West Manheim

Newsletter
Dear West Manheim Parents/Guardians,
Thank you for your attendance during the October teacher conferences. I trust you
found the time as valuable as we did at West Manheim. Please continue to assist your child in
the recommended areas given to you by your childs teacher.
Your feedback is important to us and is necessary for continual improvement. I ask that you
Please complete the Parent Survey online.
www.surveymonkey.com/s/Fall2014ParentSurvey
The link can also be found on the West Manheim Home page.
We look forward to your comments. Thank you for helping us to offer the best possible educational experience for the children of South Western School District.
December 15 will be a two (2) hour late start for all elementary students. This change
was adopted by the School Board on October 8. It was presented to the Board that the time is
needed for elementary teachers to work on revising curriculum and participate in training for
teaching writing.
We have used two hour late starts previously, and they have been very successful. By
providing late starts for teacher training, we avoid days that teachers need to be out of their
classrooms. Late starts for these two days have previously been approved for middle school and
high school. Our elementary teachers have asked to be included on this late start day.
Please accept our sincere thanks for your flexibility and your cooperation. Do not hesitate to call if you have any questions regarding this change.
NOTE: AM Kindergarten will be in session from 9:45 11:45 AM on December 15
PM Kindergarten will be in session from 12:30 2:30 PM on December 15
South Western School District is in need of Substitutes for our Para Educators. Para Educators
work with students in all grade levels under the supervision and guidance of the classroom teacher. If this sounds like something that interests you, please stop by our Administrative Offices at
225 Bowman Road to complete an employment application.

South Western School

District

November 2014

Inside this issue:

School Counselor

Star News

Calendar Corrections

Specialists

Health News

Nutrition Nuggets

10

Dates to Remember

12

West Manheim Elementary

School
2000 Baltimore Pike
Hanover, PA 17331
Phone: 555-555-5555
Fax: 555-555-5555
E-mail:
someone@example.com
West Manheim Website

West Manheim Facebook

Sincerely,

Brian M. Cromer

West Manheim Twitter

Principal

A Tradition of Excellence.
Were on the web at:
swsd.k12.pa.us

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TWO HOUR DELAYPLEASE NOTE

On December 2 and 15, 2014 we will have a two delay to the start of
our school day. The District Activities Calendar has December 15 as a
two hour delay for grades 6-12. Please note that grades K-5 have
been added to this delay schedule. Please make arrangements for
this late start time for elementary students on December 2 and December 15, 2014.
AM KINDERGARTEN IS 9:45-11:45 AM
PM KINDERGARTEN IS 12:30-2:30 PM

CALENDAR CORRECTION
Please note the December 4 Math Night that is listed on our District Activities Calendar is
only for grade 3. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused. Please be sure
to mark your calendar for this correction.

Library Links

By Mrs. Fisher

On Friday, October 3rd, each classroom was visited by a special guest reader for our fourth annual Mustang Stampede. With a purposeful connection to our Lift Every Voice and Read library theme, South
Western High School students read aloud stories or informational titles that focused on diversity. After
reading, the high school students reiterated the importance of working really hard in school, reading, and
respecting others. J What an inspiring way to promote lifelong reading and learning!

Fitness Forum

By Miss Hull

Students in grades 3-5 will be working on developing their hand-eye coordination

during our tennis unit. Students in K-2 have had fun exploring the parachute and
scooters. We have also been working on our hand-eye coordination as well during
our rolling, throwing and catching unit.

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Music Notes

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By Mrs. Evelan

As part of the school districts music curriculum, the fourth grade students at West Manheim are completing a unit in music class about the soprano recorder. The students are
learning to read the music, rhythms and dynamics and to play the instrument in the proper
way. During the past few weeks, the fourth grade students began a program called Recorder
Karate! The students are assigned a song to practice between music classes. When the students return to music class, they must play the song. If they are successful, the students earn a colorful belt to tie onto the bell of their
recorder. Fourth grade students should bring their recorder to each
music class so that they may test for their next belt. There are several links on my website that will aid the students in practicing at home!
Feel free to explore these sites with your child.
http://westmanheimmusic.weebly.com/recorders.html
Password: ponies

Answers from Art

By Mrs. Shaub

Over the last few weeks we have been doing a lot of painting in the Art room. Fifth grade students
selected their own photographic resource as the inspiration for their artwork. We made connections
to the artist John James Audubon and how he was inspired by nature and especially birds. Recently
we added splashes of color to make our birds even more eye-catching.
Second grade students modeled their paintings after the Aborigine people of Australia. We learned that Aboriginal artists make their artwork to tell a story. We also learned some of the animals that are
common throughout the country. Each child selected one of the animals as the main subject of
their painting. Then they added symbols to tell a visual story. Finally, they also wrote a story
with that same animal as one of the characters. Ask your child what animal he or she selected.

