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Mars Area Primary Center Newsletter
November 2023 š¦
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I canāt believe we are already a few days into the second nine weeks of the 2023-2024 school year. As we begin the month of November, we will participate in many holiday events at the PC over the next few weeks. In the month of November, I am reminded how thankful I am to work with such amazing students, families and staff here at the Primary Center. I hope your holidays are filled with love and memories shared with family and friends. Wishing our Primary Center families, a very safe and happy fall break.
~Mrs. Semler
First Grade Thanksgiving Feast
Don't miss the 1st Grade Thanksgiving Feast at the Primary Center with your child!
Wednesday, November 15th - Friday, November 17th- See the SignUp schedule link for individual class times. Please arrive 5 minutes early.
You may bring your own lunch or choose to purchase a traditional Thanksgiving Dinner from our cafeteria: Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, Stuffing, Corn, Dinner Roll, Cranberry Sauce, Cookie and a Drink.
ADULTS: $4.00 CASH ONLY will be accepted on the day of the event for parent/guardian meals.
STUDENTS: $2.80
IMPORTANT DETAILS:
*All parents/guardians (NO SIBLINGS) wishing to participate must have their driverās license scanned at the Primary Center and sign-up by Friday, November 3rd.
*When signing up be sure to use the name listed on your driverās license.
*One SignUp per person. If you would like to sign-up a spouse/other adult, please āSave & Add Anotherā so we can account for all participants/meals.
*Students are limited to two (2) guests only.
*To avoid tears, arrive 5 minutes early for lunch!
Sign-Up below by Friday, November 3, 2023.
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parent-Teacher conferences will be held on November 9 & 10. If you have not already scheduled a conference to discuss your child, please contact your childās teacher ASAP via email to schedule a convenient time for meeting. As conference day is often very busy with so much to discuss, please be prompt and courteous in following the time scheduled for your child/children. If for some reason you are unable to attend your scheduled conference, please call the Primary Center office at 724- 625-1588.
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Report Cards
First Grade Report Cards- for the 1st 9 weeks will be posted online through the Districtās Skyward website on November 8, 2023.
***Kindergarten does not receive a report card for the first and third nine weeks. Kindergarten students will receive a report card at the end of the first semester and at the end of the year.
Reading Rockets
Today a readerā¦Tomorrow a leader! Reading Rockets after school program for 1st graders only has begun and meets every Monday when school is in session through December 18th. Students will meet from 3:50-5:00. Information has been sent out and registration has been completed. If any parent decides at any time to register their child, please contact the PC as spaces are still available.
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Food Drive: October 30-November 13
Join us in helping Inspired Hearts and Hands provide holiday meals to families facing poverty! The food boxes will include: a $10 ALDI gift card for purchasing proteins/fresh ingredients; all the elements of a traditional holiday meal; and additional essential meal items. A list of requested donations is listed below. TOGETHER, we can make a difference!
Candy Collection
The Mars Primary Center will be collecting any unopened and unwanted extra Halloween Candy in the PC office November 1-7, 2023. The candy will be donated to Harvest Street Mission, a small non-profit organization that provides meals for individuals in shelters or low-income housing with a focus on the North Side of Pittsburgh. Thank you in advance for your support
Hats for Heroes
During the month of October, the PC participated in the annual Hats for Heroes district wide initiative to continue our efforts in fighting against breast cancer. As a district we were able to raise, $8, 400, with the PC contributing $1,611.17. This money will benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Excuses for Absence
Parents please be reminded that if your child is absent for any reason, you are required to provide a written excuse for the absence. No need to call the office. On the excuse, please provide your childās first and last name, date of absence, classroom teacherās name and reason for the absence.
Early Dismissals
If you need to pick up your child during the instructional day, please write a note to your childās teacher letting them know the day and time you will be picking your child up. A hand written note is needed instead of email because our teachers and staff are busy during the instructional day and may not see the email until after the instructional day. Please include your childās name on the note. All AM Kindergarten students need to have an early dismissal no later than 11:00 AM and Grade 1 and PM Kindergarten students may have an early dismissal no later than 3:00 PM.
Cafeteria Information
As a reminder, students buying lunches may pay for them by the day, week, or month for the entire 2023-2024 school year. The cafeteria accepts cash and checks made out to the Mars Area Cafeteria Fund. You many also create an account online for your child. Online payments are available at myschoolbucks.com. You will need your childās six- digit District ID number that can be provided by your classroom teacher or accessed through your Skyward account.
