Brandywine Wallace fourth graders shared their creative ideas at the Invention Convention this week. Each student used his/her invention to solve a significant problem such as carrying ski equipment, getting trash to the curb, and even emptying the spit valve on a trombone when your arms are too short. Thanks to Ms. DiMartin and Mrs. Sachs for their encouragement of these resourceful minds.

BW had two exciting school-wide celebrations this week. Thursday brought a "snout-standing" observation of National Pig Day. Miss Laudenslager's third graders led the celebration of all things pink. On Friday, we celebrated Read Across America with guest readers, school-wide DEAR time, and classroom projects focused on the works of Dr. Seuss. Miss Michalesko's students created writing pieces from the point of view of the Lorax.

Bradford Heights

We have had another exciting week at Bradford Heights.  First, we would like to congratulate Luke Riordan for earning his black belt.  Luke is a 3rd grader in Mrs. Warren's class. He has worked since Kindergarten to earn this honor.  We are all very proud of his accomplishment. 

Bradford Heights also had a magical assembly on Monday.  It was called Math Magic.  Christian Augustine, the presenter, demonstrated how magic and math are related.  The children were amazed by the tricks he performed.  Everyone left the assembly thinking about math, and of course magic.  We will be ending the week with Relay Races to show our support for Juvenile Diabetes. Stay tuned to find out how much Bradford Heights has collected for this worthy cause.

In addition to the Relay Races, Jaime Mehler, DASD School Board member, will be joining us for Read Across America activities.  Mrs. Mehler will visit various classrooms to read to the students.  

   The University of Pittsburgh selected DMS as one of 6 sites to help conduct a research study focused on the amount of time and what skills teachers in Pennsylvania teach reading to students with intellectual disabilities. The project is called The Technology Based Reading Instruction Planning for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (Project TRIP). This study focusws on the classroom instruction provided to students with an intellectual disability who take the Pennsylvania Alternate System of Assessment (PASA). The University of Pittsburgh has loaned an IPAD and has provided training at the Patton site on the IPAD and a data collection system called iLogs. Steve Kowal, Life Skills teacher, has taken the training and is using the iLogs in his class. Mr. Kowal has been completed a daily log, indicating what lessons he taught and the time amount of time each day students spend learning reading content.

East Ward

First grade students have been conducting experiments in order to better understand air this week. They have learned that air takes up space, and can keep a paper towel dry in a vile, when submerged in a pool of water. They also learned about air resistance with parachutes holding air in order to slowly and safely land from a fall. Next week, they will be learning about air pressure in another experiment.

Third grade students spent this past week researching African Americas of the past and present who made a difference in our world.  Using their research, they will  create and assemble a quilt, write poems, and present new and interesting facts to their classmates.  The students will also be reading and analyzing African American Folktales.

Pickering Valley

Pickering Valley celebrated Read Across America Day on Friday, March 2nd. Many events occurred and the following is a snapshot of the different activities that took place.

Students in all Kindergarten classes had a chance to read with Mr. Fernandes and receive a special Dr. Seuss pin!

In honor of Dr. Seuss' birthday, Miss Barnes' class dressed up as their favorite Dr. Seuss character or wore Dr. Seuss hats.  Her student teacher dressed up as a Who and planned an activity based on the story, "Horton Hears a Who."  The students visited with their 3rd grade reading buddies who performed a Dr. Seuss play.  Mrs. Fenn (the school board president) came and read her favorite story, "One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish."  And Miss Barnes' dad came in and read "Green Eggs and Ham" using excellent reading voices.  It was a very exciting day!

In Mrs. Legath's first grade classroom they did lots of fun activities for Read Across America Day. In the morning their special guest visitor was Mrs. Cynthia Hallman, past DASD school board president. She read with the students and helped with the morning activities. In the morning, the students learned about Dr. Seuss and made a paper bag puppet of the author, writing three facts on the back of the puppet. They worked with rhyming words using the story Hop on Pop. They drew pictures of what they will be when they grow up using Oh the Places You'll Go. In the afternoon, the boys and girls made Cat in the Hat hats and used the smart board to learn about Dr. Seuss through Scholastic News. At the end of the day, they were visited by a West Chester University student (dressed as a penguin, since they are learning about them too!) He read the Cat in the Hat. Miss Lindsey Britt, Mrs. Legath's student teacher from West Chester University, planned their fun filled day.

Uwchlan Hills

Excitement built all week at Uwchlan Hills as we anticipated the celebration of Dr. Seuss' birthday on Friday, March 2.  Students and teachers from Kindergarten up to fifth grade honored the author by wearing red, white, stripes, and other Seuss gear.  Classes also enjoyed visits from retired teachers, principals, school board members, and parents.  These grown-ups displayed their love of reading by sharing their favorite books with a read aloud.  Students also had a blast with Read-A-Thons, Seuss-themed math centers, performing Readers Theaters', reciting poetry, and listening to Seuss stories on iPods.  Thank you, Dr. Seuss!

Shamona Creek

Shamona Creek Kindergarten has received 9 iPads to use in their classrooms from the Downingtown Community Education Foundation. The iPads are being used to support the Kindergarten Curriculum. The teachers have already begun to use educational apps to introduce, reinforce, re-teach and enrich the learning process. IPads will provide individually responsive opportunities and enhance the Kindergarten curriculum through engaging activities. Apps can be selected according to a child's learning styles, interests and ability levels. The iPads are a 21st Century learning tool that can supply immediate feedback to responses and record individual progress. The Kindergarten teachers would like to send out a huge THANK YOU to the Foundation and all those who support that Downingtown Community Education Foundation.

Library News: The library at SC has been transformed for our Book Fair Luau. All classes have the opportunity to preview books on one visit and then purchase during their regularly scheduled library time. Teachers are able create a wish list of books wanted for their classroom collections. Many parents find this to be an easy way to contribute.

Mrs. Kelly Byrne presented at the February Home and School Association meeting. She shared the importance of appropriate math instruction and scaffolding needed for students to meet with success in middle and high school. District assessments and resources were explained in a meaningful way. Many thanks to Mrs. Byrne for taking the time to present.

Springton Manor

Pizza Bingo:

Friday evening, March 2, 2012, Springtopn Manor Elementary School Families enjoyed a family fun evening of pizza and bingo. In what has become an annual event, families from across all grades K - 5 come and enjoy a delicious pizza dinner and several exciting games of bingo. Prizes are awarded to the winners but everyone has a good time of fun and fellowship.

Professional Development. Last Thursday, West Bradford teachers in grades 3-5 participated in a Study Island webinar that opened our eyes to the plethora of benchmarking reports available to us within the program.  It was helpful to have the time to compare and contrast reports to help hone interventions during our RtII Charger Time.

Last Friday was a day devoted to progress monitoring.  In the morning, staff was trained in AimsWeb progress monitoring.  The afternoon, teachers brought student work to the table to analyze from an instructional vantage point.  It was a great reflection on our own practice through the work of our students.

West Bradford

Beginner String Concert.  Last week our new string players got a taste of the thrill of performing!  Mr. Tom Breton led our third graders in a performance of a variety of musical genres, showing off pizzicato and bowing techniques (with hats, and props as well!)  The packed house of parents and second graders enjoyed the show!

Share the Love Canned Food Drive.  February is Canned Food Month...and coupled with Valentines Day, that means a collection of canned goods sponsored by our HSA Angel Project.  Families donated non-perishables over the week that were delivered to Lord's Pantry!