Dear Fallsington Families,

We are proud to present the second issue of our school newsletter, Tiger Tales. Our school newsletter serves as a forum for celebrating our

learning community. Our third issue will be distributed in June.

Please visit our school website, http://www.pennsbury.k12.pa.us/pennsbury/Fallsington/, for the monthly calendar and for other pertinent

information.

The Fallsington Team continues to provide high quality educational experiences for our students. In collaboration with classroom teachers,

our art teachers, Miss Mummey and Mrs. Chong, presented our 2016 Art and Literature Night on Wednesday, May 4th. This culminating

event highlighted our students’ work over the course of the school year. I hope you were able to join us for this exciting event.

Our technology initiative continues to progress! Our PTO purchased four sound field systems and collaborated with the school to purchase

a fifth. Mrs. Cohoon shares, “This resource enables our students to hear instruction from any location in the classroom, which promotes

better attention and understanding of the content.” The school has also purchased five replacement projectors and three replacement docu-

ment cameras, which include a microphone to further amplify the teacher’s voice throughout the room. Our students now benefit from the

use of thirty tablets and twenty one iPads that have been distributed to classroom teachers. A cart with thirty Chromebooks was recently

added to our computer lab and is used by teachers for the delivery of whole group instruction inside the classroom.

...Continued on page 9

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

STUDENT COUNCIL UPDASTUDENT COUNCIL UPDASTUDENT COUNCIL UPDASTUDENT COUNCIL UPDATETETETE

Student Council has been busy this second half of the school year with the following activities and

events:

• “Super Bowl Can Drive” donations were donated to “Mary’s Food Cupboard.”

• Valentine’s Day Candy Gram sales were a great success.

• “Valentines for Veterans” were created by students in the following classrooms:

Mrs. Miley, Mrs. Tietz, Mrs. Yates, Mrs. Tomko, Mr Obert-Thorn, Mrs. Cohoon,

and Mrs. Gould, in collaboration with our parent partner, Ms. Charlene Rendeiro

of The Fallsington Library. The valentines were on display in the Library before

being distributed to the Philadelphia VA Medical Center. We hope this activity

instilled the importance of giving back and sharing cheer with our Veterans.

• On our 100th day of school, “100 Reasons Why We Love Fallsington” messages were displayed on

a bulletin board.

• Black History Month facts were shared during announcements.

• A Door Decorating contest was facilitated in celebration of Read Across America Week. The win-

ners were: Mrs. Tietz and Mrs. Miley’s classes tied for first place; Ms. Sherman’s class was second;

and in third place was Mr. Rosica’s class.

• Gold coins were shared with all classes in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day.

• “Pennies for Patients” collections in the amount of $1400 were donated to the Leukemia Society.

• Some funds raised from the Candy Gram Sales were used to donate money to CHOP’s “Walk for

Hope.”

Inside this issue:

PTO Updates/News 4

Gr 4 Fallsington Library trip

4

Library Happenings 5

Mrs. Mount’s Daily 5 6

Reading Olympics 6

Computer Lab 7

Art Room 8

Perfect Aendance 3

Super Hero Readers/

Math Super Stars

2

Physical Educa�on 7

Math News 10

FALLSINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

FALLSINGTON ELEMENTARY TIGER TALES

JANUARY-APRIL , 2016

VOLUME 1, I SSUE 2

Be sure to visit our website for

important dates, Backpack Thursday

flyers, news & more!

www.pennsburysd.org/fallsington PAW Pride!

SUPER HERO READERS

MATH SUPER STARS

Page 2

FALLSINGTON ELEMENTARY

January Spotlight

Student

January Super Hero Readers February Spotlight Student February Super Hero Readers

March

Spotlight Student

March Super

Hero Readers

January Spotlight January Math Super Stars

February Spotlight

Student February Math Super Stars March Spotlight Student March Math Super Stars

Super Hero Readers and Math Super Stars recognize students that demonstrate perseverance, effort, and growth within the areas of reading and math. Each month, a student is selected by his or her classroom teacher. All students are awarded a spirit stick and are assembled for a group picture. One student is selected as a "spotlight" student. This student receives an award and is recognized at our end of marking period assembly.

