January 2016
Karen’s Corner
An exciting winter ahead!
2016 has gotten off to a great start at School Lane! The winter Keystone testing sessions were a success for our students who took the tests in Biology and Algebra I. Please note that a recent change in PA State law has delayed the requirement that students will need to pass the Keystones in order to receive a diploma. This requirement will now go into effect for the 2018-2019 school year for our current 9th grade students.
This past month, we held several other exciting events including the 6th grade Night of the Arts and Science Exhibits, a Forensics Minor Tournament for our high school students and a performance of Freedom Riders by the Walnut Street Theatrefor our 5th – 8th graders.
Our Varsity boys basketball team won its first game of the season this month, and our JV team is working together tobuildits basketball skill set each day. Both teams are very invested in continually learning the concepts of hard work, determination and teamwork.
Plans for 3340 and 3350 Tillman Drive are moving forward as scheduled and the Bucks County Department of Health has approved the kitchen layouts for both buildings.
Looking forward to next school year, our board and administration plan to have preliminary budget numbers from each department by mid-February to appropriately continue discussions for the full 2016-2017 operational budget.
Current Enrollment: 1,090
All number grades are currently at their capacity of 100 students with the exception of Grade 10 with 65 students. Additionally, Kindergarten has 125 pupils.
Due to Winter Storm Jonas, sibling registration for the 2016-2017 school year was moved to Saturday, January 30, 2016 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. Registration for 2016-17 for Bensalem residents begins on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at 9:00 am and for all other district residents on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at 9:00 am. The Kindergarten lottery pull will occur on Thursday, February 25, 2016 at 7:00 pm during the Board of Trustees meeting.
2016-17 Waiting Lists: 71 – Siblings Only so Far
Kindergarten: 46
Grades 1-8 total: 23
9th Grade: 2
10thGrade: 0
11th Grade: 0
High School Report
We are very excited to host our second annual Leadership Summit on February 4! As we build on the success of last year, our 9th grade students will take the lessons they have learned in leadership and meet withlocal community leaders to discuss various styles and practices.
In addition, the high school students will host a Barbie Bungee Jump and Political Poetry Slam this month.
GradesK-3 Report
Over 900 books have supplemented our level library since the beginning of the school year. The books have strong ties to the K-3 curriculum and both fiction and non-fiction titles will help our students build upon the lessons they learn in the classrooms.
Grades4-6 Report
The New Year began with a lot of positive momentum for our 4th-6th grade students. Our 5th grade students elected to take onthe exciting task of redesigning recess in an effort to make the time a more positive experience. They are working together to make the overall experience of recess more organized and easier to navigate for all students.
Grades 7-8 Report
The second semester for our 7th and 8th grade students began with new special courses. During the course of the year, each student takes Physical Education / Health and Visual Arts in one semester, and Performing Arts and Design Technology in another. Next month, we are looking forward to seeing exhibitions from our Spanish and Design Technology students.
Learning Support
The SLCS Special Education Department has been working with an Assistive Technology consultant from the BCIU#22 to expand theirknowledge of programs and features available through the Chromebooks to enhance student learning. We are currently testing a new and exciting program that will offer more access to materials for all of our students, particularly those who have identified learning challenges.
As we enter the second half of the school year, we have had a number of students meet the exit criteria for both our Special Education and our ESL programs, resulting in an overall decrease in students receiving learning support.
Upcoming Events and Closings:
- February 4 – HS Leadership Summit
- February 15 – School Closed
Board of Trustees Meetings
- February 25: Regular meeting, 7 p.m.
Registration for 2016- 2017 School Year
- February 6, 2016: Other district residents can register at 9:00 am.
- February 25, 2016: Kindergarten lottery will occur at 7:00 pm during our Board meeting