Core Creek Chronicle

2025-2026 School Year:

• 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
• 3/12/26- End of the second trimester
• 3/14/26- Wizards Game at Neshaminy High School
• 3/17/26- Report Cards are published in Home Access Center
• 3/23/26- Book Fair Week
• 3/27/26- PTO Pizza Bingo
• 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 and families attended the Glow Dance on Friday, January 23rd. Thank you to the PTO and all volunteers who helped to make it such a wonderful time!

Thank you for helping us keep our car line safe and running smoothly! A few friendly reminders: please stay in your lane and avoid going around other cars. If you arrive early for a pm dismissal and are in the middle school car line, we appreciate you staying in that line until you can safely turn into Core Creek. During arrival, please pull up as far as possible to help keep traffic moving. For everyone’s safety, please remain in your car during both arrival and dismissal.

We truly appreciate your patience and cooperation—working together makes drop-off and pick-up easier for everyone!

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.

Students will have a half day on February 13th. Dismissal will be at 11:10 am. Students can order lunches. Students will not eat lunch at school. All lunches will be brought home.

Families need to complete the order form prior to Monday, February 9th.

As a reminder, Core Creek has a treat-free policy. If your child is bringing in a Valentine for their classmates, please remember that candy or treats cannot be included. Students can bring in non-edible items to pass out.

Below is a list of reminders that are included in the Chromebook Student Pledge that went home at the start of the year. Due to an increase in incidents of damage and misuse with our Chromebooks, I encourage families to review the reminders with your child.

1. I will never leave the Chromebook unattended.

2. I will never loan my Chromebook to other individuals.

3. I will know where my Chromebook is at all times.

4. I will arrive at school with my Chromebook fully charged.

5. I will protect the screen from scratches.

6. I will keep food and beverages away from my Chromebook since they may cause damage to it.

7. I will not disassemble or try to repair any part of my Chromebook or attempt any repairs

possibly voiding the warranty.

8. I will protect my Chromebook by storing it in the protective case provided by the District.

9. I will not leave my Chromebook in a parked car.

10. I will not place unapproved decorations (stickers, markers, etc.) on the Chromebook.

11. I will not take off, destroy or markup any identifiable information that is attached to the device

or case.

12. I understand that my Chromebook is subject to inspection at any time without notice

and that it remains the property of Neshaminy School District.

13. I will follow Neshaminy School District’s Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) and guidelines when

using ]Mobile Devices.

14. I will use the district provided Internet resources for educational purposes only.

15. I will file a police report in case of lost or theft.

16. I will be responsible for all damage or loss caused by neglect or abuse.

17. I agree to return the District Chromebook and power cord in good working condition

immediately upon request by the District.

18. I agree to replace the power adaptor if lost, stolen, or damaged.

19. I agree to immediately return my District issued Chromebook and charger if I leave the

Neshaminy School District.

Chromebooks issued to students are the property of the Neshaminy School District. NSD does not charge a technology fee for Chromebook usage.

• Incidents of damage, theft or loss as follows:
• FIRST INCIDENT: No Cost
• EACH ADDITIONAL INCIDENT: $50 deductible per incident.

• Any theft or loss of a device must be supported by an official police report.
• Any damage or loss that occurs due to negligence is not covered by the ADP.
• Incidents will be reviewed and determined by administration.

Negligence will result in the financial responsibility of the student. Such damages may include but are not limited to:

• Damage caused because of horseplay
• Damage caused by storing items in the carrying case
• Damage caused by excessive heat (Device must be stored in a climate-controlled environment)
• Damage that is intentionally destructive (Including but not limited to removing of key nubs, keyboard molding, prying around the screen, any signs of opening the device casing)

• Replacement due to negligence will be at current market price.
• In the event of an incident, the obligation will be attached to student’s account until paid in full and may result in additional consequences.

The ADP DOES NOT cover bags and chargers. Families are responsible to replace these items. Chargers may be purchased on the School Café.

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

• Families will receive a letter after 10 total absences (both excused and unexcused) have accumulated.

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.

All items will be donated at the start of February.

Below is a copy of the Parent-Student Handbook for the 2025-2026 school year. I encourage all families to review the handbook to stay up to date on any changes to procedures and district information.

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

PTO meetings are held in the cafeteria starting at 7 p.m.

• UPDATE- February 2nd
• 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.