2016 – 2017 MESPTO PARENT GUIDE TO

MAKEFIELD SCHOOL PROCEDURES HOURS OF OPERATION: Full Day of School: 9:00 am - 3:40 pm 1/2 Day of School: 9:00 am - 11:50 am 2 Hour (3 Hour) Delayed Opening: School begins at 11:00 am (12:00 pm) SCHOOL SPEED LIMIT: Please obey local speed limits on Makefield Road, East & West School Lanes, S. Crescent Boulevard and N. Homestead Drive. STUDENT DROP-OFF IN THE MORNING: When dropping your child off to school in the morning, use the drop-off area located at the back of the school on West School Lane. From 8:40 to 9:00 am staff members are stationed at the back entrance. LATE ARRIVAL: After 9:00 am, enter the school office and sign students in. They will be given a tardy card before going to the classroom. DELAYED OPENING & EMERGENCY CLOSING: With weather delayed openings of 2 or 3 hours or an emergency closing, notifications are made via email/text/phone by the ConnectEd automated calling system, the Pennsbury website, the Pennsbury Hotline (215-428-4100, option 8), Comcast Cable Channel 28, Verizon FIOS Channel 42. Radio and television stations also announce Pennsbury closings. Radio: WBCB-1490 AM, WPST-94.5 FM, KYW-1060 AM; TV: CBS-3, NBC-10, ABC-6, and FOX-29. Buses arrive at designated stops 2 or 3 hours later than the usual time with delayed openings. EARLY DISMISSAL: If you need to pick up your child from school early, send in a note to the teacher that morning. Report to the school office at the pickup time and a school secretary will call and have the student come to the office. An adult must sign students out. CHANGE IN DISMISSAL INSTRUCTIONS: Send in a written note if your child is going home differently from the typical routine. If going home with a friend, BOTH parents must submit a note that day. ABSENTEE REPORTING: Call the Makefield Absentee Phone Line at (215) 321-2420 and press 6 to report when your child will be absent from school. You can request makeup homework if your child will be out more than one day. Messages are checked from 9:30 - 10:00 am. MISSING OR LATE BUSES: Please call the Pennsbury Transportation Department at 215-428-4100, extension 10076 if your child's bus is late for pickup or drop-off. STUDENT ITEMS FORGOTTEN AT HOME: A Drop Off & Go Desk is located inside the front door of the school. Leave the item that your child forgot (homework, lunch, sneakers, instrument, etc.) on the desk with a note including the name of your child and teacher. School secretaries check this table and will deliver forgotten items. VISITOR ENTRANCE PROCEDURES: Visitors must enter school through the front office, be buzzed in, sign in on the visitor log and wear a visitor pass. Volunteers must comply with Pennsylvania background clearance requirements to participate in many school activities. FRONT BUS LANES/VISITOR PARKING: A limited number of “short term visitor" parking spots are available in front of school for quickly dropping an item off, picking up early/dropping off late, etc. Park in the rear parking lot if you will be at school longer than 15 minutes. Private vehicles are prohibited from using the front entrance from 8:30 - 9:00 am and 3:00 - 4:00 pm for safe bus loading/unloading. LOST AND FOUND: Label your child's coat, clothes, backpacks, and personal items. The Lost and Found table is located near the Cafetorium. Remind your child to check the Lost and Found. Uncollected Lost & Found items are donated to charitable groups. FAMILY EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION: Update changes to your emergency contact information with the school office. You will also need to send any email changes to [email protected] to ensure you receive all ongoing MESPTO communications and SignUp Genius invitations.

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ROTATION DAYS: Makefield has 5 Special Area Classes: Art, Computers, Library, Music, Physical Education. Your child will have one Special each day. During Orientation or Back to School Night, your child’s teacher will provide the Special rotation schedule. The rotation day can be found on the Food Service Lunch Menu. When school is not in session for either a scheduled or unscheduled day off, the rotation schedule stops and resumes where it left off. Please make sure your child is prepared for his/her particular Special when they return to school following a day off. WIFI: Pennsbury DOES NOT offer a public WIFI that is accessible to visitors. DRESS CODE: Pennsbury has a dress code policy, outlined in the Student Conduct Policy, provided in the Welcome Back Packet. SERVICE ANIMALS: In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Makefield has a Diabetic Alert Dog who attends school with a student. If you have any questions, contact the principal. PARTICIPATION IN AFTER-HOURS EVENTS: All MESPTO and Makefield activities are family events. A supervising adult must accompany each child to all after-hours events.

VOLUNTEERING AT MAKEFIELD Makefield Elementary and the MESPTO value all of our volunteers. To comply with PA law, schools are now required to obtain background clearances for individuals volunteering, participating in classroom parties or attending field trips. If you do not have your completed paperwork on file, you will not be permitted to participate. Please complete and submit the following to the school office so you can stay involved: 1)

A free PA State Criminal History Background Check.

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A free PA State Child Abuse History Clearance.

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A fingerprint based FBI Federal Criminal History (nominal fee). If you have lived in PA for at least 10 consecutive years, the fingerprint based FBI Criminal History Clearance may be waived and you would complete the Pennsbury FBI Volunteer Background Waiver instead.

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The free Pennsbury School District Volunteer Affirmation Statement.

Find the clearance applications, forms, and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on the Makefield home page under Quick Links. USE OF RESTROOMS DURING SCHOOL HOURS: When school is in session, we ask that all volunteers use the faculty lounge restrooms.

NO COST WAYS YOU CAN HELP MESPTO RAISE MONEY In addition to welcoming your time, the MESPTO tries to minimize the fundraising impact on our families. We receive thousands of dollars in “free money” each year with the following activities.      

Designate Makefield as your school for Giant and ShopRite. Register grandparents and friends! Clip the Box Tops for Education labels from General Mills packaging and send them into school. Donate any gently used children/women’s clothing when cleaning out closets. Request a bag from SCHOOLA and designate Makefield as your school. Email [email protected] if you know of community or corporate grants. Send in your used laser and inkjet ink cartridges (any brand, any color) and outdated electronics (cell phone, laptop, MP3 players, tablet, eReader, notebook and PDA). If you are already making a voluntary donation to the MESPTO, request a matching charitable contribution from your employer. MESPTO is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization.

