BACK TO SCHOOL INFORMATION PRINCIPAL’S NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2018 WELCOME Dear Families, It is hard to believe we are just a few short weeks from the start of the 2018-2019 school year. This year we will welcome 437 Kindergarten through Grade Six students. The first student day is TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2018. If you have not already, you will soon be receiving a busing postcard with your child’s bus number, bus stop, and pick up and drop off times. In this edition of the Principal’s Newsletter you will find Back To School Night, Curriculum, Wellness Policy, Attendance Policy, and YMCA Weekend Food Backpack Program news and information. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. Tracie Tomasko Mrs. Tracie Tomasko Elementary Principal  Moshannon Valley School District 5026 Green Acre Road Houtzdale, PA 16651 trtomasko@movalley.org           BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT New this year is an Elementary Back to School Night that will be held prior to the first student day. This event will replace the annual September Elementary Open House. In an effort to give families an opportunity to meet and greet instructors, tour the building, and stop in the multipurpose room to visit local organizations and informational tables, the annual Back to School Night is being held Thursday, August 23rd from 6:00-8:00 PM. Doors will open precisely at 6:00. Be sure to visit the guidance table to learn how to take full advantage of the District’s Student Management System, Skyward. Individual family access passwords will be available along with guides on updating important contact and family information in the Skyward system. Also available will be Boy Scouts, Cen Clear Family Services, Girl Scouts, PTO, the school nurse, The Nutrition Group, The Guidance Center of Dubois, Moshannon Valley Ladies Auxiliary, Elementary Cheerleaders, Elementary Football, and the Title One Reading Team. Finally, you can also purchase your Baskets for Backpacks tickets during the Back to School Event.           CURRICULUM The District has been very pleased with the new ELA and Math curriculum of Benchmark Literacy and Go Math! More information can soon be found relating to curriculum at the District’s website www.movalley.org.    

ON TIME EVERY DAY WELLNESS POLICY REMINDER ATTENDANCE POLICY CHANGES Within the wellness policy you will find important information concerning Nutrition Education, Nutrition Promotion, Physical Activity, Physical Education, and Nutrition Guidelines for All Foods and Beverages at School. Some noteworthy changes include:  Classroom Parties and Celebrations *Elementary student birthday celebrations will be limited to one day per month to recognize all students whose birthdays fall during the month. Students with summer birthdays will be recognized during the May or September designated celebration day. *The Nutrition Group provides a birthday treat to all students on the monthly birthday celebration day. *To maintain compliance to this policy, we are reminding families that they may no longer send in birthday treats. *Additional information will be sent after the start of the school year with regards to the Harvest Day, Christmas, and Valentine’s Day Celebrations. Updates to the District Policy can be found at www.movalley.org. Click Our District, Policies, PSBA Policy Manual Search Policy 246: School Wellness ATTENDANCE POLICY CHANGES Recently, at the state level, many changes have been made to school attendance policies. Please be sure to read and review the attached attendance document to become familiar with these newly mandated changes. ON TIME EVERY DAY BASKETS FOR BACKPAKS The Moshannon Valley Elementary School and the YMCA of Centre County are partnering to hold a Baskets for Backpacks Fundraising Auction.  On Thursday, August 23rd at the Elementary Back to School Night, as well as the August 24th, season opening, home football game, basket tickets will be available for purchase. Tickets will be 3 for $1 and all money raised will go directly to the YMCA Weekend Food Backpack Program.  Organizers are challenging all to beat the total number of thirty-three baskets donated last fall and will be accepting donations of small gift baskets and/or gift cards through Friday, August 17th.  If your group or organization would like to donate a basket, please drop off basket at the Elementary School office prior to August 17th. Remember to include your group’s name on the basket.  Also, if you would like to donate small items to be included in a basket, organizers will be putting together a Family Game Night Basket, a Movie Basket, an Outdoor Fun Basket, and a Cooking Basket.  These items may also be dropped off in the Elementary School office. Please mark items Attn: Mrs. Wagner.  If you have any questions, email Jamie Wagner at jwagner@movalley.org. COMING SOON Back to School Night Thursday, August 23, 2018 6:00-8:00 Kinder Camp Friday, August 24, 2018 12:30-2:30 FOLLOW DISTRICT AND ELEMENTARY NEWS ON TWITTER @trtomasko @JohnZesiger @MV_Knights