January

Principal Update!

Message from the Principals:

Happy New Year to all of our Stony Creek Families. We hope that you took time to enjoy your break with family and friends. The New Year is a great time to reflect on the school year so far and set goals for what is coming up. We have had an incredible fall and know the year will continue to be great. Please take some time to review the 3 R Rules with your students: Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be Ready to Learn. These rules help guide our students each day and allow teachers to focus on instruction. We are so lucky to have your support. Our families are the best!

Reminder about weather updates: Winter weather can bring some challenges. We will use FID days/delayed starts should any winter weather arise. Teachers generally have papers in student folders ahead of any predicted weather so that everyone is prepared.

Staying Warm: We make every attempt to get our students outside for recess and gym. They love the fresh air and the chance to run and play with their friends. If the real feel temperature is 25 or above, we will attempt to take them outside. It is important that your child is dressed and ready for these colder temps. Please make sure they have a warm winter coat, sneakers/boots, and hat/gloves. Please put your child's name inside their items so we can make sure they don't get lost. If your family needs support in getting any of these cold weather clothing items, please reach out to our community in schools liaison Courtney Stunz at cstunz@antietamsd.org

Importance of Attendance: Your child's attendance at school is the number one predictor of their success. Please make sure your child is at school everyday on time, unless they are sick. If your child is sick, please email us at scesattendance@antietamsd.org and send in a note from the Doctor/clinic within three days of the absence. This will allow us to excuse the absence and it will not count towards the total of unexcused absences for the school year.

January Events

16- No School (In-Service day for staff)

19 - No School (Holiday)

Upcoming February Events

13- 12:00 Dismissal

16- No School - President's Day

Arrival and Dismissal Reminders

Please read through the drop off and pick up reminders so that we can return to smooth arrival and dismissal times.

A few things that we noticed in the weeks before break that we would like to bring to your attention:

We will be closing the gate promptly at 8:25. If you are late dropping your child off you will need to come into the building and sign them in. We have noticed several families consistently arriving after 8:25. Our school day begins at 8:25, having your child to school on time will ensure their success.

What is a FID Day?

A FID day is a flexible instruction day. This day is called when the weather prevents students from coming to school. You will be notified about inclement weather days through district communication including a phone call and email that you provided on skyward. There is no live virtual instruction on a FID day, instead each grade level will send home a FID Day choice board or packet. Your child will need to complete this work on the FID day and return it to school the next day. The work they turn in will count as their attendance for the FID day. Therefore, if your child does not return the work they will be marked absent for the day.

Counselors Corner

Happy New Year SCES community! The new year is a time of reflecting and goal setting for the year to come. This is a great time to set goals as a family too! Some examples include establishing a morning/evening routine, begin a new family tradition, or having a device-free meal together.

Goal setting as a family can build connections with your loved ones and also teaches your children an essential life skill!

Tips for Establishing Family Goals Together

Focus on one goal

Although you may have a long list of ideas it is important to focus on one goal at a time. Goals must be realistic and manageable.

Make it a SMART Goal

Specific. Measurable/Manageable. Attainable. Realistic. Time Frame

When setting goals it is helpful to follow the SMART goal format. The goal should be specific. What exactly is it that you want to accomplish. The goal should be manageable, attainable, and realistic. Set a time frame. When creating your goal and having family conversations set a time frame for when the goal should be accomplished. If the goal is not accomplished in that time frame, reevaluate the plan and see what adjustments should be made to reach the goal.

Include your children

Include your children in this goal setting conversation! Let your child be heard. Allow them to share some ideas on achieving the goal and what that looks like for them. Write the goal and ideas down so everyone can see them. Make a visual reminder of the goal for the family to see!

Stay Positive

Obstacles may get in the way. The plan may not go the way you anticipated. We all know life throws wrenches our way. Stay positive! This also teaches your child(ren) to be flexible and make adjustments. When an obstacle occurs, come up with a back up plan that continues to work towards that goal. Explain the plan to your children. This teaches children to be flexible and to make adjustments when things do not go as planned.

Celebrate the wins, no matter how small!

Regularly discuss the goal and celebrate all the small steps along the way! The journey may not be smooth but can still be a fun process together as a family while building memories and connections!

Notes from the Office

Attendance Reminders:

The unexcused truancy report is being worked on this month for all unexcused absences. We try everything possible to avoid sending families to truancy court, so please remember to either email, send a dojo message, or call the attendance line to report your child out.
Per the Berks County Attendance Policy, we are only allowed to accept up to 10 parent notes per school year. After that, for the absence to be excused, we must receive a medical note.
Any questions about attendance, please email SCESattendance@antietamsd.org

Hard to believe Spring is right around the corner! We have many fun activities planned, and we will need your help to make them successful!

Would you be interested in volunteering? The steps below will show you how to obtain your clearances that will be needed to volunteer with the district. There are 3 steps - signing the Disclosure Statement form, obtaining the Criminal Background clearance, and obtaining the Child Abuse clearance.

We strongly encourage you to do them now, as sometimes the forms take a bit of time to be returned. Any questions, please email Mrs. Kreisher - lkreisher@antietamsd.org

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