Falcon Flash

Dear Stetson Families,

Happy first week of school! I hope this letter finds you and your family in great spirits!

We have had an amazing start to the school year here at Stetson. It has been truly wonderful to see our students return with such enthusiasm and eagerness. This week, we focused on setting the stage for a successful year by going over important expectations with all students. Our teachers have also provided detailed information on the materials each student will need, when these items should be brought to school, and how their classes will be run.

In addition to settling into their new routines, our students practiced their fire drill procedures on Thursday. It was a valuable exercise in ensuring that everyone is prepared and knows how to stay safe in case of an emergency.

As we approach the long holiday weekend, I want to express how excited we are to continue this promising school year. Classes will resume next Tuesday, and we look forward to diving into our curriculum and fostering a supportive and engaging learning environment for all our students.

Thank you for your continued support. Here’s to a fantastic year ahead!

Have a great holiday weekend,

Mrs. Mary Kay Puchalla

Principal

Monday, September 2nd --- No School Labor Day!

Tuesday September 3rd --- Day 5 ***Falcon Period***

Wednesday September 4th --- Day 6

Thursday September 5th --- Day 1 ***Falcon Period*** (6th Grade Open House 6:30 pm)

Friday September 6th --- Day 2

Monday September 9th --- Day 3

Tuesday September 10th --- Day 4 ***Falcon Period***

Wednesday September 11th --- Day 5

Thursday September 12th --- Day 6 ***Falcon Period*** (7th & 8th Grade Open House 6:30 pm)

Friday September 13th --- Day 1

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.

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.

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 clubs/activities run by Stetson staff. 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 either clubs/activities or additional building initiatives/academic expectations. We believe through these opportunities students can make stronger connections with teachers, counselors, administrators, and peers.

***STUDENTS THAT WHO WISH TO MEET WITH THEIR TEACHER FOR ADDITIONAL SUPPORT MUST COMMUNICATE WITH THEIR TEACHER BEFORE A TUESDAY OR THURSDAY SO THEY CAN COORDINATE A TIME TO MEET DURING FALCON PERIOD.***

Middle School Families,

We’ve had a great first week of school! The energy and excitement from the return of our students has been a wonderful start to the new school year.

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. Drawstring bags and backpacks are not permitted into the Rustin Football Stadium to ensure safety.

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.

Picture Day this year will take place on Thursday, September 12th for all students. Picture Day Make-ups will take place on Tuesday, October 22nd. 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. Legacy Photographics has opened an online pre-ordering store specifically for Stetson families.

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.

The 2024-2025 Stetson Middle School yearbook is now available for purchase! Take advantage of our back-to-school special and get it for just $35 until September 13, 2024.

Click the link below to buy at the discounted rate.

Please reach out to Mrs. DiNatale (ddinatale@wcasd.net) or Mrs. Brown (dbrown@wcasd.net) with any questions.

https://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A07475500

Falcon Flyer Informational Meeting

For students interested in journalism, writing, photography, interviewing, page design and other publication skill, Falcon Flyer newspaper club might be the right fit!

Newspaper Club will hold an informational meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 4 from 3:00-4:00 in Room B106. Students from grades 6, 7 and 8 are invited to attend.

Contact Mrs. Claffey (cclaffey@wcasd) in Room B106 with any questions. Registration information is also available in Room B106.

Athletics News: Any student that plans on playing a sport (except for Cross Country and Track and Field) at Stetson this year must have taken an Impact Concussion Baseline test within the last two years. For those that need to take the Impact Concussion test, Mr. Logan will be offering Impact Testing on Tuesday 8/27, Wednesday 8/28 and Thursday 8/29 after school at 3:00 PM. Rides should be to the school by 3:45 PM. If students are unsure if they need to take the test, they may either check with Mr. Logan in B107 or send him an email at alogan@wcasd.net

Sports offered in the fall for 7th and 8th graders include football, volleyball, field hockey, cross country, boys’ soccer, and girls’ soccer. Families should prepare all student-athletes to start their fall sport on the second day of school, except football. All middle school families can complete the PIAA physical registration information required for sports participation online through https://hello.familyid.com/. We do not accept hard copies of the physical packet. Family ID is a secure, user-friendly registration platform that streamlines the registration process and helps the WCASD be more administratively efficient and environmentally responsible. When you register through FamilyID, the system keeps track of your information in your FamilyID profile. Please see the registration link and introduction letter to FamilyID.

Please have the following information when you register:

Doctor information

Health Insurance Information

Current Physical Exam – dated after May 1, 2024

REGISTRATION PROCESS:

Parent/guardian click the link to register https://www.familyid.com/organizations/g-a-stetson-middle-school

FamilyID Intro Letter

The 6th-grade intramural sports program is held after school (typically starts later in each season) and will focus on basic skills and provide healthy competition. 6th-grade students may use their entrance physical exam for sports participation, so no further physical is required for the year. Students should listen to morning announcements and families should check the Falcon Flash for information. Please call the athletic office voice mail at 484-266-2725 for daily sports information or leave a message for the Athletic Directors, Mr. Andy Logan (alogan@wcasd.net) and Mr. Jason Wolensky (jwolensky@wcasd.net) .

Coaches typically hold informational meetings for fall sports during the first week of school. Meetings will be announced on the morning news and afternoon announcements. PLEASE READ THE WELCOME LETTER ATTACHED BELOW.

