NES Connection

Hello Northern Elementary,

Happy Friday evening NES! We hope you have a restful and rejuvenating fall weekend! It's been a busy week of learning, growing and leading! See our recap below!

Students participated in a variety of activities this week including Apple Crunch Day, Scholastic Book Fair, Trunk or Treat, and classroom activities. Please reference our instagram account for a slew of photos from this evening event. They should be loaded by Monday!

Thank you to our family and resource personnel hosting trunks this year! We dearly appreciated the time, effort, and engagement you provided for our NES Community! Shout out poster to come!

As we continue through the school year, we ask everyone to take extra care when driving in and around our school zones. Student safety is a shared responsibility, and a few simple precautions can make a significant difference.

Please remember to slow down and obey all posted school zone speed limits. Be especially alert during arrival and dismissal times when students, families, and staff are moving throughout parking lots, crosswalks, and roadways. Avoid distractions such as mobile phones, and stay focused on the road at all times. We also encourage drivers to watch carefully for crossing guards, school buses, and children who may not always recognize potential traffic dangers.

Parents dropping off or picking up students should follow established traffic patterns and use designated drop-off locations to help keep traffic flowing safely and efficiently. Patience and courtesy go a long way in creating a positive and safe environment for everyone.

Thank you for doing your part to protect our students, staff, and families. By slowing down, staying alert, and following safe driving practices, we can work together to ensure that every child arrives at school safely and returns home at the end of the day.

Oct 26-30: Red Ribbon (Wellness) Week

Oct 27: World Occupational Therapy Day

Oct 29: Fall Character Parade 2:15 PM and Classroom Party

Oct 30: House Colors Day!

Oct 30: NOON DISMISSAL

Nov 02: GR3 Field Trip (Wear Year of Action Red Tee)

Nov 03: NES Rocks the Vote

Nov 05: Parent Teacher Conferences

Nov 09: NO SCHOOL

Nov 11: Wear Red White Blue or Year of Action Tee! Veterans Assembly

Nov 12: Parent Teacher Conferences

Nov 13: World Kindness Day\

Nov 13-14: Elementary Musical: Finding Nemo

Nov 16: American Education DECADES Week

Nov 16: 80's Day - We SHINE NES

Nov 17: 70's Day - We ARE Family!

Nov 17: Picture Retake Day

Nov 18: 90's Day - Step by Step, We Shine Out

Nov 19: 50's Day - Our Teachers are Rockin'

Nov 20: 40's Day - Our Subs are the Bees Knees

Nov 24: House Colors Day!

Nov 24: Noon Dismissal

Nov 25 thru 30: Thanksgiving Holidays

2:15PM - 2:30PM: Fall Parade (Families welcome to view this brief parade)

2:40PM - 3:15PM: Fall Parties (Volunteers only)

COSTUME REMINDERS

This is a school friendly affair. Students may dress as a favorite character from book, movie, cartoon, etc.

• No scary or violent costumes permitted.
• No pretend/look alike weapons.
• Students bring costume in backpack.
• No complicated costumes - students should be able to dress themselves without much assistance.
• Only volunteers in school.

VISITOR INFORMATION

• Important: No dogs permitted
• Parking Limited: This is a brief parade which will be recorded and posted for families to view. Please note, if attending the parade, parking is limited. Families enter via the kinder gate (located at the far right of the parking lot).
• Parade Route: Visitors may stand on the grassy perimeter of our playground to view the parade. Students will parade 1.5 times around the playground before reentering the building.
• (This is a 10 minute affair). Students will line up at 2:10 and our parade will begin promptly at 2:15.
• Students will remain with their classrooms, please feel free to give your child a friendly wave or cheer.

PARTY VOLUNTEERS:

• Volunteers will report to the School Office for volunteer badge.
• Volunteers will assist w/ costumes and accompany the classroom as they parade.
• Volunteers will assist w/ fall party.
• Parties wrap up at 3:20 PM.
• Volunteers will exit thru the school office.
• Inform the school office and teacher if your child will leave with you from the party. This will allow for more expedient sign-out of student.

PARTY ITEMS

As a reminder, only store bought and packaged items are permitted for parties. This allows our school nurse to cross check ingredients due to the allergies of students in the building.

Students wear their HOUSE Colors today for House Protos hosted assembly and leadership house meetings. Students end their day with SNO PUPS ice cones today - PTO Race for Education Reward! We also wish to thank a few major sponsors for stepping up to help Northern Elementary shine out!