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HOW TO STAY INFORMED Makefield Website: From Makefield’s home page you can access Backpack Thursday, all relevant school forms, teacher’s classroom pages, a staff directory, breakfast and lunch menus, clearance requirements for volunteers, and the MESPTO links. Backpack Thursday: Makefield is a “green” school. In an effort to reduce paper use, an “electronic Backpack” is published every Thursday containing all flyers announcements, forms, and dates of upcoming events. You can view the Backpack by clicking on the Backpack icon on Makefield’s home page. If you do not have access to a computer, please notify the school office and paper copies will be sent home. Weekly eBlast: An eBlast with Makefield’s home page link is sent to your email address when Backpack Thursday is published. Reminders, notifications of emergency school closings, etc. are also sent via eBlast. If you are not receiving the eBlasts, contact the school office. MESPTO Facebook Page: The “Makefield Elementary School PTO” Facebook page includes announcements, flyers and pertinent information about school and MESPTO events. School TV Monitors: The MESPTO posts photos from recent events and general date announcements on the television monitors in the main office and Constitution Hall. MESPTO Bulletin Board: Located in Constitution Hall, the MESPTO Bulletin Board displays copies of current school information: school calendars, flyers, order forms, meeting minutes, etc. Pennsbury Website: Pennsbury’s home page is the entry point to the Pennsbury School District website. Access the Pennsbury District School Calendar, Monthly Activities Calendar, Pennsbury eFlyers, the Pennsbury Departments, School Board policies, information (board member contact information, meeting schedule, agendas, minutes, audio and video recordings of meetings.) Pennsbury eFlyers: Announcements from local community organizations, sports leagues, scouting groups and other non-profits are sent in the form of eFlyers. School Board Meetings: School board meetings are held at 8 pm in the multipurpose room of Fallsington Elementary. Up to one hour shall be designated for public comment at all Agenda meetings. Up to one hour shall be designated for public comment at all Regular and Special meetings prior to the voting portion of the meeting. A second public comment period of up to thirty minutes shall be held at the conclusion of the voting. If you who wish to speak during public comment, you must sign in prior to the public comment period. Pennsbury TV: Pennsbury information as well as gavel-to-gavel video tape coverage of School Board meetings can be found on Comcast 28 and Verizon 42.

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PENNSBURY’S ALPHABET SOUP ADA - Americans with Disabilities Act

NCLB – No Child Left Behind

AF – Afton Elementary School

NEA – National Education Association

AYP – Adequate Yearly Progress

NED – Never Give Up, Encourage Others, Do Your Best

BCPAC – Bucks County Performing Arts Center

NJHS - National Junior Honor Society

BPT – Backpack Thursday

NHS – National Honor Society

BTSN – Back to School Night

NORA – Notice of Recommended Assignment

COGAT – Cognitive Abilities test

NOVA – Network of Victim Assistance

CB – Charles Boehm Middle School (Feeder Schools: Edgewood, Fallsington, Manor)

OM – Odyssey of the Mind

DARE – Drug Abuse Resistance Education

PAA – Pennsbury Athletic Association

DEAR – Drop Everything and Read

OV - Oxford Valley Elementary School PAC – Parent Advisory Committee

DEW – Drop Everything and Write

PAF – Pennsbury Arts Foundation

ELA – English Language Arts

PAGE – Pennsylvania Association of Gifted Education

ER – Eleanor Roosevelt Elementary School

PAT – Pupil Achievement Teachers

ESL – English as a Second Language

PE – Physical Education

EW – Edgewood Elementary School

PEA - Pennsbury Education Association

FA – Fallsington Elementary School

PEF - Pennsbury Education Foundation

FCS – Family & Consumer Science

PFCA – Pennsbury Falcons Cheerleading Association

GIEP – Gifted Individualized Education Program

PHS – Pennsbury High School

GROW – Giving to Others, Respect & Responsibility, Own Your Behavior, Work to Build Your Character at Makefield

PHS East – 705 Hood Boulevard, main campus and location of District Art Show

GS – Gifted Support IBST – Iowa Basic Standards Test IEP – Individualized Education Program IU – Bucks County Intermediate Unit KWN – Kid Witness news LEED – Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design LYFT – Lower Makefield Township, Yardley Borough, Falls Township, Tullytown Borough (municipalities served by Pennsbury)

PHS West – 608 South Olds Boulevard and location of Keller Hall PIAA – Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athlete Association PLEP – Present Level of Educational Performance PMEA – Pennsylvania Music Educators Association POMA - Pennsbury Odyssey of the Mind Association PSD – Pennsbury School District PSF – Pennsbury Scholarship Foundation PSSA – Pennsylvania System of School Assessment PTO – Parent Teacher Organization

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PV – Penn Valley Elementary School

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M (M Squared) – Mentoring Young Mathematicians

PVAAS – Pennsylvania Value Added Assessment System

MAP – Measures of Academic Progress

PW – Pennwood Middle School (Feeder Schools: Eleanor Roosevelt, Quarry Hill, Walt Disney)

M (M Cubed) – Mentoring Mathematical Minds

MES – Makefield Elementary School MESPTO - Makefield Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization

QH – Quarry Hill Elementary School RIT – Rausch Interval Unit

MK – Makefield Elementary School

RO – Reading Olympics

MN – Manor Elementary School

STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Math

MOST – More Opportunities for Student Training Program

TIMS – Thriving in Middle School

Mrs. M&M – Makefield’s beloved principal, Mrs. Donna McCormick-Miller

WD – Walt Disney Elementary School

MS – Middle School

WP – William Penn Middle School (Feeder Schools: Makefield, Afton, Oxford Valley, Penn Valley)

