Foster School E-Blast
November 11th to November 17th
Principal’s Notes
- Absences - For an absence or a tardy to be considered excused it must fall under the following categories set by the school board: Permissible excused absences from District Schools are: (1) personal illness/medical appointments, (2) death in the immediate family, (3) traditionally recognized religious holidays, (4) approved educational travel. Please note that a report is run every Tuesday and a letter is emailed to parents if an absence is outstanding.
- Recess - The school/lunch recess hour will occur daily from 12:00PM – 1:00PM. Students who leave for lunch should return to the building by 12:55PM and enter the building through the main entrance. Students may return to recess but MUST check-in through the office and cannot return until 12:30PM.
- Pick Up/Drop Off – For safety reasons, parents are not allowed at any time to pull into the driveway from 7:45AM-4:00PM. In addition, please do not park in front of the building during pick up and drop off.
- Arrival - With classroom instruction beginning promptly at 8:45AM, it is extremely important that your child arrive to school on time. Please remember that children need to physically be in homerooms (not just dropped off) by 8:35am otherwise, they will be marked tardy. It is recommended that children are dropped off between 8:20AM and 8:30AM.
- AM Playground - Supervision is not available for students on the playground area until 8:20AM. For security reasons, only students are allowed on the playground area during this time. If students arrive before 8:30AM they need to go to the playground. After 8:27AM students may use the front entrance.
- The playground will not be supervised once school is over at 3:30PM. In addition, the playground may be closed after school throughout the year due to certain school district activities.
RECESS ANNOUNCEMENT
It is very important to remember that as long as the weather holds out, we will go out for outdoor recess. When snow is on the ground students must-have boots and snow pants to play in the snow. Students will not be permitted to walk in the snow without boots. It is very important to send students with proper winter attire including a warm coat, hat, gloves, etc. District Handbook Policy states "Outdoor recess occurs unless the temperature is below 15℉" Thank you!
5th Grade District Chorus Announcement
With the day rotation change ( due to the snow day) adjustments needed to be made to the dates for rehearsal to match to Day 3. Please see the updated schedule below:
Tuesday February 6 (Foster) - Part 2 (Review all songs)
Tuesday February 13 (Foster) - everyone
**Wednesday February 14 (Day 4) -- Morning rehearsal 9:00 - 11:30 at the High School - - students will be transported to the High School and back to Foster on that day
Wednesday February 21 (at Foster)
**Wednesday, February 28 (Day 3) -- Morning rehearsal 9:00 - 11:30 at the High School - - students will be transported to the High School and back to Foster on that day
**Concert that evening (Wednesday, February 28) at 7:00 PM - report at 6:40 pm in concert attire (white top and black/dark bottom)***
PLEASE CHECK YOUR CLEARANCES
Clearances for volunteering within the district expire after 5 years and will need to be renewed. If you have any questions or need to know the date(s) your clearance(s) expires please email Mrs. Carlson at tcarlson@mtlsd.net.
INVESTIGATIONS MATH RESOURCE
How many times have you said, "I don't understand this new math?" We have a solution! Investigations has a resource you can access online to help. Click on the button below, choose your child's grade level, and then the concept. Videos will be provided for every math concept that is taught.
GO ZONE
- Release students only on the curbside, NOT into the street
- Once your child exits the vehicle, please do not wait in your vehicle to watch them enter the building
- Drivers should not exit the car - allow children to exit the car by themselves
- DO NOT park and get out of your vehicle if you are in the GO ZONE from 8:15 to 8:45 AM and 3:15-3:45 PM
- Please pull up as far as possible so others have room to park. As vehicles move up in the Go Zone – PLEASE MOVE UP to allow others in
- If your child is not yet out or ready to be picked up, please make a loop around the block
- Once your children are in your car, please leave immediately for someone else to take your space
PSSA Testing Announcement
Please note that NO pre-approved absences will be approved (for the following grades) during the dates listed below due to standardized testing:
• April 22, April 24, and April 26: Grades 3, 4, and 5 (PSSA ELA Test)
• April 29 - April 30: Grades 3, 4, and 5 (PSSA Math Test)
• May 2 - May 3: Grade 4 (PSSA Science Test)
Kindergarten registration is officially open for the 2024-2025 school year. To register a child for kindergarten, please complete the 2024-2025 Kindergarten Registration Sign-Up form. Upon completion, kindergarten parents will be directed to the online enrollment center where kindergarten parents can download and complete all necessary registration documents; if preferred, kindergarten parents may also request a registration packet to be mailed home.
