Dear Second Grade Families,

Welcome to second grade! We have an exciting year ahead that will be filled with lots to explore, experience and learn. We hope to be a guide and mentor to your child this year as he or she embarks on a learning journey filled with excitement, challenges, and many learning opportunities.
One reason that we love second grade is that students develop and grow a lot over the course of one year. It is wonderful to watch them as they expand their knowledge and learn new things. As your child continues to grow and learn this year, I hope that you will view us as someone you can count on to care for your child and his or her academic progress. We believe that children learn best when the teacher and families work together to achieve the same goals with a child. We love to have open communication with families since our students are our top priority. This year, you can be certain that we will work diligently to help them in every way possible. With that in mind, please feel free to contact us at any point if you have questions or concerns about something going on in the classroom or with your child specifically.

You may call the school at 717-872-1401 or email us (see below) at anytime! We also encourage you to use the Penn Manor website as this contains valuable information throughout the school year. Lunch menus and prices for the first day will be located here:

http://blogs.pennmanor.net/centralmanor/

We have included a supply list for things your child should bring on the first day of school, Monday , August 31st. There is also a short questionnaire for you to fill out and reply in an email to your child’s teacher. We are looking forward to a fabulous learning journey in second grade with each of you and we cannot wait to meet you soon!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Jenna DeLong Mrs. Shelly Kyle
(jenna.delong@pennmanor.net) (shelly.kyle@pennmanor.net)

Mrs. Becca Eichler Mrs. Beth Mader
(becca.eichler@pennmanor.net) (beth.mader@pennmanor.net)

Second Grade Supply List

• A small hard pencil box (not a pouch)
• Crayola Crayons (2 packs of 24)
• 2+ black expo markers
• A glue stick (or several)
  -Scissors with initials labeled on them

**We will also be using headphones/earbuds with our computers. If your child is able to have
his/her own, it would be very helpful! Nothing fancy is needed! Please be sure they are labeled
with your child’s name. Earbuds should be in a baggie or pouch. Thank you!

Second Grade Student Questionnaire

(Please return through EMAIL to your second grader’s teacher.)

1. Describe your child’s strengths. (Do not limit to academic ability, please include physical and
   social strengths, too.)
2. What does your child enjoy doing?
3. Describe any concerns you would like addressed this school year.
4. Please list any additional information about your child that would be helpful for me to know.
   Also, please include your name, your second grader’s name, best phone number, and email address/es to contact you.

Hello families!  It’s been a wild ride!  As I mentioned the other day, I am so honored to have been a part of your child’s journey and I wish you the best of luck as you move on to third grade!  

I am unable to unsubscribe you from my blog, it is something that you will need to do from your own computer.  Beginning Monday, I will be posting information for next year’s second graders.  To unsubscribe, you need to click on the word “unsubscribe” and then when prompted, click unsubscribe again.  

Have a wonderful summer!! 🙂 Try to relax and enjoy some family time!

My heart is VERY heavy after yesterday’s announcement of our “in person” school year ending.  🙁 I was holding on to the hope that your children and I would have the chance to work together again in person.  I miss their energy, hugs, high fives, smiles, and curiosities.  I miss seeing their faces when that “AHA!” moment happens.  I even miss their silliness!  One of the things I have tried teaching “my” kids this year is that our mindset is everything.  We need to have a positive mindset and always give our best, no matter the situation.  So, I will do my best to follow my own advice!  Please know that I am still a big part of your child’s life.  I am here!!  I honestly think about my class all the time and when I hear from you/them, it is what keeps me going as I figure out how to be a remote teacher!  

So what does moving forward look like?

Starting Monday April 13th, the activities on the Penn Manor Remote Learning Website are now expected and will be marked in Sapphire. This means they are not optional any more . Students will not be getting a grade for these assignments, however they will be getting feedback and an “R” will be marked in Sapphire upon “receipt” of the activities. By the end of each week, students will need to send 2 completed activities in Math and 2 completed activities in ELA. There will be expected activities for every day of the week, but at this time only 2 math and 2 ELA of your choice are expected to be turned in.  Please feel free to send as many as you want though!  Right now these activities will still be REVIEW. However we will be moving on to new material since we will not be back in the classroom this year. I am available to answer questions or hold small learning groups through google meet to go over new material as needed. (I can hold 1:1 meetings as long as a parent is present). Please keep turning in work through email. New work will be posted on Monday.  Here is the website link to access the activities:

https://sites.google.com/pennmanor.net/remotelearning/

What about SeeSaw? 

