Brooke Elementary School Newsletter

Notes from Dr. Moyer:

Good afternoon Brooke Families,

I hope this newsletter finds you well.  It was really nice to reopen our doors this week to our many smiling faces.  We took some time to reestablish routines this week and also celebrated our first Power Up Day.  This day was focused on our Citizen Power of Gratitude.  Students did classroom activities, visited with buddy classes, and also participated in a really cool laser light show.

Arrival and Dismissal Reminders
With the start of the second marking period, I wanted to thank everyone for their extra care in being watchful of our students during arrival and dismissal.  Thank you for keeping a safe speed  while on school property and adhering to all posted street signs.  

A couple of key notes to remember.

  • Student drop off in the morning will be through the Carline (doors open at 8:40).
  • We do not have supervision at our crosswalks until 8:40 for our Walkers.  Walkers should not arrive prior to this time. 
  • During afternoon dismissal, please use your car placard if picking up your child.  If you are not a regular carline pick-up, please send in a note prior to 3:00 to be added to the carline list. 

Winter Weather
The temperatures have certainly shifted.  With colder weather in store, we ask that students come to school prepared to be outside for recess.  As long as temperatures are above freezing we will go outside for a full recess.  Temperatures below freezing may cause an abbreviated recess, but we may still go out.  The district has established a chart that using wind chills establishes the length of recess based on the weather.  

We are also required to conduct safety drills throughout the winter months.  For these reasons, jackets, hats, gloves, and long pants are strongly encouraged.  

Holiday Shop
Next week our Home and School will open the annual Holiday Shop.  The Shop is ONLY open in the evening between 6:00-8:30 on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of next week.  Students should NOT bring money in during the school day.  You should receive a flyer and an envelope for your child’s evening shopping.

ROAR Lessons
Our students in grades K-1 met Rex this week as part of a personal safety lesson.  Brought to us in partnership with Mission Kids, this valuable lesson is designed to keep our students safe.  We did the same program last year in grades K-2.  The resources below will help you continue the conversation at home.

ROAR Parent Letter

ROAR Parent Guide

Safe Touches Program
On Friday, December 9, our 2nd grade students will participate in the Safe Touches program.  This program is an evidence-based sexual abuse education workshop also presented by Mission Kids. 

Safe Touches Flyer

 

From the Guidance Office
This is a reminder that through Friday, December 16th, we will be collecting gift card donations for the Giving Tree which will support families in need of assistance within our school community.  If your family would like to participate, please:

1. Purchase a gift card in any denomination to one of the following stores: 

             Amazon,   Target,   Walmart,   Kohls,   Giant

2. Please mark the donation amount on the gift card. 

3. Send your gift cards to school in a sealed envelope labeled “Giving Tree” or drop them in the “Giving Tree Drop Box” located inside the main office.  The main office is open Monday-Friday from 8:00a.m.-4:00p.m.

If your family is in need of assistance this year, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at 610-705-6166.  On behalf of the Brooke Elementary School staff, I would like to thank you for your support of our ongoing efforts to spread kindness not only during the holiday seasons but every day.

With Gratitude,
Katie Bates

Notes from Dr. Moyer:
Our annual Fall/Halloween events were a huge success.  The students looked great and the mood was positive and fun.  Thanks to all those parents who helped to make our parade and parties a success.

First Grade Pumpkin Day
Our first grade students had an opportunity to do all things Pumpkin this past week.  With help from our 1st grade teachers and parent volunteers each class explored pumpkins with their senses.  They used their math skills to measure and count.  They explored the life cycle of the pumpkin and planted the seeds to see what would grow.  Finally they used their creativity to carve many fun and silly faces.  It was an engaging and education experience for all of our young learners. 

Conferences
It is hard to believe that the first marking period is coming to an end (11/3).  Each year we hold both Fall and Winter Parent Teacher Conferences.  Please click here for a letter with details of this year’s conferences. 

Brooke School-Wide Behavior
At Brooke, we know that appropriate school behaviors must be taught.   Our teachers build into their daily lessons and routines expectations for appropriate school behaviors.  Many of these behaviors are described with our Brooke RAMS expectation chart.  In addition we look for ways to acknowledge positive behaviors through our RAMS Grams and other classroom level reward systems.  One new part of our school-wide behavior plan is specific for grades 2-4.  Beginning this week, our teachers will be using a Brooke Think Sheet when there are behaviors of concern.  This worksheet encourages students to reflect upon their behaviors, the circumstances surrounding the behaviors, their emotions, and what they need or could do differently moving forward.  This sheet allows our staff to consult with students when there are behaviors of concern and support students in making better choices.  

