The Halloween parade and

party will be held on

Tuesday, October 31st. The

parade will begin at 2:00

p.m., followed by individual

classroom parties.

Wearing a costume is optional, but if

your child decides to wear a

costume, we kindly request that all

costumes represent a character that

does not promote violence and is not

threatening in appearance.

Weapons, including chains, fake

weapons, gory makeup and/or

attire, will not be permitted.

Parents choosing to attend the

parade are asked to wait outside the

building. Parents needing to enter the

building must enter using the main

entrance and sign-in. For the safety of

all students, parents choosing to take

their children home after the

festivities will need to sign their child

out. Thank you in advance for your

cooperation during this very busy

day.

HALLOWEEN PARADE PRINCIPAL’ S 200 CLUB

United Elementary School is

excited to begin year two of our

school-wide Positive Behavior

Intervention and Support

Program. One component of

this program is the Principal’s

200 Club where students are

recognized by staff members all

over the building for showing

exemplary behaviors. We are

proud of our students showing

these behaviors and as a result

these students receive a PRIDE

ticket. If your child is awarded

this ticket, he/she will take it to

the library to pick a number and

have his/her name placed on the

Principal’s 200 board. Students

will be awarded a small prize.

They will also be acknowledged

on the morning announcements

and parents/guardians will

receive a phone call or note

about the child’s positive

behavior. There will be

opportunities for additional

prizes for students whose

names are on the 200 board.

Important Calendar Dates

Act 80 Days—Oct. 6 & 9

PTG Walk-A-Thon—Oct. 5 (Rain date Oct. 13)

Parent Breakfast—Oct. 24, 25, & 26

Halloween Parade—Oct. 31

Parent/Teacher Conferences—Nov. 21 & 22

In-Service Day—Nov. 22 (No School)

Thanksgiving Break—Nov. 22—27

United Elementary

CUB CONNECTION OCT. -NOV. 2017

Inside this Issue

Homelessness Awareness 2

Parent/Teacher Conferences 2

PowerSchool 2

Cubs with Character 3

Red Ribbon Week 3

Cold & Flu Season 3

Grade Level News 4-8

ROBOTICS

Students in fifth and sixth grades have an opportunity to par-

ticipate in a LEGO Engineering and Robotics program. Above

fifth grade students Donovan Watt and Braxton Jelley assem-

ble projects.

HOMELESSNESS AWARENESS The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act can help provide school stability for your child if you

do not have a permanent home and are:

Staying with friends or family because you lost housing

Living in a shelter, including transitional programs

Staying in motels because you cannot get your own home

Living on the streets, in a car, van, tent or other nonpermanent structure.

Even if you lack a permanent residence, your children can receive help to stay in their home school

district.

Privacy is of the utmost importance. Our intentions are to confidentially assist families in connecting

with resources available through United School District and the Children and Youth Experiencing Home-

lessness Program of Indiana County. Students who meet the guidelines of homelessness are eligible to re-

ceive free meals at school. In addition, there are resources available in Indiana County to help support

them.

If you are homeless, or are a family in transition, and the above applies to your children, please contact

your child’s guidance office: Elementary – Mrs. Christin Arthurs, 814-446-5615, ext 1317

Jr. High – Mr. Todd Surloff, 814-446-5615, ext 2337

Sr. High – Mrs. Janie Short, 814-446-5615, ext 2338

Page 2

Look for these amazing rocks in your neighbor-

hood—designed and painted by our third graders.

Please share with us which ones you find!

PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES

Parent/teacher conferences are scheduled for the

evening of November 21st from 4:30 PM to 7:30

PM and during the morning of November 22nd

from 8:00 AM to noon. These

conferences are by invitation

only. Parents who are not con-

tacted by Monday, November

6, but wish to schedule a con-

ference are encouraged to con-

tact their child’s teacher to set

up a conference.

THIRD GRADE IS—ROCKING IT!