Your child can continue to submit any assignments on the SeeSaw app. I am working to teach myself how to create my own lessons on SeeSaw so that your child can just complete it there if it is easier for you, however, the activities on SeeSaw right now are not required, just fun practice. I have loved hearing their voices and looking at their work, but I know that it can be overwhelming  to do that stuff combined with the required work,  so please don’t feel bad if your child needs to participate less on SeeSaw.

Next…

Starting Monday April 13th, I will have OFFICE HOURS from 12:00-1:00pm Monday-Friday. What does this mean? This means you can expect me to be on my laptop ready to get back to you promptly during this hour. I am here to answer all questions you have. If you email me any other time during the day, I will still email you back within the school day (8:50 am – 3:45 pm) it just won’t be RIGHT AWAY.

AND MOST EXCITING OF ALL!  

I will be emailing an invite to a Google Meet with me on Tuesday 4/14 at 1:30.  I will also invite a special guest from CM on this call!! This will be a chance for our class to get together virtually again! Just click on the address in the invite and when prompted, join the meeting!  I attached a picture of the microphone so your child knows how to mute/unmute.  Upon entering the meeting, PLEASE MUTE until I start the call!  Now that we may use this a little more, I’m going to lay out the ground rules for them to have a successful meet.  For this meeting, please have your child write a few sentences to share about his or her favorite “At Home” activity since being quarantined. 

 Report cards

According to my records some of you have already seen your child’s Third MP report card using your Sapphire account! This is wonderful! However, if you have not seen it yet, please check it out this week! I would love to have 100% of our report cards viewed by Friday, April 17^th. No need to let me know that you saw it, that gets recorded electronically once it is viewed!  If you need directions on how to set up a Sapphire account, please check the CM blog.  

Finally, please remember…This is a new experience for all of us and we will get through this new way of learning together. Please know I am here for you. Stay well and stay positive. Please let me know if you have any questions. Have a wonderful weekend…and DON’T FORGET TO SEND ME YOUR 3-2-1!

Dear Families,

I have listed the newest update from Penn Manor’s blog below. I sure do miss all of your families! Thank you for all of the emails that have been coming my way. I am absolutely loving seeing your work that you are doing at home. 🙂

FROM THE PENN MANOR BLOG:

Penn Manor has introduced a comprehensive Continuity of Education plan, which is available for viewing here on the district’s remote learning website.

The plan explains in detail how teachers will provide learning activities for all students to access by grade level or subject area. The current level of activities will continue through April 9, and the school district will begin transitioning to more robust learning activities the week of April 13.

Beginning April 20, all teachers will move from reinforcement and review of material previously taught to the introduction of new material.

Teachers will keep track of student participation and reach out to encourage all students to participate. Learning activities will not be graded, but student participation is expected.

Given the current unprecedented circumstances, Penn Manor has tried to be intentional about transitioning to online learning and its impact on our students, families and staff. We want to be mindful of the stressors brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and the increased demands on parents working from home. 

Throughout this process, we will continue to evaluate our Continuity of Education plan and make adjustments as needed. 

Thank you for your support in these challenging times, and please stay safe!

Central Manor families please check out our new virtual newsroom under the COVID-19 & Online Learning tab on the Central Manor blog. Starting today we will be posting daily morning announcements, similar to what was done in school. 

Central Manor Virtual Newsroom

Third marking period report cards will be uploaded TODAY April 3rd. Parents will need to access their child’s Sapphire account in order to review.

Additionally, any student with an Academic Support Plan and/or IEP can also locate their third quarter progress reports in their student Sapphire account.

Accessing a Sapphire Account

PMSD-Create-Sapphire-Parent-Account-SPAN-1Download

Log in  here for existing accounts.

Here are directions of how to locate the documents in Sapphire.
How-To-Access-Documents-Posted-to-Community-Portal-AccountDownload

Availability of InformationStudent attendance and grading information is available to parents of student in grades 3-12 via Sapphire. The website is: https://sapphire.pennmanor.net/CommunityWebPortal/. Teachers generally update grade information every two weeks.

