Core Creek Chronicle

2025-2026 School Year:

• 8/16- Homeroom teacher assignments are visible in Home Access
• 8/26- Kindergarten Orientation- 9:30-11:00 am (see additional information below)
• 8/26- New Family Welcome- 1:30-2:30 pm (see additional information below)
• 8/27- First Day of Kindergarten
• 8/28- First full day for all grades (K-4)
• 9/1- Labor Day- School Closed
• 9/23 & 9/24- Rosh Hashanah- School Closed- Main office is open

Hello Core Creek Families,

I’m beyond excited to introduce myself as the new principal here at Core Creek Elementary! It’s an honor to be part of such a wonderful community, and I can’t wait to get to know each of you as we work together to make this school year amazing for all our students.

At Core Creek, our team is committed to creating a positive, safe, and welcoming environment where students feel excited to learn, grow, and explore new things every day. My goal is to make sure every child has the tools, support, and encouragement they need to succeed—whether that’s in the classroom, on the playground, or beyond.

To all of my Hoover and Tawanka families, I know that the shift to Core Creek might be accompanied by blended feelings of nervousness and excitement. Please be reassured that our school team will work diligently to make sure this transition is smooth and the incoming students feel supported and welcomed to the Core Creek community.

Our amazing teachers and staff are here to inspire, guide, and challenge our students to be their very best. But we know that learning doesn’t just happen inside the classroom. It takes teamwork, so I’m excited to partner with you—our families—to create the best possible experience for your child.

If you ever have any questions or ideas, I’d love to hear from you. I’m here to make sure we’re all working together to support your child’s success and well-being. My email address is sdoherty@neshaminy.org. To gain additional input, please consider completing the brief survey below. The responses will help me gauge the community's sense of needs, strengths, and possible goals for the upcoming year.

I’m looking forward to an incredible year ahead, and I can’t wait to see all the amazing things our students will achieve!

Warmly,
Dr. Sinead Doherty
Principal
Core Creek Elementary School

To help us learn more about each other before the school year starts, I have shared a link below that includes an opportunity for you to share what you love about school and to ask Dr. Doherty any question you might be curious about.

Student questions and answers will be shared in the next newsletter that will be emailed to families on August 15th. Make sure you check back to see the answers!

Welcome Kindergarten Students and Families!

Our Core Creek Team will welcome all kindergarten students and their families on Tuesday, August 26th from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. for an orientation program. The program will start in the Core Creek cafeteria, which is accessible through our main office entrance.

The first part of our orientation will begin with a brief introduction to staff, teachers, and our school. Students will then have an opportunity to visit their classrooms. At 10:30 am all students and families will gather in the back of the building for a presentation on bus safety and expectations, directly followed by a short bus ride around the block for students only.

As a reminder, Kindergarten students start school Wednesday, August 27th.

Core Creek is holding an Open House for all new 1st through 4th grade students and their families on August 26th from 1:30-2:30 pm.

During this time, new students will learn about Core Creek, meet their teachers, and drop off supplies to their classroom.

Students in 1st through 4th grade start school on Thursday, August 28th.

Listed below are the supply lists for the 2025-2026 school year.

Student Mission to Read:

DEAR READER,

YOUR PRINCIPAL IS STUCK ON PLANET R.E.A.D. IT IS YOUR MISSION TO JOURNEY INTO THE GREAT BEYOND AND BRING THEM HOME SAFELY. WORK YOUR WAY TO PLANET R.E.A.D. BY READING THIS SUMMER. JUST 15 MINUTES EACH DAY WILL GET YOU THERE BY SEPTEMBER. IF YOU ACCEPT THIS MISSION, USE THE STARS BELOW TO GUIDE YOUR JOURNEY. HAVE YOUR PARENTS INITIAL ONE STAR FOR EVERY 15 MIN YOU READ AND RETURN THIS MESSAGE TO YOUR TEACHER THE FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL. GOOD LUCK!

Dear Neshaminy Elementary Families,

We sincerely appreciate your hard work and dedication to student learning this year. The summer months provide a well-deserved opportunity for fun and relaxation. However, extended time away from school can contribute to the “Summer Slide”, a decline in knowledge and academic skills that can impact long-term learning progress.

