Union Canal

Dear Parents/Guardians:

What a great start to the 2024-25 school year. Our school year is well underway and we have completed the first marking period. We are one-quarter of the way through the school year! Thank you for your continued partnership, building connections together leads to greater student success.

Report cards for the first marking period will be available via Skyward student management system on November 7th and will be sent home with students on Friday November 8th. During the month of October we looked at the character trait of Respect and within November we will spend time talking about Kindness & Courtesy. We plan on "catching" students that do acts of kindness and they can turn in their "caught being kind" cards into the office for a chance to win a prize drawing! Our school is also trying to create an act of kindness chain that extends the whole length of our school!

Please remember to sign up for parent teacher conferences. We are looking forward to collaborating with you. Parent-Teacher Conferences at Union Canal are scheduled for Monday, November 25 (2:00-9:00pm) and Tuesday, November 26 (8:00am-3:00pm).

Click on this link https://www.ptcfast.com/schools/Union_Canal_Elementary_School to schedule your appointment time with your student's teachers. If you experience difficulties accessing the scheduling site, please contact the office at 717-270-7227.

As always if you have any questions or concerns about our school or operations please do not hesitate to reach out to me via phone 717-270-7227 or email bmcginty@clsd.k12.pa.us .

Yours In Education,

Bernard J. McGinty, Ed.D.

Principal

Email: bmcginty@clsd.k12.pa.us
Website: https://www.clsd.k12.pa.us/Domain/13
Location: 400 Narrows Drive, Lebanon, PA 17046, USA
Phone: 717-270-7227
Twitter: @Union_Canal_El

We are excited to share our revised standards-based report cards with you for grades K-5. This student-centered approach is designed to provide clearer and more detailed feedback on your child’s progress in relation to grade-level standards. This system will provide you with focused feedback in each content area regarding your student’s strengths and needs while providing a clear indication of growth from marking period to marking period. These report cards are updated to reflect skills in our standards-aligned, board-approved curriculum in all core areas (i.e., English Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies)​.

Our new grading scale will use the following indicators:

3 - Consistently Meeting Grade-Level Expectations

• A "3" indicates that currently, performance is characterized by a thorough understanding of concepts and skills.

2 - Progressing to Grade-Level Expectations

• A "2" indicates that performance varies regarding consistency and level of support needed.

1 - Not Yet Meeting Grade-Level Expectations

• A "1" indicates that performance is inconsistent with guidance and support.

Blank - Not assessed during the marking period

These indicators are designed to show where your child is in their learning journey, encouraging a focus on improvement over time rather than on a single letter grade. Report cards are an important way for us to communicate with families, and we want to provide meaningful feedback in an easy-to-understand format.

We recognize that transitioning to a different report card format may raise questions. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Dr. McGinty with any questions you have regarding our standards-based report cards.

A Character Trait assembly is held each month at Union Canal for all of the students. At the assembly Dr. McGinty explains what the upcoming trait is for the month ahead and provides examples of that particular trait. During the month of September students were asked to do their best to display "Responsibility". On October 4th, students chosen by their teachers who best displayed "Responsibility" were recognized and awarded a certificate and medal. The students are pictured below.

Pictured above are: Kindergarten - Leah Abreu Diaz, Vikram Seshpande, Arina Geesaman, Nathan Wolfe and Damon Emery

1st Grade - Alanna Firestine, Allison Boyer, and Ryker Brown

2nd Grade - Evelyn Miller, Tillie Drexel, Callen Bernardo and Jashaidery Molina

3rd Grade - Anniyah Swinson, Riley Carl, Khaleesi Acevedo and Dylan Ovalles

4th Grade - Mollee Drake, Shane Lancia, Greta Leid and Griffyn Aurentz

5th Grade - Madelyn Mishoe, Sam Bowser, Emma Jenkins, and Dylan Byers

On Friday, October 11th, Butch Baylor and his crew from Weavertown Fire Company came to Union Canal to hold a fire prevention assembly. Students had the opportunity to discuss fire safety at the assembly and see the fire truck along with the fire equipment outside. It was a beautiful day for the event. Pictured below are some highlights from the day.

