Dear Goodnoe Families,

I hope your children enjoyed the first week of school and had positive stories to share with you. It's wonderful to have the students back in the building! The staff and I really appreciate the chalked messages from the students.

Next week we will host Back to School Night on Monday, September 9th for grades 1-3 and Tuesday, September 10th for grades 4-6 at 6:30 PM. Information is provided in this newsletter about the dates that Specialists will attend. Also included in this newsletter are various reminders that were previously shared. I will be sending a weekly newsletter on Thursday or Friday of each week. These newsletters will also be posted to our school website for reference.

On behalf of the GES Staff, I would like to thank the PTO for purchasing the new doorway carpets! These will definitely help when there is wet weather. Additionally, the coffee truck that staff was treated to today was a huge hit! Everyone sincerely appreciated the thoughtful gesture. Thank you!

We had a strong opening to school this week and look forward to the continued momentum!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Beth

• Monday, September 9th- Back to School Night Grades 1-3
  
• Tuesday, September 10th- Back to School Night Grades 4-6
• Thursday, September 19th- PTO Back to School Picnic/5:00-7:00 pm

• Thursday, October 3rd & Friday, October 4th- No School (Rosh Hashanah)

• Wednesday, October 9th- PTO Meeting/7:00 pm

• Friday, October 11th- Early Dismissal at 12:15 pm (Kindergarten AM attends)

For parents and other visitors, entry into our school buildings will require the production of a driver’s license or other form of photo identification. This identification will be used in conjunction with our access system (RAPTOR) to validate identification before a visitor enters the school building. Once the driver’s license is scanned, the system will print out a badge that includes the name and picture of the visitor, destination and the date/time of the visit. Visitors who do not present their driver’s license/identification will not gain entry into the building.

Our annual Back-to-School Night programs are scheduled to begin on Monday, September 9th for 1st - 3rd grades and on Tuesday, September 10th for 4th - 6th grades at 6:30 PM.

The purpose of the evening is to see your child’s classroom, meet your child’s teacher and learn about grade level curriculum. Teachers will also review the policies and procedures for their classrooms. The Kindergarten Back to School presentations were held during our Kindergarten Orientation sessions on August 26th.

In addition to our general and special education teachers, specialists will be available in the their classrooms to meet with interested parents beginning at 5:30 PM. Please note, some of our specialists will be attending Back to School Nights at other district schools where they are assigned this year. If you are not able to meet a specialist during one of these two evenings, please contact them directly to schedule a time to talk.

Monday, September 9, 2024

5:30 PM: Special Area teachers will be available in their classrooms to meet with parents

6:30 PM: Grades 1-3: Teacher Presentations in classrooms

7:30 PM: Program concludes

Tuesday, September 10, 2024

5:30 PM: Special Area teachers will be available in their classrooms to meet with parents

6:30 PM: Grades 4-6: Teacher Presentations in classrooms

7:30 PM: Program concludes

Specialists' Availability

Monday, September 9th

Mrs. Della Polla - Literacy Specialist

Mrs. Marshall - Literacy Specialist

Mrs. Engelhardt - School Nurse

Mrs. Gudusky - Math Specialist

Mrs. Heubeck - English Language Development Specialist

Ms. Leeds - School Psychologist

Mrs. McElhaugh - Intervention Facilitator

Mrs. McGill - Physical Education teacher

Mrs. Milliken - Music teacher

Ms. Pascucci - Speech & Language Therapist

Ms. Topley - Librarian

Tuesday, September 10th

Mrs. Benzio - Gifted Support teacher

Ms. Birkbeck - STEAM teacher

Mrs. Engelhardt - School Nurse

Mr. Papazian - Instrumental teacher

Ms. Potash - Physical Education teacher

Ms. Rothrock - School Counselor

Mrs. Sablowsky - Speech & Language Therapist

Ms. Stuart - Art teacher

Ms. Topley - Librarian

Please note that Learning Support teachers and Autistic Support programs will be available on varying evenings and will communicate with parents regarding their schedules.

This evening is not designated as an individual parent-teacher conference time. Individual conferences will be held for all parents in November. Of course, in the meantime, feel free to contact your child’s teacher with any serious, immediate questions or concerns.

In closing, I would like to add that the evening’s presentations are designed for parents, and it is recommended that children not attend. The staff and I look forward to seeing you!

I encourage parents to review the Parent-Student handbook with their child(ren). This is optimal for families new to the school, but it's also an ideal way to have students get back into "school mode."

There are specific areas that would benefit a review with children before the start of the school year. These areas include policies involving:

• Birthdays
• Cell Phones
• Computer Usage Policy
• Forgotten Items
• Sneakers
• Dress and Grooming
• School Rules and Expectations

You can view the handbook below.

