Foster School E-Blast
November 11th to November 17th
Events this Week
Tuesday, April 16
- 1st Grade Field Trip: Parks to School 8:45AM to 1:00PM
Thursday, April 18
- PTA Breakfast with Someone Special: 7:30AM to 8:30AM in the Foster Cafeteria
- PTA Meeting – 7:00PM in the Foster Cafeteria or ZOOM (Link)
Principal’s Notes
- Absences - For an absence or a tardy to be considered excused it must fall under the following categories set by the school board: Permissible excused absences from District Schools are: (1) personal illness/medical appointments, (2) death in the immediate family, (3) traditionally recognized religious holidays, (4) approved educational travel. Please note that a report is run every Tuesday and a letter is emailed to parents if an absence is outstanding.
- Recess - The school/lunch recess hour will occur daily from 12:00PM – 1:00PM. Students who leave for lunch should return to the building by 12:55PM and enter the building through the main entrance. Students may return to recess but MUST check-in through the office and cannot return until 12:30PM.
- Pick Up/Drop Off – For safety reasons, parents are not allowed at any time to pull into the driveway from 7:45AM-4:00PM. In addition, please do not park in front of the building during pick up and drop off.
- Arrival - With classroom instruction beginning promptly at 8:45AM, it is extremely important that your child arrive to school on time. Please remember that children need to physically be in homerooms (not just dropped off) by 8:35am otherwise, they will be marked tardy. It is recommended that children are dropped off between 8:20AM and 8:30AM.
- AM Playground - Supervision is not available for students on the playground area until 8:20AM. For security reasons, only students are allowed on the playground area during this time. If students arrive before 8:30AM they need to go to the playground. After 8:27AM students may use the front entrance.
- The playground will not be supervised once school is over at 3:30PM. In addition, the playground may be closed after school throughout the year due to certain school district activities.
PSSA Testing Announcement
Please note that NO pre-approved absences will be approved (for the following grades) during the dates listed below due to standardized testing:
• April 22, April 24, and April 26: Grades 3, 4, and 5 (PSSA ELA Test)
• April 29 - April 30: Grades 3, 4, and 5 (PSSA Math Test)
• May 2 - May 3: Grade 4 (PSSA Science Test)
Chromebooks For PSSA
All students in grades 3, 4, and 5 will need to bring their Chromebooks AND CHARGERS into school (to stay throughout the PSSA Testing Window) beginning next Monday (4-15-24). Please be assured that no homework utilizing the Chromebook will be required during this time. Should you have any questions please feel free to contact Dr. Ramsey or your child's teacher.
2024 Take Your Child to Work Day
Take Your Child to Work Day will take place on Thursday, April 25, 2024. If your student is participating we would kindly ask you to complete THIS DIGITAL FORM. This absence will be considered a pre-approved absence.
PLEASE CHECK YOUR CLEARANCES
Clearances for volunteering within the district expire after 5 years and will need to be renewed. If you have any questions or need to know the date(s) your clearance(s) expires please email Mrs. Carlson at tcarlson@mtlsd.net.
GO ZONE
- Release students only on the curbside, NOT into the street
- Once your child exits the vehicle, please do not wait in your vehicle to watch them enter the building
- Drivers should not exit the car - allow children to exit the car by themselves
- DO NOT park and get out of your vehicle if you are in the GO ZONE from 8:15 to 8:45 AM and 3:15-3:45 PM
- Please pull up as far as possible so others have room to park. As vehicles move up in the Go Zone – PLEASE MOVE UP to allow others in
- If your child is not yet out or ready to be picked up, please make a loop around the block
- Once your children are in your car, please leave immediately for someone else to take your space
Kindergarten registration officially opened on February 1st for the 2024-2025 school year. To register a child for kindergarten, please complete the 2024-2025 Kindergarten Registration Sign-Up form.
If you have an incoming Kindergartener or know of someone who does, please call Mrs. Carlson in the office for more information. Orientation and screenings will be upon us shortly and appointments are being scheduled at this time.
Click on the links below for helpful information and enrollment forms:
Completed registration materials: Call Mrs. Carlson for an appointment time: 412.344.2162. Packets must be complete with all documentation requirements prior to turning them in.
