Planet Patrol: Going Green and Hoping to Raise a Little Green too

It’s Earth Day! Time to think green…

The Planet Patrol, which is a team of SC students, teachers and parents, work year round to educate, inspire and emulate a greener way of life. Next week, the group of young environmentalists have a week full of recycling planned (see details) and you are encouraged to participate. You can also lend your support and show your true green color by participating in the Planet Patrol’s fundraising project.

Norwex is a company that is committed to reducing chemicals in homes to promote the health of families and the environment. It offers several products that can help reduce one’s carbon footprint.

The Planet Patrol fundraiser runs through Friday, May 8, and it will receive 20% of all sales of Norwex products. Please see the ordering details at the end of this post.

Here are some of the team’s favorite products that can make packing those Low-Litter Lunches a bit easier.

Out-to-Lunch Sandwich Wrap – This wrap features a Velcro strip to make sure food always stays snug. It unfolds to make a friendly place mat, and clean-up is easy. Simply shake any crumbs into the trash, wipe with a damp cloth and air dry. $9.99

Out-to-Lunch Snack Bag – Ideal for toting pretzels, fruit, veggies, cheese, crackers and other finger food, as well as stashing away makeup and organizing goodies. Easy Velcro closure. Everyone in the family will want their own! $9.99

{ Get both and save >> Out to Lunch Duo – $17.99 }

Travel Pack – These small microfiber cloths are great for little hands, small messes, and on the go. $20.99 for a set of 4 cloths with a pouch

Why Choose Norwex Microfiber? At only 1/200th the size of a strand of human hair, Norwex Microfiber is one of the most innovative products in the cleaning industry today. Unlike cotton cloths that will simply spread the dirt, grease and other particles around, Norwex BacLockTM Microfiber lifts these particles up into the cloth and away from the surface. Once inside the cloth, the Norwex MicroSilver in the cloth goes to work with self-purification properties against mold, fungi and bacterial odor within 24 hours, so that it is ready to use again. Norwex Microfiber products are so effective that you can use them to clean and disinfect with only WATER! Norwex is all about reducing chemicals in your home.

Top Sellers:

• Envirocloth – all purpose cleaning cloth. Use dry to dust, wet to clean!
• Window Cloth – clean and polish your windows and mirrors streak-free using only water!
• Dusting Mitt – works by static and makes it easy to dust nooks and crannies. No furniture polish needed!

How to Order: Log on to www.erinritter.norwex.biz to check out Norwex’s other great microfiber cleaning, eco-friendly household, and personal care products and place your order.

Important! When you check out, ensure Erin Ritter is your consultant and enter your host as follows:
First Name: Shamona Creek
Last Name: Planet Patrol

Email me with questions! Erin Ritter, Norwex Independent Sales Consultant – espang1@yahoo.com

Learn more about this Planet Patrol Fund Raiser >

Tonight: ‘Eat Mor Chikin’ and Support the School

Tonight is the night! It’s Shamona Creek’s Chick-fil-A Spirit Night!  No need to plan dinner. No need to do the dishes. Shamona Creek wants you to join us at Chick-fil-A in Lionville. This highly anticipated and popular event is not to be missed!

Tuesday, April 21 @ 5:30 pm-8:30 pm

Chick-fil-A – Lionville

Stop in any time (or drive through if you’re on the go) during dinnertime hours to enjoy your nuggets, waffle fries and cookies & cream milkshake and feel good about the 20% that Chick-fil-A will be giving back to SCHSA. Eat dinner, support the school and the kids get to see all their friends. It’s a no brainer! Plus, Downingtown’s best 2nd grade teachers will be there again spinning the wheel…gotta love those ladies!

Be sure to click here to print the required flyer.

You MUST present the flyer in order for SCHSA to receive the donation from Chick-fil-A, so please print it and bring it along. We will NOT have extras available that night.

We look forward to seeing you there!

DASD adds extra safety and security measure, funded by a grant

From the desk of Robert A. Reed Jr., Ed.D, Director of K-12 Educational Programs (… and former Shamona Creek Principal)

As part of our continuous effort to improve the overall safety of students and staff, the Downingtown Area School District will be implementing a new security system in all of our schools.  Raptor V-soft security system is a web-based application that is able to conduct instant sex offender screenings for all visitors and volunteers in our school buildings.  The system is utilized throughout Chester County school districts as well as school districts throughout the Nation.  The 16 Raptor systems were provided to the Downingtown Area School District at no cost as they were funded by a grant received by Chester County Department of Emergency Services.

Example of Raptor device

When visitors or volunteers check-in at the schools, they will be asked to present a valid state issued ID for entering into the system.  Raptor will electronically check all visitors and volunteers against a registered sexual offender database, produce a visitor/volunteer badge with your photo, and will provide date and time tracking data on visitors/volunteers.  Again, the overall purpose of the Raptor system is to provide an additional identification and safety measure for our students and staff.

