CES Update

We have a new and improved instagram. We are posting more and sharing a lot of content! If you have not already started following us, please do so to keep up to date with everything that is happening at Concord.

Dear Concord Family,

For those in our Garnet Valley Community celebrating, We want to wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, and a Joyous New Year.

There is a lot of information in this Smore. If you are pressed for time click this link or the picture above for our 30 Second Smore! For your convenience, within this week's Smore you will find information on:

• Our Smore in 30 Seconds or Less (Click Above)

• Our New Instagram Account
• Kindergarten Registration
• MAP Testing
• Hope4theHolidays
• Car Magnets
• HSA Update
• Lunch Program
• School Time
• Pick up and Drop Off Procedures
• Bus Information
• Nursing Information

We know this is a lot of information. As always, please reach out to us if you have any questions at all.

Dr. Adam Penning (pennina@garnetvalley.org)

Mr. Talley (talleys@garnetvalley.org)

Garnet Valley Kindergarten registration for the 2024-2025 school year will open on January 8th. There will be a Kindergarten informational night on April 18th at 6:00 PM. Parents with children attending Bethel Springs Elementary will attend the information night at Bethel. Parents with children attending Concord Elementary will attend the information night at Concord. In order to attend the informational session, your child must be registered by April 4th, 2024. Thank you and we look forward to meeting our new Kindergarteners!

Dear CES families,

Within the next four-week window (January 2nd-January 26th), your child will take part in the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) benchmark and growth assessment during class. Benchmark assessments provide our teachers with information about a student’s current academic levels in relation to grade-level standards. The MAP assessment is unique in that it measures both achievement and growth. Teachers use MAP scores to meet students at their current academic level, tailor classroom lessons and instruction to support students’ academic growth, and set goals for students. The MAP assessment is non-evaluative and will not be used for grading or reflected in the progress report. To learn more, please visit the MAP Parent Toolkit or the Family Guide to MAP.

Below you will find more information regarding the administration of the assessment and other FAQs.

Sincerely,

Dr. Penning and Mr.Talley

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do MAP assessments take place now?

This testing experience means we can act on information quickly and track progress in areas of need. MAP provides a more complete picture of what your child knows and is ready to learn. These results will help us monitor students’ growth throughout the year and support their skills and math mindset.

When will my child take the MAP Assessment?

Students will take the MAP Assessment at school during the window of 9/12-10/7 with their classroom teachers.

What will my child need for the assessment?

Your child will need their charged iPad and a set of headphones.

Is this a timed test?

No, the MAP Growth assessment is not a timed test. We are providing two days for each cohort to ensure a large testing window for students to complete the test. If a student needs more time, the teacher will coordinate a makeup time and date.

Do MAP scores count toward students’ grades?

The intention of the MAP assessments is to help teachers meet students at their instructional level and support them in their academic growth. Student performance on MAP will not be reflected in a grade.

What if my child is absent during a testing day?

If your child is absent, he/she will make up the test at a time coordinated by the teacher on a given make-up day.

Hope4theHoliday

Garnet Valley has joined with Hope4theHoliday to identify families in our school community facing financial hardship so we're able bring hope, happiness, and assistance to them during the upcoming holiday season.

Hope4theHoliday is a secular organization and is not affiliated with any religion or religious entities.

If you choose to contribute, please be sure to specify that your donation is intended for families in the Garnet Valley School District. This will ensure that your generous gift goes directly to our community members who need it most.

Donate HERE

Learn more here.

DIY UGLY SWEATER COOKIE KITS

Last day to order is Friday 12/15!

The Concord HSA is offering a DIY Ugly Sweater Cookie Kit Fundraiser with Cake a Difference!

Pre-order your Ugly Sweater DIY Cookie Kit and it will be sent home with your child from school on 12/21.

Each kit comes with:

6 sweater shortbread cookies

2 bags of buttercream

1 bag of holiday sprinkles

Give your child a creative and delicious activity to complete while home from school during winter break AND earn $$ for the HSA.

For more information or to place your order, visit: https://bit.ly/3TeNbnB

PHILADELPHIA FLYERS

Come join your Concord friends for a flyers game on December 16! A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Concord HSA.

Please purchase tickets through this link.

https://fevogm.com/Concordelementary

ICE WORKS 12/28

Kids are off! Come out to ice skate with friends while raising money for the Concord HSA!

$13.50 - Includes admission and skate rental. Pay at the door: CC or Cash only.

Location: 3100 Dutton Mill Rd, Aston

💕MARTIN LUTHER KING WEEK OF SERVICE DONATIONS💗

The students will be participating in Concord Elementary School’s Martin Luther King Week of Service in January! They will be creating kindness kits for the West Chester Food Cupboard.

