MNE Intramural Track and Field 

Andrea Snyder
Third Grade Teacher

Intramural Coordinator
Mount Nittany Elementary School
State College Area School District

Special Event at MNE this Afternoon

Dear MNE Family,

Yesterday, one of our MNE 5th grade volleyball teams won the SCASD intramural volleyball championship.  We plan to celebrate the team's accomplishment as a school with a brief parade this afternoon at 2:00 PM.  A special thank you is extended to the Boalsburg Fire Company for participating in the celebration parade.

A few notes:

• • There will be a fire truck(s) at MNE this afternoon around 2:00 PM.  There will be sirens and lights.  There will not be an emergency.
  • Parents of 5th grade students are welcome to join us for the parade.  Please park in the large lot between the elementary and middle schools.
  • The loop around the grass field in front of MNE will be closed to parent pick up traffic until 2:30.  Please do not enter this loop prior to the departure of the fire truck and the return of students to the building.  Thanks for your cooperation!

Congratulations to all of our MNE volleyball players and coaches on a great season!

Respectfully,

Mark

Upcoming Student Safety Lesson - 2nd Grade

Dear Families of Second Grade Students,

Throughout our school system, we work hard to support the safety of all of our students by practicing evacuation drills, teaching playground safety, providing support for student conflicts, etc. Our health and physical education teachers also teach lessons about keeping students and their bodies healthy and safe, and our school counselors provide anti-bullying lessons each year. Finally, our classroom teachers monitor safety on a daily basis and provide instruction on safety, social emotional learning, communication, and collaboration. 

During the end of March and early April, the district has partnered with the Youth Service Bureau to provide one forty-minute lesson that focuses on safe touches in all of our 2nd grade classrooms . Trained representatives from the Youth Service Bureau will lead this lesson. During the lesson, your child’s teacher and school counselor will also be present to support the lesson and help respond to any questions students have. 

For more detailed information about this lesson, please review this flier which includes information about the lesson and the strategies students will learn through this experience including:

• Trust your feelings

• Try to say no

• Try to walk away

• Tell an adult

Given the importance of this topic around student safety, we wanted to reach out to you so you were informed about this upcoming lesson. If you have any questions or if you’d rather we provide an alternate experience for your child, please reach out to me. 

Respectfully, 

Mark

Specials Progress Reports

Good morning,

First semester progress reports for 1st-5th grade students are now available in ParentVUE. There are no specials reports for Kindergarten students or for the library special.

If you have questions regarding your child’s report card, please contact your child’s teacher. If you do not see your child’s report card in ParentVUE, or you are having trouble accessing ParentVUE, please reach out to itsupport@scasd.org or 814-231-7743.

Have a great week!

Respectfully,

Mark

Intramural Volleyball - MNE

Dear Fourth and Fifth Grade Families!

Intramural Volleyball is for fourth and fifth grade students.  There will be four sessions for fourth grade and eight sessions for fifth grade.  Fifth Grade will have the opportunity to participate in the SCASD Volleyball Tournament near the end of March.

Your child should be coming home this week with a packet about Intramural Volleyball.  The first page contains information related to Volleyball at MNE.  Please note that the sessions are not held on a typical day of the week due to staff meetings at school.  Listed below are the Volleyball Sessions for fourth and fifth grade:

Fourth Grade:

Feb. 2, Feb. 6, Feb. 15, Feb. 21

Fifth Grade:

Feb. 9, Feb. 16, Feb. 22, Feb. 28, Mar. 2, Mar. 14, Mar. 15, Mar. 16

If a session is canceled due to weather, I will be emailing families by 12:30.  Make-up sessions are tentative and will be held on March 1st and March 20th.  If a make-up session is needed, I will communicate this to you.  If we end up needing more make-up sessions, I will also communicate that to you.

If your child would like to participate, please return forms by January 27th.  This is extremely important as we have to staff appropriately.

If you have any questions about Intramural Volleyball, please email me (als38@scasd.org).  

