Eisenhower Happenings
October 2026
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Lion PRIDE Focus: Courage
This October, we're celebrating courage—the bravery to try new things, stand up for what's right, and be a good friend even when it's hard. Just like Woody and Buzz remind us, "You've got a friend in me" means showing up with courage for ourselves and others. Notice moments of bravery at home and celebrate them! Go Lions! 🦁
Yours in Education,
Sandy Fauser
IMPORTANT DATES/EVENTS
October 6 - Picture Day
October 7 - Bike/Walk to School Day
October 9 - Fire Prevention Assembly
October 12 - No School (Columbus Day)
October 16 - Fall STEAM Day
October 23 - Early Dismissal - 11:15am
October 28 - End of 1st making Period
October 30 - Fall Festivals
Looking Ahead:
2027 PSSA Testing Windows (Grades 3-8):
- English Language Arts: April 26 - 30, 2027
- Mathematics & Science: May 3 - 7, 2027
Our Crossing Guards
PBIS News
The school year our school-wide theme is "You have a friend in me". Each month we will have a different theme listed here. Our first month is: October- Courage . Here are some meaningful at-home activities parents can use to discuss courage with their children:
Conversation Starters
Share your own courage stories — talk about a time you were scared but did something anyway, admitted a mistake, or stood up for what was right
Daily courage check-in: "What's something brave you did today?" (even small things like trying a new food or raising your hand in class)
"What would you do?" scenarios: "What if you saw someone being teased?" or "What if you made a mistake in front of everyone?"
Hands-On Activities
Courage jar: Write down brave acts on slips of paper and add them to a jar throughout the week, then read them together
"Bravery doesn't mean no fear" art: Draw two pictures — one showing fear and one showing courage despite fear
Courage timeline: Create a visual timeline of brave moments in your child's life (first day of school, learning to ride a bike, trying a new activity)
Family courage goals: Each family member sets one "brave goal" for the week and supports each other
We have given out a lot of Lion PRIDE tickets in September for great behaviors. Ask your child if they earned any tickets or if their class earned any big tickets.
The online store has been updated with a few more options and colors.
https://teamlocker.squadlocker.com/#/lockers/eisenhower-elementary-school-store
Our PBIS team receives a small portion of the proceeds that go directly back into our school store that supports our students.
Below please find our PBIS behavior matrix, home guide and sample prize chart:
We are hopeful that these tools help all of us to work together to help our students show Lion PRIDE across all areas of their young lives. =)
The PBIS Team
10/1/26 Homecoming Pep Rally at IKE with the High School Students
Reading Corner
What Does My Child’s Acadience Score Really Tell Me?
If you recently received your child’s Acadience Reading report, you may have looked at the numbers and wondered, “What does this really mean?” Acadience is one of the tools we use to better understand how students are developing as readers. It gives us valuable information about specific reading skills and helps us identify areas where students may need additional practice, instruction, or support.
But an Acadience score is one piece of the puzzle. It is a snapshot of a child’s reading performance at a particular point in time—not a label and not a complete picture of who they are as a reader. Teachers consider Acadience results alongside classroom work, other assessments, observations, information from families, and the many things we know about each individual student. We also pay close attention to growth over time. Reading development doesn't happen all at once, and every child’s path is different. Acadience testing is done three times each year. We are able to see student progress from year to year. Our goal is not simply to reach a particular number; our goal is to use assessment information to understand what a student knows, how they are growing as readers, what they are ready to learn next, and how we can best support them.
So, what can families do? Keep reading! Read together, talk about books and interesting topics, listen to your child read, and encourage them to explore books that match their interests. Even as children become more independent readers, reading with and talking with them continues to make a difference.
Acadience helps us answer an important question: “What does this reader need next?” Our job as educators is to use that information to help every student continue growing as a confident, capable reader.
Learning Garden Students
Math News!
We are off to a great start with our new math program, i-Ready! Students are becoming more confident with independent problem-solving and are doing a great job having discussions while collaborating with their peers to explain their thinking and solve problems.
Students are also working with the digital component of i-Ready, which provides personalized online lessons based on each student’s individual diagnostic data. This allows students to practice skills that are just right for their current needs.
We have been very pleased with how well students are adjusting to the program and look forward to seeing their continued growth in math!
In the below document, there are a lot of great details about our new curriculum, what it looks like in our classrooms and how you can support your child at home. ENJOY! =)
Info. from Nurse Craig:
3rd Grade Dental Exams: Children attending Pennsylvania schools are required to have a dental exam at designated intervals (28 PA code 23.3(a)). In order to follow the Pennsylvania regulations for 3rd grade, we request that you have the forms completed by your dental provider and returned to the nurse. Forms can be found below, on the district website under health services or obtained directly from the nurse. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call me.