SUPER HERO READERS and MATH SUPER STARS

Congratulations to the following students that have achieved Perfect

Attendance for the third marking period. GREAT JOB!!

PERFECT ATTENDANCEPERFECT ATTENDANCEPERFECT ATTENDANCEPERFECT ATTENDANCE

Page 3

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2

KINDERGARTENKINDERGARTENKINDERGARTENKINDERGARTEN

Isabella Broadbent, Abel Clarey, Colin Delahanty, John Hampton, Ryan Kang, Brandon Killian,

Connor McAnulty, Ray LaPorte, Josue Medina, Charles Rhein, Eli Thayer

FIRST GRADEFIRST GRADEFIRST GRADEFIRST GRADE

Sarah Andre, Dillon Allen, Isabella Badner, Jake Cartusciello, Gianna Castelize, Gabriella Con-

stantino, Khloe Emmitt, Halle Hislop, Eric Huang, Gabriella Killian, Gavin Killian, Efrain Medina-

Hernandez, Emma Miller, Matthew Pajrowski, Jacob Perry, London Rehill, Alexander Sanchez-

Dominguez, Parker Scott, Kelsey Swinnerton, Ava Walker, Matthew Wylie

SECOND GRADESECOND GRADESECOND GRADESECOND GRADE

Autumn Black, Rian DeGaetano, Jackson Detweiler, Sea-

mus Gould, Chloe Huang, Brennan Kean, Daniel Khramkin,

Joseph Ligato, Chloe Link, Sofia Martella, Jason McAn-

ulty, Noah Nicol, Brenna Nysse, Jaylynn Rodweller,

Srimedha Shivadevuni, Kaylee Stedman

THIRD GRADETHIRD GRADETHIRD GRADETHIRD GRADE

David Aidee, Swathi Bodduluri, Trevor Brandon, Anthony Cartusciello, Rachael Constantino,

Andrew DeGaetano, Brianna Freeling, Robert Gore, Giavana Holcombe, Nicholas Martin, Bhakti

Patel, Ruth Schwartzkopf, Gavin Thompson

FOURTH GRADEFOURTH GRADEFOURTH GRADEFOURTH GRADE

Abigail Aidee, Colin Baker, Tyler Boraski, Joseph Brooks, Gavin Casselli, Nathan Casselli, Gianna

Chambers, Charlie Cordisco, Simone Cordisco, Mahek Dixit, Jack Elmer, Zane Lazar, Samarth

Mannikeri, Dimitri Martella, Vaunsh Patel, Chloe Rhein, Bryan Sanchez-Dominguez, Bryonna Sen-

zick, James Watson

FIFTH GRADEFIFTH GRADEFIFTH GRADEFIFTH GRADE

Alicia Adamovich, Madisyn Allen; Caleb Barnett; Matthew

Berg; Claudia Black; Maysen Cameron; Christopher Cichon;

Randall Ciotti; Charles Darrington; Mackenzie Detweiler; Derek

DiLorenzo; Miranda Evans; Gabriella Freeling; Maryerin Gould;

Alexander Hamburg; Pari Lakhia; Caitlin Marinelli; Shane

McGurrin; Niyah Mickles; Amelia Modzelewska; Kiran Patel;

Prutha Patel; Trystan Rehill; Jamie Rosta; Jayce Secoda; and

Gabriella Visco

PTO UPDATES/NEWS

Remember to send in your Campbell Soup Labels and

Box Tops to your classroom teachers. We appreciate

your support of this program and the funding it brings to

the school.

