February 2024
Primary Education Center Newsletter
One Purpose. Your Pathway. Our Promise.
Dear Lewiston-Porter Primary Education Center Families,
In January we teach our primary students about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Legacy and “Dream” for our nation. They are exposed to the monumental "I Have a Dream Speech" and students discuss his legacy further in the classroom. Our students read about the principles of non-violence and we promote acts of daily kindness throughout the year by celebrating student’s who make a difference by practicing the 8 Habits (Sean Covey, Happy & Healthy Kids).
February is now upon us and we will celebrate Black History Month. Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of black individuals in our country’s history. We all benefit from learning about the contributions of our citizens because that is what makes our Nation’s mosaic rich. At the PEC, we will focus on the rich contributions of African Americans who have shaped our history and will infinitely have an impact. It is hoped that this pride of culture and exploration of our diverse history will extend all year long. To celebrate and learn we plan to watch videos, read books and participate in rich book talks in all grade levels. Student writers will enrich our entire student body by writing and reciting biographies about famous African Americans on our morning news broadcast.
In addition, the first grade team is celebrating Black History month with a traditional family project. Student chose a famous African-American and created a representation of that person. These sculptures will be on display in the PEC front foyer. Everyday these sculptures create a storyboard that begin conversations for our whole student body. Thank you First Grade Families!
Respectfully yours,
Mrs. Tamara Larson
Principal, Primary Education Center
We are excited to welcome Dr. Vantine back to our schools!
PEC Families:
My name is Dr. Whitney K. Vantine I will be serving as the Interim Assistant Elementary School Principal for both the PEC and IEC.
This school year marks my 45th year in Public Education. Previous positions that I’ve held include; Teacher (Physical Education/Health), Coach of multiple programs and levels (currently in the fall I serve as one of the LP JV football coaches and during the winter as the Assistant Varsity Wrestling coach), Athletic Director/Director of Health, Physical Education and Athletics, Junior High School Assistant Principal, High School Principal and Superintendent of Schools in school systems across the State of New York; both Rural, Suburban and Small City for 23 years.
Having retired in the 2013 school year, after 35 years, I decided five years ago to offer my services as both an athletic coach and classroom teacher, as well as, an administrative substitute for Lewiston Porter. During this time I’ve substituted in almost every Grade level and subject, as well as, serving as an Interim Assistant Principal (Middle School), Principal (High School), and now as the Assistant Elementary Principal.
My children both attended Lewiston Porter and I reside in Youngstown with my wife.
I have always felt that it is important for each of us to give back to our communities in a myriad of ways. It is enjoyable for me to remain associated with Lewiston Porter, where I once upon a time served as Superintendent of Schools, and look forward to helping to guide our students toward their bright futures.
Tips for Parents from the School Health Office
Many parents ask, “When is my child sick enough to stay home from school?”
This is not always an easy question to answer! We hope that these tips can help!
A child who is sick will not be able to perform well in school and is likely to spread the illness to other children and staff. We suggest making a plan for childcare ahead of time so you will not be caught without a comforting place for your child to stay if he/she is ill.
Please do not send your child to school if he/she has:
- Fever (100.0 or higher) in the past 72 hours (Must be fever free without medication)
- Vomiting in the past 24 hours
- Diarrhea in the past 24 hours
- Chills
- Sore throat
- Strep Throat (must have been taking an antibiotic for at least 24 hours before returning to school)
- Pink Eye – redness, itching & drainage of the eye(s)
- Bad cold, with a very runny nose or bad cough, especially if it has kept the child awake at night
- COVID - follow CDC recommendations. See the Lew-Port website.
- Head lice – until your child has been treated according to the nurse or doctor’s instructions
If your child becomes ill at school and the teacher or school nurse feels the child is too sick to benefit from school or is contagious to other children, you will be called to come and take him/her home from school. It is essential that your child’s school have a phone number where you can be contacted during the day and an emergency number in the event you cannot be reached. Please be sure that arrangements can be made to transport your child home from school and that childcare is available in case of illness. If your daytime or emergency phone number changes during the year, please notify your child’s teacher immediately.
Please call the school’s Health Office if you have any questions or concerns.
PRIMARY EDUCATION CENTER
Health Office
4061 Creek Road, Youngstown, NY 14174
Phone: 716-286-7225 Fax: 716-286-7855
Universal Pre-K Information
2024-25: Application will open March 1, 2024.