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EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MAKEFIELD After School Enrichment: MESPTO offers affordable, quality after school programming twice a year to Makefield students. Participation in these professionally taught programs is voluntary. Sessions run four to eight weeks in length and cover a wide range of topics. Classes are held at school, start immediately at the end of the school day and typically conclude at 4:40 pm. Tuition varies. Parent pickup is required. Enrichment is separate from KidsCare, however KidsCare participants may enroll. Aides: Aides provide lunch, playground, and hallway supervision as well as clerical support for teachers. Art & Author Night: This free evening MESPTO event honors the creativity of your budding Michelangelo or Thoreau. Every student authors and illustrates a “Bare Book”. Each child also has a piece of artwork on display that evening. The Makefield Recorder Club and Pennsbury High School Orchestra perform. This event is held toward the end of the school year. th

Art Club: This voluntary club is open to 5 graders who assist the Art Teacher during recess with creating art displayed throughout the common areas of the school. Sample projects include floor to ceiling banners hung in the Cafetorium and displays in Constitution Hall. Art Goes to School: This non-profit program brings volunteers into elementary school classes to introduce children to 20 prints of art from around the world dating from the prehistoric period to the present. Students learn about the artists. Artmobile: The Artmobile is a 48-foot mobile art museum that travels throughout Bucks County. The program is run by the Bucks County Community College Foundation. Artwork Award: At the end of the year, the Makefield Art teacher selects pieces of exemplary artwork. They are mounted and framed by the MESPTO and then displayed throughout Makefield’s halls or at the Pennsbury District Administrative building in Fallsington. Artwork Program: This fall fundraiser reproduces your child’s artwork onto a variety of professional, full color products. Memorialized artwork makes great holiday gifts. Assemblies: The MESPTO sponsors a wide range of educational and entertaining assemblies each year. Presenters include authors, musicians, dancers, vocalists, scientists, athletes, character educators, and inspirational speakers. Assignment Book: Every Makefield student in grades 2-5 must purchase an assignment book. Students record homework assignments and parents sign off on assignment books on a daily basis. The assignment book can also be used to write notes back and forth between the parent and the teacher. Backpack Thursday: Makefield is a “green” school. In an effort to reduce the amount of paper sent home, an “electronic Backpack” is published every Thursday, which contains all of the important flyers, announcements, forms, and dates of upcoming events at school. Back to School Night (BTSN): Usually held in September, Back to School Night is a chance to see your child’s classroom and hear from the teacher. The principal and MESPTO president speak about current events. Adults only please. Back to School Picnic: This free September picnic social, held on the main playground, is open to all Makefield families and staff as a way to reconnect with friends and make new ones. Pack your own picnic meal or simplify things and pre-order dinner. The MESPTO funds entertainment, activities and dessert. Band: Please see Instrumental Music Program. Bare Book: A Bare Book is a blank hardcover book that students author and illustrate, including cover and dedication pages, for display during Art & Author Night. Bare books are funded by the MESPTO. Barnes & Noble Night: During this MESPTO December event, the Makefield principal and teachers read stories and the Vocal Ensemble, Band, Orchestra and Recorder Club may perform. Special activities are also scheduled throughout the evening. Birthday Recognition: Birthdays (and half birthdays for those in the summer) are announced each morning during Kid Witness News. There is also a Birthday Bulletin Board maintained by the MESPTO in the Cafetorium to reflect the name and birthday of each child at Makefield. Most classrooms have some form of a birthday celebration. Contact your child’s teacher for information about classroom celebrations and food policies.

Book Fair: The MESPTO sponsors a Scholastic book fair during the winter with books of all reading levels available for purchase. The Book Fair is held during recess and participation is voluntary. Teachers also submit wish lists if you would like to purchase a book for the classroom. Box Tops: Makefield earns ten cents for every Box Tops coupon redeemed with the General Mills Box Tops for Education Program. Clip the Box Tops from hundreds of participating General Mills products and send them to school. Each month, participants are eligible to participate in a prize drawing. Class status is tracked on a Cafetorium Bulletin Board. Each month the Box Tops Trophy rotates to the winning classroom. The class that has redeemed the most Box Tops at the end of the school year wins a celebration party. Brain Train: Kindergarten classes participate in Brain Train upon arrival to school. They perform a series of rotating physical activities, which help increase blood flow, get the wiggles out and ready their brain for learning. This program is headed by the Physical Education teacher in partnership with the Kindergarten teachers. Bucks County Intermediate Unit (IU): The IU helps deliver special education and related services to Pennsbury children with disabilities, ages 3-21. Buddy Bench: Makefield has Buddy Benches in the Kindergarten Playground and Learning Garden. Sitting on the Buddy Bench indicates to other students that the child is in need of a friend or someone to play with during recess. Bully Box: The Makefield Bully Box sits in the main office and provides a “safe” way for students to address concerns. Students fill out a “bully slip” that details the student’s name, bully’s name, teacher, date and incident. The Guidance Counselor reviews all slips, follows up with originator and determines any action that might be required. Cafetorium: This is Makefield’s multipurpose Cafeteria and Auditorium. Career Day: Sponsored by the MESPTO biennially, speakers give short presentations about their jobs, hobbies, or skills. Participants tailor their talk to the grade levels they are visiting and are welcome to bring handouts, exhibits, samples, etc. Celebration Books: Purchase a book or an e-book for the Makefield Library in honor of a child or special staff member. A plaque is inserted in the front cover, which identifies to whom the book is dedicated, the giver, and the accomplishment. The best part is that your child is the first one to check the book out! Contact the Makefield Librarian or MESPTO committee chair for more information. Character Corner: A cozy space adjacent to the cafeteria that can be utilized as a reward, where students can sit and talk or read a book from the library of books available. The books were chosen from a character building list and were donated by Makefield families. The Character Corner theme, furnishings and artwork were developed in partnership with Mrs. M&M, Mrs. Stout and Girl Scout Troop 217 as the project they chose to complete their Bronze Award. Character Education: Makefield is designated as both a National and State School of Character by Character.org. Contributing to traits that make people caring, respectful, responsible, empathetic and ethical human beings, Makefield infuses character education into daily school life. The Makefield Character Education Tree shown on the cover of this guide (and in Constitution Hall) reflects 6 Pillars of Character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship to address safe and drug-free schools, community service, emotional literacy, violence and bullying prevention. Students earn “leaves” for demonstrating pillars of character. Leaves are drawn on a regular basis, small prizes are awarded, and students are publicly recognized during Kid Witness News. Students may also place leaves in the new mailboxes around school. Character.org has also designated Pennsbury as both a National and State School District of Character. Clap Out: The Clap Out is a beloved Makefield tradition where the entire student body, faculty, and families line up along the th hallways and exterior grounds of the building and “clap out” the departing 5 graders as they leave Makefield for the last time. Classroom Parties: Four classroom parties are held throughout the year: Halloween, Winter Holiday, Valentine and End of Year. In order to attend a classroom party, visitors must have the required background clearances on file. All parents are invited to the Halloween and End of Year parties. Four parents, one of whom is usually a homeroom parent, are randomly selected to attend the Winter Holiday and Valentine parties. Typically each party includes a game, snack, craft, and a story. During the Valentine party, all classes perform a service project. If your child is bringing valentines for their classmates, please send one unlabeled valentine for each student in the class and attach only non-food items.

