Dear Stetson Families,

We had a very successful week acknowledging and celebrating RESPECT here at Stetson Middle School. Please be sure to check our Stetson Twitter page (@GAStetsonMS) to see our posts about our staff and students showing respect here at Stetson.

As I shared in my last message, this year we are focusing on P.R.I.D.E. to build a strong school community. Our third letter, “I”, stands for Integrity – the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. Throughout the year, I often share quotes with our staff that motivate me and help to define what it means to have integrity. This week I wanted to share a quote with you as well.

“Develop your character so that you are a person of integrity.” ~ Peter Cain

My greatest hope for our Stetson community is that we continue to work together, aim high, and foster our next generation of leaders together.

Have a great weekend!

Mrs. Puchalla

Monday, October 10th --- Day 4

Tuesday, October 11th--- Day 5 ***Falcon Period***

Wednesday, October 12th --- Day 6

Thursday, October 13th --- Day 1 ***Falcon Period***

Friday, October 14th --- Day 2

Monday, October 17th --- Day 3

Tuesday, October 18th--- Day 4 ***Falcon Period***

Wednesday, October 19th --- Day 5

Thursday, October 20th --- Day 6 ***Falcon Period***

Friday, October 21st --- Day 1

10/10: Cross Country vs. Kennett

10/11: Boys Soccer vs. Patton

10/13: Field Hockey vs. Chichester

10/13: Volleyball vs. Patton

10/13: Cross Country vs. Patton

***8th Grade designate to play at 3:15 pm first unless otherwise noted. 7th Grade typically starts around 4pm.***

It is Stetson’s mission to help all students maintain passing grades, however, if a student is failing two or more academic subjects, or one academic subject, and two unified arts classes, they will be placed on our ineligibility list. Students who are on the ineligibility list are unable to participate in any extracurricular sport/activity. A report is generated every Thursday to determine eligibility status for the following week. Parents will receive an email the Friday before the ineligible week and students will receive a letter in homeroom. Students are encouraged to check their grades frequently on PowerSchool and Schoology.

Students were informed by the counseling staff about our HELP Team. HELP stands for Hands Extended for Long Term Prevention. This team is designed to assist students who may be experiencing barriers to their education. All schools in the PA have some form of a HELP team to assist their students if needed. Please see the attached presentation that was shown to students today. If you have any questions or concerns, contact our counseling department.

On Thursday, 9/29, all Stetson students will be hearing about Safe 2 Say Something during Falcon Period. Safe2Say Something is a youth violence prevention program run by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. The program teaches youth and adults how to recognize warning signs and signals, especially within social media, from individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others and to “say something” BEFORE it is too late. With Safe2Say Something, it’s easy and confidential to report safety concerns to help prevent violence and tragedies. Students and parents can access information about this program at the link above or on the Stetson Website via the Counselor page.

Remember to pre-order your 2022-2023 yearbook! You can pre-order at jostensyearbooks.com. They are currently $35 +tax until November 11th! Please let Miss Verna know if you have any questions! sverna@wcasd.net

The 6th Grade Intramural Soccer Program is an after school activity in which 6th Grade boys and girls will learn fundamentals of soccer, participate in organized scrimmages, interact with their peers and get physical exercise. Practices will be spread out throughout the month of September, October and early November. If you would like to sign your child up for 6th Grade intramural soccer please fill out the form in the link (6th Grade Intramural Soccer). To join the 6th Grade Soccer intramural page on schoology use this access code CJ2F-MSK7-2GVNZ

Feel free to contact Mr. David Loescher with any questions dloeschervelazquez@wcasd.net

A safe space for students to . .

· have a voice,

· tell your story,

· develop friendships,

· share your culture,

· and learn about future possibilities!

Join the Stetson Art Club!

The Stetson Art Club is open to all students who share a common interest in the creation of art. Art Club promotes imagination, creativity, and art production. We focus on materials and projects that go beyond what you would do in a regular art class. Students are able to experiment with various art materials in a personalized, open and exploratory manner. Art Club is both a studio and community service-oriented activity. Please see attached permission slip for more detailed info.

Any 7th or 8th grader interested in joining the yearbook committee should come to the first meeting Tuesday September 20th after school in Miss Verna's room, B103. The meeting is from 3 to 3:45. Please make sure to have a ride home!

