
Weekly Sinking Springs Update

Sinking Springs Scoop
September 27, 2024
A Message from Sinking Springs
Dear Families,
This past Monday, I had the pleasure of presenting September's Sinking Springs Students of the Month to our school board. The staff of Sinking Springs Elementary chose the two students selected for this honor because they have demonstrated academic excellence, leadership, accountability, perseverance, and character. The Sinking Springs students for September are Angel Garcia Hernandez and Kayla Bucks.
Angel Garcia Hernandez is a fifth grader in Mrs. Hubbs and Mrs Sicuranza’s class. Angel was nominated by his teachers and our art teacher, Mrs. Hilary Thomas.
- Angel’s teachers shared that he is kind, helpful, and respectful.
- He is always willing to lend a helping hand to another student or teacher.
- Angel never shows disrespect and is patient and kind.
- He gets along with anyone. When Angel’s classmates found out that he was to be recognized as a student of the month, they clapped and cheered. There was no doubt in their minds that he deserved this honor.
- Angel is passionate about soccer. He enjoys playing defense and midfield for his team. He dreams of playing professional soccer for Real Madrid one day.
- Since Angel is a team player who gives 100% effort 100% of the time at Sinking Springs, anything he may dream of is possible.
Kayla Bucks is a sixth grader in Mrs. Beck and Mrs. Heist’s class. Kayla’s teachers nominated her for Student of the Month because she is responsible, caring, and admirable.
- Kayla is a very quiet student, but her remarkable positive attitude and model behavior have not gone unnoticed.
- Her moral compass is always leading her in the right direction.
- Kayla is diligent with her schoolwork, accepting challenges, and working to do her best.
- She goes above and beyond by doing extra work in her downtime.
- Kayla always has a smile on her face and is willing to help other students. It is hard to be in a bad mood around Kayla. Her can-do attitude is like sunshine on a cloudy day.
- It is not surprising to learn that she is a dancer at the Powerhouse Dance Alliance. I am confident that the same commitment she must put forth at school makes her a shining star on the dance floor.
- She exemplifies Sinking Springs SPIRIT in every way!
Congratulations to Kayla and Angel! I have included a photo of the pair in my highlights photos.
On any given day at Sinking Springs you can hear a bell ringing. That is not a typo. There is a brass bell hanging in our school's lobby. The purpose of this bell is to allow students to ring out their accomplishments and victories. So when the staff and the students hear the bell, we know it means someone has met a goal, and we celebrate with them the joy of hard work paying off! I caught a group ringing the bell just the other day. Mrs. Smith brought some students to the lobby who had reached a math milestone and needed to ring out their good news. I've shared photos of this scene in the weekly photo collage. I hope you find yourself visiting SSE one day and hearing the bell!
Monday, September 30th, the Skyward Conference Scheduler opens for parents to pick a teacher conference time. Parent conferences will take place on Thursday, October 24th, from 1:00 to 7:30 and Friday, October 25th, from 8:00 to 3:00. Classroom teachers will share conference information with families before September 30th. I hope you can schedule a conference to discuss your child's progress.
Please let me know if you have any questions at 717- 846-6789 ext. 1700 or email hdick@cysd.k12.pa.us.
Warm regards,
Heather Dick
Principal
Room Parents Needed
The PTO is in need of room parents for the following classrooms:
- Mrs. Kubiak
- Mrs. Spataro
- Mrs. Fellinger
- Mrs. Cushatt
- Mrs. Reichard
- Miss Tresselt
If you are interested in becoming a room parent, please complete the Sinking Springs Volunteer Opportunities Form. Room parents help plan and organize other volunteers to make a fun event for the students. Many activities are already planned out to help make it easier for the room parents. Cultural Heritage Day is scheduled for November 1, 2024 and Earth Day is April 11, 2025. If you have any questions feel free to contact Jill Buhler at jill.buhler@yahoo.com
HELP NEEDED: Cookie Sales Distribution
Sinking Springs is looking for some help on October 24th to make the Cookie Sale Distribution quicker and easier for everyone.
- We need help October 24th after 10:30 which is the arrival of the shipment to organize the boxes. You will need clearances for this.
- We will also need help October 24th from 12:30- 7:30 for pick up of the boxes. You do not need clearances for this.
We appreciate any help! Please CLICK HERE to sign up to help.
Sinking Springs Highlights
Weis4School
Please considering signing up for the Weis4School program. Through this program, Sinking Springs Elementary earns money for after-school intramurals, SPIRIT shirts, and many more things that help us reward and celebrate our spectacular students! You automatically credit your school with cash earned when you shop at Weis Markets using your Weis Rewards Card. The purchases families made last year earned SSE $1,654! That is amazing!
Cafeteria Information
Juice Boxes and Snack Packs for Sale
The cafeteria is now selling juice boxes and snack packs. They are $1.25 each. Students must have the funds in their lunch account or cash in hand to purchase these items. If paying with cash, no change will be given back. The change will be applied to your child's lunch account. If you do not want your child to purchase snacks or other ala carte items, you can block these purchases in Skyward or set limits. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to the head cook, Erika Kennedy, at (717)846-6789 x1708 or ekennedy@cysd.k12.pa.us
2024/2025 Meal Prices for Elementary (K-6)
- Breakfast: Universal Free
- Lunch: General: $2.80
Families can apply for participation in the Free and Reduced Meal Program. Information about this program can be accessed on our district website or by clicking here.