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Colonial Day: During MESPTO Colonial Day, conducted biennially in May, children travel back in time and participate in a wide range of Colonial-era demonstrations and interactive learning activities which enable history to come to life! Children dress as colonists and experience life in the 1700’s. Activities have included: quill writing, tin punching, stenciling, silhouette tracing, butter churning, candle making, wool spinning, colonial dancing, blacksmithing, drum and fife performances, open-hearth cooking demonstrations, and General George Washington crossing the Delaware, as well as visits from William & Hannah Penn th th and the Colonial Navy. A traditional Colonial lunch is prepared for the 4 and 5 grades. This unique event was nationally recognized by PTO Today. Common Core: Common Core is a set of academic standards in mathematics and English language arts/literacy (ELA). These learning standards define what a student should know and be able to do at the end of each K-12 grade in order to graduate high school. Community School: Pennsbury Community School offers educational and enrichment courses in the Spring and Fall which meet once or twice a week from one to eight weeks for adults and senior citizens. Constitution Hall: Constitution Hall is the main lobby area when you enter the front entrance to the school. It is decorated in patriotic colors, displays our flags, and contains several historical paintings. DARE: Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE), is a 10-week interactive program that is led by local law enforcement officers. It th is designed to help 5 graders make the right choices concerning drug, alcohol and tobacco use, membership in gangs , and violent behavior. At the conclusion, students sign a pledge not to use drugs or join gangs. The program, funded by the MESPTO, kicks off with a parent meeting and concludes with an evening graduation ceremony. DEAR: Drop Everything And Read (DEAR), can be a formal scheduled event or an impromptu time that a teacher decides to focus on reading. This time enables students to practice independent reading (the level of text at which a student can read without instruction or guidance). For more information, please visit dropeverythingandread.com. DEW: Drop Everything and Write (DEW), can be a school-wide scheduled event or an impromptu time that the teacher decides to focus on writing. District Art Show: Art teachers from each Pennsbury elementary, middle and high school select student artwork for display in the district-wide Art Show, which is typically held in May. The show is open to the public. Donation Station: To further Makefield’s character education efforts and model caring and citizenship, the Makefield community collects food for the local Penndel food bank, new hats and gloves for children in need, and gifts off our Wishing Tree to fill needs in our own Makefield community during the holiday season. This program is nationally recognized as a “Promising Practice” by Character.org, as a unique and effective character education program. Drama Club: Fifth graders (and fourth graders, space permitting) can enroll in a weekly Drama Club that culminates in a Makefield performance in early spring. This year, the students will perform The Sound of Music. Typically a teacher and a parent serve as Drama Club Advisors. Parents of Drama Club participants pay a tuition fee and volunteer time to help with the production. Financial aid is available. Dues: The MESPTO dues of $15 per family help support school programs and activities. This is separate from fundraisers and ensures we have a minimum amount of money to begin the year. Dues are not mandatory. Falcon: The Pennsbury and Makefield mascot. Family Fun Nights: The MESPTO hosts several Family Fun Nights throughout the year. Events conducted at school are typically free or low cost, and often coincide with other activities, like Book Fair or Holiday Shoppe. Field Day: Coordinated by Makefield’s Physical Education teacher and funded by the MESPTO, Field Day is a fun way for the Makefield Community to show their school pride and have fun at the end of the academic year. Students are divided into school-wide Orange & Black teams and rotate through a series of athletic events of both skill and fun! This all-day event includes rd th th the 3 , 4 and 5 grade tug of wars. Fifth grade students are selected by the Physical Education teacher to serve as Orange and Black team captains based on several criteria, including effort and sportsmanship. Field Trips: Each grade level participates in one off-site field trip per academic year. Historically, one adult is invited to accompany each student on the Kindergarten, Fourth and Fifth Grade Field Trips. First, Second and Third grade field trip chaperones are randomly selected. All chaperones must complete mandatory background clearances.

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Fifth Grade: The Fifth Grade conducts special fundraising throughout the year to offset the cost of their class trip and end-of-year celebration. Fundraising events have included monthly pretzel sales, dinners at school-wide events like Oktoberfest and Art & th Author Night, the Silent Auction and Cake Walk at Oktoberfest. In the spring of 5 grade, William Penn will host a Parent Information Night and a Student Visitation Day. Fifth Grade Chorus: All fifth grade students participate in the Fifth Grade Chorus. The chorus practices during the school day. Performances typically include Makefield’s holiday and spring concerts. Fifth Grade Move Up Day: The last week of school, families are invited to attend a special Move Up Ceremony to recognize our departing fifth graders for their special accomplishments throughout the year. Awards are announced and distributed. Food Services: The MESPTO has a parent representative who meets quarterly with representatives from all Pennsbury schools as well as the Pennsbury Food Service vendor. Monthly breakfast and lunch menus can be accessed from the Pennsbury website. Rotation days can also be found on the lunch calendar. th

