February 17, 2012 Devon Elementary School PTO Newsletter ... · if Your Child is Absent Please...

From the Principal

The DEVON DISPATCH

Devon Elementary School PTO Newsletter February 17, 2012 Volume 7, Issue 11

Thinking skills for everyday life situations are just as important as those that make us critical and imaginative thinkers. Kids are best prepared for the real world when we allow them to do as much thinking as possible. It's good practice for the real world, and it keeps us, as the important adults in their lives, from having to do all of their thinking.

However, sometimes kids want us to do the thinking for them. We need to figure out how to give children opportunities to do the thinking when facing life’s situations. One strategy suggested by Dr. Charles Fay of the Love and Logic Institute involves asking plenty of questions. He states

“The more questions we ask, the better thinkers our kids will become…

The more questions we ask, the fewer power-struggles we will have.”

“Kids grow the healthiest brains when they're fortunate to spend time around adults who say things like:

• "I don't know. What do you think?"

• "Are you sure that's the best idea?"

• "How do you think that's going to work out for you?"

• "Would you like to hear what some other kids have tried?"

• "Do you think that's going to work out well or ________?"

• "What do you think you are going to do?"

• "Which one of these is the best solution to your problem?"

• "Do you have enough money to pay for any possible damage?"

• "Is that a wise decision?” "

So, guide your child’s thinking with questions so that they learn how to discover the answers.

(Taken from Love and Logic Insider’s Club Newsletter by Dr. Charles Fay. Note: I think that Love and Logic consistently provides valuable advice for parents and teachers. Follow this link if you want more information--- http://www.loveandlogic.com)

Tom Tobin

The DEVON DISPATCH

Important Phone Numbers

School Office 610-240-1450

Attendance 610-240-1465

Emergency Closing 610-240-1970

School District www.tesd.net

PTO www.devonpto.org

Devon Elementary PTO Board 2011/2012

President Tricia Jennings

Vice President Amy Susanin

Recording Secretary Lauren Forman

Treasurer Margaret Ruschmann

Asst Treasurer Cindy Krapels

2nd Vice Presidents:

~Cultural Arts Chrissy Bennet/Sarah Keyes

~Fundraising Cecilia Cooleen/Georgeann Bernabeo ~Social Functions Tricia Petrane/Kelly Walker ~Issues, Affairs and Programs Carli Younce ~School Services Lori Piccone

Member at Large Audrey Kese

Important Phone Numbers

School Office 610-240-1450

Attendance 610-240-1465

Emergency Closing 610-240-1970

School District www.tesd.net

PTO www.devonpto.org

Mark the Date

Monday, February 20, 2012

• NO School

February 21—February 27, 2012

• ART GOES TO SCHOOL

February 22, 2012

• Arts Express Week Meeting

9:00 in the DES Cafeteria

February 28th & 29th, 2012

• Half Day Grades 1-4

NO Kindergarten

Parent/ teacher Conferences

March 1st, 2012

• Half Day Grades 1-4

NO Kindergarten

Parent/ teacher Conferences

March 2nd, 2012

• No students Report - Instructional

Staff Inservice Day

Devon Publishing Center

Calling All Authors

We want to remind 3rd and 4th graders the deadline to get their

stories into the Devon Publishing Center is approach-

ing. There is still time to write a great story in the next few

weeks and get it published. Applications for Publication can

be found in the library. Remember to please have your

teacher proofread your story before submitting. Deadline for

3rd and 4th graders is March 9, 2012.

REMINDER

School begins at 8:45 AM.

Students arriving after 8:45 AM are considered tardy. (PM kindergarten students are tardy after 12:25 PM). When students arrive late, they must report to the lobby desk to receive a tardy pass that admits them to class. Parents are required to send a written note to explain the tardi-ness. Tardiness is considered excused due to

illness or a doctor’s appointment.

The DEVON DISPATCH

From the ‘Green Corner’… Contributed by Heather Hill

1 ) Did you know that when your child is absent or late for school that you can send an e-mail

instead of writing a note? It’s simple, quick & paperless ! [email protected]

2 )))) E-Cycling Event at the Devon Whole Foods 821 Lancaster Ave , (610) 688-9400

Tomorrow—Saturday, February 18th from 10:00am – 2:00pm It’s the biggest and the best e-cycling event that we have ever had. Don’t miss this great opportunity

to responsibly recycle your electronics! We will have wooden pallets to fill up with your used elec-

tronics set up outside by the front door. Our team members will be ready to assist you with unloading

your car.

Here is a list of Electronics Accepted for Recycling: Yes, we are accepting TV's!

