main school phone: 610-240-1500 te hotline: 610-240-1970...in science, students are having fun as...

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The Hillside Scoop Hillside Elementary PTO Newsletter Distributed March 4, 2011 Main School Phone: 610-240-1500 TE Hotline: 610-240-1970 Hillside website: http://www.tesd.net/hillside/ Emergency Closing Number: 854 Editor: Christa Amos - [email protected] Attendance calls: 610-240-1530 Vol. C3, No 7 Hillside Has Talent! Hawky says, “Find the Magic in You at Kids’ Night Out on March 25!” Mark your calendar... Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week - May 2nd through May 6th. Committee members are needed to help brain- storm (& implement) a variety of ways to celebrate the greatness of Hillside teachers and staff. There is minimal time commitment involved as we will have only one plan- ning meeting (April 1st, 2011 @ 9:30 am). Please email Angela Harris ([email protected]) or Dawn Morgan ([email protected]) if you are able to help. Spirit Wear Sale runs through March 18th. Spirit wear flyers were sent home the week of February 21st and can also be found on the Hillside website – tesd.net/hillside. Questions? Contact Diane Harnish at dmharnish@gmail. com. Market Day Orders are due Wednesday, March 9th for March 15th pick up. Market Day is a great way to help support Hillside. Hillside families have the opportunity to order quality frozen food for pick up at the school. Contact Mindy Katz at [email protected] or Carolyn Lotter at [email protected] with questions. Step Afrika Assembly– April 4th 2:10 pm all grades - Step Afrika is the first professional company in the world dedi- cated to the tradition of stepping. Founded in December 1994, the company strives to promote an understanding of and appreciation for stepping and the dance tradition’s use as an educational tool for young people worldwide. Be on the lookout for Volunteer Positions for Next Year – The PTO will be running help wanted ads in upcoming issues of the Scoop and Hillside Highlights for vacant posi- tions in the 2011 -2012 school year. There are many differ- ent ways to get involved, so please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have a question about a particle “job.” The next PTO meeting is Tuesday, April 5th at 9:10 am in the Faculty Lounge. All are welcome. Sincerely, Dawn Morgan, PTO President 610-407-0323 or [email protected] March 7 Talent Show Dress Rehearsal March 9 Market Day Orders Due March 10 PAL Fair - 7:00 pm March 11 3rd and 4th Grade Talent show, 6:30 PM in Cafeteria March 14 School Board Finance Commiee Meeting 7:30 pm TEAO March 15 - 22 PSSA testing for grades 3 and 4 March 18 Deadline for Spirit Wear March 25 Grade 1 Presentation March 25 Yearbook orders due March 25 Kids’ Night Out - 7:00 pm March 28 Rescheduled Student Day- Children K to 4 report to School March 28 School Board Budget Workshop I 7:30pm TEAO April 11 School Board Finance Commiee Meeting 7:30pm TEAO April 18– 22 No School: Spring Break April 25-29 Art Goes to School

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Page 1: Main School Phone: 610-240-1500 TE Hotline: 610-240-1970...In Science, students are having fun as they continue to learn about balancing and weighing. Ask your child to show you what

The Hillside ScoopHillside Elementary PTO Newsletter Distributed March 4, 2011

Main School Phone: 610-240-1500 TE Hotline: 610-240-1970Hillside website: http://www.tesd.net/hillside/ Emergency Closing Number: 854Editor: Christa Amos - [email protected] Attendance calls: 610-240-1530Vol. C3, No 7

Hillside Has Talent! Hawky says,

“Find the Magic in You at Kids’ Night Out on March 25!”

Mark your calendar...Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week - May 2nd through May 6th. Committee members are needed to help brain-storm (& implement) a variety of ways to celebrate the greatness of Hillside teachers and staff. There is minimal time commitment involved as we will have only one plan-ning meeting (April 1st, 2011 @ 9:30 am). Please email Angela Harris ([email protected]) or Dawn Morgan ([email protected]) if you are able to help.

Spirit Wear Sale runs through March 18th. Spirit wear flyers were sent home the week of February 21st and can also be found on the Hillside website – tesd.net/hillside. Questions? Contact Diane Harnish at [email protected].

Market Day Orders are due Wednesday, March 9th for March 15th pick up. Market Day is a great way to help support Hillside. Hillside families have the opportunity to order quality frozen food for pick up at the school. Contact Mindy Katz at [email protected] or Carolyn Lotter at [email protected] with questions.