Because of all of the amazing Fallsington families, the Ger-

trude Hawk fundraiser was a huge success! We truly ap-

preciate your generosity and support!

The 2nd

Annual Car Show sponsored by the P.T.O. was

held on Saturday, April 30th

from 10-2:00 p.m.

Mother’s Day flower pens will be on sale during the first

week of May. The Book Fair will be held May 2-6th

. Any

amount of �me you can give to support the fair will be

greatly appreciated. The Art & Literature Night/Ice

Cream Social was held May 4th

.

Please con�nue to visit weekly the P.T.O. link on the

school’s website (www.pennsbury.k12.pa.us/Fallsington)

to stay involved and informed of school-wide events!

Have a happy spring!

PRETZEL SALES May 27

June 10

FINAL SPIRIT STICK SALE

May 25

What a busy, yet exci�ng third marking period

Fallsington has had! Thank you to those who

a�ended the monthly P.T.O. mee�ngs! We wel-

come all of you back with a friend or spouse and

encourage those of you who could not make last

month’s mee�ng to COME JOIN US and make a

difference for your children on May 12th

in the li-

brary at 7:00 p.m. Please check the website for

the upcoming May mee2ng date.

The morning pretzel sales have been a success!

We appreciate all of the parents who have been

working the pretzel table and for the parents and

teachers who have been suppor�ng these sales for

the children. Pretzels will be on sale every 2nd

and

4th

Friday before school. Please check the school

website for other important dates such as Spirit

S�ck sales and School Store.

Page 4

GRADE 4 TRIP TO FALLSINGTON LIBRARY

Fourth grade classes at Fallsington Elementary had

the opportunity to extend their science curriculum

by visi�ng the Fallsington Library, through a Penns-

bury Partners Mini-grant, to learn about habitats

and ecosystems. Students par�cipated in a mini-

lesson given by parent partner, Ms. Charlene Rendei-

ro. A@erwards, students followed a series of steps to

create their very own self-contained terrariums. Stu-

dents really enjoyed this hands-on ac�vity!

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2

Page 5

LIBRARY HAPPENINGS

March started with Read Across America Week and Dr. Seuss’ birthday.

Students and teachers at Fallsington celebrated in mul�ple ways, includ-

ing wri�ng their favorite book quotes on the Book Graffi� Wall outside

the library. Next �me you are in school, stop down and read some of our

favorite quotes.

The second half of the school year is full of lots of interes�ng ac�vi�es in the library. Kindergar-

ten will con�nue to learn nursery rhymes. First grade students are listening to fairy tales and

iden�fying all of the important elements found in fairy tales. Second grade will begin to learn

about Aesop’s fables. A@er hearing several fables the students will research an animal and

write their own fables.

Third grade is finished their research and is learning about the uniquely American folk tale gen-

re of Tall Tales. You may hear lots of exaggera�ons from your third grade student as they learn

about Annie Oakley, Paul Bunyan, John Henry, and other larger-than-life American heroes.

In celebra�on of the 100th anniversary of the Na�onal Park Service, the fourth grade students

are researching na�onal parks. This research project uses mul�ple sources (books, web sites,

etc.) and has the students synthesize all of the informa�on to plan a trip. As part of the centen-

nial celebra�on the Na�onal Park Service is offering all fourth grade students a free pass to all

Na�onal Parks for 2016. Check out the web site at www.nps.gov to obtain your child’s free

pass.

Fi7h grade students read the Caldeco Honor winner Gone Wild before beginning their final

research project. Gone Wild is an ABC book about animals that includes a pictogram of the ani-

mal. Students are researching their animals, wri�ng a brief descrip�on of their animals, and

then crea�ng a pictogram.

The Reading Olympics compe��on was held on April 6 at Neshaminy High School. The fourth

and fi@h grade students on each team were busy reading and mee�ng weekly with Mr. Obert-

Thorn and Mrs. Stolber.

