Activities & Initiatives

A week in November is designated as American Education Week, and Governor Mifflin sets aside several days on which parents and grandparents are invited to visit their student’s classrooms to observe the learning environment in school.

Governor Mifflin School District celebrates American Education Week before the Thanksgiving vacation break. More information will be released closer to the time.

Students participate in a program where volunteers present artists and their artworks. A museum-like experience takes place right in the art room.

The Art Show is held in conjunction with the annual Book Fair and Open House. Every student has a piece of artwork displayed throughout the halls. Parents may visit classrooms on this evening. Student projects and other accomplishments are on display in the classroom. This event is held in the spring.

The Brecknock Author Tea features original creative student writing. This special event recognizes excellence in writing. Children are selected to participate by their classroom teacher. Not every child is selected to participate and the writing is selected based on its merits.

This night is one of the most important events of the school year. It is so critical that we have restructured the evening to occur before the first day and to include students and parents in a short meeting with their new teacher in their new classroom. Following are the details for your Back-to-School experience.

Kindergarten:

Students will meet their teacher, see their classroom and take a bus ride with the principal and specials teacher. When we return, kindergarteners will enjoy a snack in the cafeteria. Parents will meet briefly with PTO officers, followed by time spent with your kindergarten teacher in your child’s new classroom.

1st-4th Grade:

 Parents and students come to school together and participate in a brief meeting with the teacher.

This project allows parents to donate a book to the Brecknock Library in honor of their child’s birthday. Books are selected by the librarian and presented to your child on his/her birthday or half-birthday with a bookplate acknowledging your child’s gift. The book circulates first with your child and then becomes part of the library collection. 

Classroom teachers recognize each student’s birthday and may provide a non-food item such as a sticker or novelty item.

The Elementary Administrative Team has eliminated birthday treats for three reasons: 1.) The District Wellness Policy states that food offered to students during the school day must promote student health and reduce childhood obesity. 2) Not all children are able to bring in treats or party favors. 3) Distribution of birthday treats or party favors detracts from instructional time. If birthday treats or party favors are sent in from home, they will not be distributed. A call will be made for the parents to come to school to pick up the treats.

Party invitations may be sent to school only if every child in the class will receive an invitation. Students should give the invitations to their teacher to distribute. 

Morning announcements start our school day. Students in second and third grades volunteer as members of a weekly News Team. In addition to the announcements, the weather, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a patriotic song are led by News Team members. The program is broadcast into each classroom before the start of the school day.

In the spring, students participate in a day of activities to demonstrate physical skills and sportsmanship. Keep an eye out for information to come home regarding upcoming school year dates and times.

As an extension of the classroom, educational field trips are planned throughout the year. Teachers provide information to the parents when field trips are scheduled.

Parent chaperones, when needed, are selected by the teacher from those parents who have indicated interest. All parent chaperones must have their volunteer clearances. Please be aware that not all parents are selected for these trips as we are typically limited in the number of people who may attend.

Our K-4 Halloween celebration and parade will be held in the month of October. Parade time will be announced yearly on our school calendar.

Children should bring their costumes in a well-marked bag. Please do not allow your child to wear his/her costume to school. Storybook characters and costumes that will not hinder movement are recommended. Please refrain from violent and/or scary costumes. Children should not carry weapons just as knives, axes, swords, guns, etc. Masks may be worn during the parade only.

Classrooms observe four celebrations during the school year: Halloween, December holidays, Valentines’ Day, and end of the school year. Teachers coordinate with parent volunteers to have limited treats for these occasions.

The purpose of this evening event is for parents to become acquainted with their child’s teacher and for the teacher to explain the daily activities and curricula. This event occurs very early in the school year.

PARP encourages reading between children and parents. PARP calendars document reading time and are issued on a monthly basis, October through March. Students who participate are awarded with a free book of their choosing, twice during the school year, and a special certificate at the conclusion of the program. The books are generously provided by the PTO. As part of their homework, all students are required to read at home on a daily basis. We ask parents to support this life-long habit by completing the PARP calendar each month. 

Brecknock Elementary hosts preschool storytimes in the library. All dates are subject to change due to inclement weather. Please refer to the district calendar for updates.

The first-grade students are fortunate to be able to participate in this program through the generosity of the UGI Corporation and the PTO.

Three book giveaways occur during the course of the year and revolve around a theme. The children participate in several lessons before the giveaway – a library lesson at the time of the giveaway and a follow-up activity involving parental participation.

Parents and local artists demonstrate their talent or trade. The children travel to different stations during the day to either watch or actively participate in the demonstration.

In the spring, parents have the opportunity to visit classrooms during Open House nights. Examples of student projects and other accomplishments of the year are on display. Teachers highlight the academic progress of the children.

The Welcome Wagon helps new students feel more comfortable with our building and staff. Older students introduce new students to staff members while touring the building.