This Think Sheet also serves as a means of home/school communication as students who complete a sheet will bring it home to share with you.  If your child completes a Think Sheet, we do ask that you discuss the situation with your them,  sign the sheet and return it the next day.   We are excited to implement this piece of our school-wide plan and even more excited for the adult/student conversations that they will create.

Read-A Thon
Our Home and School is getting ready to launch their next fundraiser, which will be a Read-a-thon.  The read-a-thon will run from November 7 through November 18th.   Be on the lookout for details from the Home and School on how you can register your child and join the school in showing off our reading super powers. 

Book Fair
We are excited to bring our Fall Book Fair back to Brooke.  This is always a fun time of the year and a great way to encourage reading with some new books.  Join us for opening night Friday, November 11th from 4:30-8pm, or regular hours Monday, November 14th, Tuesday November 15th, and Wednesday, November 16th from 4:30-8pm in the lobby of Brooke Elementary.

ALICE Parent Night
The Spring-Ford Area School District, in conjunction with the Spring-Ford School Police Department, invites all parents to an ALICE Parent Information Night.  ALICE is an acronym for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter and Evacuate. Parents will learn about the ALICE Training Program, review the book "I'm Not Scared... I'm Prepared," ask questions, and learn more about the Spring-Ford Police Department and how ALICE is taught and practiced within our schools.  This PARENT ONLY event is being held at the Spring-Ford Area 10-12 Center on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 from 6:30-8:00.

Use this Link to Register

From the Guidance Office
At Brooke Elementary, we are lucky to reside among a very generous community.  As such, resources are often donated to us which can then be provided to our families in need at various times throughout the school year.  In years past, we have received donations of school supplies, winter coats, nonperishable food items, and gift cards, among other things.  At any point during the school year, but particularly as we approach Thanksgiving and the winter holidays, please do not hesitate to contact me if items such as these would be of assistance to your family.  We will do our best to fulfill the need based upon our available resources.  As always, I can be reached by phone at 610-705-6166 or email at kbate@spring-ford.net. 

Ms. Katie Bates
School Counselor

Notes from Dr. Moyer:
Good afternoon Brooke Families,

I wanted to take a moment to thank all those who attended our Fall Fest last Friday evening.  It looked like everyone had a great time.  A special thanks goes out to those that helped to organize the evening.  We are already booking our date for next Fall.  

Target Time
Target Time is a 30 minute block of time built into the daily schedule in grades 1-4.  During this time, we regroup students from the grade level into focus groups.  These focus groups then specifically target an area of student need with explicit instruction and intervention.  Our students all have strengths and areas of needed growth and Target Time is just an additional way that we are aiming to meet students where they are.

This week all students received a letter explaining Target Time and giving information about their focus group topic and Target Time teacher.  Your child’s classroom teacher will continue to be your main point of contact on how your child is progressing as a whole, but these Target Time teachers will also be working with students starting this week.

Fire Prevention Week
This week is Fire Prevention Week.  Classroom teachers touched on topics of fire safety within their classrooms throughout the week, but the highlight was on Thursday when we had representatives from the Limerick Fire Department here at Brooke.  Unfortunately Mother Nature did not allow our students to go out to see a demonstration of the Fire Truck, but the Limerick Fire Fighters brought some of their equipment inside and met with each grade level.  Topics included what to do during a fire, how smoke detectors work, and the importance of having a family plan and place to meet should there be a fire within the home.  It was an educational and important message for our students and we hope that you will continue with the topic at home.  

This is the 100 year anniversary of Fire Prevention Week.  Here are some additional resources for you to use at home.

Halloween Details
The annual Brooke Elementary Halloween Parade and Parties will be held on Friday October 28, 2022. 

Schedule of Events
Parade -AM KDG – 9:15 AM – Front of the school
Parade -PM KDG, Grades 1-4 – 2:15 PM - On the playground
Classroom Parties – 2:45 PM
Parent Pick-up – Normal Time 3:40 PM

From the Guidance Office
Hello Brooke Families!