Calling all Veterans.... have a family member or friend of the family you wish to invite to our NES Veteran Assembly? Fill out the RSVP below (complete a separate form for each veteran attending) and we will connect your student as their assembly host.

Veterans report to the High School Auditorium between 9AM and 9:15AM.

At 9AM, NES Car Rider Lane and a few open spots in the HS Lot will be available for parking.

Enter thru Auditorium Door (map will be shared in advance of assembly) - this will be secured by faculty.

Student hosts should come to school like a regular day. They will travel to the auditorium after morning routines and we will connect them to their Veteran(s) before walking into the assembly. Veterans will line up with their student host to enter the assembly. They will be seated in the front, center seats. Assembly will last 45 minutes.

Families wishing to purchase our 2026 Year of Action: Step Up, Shine Out tee may order via the form below. No profits are made on these sales. They are simply available for families who wish to have an adult or additional sibling tees. As a reminder, all NES students have received a free tee to be used for building wide events and field trips. Please see the information below if interested.

Tees are Red (based on our cinema theme) w/ the logo below.

COMMUNICATIONS
The District will use several communication channels to notify parents, students, and staff as early as possible of unscheduled closings, delays, or early dismissals:

• Blackboard Alert Messaging System – Notification will be sent via automated phone calls and emails
• District Website – Information will be posted as an on-screen alert when you visit the District website at www.northernpolarbears.com
• Social Media – Information will be shared on the District’s X-feed @NorthernYorkSD
• Other – Details will also be reported to local radio and television stations

TWO HOUR DELAYS

In the event of a 2 hour delay, students arrive two hours later than their regularly scheduled time. For example, if your child is picked up their bus at 8:27AM, they will be picked up by 10:27AM. The school day starts at 11AM on two hour delays.

SCHOOL CLOSING DIRECTIONS

• Information related to school closing procedures will be forthcoming - first from the superintendent's office and then via our elementary news.

Each school principal communicates how instructional delivery will take place on remote learning days and expectations and timelines for work completion. This information will also be posted on the district website.

Northern Elementary is launching a new layer of intervention and support this year. Elementary Student Assistance Program (ESAP) serves to connect students and families to resources related to mental health, emotional well-being, family needs and other challenges that may impact a child's success. Our ESAP referral can be accessed by families concerned about the well-being (mental health, emotional and behavioral well-being, family supports needed) of a student. Referral link below.

Release Programs are not District Affiliated. Parent permission (opt-in) required.

• Families opt-in with written consent. Release program form available in office.
• Release Program: JoyEl/Bible Adventure: Grades 3 - 5 students eligible
• One hour release from school
• Tuesdays, 11AM-12PM
• Programming begins Tuesday, September 15

By Release Programming students will miss the following instruction:

• 3rd Grade: 30 minutes - Shared Reading
• 4th Grade: 1 hour of Core 1.
• 5th Grade: 30 minutes of Core 2.

Planning to go to the football game at Bostic Field? Please review this important information for all attendees.

We value your partnership and we wish to support families before attendance becomes a concern. The District's truancy elimination process is outlined below. This is a critical part of our school focus and therefore we wish to ensure that all families understand the District Policy and process.

• 10 parentals permitted
• Medical excuses required after 10 parent noted absence used.
• Excessive tardy and early dismissals may require a school meeting.
• All excuse required within three days of the student's return to school
• Please see directions for how to submit excuses through the community portal below.
• Educational Trips: 2 permitted with a total of 10 days permitted. See form below.
• Truancy Process outlined below.

All buses aim to safely transport students to/from school. Reminder: state law prohibits adults not employed by the school from loading the bus. At school we review bus expectations with children as a safety strategy and expectation. Our parent handbook holds specific information related to transportation privileges. Important reminders include:

While we support students in learning and demonstrating safe behaviors on the bus, there are times when a bus referral is submitted from the driver. Referrals include repeated unsafe behavior or disregard for driver direction. Students struggling to demonstrate safe behaviors on the bus may lose transportation privileges for a period of time. Our first priority is to partner with families in supporting student success. Your review of bus expectations is helpful in this partnership. This year, we are cultivating peaceful buses that lead by example!

Throughout the year we continue to discuss ways we keep our building and community safe. At our most recent building wide safety meeting held on September 2nd, students were reminded of the following important safety expectations at school.

• no toys at school unless approved by teacher for a special day
• no unsafe items on their person or backpack (this includes pocket knives, scissors, sharp objects, look-alike weapons, play guns, anything that could harm, etc.)
• no threatening actions or threatening language (this includes gestures and threats about the school or about others)

Specifically, Board Policy 218 addresses student discipline, weapons, and terroristic threats. We inform and teach our children these critical expectations and we thank our families for partnering and supporting these discussions at home.

