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Mifflin County School District

Your School System of Choice

November Newsletter

Posted Date: 11/02/26 (10:17 AM)

East Derry Elementary Newsletter

November 2026

A sunny day view of East Derry Elementary School with a tall flagpole and an American flag waving in the breeze.
 

3RS at East Derrry!

Respectful, Responsible, Ready, & Safe

For November, we will focus on having Courage & Compassion. Courage in facing difficulty in learning and with others. Compassion by showing kindness for others and helping out whenever possible.
 

Parent Teacher Conferences

  • Conferences will be held in person or by phone 
  • Conferences are scheduled into 15 minute blocks of time. Issues or concerns requiring more time can be scheduled for another date and time.
  • Report Cards for Kindergarten and 1st grade will be distributed at Parent Conferences
  • Please adhere to your time so that teachers may maintain the integrity of their schedules.
  • If you haven’t yet set up a Parent Teacher Conference, please contact your child’s  teacher to schedule a meeting.
 We look forward to providing you with updates on your child’s education!
 

Picture Retakes




The picture retake day on Monday, November 2nd is postponed. 
We will share the new date as soon as we have it.
 

Physical & Dental Exam Requirements

All students are required to have a physical examination upon entry to school for kindergarten, in the 6th grade and in the 11th grade. All students are required to have a dental examination upon entry to school for kindergarten, in the 3rd grade and in the 7th grade. School dental and physical examinations are offered once during the school year in the early Spring. It is preferred that your family healthcare provider complete the examination. Forms are available on the MCSD website or from the school nurse.
 

News from the Home & School Association

The next Home & School Meeting is on Thursday 11/19 at 6:30 pm in the EDES Library. 

Santa's Workshop

Get ready for some holiday fun! Santa’s Workshop is a special store where children can shop for holiday gifts for their family and loved ones, all by themselves! 

It’s a magical way for students to experience the joy of giving, with affordable gift options for everyone on their list. More details will be sent home closer to time, so stay tuned!

Calendar Raffle

Home & School would like to send a big THANK YOU to all of our students and families who sold Calendar Raffles! 

We also want to give a special thank you to everyone who helped by asking for donations and to those who donated prizes. Your hard work and generosity help make our fundraisers a success!

Fundraisers like this are important because they help us pay for special events and fun activities (like field trips & Field Day!) for our students throughout the year. We couldn’t do it without your support, so THANK YOU!!!!
 

Educational Trips/Vacations

Students may take up to 5 educational trip days per school year. 
  • The required form is available on the school website or in the main office.
  • The required form must be completed, signed, and submitted at least 1 week before the trip. 
  • A copy of the approved form and a blank trip report will be returned to you.
  • The completed report must be submitted to the office within 3 days of returning for the absence to be considered lawful.
K-5 Educational Trip Form
 

Every Day Counts!


Regular school attendance helps students build strong academic skills, develop friendships, and stay on track with learning. Every day in the classroom is an opportunity to learn something new! Please make every effort to have your child at school on time and ready to learn each day.



Some Attendance Reminders:
  • Early dismissals require a note to the Main Office. DO NOT use Skyward or ParentSquare to submit early dismissals as they may no be seen by Ms. Aleisa. 
  • Students arriving after 8:20 will be marked Tardy. 
  • Students arriving after 9:30 or leaving before 2:00 will be marked absent for a 1/2 day. 
  • Students who leave and return during they day will be counted as a full day attended.
  • Excuses MUST be turned in within 3 days of an absence to avoid being marked as unlawful/unexcused.
 

Dress for the Weather!

As the weather gets colder, please make sure your child is dressed appropriately for the changing temperatures. Mornings can be quite chilly, even though afternoons may warm up. Since students go outside for recess each day (weather permitting), we recommend sending them with layers, like a jacket or sweater, that can be added or removed as needed. Thank you for helping keep our students comfortable and ready to enjoy outdoor play!

Please reach out to the school if you need items such as coats, hats, and mittens for your student.
 

Fire Safety at East Derry!