To think it is already mid-October!  I am not sure where the year is going, but it is always a pleasure to see our students learn and grow as the weeks go by.  During the month of October each year, we highlight and stress the importance of bullying prevention at Brooke Elementary as it is National Bullying Prevention Month.  This year, we will hold several spirit days for our students and staff, each providing students with an opportunity to practice Citizen Power, one of our Social Emotional Learning powers as referenced in the September 16th edition of our biweekly family newsletter.  Our bullying prevention spirit days and Citizen Power challenges are as follows:

Spirit Days - October 25-27

Notes from Dr. Moyer
The month of September flew by (it always does).  We are getting into our groove here at Brooke.  Classrooms continue to establish routines and expectations.  Next week we will be holding an assembly for each grade to launch our Brooke RAMS Powers (People Power, Brain Power, Feelings Power, Attitude Power, Citizen Power).  Throughout the year we will challenge our staff and students to grow their own powers through practice and reflection.  We are excited by this work and excited by the great things we have already seen at Brooke this year.

Picture Retakes: October 4, 2022 (Tuesday) is our Picture Retake Day.  If you would like to have your child’s photo retaken, please use the link sent to you by TSS Photography with your proof and sign up.  We will have a photographer on site that day and all students who have signed up will be photographed.  You will then receive a new link to purchase your school pictures.

Fire Prevention Week: Brooke will celebrate Fire Prevention Week (October 10-14).  We have partnered with Limerick Fire Company to present fire prevention instruction for all students on October 13, 2022.  Weather permitting we will also have an equipment demonstration for students.  We will be sure to take lots of pictures and share.

Staff Connection: Our very own Mrs. Romanelli (4th Grade Teacher) was highlighted on the Ram Country TV Staff Connection.  The link to her interview is below. 

Staff Connection - Mrs. Romanelli

Specials Update: Art - Mrs. Witts and our young Brooke artists have already been busy making our school full of color, creativity, and joy.  Each grade level has worked through a superhero themed activity, which Mrs. Witts has displayed throughout Brooke.    

From the Guidance Office: Hello Brooke families!  I often hear from parents that their children struggle to reflect on and share details about their day.  It is not uncommon for a child to answer “fine” to the question “how was your day?” or “nothing” to the question “what did you do today?”.  For this reason, our school counseling office update this week includes some conversation starters that might help bridge the “nothings” and “fines” with the details you are hoping to hear.

  • Who made you smile today?
  • What made you laugh today?
  • What is one new fact you learned today?
  • How did you show kindness to someone today?
  • What is one thing you are thankful for today?
  • What was the hardest thing you had to do today?
  • Did you try something new today?  If so, what did you try?
  • Who was kind to you today?
  • Is there someone you would like to say thank you to today?
  • Tell me about the best part of your day.
  • How were you helpful today?

As always, if I can be of assistance to you or your child at any point throughout the year, please do not hesitate to contact me either by email (kbate@spring-ford.net) or by phone (610-705-6166).

Ms. Katie Bates
School Counselor

Home and School Updates: Fall Fest - October 7th - 6:00 (Olszabowski Farm)

From Dr. Moyer - What are the Brooke Headlines?
In an effort to create a consistent means of communicating the happenings at Brooke Elementary, we are going to begin sending a bi-weekly electronic newsletter. These headlines will hopefully be a valuable source of information and allow our families to better engage with Brooke. This is the first edition of our Headlines. I hope you find this resource useful.

Brooke Updates
This week we welcomed close to 400 students back to Brooke Elementary School. It was great to see all the smiling faces.  Our classes spent time over this first week establishing the many routines that help the building run smoothly.  

We use a common structure and language across the building with our students. This language encourages all students to focus on being RAMS. This acronym stands for:

R - Respect Our School Community
A - Act Responsibly
M - Make Safe Choices
S - Show We Care

Within each of these areas we build our school and classroom expectations. Mrs Bates and I visited each classroom this week to welcome our students. We read each class the book, “I Believe I Can” by Grace Byers. This picture book helps to solidify many of the themes that we focus on here at Brooke including the power of our diversity, the importance of perseverance, and how beautiful our differences are. It was nice to meet with all students and start the year off on the right foot.

Breakfast
Each day we serve breakfast here at Brooke Elementary.  Students who would like breakfast are encouraged to go directly to the cafeteria once they enter the school building.   There is a fee to purchase school breakfast.  Families that may need assistance can apply for help through the Free and Reduced Lunch (Breakfast) program.