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Geography Bee: Makefield 4 and 5 grade students participate in a school geography test. The top scoring students participate in a Makefield Geography Bee. The winner may is eligible to participate in the National Geography Bee. This is administered by the Gifted Support Teacher and funded by the MESPTO. Giant Grocery Shopping Rewards: Makefield receives a percentage of your eligible purchases at Giant grocery stores when you designate Makefield as your school. Grants: Makefield has been the recipient of tens of thousands of dollars in grants funding programs, events, assemblies, touch boards, tablets, musical instruments, playground equipment, the Learning Garden, school equipment, and more. If you are aware of a company that sponsors community grants, please contact the MESPTO. GREETCESS: Typically held during the last week of school, teachers from one grade level go down a grade level to introduce themselves and “greet” the students entering their grade level the coming September. Halloween Parade: The annual Halloween Parade is typically held 30 minutes before the Halloween parties begin. Students and staff dress in costumes and parade around the back fields of the school. The parade usually culminates with a highly anticipated faculty dance performance. Families are invited to join along the parade route and take pictures. Volunteers who have their clearances on file with the school are invited back to the classroom parties. Health Class: A class on human growth and development is introduced in January of fifth grade. The program is taught by the school nurse. Parents can see the school nurse to review the materials ahead of time. Holiday Shoppe: The Holiday Shoppe, which the MESPTO runs just prior to Hanukkah and Christmas, provides an opportunity for students to purchase low-cost items to give as gifts for family and friends during the holiday season. Holiday Sing: In late December, all grades participate in a school-wide Holiday Concert. Each grade performs one or more vocal pieces and the vocal ensemble, band and orchestra also perform. As a special honor, fifth graders are permitted to invite a limited number of guests to attend their final Makefield Holiday Concert. Home Access Center: The Home Access Center gives parents/guardians an opportunity to view your child's attendance, marking period grades and schedule. Parents also have access to review their child's current emergency contact information. Homeroom Parents: Parents and guardians plan and organize four themed classroom parties throughout the year: Halloween, Winter Holiday, Valentine, and End of Year. Homeroom parents also collect party money, send out informational class emails, create sign-ups, decorate classroom doors for special events and assist teachers with other special projects as needed. They may also choose to organize teacher gifts. There is an informational session in mid-September for anyone interested in serving as a homeroom parent. Homeroom Parties: Please see classroom parties. Hospitality Committee: To thank the Makefield staff for their ongoing dedication to our children, the MESPTO hosts various appreciation events throughout the year. These typically include a welcome back luncheon, meals during the fall and spring conferences, teacher appreciation week activities and an end-of-the-year luncheon.

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IEP/GIEP: An Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Gifted Individualized Education Program (GIEP) describes the educational plan that has been designed to meet that child's unique needs. Each child who receives special education and/or related services must have an IEP. (Each IEP is tailored to the specific student.) The IEP create an opportunity for teachers, parents, school administrators, related services personnel, and students (when age-appropriate) to work together to improve educational results for children with specific physical or educational needs. Inclusion: Pennsbury is committed to promoting a sense of belonging by affording all students their right to be educated to the maximum extent appropriate, alongside their peers in their neighborhood school through the use of appropriate support services. Instrumental Music Program: Pennsbury offers band and orchestra instrumental music instruction in grades four through 12. Towards the end of third grade, students participate in an evaluation to determine which instrument is the best fit for them. There are two components to the program: a weekly lesson and large ensembles practices. Weekly lessons, grouped homogeneously by instrument, are offered once every five days on a rotating schedule so as not to affect the same classroom instruction time. Instruction is offered on flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, saxophone, French horn, trumpet, trombone, baritone, tuba, percussion, violin, viola, cello, bass and harp. Participants must either rent or purchase their instruments, as well as purchase a subscription to Smart Music, the practice software. Performance opportunities include: an in-school holiday concert, a Spring Concert which is open to Makefield family and friends, as well as Barnes & Noble, MESPTO and Manor Care nursing home performances. A small number of fifth graders are selected by the Instrumental Music Faculty to participate in a Pennsbury Elementary School Honors Orchestra/Band concert. International Fair: International Fair is a free biennial event sponsored by the MESPTO to showcase four different countries. Typically held in March, this program creates cultural awareness and extends the student appreciation for the world that we share. Makefield is transformed as participants progress from one country to the next, stamping their passports along the way. Local currency is earned from each country when the student correctly answers questions about the culture, which can then be spent at the Duty Free Shop. Traditional songs and dances from each of the countries are integrated the music curriculum and performed. Students assist with murals, create posters, bring in international snacks to share, and conduct morning greetings in a foreign language to the student body. Fourth grade classes write to pen pals residing in the featured English-speaking countries. Keystone Exams: The Keystone exams, end of course assessments designed to assess student academic proficiency, are one component of Pennsylvania’s high school graduation requirements. Parents receive a copy of their child’s Keystone exam results. KidsCare: KidsCare of Pennsbury offers fee-for-care options to Pennsbury children before school, after school, on school holidays and during the summer to suit the ever changing needs of parents and children. Kid Witness News: Kid Witness News (KWN) is the daily morning TV show, streamed into all of Makefield classrooms, in the front th office and in Constitution Hall. Each week four different 4 graders are selected to produce that week’s Kid Witness News broadcasts which include daily announcements, birthdays, menus, etc. Scripts are provided by the staff, while students serve as anchors and manage the video camera. Parents may watch their children host KWN on the public television in the main office, but are not permitted in the Control Room. Kid Writing: Kindergarten and first grade students develop early literacy by kid writing or sounding out words using sensible phonetic spellings, practicing punctuation and incorporating their must know words. Some classrooms permit volunteers to assist, and background clearances are required. KidStuff Coupon Books: This is a fundraiser held in September for the MESPTO. Books contain coupons for use at restaurants, stores and entertainment venues. Learning Garden: The Learning Garden, whose mantra is Gardening with a Purpose, was an outgrowth of our renovation and LEED efforts. Volunteers are encouraged to help plant, water, weed, harvest, mulch and maintain the Learning Garden during “Gardening at Recess” in the Fall and Spring. The garden is also used as an outdoor classroom for reading, planting seedlings started during science class, etc. Volunteers work with teachers to integrate the garden into their curriculum. In keeping with Makefield’s School of Character mission, produce harvested from the garden during the summer is donated to local food pantries. The Learning Garden Bulletin Board can be found in the Cafetorium across from the water fountains. If you know of a Boy/Girl Scout in need of an Eagle/Gold project, contact the MESPTO. This program was nationally recognized in June 2015 by Character.org as a “Promising Practice” due to its unique and effective character education strategy.