First grade just started watercolor painting, but we are making great progress. We are learning
to mix our Secondary colors such as Orange, Green, and Violet from our Primary Colors, Red, Yellow, and
Blue. We are also trying to make sure our brushes have Great Hair Days so that they last a
long time. We try to keep our bristles looking great so that they make smooth brush strokes. We
are having so much fun learning to make new colors!

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HEALTH NEWS
By Janet Harlacher, RN, BSN, CSN
Flu viruses are thought to spread mainly from person to person through the coughing, sneezing, or talking of someone with the flu. Flu viruses also may spread when people touch something with flu virus on it and then touch their
mouth, eyes, or nose.
People infected with flu may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5-7 days after becoming
sick. That means you may be able to spread the flu to someone else before you know you are sick as well as while you are sick.
Young children, those who are severely ill, and those who have severely weakened immune systems may be able to infect others
for longer than 5-7 days.
Everyday preventive actions are steps that people can take to help slow the spread of germs that cause respiratory illness, like flu.
These include the following personal and community actions:
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. This will block the spread of droplets from your mouth or
nose that could contain germs.
Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Germs spread this way.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
Routinely clean frequently touched objects and surfaces,
including doorknobs, keyboards, and phones, to help remove germs.
If you or your child gets sick with a respiratory illness, like flu, limit contact with others as much as possible to help prevent spreading illness. Stay home (or keep your child home) for at least 24 hours after fever is gone except to seek medical care or for other
necessities. Fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.
For additional information you can visit the CDC's website www.cdc.gov/flu or PA Department of Health website
www.health.state.pa.us or contact your health care provider.

HEALTH NEWS
By Jennifer Myers, RN, BSN, CSN
The nurses starting the annual health screenings beginning in October:
Vision screening shall be performed in all grades
***please have your child remember to bring their glasses to school daily***
Growth screenings shall be performed in all grades
Hearing screenings shall be performed in Kindergarten through grade 3
For Parents:
Cold Weather is approaching! Please discuss with your children the temperatures are getting cooler, so it is that
time of year to switch the shorts for long pants . Also its time to start wearing COATS!
If your child has NOT turned in the required health form at this point, please do so immediately:
K- physical examinations
K & 3rd- dental examinations
Any changes to your students medical conditions or medications, please update the school nurse.

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All About Head Lice

By Janet A. Harlacher RN
School Nurse

With school in session now, head lice can become an issue. This information will help you to check your child, and prevent its
spread in our school.
What are head lice?
Small, sesame seeds size, bloodsucking insects that feed on the human scalp.
They do not infest animals.
They cannot live away from the human host longer than 20 hours in our climate.
They do not fly or jump, but crawl at high speeds.
They are not an indication of poor hygiene or parental neglect.
Where do head lice come from?
The most common method is by direct head contact between two children.
Transfer also occurs through shared combs, brushes, hats, headgear or jackets hung side-by-side. Explain to children not to
share headgear.
How do you know if you child has head lice?
Work in small areas (about 1 inch), parting the hair with a comb, to look for eggs attached to the hair near the scalp. Hatched
eggs are whitish to sandy colored; intact eggs are more difficult to see and are tan in color. Because lice travel so quickly, you
are less likely to find the lice themselves.
If your child is scratching his/her head, thats a sign of possible infestation- check!
How do I end head lice infestation?
KILL THE LICE: Use a lice killing shampoo that can be obtained over the counter in pharmacies. This will kill the live lice, but
does not kill all the eggs. It is very important to follow the directions on the bottle. Repeat the treatment in one week
to kill any remaining hatched lice.
REMOVE ALL EGGS: The most important step is to remove all eggs. These eggs can hatch and cause infestation to come
back.
CLEAN HOUSE: To ensure a thorough job, wash or dry-clean your childs clothes, bed clothes, pillows, combs, and brushes.
Put toys and un-washables in plastic bags for at least 2 weeks. Vacuum the mattress, floors, sofas, and chairs.
What is South Western school policy?
If live lice or eggs are found, the child is sent home immediately and not allowed to return until treated with lice killing
shampoo.
All classmates, friends, siblings, and daycare mates are checked.
After treatment, all children are checked daily in the morning by the nurse for at least 10 days to make sure the infestation is
gone and again in two weeks to make sure the lice have not returned.
Source: Clear Parent Letter

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PICTURE RE-TAKE DAYWEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER

If your child was absent on our picture day in September, a picture package envelope was sent home to
you last week. Please send the envelope to school with your child on Wednesday, November 5, our Picture Re-take Day. If your child had pictures taken but you were not satisfied with the photos, you must
return the entire package with a note explaining what the problem is and that you would like a re-take. If
your child is new to our building since our Picture Day in September, you would have received a picture
package envelope last week. If you wish to purchase the school picture, return the picture envelope on
Wednesday, November 5. Please have your child ready for a photograph to be taken on Wednesday, November 5.

