Munhall Bulletin
August 23, 2019
Munhall Elementary School
Email: patricia.townsend@d303.org
Website: http://munhall.d303.org/
Location: 1400 South 13th Avenue
Phone: 331-228-2600
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Munhall-Elementary-1459358344296891/
Twitter: @MunhallD303
From the Principal
Engaging With Your Child About Their Day
I’ve grown accustomed to starting my early newsletters with information on how to engage your children about their school day. As a parent of a kindergarten and 3rd grade student myself, I’m eager to hear my children talk about their school experience. There are times they have A LOT to say, and others when I receive only one word answers. When I want to get my children to open up about their school experiences, I typically reacquaint myself with the article, 25 Ways to Ask Your Kids ‘So How Was School Today?’ Without Asking Them ‘So How Was School Today?’ Below you will find a few of the questions. I hope you find the questions to be a great resource in helping your child speak authentically and enthusiastically about their school day.
1. What was the best thing that happened at school today? (What was the worst thing that happened at school today?)
2. Tell me something that made you laugh today.
3. If you could choose, who would you like to sit by in class?
4. Where is the coolest place at the school?
5. Tell me a weird word that you heard today.
6. If I called your teacher tonight, what would she tell me about you?
7. How did you help somebody today?
8. How did somebody help you today?
9. Tell me one thing that you learned today.
10. When were you the happiest today?
11. When were you bored today?
12. Who would you like to play with at recess that you’ve never played with before?
13. Tell me something good that happened today.
14. What word did your teacher say most today?
15. What do you think you should do/learn more of at school?
16. What do you think you should do/learn less of at school?
17. Who in your class do you think you could be nicer to?
18. Where do you play the most at recess?
19. Who is the funniest person in your class? Why is he/she so funny?
20. What was your favorite part of lunch?
21. If you got to be the teacher tomorrow, what would you do?
22. If you could switch seats with anyone in the class, who would you trade with? Why?
23. Tell me about three different times you used your pencil today at school.
Three Expected Behaviors-Mustang Horseshoes
As a Munhall community, we consistently strive to promote academic, social, behavioral, and emotional growth for all of our students. In an effort to do just that, as a school community we explicitly teach, model, praise, and provide feedback on three target behaviors: Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be a Problem Solver. Students are taught what these behaviors look like and sound like in all aspects of their school day: classroom, hallway, restroom, cafeteria, playground, etc. I will speak more specifically about our Three Expected Behaviors and our Mustang Horseshoes during my principal’s presentation at Curriculum Night.
Curriculum Night
Curriculum Night marks a great opportunity for parents to get to know what their child’s typical day looks like at Munhall, as well as learn about the yearlong learning plan. On this night, parents get to hear from teachers regarding the curriculum, become familiar with the resources and modes of communication used, as well as ask questions.
Curriculum Night at Munhall will be held on Monday, August 26th and Wednesday, August 28th, beginning at 6:00. Monday is designated for our 3rd-5th grade parents, while Kindergarten-2nd grade families are scheduled for Wednesday, August 28th.
Curriculum Night will follow the format below:
6:00-6:30: Classroom Presentation A
6:40-6:55: Principal's Welcome in the gymnasium
7:00-7:30: Classroom Presentation B
Please note that parents do not need to attend both classroom presentations. The two options are intended to give families flexibility if they have children in multiple grade levels, etc. Therefore, if you attend Classroom Presentation A (6:00-6:30) you are not expected to attend the 7:00 classroom presentation. However, if you are unable to attend the 6:00 parent presentation, feel free to join me in the gymnasium at 6:40 before proceeding to your child's classroom for the 7:00 teacher presentation.
Have a great weekend!
Jarrod Buxton, Principal
Nurse Notes
Change of Clothes:
Please send your child to school with a change of clothes. Accidents happen, and even the older students can spill water on themselves. Extra clothes should be kept in their cubby or backpack.
Lice Reminder:
Every year cases of head lice are found in people all over our community, and do not reflect poor hygiene or social status. Anytime children come together, whether at overnight camp, the movie theater, or at school, there is an increased risk of identified head lice cases. Head lice is primarily transmitted through direct head-to-head contact or from sharing hats, brushes, and other personal items. In an effort to assist parents and guardians with their awareness regarding head lice prevention, detection and treatment we provide a Health Services page on the District 303 website that outlines the control and management of lice in our schools. On that page you will also find information about the District’s approach to lice management in the school setting.
Parents play an integral part in the prevention and detection of head lice in their children. To prevent the spread of this communicable condition, please check your child(ren) regularly for evidence of lice. If you should discover a case of head lice, please notify the health office at your child’s school, as well as your child’s outside activity directors. The nurses in the health office will assist you with identification of a probable case and resources for care.
With regard to preventative treatment, parents are encouraged to seek guidance from their health care provider prior to using any treatment options. Since mass screenings do not reduce the incidence of head lice, they are not conducted in our schools. Research has shown that a "no lice" "no nit" policy for schools hinders academic attendance and performance, while doing little to change the incidence of lice. Because the life cycle of a louse is 3 to 4 weeks, often students have had an infestation for many days before the case is identified. If a cluster (two or more identified cases in one classroom over a few week’s period) is identified by school personnel, the health office will send a letter home notifying parents.
Like many health matters, prevention is key. Please assist your child by reinforcing the message taught at school to avoid head to head contact and the sharing of personal items. The nurses in the health office maintain strict confidentiality on all student concerns and we will never share your child’s personal information on this matter.
Thank you for partnering with your child’s school to prevent the spread of lice among our student population. If you have questions or concerns, please call Mrs. Mueller at 331-228-2604.
Fifth Grade Choir
Does your child like to sing? Mrs. Hammons will again be directing a 5th grade choir this year, and now is the time to register your child. It will be held on Monday mornings, beginning at 7:20am, at Anderson Elementary School. The first rehearsal will be on Monday, September 16. All 5th grade students may join! There are no auditions and the only cost is for a t-shirt, as well as pizza dinner at the choir festival in the spring. Please click on the attached document for more details and a link to register your child. You may email Mrs. Hammons with any questions you have at erika.hammons@d303.org.