Empowering Learners

South St. Marys Street Elementary School

The Newsletter – Volume 8, Number 3

Tuesday, September 9th, 2008

 

…a message from the principal

 

Dear Students and Parents,

 

This is not a ‘regular Newsletter Tuesday’, but there are a number of important items that I want to share with you.

 

This Thursday, September 11th, from 6:00 – 8:00, is Meet the Teacher Night.  All parents and students are encouraged to attend.   In addition to meeting your child's regular classroom teachers, you are also encouraged to introduce yourself to our special subject teachers.  A floor map will be provided to parents of our kindergarten students, as all other students should know their way around the building.  There will be a ‘sign-in sheet’ in your child’s classroom.   Please take a moment to sign-in.   When you do this, please take a “chance” to win prizes from our PTO.   Our special subject teachers will sign that chance for you as you visit them.   Quite frankly, this is our way of encouraging you to introduce yourselves to our special subject teachers, who quite often feel bad - …neglected if you will - …that no one stops to see them at “Meet the Teacher Night”.   Please enter that chance in the grade level container at the PTO table when you leave.

 

Parents of fourth and fifth grade students will receive an ‘easy to read’ printout with their child’s scores on the PSSA’s that were administered last spring.   The results have been shared with those teachers who taught your children last year, but will be given to you by the teacher who has your child in homeroom this year.   

 

Also at “Meet the Teacher Night”, our first Book Fair of the school year will be set up in the cafeteria, and there will be sign-up tables for the Boy (Cub) Scouts and Girl Scouts.   “Parents as Teachers” will also have an information table in the downstairs lobby.   Very importantly, our PTO will have two tables set up in the upstairs hallway outside the gym where you can learn more about our PTO and sign-up for a family membership.   We encourage all of our families to join your PTO – membership is free!   In addition to general PTO information, you can find out now how you can get involved and help out with “Santa’s Workshop”, which is scheduled this year for December 8th to 11th.   There is a lot of work and planning that goes in to this event – and work on this will be starting soon. 

 

New this year at Meet the Teacher Night – important information from a special guest from “nowU” (Pennsylvania 529 – GSP Guaranteed Savings Plan) - a tuition pre-paying program that is sure to help everyone interested in financing their children’s college and higher education.   There is additional information on this program in the Newsletter today.   As quickly as time passes, you will want to hear more and learn more about what you can do today to help with college finances tomorrow.

 

As always, we expect a large turnout of parents and students, and I look forward to seeing you all at Meet the Teacher this Thursday evening from 6:00 – 8:00. 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Robert J. Grumley, Principal

 

Words for the Week:

“It is best to remember that the future comes one day at a time.”

                                                                                                                        ~ anonymous

 

Congratulations to one of our fifth grade teachers, Mrs. Williams, and her husband Shane, on the birth of their first child, a healthy 7 lb., 10 oz. son, Franco John, born Saturday afternoon.  We are happy to report that all is well with everyone in the Williams family! 

 

PTO News: 

 

Please note the information flyer that is being sent home today from Mrs. Tammy Tettis regarding the “BoxTops for Education” program here at SSMSES.  Your support in the BoxTops program is greatly appreciated!

 

Marianna’s Hoagie and Pizza Sale begins now -…and runs until Friday, September 26th.     You all know by now – the products are great - …the price is right, and all proceeds benefit the entire student population of SSMSES.   Due to the size of our school, only two grade levels at a time are permitted to sell, and this time, it is our second and third grades.    Information envelopes spelling out all details are sent home today to parents of children in these classes.    We are not asking our kids to go ‘door to door’ selling, rather, we are asking for parental support in selling them in your workplaces, and perhaps to a few close neighbors.     All orders are pre-paid, and delivery is on Wednesday, October 8th.   Your support in making this fundraiser successful is needed and is greatly appreciated!   THANK YOU! 

 

Ice Cream “Sundaes in the Park” – will be given to all of our students as a welcome back to school treat from our PTO.    This will take place at Chestnut Street (Luhr) Park this Friday, September 12th, starting at 11:45.   Classes will come over to the park after lunch for their treat.   Our PTO is sponsoring this, and those volunteers who are helping out are first going to go to the park to do a “Park Clean-Up”, meeting that morning at 10:00 at the Park.   We are grateful to the St. Marys Parks and Recreation and the City of St. Marys for generously allowing us to use the park, and in return, we have taken it upon ourselves (as parents and staff) to do a park clean-up each fall and spring.   If interested in helping out with the clean-up, just show up at the park at 10:00.    Your help will be greatly appreciated!