A special THANK YOU goes out to Chief Logan Volunteer Fire Department for visiting our students and teaching us about fire safety!  We appreciate you taking the time to share important safety tips and help our students learn how to stay safe. Thank you for all you do to keep our community safe!
 

Homelessness Awareness Week

Pennsylvania Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (ECYEH) Week recognizes and brings awareness to the importance of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and the education needed to provide stability and consistency to students experiencing homelessness across Pennsylvania.   

Under federal law, children are considered homeless if they lack a fixed, regular, or adequate nighttime residence. Many people associate being homeless with living on the street, but homelessness is often hidden, especially in rural communities.  

To date for the 2026/2027 school year, Mifflin County School District has identified 80 students that are doubled up and living with other families, living at the homeless shelter, or living in campers/RVs.  

To assist those in need, MCSD staff will be raising money for the district’s student homelessness fund. In exchange for a $5 donation, staff will be able to dress down on Friday, November 13th to prepare for Homelessness Awareness week 11/16 to 11/20 and are encouraged to wear a red shirt to spread awareness on Red Shirt Day on Friday, November 20th.

If you are experiencing homelessness, please know that help is available.  Please reach out to either of our district’s homeless liaisons:
 

Important Reminders:

  • A note must be sent to the office for your child to be a parent pickup for the day. *Calls after 2:00 pm will not be guaranteed a change in dismissal status
  • Student drop-off begins at 7:30 am. PLEASE be sure to pull the whole way up to the start of the sidewalk. 
  • The gate will open at 2:15 pm for student pickup. Students will be dismissed at 2:35.
  • All Kindergarten students must have a parent/guardian at the bus stop to meet their students at drop off.
  • Family Access is the main source of family contact for important district information (including Sky Alerts for weather delays). To relay messages to parents/guardians EDES must have accurate information stored in Family Access. Please notify EDES office immediately of any changes in contact information.
  • The MCSD website has the following important pieces of information: All Hazards Plan, Student Handbook, Bullying Policy, Curriculum Links, District Calendar, Lunch Menu, Cycle Day calendar, and much more! Check it out at www.mcsdk12.org 
A cute cartoon husky puppy happily holds a purple and white megaphone, with sound waves emanating from it.
 

Medication Policy

Over-the-Counter Medication forms were handed out to students on the first day of school. This form must be completed and signed by a parent/guardian in order for students to receive medication from the school nurse. If your child has not submitted the Over-the-Counter Medication form to the Nurse's Office, your child will not receive medication at school. Forms are available in the nurse's office. 

As a reminder, students are NOT permitted to carry any medications on their person during school hours. This includes cough drops, medicated creams, eye drops or anything used for medicinal purposes. Any medication that is required to be taken at school MUST be transported to and from school by a parent/guardian or designated adult and accompanied with a physician's order. Parents and guardians are required to sign medications into the nurse's office at drop-off. 

If your child requires an inhaler, a new physician order must be submitted to the school nurse EACH school year before your child can carry an inhaler on their person. Failure to do so is a violation of the MCSD Medication Policy. 

Please contact Nurse Nikki with any questions. 
 

MCSD Policies

Parents are encouraged to share concerns through the proper channels. Policy 906 outlines the steps for addressing complaints. The full policy is located on the MCSD website. 

You can view all MCSD policies on the MCSD website by clicking the Our District tab, clicking School Board, and then selecting the Policies link.

A full printed copy is also available at the Administration Building.
MCSD Policies
 

Coming Up at East Derry!

  • 11/10 - Golden Ticket Luncheon with Ms. O'Donnell
  • 11/10 - 2nd & 3rd Grade Report Cards sent home
  • 11/11 - No School
  • 11/18 - Kg & 1st Grade Marking Period 1 End Date (Report Cards given at Parent Teacher Conferences)
  • 11/19 - Home & School Meeting @ 6:30 in the Library
  • 11/23 -25 - Parent Teacher Conferences 
  • 11/25-11/30 - No School 
  • 12/18 - Music Concert @ 9:00
  • 12/23 - 1/1 - No School
 

Questions or concerns?

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us at 717-543-5615.




Nicole O'Donnell
no20@mcsdk12.org
Principal