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LEED Certification: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a green building certification program that recognizes the best in building strategies, sustainability, and practices that increase profitability while reducing the negative environmental impacts of buildings and improving occupant health and well being. Makefield's 2009-2011 Green Renovation earned a gold LEED certification. Since then, the school’s 6,500 square foot green roof on the cafeteria, porous parking area which allows water to pass through it rather than running into the storm sewer system, rain garden along the front driveway, and solar panels have been integrated into classroom curriculum discussions about sustainability. Library Volunteers: Volunteers come in and shelve returned books. Thirty-minute morning and afternoon shifts are available. For more information contact the Librarian. Lice: Information about treating lice can be found on the MESPTO and Pennsbury websites and in the Welcome Back Packet. Lucky Charms Breakfast: The Makefield staff host and serve a Lucky Charms breakfast every St. Patrick's Day for the students. Proceeds benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society for the MS walk. Lunch Bunch: Students can schedule an informal lunch with the Makefield Guidance Counselor for themselves and a small group of 3-4 friends. LYFT Coalition: This is a coalition of school, parent, police, government, businesses, religious, city, and scout group community representatives whose goal is to reduce risky behavior among our youth: specifically substance-abuse, underage drinking, bullying, violence, delinquency and dropout rates. Serves the Lower Makefield Township, Yardley Borough, Falls Township, Tullytown Borough municipalities of Pennsbury. MAP: Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) is a computerized adaptive test that helps teachers, parents, and administrators improve learning for all students in Pennsbury. The test identifies a student’s strengths and helps determine whether additional assistance is needed in any specific areas, enabling teachers to tailor their instruction in the classroom. Scores are shared during parent teacher conferences. Math March Madness: Students in all grades participate in Math March Madness to promote math fact proficiency. Homerooms choose a team name and participate in two weeks of daily math mad minute challenges. The event culminates in a playoff basketball game with the grade level teachers vs. the students from that grade’s winning homeroom. Math Olympiad: Math Olympiad is a voluntary math club open to fourth and fifth graders that meets weekly during lunch/recess. Club members explore a topic or strategy in-depth and practice for contests. Five monthly contests, administered from November through March, provide an incentive for students to intensify their study of math. This program is subsidized by the MESPTO. Meet & Greet: Please see Open House. MESPTO (Makefield Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization): The MESPTO is a volunteer non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports the school, students, parents/guardians and staff, and implements instructional programs through the donation of time, energy and financial assistance. The MESPTO conducts a variety of fundraisers to support many programs and events. It also supplements and purchases items not funded by the Pennsbury school district. Move Up Ceremony: Please see Fifth Grade Move Up Day. Mystery Reader: Some of the Kindergarten through second grade classrooms invite volunteers to come in as mystery/guest readers and read a grade level appropriate book to the class. Network of Victim Assistance (NOVA): NOVA is a nonprofit organization that supports, counsels and empowers victims of assault and other serious crimes. They work towards the elimination of violence through advocacy, training, community education and prevention programs. The MESPTO funds annual bullying, Internet safety and peer mediation programs for students. www.novabucks.org Odyssey of the Mind (OM): OM is an extra-curricular club consisting of teams of 5-7 students who are coached by MESPTO parent volunteers. Teams work over the course of several months to develop solutions to one of six long-term problems, while also practicing for spontaneous problems. Participants learn creative problem solving, teamwork, brainstorming, self-reliance and respect for individual strengths. Teams compete in a regional tournament, and winners move on to state and world competitions.

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Oktoberfest: Oktoberfest, a fun fall carnival sponsored by the MESPTO, is typically held on the last Friday evening in October. Attendees purchase tickets and redeem them to participate in carnival/boardwalk type games. The wide variety of activities appeals to all ages and have in the past included mummy bowling, pumpkin decorating, video game trucks, a photo booth, rubber duck pond, dunk the teacher, and a cake walk. A silent auction, sponsored by the fifth grade, supports the fifth grade field trip. Open House: Makefield hosts an open house (also known as our “Meet and Greet”) a few days before school begins. This provides an opportunity for students to meet teachers, see where their desks will be located, pick up back-to-school kits that were ordered in the spring, and purchase an assignment book. Orchestra: Please see Instrumental Music Program. PAGE: Pennsylvania Association of Gifted Education (PAGE) is a nonprofit advocacy organization dedicated to helping gifted learners, parents and educators. For more information about the Pennsbury chapter of PAGE speak with Makefield PAGE Representative, refer to www.PennsburyPAGE.org or visit www.giftedpage.org. Parent Advisory Committee (PAC): The PAC, which meets 3 to 4 times per school year at the district main office, is comprised of district administrators and PTO representatives from each elementary, middle and high school. PTO representatives share parental concerns with district and administrators and report back to the PTOs. Paraprofessionals: Paraprofessionals (or Paras) work with special education students, in health suites or specialty positions. The Peace Center: This nonprofit educational organization specializes in conflict resolution and violence prevention for schools, families and communities. Peer Mediation: As part of Makefield’s efforts to create a school climate that encourages caring, honesty, cooperation and an appreciation of diversity, fourth and fifth grade students are invited to apply as peer mediators. Peer mediators help peers talk out and resolve conflicts without taking sides, under adult supervision. The Peace Center will provide 12-15 hours of mediator training to the students. The program is funded by the MESPTO and managed by Makefield’s Guidance Counselor. Pennsbury Arts Foundation: This is a public non-profit foundation established to support Pennsbury visual/performing arts education. Pennsbury eFlyers: Pennsbury eFlyers can be found on the Pennsbury website and represent current or ongoing announcements of interest to Pennsbury students and their families. Flyers originate from local community organizations, sports leagues, scouting groups and other non-profits. Pennsbury Parents for e-Safety: This is a district-wide group of elementary and middle school PTO representatives, whose goal is to educate parents about online electronic device safety, establish habits regarding the use of computer, phone, tablet and other electronic devices, and assist parents in flagging activity that could be potentially harmful. Speakers and discussions are open to the public. For more information, refer to the Pennsbury Parents for e-Safety Facebook group or email [email protected]. Pennsbury Partners: This is a district-wide program promoting formal, long-term partnerships with corporate, nonprofit and government sectors. School needs are matched with needs and resources in the community via offerings such as job shadowing, mentoring an apprentice programs, community service, grants/products. Phone Directory: The Makefield Student Directory is a handy resource provided by the MESPTO that lists the names, addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses of families at Makefield. Families must opt-in to be included in the directory, and use SignUp Genius to submit their contact information. Presidential Award for Educational Excellence: This award recognizes academic success in the classroom. Students graduating from elementary, middle or high schools who meet the Department of Education selection criteria are eligible to receive the th Presidential Award for Educational Excellence. At Makefield, this award is presented to 5 grade recipients during the Move Up Ceremony. Promising Practice: Makefield’s Learning Garden and Walk to Remember programs were nationally recognized in June 2015 as “Promising Practices” by Character.org as unique and effective character education models for other schools.

