AGIS News Archive: February 2009

February 27, 2009 The Wilmington Blue Rocks is again sponsoring Rocky’s Reading Challenge. Participating students receive two complimentary tickets to a Wilmington Blue Rocks game and AGIS will be recognized at the game.

Students should read ten books and record them on the bookmarks provided. All entries must be submitted by Thursday, March 12th.

February 27, 2009 The Avon Grove School Board of Directors adopted the 2009-2010 district calendar during their meeting on February 26, 2009.

February 25, 2009 Please be advised that the District’s Class Size Task Force is scheduled to present its recommendations to the Avon Grove Board of School Directors on Thursday, February 26, 2009. The School Board meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. and will be held in the Avon Grove Intermediate School Audion.

The Board of School Directors authorized the formation of a Class Size Task Force in June 2008. The charge of the task force was to study class size district-wide, to review Avon Grove’s Class Size Board Policy # 126, and to make recommendations.

The PowerPoint presentation that the task force will present to the School Board is posted online and is accessible on the Board Agenda

February 24, 2009

National School Breakfast Week March 2—6, 2009

Join us for Breakfast from 8:10 am –8:25am in the
Cafeteria! All Complete Breakfasts are $1.00
Fun Menus and Giveaways all Week!

School breakfast provides the necessary energy to start a day of learning and achievement,
providing 25 percent of the recommended daily allowance of protein, calcium, iron, vitamins A
and C and calories and meeting the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Research has shown
that children who eat breakfast at school:

• Score better in standardized tests
• Have fewer health issues
• Behave better in class

Furthermore, research indicates that kids who skip breakfast rarely make up for missed nutrients
later in the day so skipping breakfast could also affect students’ performance in after-school
activities. Our goal is to provide all students with the fuel their mind and bodies need in
order to learn by preparing meals that adhere to the Dietary Guide.»Flyer

PSSA TESTS

BREAKFAST = BRAIN FOOD! Start your day off right — join us for breakfast the mornings
of PSSA TESTING --- March 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 23, 2009.

$1.00 PLE & AGIS 8:10 am—8:25am EVERY MORNING »Flyer

February 20, 2009 A few of our Avon Grove Intermediate School students recently took part in the annual Chester County Elementary School Band Fest held at Oxford High School.»Read More

February 19, 2009 The program sponsored by Avon Grove Special Education originally planned for February 9 has been rescheduled. Dr. Cris Chambers will present his insights regarding ADHD and Anger Management for the AG community on Wednesday, March 25, at 7:00 pm, in the AGIS audion.

February 19, 2009 Doors will open at 6:00 at AGIS on Friday night, February 20. Bingo will be played from 7:00-9:00. Tickets are $6 and include pizza, chips, a drink, and bingo cards. Tickets will NOT be available at the door.
Volunteers are always needed. Questions? Call Meg Eisenhardt at 610-255-3590.

February 19, 2009
Reminder to All Artists – The deadline is fast approaching for your Youth Art Month contest entry. All grades may participate. Simply make your drawing, sculpture, photograph, or even poem, about the theme “Animals” and turn it in to an art teacher by February 26 with your form. All entries will be on display for the month of March, and the contest winners will be announced at the end of March. Winners will receive ribbons and gift certificates to an art supply store!
Volunteers Needed – The art department is looking for volunteers to help mount, label, and hang artwork for the Youth Art Month display. Interested parents should contact Mrs. Hallman either by email at shallman1@avongrove.org or by calling the school at 610-869-2010 ext. 4270.

February 19, 2009 Monday, March 2, is Dr. Seuss’s birthday. Read Across America, a national event, celebrates this most recognized author of children’s books. We encourage you to join the celebration by reading with your child. AGIS is planning special events, including our traditional Seussville, the second week of May, in com-bination with National Children’s Book Week. More information will be coming home later.

February 19, 2009
National School Breakfast Week – March 2-6
Special menus offered all week
Daily giveaways for all students purchasing breakfast

Go For The Greens – The Month of March
Eating a nutritious breakfast boosts student achievement by providing the fuel needed in order to learn and concentrate in school. Our theme for the month of March is “Go For the Greens.” The cafeteria will be promoting healthier choices, and extra vegetable items will be available all month.

February 19, 2009 This spring our school will be hosting artist Celeste Kelly for an Artist in Residence program. We are looking for a group of interested sixth graders to work with the artist on a second mosaic to be installed next to the existing one in the cafeteria. We will randomly draw names from the pool of interested applicants to select the core group. More information is available from the art teachers.

February 12, 2009

Great things are happening here at AGIS:

• Magician Joe Romano inspired and entertained fourth-graders at Avon Grove Intermediate School during two performances of his “Books! The Magic is Real!” assembly.

• Sixth grade students from Miss Daniels' class attended The Pennsylvania Educational Technology Expo and Conference (PETE&C).

Read about these and other events on our AGIS Happenings Page

February 9, 2009 ADHD and Anger Management by Dr. Cris Chambers , sponsored by Special Education is cancelled this evening. It is rescheduled for Wednesday , March 25th at 7PM .

February 9, 2009 All AGIS students, grades 3, 4, 5, and 6, will be taking PSSA reading and math assessment tests the week of March 16, with make-ups scheduled the week of March 23.

