News from the Intermediate Iguanas
Ephrata Area School District ~ 957 Hammon Ave, Ephrata, PA 17522 ~ ( 717) 721-1405 ~ www.easd.k12.pa
Split Families and the School District
Ephrata Area School District remains neutral toward families split by divorce or separation, and will not choose sides when there may be conflict over children attending school. If you have legal documents establishing custody or guardianship, you should supply the school with a copy to be attached to the student’s record. If your custody status changes, you should share those changes with the school by supplying copies of updated documents as soon as possible. “Federal regulations give both natural parents the right to access their child’s education records unless there is a court order, state statute, or legally binding document specifically prohibiting access. Absent a court order or similar decree to the contrary, a school district must comply with a parent’s request and grant access. It is the responsibility of a parent seeding to deny access to the records to provide the school district with a copy of the court order or other document that limits or controls access to student records. Because the burden is on the parent wishing to deny access, in the absence of an order or other document, the school district must presume that a requesting natural parent has the authority to inspect and review the child’s education record.” (22 Pa. Code §12.31) In addition, in the absence of a court order or similar decree denying physical access to the student, the school district may not keep the non-custodial parent from picking up the child (ren) from school. Ephrata Area School District strives to protect all students from emotionally upsetting situations. Parents and guardians should make every attempt to resolve potential conflicts outside of school in order to avoid confrontation on school grounds. School counselors are available to assist you in these matters
Volume 1, Issue 5
June ~ 2009
Upcoming Dates:
May 12-20 Book Fair May 19, 6:30pm iSAFE presentation, EMS auditorium May 22 early dismissal at 12:45pm May 25 No School May 26 at 7:00pm 6th Grade Spring Concert, EMS auditorium May 27, 4:00-6:00pm sub sale pick-up EMS cafeteria May 29 iSAFE Assembly June 4 Awards Assembly June 5 last day of school, dismissal at 11:45am (no lunch served) Inside this issue: Fourth Grade Visit Arts in Education Box Top Update Fifth Grade Fieldtrip 2 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 6
EIS will be holding our first Award Assembly on Thursday afternoon, June 4th. Some of the awards that will be presented will be • the Presidential Awards • Citizenship Awards • Perfect Attendance We will also be recognizing our safety patrols and the science fair participants.
Free Choice Friday Barnstormers Nights Safety Patrol’s Trip to Hershey Staff vs. Student Basketball Game Anti-Drug Assembly Super E Winners Dairy Queen Day
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News from the Intermediate
Iguanas
We earned over
$1,400.00 this year!!!
Students can begin saving for a classroom kickoff competition next school year.
4th Grade Tours/Visit
During the first week of May, fourth grade students from around the Ephrata Area School District visited the Ephrata Intermediate School as part of the fourth to fifth grade transition program. Each fourth grade school had its own day at EIS. Upon arriving at the school the fourth graders watched a fifth grade student created video entitled, “A Day in the Life of a Fifth Grader”. After the video the guidance counselor, principals, and current fifth graders answered questions the fourth graders had prepared. Students had questions ranging in topic from cafeteria food to getting into lockers successfully. Next, the fourth grade groups had tours throughout the Ephrata Intermediate and Ephrata Middle Schools. Special stops were made at the offices, health rooms, special classes, and classrooms. At the conclusion of the tour the fourth grade students were linked with their fifth grade pen pal with whom they had been corresponding. Together the new friends traveled to the cafeteria to get a taste of lunch at the EIS. Cafeteria manager, Elaine Good, was on hand to give the students some information about cafeteria procedures and provide tips to make students successful next year. After a delicious lunch fourth grade students boarded their busses to return to their elementary schools. The fourth grade students have given great feedback about the tours and have commented that the school is “awesome”.
Arts in Education is a PTO sponsored contest for EIS students to use their artistic talents to create a project which reflects the theme “New Beginnings’’. This contest was optional. Entries were submitted in any of the 3 categories: visual arts (painting/ drawing), literature or photography. The deadline for entries was Friday, May 15. All projects will be on display in the EIS lobby. Good luck to all participants.