Thank you!
Andrea

--

Andrea Snyder
Third Grade Teacher

Intramural Coordinator
Mount Nittany Elementary School
State College Area School District

Winter MAP Benchmark Testing - Jan. 9-12

Dear Parents/Caregivers,

During the week of January 9-12, your child will take the Measures of Academic Progress™ (MAP) test. This is an important test used to guide your child’s educational development and is given at the beginning, middle, and end of the school year. These tests determine your child’s instructional level and measure academic growth in the areas of mathematics and reading. Grades 2-5 will take both the MAP reading and mathematics tests. Grade 1 will take the MAP mathematics test.

The mid-year MAP test is helpful because it provides teachers with an update on your child’s progress; however, overall growth is more accurately observed with three data points. Therefore, the spring test provides a better picture of overall growth for the school year.  

MAP tests are unique in that they are computer adaptive tests. This means that the test will become more difficult as your child answers correctly. When your child answers incorrectly, the test will become easier.  Your child’s MAP test results will be reported in RIT scores. This is a different type of score than a typical test that provides a percentage.  Instead, the RIT score is an equal-interval scale, like feet and inches, that is independent of grade level.  This type of score increases the value of the tests as a tool to improve student learning because it enables teachers to recognize where to focus attention for your child’s learning. For more information on resources for parents, you can visit the Parent Toolkit.  

Your child’s individual MAP score will be sent home to you in a sealed envelope around the beginning of February. 

If you have questions, please contact me at 272-5970.

Sincerely,

Principal

Returning to School Tuesday January 3

Dear MNE Parent/Caregiver,

Happy New Year!  I hope that your break away from school was restful, relaxing, and filled with quality time with family.

School resumes on Tuesday morning, January 3, 2023.

A reminder that all of those new stuffed animals, electronic devices and games, Pokemon cards, and other valuable items should remain at home.  As you would imagine, these items peak a lot of curiosity and interest and consequently tend to develop legs of their own when brought to school.  As we cannot promise to safeguard these items during the school day, the best way to protect them is to keep them at home.  We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we begin 2023 at MNE.

Respectfully,

Mark

MNE Progress Reports Available

Dear MNE Family,

Your child’s first progress report is available in ParentVue today. In order to view the progress report this year please log in to ParentVUE. Then, on the left-hand menu, please select the “Documents” option. An electronic copy of your child’s progress report will be posted here. 

Please note that the “Report Card” section of ParentVUE is only used in secondary, and no information will be displayed here for elementary students.

If you have questions regarding your child’s report card, please contact your child’s teacher.

If you do not see your child’s report card in ParentVUE by Monday after 10:00 am, or you are having trouble accessing ParentVUE, please contact itsupport@scasd.org.

Teachers have been working hard to synthesize and summarize their observations of your child’s growth and learning during this marking period. Teachers only report out on the standards they have taught in each area. 

Students who attend our Virtual Academy will not receive the SCASD progress report and progress will not be uploaded into ParentVue. Parents of students who attend VA can view their progress through the FUEL system. If you have children involved in our Virtual Academy and have questions about their progress, please reach out to their SCASD teacher who can provide more information to you.

Have a terrific Monday and an awesome week!

Respectfully,

Mark

Skiing and Snowboarding Intramurals

Dear Fourth and Fifth Grade Families,

This is just a reminder that Skiing and Snowboarding Intramurals start in January.  If your child would like to participate in Intramural Skiing or Snowboarding, all blue forms (for transportation) need to be returned by Dec. 9th.  If you want to sign your child up for lessons, there is a discount to sign them up before Dec. 1st.  Details for costs are on page 8 of this document.

The following dates will be Skiing dates for MNE:

-January 17th, January 24th, January 31st

-February 7th, February 14th

These are not the same dates for all eight elementary schools, so please mark these dates on your calendar!

Thank you for your support of our Intramural Program at MNE.