Step Afrika Assembly– April 4th 2:10 pm all grades - Step Afrika is the first professional company in the world dedi-cated to the tradition of stepping. Founded in December 1994, the company strives to promote an understanding of and appreciation for stepping and the dance tradition’s use as an educational tool for young people worldwide.

Be on the lookout for Volunteer Positions for Next Year – The PTO will be running help wanted ads in upcoming issues of the Scoop and Hillside Highlights for vacant posi-tions in the 2011 -2012 school year. There are many differ-ent ways to get involved, so please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have a question about a particle “job.”

The next PTO meeting is Tuesday, April 5th at 9:10 am in the Faculty Lounge. All are welcome.Sincerely,Dawn Morgan, PTO President610-407-0323 or [email protected]

March 7 Talent Show Dress Rehearsal

March 9 Market Day Orders Due

March 10 PAL Fair - 7:00 pm

March 11 3rd and 4th Grade Talent show, 6:30 PM in Cafeteria

March 14 School Board Finance Committee Meeting 7:30 pm TEAO

March 15 - 22 PSSA testing for grades 3 and 4

March 18 Deadline for Spirit Wear

March 25 Grade 1 Presentation

March 25 Yearbook orders due

March 25 Kids’ Night Out - 7:00 pm

March 28 Rescheduled Student Day- Children K to 4 report to School

March 28 School Board Budget Workshop I 7:30pm TEAO

April 11 School Board Finance Committee Meeting 7:30pm TEAO

April 18– 22 No School: Spring Break

April 25-29 Art Goes to School

Page 2: Main School Phone: 610-240-1500 TE Hotline: 610-240-1970...In Science, students are having fun as they continue to learn about balancing and weighing. Ask your child to show you what

March 4, 2011 Page 2 Hillside PTO Newsletter

News from the Classroom…Kindergarten

First Grade

Second GradeDuring the month of February, the second graders celebrated the Chinese New Year! The students enjoyed listening to stories about this special occasion, and made lanterns, hats, tangrams, and lucky red envelopes. The second graders used some of these items at the Chinese Tea Party, which was enjoyed by all! At the party, students drank tea and used chopsticks to eat rice. They also had clementines and fortune cookies. The children looked wonderful in their special out-fits. A big thanks to all of the volunteers who helped out with the party. We could not have done it without you!

The students created inventions during the month of February and they look incredible! There are many inventive minds in Second Grade! During the past few weeks, students have been sharing their inventions with classmates. Check out the “Invention Convention,” now on display in the Second Grade hallway.

In Science, students are having fun as they continue to learn about balancing and weighing. Ask your child to show you what a fulcrum is!

Our Valentine’s party was lots of fun! Students opened Valen-tines from one another and enjoyed a special treat. They also completed a Valentine scavenger hunt inside their classrooms. Thank you to the parent volunteers for helping out.

Mark your calendars! Our Second Grade performance will be held on the morning of Friday, May 6th. We look forward to seeing you then!

Please continue to monitor your child’s homework for their best effort. Encourage your child to write detailed sentences and to check spelling. If you see an incorrect math problem, ask your child to look at it again. Whenever possible, please sign each homework paper. Also, as we head toward Spring, we ask that you help to replenish your child’s supplies. Stu-dents are greatly in need of pencils and glue..

Thank you, The Second Grade Teachers

We’ve been in kindergarten over 100 days! Everyone brought in a collection of 100 items, and we enjoyed sharing them. Ask your child about some of other fun activities we did to celebrate our 100th day. During the short week we had dur-ing conferences, we celebrated Dr. Seuss Days. Following our conferences we will begin our Bring on the Bears theme. During this theme we will explore facts and fiction about bears both real and stuffed.

Later this month, we will begin our Protect Our Planet theme. We will look at themes relating to spring weather (rain, clouds, rainbows), and we will once again be participating in Lower Merion Conservancy’s Children’s Earth Day Forest. We are excited to announce that the third grade will be work-ing with us again this year. The kindergarten children will learn about and create plants and animals native to a Penn-sylvania forest. The third graders will conduct research and create a visual display to accompany our plants and animals. This year’s theme is “The 24 Hour Forest.” Our project will be set up with projects from other schools during the weekend of April 30th. We are currently in the planning stages, and we will keep you updated as we work on this long-term project.

