Message from the Principal

Neshaminy School District

Pearl S. Buck Elementary School

Mrs. Stephanie Miguelez, Principal www.neshaminy.k12.pa.us/bes

A big event in

March is the start of

PSSA testing for our 3rd,

4th and 5th grade stu-

dents. This year the test-

ing starts on March 25

with the Reading and

Math portions of the test.

Our students have been

diligently practicing and

preparing in their classes.

Once again, we will do

everything possible to

make the testing as pleas-

ant as possible while giv-

ing Buck students the

chance to show their

skills. Please see page two

for some test-preparation

ideas!

Have a Happy St. Pat-

rick’s Day!

Stephanie Miguelez

PSSA Testing

Please do not schedule

vacations during this time.

March 25, 26, 27

April 1, 2, 3

PSSA Reading

and Math

Grades 3, 4 & 5

April 8, 9, 10

PSSA Writing

Grade 5 ONLY

April 29 and 30

PSSA Science

Grade 4 ONLY

It’s no surprise to anyone that children of all ages need time with their parents. And even though most parents are extremely busy, whether they work outside of the home or not, they do find time to spend with their children.

But parents want that time to count in helping prepare their children for the world they will find outside of their home. Two im-portant concepts to con-sider, especially at this time of the year when school-wide testing oc-curs in almost every grade level, are commu-nication and consistency. What counts most is what we say and do. If children can count on getting attention at home, they have a greater sense of security and self-worth. This will help them do better in school and in life.

When parents give their children con-sistent messages and don’t allow their children to change the directions and expectations, it makes a huge difference. Children need to know that when we speak, we mean it.

The way this happens is to be consistent and al-ways follow through on what we say.

The time parents spend in conversation, exchanging ideas with their children (and not simply getting one word answers to questions) is vitally important in set-ting the tone, the atti-tudes, and the behaviors that will make the differ-ence in school.

In the upcoming weeks, here’s hoping that you and your chil-dren enjoy lots of great conversations. When our children enter school and continue school with good habits of communications, they are in a position to suc-ceed, to learn all that has to be learned, and become confident stu-dents.

Helpful Information from the Guidance Office—Mrs. Lenahan

You can come back to it later. What if you have

no idea about the answer? Review your options

and make the best guess you can, but only if

you don't lose points for wrong answers.

8. Multiple-Choice Questions

The process of elimination can help you choose

the correct answer in a multiple-choice ques-

tion. Start by crossing off the answers that

couldn't be right. Then spend your time focus-

ing on the possible correct choices before se-

lecting your answer.

9. Neatness Counts

If your 1s look like 7s, it could be a problem.

Be sure that your writing is legible and that you

erase your mistakes. For machine-scored tests,

fill in the spaces carefully.

10. I'm Done!

When you complete the last item on the test,

remember that you're not done yet. First, check

the clock and go back to review your answers,

making sure that you didn't make any careless

mistakes (such as putting the right answer in the

wrong place or skipping a question). Spend the

last remaining minutes going over the hardest

problems before you turn in your test.

4. The Morning of the Test

Did you know that you think better when you

have a full stomach? So don't skip breakfast the

morning of the test. Get to school early and do a

ten-minute power study right before the test, so

your brain is turned on and tuned up.

5. Test Time

Before the test begins, make sure you have

everything you'll need - scratch paper, extra

pencils, your calculator (if you're allowed to use

it). Understand how the test is scored: Do you

lose points for incorrect answers? Or is it better

to make guesses when you're not sure of the

answer? Read the instructions! You want to

make sure you are marking answers correctly.

6. Manage Your Time

Scan through the test quickly before starting.

Answering the easy questions first can be a time

saver and a confidence builder. Plus, it saves

more time in the end for you to focus on the

hard stuff.

7. I'm Stuck!

Those tricky problems can knock you off bal-

ance. Don't get worried or frustrated. Reread the

question to make sure you understand it, and

then try to solve it the best way you know how.

If you're still stuck, circle it and move on.

Top Ten

Test-

Taking

Tips for

Students

1.Have a Positive Attitude

Approach the big test as you'd approach a

giant jigsaw puzzle. A good attitude goes a

long way toward success.

2. Make a Plan

The week before the test, ask your teacher

what the test is going to cover. Is it from the

textbook only? Class notes? If you've been

absent, talk to friends about material you may

have missed. Make a list of the most important

topics to be covered and use that as a guide

when you study. Circle items that you know

will require extra time. Be sure to plan extra

time to study the most challenging topics.

