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Bradford Heights - Michael Solon
Bradford Heights began this four day week with an assembly from Dr. Curt Hinson. Dr. Hinson had two interactive assemblies for the students introducing his program, "Trouble-free Playground". He took the time to demonstrate age appropriate games to all grade levels that can be played everyday at recess. His core principles for the program are self-responsibility, intrinsic Motivation, and an Inclusion-style of teaching. This was modeled time and again in each of the games. Dr. Hinson also introduced the staff to his Philosophy, as well as, his 6 steps to a trouble free playground in a 30 minute presentation.
At each recess, Dr. Hinson helped the children to implement his games. Even though the rain was a concern, it did not hinder Dr. Hinson or the enthusiasm from the Bradford Heights students.
Thursday evening is the Bradford Heights Back to School Picnic. The picnic is always tons of fun and the adults have a kick ball game against the students after their picnic dinner on the lawn. At the end of the game everyone gets to enjoy the wonderful desserts supplied by the Bradford Heights Home and School.
We are off to another exciting year at Bradford Heights.
Brandywine Wallace - Linda Leib
We have had another busy week at BW! We continue to assess students in order to identify learning needs and to provide targeted instruction. Bulletin boards are quickly filling with beginning of the year writing assignments by all grade levels. Mrs. Leib shared her own "What I Did on my Summer Vacation" with fourth graders who then responded in a writing assignment. Fifth graders are excited to begin switching classes for instruction.
On Tuesday, we remembered Aidan Silva with a school-wide Phillies Day. Third graders (Aidan's classmates) wrote cards to the Silva family and Mr. and Mrs. Silva visited with Mr. Chip Miller to explain the importance of AEDs placed around the community in memory of Aidan.
On Thursday, our third graders were treated to a demonstration of stringed instruments by Jack, Julia, Kurt, Andrew, and Mrs. Baer which created lots of excitement. Students are looking forward to learn how to play an instrument.
Lionville Elementary - Dr. Marcy Hessinger
MEET THE TEACHER AND BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHTS
LE teachers welcomed parents to "Meet the Teacher" and "Back to School Night" on Wednesday
August 22nd (K,1,2) and Thursday August 23rd (3,4,5). Students and their parents met their teacher
in the classroom between 6:30 and 7:00 pm and then children reported to the gym for a Home and
School sponsored activity while parents attended the Back to School Night session with their
homeroom teachers. A total of 592 parents attended on both evenings.
SPECIAL EDUCATION PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Our first professional development occurred this summer when Ms. Kuhn, learning support teacher,
attended System 44 training. System 44 is a program that we will pilot with 10 students this year.
The focus of the program is to building reading comprehension. Then on September 5th, Michelle
Clegg presented information to all teachers at the Faculty Meeting on inclusionary practices, IEP
components, regular education teacher's role in implementing the IEP, and the regular education
teacher's role in providing present levels for evaluation reports, re-evaluation reports and IEPs
themselves. She also discussed how a student becomes eligible, as well as, the full range of services
available to the eligible students.
NEW FIRST GRADE CLASSROOM IS READY FOR CHILDREN!
Thanks to the efforts of numerous folks including district maintenance and custodial staff, technology
staff, and Miss DeCristofano (and her family), the LE computer lab has been transformed into an
awesome classroom and was ready to welcome a group of first graders. A wireless access point was
installed, a white board and bulleting board were moved, and a large cabinet was disassembled and
reassembled in order to make room for the coat and backpack rack.
STAFF USING IPADS FOR AIMSWEB ASSESSMENTS
Maria O'Keefe showed instructional aides how to use the iPad for conducting the beginning of year
Aims Web assessments. After this brief training session, most of our aides are using the iPad for administering the reading assessments. They report that they are able to assess more students in a shorter period of time than when using the laptops. The boot-up time for the iPad is minimal and the entering of the information on the assessment website is quicker using the iPad than clicking on the computer keyboard.
TEACHERS USING TECHNOLOGY
At our opening faculty meeting, teachers used SMART responders to identify the areas of technology integration that they needed supportwith. The SMART responders are also known as "clickers." Each individual has a clicker and submits his/her response to a question. The facilitator is able to see the group's tally responses immediately. Later, the facilitator is able to see how each individual responded because the clicker devices are numbered. Participants identified MOODLE 2.0, eSchools Plus as two areas of immediate need. Our first ConnecTeam Wednesday (9/12) will focus on these topics. Each week, each grade level will meet to review student achievement data. The team will include the teachers in that grade level plus a special educator. In addition, each IST teacher, counselor and principal are assigned to a grade level to participate in the discussions. The LE School-wide Data Team will meet monthly to review school-wide data.