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PSSA (Pennsylvania System of School Assessment): PSSAs are annual standardized tests administered to students in grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 11 in Pennsylvania public schools. Depending upon the grade, reading, writing, math and/or science skills may be assessed. Parents receive a copy of their child’s PSSA results. PTO Coalition: The PTO Coalition meets sporadically throughout the school year to share ideas and concerns. It is comprised of PTO representatives, typically PTO board members, from each elementary, middle and high school. READCESS: Usually held during a half day in April or May, the entire school celebrates the gift of reading with guest readers, sharing Bare Books, reading independently, and partner reading where our oldest students buddy up with our beginning readers. Recess Volunteers: Recess volunteers initiate games during lunch period recess and help keep track of playground equipment purchased by the MESPTO. This role is even more important when there is an indoor recess and aides are monitoring students across multiple classrooms. Volunteers can assist with their child's grade or different grade as often as desired. Siblings are not permitted to accompany volunteers during their shifts. Volunteer background clearances are required. Recorder Club: This voluntary club, open to third through fourth and fifth graders, meets before school and is coordinated by the Makefield Vocal Music teacher. It is an introduction to acquiring musical skills and knowledge, melodies, reading and performing music. Performances typically include Makefield’s Holiday and Spring concerts as well as Art & Author night. While this club is partially subsidized by the MESPTO, each student must purchase a recorder. Recycling Club: Watch us turn recyclable materials into cold hard cash while reducing our landfill waste. The fourth and fifth graders in the Makefield Recycling Club coordinate Makefield’s recycling efforts and work with an MESPTO parent representative to ship out used laser and inkjet ink cartridges (any brand, any color) and electronics (cell phone, laptop, MP3 player, tablet, eReader, notebook and PDA). Reading Olympics: Interested fifth graders are placed into teams of up to 16 students who read from a list of approximately 45 books appropriate for their age and reading level. The program culminates with an evening competition where all Bucks County teams participate in three rounds of questions. Teams are not eliminated and all students receive a ribbon, determined by the number of points their team earned that evening. Teams, coached by fifth grade teachers and Makefield’s Reading Specialist, are partially subsidized by the MESPTO. Respecting You, Respecting Me Program: This program is a series of eight, 45 minutes classroom-based bullying prevention rd lessons delivered to the 3 grade by the Peace Center. The class introduces affective vocabulary, emotional literacy, and conflict resolution skills to children. This program is funded by MESPTO. Rubric: Students will sometimes receive a written Rubric assessment of their performance on a project or a test. Rubrics consist of a fixed measurement scale (e.g. 5 point), a list of criteria that describes the characteristics of products or performances for each score point and sample responses, which illustrate the various score points on the scale. Safeties (Safety Patrol): Fifth grade safeties are assigned a safety post for the year. Duties may include monitoring a classroom entrance, bus, hallway or bus line, partnering with a specific student who requires special assistance, and storing equipment at the end of recess. Towards the end of the year, fourth-graders are invited to submit an application highlighting their strengths and the characteristics that make them a qualified candidate for safety patrol. Selections are made by the Safety Coordinator, fourth-grade teachers, and the Principal. SCHOOLA: As part of Makefield’s efforts to be green, donate your gently used children’s/women’s clothing when cleaning out your closets. Request a bag from SCHOOLA and designate Makefield as your beneficiary school. Then simply donate your clothing by mail with free shipping, and watch our school benefit as we receive a percentage of each sale. School/School District of Character: In May 2016, Makefield was designated as both a state and national School of Character by Character.org , after demonstrating that character development has had a positive effect on our academics, student behavior, and school climate. In June 2015, Pennsbury was named both a state and national School District of Character. School Grounds: The MESPTO has a School Grounds committee, which manages seasonal plantings in the flowerpots at the front and the back of the school. They also coordinate Scout volunteers who rake leaves in the fall, as well as spring planting bed cleanup activities on Earth Day. School Photographer: The MESPTO has parent volunteers who take pictures of the many school activities and post them to the televisions in the main office and Constitution Hall, the Makefield website, and the Yearbook.