Our Button math project has been postponed until the spring. We will soon begin working on addition. Although learning addition facts is important, in kindergarten we concentrate on developing a deep understanding of the concept of addition, and proving our answers. We will learn several different strat-egies to solve addition stories and equations, and we will ask the children show us why their answers are right.

We completed our Family Life unit this week. When our science curriculum continues, we will be learning about land forms and habitats.

Thank you, The Kindergarten Teachers

In Science we are learning about the Rain Forest, its four layers and its amazing animals that live there. The children really enjoyed the assembly where they got to see many of the interesting animals from the Rain Forest. In Social Studies, the children continue to learn about Africa. They are busy practicing for their African show that they will perform on Friday, March 25th. More information about the show will be coming home closer to the date.

Parent teacher conferences were Tuesday, March 1, Wednes-day, March 2 and Thursday, March 3. We enjoyed meeting with you. The students will have half days those three days. Please remember to send your child with a snack on the half days.

As the weather gets nicer (hopefully), days a little longer and outdoor activities resume, it can be difficult for a child to balance homework and recreation. Making a nightly sched-ule with your child may help to relieve some of the stress in your child’s week, not to mention yours! The schedule could be put up in a place where your child could check it every evening at an agreed upon time.

Please continue to read with your child daily and have him/her practice addition and subtraction facts for instant recogni-tion.

The First Grade Teachers

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March 4, 2011 Page 3 Hillside PTO Newsletter

Third Grade Fourth GradeFebruary’s party on Valentine’s Day was a special treat! Decorating the heart-shaped cookies was the highlight! Thank you to all of our wonderful parent volunteers.Thank you for your support with your child’s curious spirit for their PAL topics. Their minds are so inquisitive; they have become experts for PAL (Personal Achievement in Learning). Your child has chosen a topic of interest, checked out books from various libraries, generated ques-tions to answer and is researching to answer those ques-tions, and preparing a presentation for the PAL Fair on March 10th, 2011 at 7:00 PM. Please save the date.

In Science, we are wrapping up our unit of study, Electric Circuits. Ask your child about troubleshooting during science lab. For the culminating project, they are building a structure with their science group partners. Be sure to ask your child how they have decided to build it. Through-out each lesson, students continue to apply the scientific method and learn the different ways to produce light with various materials.

In Social Studies, we are learning how our nation grew after the Constitutional Convention. We will study the Industrial Revolution, Texas and Mexican War, and start moving west.

During Global Social Studies, students are taking the last tours of France. Au revoir!! Our next stamp in our passport will be India. Students will learn about the unique geogra-phy, history, culture, and current events of India. The following items continue to be important:

1. Please encourage your child to read at least 20-30 minutes each night.2. Students should practice math facts daily along with math homework. 3. Spelling homework is assigned Monday through Thursday evenings.4. Continue to look at your child’s assignment book for important reminders.

Thank you for all your help. We appreciate your support! The Fourth Grade Teachers

To prepare our third graders for the upcoming PSSA testing, Barb Powell, our Reading Specialist, stepped into our class-rooms equipped to captivate her audience! “Literally” outfitted for the part, Mrs. Powell’s stimulating presentation amused, captivated, and educated her listeners. Skilled in the art of read-ing, she provided an exceptional lesson highlighting test taking techniques. We thank Mrs. Powell for strengthening our skills and understanding of the Reading PSSA assessments.

Likewise Lisa McIntyre, our Math Support Specialist, presented several informative Math lessons which delivered the message of how detailed written Math responses using “magic words” were valuable in clearly expressing our thought processes. We thank Mrs. McIntyre for “magically” motivating our minds in Math!

Needless to say, PSSA week is rapidly approaching. In order to properly prepare your child for PSSA assessments please begin to set appropriate bedtime hours, plan well balanced meals (especially for breakfast), place nutritional snacks in backpacks, and add comforting words of encouragement as your child leaves for school.

In Social Studies the third graders will be completing their unit on Native Americans and embarking upon our Pennsylvania History unit. Some of the areas we will be studying will include the various groups of early settlers, William Penn’s contribu-tions, along with the geography and government of our state. Adding to the excitement and enjoyment for this unit there will be a supplementary component of research provided in their technology class. Using their technological skills the students will research a famous Pennsylvanian. It will be a thrilling time as we learn our PA history!

