Core Creek Chronicle

2025-2026 School Year:

• 1/19/26- MLK Jr. Holiday- No school for students, Main office is open
• 1/23/26- PTO Dance; snow date 1/31/26; see details below
• 1/28/26- Dine & Donate- Villa Rosa- 10 am - 9:30 pm; see details below
• 2/13/26- Half day- dismissal 11:10 am
• 2/16/26- President's Day- No school for students
• 2/17/26- No school for students
• 3/14/26- Wizards Game at Neshaminy High School
• 3/23/26- Book Fair Week
• PSSA ELA: April 21st, 22nd, 24th
• PSSA Math: April 28 and 29th

Students earn tickets for being respectful, responsible, and safe. The images below show our most recent weekly winners! Congratulations to all students who have earned a pride ticket!

Students earn points for showing respectful, responsible, and safe choices in the lunchroom. The class with the highest points receives the Golden Fork Award. The class with the second highest points receives the Golden Spoon Award.

Congratulations to the following classes.

Kindergarten:

• Golden Fork: Mrs. Schaeffer's Class
• Golden Spoon: Mrs. Royal's Class

First Grade:

• Golden Fork: Ms. Diaz's Class
• Golden Spoon: Ms. Wells' Class

Second Grade:

• Golden Fork: Mrs. Richmond's Class
• Golden Spoon: Ms. Martindell's Class

Third Grade:

• Golden Fork: Mrs. Maher's Class
• Golden Spoon: Ms. McLaughlin's Class

Fourth Grade:

• Golden Fork: Mrs. Grebe's Class
• Golden Spoon: Mrs. Briscella's Class

Jan. 12-28- Dibels test window

Jan. 20-27- i-Ready ELA test window

Jan. 28-Feb. 4- i-Ready Math test window

Students participate in the DIBELS assessment (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) three times a year in grades K-2. DIBELS is a short, one-on-one reading check that helps teachers understand how students are developing important early reading skills, such as recognizing sounds, reading words, and reading fluently.

The assessment is quick and feels like a reading activity rather than a test. Results help teachers:

• See how students are progressing in reading

• Identify areas where a child may need extra support

• Plan instruction that meets students’ individual needs

i-Ready is a computer-based assessment that adjusts questions based on each child’s responses. As students answer questions, the program becomes easier or more challenging to better understand what they know and what skills they are ready to learn next.

The purpose of i-Ready is not to give a grade. Instead, it helps teachers identify students’ strengths, areas for growth, and plan instruction that meets each child where they are. Students take the assessment several times during the year so teachers can monitor progress and celebrate growth over time .

How Families Can Help:

• Encourage your child to do their best and take their time

• Make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep and arrives at school ready to learn

• Remind your child that this is not a test to study for—just a chance to show what they know

Families will receive a Family Report when testing is complete. The video below gives a brief overview of the assessment.

Regular school attendance is important for your child’s learning and success. All students of compulsory school age (ages 6–18) are expected to attend school each day unless an absence is excused.

Please note:

• Absences are marked unexcused until an excuse is provided

• Absences may be excused by sending a handwritten note, doctor's note, emailing your child’s teacher, or submitting the absence through the School Messenger app

• Excused absences include illness, medical appointments, religious observances, and other approved reasons

• Students are responsible for making up missed work after an excused absence

Unexcused absences may lead to truancy notifications and required meetings if attendance concerns continue. School Messenger is also used to share important updates, attendance messages, and weather-related information.

If you have questions about attendance, please contact the main office at 215-809-6390.

Families may request approval for students to be excused from school to participate in an educational trip or tour that is not sponsored by the school. Requests must be submitted in writing to the building principal at least five school days in advance (except in emergencies).

Please note:

• Trips are not approved during the first 10 school days or during PSSA testing for Grades 3–4

• A maximum of five school days per school year may be approved

• Make-up work is the student’s responsibility, and not all classroom instruction can be recreated.

Families will be notified if a request is denied. For questions, please call the main office at 215-809-6390.

Core Creek was chosen to participate in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Last week, 4th grade teachers sent home a letter and an email notifying parents if their child was randomly selected to participate in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. Only 50 4th grade students were chosen to complete the assessment. NAEP is the largest nationally representative and continuing assessment of what students know and can do in various subjects. It is often referred to as the "Nations Report Card".

The assessment takes about 120 minutes for most students, which includes transition time, directions, and completion of survey questions.

The information collected is used for statistical purposes only.

• Your child’s grades will not be affected.

• Students may be excused for any reason, are not required to complete the assessment, and may skip any question.

While the assessment is voluntary, NAEP depends on student participation to help policymakers improve education. If you do not want your child to participate, please notify their fourth grade teacher and Matt Thompson at mattthompson@neshaminy.org in writing by Friday, January 30, 2026 to opt out of the assessment.

There is no need to study in preparation for NAEP, but please encourage your child to do their best.

Our lost and found is located in our cafeteria. We have numerous articles of clothing, jackets, water bottles, and lunch boxes. Please ask your child to check the lost and found for any items they may have misplaced. Reminders are being given in the lunchroom as well.

As a reminder, please label your child's items so that our team can help return any lost items to the correct owner.

Who needs to obtain volunteer clearances?

Any adult applying for or holding a volunteer position who is responsible for a child's welfare or has direct contact with children during curricular or co-curricular activities needs to obtain volunteer clearances. Examples include classroom volunteers, Home & School activity volunteers, or field trip chaperones.

If you have any questions as to whether a clearance is needed for a particular volunteer role or activity, please contact our main office, 215-809-6390.

Don't Wait!

Act 34 - the Pennsylvania State Police Clearance - can take 2 to 4 weeks to process and Act 151 - the Child Abuse History Clearance - can also take 2 to 4 weeks.

You will NOT be allowed to volunteer or chaperone a school trip unless all appropriate volunteer paperwork is complete and submitted.

Click the link below to access additional information and links for each clearance.

https://www.neshaminy.org/Domain/2376

You can view our current menus anytime here. Food Services / Food Services Menus and Info. Families may qualify for free or reduced-price meals. Find out more or apply at

Food Services / Free & Reduced Meal Program

Meal Prices for 2025–26

Breakfast: FREE

Lunch: $2.80

The breakfast and lunch menus for January are listed below.

Students in third and fourth grade will be taking the English Language Arts (ELA) and Math PSSAs this spring. For planning purposes I have provided the specific dates below.

PSSA ELA: April 21st, 22nd, 24th

PSSA Math: April 28 and 29th

• February 4th
• March 4th
• April 8th
• May 13th
• June 3rd

Please see the attached flyer for the grade level school store dates. The school store will run on Fridays from 8:50am - 9:20am.