Attached is the form to be completed for Family Educational Trips. Handwritten letters are accepted, however this form is preferred. Please be sure to submit the form/letter at least ten (10) days prior to your trip, for approval. Please contact Sue Bogucki, attendance clerk, at sbogucki@crsd.org if you have questions regarding this process.

Welcome back to the new school year! We are excited to see familiar faces back at school, and we have enjoyed meeting our new students! It is going to be a great year at Goodnoe Elementary School!

We know that change can be difficult for everyone, and starting a new school year can be both exciting and anxiety provoking. If your child is feeling anxious or stressed about the new school year, here are a few ideas that can help:

• It’s important for your child to know that you are there to listen and help with problem solving. Find a quiet time to talk, and you can ask these questions:

“What do you like about school?”

“Is there anything in particular about this school year that is making you feel worried or uncomfortable?”

“What are some things we can do at home that could help you feel better about going back to school?”

• Don’t react to tantrums. Anxiety can lead to tantrums, and it is best to stay calm and ignore them. When your child is calm you can ask what caused him or her to become upset.

• Reach out to others for support. If your child feels uneasy about going to school, try to arrange for a neighborhood friend to meet at the bus stop or ride to school together. It is often a more smooth transition for students to arrive on the school bus when feeling anxious about going to school.

Our school team is always here to help, so please reach out with any concerns regarding school anxiety or any other school related concerns.

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy school year!

Stephanie Rothrock

School Counselor

srothrock@crsd.org

215 944-2176

Are you in grades 4-6 and interested in playing a band instrument? We’d love to have you! No experience is necessary—everyone is welcome to join.

To learn how to rent an instrument and become part of the program, please click on the link to open the attachment with detailed information on how to join and rent an instrument. If you have any questions, feel free to email Mr. Papazian at GPapazian@crsd.org.

We can't wait to see you in the band!

Registration for the Goodnoe Running Club is now open for students in grades 4-6. This activity is a fun, non-competitive running program designed to promote fitness and healthy lifestyles with our students. Our runs will begin on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, and we will meet every Wednesday until November 20. Students must be picked up by the gym at 4:30 pm. We will combine dynamic warm-ups with a 1-mile run, along with an option to run extra laps around the soccer field. Running is not only healthy for your child’s physical health, but it can also have a positive effect on mental health by reducing stress and anxiety and improving mood and sleep. It is also a wonderful way to spend time with friends outdoors. The program is open to all 4th, 5th, and 6th grade Goodnoe students. If you want to have your child participate, please complete the registration form below by September 18th, and send in $20 cash in an envelope marked “Goodnoe Running Club” with your child’s name on it. The money will help pay for a t-shirt, water bottle, and a water ice party on the last day of the running club. We will also need parent volunteers to help the program run smoothly. Please consider helping out.

If you have any questions, please contact Stephanie Rothrock at srothrock@crsd.org.

Updating Demographic Information:

At the start of every school year, the Council Rock School District requires parents/guardians to verify their demographic information through the Home Access Center (HAC).

It is important to know that District/School Notifications, Emergency Contacts, Medication Authorization information, etc. are directly dependent upon your completion of this process.

To update your student’s demographic form:

• Login to HAC.
• Click on “Update Registration”
• Click on “NEW” in the middle of the screen to open the Demographic Update Form 2024

HAC Support:

If you encounter any issues while trying to log into HAC, please click this LINK to contact HA support.

The grade level supply lists for the 2024-25 school year are posted on the GES website. Kindly click the button below to access the supply lists by grade level.

If your child requires medication during the school day, please print out a district Permission to Medicate form which can be found HERE. This form needs to be completed by the doctor, signed by a parent, and completed each school year. An adult must bring all medications to/from school. Medication must be in the original pharmacy container with the original label attached. Please also have your student's doctor complete the Asthma Action Plan and/or Anaphylaxis Action Plan if specific to their needs. Medication can be dropped off on 8/26/2024 from 8:30AM – 4:00PM or beginning on 9/3/2024 during regular student hours.

Extra copies of all forms may be found on our district website under Department/Special Services/Health Services: HERE.

If you have any medical concerns you would like to discuss in further detail, please do not hesitate to contact the health office.

Thank you for your support!

Katie Engelhardt, RN, CSN, M.Ed

Certified School Nurse

katie.engelhardt@crsd.org

Goodnoe Elementary

215-944-2109

Per Pennsylvania state requirements, the health office requires a current physical examination form and dental form for all new incoming students. Physical exams are also required for all students entering 6th grade and dental exams are required for all students entering 3rd grade.

Below are the required Health Forms required for next school year. Please note that an Immunization Record is not considered proof of a Physical Exam, as these indicate different types of visits. When asking for Physicals, we are looking for proof of a well visit.

• Kindergarten: A dental and physical examination dated on or after 01/01/2023 meets the requirement for entry into kindergarten. Up to date immunizations records are also required.

• Third Grade: A dental dated on or after 01/01/2023 meets the requirement for entry into third grade.