• Desktop Computing: Personal Computers, Mini-Towers, Laptops, Handhelds, Notebooks, Tablets & Hard

Drives

• Printers: LaserJet, Deskjet, Thermal, Dot Matrix, Line Printers, Plotters, Paper Trays

• Peripherals: Keyboards, Mice, Power Supplies, Cables, Speakers, External Drives

• Monitors: CRTs, LCDs, WYSE terminals

• Office Equipment: Copiers, Scanners, Fax Machines, Typewriters

• Audio/Video Equipment: TV’s and Displays, VCR/DVD Players, Projectors, Video & Audio Conferencing

Systems, Smart/Electronic White Board

• Mobile Devices: Cellular Phones, Blackberry/PDA’s, Pagers

• Telecom Equipment: Telephones, Switches, PBX, Voice Mail and VoIP Systems, Voice Stations, Headsets

http://wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/devon/store-calendar/

Issues, Affairs

Box Tops for EducationBox Tops for EducationBox Tops for EducationBox Tops for Education

Hello Devon Families!

Just a reminder to send in your Box Tops. Please have your children

place them in the pink box in the front lobby at school. We cannot

accept any expired Box Tops so be sure to check the expiration dates.

The next deadline for mailing is February 28, 2012.

We have submitted Box Tops valued at $523 so far this year. We are more than half way to

our goal of $900. Keep up the good work!

Please be sure to visit the Boxtops4education web site to learn about additional ways to earn

money for our school.

Log on to boxtops4education.com to get up to date sweepstakes information.

Thanks for participating!

The Devon Dispatch

Hello Devon Parents!

The time to show our appreciation for our hard working teachers is

here again! We will be providing lunches to the teachers and other

staff members on the three days of the Parent Teacher Conferences-

Feb 28, Feb 29 and Mar 1.

As in the past, the intent is to have parent volunteers prepare the

lunch each day. The proposed themes are as follows:

Feb 28 – Appetizers (i.e. mini meatballs, Spanikopita, etc.)

Feb 29 – Asian (i.e. Thai noodles, spring rolls, white rice/chicken

fried rice etc.)

March 1 – Salads and Subs

We will also need one vegetarian main dish each day.

In addition to the “entrees”, we are requesting volunteers to provide desserts, as well as man power for

preparation and clean up each day.

We would like to have the lunches ready each day by 11:45 a.m. If you offer to prepare a cooked dish,

please plan to bring it to school hot and covered. A crock pot often works well.

If you are able to volunteer a dish, a dessert, ice or time for set up/cleanup, please contact

Suzanne Emerson at [email protected].

We all should look forward to providing lunch to our teachers and staff on these very important

conference days as a small gesture of our appreciation for their efforts!

Thank you!

Suzanne Emerson and Kelly Walker

Staff Appreciation Co chairs

PTO Planning If you are reading the Devon Dispatch,

chances are you are a member of the Devon PTO.

All parents and guardians of Devon Elementary students are members of the PTO.

The PTO is beginning to plan for the 2012-2013 school year. If you are interested in getting

involved in a leadership role, please email [email protected]

New volunteers are most welcome!!

The Devon Dispatch

What is Arts Express Week?

Come for coffee and find out.

Calling all veterans and novices,

we need your help!

ARTS EXPRESS WEEK MEETING

Wednesday, February 22

9:00 a.m., Cafeteria

This year’s theme is:

The Art of Puppetry

People’s Light and Theatre

May 7 –11

For more information, contact Lauren Baran at [email protected] mailto:[email protected]

The Devon Dispatch

Devon DispatchDevon DispatchDevon DispatchDevon Dispatch

Editor/Layout

Kathleen Meaney [email protected]

Produced bi-monthly by Devon Elementary School, 400 S. Fairfield Road, Devon, PA 19333, 610-240-1450, under the direction of Princi-pal Tom Tobin and PTO President Tricia Jennings.

REMINDER

Call Attendance Line

if Your Child is Absent

Please remember to call the attendance line at

610-240-1465

when your child is out sick. or going to be late. This will save our office staff from making phone calls to you. Thank you.

Devon Dispatch Devon Dispatch Devon Dispatch Devon Dispatch

Publication Schedule

Deadline Publication

03/01/12 03/09/12

03/16/12 03/23/12

03/30/12 04/13/12

Stoga Theatre presents: Titanic the Musical,

by Maury Yeston.

Come and enjoy this Tony Award

winning musical at CHS.

Feb 28: 10 am

Feb 29: 7:30 pm

March 1: 7:30 pm

March 2: 7:30 pm

March 3: 2:00pm and 7:30 pm

Tickets are on sale at www.StogaTheatre.com

On February 2, Dr. Eugene Richardson, Jr., Lieutenant in the Army Air Corps and member of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen spoke to the 1st through 4th grades.