 

Parents who pick up their children are asked to pay close attention to the crossing guard at dismissal.     Your cooperation is greatly appreciated, as the smooth flow of traffic on 255 at this busy time of day is dependent on your getting out of our driveway when she directs you.

 

A copy of the September “Report to Parents” from the National Association of Elementary and Secondary Principals is being sent home today with the Newsletter.   The topic this month is “School Attendance”.   Please note the important topics on this one page flyer, and parents of third, fourth, and fifth grade students make note now TO NOT PLAN FAMILY VACATIONS AND EDUCATIONAL TRIPS DURING THE WEEK OF MARCH 16TH, 2009.

 

Meet our New Teachers and Student Teachers:

 

Miss Daniele Auman -

Hi!  My name is Daniele Auman and I am a native resident of St. Marys.  I graduated from Elk County Catholic High School in 2003 and attended St. John’s University in Jamaica, Queens, NY.  While at St. John’s University I earned Bachelors of Science degree in Childhood Education with a concentration in English and went on to complete my Masters degree in Literacy Birth through Sixth Grade.   I am a certified Reading Specialist in both NY and PA and am currently working in the Bennetts Valley Elementary School and South St. Marys Elementary School with our Deaf and Hard-of Hearing Students.

 

Mrs. Chasidy Gornati -  

Hi!   My name is Mrs. Gornati, and I am happy to be a teacher here at SSMSES.   I am a graduate of St. Marys Area High School.  I attended the Indiana University of Pennsylvania and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education.  I have been a TSS and a substitute teacher in our school for the past four years.  I am currently working on a Masters degree from Gannon University.   I am also a track coach for the St. Marys Middle School Track Team.   My husband and I reside in Kersey.  My favorite sports teams are the Colts (how did that happen???) and the Yankees (whoa!!!???).   

 

Mrs. Becca Krug –

Hi!   My name is Mrs. Krug.   I was born and raised here in Saint Marys.   I graduated from Elk County Catholic in 2003 and went to Indiana University of Pennsylvania.  I earned a degree in Elementary Education for grades K-6, and I earned my Reading Certification while at IUP.   I graduated from IUP in 2007 and enjoyed working at SSMSES as a K-1 Tutor.   Now, I am a Kindergarten teacher at SSMSES!   My hobbies include reading, tennis, and being with loved ones.

 

Miss Tracey Smith - 

            Hi!  My name is Tracey Smith and I was born and raised in Saint Marys.   I graduated from the St. Marys Area High School. It has been my lifelong dream to work as a kindergarten teacher.  I feel blessed to work with young children throughout my day and watch them grow into successful students.  After earning a degree at Slippery Rock University in Elementary Education and a specialization in Early Childhood Education, I have gained a lot of unique professional experiences that have been beneficial in my career as a classroom teacher.   I have had a lot of substitute teaching experience with students of varying abilities ranging from kindergarten through twelfth grade.  I also worked as a preschool specialist at the Altoona Area School District.  As a preschool specialist, I taught children between the ages of three through five with special needs.  Last school year, I worked as a Reading Intervention teacher where I taught reading lessons to students between kindergarten and second grade.  I also worked regularly in the preparation, administration, and data analysis for all standardized tests including DIBELS, 4Sight, and PSSA. I hope that all of my teaching experiences have enabled me to provide my students with a strong education that meets their needs and makes them lifelong learners.  I truly enjoy working in my community and being an integral part in my student’s lives.  Please feel free to stop by my classroom anytime to see what we’re up to in Kindergarten!

 

Student Teachers –

 

Mr. Charles Bell

            Hi!   My name is Mr. Bell and I am Mrs. Armanini’s student teacher for the first eight weeks this fall.   I am an Elementary Education major at Clarion University of Pennsylvania with a minor in Coaching and a concentration in Mathematics.   Coming from the small town of Eldred, PA, I was an active member of many student and community organizations as well as sports teams.   I am thrilled to have the opportunity to teach in the community of St. Marys.

            I have decided to become a teacher because I feel it is one of the most rewarding jobs in the professional field today.  As a future teacher, I have the opportunity to change someone’s life and teach them how to grow academically and socially.   While here, I also plan to learn from the students and Mrs. Armanini.  Throughout it all, I will devote my time to the students because they are my number one priority.