FEEDAFRIEND, COMMUNITY FOOD COLLECTION

West Manheim will once again be participating in the Feed-A-Friend Marathon that
takes place in December. Local radio stations will hold the Marathon to collect
nonperishable food to help out those in OUR community going through rough
times. Students and staff may purchase non-perishable food items or they may
make a monetary donation ($1.00 will equal 3 canned food items). Donations will
be accepted in school from December 2 through December 5.

HELP WANTED
Do you enjoy working with children? Do you have a little spare time
to share with your school district? South Western School District is
In need of Substitutes for our Para Educators. Para Educators work with students in all
grade levels under the supervision and guidance of the classroom teacher.
If this sounds like something that interests you, please stop by our Administrative Offices at 225
Bowman Rd. to complete an employment application.

WEST MANHEIM COMMUNITY TOY DRIVE

West Manheim Elementary School is collecting toys for the less fortunate. All donations are distributed
within the Hanover area. Please send any slightly used toys to school November 3rd 14th, 2014. Dolls,
trucks, cars or toys for all ages are welcome. Games and puzzles need to have all pieces.
[Please, no stuffed animals, no toy guns or violent toys.]

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LABELS FOR EDUCATION

KITCHEN TIDBITS
South Western Food Services encourages when making deposits to students cafeteria accounts that parents write a check or use
www.myschoolbucks.com.
Cash sent to school for students payments frequently gets lost or misplaced and delays the payment reaching the proper account. When
sending checks to school for students cafeteria accounts if the childs
name is on the memo line, the proper account gets credited promptly.

REMINDEREARLY DISMISSAL
Tuesday, November 25, 2014, the elementary schools will dismiss at 11:45 AM. Please make
arrangements for this early dismissal day/time for elementary students.
MODIFIED KINDERGARTEN SCHEDULE
AMKINDERGARTEN: 7:459:30 AM
PMKINDERGARTEN: 10:0011:45 AM (Arrival begins at 9:50 AM)

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NOVEMBER CALENDAR OF EVENTS

November2 Daylight Saving Time Ends (turning clocks
back)
November4 Spirit DayWear Red, White, and BlueElection Day
November5 Picture Retakes 8-10 AM
November6 Guys Night Out, 6-8 PM @ E.H.M.I.S.
November7 After School Bowling
November10-14

WM PTO Fall Book Fair

November10 WM PTO Poinsettia Sale Begins

WM PTO Book Fair Begins
November11 Spirit DayWear Red, White, and BlueVeterans Day
WM PTO Mtg., 6:30-7:30 PM

LOOKING AHEAD
DECEMBER DATES TO REMEMBER

December1 SCHOOLS CLOSED

December2 Two Hour Delay For All Grades K-12
December3 Elementary Report Cards Distributed
School Board Reorganization Meeting,
6:30 PM, Admin.
December4 Math Night for Grade 3 Parents, 6-7:30
PM
December5 Spirit DayWear WM T-shirt or Blue and
Yellow
WM PTO Market Day Pick up 7-8 PM
After School Bowling, 2:30 PM

WM Shoppers Room
November12 Spirit DayWear Project Harmony T-shirt or December9-12
black and white
December9 WM PTO Poinsettia Pick up, 5:30-7 PM
November13 Bedtime Story Night, 5-8 PM
WM PTO Meeting 6:30 PM
November14 WM PTO Book Fair Ends
After School Bowling
November17 End of First Marking Period, Grades K-5
only
November19 School Board Mtg., at Admin. Office, 7 PM
November20 Math Night, Grades K-5, 6-7:30 PM
November21 Spirit DayWear West Manheim T-shirt or
Blue and Yellow
After School Bowling
WM PTO Poinsettia Sale Ends
November25 Early Dismissal, Grades K-12,
Elementary dismisses at 11:45 AM
Nov.26 through Dec.1

SCHOOLS CLOSED

Open Library Night, K-5, 6-7:30 PM

December10 Spirit DayWear Project Harmony Tshirt or Black and White
December12 After School Bowling, 2:30 PM
December15 Two Hour Delay For All Grades K-12
Grade 5 Holiday Concert, Band, Chorus,
Orchestra, 7-8 PM
December17 School Board Meeting, 7 PM, Admin.
December19 Spirit DayDecorate yourself for winter
After School Bowling, 2:30 PM
Dec.24 through Jan.2

SCHOOLS CLOSED