• Sixth Grade: A physical examination dated on or after 01/01/2023 meets the requirement for entry into sixth grade.

All parents dropping off/picking up their children will do so by making a LEFT upon entering the parking lot, and follow the loop around the little house and then another LEFT into the loop located in front of our school entrance. Cars will exit the parking lot by the school sign. There are arrows indicating the direction to follow. Bus and van riders will arrive/depart on the blacktop that is located outside of the gym entrance in the back of the building. During the first week of school families will be provided with a placard to keep visible in their windshield to assist with our process.

Please review the map below, which reflects the above information. Visitor parking is located by the main entrance of the school. There will be staff outside assisting students during our daily arrival and departure times. They will also be present to assist new parents as they learn this procedure.

Below I highlighted a few things to ensure a safe arrival and dismissal process for car riders:

• Please remain in your car at all times during arrival and pick-up.

• Stay in line in the order you arrived in the pick-up line. Move forward only when the car in front of you moves forward. Do not pull out of line or go around the car in front of you.

• If your child cannot buckle their own seat belt, please pull into a parking spot to assist them. Please do not leave your car when in the car rider line.

• Students should only exit their car on the side closest to the sidewalk area. Students should stay in the car on the parking lot side.

After a two week trial at the end of last school year, and in consultation with district personnel and the Newtown Township Police Department, we will continue to use separate areas for walker and car riders. Below please find an outline of procedures for walkers.

This entrance should only be used for walkers. If your child is arriving to school by car, please use the car rider procedures. Thank you for your cooperation in advance.

Walker Arrival- students who are “walkers” will enter the school at the side doors in the back of the building.

Walker Dismissal- students who are “walkers” will be dismissed from the side doors in the back of the building.

*Students will follow the sidewalk next to the blacktop until they get to the sidewalk on Andrew Drive.

*Students will then either:

-turn right and walk up the sidewalk to the crossing guard, who

will assist them in crossing Andrew Drive at the crosswalk or

-turn left and walk down the sidewalk on the school side of

Andrew Drive

*Students are only permitted to cross Andrew Drive at the crosswalk. Please remind your child they are not to cross between parked cars.

*Please note for bike riders:

The bike rack is located near the picnic tables on the side of the building where students will enter and exit. Bike riders are asked to walk their bikes on the paved walkway until they reach the sidewalk.

• Buses will typically arrive to school each morning between 8:50 and 9:10 a.m. in the bus lane located in the back of the school building.

• Bus dismissal begins at 3:40 p.m.

• Parents and visitors are not permitted to pull into the bus lane in the back of the school building prior to 9:10 a.m. and after 3:30 p.m. to avoid bus arrival and dismissal.

• Bus riders enter/depart from the school's front doors.
• Children who ride the bus are expected to ride their own bus to and from school. Students are not permitted to ride other buses.
• Students will need to get on and off their buses at their assigned stops.

To help families with their planning for the school year, the list of early dismissal days is provided below. On these days, students will be dismissed at 12:15 pm. Lunches will not be served so please pack a snack.

These are the early dismissal days for this school year:

· Wednesday, October 11th (KAM attends)

· Monday, November 25th (KAM attends)

· Tuesday, November 26th (KPM attends)

· Tuesday, January 28th (KPM attends)

· Friday, March 7th (KAM attends)

· Friday, June 17th (projected last day of school)

In order to determine eligibility for free or reduced-price meals for the 2024-25 school year, an application must be completed every school year. Even if you were found eligible last school year, a new application must be filed with your family’s current information.

To apply for free or reduced-price lunch:

• Visit COMPASS Homepage - COMPASS Homepage to apply online. (website offers language options other than English.)
• Click on this link to download a paper copy of the 2024-25 Free and Reduced Lunch Application
• Pick up a paper copy of the application at Chancellor Center or at any school office.

If not applying online via COMPASS, please email your completed application to kmoody@crsd.org or mail to Council Rock School District, Attn: Free and Reduced Lunch Program/Karen Moody, 30 N. Chancellor St., Newtown, PA 18940.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

• To learn about affordable internet access from Comcast, click here.
• To download a flyer about Comcast's affordable internet access
• K-8 - What Makes A Healthy Meal Flyer
• Highschool - What Makes A Healthy Meal

CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM:

Aramark/ Student Lunch Accounts

Amy Sura

215-944-2797

Amy.sura@crsd.org

My Payments Plus Parent Helpline

1-877-237-0946

Free and Reduced Lunch Program

Karen Moody

215-944-1068

kmoody@crsd.org

Please take a moment to review this school year's attendance letter from the District that outlines information regarding Council Rock's policies on student absences. You can find the letter at the link below.

Mrs. Beth A. Fox

Principal

Email: bfox@crsd.org

Phone: (215) 944-2107
Location: 298 Frost Lane, Newtown, PA, USA