(left) Candy Ayers and Dr. Richardson hold a photo of his Squadron, after she surprised him with a thank you bouquet. Dr. Richardson is wearing his Congressional Medal of Honor that he and all of the surviving Airmen received in 2007.

The Devon Dispatch

Kathleen Meaney

The Devon Dispatch

News from the Classroom

The February theme for Devon kindergarten is Friends and Family, and we’ve been having a blast with this great topic. We kicked off the month with our Family Life health unit. The children loved sharing the activities they completed at home with their classmates at school. A highlight of our month was the Valentine Concert on February 14th. The students performed songs and poems as we celebrated a love of country, family, and friends. Mrs. Brown, our wonderful music teacher, wrote an original song just for our performance!! We will finish the month with a study of the post office/letter writing and a unit on dental health. We’re looking forward to a puppet show presented free of charge by the Segal Puppet Theater on eating healthy and taking care of our teeth. Fun times in rooms 1, 2 and 4!!!

First Grade ~ February is a busy time of year for us! We have entered into the Rain Forest! We are learning about the layers of the Rain Forest and the animals and people that live there. The first grade hall has even turned into a Rain Forest with the help of many parent volunteers. We are very grateful to you for your contin-ued support. It’s a jungle down here in first grade! In February, we will also be continuing the exciting time we are having studying Japan and exploring Japanese culture. During this time, we will explore the following topics through books, virtual field trips, and hands on activities: the location of Japan within Asia as well as in relation to the United States, the four major islands of Japan, Mount Fuji, Origami, Kimonos, Samurai Warri-ors, the use of Chop Sticks, and Haikus. We celebrated the 100th Day of school soon and what a fun-filled day that turned out to be. On this day, we rotated to other first grade classrooms for a variety of math and lan-guage arts activities. There was an estimation station and abstract 100 drawing. The students had a chance to write about what they would do if they had 100 dollars. To add an artistic flair to this 100th day the students drew a picture of what they thought they would look like at the age of 100. A counting mini-book was created as another mathematics activity. The students worked with a hundreds chart and colored in boxes that made the number 100. Last, there was a station where the students were the designers of a pair of glasses shaped like the number 100. Our Family Life lessons will be starting so please be prepared to receive letters which will come home about the lessons. It's a wonderful time to discuss at home how all families are different and special in their ways. This will tie into our character trait that we are emphasizing, responsibility. We are re-sponsible for ourselves, for others, and for our environment. Working towards a goal at home such as clean-ing your room weekly, doing a daily chore, reading a certain number of books, etc, will help to promote the importance of being responsible.

Walk down the Second Grade hallway and you will feel as if you have been transported to China! Bouquets of bamboo greet you as you enter the hallways. The lights have a subtle red hue, highlighting Chinese lanterns that hang from the ceiling. The children’s Panda Projects are placed on tables and on the walls and colorful Chinese-themed artwork is displayed throughout the hallways and in the classrooms.

A special part of this unit has included an introduction to the art of paper cutting. Master paper cutter, Hou Tien Chang, visited Devon Elementary School to share his paper cutting talents with the children. He cut shapes for the children with precision and speed. It was remarkable to see how quickly Master Chang transformed a plain paper plate into a dragon- hat, horse, or other requested shape! Thank you to the Devon Elementary PTO Cultural Arts Committee who provided this wonderful experience for the children!

The Second Graders have certainly enjoyed this unit, particularly as they have prepared for their Chinese Festival which includes Tai Chi, Terra Cotta soldiers, and Chinese music! Thank you to our parent volunteers have helped with our festival by displaying our projects and helping the children with decorating their dragon boxes, writing in calligraphy on t-shirts, and designing Terra Cotta Soldier vests and masks!

The Devon Dispatch

The third grade continues to work hard while having fun. Parents please take the time to look through your child’s school supplies and make sure they still have all the supplies that they need for school. This will give

your third grader the tools to be successful.

We are happy to hear that many students enjoyed Reading Bingo. On February 17th we had a bingo party as

a reward for all who completed at least one BINGO. As our monthly ticket reward, we also enjoyed a pizza

lunch that day as well. Keep up the good work and Happy Reading!

Thank you for supporting our third grade Read-a-Thon. The money our students raised will be donated to our

friends at the Easttown Library. On Thursday, February 9th we took our first field trip to the Easttown Library.

We enjoyed learning about “animals with a bad reputation” from the Academy of Natural Science. Thank you

to the Easttown Library for sponsoring this interesting lesson for us. We ended our visit with a tour of the li-

brary.

