Weekly Sinking Springs Update
Sinking Springs Scoop
September 13, 2024
A Message from Sinking Springs
Dear Families,
Yikes! It is Friday the 13th, and I would like to say I am not a superstitious person, but I must admit that strange things seem to happen whenever this day and date align. Hopefully, your day has been free from any unpleasant events.
Today is a lucky day for students who want to participate in our after-school intramural program. Check the orange take-home folder tonight for a green paper that provides our intramural information. This paper lists the stops for an activity bus on Tuesdays and Thursdays. SSE has many choices for intramurals. The activities include chess, wiffleball, girls' basketball, kickball, fall Gelli art printmaking, and Monopoly. There are more activities to choose from, but spots are limited, so make sure to return the form on Monday.
I visited our special classes this week to check out the lessons, and I was very impressed. In every class, students were actively engaged and seemed to enjoy the lesson. Our special teachers have busy days, interacting with all the children of Sinking Springs throughout the school day. These teachers have incredible energy. They find ways to make every child feel successful and develop a growth mindset by providing opportunities for students to be challenged and learn new things. Adventures in Fitness (Health), Art, Library, Music, and Physical Education are special classes where students develop skills and knowledge beyond math, reading, and writing. The special classes can help children discover new talents in themselves and feel confident. I am grateful to our special teachers for the many ways they enrich the lives of the students at Sinking Springs Elementary.
- Adventures in Fitness (Health)- Mr. Kirk Wisler
- Art- Mrs. Hilary Thomas
- Library- Mrs. Candi Cox
- Music- Mrs. Jill Beck
- Physical Education- Mr. Brian Wisler
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
Spirit of Youth Nomination
Do you know a neighbor, employee, coach, friend, or community member who makes a difference with the youth of the Central York School District? Do you know a Central York youth who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to our Panther community? The Central York Communities that Care organization would like to recognize these exceptional individuals. Please use the form below to nominate someone special. An awards breakfast will be held on Saturday, September 28th.
Sinking Springs Highlights
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.
Panther Pantry Collection
In September, Sinking Springs will collect items for the Panther Pantry. Children can bring items to school. Your help is appreciated!
Scholastic Book Fair
Dear Families:
Get ready! The Scholastic Book Fair is coming our way (YAY!). Choosing their own books empowers kids and inspires them on their journey to becoming lifelong readers. AND—as always—every purchase at the Fair benefits our school.
Here’s what you need to know about the big event, which will take place from September 23 - 27 during school. Our FAMILY NIGHT is Thursday, September 26, from 6 pm to 7:30. You can shop the book fair and play BOOK GAMEO!
Say goodbye to cash and hello to eWallet—your child’s digital payment account. Before the Fair, set up eWallet for worry-free, cash-free purchases. Anyone can contribute! Share each child’s eWallet so friends and family can add funds and give your kids more books to enjoy.
*If you have started an eWallet before and had money remaining, that money has been stored
as a gift card on the Scholastic website. You can log in and choose to move that gift card
balance to a new eWallet for this book fair. Cash and check (payable to SSE PTO) are still
accepted!
If you can’t make it to the Fair, then shop at our school’s Book Fair online. All orders ship directly to your home, and shipping is free for book orders over $25. Every online purchase will also benefit our school.
Visit our Book Fair homepage to learn more and get started with eWallet and online shopping:
https://www.scholastic.com/bf/sinkingspringselementarysch2
The countdown to more Book Joy is on! Catch you at the Fair!
Volunteer to Help at the Book Fair
Speaking of the book fair, we need some parent volunteers to help run it! The first two days – September 23 and 24 - are preview days for the school, and the last three days – September 25 - 27 - are shopping days. We are also having a Family Game night and shopping on Thursday, September 26, from 6-7:30, which we need volunteers for.
We will need help on shopping days and Family Night - helping kids find their books, restocking books, and checking kids out. If you are interested in helping at the book fair, CLICK HERE for the link to sign-up. YOU MUST HAVE YOUR VOLUNTEER CLEARANCES TO COME INTO SSE!
Sinking Springs Important Dates
- Half-day for students- 12:30 Dismissal- Friday, September 20th
- Fall Fundraiser Ends- Friday, September 20th
- Fundraiser pick-up- Thursday, October 24th (Parent conference evening)
- Scholastic Book Fair- Monday, September 23- Friday, September 27
- GAMEO Family Night- Thursday, September 26, from 6:00 PM -7:30 PM
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.