The 6th Grade Intramural Soccer Program is an after-school activity in which 6th Grade boys and girls will participate in organized scrimmages, interact with their peers, and get physical exercise. Due to field availability, practices will be spread out through September, and October. As of now, practices are scheduled for:

Boy's Soccer- 9/11, 9/23, 0/16, 10/21,10/25,10/29

Girl's Soccer- 9/19, 9/25,10/17, 10/23, 10/28, 10/30

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) by 9/9 . To join the 6th Grade Soccer intramural GROUP page on schoology use this access code CJ2F-MSK7-2GVNZ

Here is a video for students on directions on how to join a schoology group

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

ATTENTION 7TH AND 8TH GRADE FIELD HOCKEY PLAYERS:

Tryouts for the 8th grade will begin on Tuesday, September 3 @3pm.

To prepare ALL 8th and 7th grade players, the following MUST be completed PRIOR to the start of tryouts:

1. Completed interest Google Form SMS Field Hockey Tryouts 2024

2. Joined the Stetson Field Hockey Schoology group DDZS-Q48J-57B4X

3. PIAA Physical completed and dated AFTER June 1, 2024

4. Registration for Fall 2024 sports, specifically Field Hockey AND an uploaded physical in Family ID

5. Completed Impact Concussion Test (check with Coach Moritsch if you are unsure)

Again, ALL items MUST be completed BEFORE attending tryouts. All tryout dates for your grade level are mandatory.

Schoology will be the main mode of communication, please make sure you join the group ASAP.

Please follow the group on Schoology for the latest information as well as the full tryout schedule.

Hello Parents and Guardians,

Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year! This communication is intended to provide information regarding nursing services for your student during the school year.

Have you completed the back to school information via the parent portal? This includes your student’s emergency information, important contact information, and permission for medication at school. Please note- we do not provide cold or allergy medication at school.

Does your student take medication that he or she needs to take at school? Does your student carry or keep an EpiPen or other medication needed for an emergency in the nurse’s office, such as an inhaler? The nurse’s office needs an MD order AND parent permission at the beginning of each school year.

THE ONLY MEDICATION THAT CAN BE CARRIED IN SCHOOL ARE EPI-PENS OR INHALERS (with proper documentation).

ALL OTHERS MUST BE KEPT IN THE NURSE’S OFFICE.

All medical notes that require medical adaptations or monitoring are asked to be sent to the nurse’s office first. A copy will be given to the appropriate parties. These notes include:

• Gym/PE note (both MD and parent)

• Concussion notes

• Medical notes for students needing adaptations during the day.

We recommend students keep a change of clothing in their locker in the event of unforeseen accidents.

Please be aware of the following state mandates while your student is in middle school:

• 6th Grade Physical. Please note that any physical completed after June 1st of their 5th grade year will count towards the 6th grade physical exam requirement. Physical exams are due to the nurse’s office within the first 60 days of your student’s 6th grade year or risk exclusion.

• 7th Grade Dental. Please note that any dental completed after June 1st of their 6th grade year will count towards the 7th grade dental exam requirement. Dental exams are due to the nurse’s office within the first 60 days of your student’s 7th grade year or risk exclusion.

• Vaccinations. tDap and Meningitis vaccination are due by the 5th day of your student’s 7th grade year or will be excluded from school until proper documentation is provided.

Each school year, your student will receive the state mandated screenings of height, weight, and vision assessments. Students in 7th grade will also receive a hearing test and scoliosis screening. Vision, hearing, and scoliosis referral forms will be sent home with your student. Please return the referral form after a doctor’s exam.

Illness and Nurse Visits

• Students should not attend school if they have a fever (temperature over 100 degrees), diarrhea, vomiting, persistent cough, or a communicable disease.

• If a student does not feel well during the school day, they should see the nurse for treatment.

• According to school procedure, students are not to notify their parents for pick up if they are not feeling well. The nurse will determine if a student should be sent home for medical reasons. If a student contacts a parent for pick up this will be counted as an early dismissal, NOT a nurse exclusion.

We look forward to working with you to provide excellent care for your student!

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns!

Mrs. Melissa Czerpak, MHEP, BSN, CSN

Mrs. Anne Elduff, RN

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.

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.

Large or Dangerous Objects

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation regulations mandate that the interior of a school bus must be free of objects which could cause injury. Objects must be secured and the aisles and emergency exits cannot be blocked. The following must be adhered to at all times:

1. No items can be placed in the driver’s compartment, doorway, or aisle. These areas must be kept clear to exit in case of emergencies.
   
2. Animals are not permitted on the bus except as otherwise required by law.[14]
   
3. Large musical instruments or school projects are not permitted on the bus unless they can be held on the student’s lap.
   
4. Items may not be placed under seats, as they can become projectiles upon impact.
   
5. Objects that endanger other students are strictly prohibited. Such objects include, but are not limited to, glass objects, large metal objects, and certain sports equipment that is large and cumbersome, including but not limited to skis, skateboards, or ice skates, unless the ice skates are in an enclosed bag.

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.

PLEASE BE AWARE OF THE FOLLOWING NEW POLICY REGARDING LATENESS TO SCHOOL:

Eight unexcused lateness will result in an after-school detention for the student.

If you would prefer to avoid that automated phone call, you can email a note on the morning of an absence to SMSAttendance@wcasd.net which will forward directly to our attendance secretary.

Call 484-266-2710 or email SMSAttendance@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 SMSAttendance@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.

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 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.

Each student will have a locker assigned with a built-in lock. Students must lock the locker consistently and the combination kept private to maintain security. It is suggested that all students bring a combination lock to school to secure belongings in a locker during PE and in the athletic locker rooms.

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.