3. The Night Before

Cramming doesn't work. If you've followed a

study plan, the night before the test you should

do a quick review and get to bed early. Re-

member, your brain and body need sleep to

function well, so don't stay up late!

What is a ListServ? It is a method of communicating with a group of people via email. Messages are distributed to subscribers on an electronic mailing list. The Neshaminy School District is utilizing a listserv to deliver pertinent information to our community in a timely and efficient manner via email.

E-Mail ListServ Comes to Neshaminy

If you would like to join, please go to our Neshaminy School District Homepage, www.neshaminy.org, and click on under District Links. Please follow the directions and note that there is a separate Subscribe Address for Neshaminy School District and Pearl Buck Elementary.

Kindergarten Registration

2014/2015

Kindergarten Registration will

take place on Friday, March 7.

Students are to be registered at

the elementary school they will

attend in the fall of 2014.

Registration hours are from

9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and

1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

A parent/guardian must ac-

company the child to regis-

tration and bring the child’s

birth certificate.

Children entering kindergar-

ten must be five years old on

or before September 1, 2014.

Parents/guardians must pro-

vide written verification

showing dates of immuniza-

tion.

Parents/guardians must also

provide (2) proofs of residen-

cy.

You may “Pre-Register” at our online registration center to expedite the registration process or you may fill the registration papers out by hand on March 7th. Either way, bring your child for a brief screening and bring your two proofs of residency, immunization records,

and birth certificate!

S neezing, watery itchy eyes, nasal congestion, itchy

throat, coughing, all herald that allergy season is

here and getting stronger. Some people are allergic

to airborne allergens. These are carried through the air.

Some common ones are, dust mites. These are microscopic

insects that live all around us. We find them in dust, bed-

ding, upholstery, and carpets. Pollens, another airborne

allergen comes from the trees, weeds and grasses. Pollen

allergies are seasonal. The symptoms are worse when the

trees pollinate, when grasses sprout and when ragweed's

flower.

Molds, yet another allergen, are fungi that thrive both in-

doors and out in warm, moist environments. Outdoor molds

can be found in poor drainage

areas, like in piles of rotting

leaves or compost piles. Indoors,

molds grow in dark, poorly venti-

lated places like the bathroom and

basement.

Pet allergens are from warm blooded pets. When the animal

licks itself, the saliva gets on its fur or feathers. As the saliva

dries, protein particles become airborne and settle on the

fabrics in your home. Cats are the main offenders since they

tend to lick themselves more than other animals as part of

grooming.

What should we do to help our sneezing children? There is

no real cure for allergies, but it is possible to relieve symp-

toms. Protect your child from these airborne allergens by:

Keeping family pets out of certain rooms, like your

child’s bedroom. Bathe your pets frequently.

Remove carpets or rugs from the child’s room. Hard

surfaces don’t collect dust as much as carpets do.

Keep heavy drapes and window treatments that collect

dust away from the child’s room.

Clean and wipe surfaces frequently.

Use special covers for your pillows and mattresses if

dust mites are a problem with your child.

To keep pollen down, keep windows closed when

pollen season peaks.

Change your child’s clothes after he/she has been

outdoors.

Don’t allow your allergy prone child to mow the

lawn. Other jobs around the house would be more

appropriate.

Your doctor may prescribe medications such as antihis-

tamines, inhaled nasal sprays, or nasal spray steroids.

Some allergists may recommend immunotherapy

(allergy shots) to desensitize your child. These can be

helpful for allergies to dust, molds, pollens and insect

stings. They are not used for food allergies. These

children must avoid all offensive foods.

Snuffling, rubbing eyes and constant coughing and

sneezing make a person feel tired and miserable. Help

your child to feel better. Seek help from your doctor to

control the symptoms and avoid future complications

such as asthma

News from the Nurse—Mrs. Meade

The Buzz…..at Buck!

Pearl Buck

Science Fair 2013

The Buzz…..at Buck!

Science

Fair

The Buzz…..at Buck!

Science Fair -February 25, 2014

The Buzz…..at Buck!

Senor Macho

Pichu visits Pearl

Buck for “Fiesta”

Book Fair

Classes Celebrate 100 Days!

The Buzz…..at Buck!

Dance for Leukemia/ Lymphoma Society

Ambassadors

of the Month

February