In addition, our fifth graders will be taking the PSSA writing tests the week of February 9.

Please do not plan any appointments or trips on these dates.
You can refer to the PA Department of Education website www.pde.state.pa.us for further information.

February 4, 2009

We are looking for volunteers to share their careers and educational experiences with the students. Each Schoolhouse will be holding a separate Career Day so many presenters are needed.

Purple House – May 19 from 8:45-11:00 AM
Please call Kristy Brown, Purple counselor X5206

Blue House – May 19 from 12:45-3:00 PM
Please call Susan Gill, Blue counselor X5209

Orange House – May 20 from 8:45-11:00 AM
Please call Deb Burns, Orange counselor X5208

Red House – May 20 from 12:45-3:00 PM
Please call Lori Travers, Red counselor X5207

Posted 2/4/09 and 2/19/09

February 4, 2009

Kindergarten registration for the 2009-2010 school year will be held March 30-April 3 at Penn London Elementary School. Please call Penn London at 610-869-9803 after February 6 to request a registration packet which will include registration requirements, dates, and times.
Eligibility as per Avon Grove School District Board Policy #201, Title 22, Section 11.14 states “A child is eligible for admission to kindergarten if s/he has attained the age of five (5) years on or before September 8 of each school term.”

Posted 2-4 and 2-19

February 4, 2009

The AGIS annual roller skating party will take place on Saturday evening, March 7, from 5:15 to 7:15 PM at the Christiana Skating Center. Please note that the time for the skating party that’s listed on the district calendar is incorrect. Watch for ticket order forms to be coming home soon. Children’s tickets are $2 and adults are $3. Questions? Call Debbie Barrow. Posted 2/4/09 and 2/19/09

February 4, 2009 Our VIP Program coordinator’s name is spelled Mrs. Melissa Schroder and her correct email address is mschroder@avongrove.org. If you are interested in volunteering to help with this math tutorial program, please email Mrs. Schroder.

February 4, 2009
Calling All Artists!
March is Youth Art Month and AGIS will be holding its third annual art contest. This year’s theme is “Animals.” Interested artists should create an original and independently created work of art that responds to the theme. You can create a painting, poem, photo, sculpture, or even a song. Names should be written on the back of the artwork and the completed entry form attached to it. Extra entry forms are available from Mrs. Benjamin and Mrs. Hallman in the art rooms. All artwork is due by February 27. Winners will be announced March 27.

Volunteers Needed
The art department is looking for volunteers to help mount, label, and hang artwork for our Youth Art Month display. Interested parents should contact Mrs. Hallman either by email at shallman1@avongrove.org or by calling the school at 610-869-2010 ext. 4270.

Attention 5th Graders!
Habitat for Humanity is hosting a 3-D art contest for students in fifth grade. Use your choice of materials to create your miniature dream house. Entries will be on display at Drexel University. All entries will receive recognition and a gift. Prizes will be awarded, including one for the best use of green materials, given by the Philadelphia Eagles! Entry forms are due by February 20. See Mrs. Hallman in the art room for details!

February 4, 2009 Since the last Friday of the month is an inservice day, our February Spirit Day will be on Friday, February 20. It’s Pin Day – have fun all day reading each other’s pins or buttons.

February 4, 2009 On Monday, February 23, photographers will be here to take spring pictures of each of our students, as well as group pictures of our sixth graders. Flyers will be sent home soon with more information. No money is required on picture day. By April, each student will receive a standard portrait package with a price list and instructions. You will be asked to send in payment for the pictures you choose to keep and/or return any unwanted pictures within ten days.

February 4, 2009 Because of the recent warnings regarding salmonella in peanut butter, our cafeteria will not be serving peanut butter and jelly sandwiches until further notice. Please note that the peanut butter in our schools is NOT contaminated, and this is being done merely as a precaution. Students may choose a cheese sandwich if they do not like the selections on the menu. Jelly sandwiches will not be offered, as there is minimal nutritional value in jelly.
Students may continue to bring peanut butter sandwiches or peanut products in their own personal lunches from home.

February 4, 2009 ALL absences for trips, educational field trips, family fun days, travel days, etc. need PRIOR APPROVAL in order to be an excused absence. This includes one day or multiple day absences. Excuse notes that come in after the fact, when no prior approval has been requested, will be considered unexcused.
District policy states that excuse notes must be received within 3 school days after a student returns to class in order for the absence to be excused. Exceptions are absences that require pre-approval as mentioned above. If a note is received after the three days, the absence remains unexcused.
IMPORTANT: The Pennsylvania Compulsory Attendance Plan states that a parent may write ten excuse notes during the school year. After ten parental excuse notes, a doctor’s note is required for each additional absence. The entire Pennsylvania Attendance Plan can be accessed at www.pde.state.pa.us/k12.

February 4, 2009 After school enrichment classes have begun. Registered students who are staying to attend a class must bring a signed permission/pick up note every day that they will be attending the program. Also, please be here on time to pick up your child promptly at the end of the class. Locations of programs are posted on the office door.

February 2, 2009

Great news! Celeste Kelly will be this year's Artist in Residence and will be creating another wonderful Mosaic in the Spring. More to follow.