Remember to pre-order your 2022-2023 yearbook! You can pre-order at jostensyearbooks.com. They are currently $35 +tax until November 11th! Please let Miss Verna know if you have any questions!

Are you interested in journalism? Do you have page design or publication skills?

Do you love to write? Interview others? Take pictures?

Falcon Flyer Newspaper Club might be the place for you to showcase your creativity!

Stetson’s Falcon Flyer Newspaper Club is holding its first meeting of the year Thursday, 10/6 from 3:00-4:00.

Students from grades 6-8 are invited to participate. Come out to see what it’s all about!

Questions? Stop by A109 to see Mrs. Gomez, or email tgomez@wcasd.net

Best Buddies is an organization dedicated to creating opportunities for one-to-one friendships and an inclusive community for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Stetson Best Buddies is one of more than 1,500 local chapters around the world!

For more information and to find out how to apply to join us, please see Mr. Peck in B125 or email jpeck@wcasd.net!

The Student Club begins with Getting to Know You activities, including conversations to have the students figure out “Why did you want to be a part of the GSA?”. The meetings for the year focus around a main question: What things are important to convey to the Stetson Community? During the meeting students identify the answer to that question and determine the action items possible. A bulk of the time is spent planning these activities, including potential fundraising that can be used to sustain this group. Additionally, the students discuss who to donate a portion of the funds raised to. Students work in small groups to “do the work” identified while the advisors provide support and feedback. Students may need guidance or reminders to create an experience that is meant to include everyone. If you are interested in joining this club please see Senor Rehrig or Ms. Selgrath.

Chester County Reading Olympics is a countywide reading event that encourages students to increase the quality and quantity of books they read for enjoyment. The Reading Olympics Program is based upon the belief that good reading habits form the foundation for a productive and successful life.

Chester County Reading Olympics is designed to inspire students to read for pleasure and learn the value of teamwork at the same time! In addition to helping students develop a habit of daily reading for pleasure, the Chester County Reading Olympics provides students with the opportunity to have interactive discussions with their peers on the content of the books.

The Stetson Reading Olympics team will meet during Falcon Periods and communicate through our Schoology page on the off weeks. If your child is interested in participating, please have them come see Mrs. Mesi for more information in room A106 or email to kmesi@wcasd.net.

Interested in Science? What is Science Olympiad? Attend the Stetson Science Olympiad Introductory Meeting on Tuesday Oct. 4th from 3 – 3:45 in room B122. All questions will be answered. See Mr. Becker in B122 for any pre-meeting questions.

7th Grade: Thursday, November 3rd and Friday, November 4th from 3pm to 5pm

8th Grade: Monday, November 7th and Wednesday, November 9th from 3pm to 5pm

Below are the links to the FamilyID introduction letter and PIAA Physical form. All students trying out must have the PIAA physical form completed and uploaded to FamilyID before try-outs, no exceptions! The PIAA physical must be completed after June 1, 2022. Physicals dated before June 1, 2022 will not be accepted.

Family ID intro letter: https://www.wcasd.net/cms/lib/PA02203541/Centricity/Domain/6129/Family%20ID%20Intro%20Letter.pdf

PIAA Physical Form:

https://www.wcasd.net/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=10846&dataid=13848&FileName=PIAA%20Form.pdf

Any questions, please contact Coach Busz gbusz@wcasd.net or Coach Ascareggi. jascareggi@wcasd.net

PTO welcomes new Board Members for the 2022-23 school year:

Patty Arabia, Vicki Babylon, Julie Finnegan, Jamie Grant, Dee Hurford, and Lindsey Rauch. We are asking families to consider making a contribution to the PTO, so we can continue to bring enhancements to our children’s education. Our suggested contribution is $25 per family, but whatever you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Cash and checks (made out to Stetson PTO) can be sent to school marked PTO Contribution.

Please see attachment for more information about where your generous donations go!

The Candy Bowl is back! Last year, the Stetson PTO purchased candy bowls for the teacher's lounge. The treats everyone provided were much appreciated! If you can help provide treats this year, please signup.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805054AA8A72DA7F94-teacher

As a school we are always looking to improve upon our building culture. This year we will be promoting positive relationships and growth with our students using the acronym PRIDE. Pride stands for:

P- Purpose (Having our students do things with intent and determination.)

