3rdQuarter2013Newsletter - East Penn School District

The MAC TEAM
MACUNGIE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
EAST PENN SCHOOL DISTRICT
Creating a safe community of learners
Accepting differences
Respecting one another
Encouraging responsibility
Striving for excellence
From Mr. Best’s Office-3 rd Quarter Update
As we turn the corner and enter the final quarter of this school year, it appears that we
have also turned the corner from wintery weather to the warmer temperatures of spring. With all
of those snow days now behind us, it looks for certain that the final school day is set-Tuesday,
June 11 th . As past practice dictates, student dismissal will be at noon (no lunches served) on that
day, and we conduct our final school meeting during that morning. Please keep in mind that we again
have a pre-Labor Day start to the 2013-14 school year, as the first student day is Monday, August
26 th –it will be here before we know it! Also, as we head into the fourth making period, the planning
and preparation for next school year begins. A big part of that process is the development of next
year’s class lists. As parents, I believe that you need to be aware of how that process unfolds.
Therefore, I have included a parent letter explaining the process. Hopefully that information
answers any questions that you may have and provides you with a piece of mind knowing that many
factors are considered when putting together class lists.
During the last few months, many good deeds, that have a positive impact on kids and adults
outside of the Macungie Elementary School walls, were again carried out by Macungie students,
parents and staff members. During the month of March, students and staff generously donated
$1,016.97 to the Pennies for Patients program. Donations from the program benefit the Leukemia
& Lymphoma Society, specifically targeting children that are challenged with some form of a blood
cancer. Continuing with generous and healthy initiatives, the Jump Rope/Hoops for Hearts
programs, led by Mrs. Wikert, raised an amazing total of $4,090. Finally, the fourth grade team
participated in a Math-a-thon, coordinated by fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Thomas (205), and raised
$3884 for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. The generosity of this community is truly
overwhelming-without a doubt, the Macungie Elementary School CARES!!
“Babies” continue to be the hot topic in teacher news! In February, Mrs. Becker and her
husband Dan celebrated the birth of a baby girl, Elizabeth Mary Becker! Mrs. Becker is scheduled
to return in early May, just in time for the grade 5 concert. In addition, Mrs. Thomas, second
grade teacher, and her husband Wade, welcomed a baby girl, Madelyn Marie, into the world in early
March. Mrs. Thomas will not return for the remainder of the school year, and her substitute is
Mrs. Nancy Braymer. I am 99% sure that we have heard the last of the teacher babies being born
during this school year, but experience has taught me that those types of surprises are always
“just around the corner!” In any event, we wish both Mrs. Becker and Mrs. Thomas the best of luck.
During the months of March and April, students in grades 3, 4 and 5 completed their PSSA’s
in Reading, Math, Writing (grade 5), and Science (grade 4). As usual, I owe a big thank you to all of

the Macungie teachers and other staff members who helped with the preparation and organization
of administering those assessments, to the Macungie parents who helped make sure their children
were present at school and focused for the tests, and to the students themselves who put forth
their best efforts in completing the assessments.
In the Spring of 2014, grades 3, 4 & 5 PSSA Reading and Math tests will be
administered during the weeks of March 17 th and March 24 th (March 17 th to March 27 th ) and
grades 4/5 PSSA Science tests will be administered during the week of April 28 th (April 28 th
to May 2 nd ) If you have a child or children in grades 3 through 5, please do not plan a
vacation during their respective assessment time period(s).
As always, our Macungie PTC organization was very busy organizing and running student
events during the winter and early spring months. Macungie students and families had the
opportunity to attend a Family Movie Day at the Emmaus Theater on January 12 th . Thanks to the
efforts of two Macungie parents (Kathy Heilenman and Nicole Adams), Macungie students had the
chance to “show their stuff” at our first annual Macungie talent show on February 22 nd . March
brought the Barnes & Noble Bookfair day at the Promenade Barnes & Noble and the PTC sponsored
roller skating parties on March 6 th and 13 th . Finally, “Bingo” was the word of the evening on April
12 th for our annual P.T.C. Family Bingo Night. As always, I am very grateful for the efforts of our
PTC organization and all that they do for the benefit of Macungie students.
I’ll conclude this newsletter with a listing of some fourth marking period highlights-. It is
always a pleasure to serve as the principal at Macungie Elementary School and I thank you for your
on-going support.
Fourth marking period highlights to keep in mind include:
School Meetings on April 19 th (9:10), May 15 th (9:10) and June 11 th (9:15am)
PTC Meetings on May 14 th and June 4 th
April 25 th -Elementary Spring Band Concert (7pm @ Shoemaker)
May 2 nd -Macungie Spring Concert (7pm)
May 8 th -Macungie Open House (6pm)
May 17 th -Macungie School Festival (@ Macungie School)
Field Days- Grade 5, May 20 th ; Grade 4, May 21 st ; Grade 3, May 22 nd
May 27 th -Memorial Day (schools closed)
June 11 th -Final Day of School (tentative)-dismissal @ 12:00pm

From Mr. Best’s Office
With the month of May comes the process of beginning to plan for the next school year. A big part of that process
is the creation of classes for the upcoming year. Throughout my years as a school administrator, I have fielded
many parent questions in regards to the process and their child’s placement. Therefore, as a proactive measure, I am
writing this letter to give you an idea of the steps we go through to create next year’s classes.
At Macungie, we have a very comprehensive procedure that takes into account many factors. The goal of the
procedure is to develop balanced classes that maximize the educational and social opportunities for each student at
Macungie Elementary School. In order to achieve this end, we rely on important input from the people who work
most closely with the students here at Macungie, the classroom teachers. With that stated, allow me to list the steps
we follow over the course of six to eight weeks that help us develop class lists.
1. Each classroom teacher completes an information card that identifies the child’s academic
strengths, weaknesses and learning styles. If needed, special education teachers consult with
the classroom teachers to complete the cards. Classroom teachers then works as grade level teams to
develop preliminary class lists for next year’s classes.
2. Mrs. Smith (guidance counselor), Dr. Deegan (Instructional Support teacher) and myself review the
information on the cards and the preliminary lists. Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Deegan consult with individual
teachers as needed to address questions and elicit feedback on any social issues that must be taken into
consideration.
3. The three of us meet, as a team, and complete balanced class lists based on the information we have
gathered. Many different factors will determine the specific group dynamics of an individual class.
After lists have been generated, they are distributed to special area teachers for feedback. Necessary
adjustments may be made based on teacher feedback.
4. After final lists are generated, I will assign teachers to each one of the classes. Classroom lists
are then sent to receiving teachers and in early August assignment letters are sent to the homes
of Macungie children.
Having followed all of these steps, it still does not ensure that the classes remain balanced. Keep in mind that
parents will register students for school over the summer months and those students then need to be delicately
placed into classes, and this sometimes happens without much background information on the student or much
interaction with the student.
I hope that this information has been helpful. I do believe the process focuses the attention and takes into
consideration the insight and opinion of the many professionals who work with your children everyday and in many
different settings.