Over the past five years, the Downingtown Area School District has focused on improving safety and security for students and staff and will continue to do so moving forward.  The following list is some, but certainly not all, of the ways security has been improved:

1.) Single point entry to all schools;
2.) Swipe card access for staff;
3.) Secure entrances and vestibules;
4.) Increased security drills;
5.) Training and professional development;
6.) Hiring of Chief Security Officer;
7.) Improved partnerships with local and state police;
8.) Implementation of DASD Security Summit; and
9.) Participation in County and State Security Conferences.

Moving forward, DASD will be improving the surveillance systems in all schools – yet another layer of improving safety and security.

We feel certain the Raptor system will add an additional layer of security and will keep our schools a little safer.  We ask for your cooperation in presenting your valid state issued ID when checking in at the school.  Only your name, date of birth, and photo will be scanned from your state issued ID. Thank you in advance for your cooperation  with this very important  program.

Summer Enrichment Programs for DASD Students

From the desk of Pat McGlone, Director of Public Information and Development

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[ DCEF Summer Enrichment Programs – Monday through Thursdays this summer. Weeks of July 13 and July 20 at Lionville Middle School. 9:00 a.m. through 12:00 p.m. $140 per week. ]

Looking for a fun, educational summer program for your child?  Look no further than the Downingtown Community Education Foundation’s (DCEF) Summer Experience Program.  Featuring classes in Robotics 1 and 2, Programming 1 and 2, Forensics, Theatre, Rocketry for middle school students, and three new programs that will have your elementary child experiencing the culture, cuisine, art and language of three of the most popular Rosetta Stone Languages: A day in …. France, Spain and Mexico, or Germany.  All programs are taught by trained DASD teachers experienced in these fields.

One-week programs

July 13 through July 16, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  Programming 1 and 2, Robotics 1 and 2, Forensics ($140 for each class)

July 20 through July 23, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Robotics 1 and 2, Programming 2 , Forensics, A Day in France, A Day in Mexico and Spain and A Day in Germany.  ($140 for each class)

Two-week programs

Summer Show Theatre for grades 3 – 6 – July 13 through July 23,  9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ($280)

Rocketry for students in grades 7, 8 and 9 – July 20 through 27, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ($280)

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• More information can be found in the DCEF Summer flyer.
• To register for any of these programs, go to www.dasd.org/summer
• For more information, contact Pat McGlone, Director of Public Information and Development at pmcglone@dasd.org

PSSA Advice from 5th Graders to Younger Students

From the desk of Norma Jean Welsh, Principal

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Fifth graders provided advice for the younger grades on how best to handle the PSSAs.

• Check your work and don’t try to make it a race…
• You’ll do great! Just do what the question says…
• Always check your answers before you close your booklet…
• Relax. Don’t feel any pressure…
• If you’re stuck, the process of elimination is always better than guessing the answers…
• Stay focused and manage your time…
• Try your best, don’t stress, take deep breaths…
• Take your time and don’t rush…
• Don’t be worried or overwhelmed before, during or after the test.

Earth Week: A Greener Shade of Shamona

Earth Day is coming and the students of Planet Patrol, as well as their adult helpers, are gearing up for a week full of collections in recognition of the national observance. As the collection dates draw near, gentle reminders and more details will be shared, but in the weeks leading up to the green activities, please take a look around your house and start gathering the following items:

• Monday, April 27 – Dried-out Markers and Out-of-Ink Pens
• Tuesday, April 28 – Old towels, blankets, bowls and pet goods for the SPCA
• Wednesday, April 29 – Sneakers and shoes for Shoebox Recycling
• Thursday, April 30 – Sports cleats for children who are in need
• Friday, May 1 – Batteries (no watch or hearing aid batteries, please) 

Please bring your items to the lobby, where you will notice the Planet Patrol’s other series of collection bins.

Hey, did you know Shamona recycles all year long?

The school always collects and recycles the following:

• Gently used shoes (no steel-tip boots, snow boots or, typically, cleats)
• Batteries (Sizes AAA through D, plus 9 volt. No watch or hearing aid batteries)
• Cell phones
• Ink cartridges
• Markers and pens
• Metal lids (from jelly, pickle, gravy jars, etc.)
• Plastic grocery store bags
• Eyeglasses
• Juice pouches (i.e. Capri Sun)

The year-long recycling effort and the Earth Week collections teach the students how the school community can do its part to reduce, reuse and recycle. Actively making environmentally friendly decisions at home also helps reinforce the idea that the health of the planet matters and that every person can make a difference.

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Reminders will also be shared on the Facebook – Shamona Creek Sharks – Parent Community. Please follow us there.