FC's October 2024 Newsletter

Greetings, Fishing Creek Families!

That first month of school just flew by - WOW! September certainly was a busy month at FC!

Our teachers and staff spent the first few weeks establishing routines and conducting beginning of the year assessments which help us get to know our students academically. Since then, we've all turned our attention to getting rolling with new content. I want to give a shout out to all of our staff and students for their hard work getting accustomed to our new ELA program Into Reading and also 95% group Phonics. I'm confident that these new resources will really help our students grow this year in reading!

Check out the information below to see what's been going on at FC in September and what is coming up in October!

Wednesday, October 2 - Picture Day

Tuesday, October 8 at 5:00 PM - PTO Family Fun Night

See PTO update below for more information

Monday, October 14 - Scheduled Remote Learning Day

The 2024-2025 school calendar incorporates Scheduled Remote Learning Days for students with staff members using the day for professional development, data analysis, and collaboration. Teachers will provide asynchronous work for students equal to a half day of instruction. Student work may be completed that day or anytime over the weekend and submitted the next day school is in session. Unlike the weather-related remote learning days, students will NOT attend Zoom sessions on these remote days. All students will be marked present unless reported as absent. In the event of an absence, families should follow regular procedures for absence notification and the standard make-up procedures will apply.

Tuesday, October 15 at 6:30 PM

PTO Meeting in FC Library

Wednesday, October 16 - West Shore Unity Day/Stop Bullying Day

Unity Day was started by PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center and provides us with an opportunity to stand united against bullying and in support of kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. On Wednesday, October 16, all West Shore students, teachers, administrators, secretaries, bus drivers, food service staff, parents, and community members are invited to get involved and wear the color orange.

• October 4th: Jersey Day (Wear favorite jersey)

• October 16th: West Shore Unity Day

• October 30th: Shark of the Month (Shark Shirt Day)

Conferences are held so parents and teachers may evaluate together the progress the student has made. Sharing responsibilities, working together, and exchanging valuable information is helpful to the teacher and parent, as well as the student. With online tools such as Seesaw, there has been an increase in communication between families and students outside of the traditional conference. In addition, some families have opportunities to discuss student progress with school staff at other meetings such as IEP meetings and 504 meetings. Therefore, it might not be necessary to hold a traditional conference.

However, if you are interested in scheduling a traditional in-person conference with your student's teacher, a Teacher Conference day will be held on Friday, November 1. We will send out more information regarding this conference day, including a link to our online conference scheduling tool, later in October. Conferences can be scheduled with teachers outside of this day, but that is exclusively based on the teacher's availability.

Save the Date, Fishing Creek Families!

New event - Fishing Creek Meetup

Bring your own sports equipment to play with other kids from your school and surrounding neighborhoods. Ride your bike, play pickleball, playground, backyard games, etc

When: Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024

Where: Hillside Elementary School, 516 7th Street, New Cumberland

Time: 10:30 am - 12:00 pm

Facilitated by Ms. Adams (Fishing Creek), Mrs. Creek (Hillside), and Mrs. Wolf (Rossmoyne), Phys. Ed. teachers

Rain date: Nov. 3, 2024 1 pm to 2:30 pm

A SeeSaw announcement to signup will be coming soon!

Starting October 16th, the music room will be using the DRUM instruments provided by a grant from the West Shore Foundation! Students from first to fourth grade will have the opportunity to play tubano drums, agogo bells, cabasas, and other percussion instruments from around the world in music class!

Shout out to our Sharks of the Month who were nominated for showing Respect at FC in September! Keep up the great work, Sharks!

Spirit gear is HERE!!!

This year we’ve partnered with a new provider including a new logo, new styles, new materials and new products added throughout the year. The store will be available all year long with both shipping and pickup options! The link to the store is available on both our website (FishingCreekPTO.com) and the PTO Facebook group or you can shop at the link below:

https://store.modernimprintllc.com/fishing_creek_pto_store/shop/home

The Book Fair is Coming Soon....October 7th, 8th & 10th @Fishing Creek School Library

All purchases through the Book Fair benefit our school. Thanks for supporting our kids! Happy reading!

More info: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/fishingcreekelemschool

VOLUNTEERS Needed: The PTO needs volunteers to make this event a success! Can you pick a time to help?

Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C45ABAF2FA1F8C16-51653332-fall

Fall Family Fun Night - October 8th, 5:00 - 7:30 (rain or shine) @Fishing Creek Elementary

Free activities and treats including; Bounce House Obstacle Course, Face Painting, Airbrush Tattoos, Balloon Animals, Games, Popcorn, Cotton Candy, Crafts, Scavenger Hunt, Prizes, Door Prizes and even more Prizes along with so much MORE! The Book Fair will also be open and food for purchase from various food trucks!

VOLUNTEERS Needed to assist with the event.

Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084AAEAC29A4FBC25-51442086-fall

Bring the whole family and don’t miss this evening of Family Fun!

It's important that iPads come to school fully charged and ready to learn each day! Kindergartners, 3rd graders, and all new students will get their device at the beginning of the year.

Fishing Creek is on Instagram! Follow us at FCSharks1 to see what's some of the great things happening at FC!

Looking for a rewarding job? We have immediate openings in a variety of District departments. To learn more and apply, please visit: https://www.applitrack.com/wssdk12/onlineapp/default.aspx?all=1

We are also looking for day-to-day substitute teachers. You do not have to have a teaching certificate to become a substitute. WSSD contracts with STS to fill substitute positions. To find out more or apply, please visit https://www.thesubservice.com/. You don't have to be able to substitute every day in order to sign up to be a substitute. Even if you can only substitute occasionally, that little bit will help immensely.

As always, please contact us if you have questions or need assistance!

Mr. Matthew Wensel

Principal - Fishing Creek Elementary School

wenselm@wssd.k12.pa.us

717-938-6565

Mr. Adam Marshall

Assistant Principal - Fishing Creek Elementary School

amarshall@wssd.k12.pa.us

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram @FCSharks1 to see the awesome things happening here at FC!