Deadline to apply is April 9, 2024.
Application does not mean acceptance to the program.
We have a limited number of spots available. If applications surpass the number of available spots we will hold a lottery to determine eligibility.
District registration should not be completed until acceptance to the program is granted.
Sound Bathing Mediation Fundraiser
One District, One Book
Our 23-24 One District, One Book Reading Adventure is under way!
We had an amazing kickoff at the Lewiston Library on Thursday, January 25th with over 375 in attendance! The excitement continued across our campus on Friday, January 26th with in school kickoffs at the PEC, IEC, and Middle School. The reading excitement is palpable!
We hope your family is enjoying The Lion of Mars at home as a family. The provided reading schedule is only a suggestion and paced in order to allow families adequate time. It’s okay to read it together faster or slower and it’s never too late to start reading. This book is yours to keep and grow your home library. Be sure you are reading our Friday ODOB Updates on Seesaw for Community Business Partner specials, highlights, and Scavenger Hunts. Trivia questions are also posted on this update as well as our weekly Masked Chapter Readers. And don’t forget to utilize our complete list of ODOB Community Business Partner specials throughout town! The One District, One Book details can be found on our website. All of these ODOB elements help our Reading Adventure take flight and add to the excitement. Our program will conclude on Friday, March 1st with a Family Reading Celebration, located at the IEC.
Watch Seesaw for details!
Remember that February is Black History Month and Ethnic Equality Month!
Click Below For Hundreds Chart Ideas And Printables⬇️
Brooklyn Kula
I had a picture that my Grandma bought me when I was a child hanging on the wall in my classroom. A first grader in Brooklyn's class accidentally knocked it off the wall. The next time the class had music they asked where the picture was. I explained that I fixed the frame but wanted to keep it off of the wall because it was special to me. The next music class after Thanksgiving Brooklyn brought a new picture to me. She got a canvas and painted it over Thanksgiving for me so I would have a new picture to hang. She is a leader in kindness, thoughtfulness, and compassion. She was proactive, she thinks win win, and seeks first to understand.
Riley Manzare
Vivian Price
Sophie Leary
Nolan Pereles
Nolan is a role model to all of the students in my classroom! He is kind, thoughtful, and a very wonderful listener. He cares about all those around him and is always doing his best which motivates those around him to do the same! We are so lucky to have Nolan in our class! I am so proud of you Nolan!
Elliana Sicoli
Elliana is a wonderful leader in our classroom! She is kind, thoughtful, and always willing to help. When Ellie saw that a friend was having a hard time and crying she held her hand and asked her to join what they were doing. Ellie is always going out of her way to help others! We are so lucky to have Ellie in our class! I am so proud of you Ellie!
Getting Started with Parent Portal
If you are a parent/guardian that has not yet had an opportunity to set up your parent portal, please take some time to do so as soon as possible. Having access to parent portal and using the app can be a helpful way to receive important information regarding your child's grades, missing assignments, and other important updates. This is especially true for parents of students in grades 3-12. It can also be used to verify your contact information, as you'll see in the next section. Parent Portal also gives you access to Porfolio + which is a data warehouse that we use to distribute report cards, Aimsweb reports and NYS testing data. To access the parent portal, visit our website and click on the icon that looks like the image you see pictured here on the right.
If you are trying to reset your username or password, there is a link on the sign-in page. Follow the prompts and check your email. Sometimes it may find its way into your spam box. Once you get the email you should be able to reset your account.
If you are new to Parent Portal, you should have received a letter that would give you access codes to get connected. If you did not get that letter, or if you experience difficulty getting signed up, you may call your child's school for assistance.
Click this link to visit the Parent Portal Resource Page on our website. Here you will find everything you need. I have also included some resources for you here:
1. Links to the apps:
PowerSchool App (Google Play Store)
PowerSchool App (Apple Store)
2. Video on how to get set up with PowerSchool (see below).
3. Written instructions are also available here.
*Parents will need a working email address, and a PowerSchool Access Code. This is provided by the school at the start of the year. If you need that information, please contact the main office of your child's school. For the app, you will also need the district code CSXQ.
Updating Contact Information in Parent Portal
Mobile Hotspot
Dear Families:
At Lewiston-Porter we have made a strong effort to ensure that all students have equitable access to digital materials while they're at school and while they're at home. To that end, we have partnered with T-Mobile to offer free mobile hotspots to families that are in need.
If you would like to request a hotspot please complete the form below.