Category: Clay Elementary

Kindergarten Registration, Information & Resources

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— KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION —

Children who will be five years old on or before September 1, 2023 are eligible to be registered for kindergarten in the 2023-2024 school year.

Register here for 23-24 Kindergarten!

Registrations take place online.

The following documents need to be scanned in advance and uploaded during the online registration:

  • Proof of Residency for Parent/Guardian (utility bill, lease, housing contract)
  • Student’s Birth Certificate
  • Student’s Updated Immunization Record
  • Photo ID of the person legally authorized to register the student
  • Additional Forms, if applicable (custody agreement)

Questions?  Call 717-721-1400 or e-mail P_Sensenig@easdpa.org.

 

— INCOMING KINDERGARTEN INFORMATION —

We are gearing up for an exciting new school year and cannot wait to welcome your future Mountaineer into our buildings! School begins on Monday, August 28, 2023.  Between now and the first school day, there will be multiple opportunities for you and your child to learn more about kindergarten, meet new friends, and have some fun along the way.

Our first event is Ephrata Here I Come  Join us to visit your new school, meet your principal, listen to a story all about kindergarten, and meet new friends.   Dates and times are as follows:

Clay Elementary School
250 Clay School Road, Ephrata
Wednesday, April 12, 2023, 6:00-7:00 PM

Fulton Elementary School
51 East Fulton Street, Ephrata
Tuesday, April 18, 2023, 6:00-7:00 PM

Akron Elementary School
125 South 11th Street, Akron
Tuesday, April 25, 2023, 6:00-7:00 PM

Highland Elementary School
99 Highland Ave, Ephrata
Monday, May 1, 2023, 6:00-7:00 PM

Note:  If you are unable to attend the event at your home building, you are welcome to join any event at one of the other buildings on the date that suits your schedule. 

Be on the lookout for future communications regarding:

Kindergarten Assessments – You will receive information to select a timeslot for the assessment.  Your child may participate at ANY building, the assessment does not need to be completed at their home building.

  • Highland Elementary School – Tuesday, July 25
  • Fulton Elementary School – Tuesday, August 1
  • Clay Elementary School – Tuesday, August 8
  • Akron Elementary School – Wednesday, August 9

Playground Events – Throughout the summer

AM/PM Assignments – Mid-June

Teacher Assignments and Transportation Information – Mid-August

Kindergarten Orientation – During the week before school begins, visit your principal, meet your teacher, and tour your new school.

 

Please contact Elementary Literacy and Early Learning Coordinator Michelle Perry if you have any questions at 717-721-1100 or michelle_perry@easdpa.org

 

— ADDITIONAL RESOURCES —

 

 

 

 

Vote for Ephrata Middle School

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Voting for the annual What’s So Cool About Manufacturing® video contest runs Monday, March 13 – Wednesday, March 15.  We have a large group of EMS students who are part of this national contest.  They created an awesome video highlighting Astro Machine Works and featuring Meadow Spring Farms.  Students visited both locations, obtained video footage, and edited the content down to a 2:30 minute video.  Our EMS team is up against other schools from South Central PA and needs as many votes as possible to receive the Viewer’s Choice Award.

VOTE HERE!

*Videos will be posted to the site at 12:01 AM on Monday, March 13 when voting opens.

Reading Olympics

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We are beginning signups for the Fifth Annual Reading Olympics! We look forward to partnering with the IU13 and offering Reading Olympics as an exciting opportunity for your 4th and 5th grade student(s) to grow their love for books. See more about this team event through the links provided below or have your student stop by the library to grab an informational form to sign up!

Interested 4th and 5th grade students can see detailed information and sign up HERE by November 13, 2022.

November 9-11

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Parent-Teacher conferences for EASD students in kindergarten through grade 8 will be held Wednesday, November 9 – Friday, November 11.  Starting on Monday, October 24, CLICK HERE to access the online conference scheduling program, Pick-a-Time, to schedule a conference for your child(ren).  You will be prompted to enter your child(ren)s first and last name and his/her birthday, before choosing the conference day and time.  Multiple children may be added to the search to find optimal times to meet your needs.  Simply follow the instructions on the website.

Conference appointments may be scheduled from 6:00 PM on Monday, October 24 until 9:00 PM on Monday, October 31.  All conferences will be held in person this year.

Please contact your school administrative assistant with any questions.

Thank you!