Northern York County provides 1-1 technology for every student in school. Students in K-2 are assigned an ipad that follows them from K to 2. At 3rd grade, students receive a chromebook as their primary device and this follows them through 5th grade.

Device repair cost is a flat $150 fee, full device replacement is $500. Optional device insurance will cover all accidental damage fees. For more information, see your Sapphire Parent Portal.

Our Student Device Handbook outlines the responsibilities the come with the use of a district device. For your convenience this handbook is attached below with bullet points:

Technology Use: What Families Need to Know

• School technology is for learning. District devices, accounts, networks, and internet access are provided primarily for educational and school-related purposes.
• Technology access is a privilege. Students are expected to use district technology appropriately, safely, and responsibly. Access may be limited or removed when expectations are not followed.
• Student activity on district technology may be monitored. Students should not expect information created, stored, sent, or accessed using district technology to be private.
• Internet content is filtered. The district uses filtering measures to help prevent students from accessing inappropriate online content. No filtering system, however, can guarantee that all inappropriate material will be blocked.
• Students are taught digital citizenship and online safety. This includes appropriate online behavior, protecting personal information, responsible online communication, and cyberbullying awareness.
• Students should protect their accounts. They should use only their own account, keep login information secure, and never attempt to access another person's account, files, or information.
• Students must treat others respectfully online. Technology may not be used for bullying, threats, harassment, discriminatory remarks, or other harmful communication.
• Students may not bypass school safeguards. They may not attempt to disable filters, use proxies, change security settings, install unauthorized programs, or otherwise circumvent district security measures.
• Tell an adult when something isn't right. If a student receives a threatening or unwelcome message or accidentally accesses inappropriate content, they should immediately tell a school adult.
• Families can help. Parents/guardians are permitted to assist their children with district technology and monitor their child's use of district technology at home.
• Misuse has consequences. Inappropriate use can result in temporary or permanent loss of technology privileges and may result in additional disciplinary action.

Northern Elementary invites families to engage and partner in their child's learning, growing, and leading. There are a number of engagement opportunities including:

• Parent - Teacher Communication and Conferencing
• Field Trip Volunteer
• School Events - Race Day, Birthday Books Day, Book Fair, Classroom Party (2), etc.
• Teaching Events - Junior Achievement, Heritage Day, Classroom Connections
• Evening Events (no clearances needed) - Trunk or Treat, PTO Meetings, Family Events, Holiday Extravaganza, Family Dance, Donuts with Grownups
• Home to School Supports - One District One Book, fact fluency, etc.

While evening events do not require clearances, we encourage our families to complete the volunteer clearance process. If this is something you wish to do and need support, please reach out to our school office at NESOFFICE@northernyork.org and request assistance.

Pennsylvania provides free school breakfasts to all K-12 public school students and covers the co-pay for reduced-price lunches, meaning qualifying students receive both meals at no charge.

How Eligibility Works

• Free Meals: Households with an income at or below 130% of the federal poverty level qualify for free meals (e.g., $42,900 per year for a family of four)
• Reduced-Price Meals (Free in PA): Households with an income between 130% and up to 185% of the federal poverty level qualify (e.g., up to $61,050 per year for a family of four), and Pennsylvania covers the remaining cost so meals are entirely free.
• Categorical Eligibility: Children automatically qualify if their household participates in programs like SNAP or TANF, or if the child is a foster youth, homeless, migrant, or runaway.

NYCSD uses standards-based reporting to communicate student progress toward grade-level learning expectations. Student performance is reported using four indicators: Advanced, Proficient, Approaching Proficient, and Not Yet Proficient. Descriptions of each indicator are provided below to help families better understand their child's progress.

Throughout each marking period, teachers monitor student learning, share progress, and communicate with families when additional support or growth is needed. Strong home-school communication is essential to student success. Learning is a continuous process, and we value our partnership with families as students learn, grow, and develop confidence in their abilities.

We encourage families to stay connected and reach out to their child's classroom teacher with any questions about learning, progress, or next steps.

In addition to academic progress, teachers provide an overview of each student's work habits and social skills, recognizing that these skills play an important role in learning and overall school success. Progress is communicated using three indicators:

• O – Often Exceeds Expectations: Consistently demonstrates skills beyond expected levels.

• S – Satisfactorily Meets Expectations: Demonstrates skills aligned with expectations.

• N – Needs Improvement: Requires additional support and development to meet expectations.

