Fishing Creek Elementary School is unique in that it is literally two separate buildings combined into one. Building I houses the primary grades has its own playground. It is connected to Building II by a corridor, “the tunnel,” which is home to the upper grades, the office, the health room, the library, and the multi-purpose room for lunches and physical education classes. This design, in effect, creates a primary center environment in which everything is focused on the needs of the younger children with the added benefit of having older children available to help in a variety of ways. It is not unusual to see fifth grade students working on a one-to-one basis with first or second graders during their free time or being a buddy to someone who needs just a little help getting organized.

The Fishing Creek Parent/Teacher Organization (PTO) plays a large part in the vitality of the school. In addition to providing funds for assemblies, special programs, and after-school clubs, members of the PTO are always available to help out in individual classrooms or in numerous other ways that benefit the children. A yearly event, which typifies the spirit of cooperation between the staff and the PTO, is the family picnic held each spring. Staff and family members share a potluck picnic before heading into the classrooms to view a sampling of student academic work, artwork, and science fair projects.       

Recognizing the importance of parent involvement in student achievement, evening parent clinics have been offered to demonstrate strategies parents could utilize to help their children read and write. Clinics were also held for parents in an effort to involve families in the constant improvement of PSSA scores.   We continue to work towards improving our standardized test scores.

Fishing Creek Elementary School uses the S.W.E.B.S. program aimed at sustaining and expanding the positive culture and climate that exists at “The Creek”.  The School– Wide Effective Behavior Support (S.W.E.B.S. for short) is a comprehensive, school-wide set of strategies to support positive behavior and academic achievement for all students.  Fishing Creek Elementary School chose to use the acronym S.H.A.R.K.S. for our rules.  Throughout the school year, there will be various opportunities for students to be recognized who exemplify the S.H.A.R.K.S. rules.  In addition, aspects of the S.H.A.R.K.S. rules will be integrated into the environment and culture of Fishing Creek Elementary School.  For instance, beginning in this edition of our newsletter, you will see we are beginning a “Shark of The Month” for each classroom.  The students chosen as “Sharks of the Month” are students who exhibit all of the qualities of the SHARKS acronym consistently.

The goals of the S.W.E.B.S Program at Fishing Creek Elementary School are to establish and maintain an instructional approach to teaching and encourage appropriate behavioral expectations, focus on prevention of problem behaviors, have a team-based approach to leadership and decision making, and use data to guide the decision making process.  Parents help by asking their child about the S.H.A.R.K.S. program, showing an interest in what the program is about and how their child can actively participate in the program, encouraging their child to follow the S.H.A.R.K.S. rules, asking their child’s teacher about how they can support the S.H.A.R.K.S. program in the classroom, and getting involved in the Fishing Creek Elementary School P.T.O. to promote the message of the S.H.A.R.K.S. program.

The goal of every professional and support staff member at Fishing Creek is to create a caring and nurturing atmosphere in which all children can thrive and learn. Special lunches with the guidance counselor or principal, recognition of individual students who perform a good deed, and special days organized by the Student Council all make the students feel a part of the Fishing Creek family. Parents are always welcome and encouraged to be involved in their child’s educational activities. We pride ourselves on the friendly atmosphere and the strong link between parents and school. Stop by and see for yourself!