The Aston Communicator

PRINCIPAL’S CORNER

It is hard believe we are already in the month of March! This will be a very busy month for the staff and students at Aston Elementary School! We are preparing for the PSSA test in grades 3, 4, and 5. All students in those grades will take the Math PSSA as well as the ELA PSSA. The ELA PSSA is new this year and ELA stands for English Language Arts. This test also includes a writing section. In addition, grade 4 students will take the Science PSSA. Testing begins on April 14. Grades K, 1, and 2 continue to work hard to improve their reading and math skills. Believe it or not, even in Kindergarten the students are preparing for the PSSA tests through the curriculum the district provides. Grades 4 and 5 have been participating in a basketball competition on Mondays and Tuesdays during their lunch recess. We are learning the rules of the game, learning to be good sports, and holding a little friendly competition. So far in grade 5 Mr. Gladfelter’s class has scored the most points and in grade 4 Miss Cassimatis’ class is in the lead!

ASTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

HOME OF THE ASTON ROCKETS

March Calendar

Problem Solving 2nd 3:45 p.m. – Variety Show Practice 3:45 p.m. – Good News Club 4th 3:45 p.m. - Variety Show Practice 5

th 11:15 a.m. Early Dismissal

9th Kindergarten Registration 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. 3:45 p.m. – Variety Show Practice 3:45 p.m. – Good News Club 6:30 p.m. – P.T.L. Meeting - A.E.S. Library 10th End of Second Trimester School Store 11th 8:15 a.m. – Breakfast with the Principal 3:45 p.m. – Variety Show Practice 12th Evening Kindergarten Registration 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Administration Building 13th Fifth Grade Group Class & Activity Pictures for Yearbook Aston Spirit Day 16th AM & PM Kindergarten Classes 3:45 p.m. – Variety Show Practice 3:45 p.m. – Good News Club 17th NO AM or PM Kindergarten Classes

18th NO AM Kindergarten Class

PM Kindergarten Class in session 3:45 p.m. – Variety Show Practice 7:30 p.m. – School Board Study Session 19

th 11:15 a.m. Early Dismissal (K – 5

th)

AM Kindergarten Class in session

NO PM Kindergarten Class

Parent Teacher Conf. by request

12:45 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

5:00 p.m. – 7:55 p.m.

20th

11:15 a.m. Early Dismissal (K – 5th

)

NO AM Kindergarten Class

PM Kindergarten Class in session

8:50 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. 23rd Rhythms Around the World Assembly 3:45 p.m. – Variety Show Practice 24th Band Fest 25th 3:45 p.m. – Variety Show Practice 7:30 p.m. – School Board Meeting 27th Aston Spirit Day

SPRING BREAK – NO SCHOOL

March 30th

– April 6th

March 2015

900 Tryens Road Aston, PA 19014

610-497-6300 Ext. 4500 office • 610-558-7881 fax

Susan Phillips, Principal GBENDER@pdsd.org

ASTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - JUMP FOR HEART Mrs. Johnston, our A.E.S. Phys. Ed. Teacher, did a tremendous job

organizing and running a fun fund raiser, Jump Rope for Heart, with our students. First – Fifth Grades participated in our Jump-a-Thon. Students jumped all over heart disease and stroke by participating in a variety of seven different heart pumping cardiovascular stations during their Physical Education classes. Stations included everything from cruising through a heart maze on a scooter, using a hula hoop to individual jump rope tricks and skills. Our students did an outstanding job of raising funds for the American Heart Association. $5850.01 was raised. Way to go Aston!

March 2015

PSSA Testing Dates:

April 13 – 17

PSSA English Language Arts

3rd, 4th, & 5th Grades April 20

th – 24

th

PSSA Mathematics

3rd, 4th, & 5th Grades April 27

th – May 1

st

PSSA Science for 4th Grade

Fun and Fund Raising at Aston

Elementary School

Aston Kids Care Club News

In February, the Aston Kids Care Club ran the Pennies for Patients fund drive benefiting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Kids from the club made daily announcements and helped collect the donations brought in by everyone at school. All told, Aston Elementary raised $ 2053.67 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. Every penny you donated goes directly to their efforts. Kids will be celebrating with a movies at lunch day and a school dance party.