April was also Poetry Month and included Poem in Your Pocket Day on April 21. Students deco-

rated pockets and selected (or wrote) poems to put on their pockets during library class. On

April 21 all students carried their poems and were encouraged to share them with classmates

and teachers.

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2

Page 6

MRS. MOUNT’S 3RD GRADE ENJOYS THE “DAILY 5 READING PROGRAM” WITH CAFÉ COMPONENTS

Students have been spending the year using the “Daily 5 Program” during their reading �me block. This program was

designed for teachers to be able to meet with a small number of students in guided reading groups to help meet the

needs of each student at their reading level. While the classroom teacher is working with the small group, the rest of

the students rotate into independent reading sta�ons. Students can read quietly to themselves, read with a partner,

listen to reading on a computer, work on wri�ng or prac�ce daily skills. These reading rota�ons help to foster greater

independence, higher engagement in self-selected reading and more meaningful and authen�c reading.

Since using the “Daily 5 Program” we’ve no�ced the students enjoy making their own choices, have a greater sense

of classroom community, and most of all, their reading stamina is stronger. This is evident in the selec�on of books

they are now choosing to read.

This year, in coopera�on with Mrs. Sanso8a, our reading specialist, we have added the “CAFÉ Component” to our

“Daily 5 Program.”

C for Comprehension

A for Accuracy

F for Fluency

E for Expanding Vocabulary

The stu- dents in Mrs. Mount’s Class are really proud of their efforts and look forward

to reading across the curriculum each day!!!

READING OLYMPICS

Fallsington proudly sent two teams to participate in

the 2016 Bucks County Reading Olympics Competi-

tion. This year, 31 students from Fallsington’s fourth

and fifth grade classes took part in the event. Stu-

dents were required to read from a designated

booklist and become “experts” on those books.

Practice took place for this event during the stu-

dents’ recess time throughout the school year. During

the night of the competition, the teams of students

were asked questions about every book on the list.

Teachers, staff, and families were proud of the hard work and dedication that the students displayed. We look forward to participating in next year’s com-petition. If your son or daughter is interested, you can find the booklist for 2017 on the school’s website.

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2

From Mrs. Powell & Mrs. Christy in the

Computer Lab Our Fallsington students have been doing great in the Computer Lab! It’s amazing to see children from Kindergarten through Fifth Grade using all the technology we have to offer.

During the 1st week of March, to celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday, many classes had the chance to explore the website “Seussville.” There are challenging and fun games and activities that go along with all the familiar characters from the Dr. Seuss books. Students had a wonderful time spelling in “Fishin’ for ABCs” and “Hop on Pop”, or gathering Truffula seeds in “The Lorax Quest”, among others.

As the year progresses, students are becoming more and more comfortable with all our technology. Activities provide opportunities to practice and reinforce Math and Literacy skills they are learning in their classrooms. Ask your child(ren) what new websites they have been visiting in school!

Second through Fifth Graders have continued to work extremely hard in the Compass Learning Program. This program is designed to reinforce Reading and Math skills for each student. Students can also access this program at home at: www.thelearningodyssey.com. All students also enjoy using our iPads, android tablets, and Chromebooks in their class-rooms for small group activities and centers!

There’s much more to do in computers during the year ahead! Look for more updates in the next edition of Tiger Ta-les!

If you haven’t sent in headphones for your child, please do so as soon as possible. Inexpensive headphones can be found at any Dollar Store, Five & Below, or a store such as Walmart and Target. Please be sure the headphones are in a zip-lock baggie with your student’s name and homeroom. Also, ear “buds” are difficult for young children to use, headphones are preferable.

Fallsington Parents,

Welcome to May! As we near the final stretch of the school year, I am proud to announce the excellent job Fallsington

students have done to this point in Physical Educa�on. Students in all grade levels have improved upon their fitness and

it’s amazing to see what they can do now compared to what they were doing in September. Students are learning fitness/

sport ac�vi�es that they can enjoy for a life�me. Let’s con�nue to learn for the health of it!