Andrea Snyder, MNE Coordinator

als38@scasd.org​​​​​​​

--

Andrea Snyder
Third Grade Teacher

Intramural Coordinator
Mount Nittany Elementary School
State College Area School District

MNE Multicultural Red Carpet Walk

Dear Families,

During this year’s Winter Celebration on December 22nd, students are invited to dress in traditional or multicultural wear from around the world and walk down the MNE red carpet. We would like many students to participate in showcasing their culture and heritage during the assembly. If you are interested in having your child walk the red carpet, please fill out the linked form by December 9th. More details will come to you following your request to participate.

Thank you for your consideration!

Sincerely,

Courtney Laninger

MNE ESL Teacher

cxl48@scasd.org

MNE Helping Hands Food Donations

MNE Lost and Found Reminder

Dear MNE Parent/Caregiver,

Our MNE Lost and Found is overflowing.  All items are longing for a return to their owners and families.

Please check out this website and stop by the school to claim lost items.

A reminder that names written in jackets, hats, and gloves, if possible, help greatly when we attempt to reunite these items with their owners at school.

Have a great Friday and weekend!

Respectfully,

Mark

Winter Clothing Reminder

Dear MNE Parent/Caregiver,

Our luck appears to have run out as colder temperatures have arrived. This communication serves as a reminder to make sure that students are properly clothed to stand outside at bus stops and to participate in outdoor recess.  Warm jackets, gloves, and hats (with the student's name on all items) are recommended.

We follow the guidelines listed below when determining whether or not to go outdoors for recess:

1. 1. 20 degrees and above = full outdoor recess (grades K - 5 → 30 minutes, grade 6 →15 minutes)

   2. 15 to 19 degrees = the principal (or designee) determines, based on all available data, how long outdoor recess should be (15 - 30 minutes)

   3. 10 to 14 degrees = 15 minute outdoor recess

   4. 5 to 9 degrees = 5 minute brisk walk outside at suoervisor's discretion

The above guidelines are based upon NWS wind chill temperature in degrees Fahrenheit.

If access to appropriate winter clothing presents a hardship for your family, please contact the school.

Respectfully,

Mark

MNE Intramural Update

Due to the Whittle Equipment being in half of the Gym and the weather not looking good enough to play outside, Basketball Intramurals will be delayed.  The start date will now be Nov. 22nd.  If you have any questions, please contact Miss Snyder at als38@scasd.org.

Thank you!

Andrea Snyder
Third Grade Teacher

Intramural Coordinator
Mount Nittany Elementary School
State College Area School District

Intramural Skiing/Snowboarding

Dear Fourth and Fifth Grade Families,

We are excited to announce that Skiing and Snowboarding Intramurals have been scheduled for this Winter.  This week, your child should be bringing home an Intramural Skiing packet.  Please review this packet as soon as possible, because there will be an Informational Meeting for Elementary Intramural Skiing and Snowboarding on November 29th, 2022 at 6:30 PM.  The meeting will be held at Mount Nittany Middle School in the school cafeteria.  This site contains the meeting date/time and important skiing forms.

The following dates will be Skiing dates for MNE:

-January 17th, January 24th, January 31st

-February 7th, February 14th

These are not the same dates for all eight elementary schools, so please mark these dates on your calendar.

If you have any questions, please let me know.  If I don't know the answer, I will find the answer for you.

Thank you for your support of our Intramural Program at MNE.

Andrea Snyder, MNE Coordinator

als38@scasd.org

--

Andrea Snyder
Third Grade Teacher

Intramural Coordinator
Mount Nittany Elementary School
State College Area School District

Clothing Drive Reminder

Dear MNE Community,

A reminder that MNE/MNMS are hosting a clothing drive this weekend in the middle school cafeteria.  Clothes can be dropped off either Friday between 4-6 PM, or Saturday from 9 AM-4 PM. 

Come and shop for free on Saturday from 10 AM-4 PM, and Sunday from 12-3 PM.

Sincerely,

MNE Clothing Drive Team

MNE Veterans Day Final Invitation

BESS Screener ParentVUE Clarification

Dear MNE Parent/Caregiver,

This message is being sent as a follow up to this morning's message regarding the BESS screener data now available in ParentVUE.

Only 4th and 5th grade students complete the self-screener.  Therefore, these are the only students for whom this data is available in ParentVUE.