Please call/email Mrs. Carlson in the office to set up an appointment to drop off your registration materials: tcarlson@mtlsd.net or 412.344.2162. Packets must be complete with all documentation requirements prior to turning them in.
Click on the links below for helpful information to begin this process:
The Foster School Office will be in communication with kindergarten parents regarding kindergarten orientation and screening dates & times as spring approaches.
We look forward to your child joining us!
Falcon Focus
GREEN
Ivy O
Emalyn R
Savannah S
Eric G
Walther H
Isla T
Sebastian S
Stella G
Ali M
Ben T
Kasper K
Benny S
Sophie S
Gabija J
Keep flying high!!!
WHAT IS PBIS?
PBIS or Positive Behavioral Interventions or Supports is a school-wide positive behavior support system or set of strategies and systems to increase the capacity of schools to (a) reduce school disruption, and (b) educate all students including those with problem behaviors.
- Clearly defined outcomes
- Research-validated practices
- Supportive administrative systems
- Use of information for problem-solving
WHAT ARE THE FEATURES OF PBIS?
- Establish regular, predictable, positive learning & teaching environments
- Train adults & students to serve as positive models
- Teach and model behavioral expectations
- Create systems for providing regular positive feedback
- Acknowledge students when they are “doing the right thing”
- Improve social competence
- Develop environments that support academic success
WHAT IS THE FEATHER SYSTEM?
A system to acknowledge students who are exhibiting SOAR behaviors by giving them specific positive feedback along with a falcon feather. After collecting 20 feathers, students turn them in to be recognized on our Falcon Board, outside the office, and will be featured in our Falcon Focus!
Monthly Behavior Focus: Recess Behavior
Each month Foster School focuses on the behavior expectations of certain locations in the building. This month is RESTROOM BEHAVIOR.
We look for students to:
BE SAFE
- Use restroom appropriately
- Keep water in the sink
- Walk
- Tell an adult if restroom needs attention
- Wait, if needed, against the wall until a stall becomes available
- Always wash hands
ACCOUNTABLE
- Use water, soap and paper towels sparingly
- Flush toilet after use
- Keep restrooms clean
- Return directly to class or designated area when finished
RESPONSIBLE
- Observe personal space
- Lock stalls when entering and unlock when leaving
- Respect privacy
- Use a soft voice
FAMILIES can sign into Schoology by going to app.schoology.com and signing in using the email address registered through PowerSchool. The access code for Foster families to join MTLSD's Family Guide to Schoology is 98RX-4J2Q-5GTV8.
Note: STUDENTS sign into Schoology using Clever, or at mtlsd.schoology.com with their Google account. Once signed in, parents can follow these directions to join a course.
Families with more than one student only need to join one course, though it is suggested to join a secondary course if the oldest student in that family is enrolled in one of our secondary schools. If you have not received initial communication from Schoology about your account, email us at schoologysupport@mtlsd.net.
FOR DEVICE HELP CLICK HERE
PTA Scholastic Book Fair 2024
Mark your calendars for the Foster Elementary Scholastic Book Fair! This year’s fair will be held on Thursday, February 29th from 6-8 pm (coinciding with the Foster Art Show) and Friday, March 1st during school hours and after school from 3:30-5pm. We are looking for parent volunteers to help out with setting up the Book Fair, assisting students/teachers/parents during the fair, and packing things up when the fair ends. There are daytime and evening opportunities available on both days of the Book Fair. You can sign up to volunteer here.
The Scholastic Book Fair will have a wonderful selection of engaging and affordable books for every reading level. All students will have the opportunity to shop with their class during the school day on Friday, March 1st. Parents can send their children with cash or set up an eWallet to pay for books electronically. For additional information about the Book Fair (including the titles that will be available and the link to set up eWallet, please visit our Scholastic Book Fair home page at https://www.scholastic.com/bf/mtlsdfoster. Every book purchase directly supports the Foster PTA and the school library.
February
Month Long Recognitions
Black History Month - This month celebrates the heritage and culture, as well as honors contributions, of people of the African diaspora.
Specific Dates
February 1: National Freedom Day, celebrates the signing of the 13th Amendment that abolished slavery in 1865.
February 19: Presidents Day, a federally recognized celebration in the United States of George Washington’s birthday, as well as every president proceeding Washington.
