MonthLea Update

We’re off to a fantastic start this year, with our staff excited having welcomed students back to school last week. As your new principal, I’m looking forward to an amazing year ahead and can’t wait to share more with you through our monthly newsletters.

We’re thrilled to kick off the year with our Back to School Night on Thursday, September 12th, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. We’re starting with a fun block party theme, where you’ll have a chance to meet our new admin team, AP Benfield and myself. There will also be a kindergarten play date on the playground and our partner fair to explore. Afterwards, you can join us for teacher presentations in the classrooms for grades K-5, and don’t miss the Middle School Academy orientation in the auditorium for our 6-8 graders. We’re looking forward to seeing you there and starting the year on a high note!

In September's edition of the MonthLea Update, we cover some key highlights, including our updates to our policies and procedures, STAR testing, school partnerships and much more. Thanks for all your support, and here’s to a great year together!

With Gratitude,

Principal Snyder

• 4:30-5:20: Block Party in the Yard with water ice & pretzels
• Partner’s Fair
• Kindergarten Playdate on the Playground
  
• Meet Principal Snyder & Assistant Principal Benfield
  
• 5:20-5:30: Transition Inside
  
• 5:30-6:15:
  
• K-5: Teacher Presentation in their rooms
  
• 6-8: Middle School Academy Orientation
  

Student attendance is directly correlated with student achievement. Here at Henry C. Lea, we want to meet our goal no more than 9 absences for the entire school year! In order to submit an excused absence, please send in with your student to give to the teacher. Our goal is to help support all students and families in being at school daily.

The School District of Philadelphia's Process for Truancy

• Parents must submit an absence note to the school within three (3) days of the child’s unexcused absence.
• At the 3rd unexcused absence the Three Day Legal Notice (C-31) should be sent to the Parent/Guardian to make them aware that the child has missed 3 days (consecutive/non-consecutive) of school.
• No later than the 6th unexcused absence an attendance improvement conference must be held to address the student’s absences and reasons for the truancy. The purpose of the conference is to identify motivations for and barriers to attendance and develop an action plan to improve attendance. This Student Attendance Improvement Plan should be completed at the conference. This will serve as the Truancy Referral. The school must invite the parent/caregiver to the conference.
• A copy of the SAIP will be provided to the student, parent/caregiver and any other entity identified who can support the student with this plan.
• At the 10th unexcused absence, the truancy referral should be submitted to the Office of Attendance & Truancy. All referrals will be checked for quality control and accuracy. The Student Attendance Improvement Plan will serve as the truancy referral and will be needed 10 8/14/18 for ALL cases going to Truancy Court or DHS for Family Empowerment Services. School will need to submit two copies to the Office of Attendance and Truancy and keep one at the school.

For additional attendance & truancy information, please feel free to visit the School District of Philadelphia's Website.

Encourage your child to do their best. There is no need to stress, this is simply to communicate to teachers what strengths and growth areas they have as a student. There’s no pressure to be perfect—just be themselves and give it their best shot!

For more information regarding STAR testing, click the links below:

• K-5
• 6-8

1. Please welcome three new members of our special education team! Ms. Rice-Thompson will be teaching autistic support, Mr. Pendleton will be teaching K-5 learning support, and Ms. Cason is our new speech and language therapist. Welcome to Lea!!!

2. The STAR testing window is now open! Our learning support, emotional support, and autistic support students will be participating in STAR testing this year! Students who participate will do so with the support of the accommodations outlined in their IEPs. Encourage your student to try their best!

1. Please welcome our new Arabic Bilingual Counseling Assistant, Ms. Khalil! She will be in our building on Wednesdays.

2. All students in the English Learner program who enrolled in US schools before April 24, 2024 will take their grade-level’s STAR test in English Language Arts and Math. Students learning English who enroll after April 24, 2024 will be exempt from the ELA test.

3. Students who enrolled after April 24, 2021 and read and write in Spanish will be able to take the STAR math test in Spanish in a small group. These tests will help us know your child’s progress in reading and math when compared to their peers in other US schools.

To ensure the safety of all students, parents are not permitted to enter the building to walk their child to class in the morning. If you need to pick up your student early, please report to the main office. We will bring your child to you there. Only pre-k families should be entering the building during admissions, and should do so through the main office door.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in helping us maintain a secure environment for everyone.

Dear Parents,

It is an honor to serve your child this year. I am looking forward to working together with you and getting to know all the children this year. Wishing everyone a happy and healthy year!

Here are some important reminders:

• If you have not done so, please send Forms S865 and Med 1 forms as applicable as soon as possible.
• We want to keep our students comfortable and avoid any time away from school. If you foresee that your child may need medication during the school day, please fill out the Medication Administration form, which needs to be completed by the doctor. Please ensure all fields are completed to prevent delays. Please note this is to be completed every year. Any medications that were not picked by the end of previous school year/ESY were disposed of per the policy.
• If your child has Asthma or allergies, an action plan also needs to be completed by the doctor and a copy sent to school.
• When sending medications, please ensure they are in their original packaging with a label. It must be labeled with the child's name, medication name, and dosage. Medications that are not labeled by the pharmacist will be returned back. This is for the safety of your child.
• Please check with your health care provider to ensure your child is in compliance with the required immunizations and send updated immunization records, physicals, as soon as possible.
• I will also be providing mandatory health screenings throughout the school year. If you would like to opt out, please notify the school.