WCU PRACTICUM STUDENTS
Several of our teachers will again be hosting West Chester University Practicum Students this fall. For
the university students, this is a pre-cursor to student teaching. These students gain valuable
experiences working with students and observing the experienced teacher.
LMS - LE COLLABORATIVE
Mr. Rob Ruch, Language Arts teacher has initiated a MS - ES partnership for this year. Students at
LMS will correspond with first grade students in Mrs. Jones', Miss DeCristofano's and Miss Walton's
classrooms in a type of pen-pal activity. We look forward to this partnership to encourage reading
and writing at both levels.
AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
An interested group of teachers met with me to discuss which activities we wish to sponsor this year
as a LE community. Based upon use of hours last year, student participation and teacher feedback,
we agreed upon the activities we will offer for the coming year.
Springton Manor - Leigh Abbott
Happy Labor Day: Springton Manor Students and Staff hope that all had an enjoyable Labor Day Holiday on Monday, September 3, 2012. The students returned to school rested and ready to learn on Tuesday, September 4, 2012.
Study Island Benchmarking Testing: On Thursday and Friday, Grades 3, 4, and 5 participated in the Study Island Benchmark testing. These assessments provide a benchmark or starting point for student progress for the 2012 - 2013 school year. The students are assessed electronically on reading, writing, and math skills. While a few computer glitches, some systematic and some student skill related, were experienced the assessment still should provide a good baseline from which to measure student progress this school year. This assessment also provides students the opportunity to practice with the types of questions they will experience in the PSSA testing in the Spring.
Grade Two Gooney Bird Greene Day: Grade Two students here at Springton Manor Elementary participated in a Gooney Bird Greene Day on Friday, September 7, 2012. Gooney Bird Greene is a favorite second grade fictional character who expresses her individuality in many ways but especially likes to dress in some wild and wacky outfits. To celebrate, our second grade students and staff have donned their own wild and wacky outfits in Gooney Bird Greene's honor.
Uwchlan Hills - Robert Giering
With one week under our belts the school year is back in full swing. Uwchlan Hills is busy assessing students in a range of subject and skill areas. Students are taking their beginning of year Math assessments which help teachers know exactly where students' strengths and needs are. We are also in full gear assessing students in different literacy skills. The hallways and backs of classrooms are filled with teachers giving the AimsWeb assessment and Fountas and Pinnell assessment. These tests give teachers fluency rates and specific reading levels for their students. We will soon be working in teams to analyze the data collected, create small learning groups, and begin our targeted instruction.
Our students are also excited to be back. On Wednesday night, our HSA will be sponsoring our first of many family activities, our annual ice cream social. Families have the opportunity to get together and see friends from every class in a fun, safe, and yummy atmosphere. This week is also our Fall Scholastic Book Fair. Students from every class will have the opportunity to visit our book fair and perhaps go home with that perfect book!
DHS West
ACTIVITIES
Two members of the current DWest marching band - Douglas Clendenning and Nathaniel Beluso - and two recent alumni members - Alex Carbone and Jeremy Keenan - participated in the Reading Buccaneers drum and bugle corps during the past summer. This past weekend they won the World Championships which were held in Annapolis, MD in the Naval Academy Stadium. Prelims (1st round) were held Saturday September 1, 2012 at 9pm. Finals were held Sunday September 2, 2012. The Buccaneers won with a World record score of 99.03 beating the record of 99.025 from the 2009 season (set by the Buccaneers as well). The Buccaneers won High percussion, High Brass, High Visual and High Overall effect. The Reading Buccaneers also loan the West Band marching instruments each year. They also helped with the running of the Drum Corps show which was held in the stadium on July 21st to a sellout crowd.
Downingtown West Junior, Angela Silhan, has a print on display at Penn State Great Valley. Her piece was on display all summer as one of the winners in the IMPRINT contest sponsored by the Wharton Esherick Museum in Malvern.
Thirteen students from Downingtown West and East visited Spain for 10 days during June with their teachers Sra. Coleman-Morris, Sra. Rice, and Sra. Tancredi. They visited Barcelona where they saw many examples of the Gaudi architecture and attended a cooking class where they prepared and ate regional specialties. After spending two days in Barcelona they took an overnight train to Granada where they saw the Alhambra(a Moorish palace built in the mid 10th century), spent a day at the beach on the Costa del Sol, learned how to dance flamenco and saw a performance in Sevilla, visited an olive oil factory, saw the Mezquita( an 8th century mosque)and the beautiful flowers in Córdoba, then went on to see many other sites in Madrid and Toledo. The language came alive as they were able to communicate in Spanish and visit many of the places they had discussed in class. It was truly a wonderful experience!
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