The Foster School Office will be in communication with kindergarten parents regarding kindergarten orientation and screening dates & times as spring approaches.
We look forward to your child joining us!
Breakfast with Someone Special
Breakfast with Someone Special will be held in the Foster Cafeteria on Thursday April 18, 2024 from 7:30AM-8:30AM. Foster students are invited to bring a parent, grandparent, older sibling, neighbor, or friend to come to the cafeteria to share breakfast before the school day starts.
We ask that Foster families with more than one sibling bring one special person per family. Please click on the button below to sign up today! If you have any questions, please reach out to Lisa Keller or Holly Thompson.
Falcon Focus
Green
Sasha D
Niles S-B
Oliver V
Blue
Kyara S
Emily C
Jackson G
Daniel T
Adeline R
Joachim A
Azamat Y
Arden H
Gold
Luke W
Ozzy K
Rose M
Reid R
Sam M
Daniel T
Griffith J
Keep Flying High!!!
WHAT IS PBIS?
PBIS or Positive Behavioral Interventions or Supports is a school-wide positive behavior support system or set of strategies and systems to increase the capacity of schools to (a) reduce school disruption, and (b) educate all students including those with problem behaviors.
- Clearly defined outcomes
- Research-validated practices
- Supportive administrative systems
- Use of information for problem-solving
WHAT ARE THE FEATURES OF PBIS?
- Establish regular, predictable, positive learning & teaching environments
- Train adults & students to serve as positive models
- Teach and model behavioral expectations
- Create systems for providing regular positive feedback
- Acknowledge students when they are “doing the right thing”
- Improve social competence
- Develop environments that support academic success
WHAT IS THE FEATHER SYSTEM?
A system to acknowledge students who are exhibiting SOAR behaviors by giving them specific positive feedback along with a falcon feather. After collecting 20 feathers, students turn them in to be recognized on our Falcon Board, outside the office, and will be featured in our Falcon Focus!
Monthly Behavior Safety Drill Behavior
Each month Foster School focuses on the behavior expectations of certain locations in the building. This month is SAFETY DRILL BEHAVIOR.
We look for students to be:
SAFE
- Get quiet immediately
- Stop what you are doing and look for an adult
ORGANIZED
- Follow the directions of the teacher and/or adult
ACCOUNTABLE
- Be alert and quiet
- Follow all directions
No talking
Listen to adults
Stay quiet until told to resume regular classroom activities
FAMILIES can sign into Schoology by going to app.schoology.com and signing in using the email address registered through PowerSchool. The access code for Foster families to join MTLSD's Family Guide to Schoology is 98RX-4J2Q-5GTV8.
Note: STUDENTS sign into Schoology using Clever, or at mtlsd.schoology.com with their Google account. Once signed in, parents can follow these directions to join a course.
Families with more than one student only need to join one course, though it is suggested to join a secondary course if the oldest student in that family is enrolled in one of our secondary schools. If you have not received initial communication from Schoology about your account, email us at schoologysupport@mtlsd.net.
FOR DEVICE HELP CLICK HERE
APRIL IS AUTISM ACCEPTANCE MONTH
The month of April is Autism Acceptance Month and includes observances to highlight the increasing number of individuals identified with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and the impacts on families and support services. It is also an opportunity to “celebrate the unique perspectives of those living with ASD.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describes ASD as a “developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication and behavior challenges.” Estimates from the CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network, according to 2016 data, indicate that 1 in 54 children has been identified ASD.
The Autism experience is different for everyone. It is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is often referred to as a “spectrum condition” that affects people differently and to varying degrees.
April
Month Long Recognitions
Autism Acceptance Month - This was established to raise awareness about the developmental disorder that affects an individual's normal development of social and communication skills.
Celebrate Diversity Month - It started in 2004 to recognize and honor the diversity surrounding us all. By celebrating differences and similarities during this month, organizers hope that people will get a deeper understanding of each other.
Month of the Military Child - This honors the sacrifices made by military families worldwide, with an emphasis on the experience of the dependent children of military members serving at home and overseas.
National Arab American Heritage Month - This celebrates the heritage and culture, as well as honors the contributions of Arab Americans.