To view the data, be sure to click the "on" button as specified in the directions in the original email. If you have any follow up questions, please reach out to me.

Respectfully,

Mark

MNE Helping Hands Reminder

Accessing BESS Scores in ParentVUE

Hello Parents/Guardians,

Recently, your child (excluding requested exemptions) completed the Behavioral and Emotional Screening System (BESS) self-rating scale. It’s important to note that the BESS is not a comprehensive diagnostic assessment; rather it is a screening tool used to determine a student’s risk of developing emotional and/or behavior concerns that may require the consideration of intervention services.  It is important to remember that this is only one data point when considering a student's overall profile. Here is a link to more information about the BESS rating scale: https://www.scasd.org/Page/27213

These scores are accessible to parents/caregivers, and we are reaching out to you to provide directions on how to interpret and how to view your child’s BESS scores in ParentVUE 

BESS Score Interpretation

Below is a description of the BESS index scores, which are based on norms for students similar in age to your child.. Please know, scores can fall into one of three categories of risk: Normal Risk (green), Elevated Risk (yellow), Very Elevated Risk (red).

Accessing BESS Scores in ParentVUE

You can view your child’s scores by logging into ParentVUE and clicking on your child’s name then clicking on “Test History” on the left, then click the “Detail Button” to ON to see levels. Then Review360 is listed at the bottom. Help Guide and example screenshot below

 https://scasd.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/KB/pages/188023163/Navigating+the+ParentVue+Portal

The MNE Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) team reviews all scores following the screening and considers whether additional supports may be needed. You will be contacted if your child may benefit from these supports. If you have any questions or concerns, or would like more information about the screening, please contact MNE School Counselor Mrs. Tiffany Myers or MNE School Psychologist Ms. Leah Kraytz.

Respectfully,

Mark

MNE Helping Hands Initiative

Dear Families,

At Mount Nittany Elementary we have a program called Helping Hands that helps families with needs around the winter break such as food items, gifts, clothing, and household/personal care items.  

Please see the attached form or the red form coming home with your child today for more information on donating or being a recipient of this program, as the team is currently collecting information and needs.

The deadline to return this form (only one needed per family) EITHER via paper copy or email is Friday, October 28.  Please let Tiffany Glab Myers ((814) 231-1011 ext 2770 or tjg18@scasd.org) know if this deadline presents hardships for you or with any questions. 

Thank you for your consideration! 

Respectfully,

Tiffany Glab Myers

School Counselor

Mount Nittany Elementary Helping Hands Program.pdf ​​​​​​​

MNE/MNMS Clothing Drive - November 4-6

Dear MNE Parents/Caregivers, Faculty, and Staff,

MNE and MNMS will co-host a clothing drive at Mount Nittany Middle School the weekend of November 4-6.  The drive will be located in the middle school cafeteria.  We would like to invite you to consider helping in two ways:

• • Clean out those closets, dressers, and storage lockers, and drop off your clothing donations to the middle school cafeteria on Friday from 4:00 - 6:00 PM and Saturday from 9:00 - 4:00.  Feel free to share this information with friends and neighbors.  Goodwill has provided some bags to place the donated clothing.  If you are interested in some bags, please have your students ask their homeroom teachers and we will deliver them as soon as possible. 

  • Consider donating some of your time over the weekend to help us sort and fold clothes, and staff the drive.  We will also need help bagging all remaining clothes at 3:00 PM on Sunday. 

All families from the area may SHOP FOR FREE on Saturday from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM and again on Sunday from 12:00 - 3:00 PM.  Please spread the word with any friends or family in our community who may be interested!

To volunteer during the clothing drive, please sign up here.  Thank you in advance for helping with this community event!

Sincerely,

The MNES/MNMS Clothing Drive Team

MNE Intramural Basketball - Starting Soon

Dear Fourth and Fifth Grade Families!

Basketball Intramurals at Mount Nittany Elementary will begin soon!  Basketball Intramural sports are available for all fourth and fifth graders at OUR school. Intramural activities usually run from 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm. Students must be picked up by 4:30 pm, or they may walk or ride a bike home with written permission. Participation is optional for each season. Behavior expectations are high, and teamwork and sportsmanship are emphasized.