Using their stream tables in Science, the students identified how flowing water changed the shape of land. Working cooperative-ly and methodically in groups, the students were able to dem-onstrate how the earth’s terrain affects the velocity of a stream and how the velocity affects the way in which water erodes and deposits soil. Each group was given the task of duplicating their entire stream table’s system via of a “bird’s-eye-view” technique. This aerial procedure allowed labeling of various parts of the stream system much easier. Vocabulary emphasized were terms like head, tributaries, stream channel, delta, mouth, floodplain, and drainage basin.

Our Dental Hygienist, Laura Folano, will once again be visit-ing our third grade classrooms to explore the Health topic of teeth. Carefully and methodically, through model and picture demonstrations, she will be identifying the parts of a tooth, the need to properly brush our teeth, and the prevention of cavities. The importance of replenishing our bodies with nutritional snacks will also be discussed. Thank you, Mrs. Folano for bringing a smile to our faces in March!

Thank you for your continued support, The Third Grade Teachers

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March 4, 2011 Page 4 Hillside PTO Newsletter

Hillside PTO News…In this Issue…Letter from the PTO President ..............................1Mark your Calendar ..............................................1News from the Classroom ................................. 2-3Hillside PTO News ........................................... 4-7School Store Hours and Helpers ...........................5Box Tops Collection Form ....................................9District Events .....................................................10Health and Fitness News .....................................11DELTA ................................................................12School Board Report ...............................13 and 14

Don’t Miss the fun filled 3rd and 4th GradeTalent Show...Come out on March 11th and watch the your 3rd and 4th Grade friends perform in a variety of fun acts. The show will begin at 6:30 pm in the Cafeteria.

Snacks and refreshments will be available at the show’s bake sale. If you would like to bring a baked item, please contact Debbie Wegner.

Submitted by Christa Amos

Yearbook OrderForms areComing!Yearbook order forms will be coming home the week of March 7th. Please look for them in your students backpack.

The order deadline is March 25, and the price is $15.00 for a standard yearbook and $20.00 for a personalized book. The yearbooks will be distributed to the students in June about 1 week before the end of school. The book will be color and have a soft cover.

Any questions regarding purchasing a year-book should be directed to Rosemary Schnorr at 610-889-9680. Any photo submissions should be made to Sheila Reckmeyer at [email protected].

Sheila Reckmeyer, Yearbook editor

After-School Clubs Begin...

After-school clubs begin next week. Email confirmations for the clubs were sent at the end of February. The clubs will run through the week of April 11. Clubs will meet on March 28 now that this day has been changed to a regular school day. Mrs. Braun has designated the week of April 25 for snow days.

Submitted by Kristen Courtney

MARCH 11 6:30 PM

Page 5: Main School Phone: 610-240-1500 TE Hotline: 610-240-1970...In Science, students are having fun as they continue to learn about balancing and weighing. Ask your child to show you what

MARKET DAY $1157 !! That’s how much we’ve earned through MarketDay sales so far this year.

Don’t miss this opportunity to benefit our kids at Hillside.

There’s something for everyone: broccoli, peas, corn, cookie dough, french fries, cheese sticks, macaroni and cheese.

Instead of buying these and lots of other frozen and refrigerated items from a grocery store, try Market Day and our school gets a percentage of the sales.

Place your order by Wednesday March 9 for a convenient pickup in our cafeteria on Tuesday March 15.

Submitted by Mindy Katz and Carolyn Lotter

March 4, 2011 Page 5 Hillside PTO Newsletter

School Store Hours and Helpers:

PARENTS: As a reminder, be sure to contact Rosemary Schnorr, [email protected] if you cannot make you assigned time slot. Remember, the store can not open without a Parent Volunteer present.

Earth Day 2011 andNike Reuse-A-Shoe

As you’re cleaning out your closets in preparation for spring, don’t throw out those old sneakers, give those kicks new life!

Since the early 1990s, Nike’s Reuse-A-Shoe pro-gram has been collecting old, worn-out athletic shoes (any brand) for recycling, transforming them into Nike Grind, a material used in creating athletic and playground surfaces as well as select Nike products.

Last year, Hillside collected and donated 270 pairs of sneakers to this program!!

Look for the collection bin in the school lobby this April and join us in saving those old shoes from landfills. Can we beat last year’s number?