National Volunteer Month - It was started in 1991 to encourage volunteerism at a young age. By volunteering, people can help save lives and create better environments for us all to live within. Thanking volunteers, such as volunteer fire and ambulance departments, is also an aspect of the celebration.
Specific Dates
- April 2: World Autism Awareness Day, created to raise awareness of the developmental disorder around the globe.
- April 14: Day of Silence spreads awareness about the effects of the bullying and harassment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) students.
- April 22: Earth Day promotes world peace and sustainability of the planet. Events are held globally to show support for the environmental protection of the Earth.
Religious Holidays
- April 2: 23rd Night of Ramadan (Islam)
- April 6: 27th Night of Ramadan (Islam)
- April 10: Eid al-Fitr (Islam)
- April 13: Vaisakhi (Sikh)
- April 17: Rama Navami (Hindu)
- April 20: First Day of Ridván (Baha'i)
- April 22-30: Passover (Pesach) (Jewish)
- April 28: Ninth Day of Ridván (Baha'i)
With a focus on: HOPE
Release Date: March, 2024| Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K &Up
What do you hope for? What do you dream?
Hoda Kotb's new book is a lyrical celebration of hope in children and teaching the youngest readers how to reach for their dreams--whether they are as big as the night sky or as small as a bowl of purple ice cream. It's a lesson in optimism and what a positive outlook can bring.
With beautiful and timeless illustrations by Chloe Dominique, Hope Is a Rainbow is a can't-miss book for any child who dares to dream. It's a story that honors the childlike wonder and curiosity that exists in all of us, young and old.
-Amazon
Is Your Child Going Home for Lunch?
Please use the online form to inform us of one-day or weekly changes to your child's Lunch Plan. The information you enter will alert the office and the teacher that your child has permission to go home and on which day/s.
Any weekly plan you submit will stay in place until you enter a new weekly plan. A One-day plan will override just for the date you put in for. *Please enter this information by 10AM for a one day plan.
PRE-APPROVED ABSENCE FORM
MTLSD BULLYING POLICY AND REPORT FORM
The Mt. Lebanon School District’s goal is to establish a secure school climate, conducive to teaching and student learning that is free from threat, harassment, and any type of bullying behavior for any reason including membership in any protected class including, but not limited to, race, color, age, creed, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, familial status, language, genetic information, pregnancy, or handicap or disability. One of the District's core values calls for each member of our learning community to demonstrate respect toward others.
Objective
The objective of this policy is to:
1. Provide a safe, positive environment for learning through prompt resolution of bullying incidents;
2. Educate students, employees and parents about bullying, its adverse impact on students and the District generally, and how to prevent and resolve bullying incidents, so as to minimize the potential for bullying;
3. Communicate to District students, employees and parents the District's commitment to countering and preventing bullying and to inform the District community of the specific measures the District will undertake to resolve problems in this area;
4. Delineate disciplinary consequences for bullying and authorize the development of prevention, intervention and education programs; and
5. Identify the appropriate school staff person to receive reports of incidents of alleged bullying.
Please note that an electronic Anti-Bullying Report Form is on the school's website (and linked below) for your ease of use in reporting bullying concerns.
Monday, April 22
- ELA PSSA Testing - Grades 3,4 and 5 (No Pre-Approved Absences)
Tuesday, April 23
- NO SCHOOL - Teacher In-Service
Wednesday, April 24
- ELA PSSA Testing - Grades 3,4 and 5 (No Pre-Approved Absences)
Friday, April 26
- ELA PSSA Testing - Grades 3,4 and 5 (No Pre-Approved Absences)
Friday, April 26
- Foster School Tree City Presentation: 2:30PM on the Front Lawn
Monday, April 29 - Tuesday, April 30
- Math PSSA Testing - Grades 3,4 and 5 (No Pre-Approved Absences)
Thursday, May 2 - Friday, May 3
- Science PSSA Testing - Grade 4 Only (No Pre-Approved Absences)
At Foster School...
We value and understand that education is a partnership that cannot occur without the support of every staff member, the involvement of every parent, and the commitment of every student.
Email: jramsey@mtlsd.net
Website: http://www.mtlsd.org/foster
Location: 700 Vermont Avenue, Mount Lebanon, PA, United States
Phone: 412-344-2162