Free and Reduced Lunch
Families that want to explore help in purchasing breakfast and lunch each day can access the Free and Reduced Lunch online system.  This system allows you to see if your family qualifies and also apply for the service.  You can change the language of the website in the upper right hand corner for our families where English may not be their home language.

Free and Reduced Lunch Online System

Open House
Our annual Open House is scheduled for Wednesday, September 7, 2022.  Teachers will hold 2 identical information sessions for parents (6:40; 7:25).  For more information about the evening, please reference the attached letter.

Open House Invitation

Picture Day
Mark your calendar for our Fall Picture Day.  All students will have their pictures taken on September 13, 2022.  We will be using a new company this year and their entire process is online.  A few days after picture day, you will receive a specific link to your child’s picture proof.  You can then order the pictures that you desire and the company will send them directly to your home.  

Arrival/Dismissal Reminders
We want to take a moment to remind all families to please send in a note to your child’s teacher if:

  • Your child is being picked up early.
  • Your child is a parent pick-up (and you are not on the Everyday Parent Pick-up List)
  • Your child is going home in a way different than normal.

Absentee Line
If your child will be absent, we ask that you please call the Absentee Phone Line before 8:30 AM.  To access the absentee phone line, please call the main phone # -- 610-705-6006 – and select option “4”.  Please state the date, your child’s full name, your child’s teacher, and the reason for the absence.  This must be done for each day your child is absent. 

Excuse Notes  
In addition to calling the absentee line, a written excuse note must be brought to school upon your child's return from an absence.  This note should state the date(s) of absence, the reason for the absence, and be signed by the parent.  If you have a doctor's note, please attach an excuse note to it, indicating the day(s) absent and your signature.    Excuse notes are also required when your child is tardy.

PLEASE NOTE: In compliance with Pennsylvania Compulsory Attendance Laws, absences will be classified as unlawful unless the school office receives a written, satisfactory explanation for the absence from the student's parent, guardian, or physician within three (3) days of the student's return to class.

Early Dismissal 
Please try and schedule appointments outside of the school day as much as possible.  If you must pick up your child early for a doctor's appointment, dentist's appointment, etc., please send a note to your child's teacher the morning of the appointment, stating the time you will be picking up your child and the reason.  When it is time to pick up your child, come into the office and sign your child out.  You will be expected to present appropriate identification.  The office staff will phone your child's teacher to let him/her know that you have arrived at school.  IF YOUR CHILD LEAVES BEFORE 2:00 PM, HIS/HER ATTENDANCE WILL BE RECORDED AS A HALF-DAY ABSENCE.

Tardy
If your child arrives in his/her classroom after 9:00 A.M. , he/she is considered tardy.  If you are dropping off your child after 8:55,  please have your child report to the lobby with an excuse note before proceeding to his/her classroom.  After 9:10, parents will need to escort their child to the main office to receive a tardy slip. If your child arrives after 10:40 AM and before 12:20PM, their attendance will be recorded as a half-day absence. Our classes begin their daily routine promptly at 9:00 so we ask that you make every effort to have your child to school on-time. Accumulated tardies will equate to absences from school. 

From the Nurse
Ms. Lynn Knapp is our school nurse. She does many things here at Brooke to make sure our students are healthy and growing. This includes vision and hearing screenings, height and weight measurements, daily medical assistance and emergency first aid. Frequently, parents send children who are sick to school.  Please be aware that the services that we are able to provide through our health services office are emergency medical care only. If your child is sick, please keep them home and have them seen by a doctor. There are many young learners at Brooke, that due to existing medical conditions, have weaker immune systems and thus are not only more susceptible to illness, but also have a more difficult time fighting a sickness once they contract it. If your child is sick or showing symptoms of sickness, please keep them home. We can all work together to keep all of our learners safe. If you have any questions or have specific medical information that will help us keep your child safe, please contact Ms. Knapp by calling the school office.

From the Guidance Office
Hello Brooke families! My name is Katie Bates and I am the School Counselor at Brooke Elementary.  This is my 8th year at Brooke. I have enjoyed seeing all our new and returning learners this week as we began the 2022-2023 school year. As the School Counselor, I have the privilege of working with and getting to know all our students. If I can be of assistance to you or your child at any point throughout the year, please do not hesitate to contact me either by email (kbate@spring-ford.net) or by phone (610-705-6166).I look forward to a wonderful year of learning!