See below with information about activities at Salford Hills Elementary.
- Author Day
- CROPS (Cultivating Responsible Options for Positive Sustainability)
- Distinguished Readers
- Field Trips
- Focused Open House: A Walk in Their Shoes
- Grade 5 Celebration of Achievement
- Math 24 Challenge
- Morning Meetings and Closing Circles in Classrooms
- Reading Olympics
- RIF: Reading Is Fundamental
The band program begins with like-instrument lessons groups (e.g. flute with flute, trombone with trombone, etc.) and is open to students in grades four and five who have an interest in studying a band instrument. The instruments offered for study are: flute, oboe, clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, baritone, and percussion. Students receive one small group lesson once every week, in most cases with other students who play the same instrument, and one band rehearsal with all of the band members in the school once every week. These lessons are scheduled on a rotating system so that children do not miss the same time of day every week. Throughout the year students learn proper instrument performance techniques, as well as how to read printed music. Students are invited to join the large, mixed instrument group (concert band) when they have achieved the benchmark that appropriately prepares them to understand and perform the music used for concert performances. There is typically one performance in the winter and one in the spring. If your child participates in band, you will receive more information about the performances from the band director. Information will include location and time of the concerts, meeting place for performers, and proper concert attire.
In addition to the band program, there is an elementary honors band program. See Honors Band.
Chorus is open to all fourth and fifth grade students. There is NO audition process. We encourage all of our students to be a part of this fun and challenging ensemble! Rehearsals are scheduled into the school day with students having one rehearsal every week. Students are expected to perform in the winter and spring concerts. If your child participates in chorus, you will receive more information about the performances from the choral director. Information will include location and time of the concerts, meeting place for performers, and proper concert attire.
There are many things that we work on during our chorus rehearsals besides just learning correct tones and rhythms. We work on extending the range of our voices and how to use the proper muscles to provide support for singing. We learn how to pronounce our words so that the audience can understand them. We work on getting the correct tempo (speed) of the music that we perform, the correct dynamics (levels of loud and soft), and the correct style of the piece. We prepare a variety of music that touches on many different styles, time periods, and cultures. We teach many facets of music performance and have a lot of fun in the process!
Ecological concerns have always been important issues at Salford Hills. We’ve celebrated Earth Day in some way for over a decade. Our teachers share with students the necessity of promoting a balance between "man" and "environment". Students practice "earth-friendly" habits by recycling paper, some cardboard, lunch products, and plastics. But going green will take on new meaning this spring.
First, a little history. Inspired by two students who saw a need in our school to share environmentally friendly habits, we formed our C.R.O.P.S. (Cultivating Responsible Options for Positive Sustainability) committee. Soon, lunch procedures changed and recycling efforts doubled. Students participated in a trash-free snack day. Also important to our activities was initiating a vegetable garden which, in addition to having great educational value, we would be able to grow produce to swap and share in the summer. Assisted by local businesses, volunteers, and a few small grants, we grew peas, radishes, and lettuce. Pumpkin pies made by Salford Hills fifth graders using our own garden pumpkins and a few kind donations from families were served during lunch last fall.
Encouraged by our success, plans have expanded, and so has our garden! Once again, we plan to honor Earth Day by facilitating a number of activities and crafts. We continue to teach children about man’s effect on the environment. However, our plans for the garden have changed dramatically. Assisted by a local business that provided machines, manpower, and lots of mulch, our Salford Hills Community Garden now features two plots; a 20x20 squash and pumpkin patch as well as a 50x50 vegetable garden. Our hope is that by expanding our garden we will multiply our production of fruits and vegetables supplementing lunches for our students, for our families through summer swaps, and for local food pantries. The garden is an expanded "outdoor classroom" as well offering hands on educational opportunities and supplementing our science and ecology curriculum.
Clearly we could not attempt such a venture alone. A number of grants assist us financially. Local businesses have responded with materials and manpower. Most importantly, we have community support within our school. Ten parents volunteered to aid our Earth Day activities, fifteen for spring planting, and over thirty will help in the summer by weeding, watering, and harvesting.
Our C.R.O.P.S. initiative presents many opportunities. The educational benefits are obvious. Important also is that the garden is a focal point for our school community to come together. Much like our Community Day a few weeks ago, here our families meld as we work toward a common goal. Additionally, we teach children the importance of helping others in our broader community, assisting those in need through food donations. Lastly, I believe that we have a calling in education to share with children that they are connected to a larger world. It’s a world where individuals and families and community must work together in harmony with nature and our environment. Our garden teaches the benefits of working together and social responsibility, a character counts trait that you just don’t learn from a book. Hopefully, using a trowel or weeding and sprinkling or collecting vegetables or taking food donations to a food bank will help students become the dedicated citizens we all desire for our children.
The Distinguished Reader medal is given to students in grades one through five who read at least 25 books a year, expanding their horizons by reading various authors and genre. Every student who reaches that goal visits the principal and together review his/her book log and talk about the joy in developing a lifetime reading habit. The students receive their reading medal at the School Meeting.
Partially funded by the Salford Hills Home and School Association, each grade level enjoys the opportunity to attend at least one field trip during the year. Pre-Covid jaunts included:
- Kindergarten – Center Point Pond Fishing Adventure
- First Grade – Philadelphia Zoo
- Second Grade – DaVinci Science Center and DeSales University Theatre
- Third Grade – Crystal Cave
- Fourth Grade – Harrisburg Capital Tour, The State Museum of PA, and Hershey
- Fifth Grade – Three Day Outdoor School Experience
This is a social event to recognize the achievements of our students as they leave Salford Hills Elementary School. The fifth graders are asked to reflect on their accomplishments in elementary school and these are included in the evening’s program. We distribute the children’s portfolios–containing samples of their best work from kindergarten through fifth grade. Our hope is that this celebration reinforces for each youngster their competence, capabilities, and their valued connection to our school community.
Fourth and fifth grade students who sign up for the Orchestra Program will gain experience playing an orchestral string instrument (violin, viola, cello, or bass). To play in the orchestra for the Winter and Spring Concerts, students must pass the beginning benchmark from their lesson book as indicated by their teacher. All orchestra students receive one 30-minute small-group lesson per week and attend one 40-minute orchestral rehearsal with the entire group. Throughout the year, students learn progressive technical and musical techniques and develop skills for group playing and performance. Students participate in both the Winter and Spring Concerts. Exceptional elementary string students who pass the required benchmark are invited to participate in the SASD Elementary Honors Orchestra.
MCIU Reading Olympics is a countywide reading event that encourages students to increase the quality and quantity of books they read for enjoyment. The Reading Olympics Program is based upon the belief that good reading habits form the foundation for a productive and successful life. Traditionally four to six teams of 4th and 5th grade students participate.