Spring-Ford Area School District

Our goal is to design an environment so that your children's experiences here will be educational, successful, safe and pleasant.  Never hesitate to telephone, write, or visit should you have any questions about the school program.  It is best to contact your teacher first, however the principal is happy to help you with your questions.  Click here for answers to Frequently Asked Questions.

Your awareness of our school's goals and policies will make life easier for your children as they make the adjustment to their school.  Our Elementary Student and Parent Handbook is designed to specifically explain those policies.

Today Limerick is one of seven elementary schools in the Spring-Ford Area School District.  Over 400 hundred students are enrolled in kindergarten through grade 4.  We also have four special classes to meet the unique needs of some of our children.  The newly renovated elementary houses a new gym, computer lab, library and large group instruction area.  The new area is carpeted where appropriate, rewired, air conditioned, etc.  

The school organization is a traditional one.  Classes are basically self-contained, with the average class size currently at 20 students.  For most of the school day children receive instruction from one teacher, who individualizes within the classroom.
  
Language Arts (reading, spelling, grammar, and composition) and Mathematics are particularly emphasized.  Teachers read aloud to the children every day from the classics.  Homework is an integral part of class requirements. 

Technology is considered a "basic skill".  There are four networked computers and a printer in each of the classrooms and students visit the networked Computer Lab.  There are computers in the library for the students to use as well.  Spring-Ford School District is using an innovative program, Compass Learning, to be used in all classes from kindergarten through fourth grade.  It focuses on math, reading and writing skills, and is customized by each teacher.  This program records the progress of each student, and allows them to work at their own level and their own pace.  We are very excited about this wonderful tool for learning. 

The Spring-Ford philosophy is that children should be offered the opportunity to be creative and to express themselves beyond what they do academically.  Art, Music, and Gym specialists meet with students on a weekly basis.  Fourth graders may elect to receive private music lessons and participate in the band.

Supportive services are available.   Children have unlimited access to a well-stocked library.  Working here full time are a guidance counselor, reading specialist, speech clinician, and a nurse.   There is a pull-out program for those in need of special assistance.

There is a great deal of collaboration between the staff and the Home and School League with respect to extracurricular activities.  In the past few years, our children have witnessed top-notch children's science, social studies and musical presentations.  There are Halloween, Holiday, and Valentine parties, Pumpkin Contests, Holiday Craft Fairs, and Square Dances.  There are Sing-a-Longs, the Junior Olympics, and Book Fairs.

Communication is very important to us.   Report card conferences are scheduled twice a year.  Teachers write monthly news bulletins for parents, and frequently initiate phone consultations.                                       

The characteristics which make a good family could very well be the same characteristics which make a good school.  Believing this as we do, we try very hard to be child-centered.  We strive to be aware of the children as individuals and to treat them that way.

Children learn best in a disciplined environment - "Firm, but gentle" is the password here.  One of the responsibilities of the principal is to arrange the school environment so as to encourage desirable behavior and discourage undesirable behavior.  We are reinforcing values which you stress at home.  Values such as generosity, kindness, helpfulness, respect for the rights of others, and honesty.   Our five rules at school are:

• Show respect for others and their possessions.

• Keep hands, feet and other objects to ourselves.

• Use acceptable language.

• Follow directions.

• Do not prevent the teacher from teaching, or other students from learning.