 

Districtwide Back To School Info

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HEALTH & SAFETY PLAN

Revisions have been made to the District Health & Safety Plan, which includes the most recent Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations.  In alignment with this guidance, the District will no longer be conducting contact tracing; masking will remain optional.  Families are encouraged to contact their school nurse with any specific questions.

 

SCHOOL MEALS

New school meal prices are listed below, as free meals are no longer being provided by the USDA.

  • Elementary:  Breakfast $1.50, Lunch $2.70
  • EIMS:  Breakfast $1.80, Lunch $2.90
  • EHS:  Breakfast $1.80, Lunch $3.25

Additionally, the District will be utilizing a new point-of-sale system, SchoolCafe. Families can deposit money electronically, set up low balance alerts, view transactions, apply for free or reduced meals, and more.  Directions and more information on the new system is available on the District website and have been emailed to families.  Any questions should be directed to Marti Rhoads at m_rhoads@easdpa.org or 717-721-1400 X 11302.

 

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

Renovations will soon be completed at Ephrata High School, including the construction of a building addition, new tennis courts, and a full HVAC system replacement.  The improvements include increased space for the music and theatre programs and the relocation of Project Build A Better Future, EVA Studio, and the Student Support Services Department.  Students were engaged in design reviews and provided input regarding many of the final finishes, including keyboard-inspired flooring in the music areas.  Lastly, the new HVAC system will utilize higher efficiency equipment at lower energy costs to improve the indoor air quality through increased ventilation and filtration.

 

EPHRATA VIRTUAL ACADEMY (EVA)

For over 10 years, EVA has offered virtual instruction identical to cyber charter programs, including on-demand (asynchronous) instruction and optional scheduled live teacher support.  New this year, the variety and number of virtual course offerings have increased to four different online learning providers.  Additionally, EVA features regular teacher check-ins, live-help via online tutors available during the school day, and weekly teacher office hours. Plus, EVA students also receive:

  • Computer & software
  • Local Contact Person
  • Ephrata High School Diploma
  • Mounts Tech Support
  • Opportunity to participate in EASD electives on-site, sports, music, art, theater, & more
  • Life Ready Graduate Certification Eligibility 
  • Internship Opportunities
  • Lancaster County CTC
  • Special Education Services

 For more information on EVA, please contact Ronald Wales at Ronald_Wales@easdpa.org or 717-721-1150, extension 19505.

 

ATTENDANCE EMAIL COMMUNIATION

When students are absent, parents/guardians are encouraged to send email excuses to improve the efficiency of this communication.  Attendance emails for each school are listed below.

 

STUDENT ENGAGEMENT FACILITATORS

The District is implementing two new positions – Student Engagement Facilitators – who will work cooperatively with various stakeholders to develop, promote, execute, and maintain successful programs and environments that promote student voice, engagement, and belonging.  Through student collaboration, program/environment assessment, curriculum implementation, professional learning, and community outreach, the Student Engagement Facilitators will help create and improve the sense of belonging experienced by ALL students by informing decisions at every level – from classroom to District Office – with the student voice and perspective.

 

CORNERSTONES

The District continues to grow collaborative, community projects called Cornerstones across every grade level to create real world connections and enhance students’ Life Ready Graduate skills & dispositions. Every thematic unit is unique to the grade level, including second-graders learning about the community, eighth-graders creating their own start-up businesses, and high school students addressing the questions, “What makes me tick” and “How do I design my future?” Many opportunities are available for community involvement. Please contact Caryn Andes for more information at Caryn_Andes@easdpa.org.

 

INTERNSHIPS & CO-OPS

The EHS Internship & Co-op Program pairs juniors and seniors who wish to participate in a career-related learning experience with area businesses allowing students to learn and apply skills authentically in a real-world setting. For more information or to offer an internship or co-op experience for EHS students, please contact Michele Myers at 717-721-1478, extension 19207 or Michele_Myers@easdpa.org.

 

NOW HIRING

Please visit the easdpa.org/HR to view all current employment vacancies.  Additionally, a variety of substitute opportunities are available.

 

NATIONAL LIGHTHOUSE RECOGNITION

Ephrata Area School District was recently recognized by The American Association of School Administrators (AASA) as one of 13 national Lighthouse school districts.  Lighthouse districts serve as models of positive change in public education and are engaged in learning, networking, and working together to help drive education policy and ultimately improve student learning.  According to AASA, these districts are “exemplary educational systems that serve as beacons of light in key areas of the holistic redesign of American education.” Learn more at easdpa.org.