February 20: World Day of Social Justice, celebrated to raise a voice against social injustice, which includes efforts to tackle issues such as poverty, exclusion, gender inequality, unemployment, and human rights.
Religious Holidays
- February 10: Lunar New Year (Interfaith/National)
- February 10: Lunar New Year (Confucian, Daoist, Buddhist)
- February 14: Ash Wednesday/Lent Begins (Christian)
- February 24: Birthday of ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib (Islam)
- February 24: Magha Puja (Buddhist)
Book Description
With a focus on: Courage
Release Date: May, 2017 Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: Kdg. and up
“Lou and her friends are BRAVE adventurers. They run FASTER than airplanes. They build MIGHTY fortresses. They rescue WILD animals.” But one day, when they're looking for a ship to play pirates in, Lou's friend has an idea: “Up there! The tree can be our ship!” “Ummm ...” says Lou. This is something new. Lou has never climbed a tree before, and she's sure she can't do it. So she tries to convince her friends to play a not-up-a-tree game. When that doesn't work, she comes up with reasons for not joining them --- her arm is sore, her cat needs a walk, you shouldn't climb so soon after eating. Finally, she tells herself she doesn't want to climb the tree. But is that true, or is this brave adventurer just too afraid to try? This delightful picture book from Ashley Spires, bestselling author of The Most Magnificent Thing, perfectly depicts what children go through when confronted with something difficult. With humor and endearing artwork, Spires sensitively portrays Lou procrastinating, making excuses, imagining alternatives and denying she cares. Ultimately, Lou faces her fear, and although she fails, the effort empowers her, encouraging a growth mindset. All the while, Lou's friends model compassionate friendship by offering to teach her how to climb and then moving the game. This book makes a perfect choice for a character education discussion about courage or resilience, or a life-skills lesson on facing challenges. The story also promotes the joy of imaginative play in the outdoors.
–Amazon
Is Your Child Going Home for Lunch?
Please use the online form to inform us of one-day or weekly changes to your child's Lunch Plan. The information you enter will alert the office and the teacher that your child has permission to go home and on which day/s.
Any weekly plan you submit will stay in place until you enter a new weekly plan. A One-day plan will override just for the date you put in for. *Please enter this information by 10AM for a one day plan.
PRE-APPROVED ABSENCE FORM
MTLSD BULLYING POLICY AND REPORT FORM
The Mt. Lebanon School District’s goal is to establish a secure school climate, conducive to teaching and student learning that is free from threat, harassment, and any type of bullying behavior for any reason including membership in any protected class including, but not limited to, race, color, age, creed, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, familial status, language, genetic information, pregnancy, or handicap or disability. One of the District's core values calls for each member of our learning community to demonstrate respect toward others.
Objective
The objective of this policy is to:
1. Provide a safe, positive environment for learning through prompt resolution of bullying incidents;
2. Educate students, employees and parents about bullying, its adverse impact on students and the District generally, and how to prevent and resolve bullying incidents, so as to minimize the potential for bullying;
3. Communicate to District students, employees and parents the District's commitment to countering and preventing bullying and to inform the District community of the specific measures the District will undertake to resolve problems in this area;
4. Delineate disciplinary consequences for bullying and authorize the development of prevention, intervention and education programs; and
5. Identify the appropriate school staff person to receive reports of incidents of alleged bullying.
Please note that an electronic Anti-Bullying Report Form is on the school's website (and linked below) for your ease of use in reporting bullying concerns.
Wednesday, February 14
- Valentine's Day Parties: 10:30AM for AM Kdg./2:45PM for PM Kdg. and Grades 1-5
Thursday, February 15
- PTA Meeting: 9:30AM Foster Cafeteria or via Zoom: LINK
Monday, February 19
- NO SCHOOL
Friday, February 23
- Foster Variety Show: 7:00 - 9:00PM - Mellon Middle School Auditorium
Thursday, February 29
- PTA Book Fair/Student Art Show: 6:00-8:00PM - Foster Gym and Cafeteria
Friday, March 1
- PTA Book Fair 3:30-5:00PM - Foster Gym
At Foster School...
We value and understand that education is a partnership that cannot occur without the support of every staff member, the involvement of every parent, and the commitment of every student.
Email: jramsey@mtlsd.net
Website: http://www.mtlsd.org/foster
Location: 700 Vermont Avenue, Mount Lebanon, PA, United States
Phone: 412-344-2162