STUDENTS COLLECT SUPPLIES

FOR HURRICANE HARVEY

Students and staff at United School District recently

collected items for victims of Hurricane Harvey. Stu-

dents collected more than 3,200 items, and staff mem-

bers collected $517. The items collected were deliv-

ered to the Johnstown Flood the Truck Project and

were combined with other local donations. MJ Daniels

Trucking sent seven 18-wheelers full of water and oth-

er items to Rosenberg Texas.

COLD & FLU SEASON

competing to see which

grade level has the most

articles of red clothing.

The emphasis will be on

the thought for the day,

“Teamwork Works!”

It is never too early to

educate your child in

making good choices.

Please encourage your

child to talk with you

about the information

presented to him/her

during Red Ribbon

Week.

If you have any questions

about Red Ribbon Week,

please call the guidance

office at (814) 446-5615,

ext. 1317. We are looking

forward to the events of

this week and will be

sending more information

home soon.

United School District is

recognizing Red Ribbon

Week, the annual Drug

and Alcohol Awareness

Week. During the week

of October 23, 2017, we

will be encouraging our

students to take care of

themselves and make

wise choices.

Friday, October 27,

will be RED DAY.

Grade levels will be

Page 3

CUB CONNECTION

CUBS WITH CHARACTER……

RED RIBBION WEEK OCT. 23-27

The Cub Character trait for October is RESPONSIBILITY.

Responsibility means:

Being in control of your own behavior

Being trusted with important jobs

Having your work finished on time

Doing your part when working together

Please encourage your child to talk with you about his/her responsibilities and

the importance of being responsible.

Together we can assist our students in being “Cubs with Character”!

Below are some general preventive actions from the CDC that we can do to help protect ourselves and others against the sea-sonal flu. · Stay home when you are sick. If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. · Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue away after use and wash your hands. If a tissue is not available, cover your mouth and nose with your sleeve, not your hand. · Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. · Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread this way.

This year’s theme is

“Friends Don’t Let

Friends Bully or

Do Drugs”)

Title I Reading with your child at home for just 20 minutes per day at a young age is shown to build a stronger

bond with your child, help them acquire speech and communication skills and sets them up for success in

school by helping to build logical thinking skills. Reading with your child should be a fun and positive time for

your child. Below are some tips for establishing a routine of reading at home with your child.

Let your child pick the book to read.

If it’s a repetitive text, let them finish the sentences.

Point to the words as you read.

Have a family reading time where everyone stops, turns off tv and phones, and reads.

Make connections with the text. For example, ask your child, “Do you remember when we had your

birthday party and the whole family came?”

Most importantly, HAVE FUN!

Pre-K Counts September was a busy month in Pre-K. Our students have been learning the expectations and routines of

our school day. They have also been learning the names of all of their classmates and how to be a good

friend by sharing, using kind words and how to take turns. Pre-K students have also been exploring and

getting to know the variety of learning centers our classrooms have. The students have adapted extremely

well to their new environment and the school day! At circle time our students are learning the days of the

week, the months of the year, the seasons, counting and weather words. The children get super excited to

see who has a helper job in the morning when they arrive.

Our students have been introduced to journal writing. In Pre-K our journals consist of the children either

being prompted or free choice of what they want to write about. Students draw a picture and then dictate

to the teachers what they drew. This activity is very fun for them as they love to be writers. We teachers

love that they are excited about early literacy activities! Pre-K students have been very busy! We are

looking forward to celebrating fall and all the season has to offer.

Kindergarten

Kindergarten got off to a fantastic start in September. We learned the rules and routines of our classrooms,

and we learned how to be a good listener. We practiced what to do if someone is bothering us, and learned

that we should report danger, but not be a tattletale. And we got started

on lots of reading, math, and science.

In October we’ll learn all about families and how all the people in a

family work and play together. We’ll begin a study of the seasons with a

look at fall and learn how the change in weather affects people, plants, and

animals. The K-kids will learn more about making new friends and getting

along with friends. And finally we’ll wrap up the month with lots of

pumpkin activities to celebrate Halloween.

Page 4

Second Grade

Second graders are really into balance these first

couple months. That’s because they will be

studying balance and motion in upcoming science

lessons. Students will discover how things move

and will learn about the force that keeps us here

on earth.