            Under Mrs. Armanini’s supervision and guidance, I will be teaching lessons and interacting with the children.  I have enjoyed many previous experiences working with children, including a teaching experience at Redbank Valley Elementary School, tutoring 3rd – 5th grade students in math, and working with youth baseball and softball.

            I am thankful for the opportunity to be at SSMSES, and I am looking forward to meeting everyone at “Meet the Teacher Night” this Thursday.

 

Miss Tara Lindgren –

            My name is Tara Lindgren and I am currently a senior majoring in Elementary Education at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.  I will be student teaching in Mrs. Lindemuth’s first grade classroom and I am so excited to be a part of this positive school community.  

            A little bit about me: I enjoy volleyball, basketball, watching the Steelers (yes!!!) and Penguins (ditto!), my ferret Jackson, fishing, camping, and taking jeep rides. 

            I have already learned so much from this experience and I am excited to be a part of this school.   I want to thank the staff members, faculty, administration, and the parents for the welcoming me with open arms.  It really means a lot to me.  J

 

 

 

 

 

 

nowU Pennsylvania 529 Guaranteed Savings Plan (GSP)

 

Nearly every parent feels that time speeds up as their children grow up.  So while college may seem like a lifetime away, your smartest move is to begin saving for it now.  The nowU Pennsylvania 529 Guaranteed Savings Plan (GSP) can help. The GSP is a low-risk, affordable way to save for college.

 

The GSP is available exclusively to account owners or beneficiaries who live in Pennsylvania.  You make contributions to your account whenever you choose, in amounts of $25 or above.  Your contributions are placed in a special state fund reserved only for GSP obligations with the goal of ensuring that growth meets or exceeds tuition increases.  When your child is ready for college or career school, you withdraw the amount you choose from your account balance to cover qualified higher education expenses at most schools throughout the United States.

 

By investing in the GSP you get great benefits and tax advantages, including a deduction up to $12,000 per year, per taxpayer, on contributions to a GSP account.  When you use your account for qualified higher education expenses, you pay NO Pennsylvania or Federal income taxes on your earnings.  GSP funds can be used for almost all higher education expenses – including tuition; fees; room and board; books; equipment and supplies; and expenses for the enrollment and attendance of a special needs student. 

 

The GSP is also working with the Upromise free rewards program to help families save for college while shopping and dining out.  In the Upromise program, hundreds of American’s leading companies and thousands of grocery and drug stores, gas stations, restaurants, and retailers reward you for buying their products by giving you back a percentage of your qualified spending with them.  When you join Upromise for free, you can link your Upromise account with your GSP account and have your Upromise savings automatically transferred when they reach $25.  You can also make college savings a family event.  When grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends join Upraise, a portion of their everyday spending can automatically be deposited into your child’s Upromise account. 

 

As a participant in our School Partners Program, you are eligible for an enrollment discount in the Guaranteed Savings Program.  If you choose to open a GSP account, you are eligible for a discounted enrollment fee of just $10 per account – a savings of $40!!  To take advantage of this enrollment fee discount, you must submit your enrollment material (i.e., application, $10 enrollment fee with discount coupon, and initial contribution of $25) by November 11, 2008.   The discount coupon and flyer are included in your child’s Take Home Tuesday folder. 

 

A representative will be available during our Meet the Teacher night this Thursday, September 11, 2008.  Stop by to see Kevin, who will be in the hallway outside Cafeteria.  Higher education is an attainable goal for Pennsylvania children and GSP can help you get started on meeting that goal.

 

Girls Basketball – grades 3 and 4, starts next Tuesday, September 16th.   Details sent home today on a special flyer.

 

See you at Meet the Teacher”

this Thursday, September 11th, 6:00 – 8:00!

 

School is Open – Drive Safely

 

 

Please support our PTO – and order Marianna’s Hoagies and Pizza’s from our second and third grade students.   In the event you want to order and don’t know a second or third grade student, you can place your order in the school office.   Delivery – and pick-up – is scheduled for Wednesday, October 8th.

 

 

Please read the “Report to Parents” regarding School Attendance on the back of this page.   Again, especially parents of third, fourth, and fifth grade students, please try to not plan “educational trips” during the week of March 16th to 20th, 2009, as PSSA are scheduled for that week.