Once again, Trunk or Treat night at Union Canal was a great success. So many families, staff and teachers participated. The students enjoyed games and treats and the decorated trunks were amazing!

Below are some fun pictures of the evening!

The theme this year for Red Ribbon Week was "Grow Your Mind & Body Drug Free". The week started out with a poster contest. The students were invited to design a poster that included that particular theme. All of the students that wished to participate in the contest received a raffle ticket. The winners received a sports ball for their classroom. Students also had the opportunity to decorate the front hall way with flower petals to represent their "Positive Growth Garden". The other daily events included: Monday, "Shine Bright Like the Sun." Wear your brightest outfit.

Tuesday was "Team Tuesday" Dress to represent your favorite team or wear your spirit wear to show your U.C. spirit. Wednesday was "Wacky Wednesday." Dressing as "wacky" as possible. Thursday was "Farmer Day". There were many students dressed as farmers to celebrate "growing their minds and bodies on the "farm".

Friday everyone wore "Red" to close out the Red Ribbon Week celebrations. The pictures below portray many of the events from the week.

The Union Canal PTT is looking for parents to help in key roles to help support student/family friendly activities as well as fundraising opportunities. Without these positions our parent group cannot provide key supports to our students and classrooms. Please consider volunteering some of your time.

Our PTT is specifically looking for a parent(s) to "shadow" the following events at Union Canal:

• Elves Magicland
• Facebook/Social Media Coordinator
• Falcon Cart (student rewards)
• Union Canal "Dash" 2025
  
• Treasurer
• Breakfast with Someone Special Coordinator

Our PTT is specifically looking for a parent(s) to fill the open coordinator events at Union Canal of:

• Fundraising Program Coordinator

From the District Office:

1) Cedar Crest Middle School Performing Arts presents four performances of its fall play, “Frozen, Jr.,”: Nov. 7, 8 & 9 in the CCMS Auditorium. Thursday, Nov. 7, 7PM (Cast A); Friday, Nov. 8, 7 PM (Cast B); Saturday, Nov. 9: 3 PM (Cast B) … and, 7 PM (Cast A). All Seats are reserved. Tickets are available online at www.showtix4u.com/event-details/75250. Prices are: Students, K-grade 12, $7; Adults, $12; CLSD senior citizens who present their CLSD Gold Card, FREE. Any questions, please email: kglassford@clsd.k12.pa.us.

2) Cedar Crest High School presents its Fall Play, "Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic": November 21, 22 & 23, 7 PM, CCHS Auditorium. Performances on the Cedar Crest High School stage will take place at 7 PM, Thursday, Nov. 21 (Wizard cast); Friday, Nov. 22 (Badger Cast); and Saturday, Nov. 23 (Wizard Cast). A 2:30 PM matinee will also be presented on Saturday, Nov. 23 (Badger Cast). Ticket prices are Students, $12; Adults, $15; CLSD Gold Card holders who present their card, FREE. Tickets are available online: https://cur8.com/projects/CedarCrestHighSchool; and at the door one hour prior to each performance.

3) Thank an Educator This Holiday Season! Recognize your student’s special teachers, staff members, or coaches with a Certificate of Appreciation by donating to the Falcon Foundation through the “Thank an Educator” program. Make a donation in any amount of your choosing by Friday, Dec. 12, 2024, for certificate delivery the week of December 16th. Visit www.clsd.pa.us and select Falcon Foundation under the COMMUNITY tab menu.

4) The next regular meeting of the CLSD Board of School Directors is Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, 5:30 p.m., in the large group instruction room (LGI) at the high school. A work session will be held Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, 5:30 p.m., in the same location. Both meetings are open to the public. Meetings also are live streamed. Visit to watch the live stream, or to register to attend the next meeting, visit the CLSD website and click on Board Meeting Live Stream in the Quick Links Menu.