Seasonal Allergy Reminder: The nurse’s office does not provide allergy medication. If your child is prone to seasonal allergies, please administer their medication at home before school.
Veggies from our Garden
P.E. News
The Fastest Class Race:
The 1st Fastest Class Race is complete and we have a winning class! Congratulations to MRS. ACKERMAN’S 5th Grade class with an average of 10.3 laps per person. This is a TIE for a EISENHOWER SCHOOL RECORD with Mrs. Hatch’s 4th grade class from 2025-2026.
1st – Ackerman
2nd – Klick
3rd – Kepner
4th – Gottdiner
5th - Hatch
This was the closest race I have had in YEARS of teaching! I am excited to see who takes the trophy and title next 9 weeks. We will continue to practice weekly in PE.
Mindfulness and Peaceful Poses:
Ms. Ann Fields from Peaceful Poses for Kids as begun her lessons for the 2026-2027 school year. During her lessons, students will learn and practice a variety of calming body movements, breathing techniques, and positive affirmations which can be used across a multitude of settings. Students will enhance their ability to identify emotions and be empowered to self-regulate independently. This class we worked on our Back to School Jitters/Nervousness. We look forward to seeing Ms. Ann return in January for “Winter Blues” and April for “Calming Test Taking Techniques”.
Sneakers:
Please remember for our student’s safety in Physical Education, please remind them to wear socks and sneakers.
Band Room
🎵 Band News – October 🎵
5th Grade Band
Our 5th graders did an amazing job performing Shout It On Out at the Homecoming Pep Rally — I’m so proud of their energy and focus! Now we are shifting gears and beginning to prepare music for our Winter Concert.
Rehearsals continue on Day 2 and Day 4 at 7:30 AM. Please help your child arrive to school on time on rehearsal days so we can make the most of our time together. Consistent attendance and punctuality are key to helping the group sound its best!
4th Grade Band
Beginning band lessons are officially underway, and everyone is off to a fantastic start! Students have been learning how to assemble their instruments and play their very first notes — such an exciting milestone. 🎶
Looking ahead, I expect to begin group rehearsals in early November. I’ll send an update to families with the schedule once we are ready to make music together as a full band.
Reminder: Please be sure your child has their band book for lessons. Having the book each week is important so students can follow along and practice at home.
Melodie Beam
Eisenhower Elementary Band
Camp Hill School District
717-901-2400 x 4115
Counseling Corner
Music Room
Notes from the Music Room
This year at Eisenhower, our classes are featuring a different genre of music for our daily warm-up each month! These activities give us a fun way to try something new, bring us together as a class, and help us get focused and ready for our lesson.
September got us off to a wonderful start as we explored Country Music. Given the recent passing of Dolly Parton, it was deeply touching to hear so many of our students share their love for her music and joy in learning her work. Some of the activities we enjoyed are:
Rhythm Patterns: Creating rhythmic patterns to accompany Dolly Parton’s "9 to 5."
Movement & Dance: Learning a basic line dance set to Alabama’s lively track, "Mountain Music."
Partner Collaboration: Building and performing repeating rhythmic patterns (ostinatos) alongside George Strait's "Write This Down."
Grade-Level Highlights
3rd Grade
Students reviewed whole notes and whole note rests, putting their knowledge to work by creating original rhythm compositions. Next lesson, they will perform their pieces live with a chosen backing track!
4th Grade
After reviewing recorder notes and fingerings, students composed individual pieces to share in small groups. Each group then selected one composition to refine and perform for the whole class. Finally, we arranged these individual pieces into one larger collaborative work while exploring musical structure and form.
5th Grade
5th graders had a great time in learning centers reviewing sixteenth-note rhythms and treble clef staff note placement. They also mastered "We Will Rock You" on the recorder! Next up, they will compose rhythm pieces featuring dotted half notes and sixteenth notes.
The creativity and collaboration taking place across all grade levels has been truly inspiring. Thank you for supporting your young musicians!
Chorus Spotlight (4th & 5th Grade)
Rehearsals for our 4th and 5th Grade Chorus are off to a fantastic start! Students are learning how to blend their voices together as a large ensemble, pay close attention to clear diction so our lyrics shine through, and build the confidence to sing in part harmony. It is so exciting to hear them grow with every single rehearsal—they truly are an amazing group of young musicians!
Tech and Media - Mrs. Carrie Budman
Run Club News
Eisenhower Run Club Smore:
https://app.smore.com/n/b2jh3/edit
**Please note that the registration deadline in Friday, September 4th.
Schedules
2026-2027 Parent Handbook
Lunch Information
District News
Staff Directory
Eisenhower Elementary School
Email: sfauser@camphillsd.k12.pa.us
Website: https://www.camphillsd.k12.pa.us/Page/1972
Location: 340 North 21st Street, Camp Hill, PA, USA
Phone: (717) 901-2600