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School Supply Kits: As a service to our families, the MESPTO offers back to school kits complete with all the school supplies your child will need for the coming year – even backpacks, lunch bags and water bottles! Sold in the spring, kits are available for pickup during the Open House. School To Work: During one school day in the spring, fifth grade students spend a few hours with a host business in Yardley, Lower Makefield, Fairless Hills or Morrisville. The program is designed to give students the opportunity to get firsthand experience in various career paths. ShopRite Grocery Shopping Rewards: Register Makefield as your school of choice with your ShopRite Price Plus card. SignUp Genius: www.SignUpGenius.com is the way that the MESPTO solicits requests for volunteers and supplies for our many events. Please make sure to add [email protected] and www.SignUpGenius.com to your address book so these notifications do not go to your spam folder. If your email changes, in addition to notifying the office, please notify makefield [email protected] so that we can ensure you receive your classroom related communications. Spirit Days: Makefield hosts several spirit days where students and staff are encouraged to wear Makefield/Pennsbury apparel or the school colors of orange and black. The Student Council also occasionally hosts additional spirit days: sports shirt in honor of a Super Bowl team, pink/denim for breast cancer, red for healthy hearts, hibernation day, etc. Spring Concert: The Spring concert, open to Makefield families, includes performances by the fifth grade chorus, vocal ensemble, band and orchestra. This event is usually held at Keller Hall in Pennsbury High School West. Spring Into Kindergarten: This free MESPTO program held the Spring before Kindergarten is designed to introduce Makefield to our soon-to-be Kindergarteners. This session, which includes a story, craft and tour of the school, is designed to facilitate the transition and minimize anxiety. Parents can register their children for this program when they come in to register them for Kindergarten. Standard or Performance Assessment: A performance standard is an established level of achievement, quality of performance or degree of proficiency. STEM Club: This club consists of fourth and fifth grade students who compete on 4-person teams in the K’Nex STEM Design Challenge. STEM/Science Fair: To cultivate excitement in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), the MESPTO hosts a free, voluntary STEM/Science Fair biennially. Students present projects they have created in the form of reports, display boards, models and demonstrations. Student Council: This is an organization consisting of student officers and student representatives from each classroom. In nd Kindergarten through 2 grade, teachers appoint classroom representatives. In grades 3-5, students make campaign speeches th and are elected by their peers. Secretary and Treasurer positions are 4 grade students and President and Vice President th positions are 5 grade students elected by the upper grades. Student Council’s primary mission is to support and promote character education efforts and various charitable initiatives, teaching students to be caring, empathetic and civic-minded members of society. Initiatives in the past have included Compliment Day, Breast Cancer, Pennies for Patients, Downs Syndrome and Autism Awareness Days, and visits to local nursing homes. Summer Reading Swap: Students bring in gently used books and select new books from the exchange to read over the summer. Books brought in by students are considered a donation. Sunshine Committee: The Makefield Sunshine Committee is funded by the MESPTO and offers a helping hand to those in need within our Makefield community. In keeping with Makefield’s School of Character mission, we want to ensure that each child feels included and has the tools they need to excel. In the past, funding has included snacks, school lunches, school supplies, clothing, holiday gifts/meals, enrichment classes/after school clubs, recorders, books, etc. If you would like to participate in an MESPTO or Makefield school activity, but a financial need precludes you from doing so, please speak with the school principal to see if a scholarship opportunity may be available. Take Your Child to Work Day: Makefield does participate in the national Take Your Child to Work Day program. Talent Show: In this free biennial event, students audition and have the opportunity to showcase their unique talents to our community. Past acts have included: dance, instrumental, vocal, magic, acting, comedy, and gymnastics. Students also serve as MC’s throughout the evening. This fun evening is sponsored by the MESPTO.

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Trenton Thunder Night: Makefield and the MESPTO host a special evening at a Trenton Thunder baseball game in June during which the Vocal Ensemble performs the national anthem. Turkey Shoot: In keeping with Makefield’s character education efforts, students help improve the lives of our local neighbors in need. Students perform chores around the house to earn pocket change that they can donate to be eligible to participate in the Turkey Shoot. Students have one minute to score as many baskets as possible during Physical Education class. Points are scored based on each basket made, along with the dollar amount raised. Each child scores a minimum of 5 points. The class in each grade level that scores the most points collectively receives that year’s coveted Turkey Shoot Champion trophy. Tutoring: Parents provide students with academic guidance based upon recommendations from the teacher. Tutoring usually takes place once a week for 30 minutes in the morning. Typically, you will not be assigned to tutor your own child or anyone in their classroom. Contact the Makefield Guidance Counselor for information. Twilight Alternative Program: The Pennsbury Twilight Alternative Program is dedicated to providing a developmentally appropriate learning experience in a standards based school environment for at-risk students in grades 6 through 12. The school is housed at Pennsbury High School West. Vocal Ensemble: The Vocal Ensemble, a voluntary club open to fourth and fifth graders, meets weekly before school to practice with Makefield's Vocal Music Teacher and reinforce the Pennsbury music curriculum. Performances include: the in-school holiday concert, a spring concert, Barnes & Noble and Trenton Thunder Nights, MESPTO meetings and Manor Care nursing home. Volunteering at Makefield (Two Hour Pledge): We ask that each parent/guardian commit two hours of time to Makefield over the course of the school year to support school and MESPTO activities. Makefield middle and high school alumni are always welcome back as volunteers at our events. We are happy to provide a letter on MESPTO letterhead documenting their service hours. If you know of a Boy/Girl Scout in need of an Eagle/Gold project, please contact the MESPTO. Pennsylvania State law now requires that school volunteers have background clearances on file. Refer to the background checks section at the front of this handbook or the Makefield homepage for details. Walk to Remember: In honor of Patriot’s Day, the entire school gathers for a special memorial service and processes around the outside of the school in a “Walk to Remember” in honor of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. During their lunch th recess, the 5 grade walks through our community as an additional tribute. Students wear red, white and blue, and other patriotic attire. Pledges are donated to the Lower Makefield’s Garden of Reflection in Makefield’s name. This program was nationally recognized in June 2015 as “Promising Practices” by Character.org as a unique and effective character education strategy. Yearbook: The MESPTO compiles an annual yearbook available for purchase at the end of the school year. Parent volunteers take pictures of classroom and school-wide events throughout the year. Fifth grade students are invited to design and submit a cover for the yearbook based on the theme for the year. A yearbook is provided free of charge by the MESPTO to all fifthgraders. If you have photographs you would like to submit, please contact the MESPTO Yearbook Chairperson. Year-End Awards Assembly: A school-wide awards assembly is held during the last week of the school. Examples of awards distributed include Exemplary Attendance, AAA Safety of the Year, Makefield Safety of the Year and Lowe’s Community Service, as well as recognition for participation in the numerous clubs and organizations at Makefield.

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