5) Free Holiday Breakfast Concert for District Residents age 65+: Ticket order forms for the annual Holiday Breakfast Concert will be available the first week in November for District residents age 65 or older. A person under age 65 may attend only if accompanying his or her spouse who meets the age requirement. A maximum of two free tickets may be requested per form. Order forms are available in these locations:

· at any District school building office

· on the District website in the News section and under the COMMUNITY tab –>Activities & Events: www.clsd.k12.pa.us

Bring the completed ticket order form to the Cedar Crest High School stadium loop on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. Ticket distribution will begin at 1 PM, and continue until either all 400 tickets have been distributed, or until 1:30 PM. Senior citizens will not need to leave their car to exchange their order form for a ticket. After the ticket distribution date and time, any tickets that remain may be picked up at the District office, 105 E. Evergreen Rd. The Breakfast Concert is Thursday, Dec. 12, beginning at 8:45 AM, at the middle school cafetorium. Door 6 at the rear of the building will open at 8:15 AM. Tickets are required.

6) Online Community Bulletin Board: Check the online Community Bulletin Board regularly for information about upcoming events, activities and fundraisers throughout the CLSD community (Click on the “COMMUNITY” tab on the District website: www.clsd.k12.pa.us). Currently, you can find out about sports activities for the participant and spectator … Scouting opportunities … Student club Fundraisers ... community events & activities ... and many more items of possible interest!

7) Inclement Weather Procedures & Skylert Notification System: The decision to close school or open two hours later will be announced before 7 AM on the CLSD Home page, www.clsd.k12.pa.us, as well as on the Cornwall-Lebanon School District Facebook and “X” (Twitter) pages (@CLSD_Schools), and on local radio and TV stations. The Skylert automated notification system also will be used to contact parents/guardians during the school day in the event of a building power failure, hazardous situation, or an early dismissal. Please review the important information that is printed inside the front cover of the CLSD 2024-25 Calendar of Events. The District website is the first place important information is posted. Please, do not contact school or District offices in the case of these events, as it is important for our phone lines to be available for emergency communications.

Remember, the Skylert notification system is only as accurate as the information you have provided to the District. Be sure your phone and email settings allow (do not Block) these three phone numbers: (717) 272-2031, (717) 272-2036, and (717) 389-1810, and emails from addresses ending in @clsd.k12.pa.us. Please review your information in Skylert, as well, and make any updates (for general information sharing, including school closings):

1. Login to your Skyward account.
2. Click the word “Skylert” in the left menu.
3. Fill-in and check or uncheck your desired settings.
4. Click “SAVE” in the upper right side of the page when you are done.

8) Calendar Information:

• Friday, Nov. 1: Professional Learning Day (No School for Students; Professional Development for staff members)
• Sunday, Nov. 3: Daylight Savings Time Ends at 2 AM
• Wednesday, Nov. 6: Report Cards available online beginning this day (all grade levels)
• Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 7-9: “Frozen, Jr.,” at CCMS. (See item #1, above, for details.)
• Tuesday, Nov. 19: Ticket Distribution for the Holiday Breakfast Concert for CLSD Residents Age 65+ (See item #5, above, for details.)
• Wednesday, Nov. 20: Education Support Professionals Day
• Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 21-23: “Puffs,” Fall Play at CCHS. (See item #2, above, for details.)
• Friday, Nov. 22: Substitute Educators Day
• Saturday, Nov. 23: CCHS Marching Band performs in the Lebanon Holiday Parade, 10 AM
• Monday & Tuesday, Nov. 25 & 26: No School for Elementary and Middle School Students: Parent-Teacher Conferences; CCHS is in Session both days (Kindergarten Parent-Teacher Conferences are Thursday, Nov. 21.)
• Wednesday, Nov. 27 through Monday, Dec. 2, 2024: Thanksgiving Break

Many thanks!!

• November 1st Professional Learning Day - No School for Students
  
• November 20th Picture Retake Day
• November 22nd DARE Graduation 2:00 PM
  
• November 25 & 26th No School for Students - Parent/Teacher Conferences by appointment
• November 27 through December 2 No School for Students, Thanksgiving Vacation. School resumes on Tuesday, December 3rd.