R- Respect (Showing respect to our peers and adults.)

I- Integrity (Doing the right thing even when no one is looking. Strong moral principles.)

D- Diversity (Recognizing that we all come from difference places and experiences and we respect each others differences.)

E- Empathy (the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.)

One our first day of school, Monday, we held a Town Hall meetings with each of our grades to welcome them back and review expectations and PRIDE was the heart of our presentation. We encouraged all students to practice PRIDE every day at Stetson and we encourage parents to talk with their students about what PRIDE is and how they can show it. We wanted to make adults at home aware in case they hear their student mention it at home. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Next week we will be starting to run our Falcon Periods on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the morning. Falcon Period runs as an extended HR from 8:15-8:50. The purpose of this additional period is to provide an academic support period during the school day for students to have the opportunity to complete work, receive remediation/enrichment, and participate in our social and emotional activities. Our bell schedule is adjusted to accommodate for the Falcon periods. Tuesday Falcon Period will concentrate on executive functioning support and Thursday will be focused on social and emotional learning. We believe through these opportunities students can make stronger connections with teachers, counselors, administrators, and peers.

Middle School Families,

In addition to the start of a new school year, we’re also excited about our fall sports. Teams are ready for a successful season! The dedication of our athletes, musicians, and coaches will be on full display on the field. We can’t wait for you to join us in celebrating their hard work.

As we usher in a new season at the high school level, please know that middle school students will not be permitted entry into a West Chester Area School District (WCASD) football game without a parent or guardian present at all times and monitoring their child’s behavior throughout the event. Also, we ask that middle school students not bring any backpacks or footballs into the games.

We appreciate your support and partnership. Our goal is to ensure that we cultivate an atmosphere that promotes school spirit and community. Any middle school student that arrives at a game without a parent/guardian will not be permitted to enter. We appreciate your support of our athletic and band programs.

Friendly reminder regarding the WCASD Dress Code Policy:

Students are expected to wear clothing appropriate for school.

Unacceptable attire includes, but is not limited to, attire that is unsafe, unhealthy, disruptive, offensive to generally acceptable community standards, or contains obscene language; any clothing that reveals undergarments; torn clothing or clothing with holes in it; and tight fitting outfits that are inappropriate and/or revealing. During the school year and summer school, the following applies to male and female students:

1. Tops

a. Shirts, t-shirts, and sweatshirts shall not have inappropriate slogans, words, pictures, alcohol/smoking advertisements, etc.

b. No tank tops, no tops that show the midriff or cleavage, and no see-through tops shall be permitted.

2. Pants/Shorts/Dresses/Skirts

a. Dresses, shorts, and skirts shall be at an appropriate length, which has been determined to be no shorter than midway between the knee and the top of the leg.

b. No pants/sweatpants/shorts/etc. with writing located in inappropriate places are permitted.

c. Pants shall be appropriately sized and worn at the waist, and no lower than the top of the hips.

d. Undergarments shall not be displayed.

e. Pajamas shall not be permitted.

3. Outerwear

a. Coats, hats, hoods, scarves, and the like shall not be worn in the school building, except for religious reasons.

4. Footwear

a. No bedroom slippers shall be permitted.

b. Laces on shoes shall be secured.

c. Any footwear that poses a safety hazard shall not be permitted.

5. Other

a. No chain link belts.

b. Spike jewelry, chains or any other jewelry that could cause injury or constitute a hazard are not permitted.

Picture Day Make-ups will take place on Monday, October 17th. Students will be given photo cards the morning of picture day to hand to the photographer, and then the proofs will be mailed directly to students for ordering.

Welcome Back! Below is a step by step breakdown to follow if you are experiencing Covid symptoms. Please pay close attention to the criteria for testing positive and experiencing symptoms as guidance has changed. Also, there are several options available for Covid testing kits and locations that are listed in the letter as well. As always, if you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out our school nurse, Mrs. Czerpak at 484-266-2706.

Please remember if your child exhibits symptoms of illness, please keep the home!

Reminder about phones- As a friendly reminder, if a student is not feeling well they should report to the Nurse's office. The office will then contact home with any health concerns or if a student needs to be picked up.