Three options for families to voluntarily support this cause are listed below

1. Amazon purchase. An Amazon wishlist is set up with all of the food items needed and they are shipped directly to school. The link is here: https://bit.ly/2024CESMLK

2. Cash donation. Label the envelope with "HSA - MLK Day of Service" & student’s name.

3. Venmo donation. Send donations through venmo to @CES-HSA. The comment should include "MLK Day of Service" & student’s name.

Please sign up to help the kids compile the kits via this link.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508044EAFAB2DA2FE3-45996217-2024

💻ANNUAL AUCTION📣

2024 Auction

We are currently seeking donations and sponsorships for our annual auction. This is a great opportunity to be exposed to the GV community and to support the local elementary school! Reach out to concordhsa@gmail.com with questions. Please see the link below regarding sponsorship levels.

https://bit.ly/3tpneHv

SPIRIT WEAR

Get your Concord spirit wear HERE!!! Select items available for pre-order. Deliveries will be made to your child's class. All pre-order deliveries will be approximately 4-5 weeks after order."

https://forms.gle/zhYdRPV3tqmv9tGR8

LIBRARY READERS

Reading to your child's class during Library is a great opportunity to see your child at school! When you sign up to be a library reader, you will attend your child’s designated library time and read a few books from the library's collection to the class, then you can help the students choose a book to borrow from the library. All volunteers MUST have their clearances submitted to the district. Be sure to get your clearances before signing up! Please note that because of the A-E letter schedule, your child's library day will vary.

*The initial signup limitation has been removed* If your schedule allows, please sign up for the nearest date.

Kindergarten

First Grade

Second Grade

READING BOOK POUCHES

If your student still needs a reading book pouch, please contact concordhsa@gmail.com.

VOLUNTEER CLEARANCES

Check that your clearances are up-to-date and submitted to the district so you do not miss the opportunity to volunteer with your child’s class. All volunteers MUST have clearances in order to volunteer for Home and School activities and events in the buildings. Information on how to obtain your clearances can be found on our website here: https://sites.google.com/garnetvalley.org/ceshsa/volunteer-clearance-information?authuser=0

📢 HSA MEETING📢

Our next monthly general HSA meeting will be January 11th at 7PM via Zoom. Your attendance and participation are always appreciated. We cannot do what we do without your amazing support!

🗓CALENDAR OF EVENTS🗓

You can view our current complete calendar of events here:

https://sites.google.com/garnetvalley.org/ceshsa/hsa-calendar-of-events?authuser=0

Please check back periodically as dates may change throughout the year.

STAY UP-TO-DATE

We are committed to keeping you up-to-date with all of our current information and exciting events. If you have not already done so, please "like" us on Facebook @concordelementaryhsa or on Instagram @concord_hsa. You can also visit our website to find out what’s going on. https://sites.google.com/garnetvalley.org/ceshsa/welcome-to-concord-hsa

My School Bucks is a secure online platform that allows parents to easily manage and monitor their child's school-related expenses. With My School Bucks, you can make online payments for school meals, view your child's account balance, and set up automatic payments for recurring expenses. Access or setup your MySchoolBucks account.

More information on our Food Services can be found here.

The elementary instructional day will start at 9:10 AM and end at 3:30 PM.

Students can be dropped off at 8:40 AM, yet will remain in the cafeteria until 8:55 AM when they are permitted to go to their classrooms. Drop-off doors will be open from 8:40 - 9:05 AM.

For pick up and drop off we ask that you follow the procedures on the map below. Any student being dropped off should follow the red arrows. Our buses follow the yellow arrows.

Drop off time 8:40-9:05.

Pickup time 3:30-3:45.

The Garnet Valley School District uses Infofinder for student transportation schedules. Beginning August 21st please access Infofinder by clicking the link below

InfoFinder provides online access to assist in finding your child’s bus number, pick-up/drop-off locations, and times.

InfoFinder allows you to:

• Find your child’s designated bus stop;
• Find the estimated pick-up/drop-off times for your child’s bus stop;
• Locate which school your child would attend if you are planning to move.

Infofinder GVSD Busing Schedules

*During the beginning weeks of school, pick-up/drop-off times will be adjusted. We ask parents/guardians to check Infofinder periodically during the first weeks of school.

"Where caring and learning go hand in hand."

Website: garnetvalleyschools.com
Location: 114 Station Road, Glen Mills, PA, United States
Phone: 610-579-6100
Facebook: facebook.com/ConcordElementarySchool-GVSD
Twitter: @ConcordGV