The fifth grade students at Aston participated in a Phillies Phitness Training program on February 12, 2015. The Phillies NovaCare trainers reviewed the importance of being heart healthy and living a wellness lifestyle. Students then participated in several stations that got their heart pumping and bodies moving. There was a nutrition relay, ladder course, and a relay that allowed students to use real Phillies equipment and uniforms. Mrs. Johnston was so proud of their enthusiasm, spirit, and dedication to being physically fit as they participated in the program. This was an excellent experience for all and showed the students the importance of Health and Wellness.

Phillies Phitness Training Program

STUDENTS OF THE MONTH FORSTUDENTS OF THE MONTH FORSTUDENTS OF THE MONTH FORSTUDENTS OF THE MONTH FOR

JANUARY JANUARY JANUARY JANUARY -------- EFFORTEFFORTEFFORTEFFORT

READING COUNTS –

Congratulations to our latest Millionaire Readers:

Three Million Words: Reading Counts Goal: Paige Bartholf Connor Day 130,000,000 Current A.E.S. Words Read:

One Million Words: 81, 616,757 Adam Plachuta Snaeha George Words Needed to Make the Goal: Kylie Moor Kylie Moor 48,383,243

Jacob Shapiro

March 2015 Aston’s Outstanding Students

Christopher Matsanka – 116 a.m. Jameson Strickland - 116 p.m.

Kaelyn Cimabue – 118 a.m. Nina Melone – 118 p.m.

Arianna Faust – 105 Gabe Dormand – 110

Anaka Boyd-Volz – 103 Andrea Nicholson – 106

Annalyn Graybeal – 102 Nicky Krouse – 101

Ava Millili – 107 Aubrey Goglia – 104

Natalie Graziola – 108 Olivia Hoy – 206

Laci Brown – 205 Travis Powell – 207

Lauren Billigmeier – 203 Twyla Fitzgerald – 204

Jacklyn Bradley – 208 Arionna Sheeky – 202

Kylie Moor – 201 Nathan McCarty - 210

Kindergarten’s 100 Day Celebration

By Cody Bowman, Sun Valley Science Department

Greenhouse Grows Opportunities Last spring, The 3M Company awarded Sun Valley a generous grant to purchase and maintain a

greenhouse. Many of us were excited to jump at this new opportunity to design meaningful curriculum for our courses. It was another medium we could use to instill lifelong learning in our students. Over the summer, teachers of various departments collaborated to design both the layout and curriculum. We decided to purchase two greenhouses: a larger one for classroom studies and projects, and a smaller one that would specifically be used for growing vegetables, fruits, and herbs. As our teacher cohort researched materials and ideas for the project, some of us visited local gardens and stores. One group went to check out Mostardi’s Nursery in Newtown Square, who ended up making a much appreciated donation of composters, a rain barrel, raised beds, soil, and various pots.

Facilities did a great job assembling the greenhouse in the fall; and once winter break was over, the greenhouse really started to take shape as we built and installed shelving, tables, and the raised beds. It is currently ready for action and awaits students and teachers to fill it with plant projects! Some of the ways courses and groups will utilize the greenhouse are outlined below.

Biology: study plant structure (phytotomy and morphology) by growing “fast plants” and observing them from germination. Chemistry: test soil for pH, and also manipulate the pH to analyze its effect on coloring and growth. Kitchen Sciences: institute a “farm to table” approach, where all produce used in the class will be grown by the students

Life Skills: assist in tending plants and maintaining the greenhouse; growing plants for holidays and special occasions

In the future, we have hopes of expanding the greenhouse curriculum to include a school-wide

composting initiative and integrate it into the sustainable energy course, along with endless other possibilities.

MARCH 2015

February 2015