As a family, set some healthy goals (i.e., par�cipate in a fun run, cut back on TV �me, chose 2-3 fruits/vegetables to eat

each day). Ask your children what they are doing in class, and try it with them. There are quite a few fun places for fami-

lies to go in Bucks County that have to do with physical ac�vity. I highly recommend Sky Zone Trampoline Park and the

Doylestown Rock Gym. As the weather gets warmer, playing outside for 60 minutes is crucial, not just for the fitness as-

pect, but for the social aspect as well.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION AT FALLSINGTON

Page 7

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2

Our talented Fallsington ar�sts have been busily preparing their drawings, pain�ngs, and sculp-

tures for various upcoming art events. Fallsington’s spectacular, “Art & Literature Night” was held

on Wednesday, May 4th

and was a HUGE success! Thank you to all the parent and staff volunteers

who contributed to this event.

In addi�on, the District Art Show will be held on Tuesday, May 24th

through Thursday, May 26th

in

the Pennsbury High School East gymnasium from 6pm-8pm. Students with artwork featured in this

show receive an invita�on approximately one week prior to the event. Please come out to cele-

brate the accomplishments of students in grades K-12 from schools throughout the Pennsbury

School District.

The final round of Art Club for grades 4th

& 5th

has concluded. We have explored projects and ac-

�vi�es such as: making sewn and stuffed monsters, crea�ng Pilgrim Hat centerpieces, designed the

Holiday Sing banner, made clay seed planters, created milk jug bird feeders, painted the Spring

Concert banner and more! We are already looking forward to hos�ng new groups of students next

school year. There will be many more art adventures to come!

In addi�on, the “Sit-N-Sketch” drawing club offered to our 2nd

& 3rd

graders has fin-

ished as well. Approximately sixty second and third grade students par�cipated in this

NEW supplemental program. We have explored many brain-teasing drawing exercises

such as: “Draw things that roll,” “Draw things that close,” or even “Draw things that

are cold.” The students have taken their sketchbook home to con�nue drawing and

sketching the world around them. A special “thank you” to Mr. Shaffer for purchasing

the books for the student ar�sts and making this event possible!

Make sure you ask your child about what they are doing in the art room. And as always, thank you

for your con�nued support of the visual arts program here at Fallsington!

-Miss Karen Mummey

- Mrs. Lindsay Chong

THE ART ROOM HAS BEEN BUSY!

Page 8

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2

...Con2nued from Page 1

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Odyssey of the Mind is an international educational program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students from

Kindergarten through college. Team members apply their creativity to solve problems that range from building mechanical devices to

presenting their own interpretation of literary classics. For the first time, Fallsington was represented by two Odyssey of the Mind

Teams at the regional competition. Our upper grade team tied for first in the Southeast PA regional tournament, advancing to the state

competition that was facilitated in Pittsburgh. Both teams performed for our school community, generating interest and excitement

among our students. A special thanks to Mr. Caro (“Coach Squirrel”) and Mrs. Secoda who served as coaches for our primary and

upper grade teams respectively. We’re looking forward to next year.

Through our partnership with the Fallsington Library, our students in Kindergarten and grade four (please see page 4 for more infor-

mation) have enjoyed classroom extensions to the library where they have participated in lessons that were created and delivered by our

parent partner, Ms. Rendeiro. Mr. Rosica’s third grade class will also visit the library in May. Our student council collaborated with

the Fallsington Library to create Valentines for local veterans (please see page 1 for more information).

At the beginning of the 2015 – 2016 school year, we expanded our partnership with the Peace Center by initiating a Peer Mediation

Program, which serves as an extension of the “Respecting Me, Respecting You” Program, which has been presented to our third grade

students for two consecutive years. Our Peer Mediation Program benefits all students and enhances the school climate by recognizing

the importance of peaceful conflict resolution along with teaching valuable leadership skills. The program has proven to be successful

with resolving student conflicts. We are currently collaborating with the Peace Center to secure funding for our partnership in the up-

coming school year.