Submitted by Mindy Katz

Mon: Feb. 28 Katelyn B. Elizabeth F. Corrine BenzingerWed: Mar. 2 Caitlin W. Maria D. Joan DupnockFri: Mar. 4 Pasha M. Teddy G. Percey MottleyMon: Mar. 7 Fiona D. Julie M. Sharon McFadden Wed: Mar. 9 Avery M. Jenni N. Karen NollFri: Mar.11 Rafaella S. Olivia C. Lisa CepelikMon: Mar. 14 Abigail P. Victoria M. Bob PaccaWed: Mar. 16 Will R. Owen C. Sheila ReckmeyerFri: Mar. 18 Will M. Will S. Rosemary Schnorr

Kids’ Night Out is Friday, March 25th.Kids will love The Magic In You, a show with lots of audience participation, unbe-lievable magic, comedy, juggling and illusions. The Magic In You helps students make the impossible become a reality by believing in themselves and setting goals to achieve the impossible. Drop the kids off and give yourself a little break!

Drop off will be from 6:45 to 7:00. Please form the car line just like morning drop off. Pick up will be from 8:00-8:15. Please pull forward just like afternoon pickup. Please bring a piece of paper for pickup which lists the names of the chil-dren you will be picking up.

Submitted by Lisa Cepielik

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March 4, 2011 Page 6 Hillside PTO Newsletter

It’s almost time again for the annual Children’s Dental Clinic Fundraiser. Your support is very important to us since this is our only organized fundraiser for the 2010-2011 academic school year.

For those of you who have not heard of the clinic, we are a nonprofit community clinic housed in the T/E Middle School. We are open solely to benefit the children of the T/E and Great Valley School Districts. Our clinic is a one room, one chair office, staffed by a paid professional dentist and a nominally paid supervisor. Volunteers serve as dental assistants, drivers, board members and school representatives. This is truly a rare and wonderful community service.

Once again, this year we will be offering some wonderful products from the well-known Yankee Candle Compa-ny. The catalogues were distributed the week of February 21st. Take a look! Along with candles, there are also fun things for the garden. For any questions, please contact Meg Rafter, [email protected], 610-285-8517 or Jen Kleppe, [email protected], 610-644-7045.

CHILDREN’S DENTAL CLINIC FUNDRAISER

Box Tops contest results are in!The results are in and the winner of the Box Top collection contest is…. Mrs. Braun’s PM Kindergarten class!!! The students in this class will each receive a Kooky Klicker Pen! A special shout out to Amberlynn M. whose bonus Box Top submissions propelled that classroom to a record level! In second place was Mrs. Burke’s third grade class! Nicely done! Students in that class will each receive a goodie bag of fun prizes. Thank you to the following companies who donated prizes: Kookys.com, PNC Bank and PTC. We appreciate all of the Hillside students, families, faculty and staff who take the time to clip Box Tops. They really do add up. We will continue to collect Box Tops throughout the remainder of the school year so look for collection sheets in each month’s Scoop. Submitted by Colleen Barth

SPRING IS IN THE AIR! TIME TO GET OUT YOUR SHORTS… AND T-SHIRTS… AND CAPS!

Our Spring Hillside Spiritwear sale is underway! Show your school spirit by purchasing one of our fun warm-weather items. Along with offering our previous top-sellers in several new colors (hoodies, girls fitted tees, athletic shorts and cinchpacks), we have GREAT new items as well: Tie Die T-Shirts in various colors, Fashion Shorts for the girlsBaseball caps, Sweatpants and more...! Deadline for orders is March 18th and the items will be delivered in early April – just as warm weather finally arrives and stays! (Link to the order form – if possible.) Samples are available. Please contact Diane Harnish with any questions – 610-647-0789 or [email protected].

Submitted by Diane Harnish

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March 4, 2011 Page 7 Hillside PTO Newsletter

DELTA Presents Children’s Classic “The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe” at Radnor Middle School

Friday, March 18th, 7:00pm Radnor Middle School

This enchanting musical is based on C.S. Lewis’ ad-venture story about four children of war-torn England, who accidentally enter the land of Narnia by climbing through a magic wardrobe. This strange and wondrous place is ruled by the cold-hearted White Witch, who makes the winter last year round. Although they seem unlikely saviors, the children fulfill an ancient proph-ecy by defeating the witch, thus restoring sunshine and peace to the spell-bound Narnia and returning the great Lion King Aslan to his throne.