When work habits or social skills present barriers to learning, a collaborative team meeting with families and school staff is an important next step. Together, the team can identify student strengths, better understand areas of need, and develop a shared plan to support growth and success.

At Northern Elementary, we recognize that elementary-aged children are still learning important skills such as managing emotions, navigating friendships, resolving conflicts, and understanding how their words and actions affect others. These experiences are a natural part of growing up, and we are committed to helping students develop the skills to make positive choices and treat others with kindness and respect.

An important part of this learning is understanding the difference between peer conflict and bullying or harassment. Children may sometimes use the word bullying to describe disagreements, hurt feelings, or challenging interactions with classmates. While these situations are important and deserve adult attention and support, they do not always meet the definition of bullying.

• Peer conflict typically involves disagreements or difficulties between students that can be addressed through adult guidance, problem-solving, and the development of communication and coping skills.
• Bullying generally involves repeated, intentional behavior that targets another student and creates an imbalance of power. Harassment may include unwelcome or harmful words or actions directed toward another person, including comments about their appearance, body, culture, religion, or other personal characteristics. Harassment does not necessarily need to be repeated to be taken seriously.

Our district's policies reinforce every student's right to learn in a safe, caring, and respectful environment. All students are expected to respect the rights and dignity of others. When concerns arise, our staff carefully consider the circumstances, support the students involved, and respond appropriately. Behaviors determined to violate district policy or the Student Code of Conduct are addressed through appropriate interventions and consequences.

At Northern Elementary, NES LEADS is an important part of how we build a positive school culture. Through our shared focus on Learning, Growing, and Leading, we explicitly teach, model, and reinforce respectful behavior, responsible decision-making, and positive relationships.

Our goal is not simply to address hurtful behavior when it occurs, but to help every child develop the skills and confidence to contribute to a school community where everyone feels safe, valued, and included. We thank you for your continued partnership in discussing these important policies with your child at home.

Erin Stine- President

Heather Spicer- Vice President

Crystal Pitt- Treasurer

Brianna MacLain- Event Coordinator

Grace Gruber- Secretary

Families who filled out the contact sheet for Heritage Imagery will receive a direct link to their child's photographs. Individuals who did not wish to provide that information may visit www.heritage-imagery.com and select “client portal” from the menu to access their child's photos.

It will ask for an online access code. This code is your child’s student ID number. You will need to provide an email address to gain a unique link to your child's photos.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO AVOID ADDITIONAL COSTS

For multiple children, place all items for Child 1 into your cart. Then, add pictures for Child 2 before moving to check out. Check your selections before adding to the cart and then check out.

Thank you for joining our Reading Team for our schoolwide overview of Title 1 Programming at NES. Northern Elementary is a Title 1 School which means we receive Federal Title 1 funds to to assist students in meeting state achievement standards. Throughout the school year, we will provide you with important information about these services and your child's education. You have access to a letter that lets you know about your right to request information about the qualifications of the classroom and building staff working with your child. You will also find our Parent and School Compact, Parent and School Engagement Policy, Resolution Process for ESSA Programs, and Right to Know Letter on our school website.

• New Families to the district are asked to create a Parent/Guardian Portal Account in our Sapphire System.
• Below you will find directions to create this important account.
• Upon completion, this account provides access to your child's school records: class assignment, report cards, attendance information, etc.
• The Parent Account is a separate account from the Registration Account used to enroll your student.

Car Riders

• AM Entry to Building: 8:45 AM - 8:55 AM PM
• Dismissal to Parents: 3:35 PM

Location:

• Families planning to pick up their child on a daily or frequent basis should register for car rider tags here.
• Car Rider area located in the back of Northern Elementary, between the High School and Northern Elementary
• Enter via Middle School drive, turn left onto Polar Bear Drive, turn right to the Car Rider Zone

• Keep traffic flowing.
• Move forward to the very end of the line, closest to the High School, Do not cross the yellow line.
• Stay on the left side of line.
• Students exit vehicle via the passenger side - only when the vehicle is within the yellow zone.
• Drivers remain in their vehicles.
• NES staff will support student entry into the building.
• Students should be packed and ready for exit upon entering the car rider line.
• It is important that the ow of this line remains fluid and safe, allowing for exit and entry within the time allotted for this service.
• Exit by turning left before the NHS curb (See yellow arrow above). Avoid the curb lane as NHS buses and vans are loading/unloading during this time.

