The Weekly Update 12/23/2024

Tuesday, December 24th

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Wednesday, January 1st

SEE YOU ALL ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 2ND

As the chilly winter months approach, it's time to bundle up in our warmest clothes – hats, gloves, jackets, and scarves. But with so many students wearing similar winter gear, it's easy for things to get mixed up or lost. To avoid the "missing glove" mystery, here’s a simple solution: label your clothing items with your name!

Putting your name on hats, gloves, jackets, and other winter gear helps ensure that everything finds its way back to you if it gets misplaced. You can use a permanent marker, sew a name tag into your coat, or even support the Tawanka PTO and buy labels from Mables Labels! (https://mabelslabels.com/fundraising/support search for Tawanka!) Be sure to check your gear before school to make sure everything is labeled and ready for the cold weather.

Let’s work together to keep everyone warm, organized, and looking forward to the winter fun ahead!

Stay cozy and safe this winter, and don’t forget to bundle up!

We love to recognize Tawanka students who are respectful, responsible, and safe with a token. At the end of each month, all the students who earned a Tawanka Token are entered into a raffle and a winner per grade level is chosen. These individuals were the winners for November! Congrats to all the winners and all of the token recipients from those months!

Parents and Students enjoying Gingerbread Day in Mrs. Banks' class!

More Gingerbread day fun in Mrs. Geer's class ending with the students singing to the volunteer parents.

Mrs. Fedele’s class had lots of fun making gingerbread houses!

Mrs. Mannherz's class was asked to build a structure to "catch" an Elf.

Ms. Wells class enjoyed decorating their gingerbread houses!

Mrs. Atwater's class celebrated Winter Holiday Spirit Week wearing their red and white for Candy Cane Day and snowman outfits or blue and white for Winter Wonderland Day.

Mrs. Ross' second grade class earned a double reward day, Candyland/Board Game Day and Pajama Day! They passed 100 iReady Reading and Math lessons, filling their Candyland reward chart and filled their popcorn jar.

As a culminating activity for our study of sound, third grade students in B206 formed their own band under the direction of JPM.

Third grade wrapped up their science unit on sound by creating instruments and performing in a band to present the instruments to their class!

Ms. Schautz class built their own musical instruments out of recycled materials for their sound unit in science. They also had lots of fun dressing up for spirit week, especially pajama day!!

Mrs. Fedele & Mrs. Blaydon buddies got together to celebrate the holidays! Take a look at our special cookie & sweater creations!

Students in Mrs. Cromwell's class performing at 4th grade Chorus Concert.

Mrs. Phillips’ class used Oreo cookies to represent moon phases as we wrap up our sun, moon and stars unit.

Mrs. Woltemate's class did a STEM tree building competition using only cups and popsicle sticks. Students worked together and had lots of fun!

All Tawanka students have been enjoying the Ninja Warrior obstacle course. This particular week was Ms. Leinheiser's class.

Tawanka hosted their second annual Sensory Friendly Santa Experience for students within the Autistic Support program on Thursday Dec. 12th! It was an opportunity to enjoy the tradition of a Santa visit in a subdued and calm environment. Students and their families were able to enjoy a private, calm, and sensory friendly Santa visit within the familiar setting of their school building. Families were able to take pictures by themselves and with friends, enjoy a special snack, or just play with a sensory bin. Tawanka’s second year of hosting this was a huge success and the families truly enjoyed their time!

Dear Tawanka Families,

We are reaching out to our wonderful school community for help! Our school is in need of gently used boys' clothing in the following sizes: 7/8, 10/12, and 14/16. These items will support our students who may be in need of a clothing change during the school day or to ensure they are comfortable throughout the year.

If you have any clean, gently worn clothes in these sizes that you are able to donate, we would be very grateful! Donations can be dropped off at the school office or nurse during regular school hours. Your support is greatly appreciated, and it makes a big difference for our students.

Thank you for your generosity!

Warm regards,

Tawanka Elementary

We have a few cases of head lice in the building. Early intervention and communication between the parents and the nurse are essential in keeping the spread of lice to a minimum. If you suspect your child may have head lice, please notify the nurse immediately.

Indications of head lice infestation are live lice in the hair, itchy scalp and small grayish-white oval eggs (nits) that are attached to the hair shaft close to the scalp. The nits cannot be easily brushed away from the scalp like dry skin or dandruff because they are attached with a “glue-like” substance. The nits will mature in seven to ten days and become a louse. Lice are seen less often than the eggs (nits) because they are so small. Infestation is usually diagnosed from visualization of nits on the warmest part of the scalp, behind the ears and along the nape of the neck.

If you find any evidence of head lice:

• Verify the infestation with your health care provider or school nurse.

• Report the infestation to your school nurse.

• Seek advice from your health care provider concerning treatment, especially regarding the use of pesticides on your child.

• Treat hair as directed, use a metal or plastic comb designed for nit removal to facilitate removal of all lice and nits from your child’s hair.

To help prevent the spread of head lice, we recommend keeping hair pulled back in a braid or bun with hair gel and/ or hairspray. Remind your child not to share jackets, sweaters, hats, hair accessories, brush and combs. Head lice are spread through direct head-to-head contact. Indirectly it is possible to be spread by combs, hats, bed sheets, upholstered furniture/ car seats etc.

If you have any questions regarding head lice or the policy at our school, please call the school nurse at 215-809-6316 or at calexis@neshaminy.org ddisandro@neshaminy.org or kmcclellan@neshaminy.org

It is the policy of Neshaminy School District that any child identified as having head lice must be checked by the school nurse before returning to class after treatment and will be checked periodically thereafter.

Thank you for your attention and cooperation,

Carol Alexis, Debby DiSandro, and Kelsey McClellan

School Nurses

215-809-6316

Holiday Help Resources 2024

The United Way has prepared this list of holiday help resources for those in need and those wishing to help and support.

https://www.uwbucks.org/holiday-help-resources-2024/

If your family is in need of financial assistance, we have a few resources to offer that may be able to help.

Feasterville Rotary donates new coats to children who may need them. Please contact a staff member listed below as soon as possible to order your coat.

Free lunch applications, list of Food Pantries, heating assistance, and other community resources are available as well.

We will be contacting clubs and organizations in the area on your behalf to make a truly “Happy Holiday” for your family. Since we do not know how many organizations will respond to our appeal, we cannot guarantee the type or the amount of gifts your children will receive. These donations may be in the form of food, gifts or gift certificates.

Please contact the nurse’s office or our guidance counselors for further information.

Nurse 215-809-6316 calexis@neshaminy.org ddisandro@neshaminy.org

Guidance counselors cdonnelly@neshaminy.org mkovak@neshaminy.org

Any information shared will remain confidential.

The December issue of Parent & Family Engagement News contains some important information about upcoming events - click here to read.