September (Personal Hygiene Reminders)

Please have a discussion with your student regarding the following items:

1. Wash hands often

2. Shower or bathe every day

3. Wash hair at least twice a week to keep it free from dirt and grease

4. Apply deodorant every morning, and after gym class/physical activity

5. Wash hands often

6. Clothes get sweaty, stained, and dirty so change them often

7. Change underclothes every day

8. Air out shoes each evening

Happy Fall 😊

All medications, even over-the-counter (OTC) medications, must be dispensed by the school nurse. Do not send medications with your child to take during the day. Sending medicines with your child is against school policy and the WCASD Discipline Code. A signed permission note must accompany medications that need to be given during school and a written order from the doctor with type, dosage, and time. A copy of the prescription to the pharmacy is not the same and cannot be accepted. Students are not permitted to bring their medications to school. A parent/guardian must personally deliver the medication to the school nurse, who must secure and dispense the medication. Students are not permitted to dispense medications to themselves. Our Nurse, Mrs. Melissa Czerpak, will be available for early medicine drop-off at various times in August. Please contact her to schedule the medication delivery by calling her at 484-266-2706 or emailing her at mczerpak@wcasd.net.

Stetson Middle School Code of Conduct

All students will be given access to an electronic copy of the WCASD Discipline & Records Policy through the distribution of the 1 to 1 laptops. Additionally, the administration will review the policy manual with each grade level during their town hall meeting the first week of school. It is vitally important to review every page of these documents with your child. Each child will be required to verify through a signature that they have received the policy. Knowing what is expected of each student and what consequences are for various offenses will be important to have a successful experience at Stetson Middle School.

Welcome Back!

Starting this school year there have been some recent updates to our food service program and federal waivers that will affect our cafeteria programs this school year. Please read carefully over the letter below for information about our Free and Reduced Lunch Program, Meals and Menu options and prices, and PaySchools Central Account information where parents can load money onto an account that students can use to purchase lunch at school. For questions about Free and Reduced Lunch please reach out to Colette McLaughlin at cmclaughlin@wcasd.net.

Each student is responsible for knowing their bus number, stop location, and pick-up time. Students should be at their bus stop at least five minutes before the scheduled pick-up time. Per WCASD policy, students are neither permitted to ride a bus to which they are not assigned nor get off at an unassigned bus stop. Bus passes will not be permitted due to continued limited bus capacity. Bus drivers have the right to assign seats on their buses. BUS ARRIVAL TIMES MAY NOT BE EXACT IN THE FIRST FEW WEEKS SO PLEASE BE PATIENT AS WE WORK TO HIT OUR SCHEDULED TIMES.

Accidental Damage Policy:

Our students will be covered for one incidence of accidental damage coverage for each academic year. Any cost of repair/replacement of damage beyond the one incident per year will become the responsibility of the student or parent/legal guardian. This accidental damage coverage will not cover device loss or intentional damage.

Thank you for your cooperation with the start of this new school year. We have had a very successful start of the school year in regards to drop-off and pick-up. We enjoy seeing our parents smiling faces, waves, and cute dogs!

Student Drop-Off/Pick-up: Safety is the top priority at Stetson. Please use the designated lane to drop off/pick up students. There will be only one lane available for drop-off and pick-up in the morning and afternoon. Prepare for long lines and plan accordingly. Students may be dropped off as early as 7:30 am. Stay in the car line and follow staff members’ instructions. You will find the carline traffic flow map attached below. Please review the map and feel free to reach out with any questions. Students may only enter or exit cars at the designated cones. Student drop-off and pick-up can be challenging with the high volume of cars that enter the campus. We appreciate your efforts in helping keep our students safe during this time.

Due to the start time of the staff workday, students can only enter school after 7:30 am unless directed by a teacher for a pre-determined appointment. Students dropped off before 7:50 am will be directed to wait in the cafeteria (6th grade) or LGI (7th and 8th grade) until dismissed to lockers/homeroom.

Being on Time to School: Homeroom begins at 8:05 am and ends at 8:15 am. Students arriving late to homeroom (after the homeroom bell rings at 8:05 am) must report to the office for a late pass. The administration will handle lateness following the WCASD Attendance Policies and PA State Laws.