Volunteer Information
Our PTO has created a form to share our many volunteer opportunities. If you would like to be involved in any way, from donating your time or donating to staff appreciation events, please complete this form. The PTO will use the information to ask for volunteers and donations during this school year.
Here is the link:
Volunteer Update: Prospective volunteers will apply online. Human Resources will review/approve applications and notify volunteers of their status. Prospective volunteers for the 2024/2025 school year are encouraged to obtain and update any necessary clearances and background checks. Click here for the online application.
Volunteer Badge Change: Once approved, volunteers will no longer receive school-year volunteer badges. Instead, they will wear the ID sticker badge provided by the school office when checking in for a visit. This temporary badge will identify them as a volunteer for their visit.
Sinking Springs Important Dates
- Skyward Conference Scheduler opens for families- Monday, September 30
- Health Hero Flu Clinic (for students who returned permission form)- Tuesday, October 1
- PTO Meeting- Tuesday, October 9th, from 9:15 AM- 10:15 AM
- Homecoming Parade- Thursday, October 10th, starting at 6:15 PM at Central York High School
- No school for students- Monday, October 14th
- Family Board Game Night- Thursday, October 17th from 5:00 PM-7:00 PM
- Parent Conferences- Thursday, October 24th and Friday, October 25th
- Fundraiser pick-up- Thursday, October 24th (Parent conference evening)
- No school for students- Monday, October 28th (Teacher in-service)
General Information for Families
Skyward and Schoology
Skyward is the District's Student Information System (SIS). It stores information that includes attendance history, grades, school reports, personal family information (address, phone, email, emergency contacts), and health information. Skyward is also used as a communications tool for teachers and administrators to send messages to families.
The Skyward username is automatically generated for families and is typically last name, first initial (eg: Chris Jones would be Jones). Your Skyward account is created when enrolling your student and completing the online registration process.
If you cannot login or successfully reset your Skyward password, please contact familyaccess@cysd.k12.pa.us.
Schoology is the District's Learning Management System (LMS). It is an extension of the physical classroom. Children access learning materials and show what they know in Schoology. Schoology gives them the ability to interact with their teachers and classmates. You can use Schoology to see important classroom information, and how your child is doing in school! Login to Schoology using the email associated with your Skyward Account. Sign in at app.schoology.com.
If it is your first time accessing Schoology, CLICK HERE for instructions on logging in.
Safety and Technology Resources for Families
Central York School District is excited to announce that we have partnered with Linewize by Family Zone, a leading education technology company, to provide District families and students with the highest quality of online safety and digital wellness education.
As members of the Central York Community, you have access to an Online Safety Hub, as well as free parent/guardian access to the Qustodio App, a parental control app that allows families insight and control of their child’s device usage.
Qustodio App
The Qustodio App allows parents access to monitor and supervise their child’s time online. By signing up, parents can monitor their child’s activity on their school-issued device, as well as up to two additional personal devices at no cost.
The app enables parents to:
- Receive reports and alerts on your child’s school-time activity
- Enable and disable internet access
- Receive guidance and tips on digital trends and threats
Access to features on your child’s school-issued device will be effective during non-school hours. Usage on two free personal devices is 24/7. Parents must use the email associated with their Skyward account.
Online Safety Hub
The Online Safety Hub includes helpful parent advice guides, app and game reviews, online safety quizzes, resources, and access to information about the Qustodio App.
Please note that you may receive an invite or email from the Qustodio App. This is an optional service offered to District families.
CYSD DEVICE PROTECTION PLAN
Central York School District offers optional protection plans for your child’s District-issued devices.
The protection plan fully covers your child’s device for any accidental damage. It costs $25 per year for iPads and $60 per year for Macbooks.
Learn more and sign up: https://dpp.centralyork.org/
EDUCATIONAL TRIP FORM
From time to time, families may have the opportunity to take a trip during the school year and can submit a request for an excused absence from school for a pre-planned Educational Tour or Trip.
Before the trip is taken, an Educational Trip and/or Tour Form MUST be completed and submitted to the school principal.
Please get in touch with the school office at 717-846-6789 ext 1703 if you have any questions.
Click here to download a copy of the form.
Student Transportation
Student transportation information is now available in our CYSD Bus Routing Portal.
BUS INFORMATION
Use the link below to access the most up-to-date bus routing information. This will include primary and secondary stop information for all of your children who are active in the district.
CAR RIDER DROP OFF & PICK UP
Student car rider arrival and parent pick-up procedures will stay the same as last school year. Below is a description of these procedures for our new families:
- Use the access road that runs behind the school.
- Parents will not leave their vehicles.
- Morning arrival
- Beginning at 8:40 AM, students will exit one vehicle at a time at the end of the access road. School staff will supervise as students walk from cars and enter the school through the cafeteria entrance.
- Car rider dismissal
- Students will be dismissed for parent pick-up starting at 3:30.
- Families will receive two nameplates on your car dashboard so that staff can “check you in” as you travel the route and get your child ready to meet you at the end of the route. These nameplates will come home on the first day of school.
- Staff will supervise students as they exit the school cafeteria doors and approach vehicles along the pick-up route
Check out the video for Sinking Springs Arrival and Dismissal.