Tawanka Times

To kick off Read Across America week, Mr. Palmer read the Dr. Seuss book Ten Apples Up on Top via Zoom to the entire school! Mrs. Cozza put apples up on Mrs. Duffy's head as he read until she had 10 apples Up on Top!

Miss Christine decorated the office windows to join in on the Dr. Seuss fun! She did an awesome job!

Silly socks, wacky outfits, and hats, oh my! This week, Tawanka was transformed into a wacky and whimsical place for learning! Students and staff celebrated Read Across America Week by enjoying special themed days and reading books written by some favorite authors. They ended the week with a Virtual Pajama Day Zoom!

The students in Mrs. Wendling’s first grade room and Mrs. McHugh’s fourth grade got together via ZOOM breakout rooms to share readings of their favorite Dr. Seuss books.

Mr. Blaydon's class showing off their Wacky Wednesday styles!

Ms. Houser and Ms. Pomponio all decked out for Wacky Wednesday!

Our Kindergarten Team looking fabulous on Hat Day!

Mrs. Alexis and Mrs. Ratka wore their hot dog and hamburger hats! They made a great pair!!

Today, the writers in room C106 began learning different elements of poetry. We kicked it off by reading Bleezer’s Ice Cream by Jack Prelutsky and identifying the alliterations in the poem. It is full of crazy ice cream flavors! We then created our own ice cream flavors, complete with alliterations.

Here are some we wrote:

• “Chicken Crab with Cotton Candy”
• “Pink Plum Plumsy Plum”
• “Strawberry with Sour Syrup”

Would you want to try out these flavors? We cannot wait to write some more silly poems!!

3rd Grade fun with fractions!

3rd graders in Ms. Werner, Mrs. Davis's class and 4th graders in Mr. Finkel's class are engaging in an an iReady battle. Our March Madness is the student who passes the most amount of lessons in the week moves to the next round. If a student is eliminated they still have the opportunity to join the championship round if they pass a total of 9 lessons in one week. If two students tie, the tie is broken by whoever has the most amount of minutes. The class is also earning points for positive class behavior to try and get to 100 points by the end of the month. If they reach 100 points by the end of the month they get the open the “basketball surprise egg” that will reward the entire class. It’s been fun and something to change up our typical computer routine. 😊

Tawanka 4th grade students are strengthening their core and developing their balance as they hold yoga poses in the gym.

With pandemic-related precautions in place, getting kids to exercise and enjoy healthier foods can be a challenge. But the physical education teachers throughout the District have been busy coming up with creative ways to keep their students active, even while staying socially-distanced.

As part of this effort, Tawanka Elementary School physical education teacher Bob Wright created a newsletter which offers ideas to promote healthy eating and an active lifestyle. Mr. Wright is a strong believer in outdoor activity for kids, and encourages them to try healthy snack foods through a fruit and vegetable donation program at Tawanka. Please click on the link below for more information:

https://www.smore.com/m7usc

Hi! I am Mrs. Cozza and I am so happy that I was given the chance to be the Acting Coordinator of Student Affairs this year. This new position has made it possible for me to chat with many new friends and become more involved with the Tawanka community.

I have a BA in American History from West Chester University, a M.Ed in Elementary Education from Holy Family University and I am currently working toward Principalship Certification at Eastern University. My family and I live in New Hope with our dog Max. You can find us on the weekends playing field hockey or walking through town with friends.

There are (4) PTO Board Member Positions up for election for the 2021-2022 School Year:

2nd Vice President

Treasurer

Corresponding Secretary

Recording Secretary

Anyone interested in running for one of these positions should email the Principal and copy the PTO: dpalmer@neshaminy.org and tawankapto@gmail.com

Deadline for submission is Monday, April 5th. The election will be held virtually on May 5th.

Officer Zaffino stopped by Tawanka for a bus safety presentation. He explained to students how to be Respectful, Responsible and Safe on the bus. Students designed and colored their own busses and in the windows showed students displaying appropriate behavior on the bus. The Tawanka Eagle even stopped by to learn all of our bus expectations!

Safety of all students and staff is a top priority at Tawanka, and so we have strict safety procedures in place. A reminder of the following:

Building Entry: All visitors must scan their driver's license or state issued ID at the kiosk in the front vestibule and wait for entry. This is required at every visit, or access will be denied..Early

Dismissals: Please notify the teacher if your child will be picked up early. If being picked up by someone other than a parent/guardian, please specify who will be picking up your child. Students will only be released to individuals listed on the emergency card, but the office must be notified prior to pick-up. Students must be signed out in the main office. Again, driver's license or state issued ID is required to pick up a student. Please schedule early dismissals no later then 2:30 to avoid afternoon dismissal traffic.

Don't forget - we have 2 Dine to Donate nights coming up! You can support the PTO with the added bonus of not having to cook!

Monday, March 15th from 4-9 pm: Red Robin Night! Dine in or take-out! Make sure to show the flyer so the PTO gets credit for your order!

March 23rd from 3 - 9 pm: Mama Russo's Night! Mention you are with Tawanka and the PTO gets 10% of the proceeds. It applies to both dine-in and take-out orders!

Our Spring School Spirit wear sale will run from March 22nd - April 5th. Keep an eye out for the link to the store in your emails! Don't miss out, it will be the last Spirit Wear Sale of the year!

The PTO has recently created a Facebook group strictly for virtual raffles. Please consider joining this group as a way to support the PTO and have chances to win great prizes! https://www.facebook.com/groups/2905928133030316/

If you have not yet joined the general PTO Facebook group yet, here is the link as well:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/584602675072595

Don't forget that the PTO is still collecting Box Tops! This is an easy way to help earn money for Tawanka - download the app today! For more information, go to https://www.boxtops4education.com/.

You can also register your ShopRite Price Plus card at shopriteformyschool.com and designate Tawanka Elementary to receive your earned eBoxTops. When you buy participating products and swipe your Price Plus Card, eBoxTops are credited to Tawanka, adding to the check we receive from Box Tops for Education.