Mascot Madness: Can Shamona Defend its Title?

Between Monday, January 26 and Friday, February 13 students and staff will compete to become the most active school building throughout all of DASD. Shamona Creek won this friendly competition last year and Mrs. Welsh is looking for a repeat!

RULES

• All students and staff are eligible.
• Participate in physical activity or exercise for up to an hour each day.
• Log your daily results at http://www.dasd.org/mascotmadness
• Use your network ID to login.
• Do not enter more than 1 hour of activity per day.

WINNER
The most physically active building wins!

PRIZE
The winning building will receive $500 to use for their 2015-2016 wellness program and the Mascot Madness Cup!

Reminder: Jen Bryant Book Orders Due Tomorrow

On February 10, your child will enjoy an assembly, hosted by our SCHSA, welcoming local author, Jen Bryant. Jen is an award winning author who has contributed to the world of literacy with her picture books, novels and poems for readers of all ages. We are looking forward to welcoming her to Shamona Creek for the day.

As part of her visit and our Author Day program, we are giving you an opportunity to share her books with your child – along with a personalized note from Jen in the book of your choice. Barnes & Noble has graciously offered a 20% discount on select pre-ordered titles.

If you would like to preorder one of Jen Bryant’s books for your child and have her write your child a personalized message, please print the Order Form and return it to school NO LATER THAN TOMORROW, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23 (sorry, no exceptions).

Please make checks payable to: Barnes & Noble and return to school in an envelope marked “Author Day.”

Questions: Please contact Karen Byrne Hofmann.

Join us at the Science Fair. Clever Students on Display.

Is your son and/or daughter working feverishly on a project for the Science Fair next week? How are their experiments coming along? We are looking forward to seeing the many creative and fascinating presentations they have been creating for the past few weeks.

Here are a few last-minute pointers to help them be ready for the Science Fair, which will take place on Thursday, January 29 from 5:30 to 7:15 pm in the multipurpose room.

• Relax, smile and have fun, remember you are the expert and you had fun doing the project.
• Look sharp, feel sharp and you will be sharp. Dress nice that day, be polite (always) and speak clearly, and you will show the judges that you have confidence.
• Don’t forget to look the judges in the eyes, they are really quite nice.
• When you are done your presentation, shake hands with the judge and thank them for their time. Remember that they are volunteers who care about you!

For the Science Fair participants, the schedule is as follows:
5:00-5:30 PM – Poster setup
5:30-7:00 PM – Student presentations
7:00-7:15 PM – Awards ceremony

There will not be a concessions stand this year so please make sure your child eats prior to coming to school for the science fair. Students can bring in bottles of water to have during their presentation. Due to food allergies, we request that no food items be brought to the Science Fair.

Twice the Souper Bowls = Twice the Giving

Coincidentally, two different programs share the same name this year. They aren’t connected, but both serve worthwhile audiences and could use parental support.

Souper Bowl (#1)

On FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, the SCHSA Staff Appreciation Committee will be kicking off the weekend for our staff with a SOUPER BOWL luncheon.

We are in need of some help from our amazing Shamona Creek parents:  soup, rolls or cash donations to cover costs of paper products and other expenses.  To contribute in any of these ways, please click here to sign up.

For more information, see the embedded flyer or click here if you are unable to view it.  We are looking forward to it and thank you, in advance, for your support!

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Souper Bowl (#2)

In Mrs. Welsh’s January 14 email, she wrote that “5^th GRADE STUDENTS across the district are united to provide support to a local food bank. They will be collecting items through FEBRUARY 6. All SC families are invited to support them in their efforts to help others in need. It is called the ‘Souper Bowl,’ but any of the following items will be put to good use.”

Needed goods: Spaghetti Sauce, fruits, vegetables, tuna, ham, chicken, beans, cereal, rice, pasta.

Say ‘yes’ to NOPE…because navigating parenthood has its challenges

Here are some scary statistics provided by the school district that freak out parents:

• Average age of first use is 12 years old.
• Each day 2,000 teens try prescription drugs to get high for the first time.
• 1 in 5 teens has abused prescription drugs.
• In 2013, 24 citizens died from a heroin overdose in Chester County

Here’s one more eye-opening statistic … 100% of all teens are former elementary school-aged kids.

This Thursday, January 22, DASD will be hosting a Narcotics Overdose Prevention & Education program called, “NOPE for Parents.” All parents are welcome. The program starts at 7 pm and will take place at 540 Trestle Place, Downingtown.

Learn about issues facing our youth  with drugs, alcohol and peer pressure. Experts and family members will explain the facts regarding the issues your children are facing each day, including prescription drug abuse, drug interaction, signs of substance use, addiction, parenting strategies and where to get help.

The evening NOPE program is for parents to understand the issues facing our youth. DASD high school students will attend NOPE presentations during the day on January 20 at DHS East, January 21 at DHS West and January 28 at STEM.

To RSVP, school officials ask that you email Ginny Warihay at gwarihay@dasd.org by Jan. 21.

READ MORE >

Caldecott Honoree Jen Bryant is Coming for Author Day (Pre-order a Personalized Book)

Shamona Creek is pleased to welcome Mrs. Jen Bryant for our Author Day 2015. If you are interested in pre-ordering any of her books, please do so on the order form provided below. All orders must be returned by Friday, January 23 and will be personalized by Mrs. Bryant.

Jen Bryant Book Order Form > 

Jen Bryant writes picture books, novels and poems for readers of all ages. Her biography A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams, illustrated by Melissa Sweet, received a Caldecott Honor. Their second collaboration A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin, won the ALA Schneider Family Book Award for ages 0-10, the Orbus Pictus award, was named a Sibert Honor Book, received four starred reviews and is a Junior Library Guild Selection. Jen’s novel in verse RINGSIDE 1925: Views from the Scopes Trial is an Oprah Recommended Book for ages 12 & up. Other titles include Pieces of Georgia (IRA Young Adult Choices Pick), The Trial (1935 Lindbergh kidnapping trial, a Borders New Voices Pick), Kaleidoscope Eyes (a 1960’s–era novel, a Junior Library Guild Selection), The Fortune of Carmen Navarro (Paterson Prize for Young People), Georgia’s Bones, celebrating the life of artist Georgia O’Keeffe, and Music for the End of Time, based on a true WWII story.

Jen has a BA from Gettysburg College, an MA from Arcadia University, and an Honorary Doctorate from Gettysburg College. She has taught writing and Children’s Literature at West Chester University and Bryn Mawr College and gives school and public lectures throughout the year. She lives with her family in Chester County. When she’s not writing or taming the piles on her desk, Jen enjoys visiting museums, swimming, cycling, listening to music and cheering wildly for the Phillies.