Broad Street Newsletter

We live in a world where information can be accessed from many different platforms: TV, internet sites, social media, and on occasion the information shared on these platforms are not always accurate or it lacks important details. I can assure you that maintaining a safe and supportive environment for your child is my top priority. I am asking for your partnership in fostering a safe environment here at Broad Street for the students and staff by taking the following steps:

Avoid Sharing Rumors and Posts about School Threats It’s crucial to avoid sharing unverified information, especially on social media. Even if threats are not credible, they can cause unnecessary stress and anxiety for students, families, and staff. Please monitor your child's social media activity and have conversations with them about responsible online behavior.

Your Role in School Safety Every member of our school community plays an important role in ensuring safety. I encourage you to remain vigilant and report any concerning behavior or messaging. If you become aware of an issue, please report it immediately to your child’s teacher or me, salexander@mbgsd.org. For after-hours concerns, or if you wish to remain anonymous, you can report through the Safe2Say program. This service is available via the Safe2Say app, online at www.safe2saypa.org, or by calling 1-844-723-2729.

Stay Informed Please trust that if there is ever a safety concern, I will notify you promptly. To ensure you receive important school and district communications, make sure your contact information is up-to-date in the Sapphire Parent Portal.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to the students and staffs' safety here at Broad Street!

As we shift into October we are approaching the midpoint of our first trimester. Next week you will receive information on how to sign-up for a conference with your child's teacher to discuss their progress toward grade level goals and the approaches to learning as outlined on the report cards.

Conferences will be held as face-to-face meetings which will allow teachers to share work samples and other evidence of your child's progress.

Zoom can be accommodated if necessary and teachers can only schedule one conference per family, but the conference can be a combination of face-to-face and virtual participation if needed. In addition to meeting with your child's regular education teacher consider setting up a time to meet with the Fine and Applied Arts teachers (Music, PE, Art, Library). These educators have valuable insights about students beyond the classroom setting and can be a good resource for additional information about your child.

I look forward to seeing you on October 30th or November 1st

October:

• 2 - Walk to School Day (details below under PTO)
  
• 7 - Chalk the Walk (details below under PTO)
• 7 - PTO SUB SALE PICK UP 3:30 - 5:30 - Broad Street Lobby
• 9 - Parent/Teacher Conference Letters come home - Conference Sign Ups Open
• 10 - 2nd Grade Field Trip - E-Center
• 11 - Act 80 Day - No School
• 14 - Fall Recess - No School
• 15 - Fire Prevention Demonstrations
• 15 - PTO Dine Out - Rakestraw's from 3-9 p.m.
• 23 - 2nd Grade Field Trip - Hershey Gardens
• 30 - Fall Parent/Teacher Conferences 3:00 - 7:30 p.m.

November:

• 1 - Act 80 Day - No School --- Parent/Teacher Conferences 7:30 - 3:00
• 6 - Fall Picture Day
• 7 - Broad Street Community Dinner 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.
• 11 - Professional Development Day - No School
• 12 - PTO Meeting 6:30 p.m. in the Library
• 21 - End of Trimester 1 (Gr. K-5)
• 27 - Contracted In-Service Day - No School
• 28 - Thanksgiving Recess - No School
• 29 - Thanksgiving Recess - No School

December

• 2 - Thanksgiving Recess - No School
• 6 - Report Cards sent home & posted to sapphire @ 3:00 p.m.

Winter Break - December 23 - January 3 - No School

FALL FEST CLASSROOM CELEBRATIONS

During the week of October 28th students may engage in activities related to the fall season. These activities are not affiliated with Halloween and we ask that students do not wear any costume to school. For those families that do celebrate Halloween, below is a list of community opportunities for students to wear their costume and participate.

Community-Based Halloween Opportunities

• Mechanicsburg Borough Halloween Parade: October 8

• Mechanicsburg Streets of Treats: October 19 10AM - 2PM

Trick - or -Treat

• Mechanicsburg Borough: October 31 from 6-8:00 PM (no rain date)

• Upper Allen: October 31 from 6:00 -8:00 PM (rain date: Saturday, November 2nd from 4-6 p.m.)

Happy October! This month we will be focusing on how to be a buddy at Broad Street and how to deal with uncomfortable emotions like frustration and anger in a positive way. October is bullying prevention month so we will also discuss what to do if you notice bullying behavior and how to be an upstander and stand up for yourself and others by getting help right away. October is also a time when we celebrate Unity Day, a day focused on making others feel like they belong.

