April 2016

Bulldog Bulletin
Monthly Newsletter from Shady Grove Elementary School
April 2016
Prophecy Creek- Outdoor Classroom
Dedication
Shady Grove Writes (Again)!
On April 21, 2016, students, staff, local civic leaders,
environmentalists, and other honored guests gathered on
the benches at the outdoor classroom at Prophecy Creek
to celebrate the hard work and collaboration put forth by
so many, to create such a special place. Notable speakers
at the event included Jonathan O’Donnell, a Wissahickon
High School Student who, as an Eagle Scout, helped make
this vision a reality. Mr. Tai Chang drove the process for
Fiddleheads and was on hand as well. Whitpain Township
Board of Supervisors Chairperson, Adam Zucker was also
present and shared a few thoughts with all in attendance.
Additional thanks goes out to the Shade Tree Commission,
Blue Bell Club of Ambler, Whitpain Township, and
Whitpain Park and Open Space Board. Former Shady
Grove Principal, Mrs. Bauer should also be recognized
for her support of the project, and thanked for taking
time from her schedule to also attend the dedication.
Working hard behind the scenes to help connect Shady
Grove students and staff to this remarkable space, and
very worthy of recognition are Mrs. Erin Crump and Mrs.
Heather Kuffner.
Once the acknowledgements were made and
the dust settled, Mrs.
Pascucci’s third grade
class stuck around and
made great use of the
space by conducting a
field study.
Our April Writing Contest focused on poetry and was open to all
students K-5. We are excited to announce there were 98 entries
that covered topics such as friends and family, school, sports,
America, holidays, animals, nature, and poems just for fun.
Twenty students earned recognition for their high level of work
and will be featured in a classroom publication. It is exciting
to see the level of participation and effort increase each month.
We’d also like to thank Rita’s Water Ice in Ambler for supporting
our efforts and supplying our winners with coupons for a FREE
water ice.
Shady Grove is filled with Poets
You can read their work all day.
They share all that they think and feel
Our Bulldogs have a lot to say!
My hope is that they share their voice
With everyone in sight.
I hope that they share their heart
And make our world so bright.
Keep writing Shady Grove!
Respectfully Submitted,
Mrs. Strouse
Learning Spotlight: Earth Day at Shady Grove!
What an amazing week long celebration at SG Elementary in
honor of Earth Day!
Each grade level participated in its’ own special activity.
Kindergarten students learned how to conserve electricity by
making switch plate covers to remind them to turn off the lights
when they leave a room. First grade students participated in
a book swap. After exchanging books, the first grade students
enjoyed reading their new book out in nature on a beautiful
spring day! The second grade students had fun making pinecone
bird feeders for their feathery friends. Third grade students each
received their own Dogwood seedling to take home and plant.
It will be fascinating for the students to watch their tree grow
from year to year. Fourth graders worked on the compost/worm
bins outside in the garden. Adding the red wigglers is always an
exciting project. The fifth grade’s “recycled robots” were a huge
hit! They were made out of items that were headed to the recycle
bin and are now on display in the library.
This year Whitpain Township surprised us with pine tree saplings
which were distributed to kindergarten, first, second, fourth, and
fifth grades. We had some amazing school-wide activities as well.
“Trashless Tuesday” was very popular. Children are always up
for the challenge to try to make their entire lunch trashless. This
year, students were awarded a packet of sunflower seeds for
bringing in a trashless lunch.
On Wednesday, to honor Mother Earth, staff and students wore
the colors blue and green. On Thursday, children enjoyed saving
a tree when NO paper homework was assigned!
Once again, the Whitpain Township Earth Day Poster & Poem
Contest winners enjoyed their prizes, and a visit to Prophecy
Creek for the award ceremony.
Several classes enjoyed the new outdoor classroom at Prophecy
Creek as well.
Special thanks to the Earth Day Committee, faculty and staff,
the numerous parent volunteers, the Girl Scouts, and Whitpain
Township for making Earth Day 2016 such a tremendous success!
Mr. Albanese and some of Ms. Rookstool’s students show off what
trashless lunches are all about!
Ms. Smerecki’s second grade class takes advantage of time
in the outdoor classroom at Prophecy Creek.
Important Dates:
May 19: Spring Concert and Art Show- Come celebrate the
arts at Shady Grove!
1:30pm - Concert rehearsal and sneak preview for parents
5:00-7:00 pm- Art Show
7:00-8:00 pm- Spring Concert
May 26: Ice Cream Social
May 30: NO SCHOOL –MEMORIAL DAY
June 3: Field Day (Rain Date June 6)
June 7: Mermaid Lake Trip for 5th grade (Rain date June 9)
June 10: 5th Grade Promotion and Awards
June 14: Last Day of School for all students -10:30 am
dismissal