Lateness Clarification:

a. All Stetson students who are assigned and ride a bus that arrives late will NOT be marked late due to the bus’s late arrival.

b. A student who is driven to school and dropped off in the car line will be marked late if the student is not in their homeroom when the homeroom bell rings at 8:05 am.

Stetson Middle School enforces the WCASD Attendance Policy and PA State attendance laws related to absences and tardies. Students are required to be in attendance daily to keep current with school work. When your child must be absent, please call our absence line as early in the day as possible (please do not call the nurse.) Automated phone calls are sent out by the district to notify families of absences every day, regardless of whether the absence is called in or not. If you would prefer to avoid that automated phone call, you can email a note on the morning of an absence to Heather Mazza at hmazza@wcasd.net, this would also serve as a parent note.

Call 484-266-2710 or email hmazza@wcasd.net

before 9:00 am

IMPORTANT! Submission of Excuse Notes for Absences

After an absence, a parent or doctor’s note must be submitted to the Attendance Secretary or emailed to hmazza@wcasd.net within three days of the student's return to school, or the absence will be considered unexcused/unlawful. Emailed excuse notes are acceptable, as long as they are received within three days of the absence.

1. For attendance purposes, any late arrival where the student does not arrive by 11:30 am will be considered a full day absence. In addition, students who arrive after 11:30 am will not be eligible to participate in extracurricular activities that day.

2. The WCASD policy is that all absence notes must be received by our office within 3 days of an absence to be considered excused. If your note is not received within 3 days, the absence will be unlawful. Best practice is to send an email to our Attendance Secretary, Heather Mazza hmazza@wcasd.net, on the day your student is absent. This will serve as a safe arrival notice and a parent note, which will also cancel the automated absence phone call. Doctor’s notes must also be received within 3 days.

If possible, please try to refrain from making appointments during school hours. We understand that at times this is unavoidable, so if your child must leave school early, a student must present a written request by a parent to the office upon arrival at school. Stetson’s Attendance Secretary, Mrs. Mazza, will then give a pass with the dismissal time to your child to share with their teacher at the designated time. Emailed early dismissal notes are not permissible.

Please see the School Board Policies section of the WCASD website to access more information about the WCASD Attendance Policy.

Cell phones and other unauthorized electronic devices are not allowed to be carried on a person during the school day. If a student chooses to bring a device to school, it must be turned off/silenced and stored in the student’s locker for the duration of the school day. Failure to follow this directive will result in the confiscation of the item and possible further disciplinary action, including, but not limited to, the student’s parent/guardian having to pick the item up from school.

Please check Stetson's website often to find updates and school information. You may also keep up-to-date on your child's academic progress by accessing our Parent Portal system. Please follow us on Twitter to check out our latest events and announcements @GAStetsonMS.

Young Men and Women In Charge Foundation (YMWIC) by its founder and President Mr. Rik Roberts, III. YMWIC partners with local employers to increase workforce diversity by preparing underserved youth for STEM careers through after school and summer programs for K-12 students. Please see attached flyers for more details regarding community events.

Padres Latinos and West Chester Communities That Care are pleased to announce the Second Annual Back to School Padres Latinos of the West Chester Area School District Resource Fair on Thursday, October 27, 2022 from 6:00-8:00 P.M. at Fern Hill Elementary School located at 915 Lincoln Avenue, West Chester, PA 19382 (side entrance). This event is free for presenters and families and with the pandemic restrictions behind us and at the families´ request, this event will feature a potluck dinner!

The Resource Fair is a community outreach and prevention event created with the goal of connecting the Spanish-speaking families in the WCASD to school and community resources to assist parents to overcome challenges and barriers so they may successfully navigate the school system in support of their children’s education.

We have sent invites to two dozen agencies and organizations in the area to participate in distributing information about their services in Spanish, as well as bilingual Spanish/English and monolingual English volunteers.

Stress now seems part of every day life. Join Brian McGinley, LSW, with CCIU

Training and Consultation as he discusses how to tear through the challenge of

relentless stress. In this interactive session, adults learn to identify types of stress,

recognize when it becomes harmful and how to best support children and

adolescents through stressful situations. Register at wcctc.org/meet.