Cafeteria Prices: Breakfast- Free for the 2023-2024 school year
Lunch with Milk: $2.80
Milk Only: $0.65
Successful Book Fair
A note of thanks to the Mars Area Community members for supporting our PC Fall Book Fair. Our proceeds totaling $4, 529.16 will support Mrs. Vandevort, our school librarian, in the purchasing of new books for the Primary Center Library. Thank you for your continued support!
What's Happening in Physical Education & Health Class?
Students have worked on cooperative skills such as listening, communicating and teamwork. They had a fun time playing with the parachute while enhancing their cooperation skills.
Currently, we are working on tossing and catching. The students are exploring the difference between tossing and catching scarves, deck rings and beanbags. It is amazing to hear and see their findings! Mr. Phillips was our student teacher from IUP who was with us for 8 weeks. Students have been lucky to have had 2 teachers for our classes, Mrs. Coon & Mr. Phillips.
Please remember to send your child in sneakers on their Phys Ed day. This is important as we want the students to be safe and able to do their very best in class.
New Recess Equipment
Special thanks to our amazing PTO who donated new recess equipment to our school! Thank you, PTO for this equipment and keeping our students active. Our students will be able to enjoy a fun-filled recess with this new equipment.
Student Vacations/Educational Trips
Students missing school due to a vacation must obtain a vacation form from the school office. Students may not miss more than 10 consecutive school days. Students are not to be excused for more than two vacations/educational trips within a single year. Vacation forms must be submitted to the Primary Center office at least 2 weeks prior to departure. If the proper application is not completed, the absence will be considered an unexcused absence.
Volunteers
Volunteers serving all District Schools must comply with Mars Area School District Policy 916, which clearly defines roles and requirements for parent /guardians and community members interested in volunteering in our schools. Policy 916 establishes the following three categories for volunteers:
1. Assistive Volunteers
2. Independent Volunteers
3. Volunteer Coaches/Sponsors
To view the definitions of each type of volunteer and the requirements to serve as a volunteer, please consult the PC handbook. All volunteers are based on a need by the classroom teacher, not all classroom teachers require volunteers in their classrooms.
Each year, parents must be board approved to be considered an Independent Volunteer.
Any parent wishing to be considered as a field trip chaperone, must submit their clearances and be school board approved by the December board meeting.
Birthday Celebrations
Just a reminder that there are no birthday treats of any kind permitted in the Mars Area Primary Center. If you would like to distribute birthday invitations to students in your childās class, an invitation needs to be provided for ALL students in the class. Students may also donate a book to the PC Library as part of the āBirthday Book Club.ā Please contact Mrs. Vandevort for more details.
PC Visitors
Parents, please always bring your driver's license when entering the Primary Center. The safety of our students is our number one priority.
PBIS-The Mars Way!
The PC students and staff have done an amazing job the first-nine weeks implementing our new positive behavior initiative, The Mars Way! Students are turning in their "Caught Being A Positive Planet" ticket to receive a small prize in the office. Our "Principal's Club" boards are filling up and students who hit for a "Bingo" receive an additional reward, such as extra recess with Mrs. Semler. Once a board is filled, we will celebrate as a school! Be on the lookout for an email in the future to celebrate our positive behavior fun days!
Picture Make-Up Day
Wednesday, Nov 1, 2023, 09:00 AM
Reports Cards Posted
Wednesday, Nov 8, 2023, 04:00 PM
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Thursday, Nov 9, 2023, 09:00 AM
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Friday, Nov 10, 2023, 09:00 AM
First Grade Thanksgiving Feast
Shine-11:00-11:30
McElheny- 11:30-12:00
Raible- 12:00-12:30
Davis- 12:30-1:00
Wednesday, Nov 15, 2023, 11:00 AM
First Grade Thanksgiving Feast
Shuck-11:00-11:30
Rios- 11:50-12:20
Fox- 12:10-12:40
McKee-12:30-1:00
Thursday, Nov 16, 2023, 11:00 AM
First Grade Thanksgiving Feast
Huggins- 11:00-11:30
Diani- 11:50-12:20
Rhea- 12:10-12:40
Friday, Nov 17, 2023, 11:00 AM
Thanksgiving Break November 23-27, 2023
Thursday, Nov 23, 2023, 07:00 AM
Holiday Shop December 6-8, 2023
Wednesday, Dec 6, 2023, 09:30 AM
PC Winter Party
AM Kindergarten: 9:30-10:30
PM Kindergarten & First Grade: 1:15-2:15