301 Sycamore Street
Altoona PA 16602
Phone:814-946-8370      Fax: 814-946-8584

logan@altoonasd.com

FROM THE PRINCIPAL
As we enter the mid-way point of the academic year, the staff at Logan continues to focus on student achievement and the PSSA tests. All third through sixth grade students will take the PSSA in late April for reading and math. The staff and I collaborate on an ongoing basis to review test protocol, assessment anchors and the “blueprints” (percentages of test items) on the test to better prepare our students for the rigors of these tests. We continue to keep parents informed, via Q-SITE newsletters, web site and ProgressBook how to help prepare your child for this test at home. We appreciate the cooperation we receive from parents.

As winter becomes firmly entrenched, I urge all parents to use caution and prudent judgment when dropping off or picking up a student at Logan. Our custodial staff is vigilant when it comes to keeping the sidewalks and parking lots safe, but there are times when weather conditions can change rapidly, causing icy conditions. Children should not run from the bus or car to get into the building. No students should be unattended when crossing the parking at the end of the day. Please make sure you meet your child on the sidewalk and walk with them to your car. We want to keep all of our students safe.

Continue to support your child with his/her projects, homework and studying as we begin the third marking period. We appreciate and encourage the interest you take in your child’s education. Please check the ProgressBook website daily for information and student progress. Please call if you cannot log on or have difficulty with the site. As
always, I invite you to call or stop in if you have any question or concerns. I maintain an open door/open mind policy.

STUDENT TEACHERS
We would like to welcome the following student teachers to Logan Elementary School for the second semester. They include:

Anthony Baney – Miss Nicodemus
Jennifer Barry – Mrs. Knott
Brianna Daniele – Mr. Eberhart
Elissa Fromknecht – Mrs.Scheinberg
Jordan Keith – Mrs. Holzer
Lauren Pine – Mrs. Hite
Bridget Querry – Mrs. Tomlinson
Alecia Ross – Tehia Douglas
Krystal Ross – Mrs. Wasovich
Patrick Stoner – Mrs. Burk
Linzi Wilkinson – Mrs. Lilly

LUNCH WITH THE PRINCIPAL
Having lunch together is very popular with the students and staff. A relaxing conversation and enjoying a game are part of the activities for the class with the best attitude and behavior every month. The students are selected by cafeteria monitors for their manners, courtesy, kindness to others, and following the cafeteria rules. This requires teamwork and promotes a better cafeteria atmosphere.

Congratulations to the classroom winners thus far this year which include:

September 2009 Miss Nicodemus
October 2009 Miss Noonan
November 2009 Mrs. Kelly
December 2009 Mrs. Druzba

SPRING FEVER & CLASSROOM GROUP PICTURES
Provine Studios will be at Logan Elementary to take Spring Fever and classroom group pictures on February 9, 2010.

The Spring Fever statuettes are 8”X10” and mounted on composite board. Order envelopes with a sample proof attached will come home after the Spring Fever pictures are taken.

Classroom group pictures envelopes will come home before February 9th.

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
Kindergarten registration will be held on Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at Logan Elementary School from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the gym. Proof of age is required by State Law and this must be presented at the time of registration. An official certificate of birth is preferred. If this is not available, please bring a hospital certificate, baptismal certificate or an original notarized statement indicating name, date of birth and place of birth. An immunization record is also required. Registration cannot be completed without these documents. If you have custody or other court-related paperwork, please bring these documents with you also. Any person who wishes to send their child to a school outside their home attendance school must provide a letter at the time of registration stating the reason for this request. Please see the staff at the registration desk to complete a boundary request form at the time of registration.

Registration for students can be completed at any of the AASD elementary schools. If you cannot attend the Logan registration, please call the Logan office for the dates of the other AASD elementary schools, or check the AASD website.

Kindergarten students must be 5 years of age on or before September 30, 2010.

Students who have not attended kindergarten in the Altoona Area School District but who will be enrolling for the first grade must be 6 on or before September 30, 2010 and must register at this time.

Our kindergarten classes are in session during the registration times so there will not be an opportunity to observe kindergarten classes.

CRITERIA FOR THE HONOR ROLL
Three out of four marking periods:
90% or higher
No negative comments
All S’s

TECHNOLOGY FAIR AT LOGAN
Mark your calendars for Thursday, 2/18/10 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Logan Elementary’s Technology Fair is Thursday, February 18th. Come and see what the Logan students have been working on so far this year. Some will be completed projects, while others will be a work-in-progress. You can check back at the district-wide technology fair. Remember to sign in at the front door in order to be entered for door prizes!

TESTING
PSSA

The Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) has been designed to provide schools with relevant data to enable school personnel to initiate the improvement of programs.

How Can Students Prepare For The Test
This is a test that the students cannot study for. We ask only that the following tips be reviewed in order to prepare for a good mental attitude.

Night Before the Test
1. Make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep.
2.Consider talking about the test to reassure and encourage your child to do his best.
3.Let them know that you understand tests may be hard, but it is a chance to show how well they can do.
4.Be very encouraging, but do not dwell on the test or they may get worried.

The Morning of the Test
1.Get up early to avoid rushing and being late.
2.Have your child eat a good breakfast but not a heavy one. (Don’t force them to eat.)
3.Get your child off on a positive note.
4.Again, encourage your child to do his best

After the Test
1.Talk to your child about the test.
2.Reward your child for doing his best on the test.
3.The results will help us to plan a more effective program of instruction and give us an overall evaluation of each school’s progress.

Your attention to these suggestions will be appreciated.

Test dates are as follows:

April 7-16, 2010
PSSA Reading and Math for grades 3-6

April 19-23, 2010
PSSA Writing for grade 5

April 26-30, 2010
PSSA Science for grade 4

DAFFODIL DAY
With the emergence of Spring, we find ourselves with an opportunity to help our fellow man. The American Cancer Society has designated March 15-20, 2010 as Daffodil Days. Currently we are ranked 2nd in the State of Pennsylvania. Way to go! Let’s make this year even better and try to surpass these numbers so we can achieve 1st place in 2010! Our goal this year is to sell $15,000!

As in the past, proceeds from the sale of daffodils will be used in the fight against cancer. The students at Logan Elementary School will be taking orders for daffodils during the months of January and February, 2010. The cost of the daffodils is $1.00 each or 10 for $10.00. Please see the additional order form for a Birthdays R. Hope bear and daffodil bunch for $25. All orders must be prepaid. There will be ONE collection day, Wednesday, February 3, 2010. Please make all checks payable to The American Cancer Society. Daffodils will be delivered on Thursday, March 18, 2010.

Please see the Daffodil Day flyer that will come home with your child for the prizes and incentives.

BOUNCING BACK
From the School Counselor
Resiliency is the capacity to “bounce back”, to rebound in the face of adversity, when dealing with life’s everyday problems. We encourage you to help us reinforce our instructions with your children in developing these skills.

*Help your child develop reachable goals and encourage them to have a plan for achieving those goals. “Set a goal. Have a plan”

*Help your child recognize his strengths and have confidence in his abilities. “Believe in yourself”

*Help your child continue a task even when it gets difficult. Help him persevere. “Don’t give up now”

Together we can foster the resiliency attitude for your children with our words and actions.