I have attached some flyers and short video for families dealing with Asthma.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the health office.

With Gratitude,

Nurse Chadha

Health Office

After-school Updates

• After-school enrollment is closed

• Enrollment is not automatic.

• A completed application does not guarantee your student a spot in the program.

• Acceptance emails will be sent out by 9/6/24.

• Wait List emails will be sent out by 9/6/24.

• More information about part time programming will be shared at back to school night on Thursday, 9/12.

• 9/13 After-School Kick Off Party - First Day of after-school for enrolled students.

To learn more about the Netter Center visit https://www.nettercenter.upenn.edu/

In case you missed it.

• UACS Updates 8/26/24

Lea Academic Calendar: https://tinyurl.com/lea-academic-calendar-24-25

The Lea Academic Calendar is a Google document for sharing scheduling information for Henry C. Lea School, the School District of Philadelphia, and Lea partner programs with Lea students, families, staff, and partners. This calendar outlines each month of the academic year, and is best used for long-term planning, such as checking what is happening at Lea over the course of the upcoming weeks and months.

Lea Family Calendar: https://tinyurl.com/lea-family-calendar

The Lea Family Calendar is an online Google Calendar for sharing scheduling information for Henry C. Lea School, the School District of Philadelphia, and Lea partner programs with Lea students, families, staff, and partners. This calendar is updated regularly and is best used for short-term planning, such as checking what is happening at Lea during the current school day or week.

At Henry C. Lea, we understand the importance of students having cell phones for communication and safety reasons. Unfortunately, cell phones also present a large distraction in school as students send text messages, use social media, take photographs, and record videos of one another. I ask that you reiterate to your students the importance of focusing on school while they are at school.

It is the expectation of Henry C. Lea administration that students and parents adhere to the School District’s cell phone policy. If a student brings a cell phone, smart phone, or electronic device to school, they do so at their own risk. Henry C. Lea Elementary School will take no responsibility for lost, stolen or damaged cell phones or any other electronic device. Should a student bring: a smart phone, cell phone, or any device that can take photographs; record, play, or edit audio or video data; store, transmit or receive messages or images; or provide a wireless, unfiltered connection to the internet, it is Henry C. Lea policy that it must be turned off and out of sight for the entire school day. Phones should not be stored in pants or sweatshirt pockets. Such devices must be kept in your handbag, backpack, or locker.

It is an expectation that Henry C. Lea parents support the Principal and staff in upholding our electronics policy. Please do your part and do not call or text your student during the school day. If you need to reach your child for any reason, please call the main office at (215) 400 - 7660. The message will be delivered to your child and they are permitted to call you back from the main office phone. Students who use their cell phone or electronic device inside the school building or on the school premises during the hours of 9:00 am and 3:39 pm will be subject to discipline as outlined by the School District of Philadelphia’s Student Code of Conduct. In addition, students will be subject to the following school procedure:

FIRST OFFENSE: Phone/electronic device will be confiscated by staff member and turned into the office. All devices are locked in the main office. On the first offense, the device can be picked up by the student in the main office after 3:24pm. This policy serves as official notice. The school will notify parents/guardians of confiscated phone/electronic device via a phone call or an email.

SECOND OFFENSE: Phone/electronic device will be confiscated by staff member and turned into the office. All devices are locked in the main office. On the second occurrence, phone/electronic devices will be returned ONLY to the parent/guardian on file. The device will be held in the main office until a parent/guardian who is listed on the student’s record is able to report to the school

THIRD OFFENSE: Phone/electronic device will be confiscated by staff member and turned into the office. Phone/electronic device will be returned ONLY to the parent/guardian on file after a meeting with the Dean of Students. The student will be placed on a behavioral contract and required to leave their phone at home or turn it into the main office daily.

All students are expected to wear appropriate clothing which includes pants, shorts, shirts, dresses, skirts, blouses, and footwear at all times. Our school’s shirt color is navy blue however we do not have a color requirement for tops or bottoms. The following items are not permitted:

1. Short shorts, skirts, dresses, or bottoms that do not cover undergarments.

2. Clothing that does not cover the torso.

3. See-through or revealing clothing.

4. Muscle shirts, spaghetti strap tops, or midriff tops.

5. Head wear other than for religious purposes.

6. Clothing with profane writings, insignias, sexual implications, or advertising of drug, alcohol or tobacco products.

7. Flip-flops, open-toe shoes, cleats, or roller skate shoes.

In the event a student fails to follow this dress code, the parent/guardian will be contacted by school administration. The student may be provided loaner clothing by the school or the family may be asked to bring an appropriate change of clothes or shoes to school. School administration reserves the right to deem any form of dress inappropriate, disruptive, or unsafe for the school environment.

Henry C. Lea Elementary

Asst. Principal: Jason Benfield

Climate Manager: Nicole Walker

Main Office: Ms. Baxter, 215-400-7660

Location: 4700 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19139