Student Accounts
A Sapphire login account is comprised of a username, password and security pin code. Student account information are initially given to new incoming 7th graders in August. Students who did not receive initial login instructions or those who are newly enrolled should visit the main school office for login information.

Parent Accounts
Parents and guardians are encouraged to create private login separate from their child’s account. Do so by visiting: https://sapphire.pennmanor.net/CommunityWebPortal/Welcome.cfm and clicking on the Community Portal Application link under the Getting Started section of the site.

Step One of the account creation process is the entry of a keyword. The keyword is: comets

Next, parents will be required to accept the site policy and then complete the online account application.

Finally, Parents must fill out the form electronically.  Be sure to include all of your children that are enrolled in the Penn Manor School District under the “Children Information” section so that they are all linked to your account. Once you have completed all required fields, press “Save and Continue”.

Once your application has been reviewed by the Sapphire Administrator, and approved, you will receive an email at the email address you provided with your assigned PIN. You will then use your selected UserName and Password and the assigned PIN to access Sapphire as a parent.

Parent account holders may also setup email notifications that signal when teachers have posted grades and/or other information to their student’s online Backpack.

Lost Passwords
For security reasons, the district will not disclose username or password information over the phone or via email. Parents or students who have lost passwords may stop by the main office of their school to have the password reset. Parents may be asked to produce proper identification to retrieve their student’s account information.

Compatibility
Sapphire is compatible with Linux, Mac and Windows systems running a current web browser. We recommend the latest version of Firefox or Google Chrome

AntiVirus, Spyware and System Patches
We strongly encourage all parents and students to keep their AntiVirus software up-to-date and apply all security patches released by Microsoft. Also, consider running an anti-SpyWare program for Windows such as AdAware or Spybot on a regular basis. A free Anti-Virus software package is available from AVG and may be downloaded here. Parents are also encouraged to stay abreast of Microsoft system patches via Windows Update.

Browser Cookies & Pop-Up WindowsPlease note that in order for Sapphire to function properly, Cookies must be accepted for pennmanor.net via your web browser. Sapphire may utilize pop-up windows to notify users of important information and announcements. For this reason, please turn off any pop-up blocking software you may use when you enter the website and turn it back on after you log out. Sapphire never uses pop-ups for advertisements.

Contact
Questions, problems, and suggestions regarding Sapphire can be directed to: sapphiresupport@pennmanor.net

The CM staff has worked on some Read Alouds for our students! Please go to the following link and see your favorite teachers reading some of your favorite stories! Hope you’re enjoying this wonderful Tuesday!

CM Staff Read Aloud Videos

Hello Penn Manor families,

Penn Manor educators have developed continuity of education plans to help students continue learning from home while our schools are closed. 

Here is a link to the resources.

These are optional, ungraded learning activities that students can complete from home. The resources have been developed to meet a variety of students’ needs and may not be the same across our school district. 

Teachers will also be accessible to students and parents and will respond to any questions about the learning activities in a timely manner.

Currently, schools are scheduled to reopen on April 9th, but that date may change depending on Governor Wolf’s orders.

Thank you for your support of your child’s education in this challenging time.

– Penn Manor School District

Please enjoy our Central Manor Proud video. “Central Manor Proud” is our school song that we sing once a month at Shine Time!

“Working together as one, we’re growing like a garden.
Leaders everyone, we’re joining mind and heart,
In unity, with this community,
We’re Central Manor Proud.
Shaping the future in store, we’re writing our own chapter.
Built on the stories before, with all who will come after,
In unity, with this community,
We’re Central Manor Proud.
We stand tall, if someone falls,
We’ll lend a helping hand.
Together strong, we all belong,
As leaders we will stand.
Chapters eventually end, Central Manor lives inside us.
Memories, teachers, and friends,
Continue to shape and guide us,
In unity, with this community,
We’re Central Manor,
Central Manor,
Central Manor,
P-R-O-U-D – PROUD!”

In this time of uncertainty, it’s clear that Penn Manor has an amazing community. Let’s show our PM pride by wearing blue and gold or other Penn Manor attire on Wednesday, March 25. Share your photos with the #PMProud tagline via Twitter, Facebook, or any social media account.