PSSA testing has come and gone, the 4^th marking period is underway and the end-of-year is quickly approaching; it is important to remember that learning does not stop. Research shows that independent reading, even as little as 30 minutes per day, will help students maintain or increase reading achievement. Please continue to practice and apply math concepts and facts during the busy spring and summer months. Counting miles driven on a trip, analyzing/comparing scores at a sporting event, preparing snacks or sandwiches into “equal” parts, and sorting the kind of shells on a beach are easy ways (to name a few) to incorporate learning throughout the summer.

Please use the following information to assist you in planning for an active spring! 

Spring Family Fun Fair

Are you ready for some fun? Free RITA’s water ice from 7-8pm

Join us for a night of games and prizes.

Light snacks and bake sale, basket raffle, vendors and family fun.

We look forward to seeing you at East Coventry on Friday, April 18^th from 6:30 to 9pm.  All children must be accompanied by an adult.  Volunteers are still needed for one hour shifts, please call Beth Heft 610-792-3934.

Class Lists

The elementary principals have been asked if we accept teacher requests.  No, we do not accept requests for specific teacher assignments. However, we certainly will accept information about your child’s learning styles.  If you have information you wish to share (such as learning style) as we begin working on class lists for next year, we ask that you send me an email or letter (in a sealed envelope) to your respective principal for the 2008-2009 school year.  The principal assignments for 2008-2009 are as follows:

                                                            East Coventry:               Mr. Ryan Monaghan

                                                            East Vincent:                 Mrs. Kathryn Brown

                                                            French Creek:                Mrs. Malinda McKillip

                                                            North Coventry:            Dr. James Melchor

                                                            West Vincent:                 Mrs. Barbara Guy

I am requesting that all information be submitted to me by Friday, May 9^th.  Class assignments for the 2008-2009 school year will be shared with students and parents during the summer.  Due to redistricting, homeroom assignments cannot be shared until all staffing assignments are complete and the board approves final enrollments in late summer.  If your child will not be attending any of the five OJR Elementary Schools nest year next year, please notify the school office.

Full Day Kindergarten

On April 7, 2008 at a Special School Board Meeting, the Owen J. Roberts School Board voted to begin a pilot full-day kindergarten program for the 2008-09 school year at East Coventry Elementary School.  Starting with the 2008-09 school year, all EC kindergarten students will be pre-assessed at the beginning of their elementary year as well as at the end of the school year to determine the comparison between those who attended full-day versus half-day kindergarten.  The Board will then make a decision for the future of full-day kindergarten based upon data that is gathered.  If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

4^th Grade Science PSSA

Our fourth grade students will be participating in the PSSA Science field tests on April 29 and May 1.  Fourth grade students are required to participate in this testing.  Please be sure your children get plenty of rest the nights before the test.  Thank you for working with us to help each child to achieve their personal best. 

Take Your Child to Work Day

Take your child to work day is coming up on April 24^th. All students participating need to fill out a non- sponsored school travel form (available in the office ).  Please remember students are only permitted 5 travel days per school year.  

Field Parking

Beginning April 19, 2008 I am requesting that the side field not be used for parking through the remainder of the 2007-2008 school year.  The fields are being revitalized for spring community use through a partnership with Coventry Soccer Association.  For all large events, we will be using the FRONT FIELDS for additional parking.  Thank you for your attention to this matter. 

Pennies for Patients

Students at East Coventry Elementary School collected Pennies to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society during the month of March.  After four weeks of students bringing in their spare change to school, the total was $1,000.41!  We would like to say a special thanks to Commerce Bank for counting all of the coins. 

The top fundraising class was Mrs. Ponto’s class.  They raised over $250.00 and won the pizza party awarded by the Society.  They also were able to choose the color of the principal, Mr. Monaghan’s hair.  They chose green which also helps spread the word of our school “Keeping it Green!”

Thank you to Mrs. Feldmann and Student Council for your efforts in promoting positive service to others. 

PTA

Our next PTA meeting is scheduled for May 6^th  @ 7:00 pm in the EC Library.  If you haven’t been to a recent PTA meeting – you do not know what you are missing!

Pick-up for Market Day will be April 17 from 7-8.  School spirit wear orders are in and will be distributed the same night as our March Market Day pick-up.

Picture Day

On April 17, we will have “Spring Picture Day.”  Class photos and 5^th grade class picture will be taken throughout the day.  In addition, parents will be given the option to have their child’s individual picture taken.  The photographer will not be taking individual pictures unless parents send in a picture form with their child. 

Notes from the EC Township: Pigeon Creek Clean-Up

On April 26, 2008 we will be conducting a cleanup of the Pigeon Creek, our Township’s main tributary to the Schuylkill River.  Volunteers from the community will be removing debris from the stream and embankments beginning at the Ellis Woods Road Bridge.  The EC volunteer community looks forward to working with the township to help our community – we hope many can join us!

FIT Tips…

Many of us are looking for ways to stay active this coming season!  The following 12345 continuum, a newly developed guide for assessing energy balance, may provide you with assistance in finding balance in your daily activity:   

1 – One or more hours of physical activity

2 – Two hours or less of screen time

3 – Three meals a day (with an emphasis on breakfast)

4 – Four or more glasses of water or no/low calorie beverages

5 – Five or more fruits and vegetables

End-of Year Assembly

As the elementary schools will house grades K-6 next school year, and our current 5^th graders will not be moving on to middle school, there will not be a 5^th grade graduation or awards ceremony this year.   However, we will be holding various assemblies at the end of the school year to distribute awards and celebrate the successes of the school year.  More information will follow.

School Attire

As the weather becomes warmer, please refer back to your Elementary Handbook regarding appropriate school attire.  Please remember to label your child’s clothing and have your child check the lost and found for any missing items.

Important Dates

·         April 17 ~ Class Pictures, 5^th Grade Group Pictures, and optional individual pictures

·         April 17 ~ Market Day pick-up 7-8 pm

·         April 18 ~ EC Spring Fun Fair 6:30-9:30

·         April 22 ~ No School Students (Staff In-service)

·         April 24 ~ Grades 1 & 2 Field Trip, Charlotte’s Web

·         April 25-26 ~ Reading Olympics Sleepover

·         April 28 ~ School Board Meeting 7:30 pm

·         April 28 ~ May 9 ~ Grade 4 PSSA Science Test

·         May 1 ~ Reading Olympics Competition 6:00 pm

·         May 2 ~ Grandfriends’ Day

·         May 5 ~ OJR School Board Buildings and Grounds Committee 6:00 pm

·         May 6 ~ PTA Meeting 7:00 pm

·         May 6 ~ Kindergarten Round-up (no school for CURRENT kindergarten students)

·         May 9 ~ Market Day Orders due @ 12:00 pm

·         May 9 ~ 5^th Grade Field Trip

·         May 10~ Families in Training

·         May 13~ Market Day pick-up 7-8 pm

·         May 14 ~ K Field Trip

·         May 15 ~ 3^rd Grade Field Trip

·         May 16 ~ EC Field Day

·         May 22 ~ 2^nd Grade Field Trip

·         May 28 ~ 4^th Grade Field Trip

·         June 12 ~ Last Day for AM Kindergarten students

·         June 13 ~ Last Day for PM Kindergarten Students

·         June 12 & 13 ~ Early Dismissal for all students

·         June 13 ~ Last Student Day

Ryan T. Monaghan

Principal 

“If you can dream it, you can do it.”  ~ Walt Disney