SVES Weekly Newsletter
K–4 Instruction Updates for Families ~ May
(Title I: Math & Literacy Communication)
Kindergarten 🍎
Literacy: How We’re Learning to Read 📚
This month, our kindergarten students are strengthening their understanding that words are made up of individual sounds. They are reading and writing CVC words (like cap) and beginning to explore silent-e words (like cape). Students are also practicing stretching sounds in words, writing complete sentences with correct capitalization and punctuation, and gathering evidence from nonfiction texts to support their writing.
At Home Connection: 🏡
Practice “finger stretching” words with 2–4 sounds (e.g., at, rug, nest). Try writing simple words together and challenge your child with silent-e words. When reading, ask if the story is fiction or nonfiction.
Math: Building Number Sense 🔢
Students are working on identifying and understanding numbers up to 100.
At Home Connection: 🏡
Try simple subtraction games like “Dough Smash” or “Bowling Subtraction.” Practice counting forward and backward and identifying numbers using flashcards.
Grade 1 ✏️
Literacy: Growing Phonics & Reading Skills 📖
First graders are learning vowel teams and r-controlled vowels while reading fairy tales in Arts & Letters. They are focusing on key story elements and comprehension.
At Home Connection: 🏡
After reading, ask your child to identify the characters, setting, problem, and solution.
Math: Addition & Subtraction Within 40 ➕➖
Students are solving addition and subtraction problems (with and without regrouping) and exploring data through tables and graphs.
At Home Connection: 🏡
Practice solving problems like 25 + 12 or 36 – 14. Have your child create a simple survey and graph the results.
Grade 2 🍏
Literacy: Opinion Writing & Content Learning ✍️
Second graders are beginning their final module focused on how food nourishes us. They are developing opinion writing with supporting reasons and evidence.
At Home Connection: 🏡
Ask your child to choose two healthy snack options and explain their opinion using at least two detailed reasons.
Math: Time, Money & Foundations of Multiplication ⏰💰
Students are working with money, telling time to the nearest five minutes, and building foundational multiplication concepts.
At Home Connection: 🏡
Talk about daily events using AM and PM and practice reading analog clocks throughout the day.
Grade 3 🎨
Literacy: Reading to Learn – “Artists Make Art” 📚
Students are exploring how artists express ideas through different forms of art. They are researching artists and writing organized research pieces while applying phonics and word analysis skills.
At Home Connection: 🏡
Ask your child about artists they’ve studied or have a family “art night.” Encourage them to plan and explain a creative project.
Math: Data, Geometry & Measurement 📊📐
Students are working with graphs, line plots, and geometry concepts including angles and 2-dimensional shapes.
At Home Connection: 🏡
Go on a “shape hunt” around your home to find polygons and discuss their properties.
Grade 4 🧠
Literacy: Thinking About History 📖🇺🇸
This month, fourth graders will explore the power of language and how writers and artists influence their audiences through Module 3: The American Revolution. Students will think deeply about the reasons behind people’s opinions while continuing to build their historical understanding of this important time period.
Students will apply their learning by crafting opinion essays connected to topics from the American Revolution, using strong reasons and supporting evidence. ✍️
Try this at home: 🏡
Ask your child what they already know about the American Revolution. You can also review the Tips for Families information sheet together to continue building their understanding.
Math: Geometry & Data 📈
Students are wrapping up work on polygons and symmetry and transitioning into tables and graphs.
At Home Connection: 🏡
Look for symmetry in everyday objects and create simple tables or graphs using household items.
📚 SVES STARS: Building Readers at Home
This month’s SVES STARS: Building Readers article highlights simple, meaningful ways families can support reading at home ~ especially as we head into summer! One key takeaway is the importance of balancing digital reading with printed books, as research shows students better retain and understand what they read on paper.
The article also shares easy ways to keep reading fun, like letting your child choose books that match their interests, reading in new places (like outside or at the pool ☀️), and even setting family reading goals together. Another great tip? Encourage your child to read aloud to a pet or stuffed animal ~ this builds confidence and fluency in a relaxed way 🐾.
There are also helpful ideas for keeping writing skills strong, such as creating a reading log, travel journal, or observation notebook.
As always, we encourage our SVES families to keep reading a daily habit ~ because strong readers continue to grow when school and home work together! ❤️
SVES Fitness Fun Run
This year we have again planned our annual Fun Run to support our goal of “Encouraging Healthy Choices” for our school community. We hope our students recognize that engaging in physical activity is not only good for their bodies but also a good social choice. The students have been preparing all year during their physical education classes. They have practiced proper pacing and worked to improve their cardiovascular endurance while jogging during physical education class.
This year’s Fitness Fun Run is scheduled for May 14th and a rain date of May 15th. The run will challenge students to complete as many laps as possible around the bus loop during a 20 minute time frame. They will have access to their water bottle and may take breaks as needed. All students are encouraged to participate to the best of their ability. Our goal is to help students develop healthy habits and a lifelong interest in physical activity. Please help your child prepare for the event by ensuring that they are ready with sneakers, a water bottle and sunscreen. Parents and guardians are welcome to watch and encourage the students but must remain in the designated viewing area.
