season is upon us, just a reminder that in accordance with the Parent Handbook, these symptoms indicate that a student should NOT attend school:
- Fever in the last 24 hours (100 degrees or above)
- Vomiting in the last 24 hours
- Diarrhea in the last 24 hours
- Unidentified rash
- Draining eye/eyes
If you have any questions do not hesitate to reach out to the school nurse, mhocking@ucfsd.net
From the School Counselor - Ms. Campanaro
Kids Who Need a Little Help to Make Friends
Clinical Experts: Jamie Howard, PhD, Mary Rooney, PhD, Rachel Busman, PsyD, ABPP
Friendships are important to children. If your kid is having a hard time fitting in, there are ways you can help your child make friends.
Social skills don’t come naturally to all kids, especially those with ADHD. Impulsive and hyperactive children often act in ways that make it hard to have friends. They can have trouble taking turns and controlling their anger when they don’t get their way. Inattentive kids may act flighty or not know how to join in.
You can help kids make friends by coaching them at home. Talk about taking turns and sharing. Try using role-playing to practice different ways to handle disagreements. You can also demonstrate good behavior when you talk to family and your own friends.
If your child needs more help, you can try “social scripts.” These are everyday conversations that your child can practice with you. They are especially helpful for children on the autism spectrum. Practicing will help them learn things like making eye contact and responding to other people’s moods. Your child’s doctor or behavioral therapist can help you select scripts and give you advice on how to rehearse them.
You can also set up playdates to help your kid make friends. Before the other child comes over, talk about what to do. Have your child pick out a few games and go over how to tell whether their guest is having fun.
If your child is shy, you can give them the chance to meet kids in a way that’s comfortable for them. This could be playdates at your house or through a club or activity.
And remember, kids need just one or two good friends. They don’t need to be the most popular kid in their class.
Contact Ms. Campanaro
Email: dcampanaro@ucfsd.net
Phone: 610-388-1112 X3758
From Mrs. Rentschler - School Social Worker
Linked below are the county links to locate services within the county you reside that include but are not limited to housing, food, and behavioral health needs.
Delaware County Department of Human Services Resources
How to Find Health and Human Services in Chester County
Here are other resources that are meaningful to inform you about the importance of attendance.
https://www.attendanceworks.org/resources/handouts-for-families-2/
Child Mind Institute Family Resource website to support parents/guardians to find information to help them support their child who may be struggling with mental health, behavior or learning challenges.
Contact Kate Rentschler
Phone: 610-347-1700 X3575
Email: Krentschler@ucfsd.net
CHIP Renewal Notice
CHIP Renewal Notice
Thousands of Pennsylvania kids under 19 could lose their CHIP health plan coverage if they fail to renew their eligibility now that the public health emergency has ended. This has a direct impact on the health and wellness of our students. CHIP families are again required to complete their renewal information using the state COMPASS system to maintain their child’s State coverage.
Highmark HEALTHY KIDS can provide helpful details and assistance for those families who need to complete their CHIP renewals or no longer qualify for Medicaid. CHIP coverage, an HMO offered by Highmark Healthy Kids is affordable, comprehensive health insurance. All kids who are under 19, residents of PA, are a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or qualified alien, and do not qualify for Medicaid are eligible for CHIP, regardless of income.
CHIP School Flyer 2023 - English.pdf
Breakfast and Lunch Program
Children need healthy meals to learn. Free breakfast is available to all students who wish to participate. Breakfast is served in the cafeteria upon student arrival. Lunch is available for all students who wish to purchase ($3.00). Meal requirements are put in place to ensure that the food items contribute to a sufficient and healthy meal for each child. The webpage has a wealth of information about our meal program, click the button below.
School Spirit Days
February Spirit Days:
- Friday, Feb. 23rd- Charger Spirit Day - show your Charger Pride with our school colors during our special assembly!
- Thursday, Feb. 29th - Rare Disease Day - Wear as many colors as you can head to toe! https://www.rarediseaseday.org/
- Thursday, Feb. 29th - Leap Day - fun activities around the school!
Be on the lookout for additional special spirit days!
Calling all Chargers - First In Math
Be on the lookout for information from homeroom teachers about the First in Math app. Chargers will be working hard to build math fluency and problem solving skills. We will be computing our way to the goal of acquiring 1 million stickers in the First In Math program by May 3, 2024. If we make our goal, there will be a special celebration day planned for the students! Keep those math minds going and solve those problems!
Check out this video of our students sharing information about the program.
First In Math - click on the hyperlink
CFES Walking and Learning Trail
Thank you PTO for your support and funding for signage on the trail which was installed this summer. We look forward to our students, staff, and community enjoying our walking and learning trail!
Walking and Learning Trail - click on the hyperlink
Reminders from our Librarian - Mrs. Price
Birthday Books, If you would like more information about Birthday Books, please click here and print out the form. You can submit forms to the library.
Martin Luther King Jr. Service Project and Connecting Schools
Chadds Ford Elementary Chargers are committed to supporting service projects.
Mitchell Elementary is a public school in Southwest Philadelphia that serves a K-8 student body made up almost entirely of children from households below the poverty line. For the last eight years, CFES and Mitchell have been "sister schools." CFES supports the Mitchell School teachers, students, and families through collection drives for basic necessities and educational tools. CFES and Mitchell classrooms also participate in pen pal projects, art collaborations, and other connections!
Our snack drive wrapped up by our students sorting and organizing a wealth of donations.
Our January community drive honoring Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy of service was a wonderful success! 20 of our elementary students volunteered to stay after school to sort and organize 6,791 individually packaged snacks donated from our generous school community. These snacks will go to the students at our sister school, Mitchell Elementary in Southwest Philadelphia. Thank you all so much for all of your support!
Greenhouse Installation at Chadds Ford
The components of the greenhouse are delivered and on campus. We are happy to report that Williamson College of the Trades has partnered with Chadds Ford to install the greenhouse this spring. Our community partners have selected Chadds Ford Elementary's greenhouse project as the annual Williamson College of the Trades service day project recipients. In the meantime, if you have experience or materials that can be donated to get our greenhouse up and running in the spring, please contact Danielle Clark, CFES Principal, dclark@ucfsd.net
PTO News
The PTO meeting is on Wednesday, February 7th, 9:30 am at Chadds Ford. Please bring your ID when arriving on campus for a visitor sticker. We welcome all to attend!
Many thanks to our PTO and volunteers. We had a wonderful and fun Bingo Night and Parents Night Out in January.
There are many great ways to get involved and be a part of the Charger spirit! We are still in need of helpers and volunteers for our Annual Art Show, any help is appreciated. Please consider how you can be a part of the PTO in this upcoming school year.