In the wonderful world of second grade math we

have been establishing strategies to make us

faster at our basic math facts and making a fast

ten. Please continue practicing those math facts

each night because they will be getting harder for

the second nine weeks timed test.

Reading will be focusing on various units, such as

government and citizens, characters, and life

sciences. We are also working on comprehension

skills in a written form and building oral reading

fluency. Please keep helping your child by reading

at home. Students also attend library each week

in reading class, so students should have a good

book to read each week.

Third Grade

Third grade students are delving into reading. We started our new reading series, Benchmark Advance. We are

learning new skills and reading about new and exciting topics.

We have been working on numbers and operations in math class. Can you write a number in expanded form? Can

you explain the commutative property of addition? These are just a few of the concepts third grade is working on at

this time. Please be sure your child has their addition and subtraction facts memorized. Multiplication is here! Learn

those facts!

In social studies we have been learning about different communities and how they have changed over time. We have

also been working on the following map and globe skills: cardinal and intermediate

directions, map scale, time lines, etc.

In science,we will be learning about the moon phases and the solar system. Ask your

child to tell you what kind of moon is out at night.

As you can see, third graders are off to a busy learning year!

Page 5

First Grade

First grade is off to a great start for all.

We’ve made lions for our classroom…Autumn trees for the fall.

ELA brings challenges like grammar and spelling.

Did you study your words? The test will be telling.

In math class we’re learning our numbers to 20.

We’re drawing; we’re counting; we’re practicing plenty.

“Neighbors” and “family”, “culture” and “rules”

Are social studies terms we have learned here at school.

There was one special day that September had brought.

Johnny Appleseed and how to make apple butter were taught.

As October arrives we will study the weather

And learn tools that make meteorologists better.

In the next math unit it’s addition and subtraction we’ll explore

And ten frames is what else is in store.

By this month, for sure, we’ll all know the routine.

But most important of all…have a safe Halloween!

Fourth Grade

The fourth grade students are settling into a new environment upstairs. They are enjoying the new lockers

and the freedom to move to different classes throughout the day. Please remember to check your child’s

assignment book and home folder each night for homework and other important information.

ELA

Fourth graders are reading wizards! We are impressed by how much reading the students are doing at home.

Way to go, kids!

Fourth graders have also been studying government in Unit 1 of Benchmark Advance. Reading closely and

annotating the text will help us to improve our comprehension of challenging texts all year long.

Daily 5 has become a favorite in ELA. Our classroom stamina is growing in both reading and writing, and

students are enjoying the spelling and vocabulary practice activities they complete each week.

Math

Show me the numbers! So far it’s been all about the numbers in math. We began the school year studying

place value to one million, and we will continue learning more addition and subtraction strategies. New

challenges begin in October and November as we improve our multiplication skills and learn to solve multi-

digit problems. We build on our use of multiplication facts to solve more complex problems as we prepare

for the challenge of learning division in November!

Science

Science is all about the metric system! The students have measured with centimeters and meters for length

and are now working on the weighty issue of mass! The students are learning the correct way to use a

balance and weigh objects using grams. Next up are volume and temperature! The students will then delve

into the world of electricity and magnetism with many fun and exciting experiments and activities!

Social Studies

Students are map-skill masters in social studies! We wrapped up our study of continents and oceans,

hemispheres, latitude and longitude, and the cardinal and intermediate directions on the compass rose, and

now it’s on to Chapter 1: Regions and Landforms. We will study the landforms, climate, and resources of the

United States. Students will also learn about the five regions of our country. After Chapter 1 students will

begin to prepare for our annual mock election as we begin the government unit. Who will be our classrooms’

presidents?

Page 6

Fifth Grade

MATH

We are busy in math class! We are starting our next unit on adding and subtracting decimals to the hundredths.

We are anxiously awaiting the start of our Multiplication Ninja program in which we will work our way to be-

come an expert ninja in multiplication fact recall. Also, students received their First in Math username and

password. Homerooms will compete against each other as students earn points for accessing and completing

various levels of the on-line math program. A “Player of the Day” will be recognized in each homeroom on a

daily basis. Please encourage your child to participate in First in Math at home if your family has internet ac-

cess.