• Fill out the registration form if your child will be a daily parent pick up or an occasional parent pick up.
• Visit www.northernpolarbears.com/nes and select the "Car Rider Registration Form" or access the form here: Northern Elementary 2026-2027 Car Rider Registration – Fill out form

• During the school year, anticipate a three day turnaround from completion to available tag (sent via backpack mail.

School Supplies

Basic school supplies are provided to your child by the district and students do not need to bring materials from home. Students are welcome to bring their own book bag and lunch box from home. They are also welcome to bring a water bottle. We do ask that students bring headphones to use that are bluetooth compatible. Please avoid sending in novelty items like scented markers, fidgets, etc.

Personal Items

Students should leave toys, Pokemon/tradable cards, and other valuable items at home. Students are not permitted to swap or exchange personal items at school. We ask that items like action figures, sports equipment, and similar items remain at home.

Birthdays

Students are celebrated via school-wide recognition and classroom tradition (e.g. song, sticker, crown, etc.) on their birthdays.

• Birthday snacks and treats are not permitted (e.g., cupcakes, brownies, candy, cookies, or other edible items).
• No birthday invitations may be handed out at school unless the entire class is invited.

Cell Phones and Smartwatches

Per School Board Policy 237, all personal devices need to be turned off and kept out of sight unless given permission by the teacher or administration. Smartwatches may be worn during the day but may not be used to call, text, take photos, or record. Smartwatches will be stored in bookbags if this expectation is not followed.

Devices in Schools

All students are provided with a device to use during the school day:

• GRK-2 students use iPads
• GR3-5 students use Chromebooks

In order for students to use their devices, the Student Device 1:1 Acceptance form must be completed in the Sapphire Portal.

Food Services Information

Breakfast and Lunch are served at school. Breakfast and Lunch menus will be posted to the district website closer to the start of school.

MyPaymentsPlus - Online Account

If you wish to open a MyPaymentsPlus account for your child, please visit https://www.mypaymentsplus.com. MyPaymentsPlus, a convenient, easy and secure online prepayment service, allows parents to deposit money into a school meal account and provides parents the ability to view account balances, add funds electronically, and view what is purchased each day. Parents can also sign up to receive an email when a low fund balance occurs. You are also welcome to send in money or checks written out to Northern Food Service. Please include your child's name and homeroom if physical money or checks are sent into the school.

Free and Reduced Meals

Households who may qualify for Free or Reduced priced meals are strongly encouraged to complete a Free and Reduced Priced Meal Application (backpack mail from school). This is important as families that apply and are approved for free or reduced priced meals may be eligible for additional discounts or approved benefits. Applications will be sent home and are due back by October 7, 2026. Please see more information on whether your family meets the criteria: https://www.northernpolarbears.com/services/food-services/free-and-reduced-lunch-information.

Breakfast Information

Any student is welcome to have breakfast. Per state funding, all breakfast is FREE for our students. Breakfast is served 8:45-9:00. Your child's teacher may request consent for breakfast. Students miss the classroom family meeting when at breakfast. No content instruction is missed.

Lunch Information

Students have 30 minutes to eat lunch in the cafeteria. They are welcome to choose from Lunch 1 or Lunch 2 for purchase (see menu for lunch options) or they may pack a lunch to eat. Unfortunately, due to space we cannot accommodate visitors during lunch. Students may choose to pack their lunch each day. Sodas are not permitted as part of the lunchtime experience and the school does not have cooling or heating opportunities for meals. Please pack items that require a cool climate, with an ice pack and items that require heating, in a thermos. No glass containers permitted.

We are excited to share a new resource available to the students and families of Northern. Bear Necessities is a district operated resource that provides free access to basic necessities (Personal Care Products, Home Goods, School Supplies, Food Pantry, etc).

The main focus of Bear Necessities is to remove barriers relating to basic necessities so students and families can focus on education. We believe that when essential needs are met, the students are better equipped to learn, participate, and thrive in school. In order to provide these items when requested, donations are greatly appreciated.

As a part of our safety protocol, parents/guardians wishing to serve as classroom volunteers, PTO volunteers, or Field Trip chaperones must have completed clearances. Click the link below for District information and links to clearances required. We appreciate your time and support!

If you are not sure if your clearances are up to date, please call or email our office: 717-432-8691 x1500 or nesoffice@northernyork.org

Principal: Joyce Cal / Email: jcal@northernyork.org

Secretary: Cindy Gayman / Email: nesoffice@northernyork.org

Nurse: Lauryn Nell / Email: nesnurse@northernyork.org

Counselor: Christine Bertsch / Email: cbertsch@northernyork.org

Website: https://nes.northernpolarbears.com/