Parkside Updates & Information 2/9/26

Hello Parkside Families,

February’s cold has been a challenge and we are looking forward to warmer weather in our future! The cold and snow have made it tough to have outdoor recess, but we will get outside as much as we can. We will have outdoor recess on cold days that are near or above freezing throughout the winter. During the winter months, please advise your child against wearing shorts to school—if they must wear shorts, please have them layer with under armor so that their skin is covered. Please make sure that your child is dressed appropriately and has a coat, hat, gloves, etc… for outdoor play. If you are in need of any of those items, please reach out to Ms. Sayre and we can assist.

In academic news, winter assessments are concluded and mid-year changes to intervention groups have been made. Your child’s Acadience reports are at the printer and will be sent home soon so that you can see their mid-year progress. Once you receive them, if you have any questions, please reach out to your child’s teacher.

In Leader in Me news, our students who served in leadership roles in the first half of the year did a great job! They will have a parent letter and Job Report Card coming home to share if their assignment has ended. We have announced our new hires for leadership roles for the remainder of this year—so congratulations to all of those who are new to our school workforce!  I was impressed with the students who performed so well throughout the fall who then helped to train their replacements for the spring! 

Student leaders are making an impact at Parkside; special thanks to all of those who have applied for positions. To hear more about Leadership Roles—Student Jobs, please come to the PTL meeting on March 11 where I will be sharing more information!

5th Grade Transition to Northley Information

Northley Middle School will host a 5^th Grade Parent Information Night on Thursday, March 26. More information will be coming soon! This event is for parents only to hear about the transition to middle school and learn more about NMS. There will be an opportunity for 5th grade students to visit NMS in early May.

Kindergarten Registration

Kindergarten Registration is Now Open!

Do you have a younger child at home who will be 5 on or before September 1, 2025? Does your neighbor have a young one around this age? Let them know- It’s time to register for kindergarten!

Early registration helps us plan for the new school year, ensuring a smooth transition and the best experience for our incoming students. If you have a future kindergartener, we encourage you to register as soon as possible! Learn more at www.pdsd.org/kindergarten.

Coming Up Soon:

• February 26 & 27: Kid’s Heart Challenge in PE Classes
• February 27: Variety Show @ 7:00 pm NMS Auditorium
• March 3 & 5: Girls on the Run Practice 3:45-5:15
• March 11: PTL Meeting @ 6:30 pm in Library
• March 12 & 13: Early Dismissal at 11:15 for Spring Conferences

Kid’s Heart Challenge

The Annual Kid’s Heart Challenge will take place in PE classes on February 26 & 27, please CLICK HERE to learn about the Principal’s Challenge!

Mr. Steininger wants to remind every one of our students to sign up on the register for our school! It is quick and easy and if we get the majority of students to sign up we will receive $500 for PE equipment! The website is heart.org/schools and all you need is an email and the teacher’s name—just register, no other commitment is needed.

Girls on the Run

GOTR will begin after school on Tuesday, March 3 for those who are registered.  Practices will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school from 3:45 until 5:15. Participants should dress for indoor and outdoor practice, wear sneakers and bring a water bottle and a snack.  Adults should be sure to pick up children promptly at 5:15 in the front circle. Please contact Ms. Maloney with any questions at kmaloney@pdsd.org

From the School Counseling Department:

Parkside Food Bank - If your family is in need of food, you can email parksidefooddrive@gmail.com for info on the hours of operation. The food bank is located at the Parkside Fire Station.

Strengthening Families Workshop - Child Guidance is offering a completely free and open to ANY FAMILY with child(-ren) ages 6-11 Strengthening Families workshop.  This is a 14-week virtual, skills-based family program for both kids and parents to strengthen communication, foster connection, and build positive coping habits. Interested parents CLICK HERE or email lschneller@cgrc.org for more info and registration.

From Student Council:

Check out the Leader in Me Door Decorating that Student Council is working on! Click on the link to see the details!

Also, Student Council is collaborating with 3rd grade to collect plastic bags which will be recycled to make sleeping mats. Check out Mats of Love to see how Parkside students are working to serve others!

From the School Nurse:

‘Tis the season for viruses, colds, and flu! Please remind your child that hand-washing and using good hygiene practices will help stop the spread of germs! Please remember that if your child has a fever, they should remain home from school until they are fever-free without medication. They should also stay home if they have been vomiting or have diarrhea. Once they are symptom-free for 24 hours, they may return.

The Mobile Dentist:

The Mobile Dentist is coming to Penn-Delco on February 19! To find more information and sign up, CLICK HERE

Technology Tips from Mrs. Cameron:

Would You Rather Text or Hang Out? 

From Common Sense Media’s Carpool Conversations Podcast

Research shows that being with people in person has benefits for our well-being. Digital messages make it easy to stay connected, but they can’t always replace face-to-face time. Tone, body language, and shared experiences matter—and being together in person can help kids feel more understood and supported. It also helps them to develop interpersonal skills. Talking about when it’s better to text and when it’s better to talk in person helps children make thoughtful choices about how they connect with others.

Action Step:  CARPOOL CONVERSATIONS Podcast:
Listen to this 1½ minute episode together during your drive and chat about different situations—sharing big feelings, solving a disagreement, or celebrating good news. Ask kids how each situation might feel over text versus in person, and why.

From the PTL:

Variety Show practices are happening every Thursday! The Variety Show will take place at Northley Middle School on Friday, February 27 at 7:00 pm

Our next PTL Meeting is on Wednesday March 11 at 6:30 in the Cafeteria!  Please come out and get involved so that our children have all of the great things PTL has provided to the school in previous years!

Next PTL Meeting:  Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at 6:30 pm in the Cafeteria

Finally, parents, I need your help! There are no dogs allowed on school grounds. I am a dog person, but not everybody is--some kids have fears or allergies--so we are a pet-free campus. 

Please review arrival and dismissal procedures using the link to our Handbook below. With the colder weather comes more car riders and more traffic at the school. Please observe safe parking/driving habits in the school carline and parking lots. With only one driveway, we do not have many options to consider so it is vital that parents and pick up adults follow the expectations set forth in the Parkside Handbook.

Check out the Webpage to see the most up to date information. I encourage you to look at the Parkside Calendar at the bottom of the page for the cycle days and other important events. I also encourage you to read through the Parkside Handbook to review important guidelines for attendance, discipline, etc…

If you have questions, concerns, or feedback, please reach out.  I can be reached by email at tyoung@pdsd.org or by phone at 610-497-6300 Ext. 6500!

Best,

Tara Young
Principal
Parkside Elementary