Don't forget to "Spring Forward" and turn your clocks ahead this Sunday, March 13th! Let's get ready for longer hours of fun outside!!

There were 80 students who participated in Math Challenge #10! The classes with the highest participants were: Ms. Wendling, Ms. Atwater, and Ms. Curtin. Amazing job!

Math challenge #11 began on 3/4 & is due Wednesday, March 16th.

For the answer keys for previous challenges or to print Math Challenge #11, please click here: https://www.mathinaction.org/neshaminy-sd-elementary.htm

Mrs. Fedele and Mrs. Blaydon's classes got together with their buddies to kick off March Madness. They worked together using a pencil, a toothpick, a cup, a spoon, a rubber band, and tape to make a catapult that would launch the ping pong ball into the "net". There was a lot of trial and error, but we had students who successfully figured out a way to score a basket!

Ms. Kidd and Mrs. Mannherz classrooms worked together to decorate some puzzle pieces for the upcoming Autism Awareness Month. There will be a collage in the building of all the beautiful pieces!!

Mrs. Cromwell's and Mrs. Banks' classrooms got together to read. Here are some photos of the Kindergarteners reading to their fourth grade buddies! Great job everyone!!

Here are some of our friends dressed in their favorite PJs during Read Across Tawanka week.

Here are some photos of 3rd graders when they dropped everything to read during Read Across Tawanka Week.

Hello! I am Miss Trotta, a Kindergarten teacher here at Tawanka. I have taught Kindergarten for 16 years now! Believe it or not, I knew I would be a Kindergarten teacher when I was in Kindergarten! It is my favorite grade. Besides kindergarten, I love my family, my daughter, my 2 dogs, and Disney!

Ms. Kidd's class is having fun during their morning routine with wordle!

Mr. Finkel's class started MyPath Madness (like March madness) where they compete against each other using my path passed and completed assignments for ELA and Math.

Our 4th graders are still playing kickball continuing with the Space Cowboys and LumberKings picking up wins.

Throughout the month of February, Mrs. Tryon’s class participated in a Kindness Challenge. The class read the book, Kindness is Cooler, Mrs. Ruler and then were put to the challenge to complete as many random acts of kindness they could at home and school. Each student made a “Heart Chart” to fill, and as their teachers and parents caught them doing something kind, they were given a heart to add to their chart. The grand total for the class totaled up to 126 acts of kindness! Great job third graders!

During the first 2 weeks of March, third graders had a chance to learn what it was like to be a geologist. Each student was given a “mock rock” to measure, weigh, break apart, and even dissolve to find out exactly what their rock was made of. Students learned to use measuring tools such as measuring tapes or rulers, and balance scales. They learned how to take observation notes, and to use the scientific method to figure out each ingredient in their rock. Rocks rock!

Congratulations to the following students for joining the third grade i-Ready Clubs:

25 Math Club

Taylor, Anna, Hansa, Aubrey, Max

25 Reading Club

Bek, Anna, Dan, Davis, Gabby, Aubrey, Mason, Lucas, Evelyn, Izzy, Fiona

50 Reading Club

Kaelyn, Sofia, Cameron, Anna, Zelda, Angelina, Erin, Lana, Yosuf, Anna, DJ, Seth, Michael

50 Math Club

Emily, Robert, Angelina, Aisha, Evan, Zelda, Emma, Timur, Violetta, Savannah, Mason, Yosuf, Evelyn, Kylie, DJ, Seth, Izzie

100 Reading Club

Emma

Mrs. Hanna's class had some fun playing with Oobleck during Read Across Tawanka week.

Mrs. Hanna and Ms. Wells classes researched animal habitats and adaptations and then made their own dioramas !

Ms. Atwater's class learned many strategies on how to add multiple double digits. What fun!

Our first graders had some fun reading on grab your favorite book day, which happened to be on Dr. Suess' Birthday!!

Mrs. Curtin's class took a spring walk together!

Ms. Pomponio’s class is preparing for the STEAM expo!

One of our Kindergarteners, Nick, dressed to impress this week!! He donned a dress shirt and tie because he wants to be just like Mr. Palmer and be a principal when he grows up!!

1st graders are learning about the artist Vincent Van Gogh. We created our flowers using model magic. Today we are painting them! Next time we will put them together to create a still life!

Some of our 4th graders had fun in gym with scooters! Look at those smiles!!

Tawanka students aren’t alone in loving gym scooters! Chance had a blast riding one, too!

Registration for the 2022-2023 school year is now open. Families are encouraged to register their new students as early as possible to ensure that they are able to attend their neighborhood school. Registration is done online here: https://www.neshaminy.org/register. Once completed, a member of the Central Registration staff will contact you to make an appointment to complete the process in-person.

We want to hear from you on how we can improve our dining program! The survey is available from February 22nd - March 18th. Take the survey together with your student if you haven't already!

Reminder: Families should still apply for the Free and Reduced Meal Program even though breakfast and lunch is free this year.

2021-2022 Free & Reduced Information

• All school meals (breakfast & lunch) will be free of charge to all students, regardless of family income, during the 2021-2022 school year.
• Optional snack items might be available in some schools, and can be purchased using your School Cafe account.
• Families who might be eligible for the Free & Reduced meal program during a normal school year are still encouraged to apply. Acceptance to the Free & Reduced program could make your family eligible for additional unrelated benefits during the school year (see below).
• If you apply for the Free & Reduced program and are not accepted, your student(s) will continue to receive free school meals during the 2021-2022 school year. There is no risk in applying.

To apply:

1. See if your family meets the income eligibility guidelines here.
2. Download the application instructions here.
3. You can apply online by logging into your School Cafe account.
4. Or...you can download and print the 2021-2022 Free & Reduced application here. After filling it out, return the form to your child's school Main Office.

If you need assistance, the Main Office staff at each school can help in completing the Free & Reduced application.

Do you have questions about this application or the Free & Reduced program at Neshaminy? Call Angelique DeFeo at 215-809-6542.

Safety of all students and staff is a top priority at Tawanka, 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. We strongly encourage early dismissals be no later than 3:00 pm.

March meeting minutes are posted below. Next PTO meeting will be held April 6th @ 7 pm.

We welcome all parents and hope to see you there!