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News from the Intermediate Iguanas
Fifth Grade Goes Back in Time to Historic Philadelphia
In two groups of six classes at a time, the Intermediate school fifth graders have taken field trips to historic Philadelphia. As yellow buses headed down the turnpike toward their destination on Wednesdays, May 6 and 13, the excitement of 200 students, chaperones and teachers filled the air. Our purpose was for the students to experience the sites important to the declaration of our country’s independence from England and the writing of the Constitution, both being part of our fifth grade social studies curriculum. Each class had tickets to visit Independence Hall at a specified time, but the remainder of the day was spent visiting several other sites: Betsy Ross’s house, the Liberty Bell, and Franklin Court. When asked what their favorite part of the trip was and why, students responded with the following: “I liked the phone bank at Franklin Court where we could call a patriot and listen to him talk. George Washington talked to me.” “My favorite activity was the movie about Ben Franklin. He was very brave flying a kite during a thunderstorm in order to learn about electricity.” “Betsy Ross’s house was fun because it was so small. I did not realize she made the first flag after a visit in June 1776 from George Washington.” “It was fun seeing the chair George Washington sat in as he helped form the frame of government known as the Constitution. I could see the rising sun on the back of the chair.” “My favorite part of the trip was the printing press in Franklin Court. They had to put the letters on backwards so when the paper was printed the letters were the right way.” “I was excited to see the Liberty Bell and its crack. The effort to fix the crack was unsuccessful.” The trip back in time to Historic Philadelphia was undoubtedly a hit with the students. As we continue to study the formation of our government and the Revolutionary War, everyone will have a point of reference as to where these history changing events originated. Many students commented they would like to visit the city again with their families to see some of the places we were unable to visit on the field trip: Carpenter’s Hall, the US Mint, and Declaration House. Sounds like a great place to visit since the only cost is the amount to park your carriage…or car!
Free Choice Friday
You may have heard your children talking about the “Free Choice Friday’’ and have been wondering what this is. Students will choose who they would like to sit with on Fridays if they meet the requirements throughout the week. This will be determined based on the following criteria: Students must follow all rules of the cafeteria, they must keep an acceptable noise level while eating, and they must be sure to leave their table and floor neat and clean. All classrooms in the lunch shift must meet all criteria to be eligible for this free day.
Wednesday, May 27th at 7:00pm is Ephrata Night at the Lancaster Barnstormers. Stop by the Ephrata Chamber of Commerce (738-9010) to purchase $5.00 tickets.
Its Akron Community Night at the Lancaster Barnstormers on Thursday, June 18th at 7:00pm. Stop by the Akron Borough office to pick up limited $5.00 tickets. Come out to Clipper Stadium to cheer on our home team!
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News from the Intermediate Iguanas
Have a safe, fun summer… don’t forget to read those books!
“Drugsmart” Recap
During the month of May, all grade 5 classes participated in the “Drugsmart’’ program, while the 6th grade took part in the “No Butts About It’’ program. These programs are sponsored by the Susan P. Byrnes Health Education Center from York. The “Drugsmart’’ program explored the nervous and respiratory systems, as well as talked about the dangers of smoking. The “No Butts About It’’ program focused on the nervous system along with how various substances change the way our bodies work. Both programs are a hands-on activity-based program. The students learn best when they can “hear it, see it, and do it’’. We would like to thank the PTO and the Susan Byrnes Center for giving our students the opportunity to experience these awesome programs. Thank you to the Ephrata Intermediate Staff for a great first year! We appreciate all that the teachers, aides and support staff did to help the students be successful. Thank you to the cafeteria & custodial staff! Thank you also to Mrs. Bardell & Mr. McCracken for a superb first year at EIS!
