B-I-N-G-O is the GAME-O

Last year, as I sat with my family at our BINGO table, I came to the realization that I had lived a sheltered life. Before that night, I had only ever played BINGO one way.

Five in a row … BINGO!

While it was still exciting to try to be the first to claim a prize, my eyes were opened to the many other ways to play the game.

Four corners = BINGO! Big X = BINGO! Outside edges = BINGO!

For the second year, the SCHSA invites you to enjoy this fun-filled family event: PIZZA BINGO!  

Date: Friday, February 26
Time: 6-8 pm
Doors open at 6 pm.
Pizza served at 6:15 pm.
BINGO begins at 6:45 pm.

Important: This is a limited-seating, first-come, first-serve event. To reserve your table and pre-order your cheese pizza, you must complete the ORDER FORM and return it to school in an envelope marked “PIZZA BINGO” by Friday, February 19. All checks payable to SCHSA. (Last year, the house was packed.)

The BINGO event will support DASD’s “Read and Feed” food drive to help the Lord’s Pantry. Bring a non-perishable food item to BINGO night and you will receive a free raffle ticket!

A little competition among family and friends, along with dinner and raffles are sure to be memories your family will cherish forever.

• BINGO card packs are $4 each and must be purchased in advance to reserve a table for your family.
• Cheese pizzas will be $12 and also must be pre-ordered.
• You are invited to bring a peanut/nut-free dessert for your family to share.
• Water will be available for purchase that evening.

Your cards, raffle tickets and pizza orders will be waiting for you at the event.

Also, volunteers are needed for this event. If you are available, either share your availability on Sign-Up Genius or contact the organizers, Ann Durkin and Mary Sperling.

So, is everyone ready to get together for some classic family fun? BINGO!

 

Safe Homes: Children and Mental Health

Post content is courtesy of the Safe Homes Committee*

About 20% of American children suffer from a diagnosable mental illness, which can interfere with their daily life.

Mental illnesses can affect persons of any age, race, religion or income and are not the result of personal weakness, lack of character or poor upbringing.

When treated appropriately and early, many children can fully recover from their mental illness or successfully manage their symptoms.

Without treatment, emotional and mental disorders can continue into adulthood and lead to other struggles, including academic problems, poor relationships, alcohol or drug abuse, violent or self-destructive behavior, even suicide.

Before a child is diagnosed with a mental health condition, parents and children commonly experience feelings of helplessness, anger and frustration.

Signs to look for

• Mood changes, feelings of sadness or withdrawal that last at least two weeks or that cause problems in relationships at home or school.
• Changes in sleeping habits or unexplained weight loss.
• Intense feelings, such as overwhelming fear for no reason or intense enough to interfere with daily activities, sometimes with a racing heart or fast breathing.
• Drastic changes in personality or dangerous or out-of-control behavior. Fighting frequently, using weapons and expressing a desire to hurt others.
• Difficulty concentrating or sitting still.
• Excessive complaints of physical symptoms. Compared with adults, children with a mental health issues may develop headaches and stomachaches rather than sadness or anxiety.
• Physical harm, such as self-injury, cutting or burning themselves. Suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts.
• Substance abuse. Some kids use drugs or alcohol to try to cope with their feelings.

What should we do? 

Talk with your pediatrician and get a referral for a mental health specialist.

Work with the school and connect with other families. Don’t avoid getting help for your child out of shame or fear. He or she needs you now more than ever.

*Safe Homes is a parent network campaign to support parents and strengthen families. Sponsored by Downingtown Communities That Care (CTC) and the Downingtown Area School District (DASD), Safe Homes is a team of parent volunteers from each of the DASD 16 schools. 

Shamona Creek’s Parent Representatives

Tara Haarlander: tmmhaarlander@gmail.com

Kathleen Nine-Scott: kathleenm9@gmail.com

Sources: Mayo Clinic, Web MD, National Association of Mental Illnesses

Read and Feed: Families Helping Families in Need

Content courtesy of Ms. Carroll’s Library Newsletter

DO YOU KNOW…Chester County is the 24th wealthiest county in the United States.

BUT, DO YOU REALIZE…Nearly one-quarter (24.9%) of Chester County residents earn below the poverty level. For a family of four, that’s an earning of just $24,250 per year.

Recognizing that it is important to help Chester County families in need have access to food, the Downingtown Area School District is sponsoring a district-wide non-perishable food drive to support The Lord’s Pantry in Downingtown. The Lord’s Pantry serves the emergency food needs of residents in Downingtown, Exton, Lionville, or the Downingtown School District. Celebrating its 50th year of operation, it distributes 10,000 lbs. of food per week to 700 families, and it relies heavily on community food drives to do so.

All the schools in the district have taken on a different need. Shamona Creek will be collecting food for “Pasta Night” dinners. The school is asking its families to donate the items requested below and to involve their children in the process. The school library will be the drop-off center for food donations. The students can participate by personally delivering the food to the library, which will then be stacked in the windows to visually show the impact the community can make when individuals work together.

READ
Between now and Thursday, February 25, on your child’s scheduled library day, please send along a food item. No actual reading is required for this project. READ is just a way to remember the day to send in food and where to bring it. (Food donations will be accepted on any day in the school’s 6-day cycle, not just your child’s library day.)

FEED
Your child should have three scheduled visits to the library during the Read and Feed food drive. Here is a list of the food items requested during each cycle.

• First cycle: Donate pasta, such as spaghetti, elbow, penne – whatever you choose that would be served with sauce
• Second cycle: Donate macaroni and cheese (boxed)
• Third cycle: Donate parmesan cheese or canned fruit (peaches, pears, fruit cocktail, etc)

Fifth grade helpers
District fifth graders typically organize a “Souper Bowl” food collection for the Lord’s Pantry during this time of year. This year, however, they will assist with the Read and Feed effort by collecting and stacking food in the library. Mrs. Carroll will be thankful for their assistance.

“Your participation in our Pasta Night Food Drive will go a long way to help families, the elderly and the disabled,” writes Mrs. Carroll.

 

Shamona’s Got Talent: Last call for sign ups

UPDATE: The 2016 Variety Show roster is now full. No more acts can be added.

Does your child love to dance?  Sing?  Play an instrument?  Perform magic?  Tell jokes? Read poetry? Does your child just generally love to entertain?

Well…this opportunity is for him or her!  The 2016 Shamona Creek Variety Show directors are now casting for this year’s performance.  Every child is welcome to put on his or her best showcase of talent on Saturday, March 5.

All of the details can be found by CLICKING HERE, but the most important detail is that your child MUST register to participate no later than Monday, February 1 by emailing the following information to SHAMONAVARIETYSHOW@YAHOO.COM.

1. Student(s) Name(s) & Grade(s)
2. Type of Act (individual, group, or stage crew)
3. Description of Act (dance, sing, play instrument, etc)
4. **** Please cc: ALL the parents involved in your child’s act

Check out all the details and how to sign up here

Save these dates:

• Rehearsals on February 10, February 22 & 24 (see flyer for details)
• Mandatory Dress Rehearsal on February 29
• Show Date on Saturday, March 5 at 1 pm

Attention 5th Grade Students
Fifth graders can work behind the scenes of the show. Work the lights and curtains, and help seat audience members. If your child is interested in working the stage crew, send Patty an email! And of course, we take parent volunteers too!

Variety Show questions? Contact Patty Frank