CES Update

Dear Concord Family,

Thank you for another great week! We look forward to celebrating our incredible staff next week during Staff Appreciation Week.

There is a lot of information in this Smore. If you are pressed for time please feel free to watch our 30 second Smore. For your convenience, within this week's Smore you will find information on:

• Spring Elementary Clubs
• Champions
• MAP Assessment
• Kindergarten Registration
• 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)

Dear CES families,

Within the next two-week window (May 6th-May 17th), 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 5/6- 5/17 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.

Second Grade needs your help in collecting empty, uncrushed paper towel roll tubes for a project in April or May. Second grade students will be making Puili sticks, a traditional Hawaiian instrument, from the tubes. They will get to play them in class and then share/recreate at home if they'd like. This also ties in well with Earth Week in that we are re-using a recyclable material. Please send in any empty and uncrushed tubes to school to go to Mrs. Lynn or Mrs. Jianniney, for Music Class. Thank you!

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.

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!

The simple and sleek JAGS collection brought to you by the Garnet Valley Boys Soccer team is NOW AVAILABLE!! Have you ever wanted to support the Jaguars but wanted something that was not associated with any specific program, club, or team? Now you can rep your favorite school with our new line of apparel. Each purchase benefits the Garnet Valley Boys Soccer program and helps promote the district all while staying simple, sleek, and comfortable.

Thank you for your support and I look forward to seeing our student body and community reppin' the JAGS!

SPRING SOCIAL & HERITAGE NIGHT - MAY 16

Please join your Concord friends on May 16 from 4:30-6:30 for our annual Spring Social. Heritage night and the buy one-get one book fair will be held inside. Food Trucks including a Kona Ice truck will be available in front of the school.

ONWARD TO THIRD

**Attention current 2nd grade parents!!**

This is a very special time of year for our 2nd graders as we are preparing for our annual Onward To Third student ceremony. We need your help in completing both a parent letter and student survey to include in a time capsule that our students will open in 2034! Please read and complete the below documents and send them into school by May 16th. Please note, these documents were sent home with your child; you do not need to complete them more than once.

Parent Letter- https://bit.ly/4adJoNb

Student Survey- https://bit.ly/3vHUET0

STAFF APPRECIATION WEEK 5/6/24-5/10/24

We will celebrate our Totally Rad Concord Elementary School staff with a 90s-themed Staff Appreciation Week, May 6-10!

We need your help showing them all how much they are appreciated! We want to provide the staff with snacks, treats and surprises throughout the week.

Below is an Amazon Wish List. If you decide to donate an item on the list, you can send the items directly to the school (ATTN: HSA Staff Appreciation, 114 Station Rd, Glen Mills, PA 19342)

Amazon Wish List

Please also have your child(ren) write a Thank You note for any Teacher or Staff member that has made an impact on them. Once completed you can return the note in an envelope marked "HSA Staff Appreciation." If your child wants to complete more than one or the note is misplaced, below is a copy of the note.

Thank You Note.png

Thank you! We appreciate all of your help and could not do this without you!

FIELD DAY - MAY 22

Field Day will be held at Concord on May 22 (Rain Date: May 23). Please have your child wear their free "spread kindness shirt" they received in the fall. Below is a schedule for the day.

Kindergarten: 9:30-10:45

Second Grade: 11:20-12:35

First Grade: 1:20-2:35

MILEAGE CLUB EVERY WEDNESDAY!

Mileage Club will take place every Wednesday during recess. All students are encouraged to participate. Please consider joining us for a time slot during your child’s recess. Make sure to have your volunteer clearances on file with the district.

Please visit our Sign Up Genius to choose your time slot,

https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/508044EAFAB2DA2FE3-48924614-mileage/92999924

*If your child lost his/her necklace, they can bring $2 on Wednesday to purchase a new one. Thank you so much!

HERSHEYPARK TICKETS

Thank you to everyone who participated in our discounted Hersheypark ticket sale! We sold over 360 admission tickets! Not only do you get to spend a fun day at the park, you raised $3200 for our school!!

BOX TOPS

Join us in earning cash for our school by using the Box Tops app. It’s an easy way to make a difference. All you have to do is buy Box Tops participating products (like Cheerios!) and scan your grocery receipt. Box Tops are worth $.10 each and they add up fast! Twice a year, our school receives a check to help pay for whatever we need - equipment, supplies or experiences the kids love!

Use this referral code D4YN308V when you sign up and you’ll get 25 Bonus Box Tops when you scan your first receipt now through 05/31/2024, while supplies last! Download the Box Tops for Education app here: https://btfe.smart.link/c2jjdifkw?referral_code=D4YN308V

SPIRIT WEAR

Get your Concord spirit wear HERE!!! Place your orders today! Deliveries will be made to your child's class.

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 May 2 at 7pm on 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.

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