Dogs will not be allowed at the fun run unless they are a licensed service animal.
Here is the schedule for the run:
9:30-10:10 2nd grade
10:15-10:55 1st grade
11:10-11:50 4th grade
12:10-12:50 3rd grade
1:20-2:00 Kindergarten
Thank you for your support of this event. If you have any questions, please email Thad.Moyer@svpanthers.org or Sarah.Roncolato@svpanthers.org
See you on May 14th or 15th!!!
Celebration Day ~ June 3
Dear Parent(s) and/or Guardian(s),
It’s hard to believe, but the school year is almost over. To celebrate your child’s growth and success regarding our School-wide Positive Behavior Support (SWPBS) program, the Saucon Valley Elementary teachers and staff will be hosting a Celebration Day on Wednesday, June 3.
For the first half of the day, your child will be participating in fun, outside, field day activities including relay races and assorted cooperative games on the playground and adjacent areas. Families are invited to watch these activities. A designated viewing area will be set up for your convenience. For the safety of our students and families, please remain in the designated visitor area. Also, feel free to bring blankets or folding chairs as you watch your child collaborate with his or her classmates. (Please note: There is no rain date for the field day activities).
The viewing times will be as follows:
Kindergarten, Grade 1 & Grade 2 9:20-10:25
Grade 3 & Grade 4 10:35-11:50
At the conclusion of the morning activities, students may participate in indoor Carnival activities. Due to space constraints, visitors cannot be accommodated for the indoor activities. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. Specific information about these Carnival activities will be sent home soon. Please note that students may redeem their Paw Passes for Carnival tickets (10 Paw passes = 1 Carnival ticket).
On Wednesday, June 3, please have your child wear sneakers and their class t-shirt. This Celebration Day will be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate your child’s respectful, responsible, and safe behavior throughout the 2025-2026 school year!
Sincerely,
The SWPBS Team and Physical Education Teachers
Panther Preview
- May 4-May 8: Teacher Appreciation Week
- May 5: SVES Band and Chorus Concert ~ SVHS Auditorium 6:00 pm
- May 5 & May 6: 2026-27 Incoming Kindergarten Screening
- May 14: Fun Run (See Above for More Information)
- May 15: Kona Ice ~ Donated by the PTO
- May 25: Memorial Day ~ All SVSD Schools are Closed
- May 29: Polar Pop (More Details to Follow)
- June 3: Field Day & Carnival (See Above for More Information)
The More You Know
🐾2026–27 SVES Kindergarten Registration Information🐾
We are excited to begin welcoming the Class of 2039 to the Saucon Valley family!
Registering for Kindergarten:
Kindergarten registration for the 2026–27 school year will be available online only through InfoSnap, beginning Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
The registration link will go live on February 18 and can be accessed HERE.
Families are encouraged to review the list of required documents under “Registration Reminders” prior to registering. Additional information for the upcoming school year will be shared over the summer.
If you have questions or experience any difficulties with the registration process, please contact Elizabeth Gallagher.
Kindergarten Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for Kindergarten enrollment, children must be five (5) years old on or before September 1, 2026.
In accordance with Saucon Valley School District Board policy, exceptions may be considered for children who turn five within 30 days of the cutoff date. Parents requesting an exception must attend the Kindergarten Screening Event or have their child screened prior to August 1, 2026 at Saucon Valley Elementary School.
Please refer to the SVSD Board Policy HERE for additional details.
Registration Reminders:
A complete list of required registration documents can be found HERE. Documents may be scanned and uploaded directly through the online registration portal. Families may find it helpful to begin gathering these materials prior to February 18.
Kindergarten Screening Event (Required)
Kindergarten screening is required for all incoming Kindergarten students.
Our main Kindergarten Screening Event will take place on May 5 and May 6, 2026.
If you are unable to attend during the May dates, additional screening opportunities will be offered in June and July. More information about signing up for screening times will be shared with families following registration.
Summer SAIL Program
To support a smooth transition into Kindergarten, the Saucon Valley School District, in partnership with Lehigh University, will offer the Summer Academy for Incoming Learners (SAIL).
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Tentative Dates: July 13–23, 2026 (Monday–Thursday)
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Time: 9:00–11:00 a.m.
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Location: Saucon Valley Elementary School
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Cost: Free
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Participation: Voluntary
The SAIL program focuses on building school readiness, both socially and academically. Enrollment is limited to 60 incoming Kindergarten students and is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. A sign-up link will be shared with families once Kindergarten registration is complete.
For additional information about the SAIL program, please contact Thomas Halcisak, SVES Assistant Principal.
Questions?
For questions related to the Kindergarten registration or screening process, please contact Amy Braxmeier, SVES Principal.