SCIENCE

Fifth grade science is “mixing up solutions” as they work their way to the end of the current science unit. Stu-

dents can identify the difference between a mixture and a solution. They know how to create and identify

chemical reactions. They can tell you the evidence that tells that a chemical reaction has taken place. They may

be anxious to create a few special mixtures for you. Citric acid is found in the baking isle at most grocery

stores. Calcium chloride is used as ice melt. These along with Epsom salts, kosher salt and baking soda will ena-

ble your children to recreate some class activities under your supervision. Mix it up and explore with your

child. Let us know if you find any exciting mixtures!

ELA

In ELA we are working toward finishing Unit 1in our new reading series. Students will continue having weekly

spelling and vocabulary lists, along with tests for both. Your child was recently tested using the “Fountas and

Pinnell” test. Your child should have brought home a blue letter with their independent and instructional read-

ing levels indicated. Guided Reading will begin with Unit 2, along with continuing our Daily 5 stations and apply-

ing learned skills to better comprehend what is being read. As always, if you have any questions, please feel free

to contact your child’s ELA teacher!

SOCIAL STUDIES

In social studies students will be digging into the history of Jamestown, Plymouth, Massachusetts Bay Colony,

and other early settlements in America. They will also be learning about Pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving. As

we continue through American history, we will explore the original 13 colonies. Students will be creating travel

brochures for a specific colony or region they have researched. As we learn about the colonial way of life we

will explore colonial jobs, such as coopers, candle-makers, and blacksmiths. Your child should have brought

home a map to study and learn the location of the 13 original colonies. That test will be October 11th.

Page 7

10780 Rt. 56 Hwy East

Armagh, PA 15920

Phone: 814-446-5615

Fax: 814-446-4210

District web address: www.unitedsd.net

UNITED ELEMENTARY

Sixth Grade

Reading, writing, listening, and speaking--sixth grade students jumped

right into all of the language arts this fall. Starting with a unit on fiction,

students practiced reading skills while enjoying a story about a young boy in a

talent show. Sixth graders expressed their talents when they wrote stories

about a summer experience or favorite places, applying the grammar,

punctuation, and spelling skills they have been practicing daily in our new

grammar/writing textbook series.

Independent reading skills are used at home when the students read at

least five pages for five evenings during a block of seven days and track that

reading on their reading logs. Students are required to write a summary

based on that reading. STAR testing was completed, and students will use the

Accelerated Reader program to quiz on at least one book per month. We

are also using Lexia to supplement our reading program! Let’s continue to

focus on reading!.

Social Studies

The sixth grade kicked off the year by briefly investigating the different

themes involved with social studies. Each theme focused on a different part of

the world and its people. Also, the students were involved in recognizing the

importance of our Constitution. They participated in various activities

exploring the history of the Constitution, the people involved in the creation

of the Constitution, the Constitutional Convention, and the Bill of

Rights. Students also recognized and discussed the events of September 11

and Patriots’ Day.

Science

This month we are learning about how the Grand Canyon was formed.

We will be witnessing the millions of years of erosion in just a few minutes as

we recreate the landforms in our model stream tables. Soon we will be

talking about how natural events have helped to shape our local area when

we discuss the Johnstown Flood. Be prepared for your 6th grader to ask a

family member if he/she remembers the 1977 flood.

Math

Students have been working hard on divisibility rules, exponents, and

order of operations. In October your child will be solving decimal and

fraction problems. Please remind your child about the importance of

completing homework assignments and practicing basic multiplication/

division facts.

The United Community: Working

Together for a Strong Future

Please remember to keep all contact information up to date. Please call the office at 814-446-5615 if you have a new phone number or address.

Page 8

WALKING CLUB

Students in Grades 2, 3 and

4 have an opportunity to

participate in a new Walk-

ing Club. They can choose

to walk around the inside

perimeter of the school.

Eight laps is approximately

1 mile.