On Friday, May 1, despite some wet weather, 25 EIS students enjoyed opening day at Hershey Park. Twenty one safety patrols from EIS were recognized for their commitment to providing safe trips to and from school this year. With extra tickets available, four Super E Winners also got to enjoy the day, along with Mr. McCracken and Mr. Ammons. The safety patrols for the 2008-09 year were: Edward Bondarenko, Julie Brubacher, Tyler Burkhead, Colin Cammauf, Jeremy Crills, Sarah Dover, Katelyn Fox, Sarah Gehman, Katie Hammaker, Tristan Hurst, Liam Klotzbach, Amanda Latshaw, Austin Lowry, Caleb McDyer, Miranda Means, Andrew Moore, Lokav Moua, Mark Njenga, Nick Ramos, Austin Weaver, Julia Yoder, Tyler Yost, and Katelyn Young. If you see any of these outstanding patrols, please thank them for their service to EIS this year. The Super E Winners who also enjoyed the trip were Tyler Miller, Jacob Rearich, Brooklyn Thomas and Jenna Yarger.
Staff vs. Students Basketball Game will be held Wednesday, May 27. The 8th grade boys & girls basketball teams take on staff from EMS and EIS … who will you cheer for?
The Super E is awarded to students as part of the EIS School wide Positive Behavior Support plan. A student can earn a Super E for demonstrating positive behavior in any of four categories in the Circle of Courage: Behavior, Academic, Generosity & Belonging. Two students from each grade are drawn every week to receive a prize. Great work!
Congratulations to the Super E Winners:
March 16: Freedom Dowlin, Ben Hartranft (5th grade) & Regan Blevins, Ariel Smith (6th grade) March 23: Alex Dufresne, Megan Shultz (5th grade) & Marissa Hilsher, Jasmine York (6th grade) March 30: Patrick Palma, Johalys Baez (5th grade) & Tristan Hurst, Kaitlyn Wright (6th grade) April 6: Dylan Firestone, Deanna Gockley (5th grade) & Ryan Keeney, Brooklyn Thomas (6th grade) April 13: Amanda Good, Regina Mehaffey (5th grade) & Austin Sensenig, Tom Hess (6th grade) April 20: Alana Brill, Stefan Wiebe (5th grade) & Alex Shaver, Erin Sweigart (6th grade) April 27: Hannah Rodriguez, Haley Miller (5th grade) & Sean Lammer, Michael Pacheco (6th grade) May 4: Alexa Axmacher, Zoe Korpi (5th grade) & Tristan Hurst, Tasha Murphy (6th grade) May 11: Rebekah Pauley, Cassie Heil (5th grade) & Hunter Snowberger, Mackenzie Lagaza (6th grade) May 18: Rachel Murphy, Rebekah Pauley (5th grade) & Michelle Ellis, Scott Waller (6th grade)
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Have your family & friends save Turkey Hill Moo Money Milk caps for you over the summer. We’ll collect them in the EIS’s office in the fall.
Election for PTO officers will be taking place until June 1. If you are interested in voting for an officer, please stop by any of the elementary and/or Intermediate school offices to complete a ballot.
On behalf of the entire staff: We would like to thank all the parents who donated the beautiful baskets filled with goodies for Staff Appreciation. The basket raffle was awesome.
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On Friday, May 1, the 5th Grade shared their talents with an awesome spring concert. On May 26, the 6th grade will showcase their concert. Come and support the Music Department. EIS/EMS PTO Dairy Queen Night: the PTO will be sponsoring a day at DQ, why not stop after the concert and enjoy a sweet treat!
EIS & EMS invite you to
Dairy Queen Day
Tuesday, May 26
11:00am - 10:00pm
For every MooLatté® or Blizzard® purchased, EIS and EMS PTO receives 75¢ from our local
Please take bottom half of this flyer (additional flyers may be found in the school office), invite your friends, family & neighbors to meet you at Dairy Queen (181 South Reading Road, Ephrata) for a yummy treat!
# of Moo Lattés® purchased: _____
# of Blizzards® purchased: ______
Please present flyer at time of ordering No coupons, no other advertising offers or GCs can be used in combination with this fundraiser Offer valid only on 5/26/09