Our Character Education Initiative continues to promote the development of a “Growth Mindset” by reinforcing and encouraging per-

severance, effort, and growth among our students. Students are acknowledged for demonstrating these characteristics and receive spe-

cial recognition during our quarterly awards ceremonies. Each month, a nomination form is submitted to the LYFT (Lower Makefield,

Yardley, Falls Township, Tulleytown) Coalition to further recognize our students.

At the District level, the elementary division is currently undergoing a curriculum renewal in the area of mathe-

matics. Through a core group of teachers, math specialists, and principals, Everyday Mathematics (EM4) has

been identified as a program that meets the needs of our elementary students. I am very excited about EM4 and

the program’s offerings. Developed by the University of Chicago School Mathematics Project and published by

McGraw-Hill Education, EM4 is a comprehensive K – 5 mathematics program. At the heart of EM4 is a focus

on developing students’ mathematical understanding and skills. This is accomplished through the use of real

life examples, repeated exposure to concepts and skills, frequent practice of computation skills, and the use of

multiple methods and problem solving strategies. Moreover, EM4 differentiates to meet various learning styles.

Elementary principals and math specialists had the opportunity in January to visit the Pennridge School Dis-

trict and observe EM4 unfold in the classroom setting. Throughout the visitation, students and teachers were overwhelmingly enthusias-

tic about the program. Students were engaged and enjoyed their lessons. The team also engaged in follow-up focus groups with Penn-

ridge teachers who shared positive experiences and results with the program.

At present, grade level specific EM4 materials are in the hands of our elementary teachers and a staff development timeline has been

established. This includes grade level meetings, principal training, principal/math specialist co-training, and math specialist/educational

technology associate co-training to support the technology component of the program. Summer workshops are also being planned.

I look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events, our June edition of Tiger Tales, and to celebrating with you all of the accomplish-

ments of our learning community. I am grateful for your support and contribution. Together, Fallsington continues to become an even

greater place for students to learn and grow.

With Much Appreciation,

Mr. Brian G. Shaffer

Principal

Page 9

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2

Fallsington Tigers

134 Yardley Avenue

Fallsington, PA 19058

Phone: 215.428.4170

Fax: 215.428.5210 F A L L S I N G T O N E L E M E N T A R Y S C H O O L

their brains! Prac�ce this FUN game and see if

you up for the challenge by visi�ng hp://

www.4nums.com.

The 4th

and 5th

Grade Math Olympiads gath-

erered before school to challenge themselves

by using mathema�cal strategies to answer vari-

ous higher-level math ques�ons. Thank you to

all the parents who ensured the students were

on �me and consistently present at all of the

mee�ngs. Below are pictures of the group hard

at work!

Students involved in Mentoring

Mathema�cal Minds (M³ ) have

been working very hard! Fi@h

grade students recently complet-

ed a lesson involving Guinness

World Records where they dis-

covered and demonstrated with

rulers the world’s longest docu-

mented hair. This record belongs

to Xie Qiuping from China. Her

hair length is 18 feet 5.54 inches!

The Challenge 24 Math Club has

been mee�ng in the mornings on

a weekly basis geSng strong-

er at coming up with ways to

make twenty-four by mul�ply-

ing, dividing, adding, and sub-

trac�ng. Together, they have

been challenging and training

MRS . MCGURRIN’S MATH NEWS

FALLSINGTON’S CORE BELIEFSFALLSINGTON’S CORE BELIEFSFALLSINGTON’S CORE BELIEFSFALLSINGTON’S CORE BELIEFS

PPPPut Safety First!

AAAAll People Deserve Respect.

WWWWe are a responsible community.

PAW PAW PAW PAW Pride!

Page 10

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2