Each summer, the Neshaminy School District encourages students and families to read regularly over the summer to help combat the “Summer Slide” by providing a reading incentive for students to participate in, as well as a list of recommended book titles for summer reading. In early June, your child will be receiving an invitation to this year’s Summer Reading Canvas Course as well as a paper copy of a reading minutes tracker. Please have your child accept the Canvas Course invitation so you will be able to access reading resources all summer long. Within the Summer Reading Canvas Course, you will find the following:

● 2025 Elementary Summer Reading Interactive Book List

● 2025 Summer Reading Challenge and Directions

● Sora Tutorial Video & Login Directions (if you enter through the reading list links, begin at step 3)

● Elementary Summer Reading Overview Video

● Additional Summer Reading Resources

This year, we will continue to offer our Elementary Summer Reading List through the online eBook app, Sora, with eBooks available for grades K-4. Sora is just one resource available to students that gives access to hundreds of free books. Students may also read books of their own choosing that are not listed on the recommended reading list or offered through Sora. We encourage students to read at least 15 minutes per day. Your child should use the paper minutes tracker they receive in June to track their reading over the summer and return it to their new teacher during the first week of school. All students who return their completed minutes tracker will be invited to participate in a celebration of reading.

Click here to view frequently asked questions about our summer reading initiative. If you cannot find the answer to your question on the FAQ sheet, please email your building reading specialist(s) for support.

We encourage you to support your child in reading throughout the summer to help prevent the “Summer Slide.” Wishing you a safe, happy, and relaxing summer!

The Neshaminy School District Chromebook Repair Depot will be open for drop-off repairs during the summer.

🛠️ Summer Repair Depot Hours
Tuesdays & Thursdays
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Open: July through the first two weeks of August

📍 Location:

Neshaminy High School – Repair Depot - See Map Below

➡ Enter the high school and stop at the stop sign
➡ Turn RIGHT
➡ Follow the road past the parking lots and baseball fields
➡ Make the first LEFT
➡ Look for Chromebook Repair signs
➡ Use the call box at the door — a staff member will assist you

📞 Repair Depot Contact:
215-809-6576

🔧 Important:
If your child’s Chromebook isn’t working properly, please don’t delay. Dropping it off early ensures it will be ready for the new school year!

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

Dear Neshaminy Families,

School days move fast, and we’re here to keep students fueled and focused every step of the way. As your school’s nutrition partner, we’re Powering Potential this year with meals that deliver real flavor, real balance, and real energy for busy minds. Each meal, designed with student feedback in mind, also exceeds USDA guidelines for whole grains, limited sodium, sugar and fat, fueling student potential all day.

Here’s what to expect in the cafeteria:

Breakfast & Lunch Goals: Achieved

We understand that students want variety and flavor. That’s why our cafeteria menus are filled with student favorites and fresh options that change regularly to keep things exciting. Whether it’s a fan favorite or something new to try, there’s always something to satisfy every appetite.

You can view our current menus anytime here. Food Services / Food Services Menus and Info

Meal Prices for 2025–26

Breakfast: FREE

Lunch: $2.80

Families may qualify for free or reduced-price meals. Find out more or apply at

Food Services / Free & Reduced Meal Program

Paying is just a click away

Make sure the kids are covered. You can pay in advance, online today:

https://www.schoolcafe.com/

Have questions? Special diet request?

Find more information on our website at: Food Services / Allergies/Special Dietary Needs Or contact us at:

If you have a child with special dietary needs, please reach out to the School Nurse at their school.

Forms for special dietary requests:

Special Dietary Needs
Medical Form Special Dietary Needs

Whether it’s tackling a tough test or just needing a mid-day reset, a great meal can change everything. Every tray we serve is built to support confidence, focus, and growth, because powering potential means more than just food. It’s about showing up for students, every day.

Cheers to a great school year.

To apply for the Free & Reduced Meal Program:

Read the letter to Neshaminy families for information about the Free & Reduced Meal Program

Visit https://www.schoolcafe.com/ or use the free School Cafe app to apply quickly and easily online.

Though we encourage our families to apply online, paper applications are still available and can be found below. They are also available at the Main Offices of each of our schools and can be filled out and returned there.

Pennsylvania Free Reduced Application (English)

Aplicación reducida gratuita de Pennsylvania (Español)

If you need help or want to fill out an application in person, the Main Office staff at each school can assist you during their normal business hours.

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

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

Please Note:

• Families must complete a new Free & Reduced application each school year.
• Paper applications are no longer distributed at school.

Did you know...

• Free and Reduced Meal applications are available in 48 languages (call for information)
• If you qualify for free meals, you may be eligible for affordable internet from Comcast (see below) and the chance to purchase lower priced laptops or computers
• You can go to any local library within your community and use their computers to apply for Free and Reduced Meals

Additional Programs

If you receive Free & Reduced benefits, your children may qualify for other programs as well. To make it easier to find out about these, we can share your information with these other programs but need your permission to do so. Completing the forms below will not change whether your children get free or reduced price meals:

Elementary information sharing permission form (fillable PDF form)

Join us for Popsicles on the Playground event on August 26th. See details below.