Our 3rd grade scientists have been studying ‘Land and Water’. Students have been conducting many hands-

on experiments using materials such as water, the four soil components, and a variety of tools for measuring.

Students have been making observations and drawing diagrams from a bird’s eye view at the conclusion of

each experiment. Ask your third grader to explain their procedures and how they have worked cooperatively

to make each experiment a success. Please remember to not send your student in their best clothes as these

experiments have the potential to get messy. We certainly have a lot of future scientists!

Students continue to work hard in math class. We would like to remind students to keep studying their basic

multiplication facts.

During Social Studies we have begun our study of Pennsylvania. We have learned a lot of interesting infor-

mation about William Penn. We look forward to learning more about our favorite state.

Thank you to all of the parents who helped out with the Valentine’s Day party. Our students had a great time!

We appreciate all of your care and support.

Right now in 4th grade, students are buzzing about Pickles and PAL! The Great Pickle Race is a super-fun way to learn how to conduct research using reference materials, such as encyclopedias, atlases, almanacs, books, and on-line sources, as well as the importance of citing those sources. PAL, which stands for Per-sonal Achievement in Learning, is a self-directed project which all 4th graders in T/E School District complete. Thus far, we have introduced the long-term project, but we have only focused on the importance of selecting a topic after much exploration so that it is sustainable over the course of the project. Additionally, we have worked on journaling and goal setting. Very soon your 4th grader will have a goal with which to begin re-searching. When we aren't working on our research skills, we are busy in reading, math, science, and social studies. In science, we are studying the effects of potential energy, friction, and wind resistance in our motion and design unit. We will begin designing cars for the annual Devon Derby! In Social Studies, we are winning the Revolu-tionary War and getting ready to write the Constitution. It's not all hard work; we sure know how to have fun, too. The 4th graders planned really fun Valentine's par-ties. Thank you students and families for your contributions that made these parties a success. We always have fun at recess, too, and although it's been fairly mild at times this winter, please remember to check the weather to determine appropriate gear because we go outside whenever possible...even on the cold days. Also, now is a good time to check on your child's supplies and replace any lost, worn, or used up supplies, especially glue sticks, pencils, scissors and folders.

The Devon Dispatch

The Devon Dispatch

Students Open Wide at Children’s Dental Clinic in TEMS Students Open Wide at Children’s Dental Clinic in TEMS Students Open Wide at Children’s Dental Clinic in TEMS Students Open Wide at Children’s Dental Clinic in TEMS

By Maddie Amsterdam, Staff Reporter @ the Spoke

Head up to the second floor of T/E Middle School, take a right into room 232 and open wide. Hidden among a sea of

ordinary classrooms, a dental clinic can be found, complete with all the fixings of a regular dental office.

This hideaway hygienist office may be about the size of a large closet, but it has been getting the job done for more than

60 years. In 1946, Hobson C. Wagner, then superintendent of schools in what was the Paoli Area School District, real-

ized that many students were not able to receive the dental care they needed.

With other concerned administrators, he established the Children’s Dental Clinic, which now provides dental care for

students who demonstrate a financial need from the T/E and Great Valley School Districts.

Students who receive free or reduced-fee lunches are eligible for the program. They are given transportation to T/E, pro-

fessional dental care and a goody bag—all for a simple co-payment of $5, said Bernie Logan, the clinic’s general dentist.

“The clinic is a wonderful opportunity to provide the best in dental health and education to students,” said Logan, who

has worked at the clinic for 15 years.

Logan is very enthusiastic about her patients—all 120 of them. Students appear to demonstrate mutual enthusiasm to-

ward the program.

Freshman Ibrahim Souadda has been to the clinic four times.

“They make the experience enjoyable,” said Souadda. “It is a great program and it has a lot to offer to local kids. They

are really nice to you and they do a good job.”

Volunteers are essential to the clinic, said Linda Wilhelm, the clinic’s chairperson. Most volunteers drive students to

and from the clinic during the school day.

Geraldine Jaffé is a volunteer driver who said that her favorite part of volunteering is spending time with the kids. She

said that she is impressed by the program.

“Whether it was filling a cavity, or even getting orthodontic care done, the service they provide is outstanding,” Jaffé

said.

The clinic is a nonprofit organization supported by local fundraising events, donations and service organizations.

“The care we provide is truly a community effort, by dental professionals and volunteers,” Logan said.

Maddie Amersterdam can be reached at [email protected].

Printed originally on p. 6 of The Spoke’s Jan. 12, 2010 issue.

February 17, 2012 Devon Elementary School PTO Newsletter ... · if Your Child is Absent Please...

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