Your child will be bringing home a permission packet to be signed. Please sign and complete the bottom of the first page, and the entire second page. Forms are due by November 11th. Both pages need to be completed and returned in order to start on November 15th. Please print your email legibly in the event that a session is cancelled. If a session is cancelled, parents will be emailed. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me!

Thank you for allowing your child the opportunity to participate in Intramurals.

Andrea Snyder

Third Grade Teacher

MNE Intramural Coordinator, als38@scasd.org

MNE Picture Retakes and Lost and Found

Good afternoon!

I realize that these two topics do not pair very well; however, I wanted to spare you an additional email.

• • Picture Retakes are scheduled for Wednesday, November 2.  If your child had their picture taken in September, they will need to return the original proofs the day of retakes.  A new picture form will be sent home with those who were absent when pictures were originally taken.

• • MNE Lost and Found - we have amassed a large number of lost and found items.  Please check out the web page for any lost items.  Feel free to stop by the school or send your child to the lost and found area to claim your items.

Have a great weekend!

Respectfully,

Mark

Intramural Skiing/Snowboarding

Good Morning!

Skiing/Snowboarding Intramurals will start in January!  There will be an informational meeting, and more information/forms to come in the near future.  There are a few deadlines that I did want you to know about in case your child is interested in participating in Skiing or Snowboarding this school year.

October 31st- Season Passes are on sale until October 31st.  Please check out Tussey's website for more information about these passes.

November 4th/5th- Tussey will hold a yearly ski swap on November 4th and 5th at Tussey.  There are sign ups for time slots: tusseymountain.com.  New or used gear will be available at this sale.

As soon as more information becomes available, I will be in touch.

Thanks!
Andrea Snyder

Third Grade Teacher, MNE Intramural Coordinator

als38@scasd.org

MNE Fun Run Details - Friday

Dear MNE Parent/Caregiver,

We are excited for tomorrow's MNE Fun Run and are sharing the following details with you to help make the event run smoothly:

• Morning temperatures are predicted to be in the 40's.  Please dress your child in layers and in comfortable clothes for running outdoors, including shoes.
• Parents are welcome to attend as spectators at the event.  Please park in the main lot between the schools.  No vehicles will be permitted in the loop that surrounds the grass field.  Parent spectators will observe from the upper sidewalk that connects MNE and MNMS. Each grade has a 15 minute scheduled running time between 8:20-9:55.
• During the Fun Run event, students will also be participating in Fire Prevention Day activities inside the school building.  Therefore students will be coming and going and will be on a tight schedule.  Parents should not plan on spending time with their child during the event.
• All students are expected to remain in school after the event as academic instruction will resume following the Fun Run.
• Morning Drop Off - So as not to interfere with early morning event preparations, all parents should use the parking lot loop for morning drop off.  Please plan ahead as this loop will be busier than normal, and you may experience slight delays.  Please drive cautiously as faculty and staff are crossing at this time from the lot to the school.  Thanks for your cooperation.

A special thank you to the MNE PTO Fun Run team who puts hours into planning this event.  The Fun Run would not be possible without their support and monumental efforts.

Also, a thank you to our friends at the Boalsburg Fire Company who tirelessly support many of our MNE events and who take the lead with Fire Prevention Day activities.

Respectfully,

Mark

MAP Reports

Dear Parent/Caregiver,

Fall MAP reports for students in grades 2-5 are being sent home with students today.

Respectfully,

Mark

MNE Veterans Day Celebration

Dear MNE Family,

MNE will celebrate Veterans Day on Friday, November 11. As a part of this celebration, we would like to extend an invitation to veteran parents and grandparents of our MNE students to a light breakfast in the MNE cafeteria to begin the day.  Breakfast will begin at 7:45 AM on November 11.  All guests must be pre-registered and will enter the school through the main building entrance.  We will have school staff members and students present to welcome you.