I will also be hosting a birthday lunch on October 25th for all students who celebrate an October birthday. This is a time where students get to bring their lunches to the open classroom area and we eat together and talk about how they celebrated their birthdays.

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions!

Lisa Mandia

School Counselor

lmandia@mbgsd.org

717-691-3328

Mechanicsburg Area School District is privileged to offer a weekend food distribution program for families in need. The purpose of the program is to provide non-perishable, vitamin-fortified, and easy to prepare foods to children at times when school resources are not available, such as weekends and school vacations. Bags will include two breakfasts, two meals, and two snacks. The program is free of charge, and it will begin on Friday, September 27th. If your family is interested in receiving weekend food bags, please complete this form once for each school-aged child in your family. https://forms.gle/76NDDcYsTmZTQUMF8

Keep your students healthy year-round!

• Sadler Health Center will be onsite for a Vaccination Clinic to provide required vaccines for students.
• Contact the school nurse to pre-register.
• Parents must complete consent forms.

Vaccines are covered by insurance and FREE for those who are uninsured

• Student Emergency forms must be filled out EVERY year for each student.
• Sign on to the Community Web Portal here to complete the STUDENT EMERGENCY FORM
• Directions can be found on the MASD website here.
• If you need any assistance with the Community Portal, please contact Maggie Stern - mastern@mbgsd.org
  

You may report your child’s absence with one of the following:

• Email the Office: BroadStreetOffice@mbgsd.org
• Electronic Excuse: via the Sapphire Portal
• Call the Office: 717-691-4574

If you call to report the absence, choose 1 of the following:

• Note: send a handwritten note in your child’s folder
• Email: follow up by sending an email to: BroadStreetOffice@mbgsd.org
• Electronic Excuse: use the electronic excuse found on the Sapphire Community Portal.
  

PA law requires all absences have a written note submitted within three (3) days of a student’s absence. Note: Illness, quarantine or death are the only excuses accepted by the state. A doctor’s excuse must be submitted for an absence of three (3) or more school days.

* If the excuse is not turned in, it will become an unlawful absence.

If your child accumulates three (3) unlawful absences, for any reason, a warning letter will be issued. After the fourth unlawful absence, a mandatory attendance improvement plan will be held. Further unlawful absence will be cited with the District Magistrate

• Traveling to Grandma’s? Going on Vacation? — An Educational Trip request form can be submitted at least five (5) days in advance, call the office for details, (717) 691-4574 or access parent forms from our website HERE

Please refer to the MASD Elementary Handbook for additional information. Thank you for helping us maintain accurate records for your child’s attendance.

Interested in Volunteering for a field trip or in the classroom? Make sure you have your volunteer requirements completed, contact the office @ 717-691-4574.

Need to complete the volunteer requirements? All of this information can be found on our website

Sooner rather than later, sometimes it take a while to complete. :)

• English Language Arts (ELA) - April 22-25, 2025
• Math & Make Up Testing - April 28 - May 2, 2025

Educational Trip requests and medical appointments will not be honored on testing dates.

Join the Broad Street PTO Parent Facebook Page - click HERE * This page is Administered by the Broad Street PTO and is NOT sponsored by the Mechanicsburg Area School District.

Mark your calendars:

PTO meetings will start at 6:30 p.m. and will be held in the Broad Street Library:

• November 12
  
• February 11
• April 8
• May 13

NATIONAL WALK TO SCHOOL DAY -- October 2nd

The first Wednesday in October makes a perfect time to celebrate National Walk to School Day.

#WalkToSchoolDay

Walking is one of the best forms of exercise. It isn't hard on our joints and feet like running and jogging but still gives us all the advantages. The goal of this day is to raise awareness and support for the health, community and environmental benefits of regularly walking or biking to school.

Join the PTO during the Sub Sale PIck up for Chalk the Walk, bring the family and help to decorate the sidewalks in front of Broad Street!

PTO Sub Sale PIck Up

• Broad Street Lobby
• 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.

A paper copy will be sent home on Thursday 10/10.

Contact Mrs. Bradley @ broadstreetoffice@mbgsd.org to claim an item from the lost and found.

Any item not claimed by 10/15 will be donated to Operation Wildcat.

Click HERE to view the 2024-2025 district calendar

We’re excited to announce the launch of our brand-new Mechanicsburg Area School District Facebook page – www.facebook.com/MASDwildcats. Like and follow the page to stay updated on the latest celebrations, news, and updates from across the district.

Broad Street Elementary School

Phone: 717-691-4574 || Fax: 717-697-7392

EMAIL: broadstreetoffice@mbgsd.org

WEBSITE: broadstreet.mbgsd.org