Tickets: $10

See ticket flyer later in the Scoop or buy tickets at the door. Submitted by Juliette Hyson

Step Afrika Steps into Hillside!Coming to Hillside April 4th, 2:10 pm is the

critically-acclaimed professional dance company Step Afrika

Step Afrika is the first professional company in the world dedicated to the tradition of stepping. Founded in December 1994, the company strives to promote an understanding of and appreciation for stepping and the dance tradition’s use as an educational tool for young people worldwide. The company espouses themes such as teamwork, aca-demic achievement and cross-cultural understand-ing. Based in Washington, DC, the company has been featured on CNN, BET, PBS & NPR as well as numerous books, documentaries and articles that seek to explore the tradition of stepping. We are very fortunate to have this exciting group at Hillside in April.

Take a moment to check out their promotional video on You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRecTnZ9vac

Parents are welcome to attend.Submitted by Juliette Hyson

Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week

2011Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week will take place May 2nd through May 6th this year. We are looking for committee members to help brainstorm (& implement) a variety of ways to celebrate the greatness of Hillside teachers and staff. There is minimal time commitment involved as we will have only one planning meeting (April 1st, 2011 @ 9:30 am). Please email Angela Har-ris ([email protected]) or Dawn Morgan ([email protected]) if you are able to help. Thanks!

Submitted by Dawn Morgan

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March 4, 2011 Page 8 Hillside PTO Newsletter

PTO Thanks

Thank you to all the parent volunteers and bakers for the Book Bazaar, we could not have had a successful Scholastic Book Fair Carnival without YOU!!! Thank you to all the parents, grandpar-ents, and “specials” who came out to our first ever Family Fun Night and Grand Event, we had a great turnout!! Thank you, Joanne Reuschel, for welcoming our new friends/guests! Thank you to all the teachers who participated in the “Guess the Teacher” we appreciate you “clowning” around for the children!! This is a huge undertaking, and I would now like to thank my outstanding co-chairs Robin Briggs, Kristin Kalbach, and Lisa Munroe. Thank you to all our Hillside families and faculty to make this a huge success, it takes a village and Hillside is one fantastic village!

Submitted by Dana Dienno

PTO Nominating Committee is Seeking Volunteers!Are you interested in getting involved with the PTO? Maybe even thought about joining the Board? We need your help! The PTO is putting together a nominating committee who’s purpose is to make recommendations to fill next year’s open positions. A small group of us will meet once for coffee and throw around some ideas- that’s it!! If you can join us, please contact either Darcy McGroarty ([email protected]) or Meg Rafter ([email protected]). We will meet in early April at a time that’s conve-nient for all.

Submitted by Darcy McGroarty

Help Wanted for next school year - YEARBOOK EDITOR:Are you good with a camera and computer? Hillside is looking for a new YEARBOOK EDI-TOR for next year. Most of this job can be done from home, at your own pace, on a schedule that is convenient to you! If you already attend many events at Hillside, this job would be perfect for you - just bring your camera along! Some com-puter knowledge is helpful, and access to email is needed. Help capture Hillside student’s memo-ries in a book for all to enjoy! If you are inter-ested and would like more information, please contact Michele Krohn at [email protected] or 610-722-9116. Submitted by Michelle Krohn

Thank you to the following volunteers – Dana Dienno, Kristin Kalbach, and Lisa Munroe for chairing the Book Bazaar. Susan Hirshman for organizing the staff appreciation breakfast. Karen Celebuski for hosting the Parent Seminar. Kelly Webster for organizing the Skating Party. Darcy McGroarty for organizing the Jake’s Frozen Custard Fundraiser and Kristin Courtney for running the after school clubs. Submitted by Dawn Morgan

Calling any Graphic Designers, Page Layouts ArtistsTech Savvys or beginners...

Interested in getting in on the Scoop? Interested in learning how to do page layout? We are in need of someone to assist in the monthly publications of the Scoop. If you are interested in getting involved, meeting new people and having some fun please contact Christa Amos at [email protected]. Submitted by Christa Amos

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Page 10: Main School Phone: 610-240-1500 TE Hotline: 610-240-1970...In Science, students are having fun as they continue to learn about balancing and weighing. Ask your child to show you what

March 4, 2011 Page 10 Hillside PTO Newsletter

School and District News & Events…

B.U.I.L.D. (Better Understanding of Individuals with Learning Differences)

Visit the T/E website and check your school’s newsletter for upcoming details on future meetings/events:

March 8, 2011: The Impact of Speech and Language and Speech Delays on Learning in SchoolGuest Speaker: Sue Caspari, CCC-SLP 7:00 PM, Valley Forge Middle School Audion

105 West Walker Road, Wayne, PA

April, 2011: Strengthening Self-Advocacy Skills for Learners of Any Age, Guest Speaker, Dr. Allison R. Walker, Temple University

May, 2011: TBA

Questions, concerns, or suggestions for future presentations contact a BUILD Co-Coordinator:

Wendy Brooks: [email protected] Lynch: [email protected]

Susan Peterman: [email protected]

’Stoga Theatre presents the enormously popularAndrew Lloyd Webber musical...The Phantom of the Opera Conestoga High School Hobson C. Wagner Auditorium

Performance Dates March 2 - 4 7:30 pm March 5 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm March 6 2:00 pm

Directed by Nicole GerenyiProduced/Musically Directed by Suzanne DickingerUnrequited love, jealousy, and terror characterize this story of a deformed composer who haunts the grand Paris Opera House and falls in love with a young soprano. Conestoga’s talented all-student cast, crew and pit orchestra will be among the first high school students in the nation to perform this challenging musical.

All Seats Reserved - $20 Premium Seats, $15 Standard Seats. Special Discount Tickets - $10 Standard Seats only for Students (Age 19 & under), Seniors (62+) & TESD Staff. Group discount ticket informa-tion is available on the website. To purchase tickets go to www.stogatheatre.com or call 610.240.1022.

 

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Play A recent article in the New York Times advocates free play for children and illustrates current efforts to restore

play to children’s lives. Scientists, psychologists and educators believe that most of the social and intellectual skills that people need to succeed in school, work, and life are developed from play as a child. “Experts define play as a game or activity initiated and directed by children.” (Stout, 2011) According to this definition, organized sports or video games do not count as play because organized sports are directed by an adult, while most video games are created by someone else. Additionally, many of the newer electronic or educational toys may not qualify as play either. For example, toys that count from 1 – 10 or sing the ABC’s upon the push of a button are not created and directed by the child.

According to a 2007 report by the American Academy of Pediatrics, “play is essential to development because it contributes to the cognitive, physical, social and emotional well-being of youth.” (Ginsburg, 2007) For example, playing a game of Simon Says teaches your child to follow directions, practice active listening skills and control their impulses. Building forts, towers with blocks, or a stage to perform on teach children to think creatively by using their imagination to create something new. Playing with other children provides the opportunity to problem solve and negotiate with others. Play can also provide time for parents to interact with their child. However, adults need to be careful that they are not instructing or directing children during play. Allow children the opportunity to explore and figure things out on their own. (Stout, 2011)

Some forms of play can also provide your child with the benefits of physical activity which include reducing risks for obesity and obesity related diseases, anxiety, stress, depression, aggression and improving sleep. Experts from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia also cite three key areas of well being that can be improved through free play and physical activity. They include:

- Attention: This is an important skill needed for learning. Unstructured free time allows children the chance to make decisions, plan, organize and sequence.

- Affiliation: Children learn to connect with others, how to cooperate and how to compromise. Children also learn to be flexible, self-aware and self-regulating while cultivating empathy.

- Affect – Play makes children happy and improves their mood.

References

Ginsburg, Kenneth R. “The Importance of Play in Promoting Healthy Child Development and Maintaining Strong Parent-Child Bonds.” Pediatrics, v 119, no. 1, January 2007. Stout, Hilary. “Effort to Restore Children’s Play Gains Momentum.” The New York Times. January 5, 2011. www.kidshealth.org www.thechildrenshospital.org

So what can you do…?

- Choose toys that require imagination - Encourage your kids to go outside and play - Limit the overuse of passive play such as television or

computer games - Provide your child with blocks of unscheduled,

independent, non-screen time. - Be wary of “overscheduling” – having too many

extracurricular activities can cause stress and decrease potential positive interaction time with the family

- Be a good role model – give yourself “play time” free of work

Health and Fitness News From the T/E Elementary Physical

Education Department

March 4, 2011 Page 11 Hillside PTO Newsletter

Page 12: Main School Phone: 610-240-1500 TE Hotline: 610-240-1970...In Science, students are having fun as they continue to learn about balancing and weighing. Ask your child to show you what

March 4, 2011 Page 12 Hillside PTO Newsletter