In addition, we are also looking for veterans who would be willing to speak to our students in their classroom groups about how your life has been impacted by your time in the military.  These 5-10 minute presentations could include lessons learned and opportunities provided through your service to our country.

Please RSVP for either, or both, of these engagements by completing this RESERVATIONS form.

Please respond by Monday, October 17th. 

Sincerely,

The MNE Veterans Day Planning Team

MNE October Celebrations

Dear MNE Families,

Preparations are underway for our end of October celebrations.  We will have two options this year:  a Halloween Party and a Fall Festival Party.  Both will occur on Wednesday, October 26, from 2:00-2:50 PM.  Halloween parties will be held in grade level classrooms, and the Fall Festival Party will be held in the art room.

Halloween Party

Students choosing to participate may bring a costume to change into for the party.  Students are not to come to school dressed in costumes.  Please put your student’s name on all pieces of the costume.  

• • Costumes may not include any look-alike weapons or sharp objects.

  • Costume makeup and face paint are not permitted.

  • Costume masks are permitted; however, students will be required to remove masks if/when walking through the hallways.

  • Students will change out of costumes prior to dismissal.

Each classroom will have a Halloween party.  Parents may be contacted about donating treats and/or volunteering at the party.   

Fall Festival Party

Students choosing to participate in the Fall Festival Party will not wear costumes.  Students are encouraged to wear fall colors.  The Fall Festival Party will be supervised by faculty and staff members in the art room and will involve a variety of fall-related activities and snacks.

Please use this form to register your child for the Fall Harvest Party.

Thank you for your support of our October celebrations at MNE!  

Sincerely,

Mark Feldman

Principal

School Attendance Reminders from MNE

Dear MNE Parent/Caregiver,

We appreciate your continued attention to adhering to SCASD attendance procedures.

A few reminders:

• • A student is permitted ten (10) parent-written excuses for the school year.  A doctor's excuse is required for all subsequent absences.

  • There is no limit for the number of doctor's excuses. It is always best to secure a doctor’s note for every medical appointment.

  • Parents/Caregivers have 72 hours (3 days) from the date of return to submit an excuse.  Excuses can be hand-written, submitted through ParentVue, OR, sent via email to mneatt@scasd.org.

  • Call (814) 231-1011 ext. 3989, to report an absence on the Safe Arrival Line. Parents/caregivers are still required to submit an excuse in addition to the call.  In the absence of a call, the school will call you to verify the absence and ensure the student’s safety.

  • Unexcused late minutes to school accumulate toward full day unexcused absences.

  • A student is permitted ten (10) educational trip days per school year. An educational trip request form must be submitted in advance of the trip.  Days beyond the 10th day are considered unexcused absences unless pre-approval has been granted by the Assistant Superintendent.

  • Upon the 3rd unexcused day, a First Offense Letter is generated and sent to the parent/caregiver.  This letter serves as a warning that further action will be taken for subsequent unexcused absences.

  • After receipt of the First Offense Letter, the next unexcused absence results in a school attendance improvement plan (SAIP) meeting at school.  At this meeting, a plan is developed to improve school attendance.

  • After the development of the SAIP, subsequent unexcused absences result in a second offense and referral to District Judge Gregory Koehle, resulting in an attendance hearing in front of the judge.

If you have any questions, please contact MNE Attendance Secretary, Mrs. Patty Fry at (814) 272-5970 or mneatt@scasd.org.

Respectfully,

Mark

Mount Nittany Campuses with Partial Power

Dear Parents and Guardians:

At approximately 10 a.m. this morning, the power partially went out at Mount Nittany Middle School, Mount Nittany Elementary and Panorama Village Administrative Center. Administrators worked with staff to determine next steps and how to keep operating through the school day. Right now, there is sufficient lighting throughout the buildings and classes can continue at this time.

Lunch is being provided from other district schools. Although water for hand washing is not available in a few areas, we have placed hand sanitizer where necessary. However, drinking water is available.

Should this status change, we will let you know, but as of now, we have no plans to modify the school day. 

Rest assured that even though we are running on partial power, the energy level within the building is very high as always!

Respectfully,

Mark