Tashua Family Weekly Update
Mrs. Neumeyer, Principal
November 19, 2021
Dear Tashua Families,
As I mentioned last week, we welcomed several administrators and teachers from across the district to visit Tashua School to do Instructional Rounds during math lessons. As a staff, we received many compliments regarding our students' strong ability to reason, represent, communicate and solve problems using multiple strategies. We also received some valuable feedback to help strengthen our practices; ultimately working to further enhance our students performances. The students were excited to share their thinking and learning with others.
In addition to our Turkey Trot celebration that will be held on Wednesday, November 24, our students will participate in lesson activities to learn more about Native American Heritage.
Below you can view some of the resources teachers and students will have access to:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1yAXyzJcJYbTdI4vvtq_bBCrRNVJPuWdOrz3FydRdQg0/edit#slide=id.g1022b7a6fa4_0_375 A huge thank you goes out to Mrs. McKenna for creating this interactive virtual teaching tool!
Native American Heritage Month, or as it is commonly referred to, American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month. This is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people. It is also an opportune time to educate all Americans about tribes, to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges Native people have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges. We invite you to look at the resources below!
Events:
https://www.ctvisit.com/getaways/native-footsteps
Web Resources:
https://nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov/
https://www.ncai.org/initiatives/native-american-heritage-month
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/native-american-heritage-month.htm
https://www.pbs.org/specials/native-american-heritage-month/
Books:
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/the-read-down/native-american-heritage-month/
https://www.nypl.org/blog/2019/11/05/9-books-native-american-heritage-month
https://www.powells.com/native-american-heritage-month
https://smcl.org/blogs/post/books-for-native-american-heritage-month/
Did you know that Native Americans have been living in North America for over 15,000 years? It is estimated that about 60 million Native Americans were already living here when Christopher Columbus arrived in 1492. There were over 600 different tribes, each with their own language, customs, government, and traditions. What a rich history!
Also this month, Diwali, or Dipawali, was celebrated from Nov.4 - Nov. 9th. Diwali is India’s biggest and most important holiday of the year. The festival gets its name from the row (avali) of clay lamps (deepa) that Indians light outside their homes to symbolize the inner light that protects from spiritual darkness. This festival is as important to Hindus as the Christmas holiday is to Christians. Over the centuries, Diwali has become a national festival that's also enjoyed by non-Hindu communities. For instance, in Jainism, Diwali marks the nirvana, or spiritual awakening, of Lord Mahavira on October 15, 527 B.C.; in Sikhism, it honors the day that Guru Hargobind Ji, the Sixth Sikh Guru, was freed from imprisonment. Buddhists in India celebrate Diwali as well. (source: National Geographic Kids)
To learn more, check out the resources below:
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/pages/article/diwali
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrrW3rO51ak
https://www.diwalifestival.org/
One of the best ways to embrace diversity is through literature! As you look to expand the books your children are reading, consider characters and their context, to provide children with the opportunity to see themselves reflected, as well as to see and enter the experiences of others. Enjoy this TedTalk about the topic: https://youtu.be/_wQ8wiV3FVo
A huge thank you also goes out to Mrs. Flemming and our PTA Diversity Committee for helping to find resources to teach all of us more about Native American Heritage and Diwali.
As we get ready for Thanksgiving, it is a important for all of us to take time to express gratitude and appreciation for one another other and all that we have.
Thank you to all of the students and Mrs. Thomas for creating our school-wide Gratitude Tree!
Another fun, hands-on way to teach children how to practice gratitude is to create a Gratitude Jar. Families can create one jar for all or each family member can create a special jar for themselves. Place small pieces of paper near the jar and write down what you are grateful for each day or when the moment seems right. When necessary, pulling a note or two from the jar will remind each family member that we have many things to be grateful for! Alternatively, you could make a turkey with feathers to display reasons to be grateful!
We thank you for your continued support for our work at Tashua School! As always, if you have any questions, concerns, or good news to share, please feel free to email me at NeumeyeJ@trumbullps.org or contact me at school at 203-452-4433.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
Warm regards,
Mrs. Neumeyer
Principal
DiMartino Family Gratitude Tree
Upcoming Events
Wednesday, November 24
Grade K - 5 Turkey Trot; Each grade level will gather on the blacktop for a Turkey Trot. Students should dress warm and wear sneakers.
Native American Heritage Learning Activities
Early Dismissal Day; 1:00 PM
Thursday, November 25
No School; Thanksgiving
Friday, November 26
No School; Thanksgiving Break
Native American Heritage Day
Random Acts of Kindness Day
Sunday, November 28
Hanukkah begins at sunset
December 1- 7
National Handwashing Awareness Week
Thursday, December 2
School Safety Committee Meeting; 8:00 AM
Holiday Boutique
PTA Meeting; 7:00 PM
Friday, December 3
International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Holiday Boutique
Sunday, December 5
International Volunteer Day
Monday, December 6
Hanukkah ends at sunset
Tuesday, December 7
Peral Harbor
Remembrance Day
Faculty Meeting; 3:45 - 5:15 PM
BOE Meeting; Budget Session - 6:30 PM
Fathers' Club Meeting; 8:00 PM
Wednesday, December 8
Winter Concert - Grade 3-5 Strings, Grade 4 & 5 Band and Gr. 5 Chorus at MMS; 7:00 PM
Thursday, December 9
Report Cards Issued
BOE Meeting; Budget Session - 6:30 PM
Friday, December 10
Human Rights Day
Tuesday, December 14
Cadre Day; Grade K & 1
Grade Level Meetings; 3:45 - 5:15 PM
BOE Meeting; (Budget Session if Needed - 6:30 PM )
December 16-24
Las Posadas
Tuesday, December 21
First Day of Winter
Yule
CoP; 4:00 - 5:00 PM
Thursday, December 23
Early Dismissal; 1:00 PM
Friday, December 24
No School - Christmas Eve
Saturday, December 25
No School; Christmas Day
Sunday, December 26
Kwanza
Monday, December 27 - Sunday, January 2nd
Winter Break
From the Desk of Nurse Chamale
Vaccine appointments for children ages 5-11 are now available. Please access the following link for more information: https://portal.ct.gov/vaccine-portal/kids?language=en_US
School Community Initiatives
Dear Families of Students in Grades K-4,
The Trumbull Police Union Local 1745 announces the return of our annual coloring book contest. For the past twenty-nine years, the Trumbull Police Union has sponsored the annual event for the enjoyment of our school children as well as to teach them valuable safety lessons along the way. This year’s topic for our coloring book is “DIAL 911 FOR HEROES”.
The book covers valuable lessons such as what to do when a child dials 911. It also shows how Police Officers help children in our school system. We want our children to understand that Police are people too with families just like them, and that they can always count on the Police in times of need.
As in the past, each child in grades Kindergarten through 4th grade will receive a coloring book. Each child will submit a page from his or her coloring book as an entry. A random drawing will pick one winner from each grade in every school. This makes chances for winning fair to all. All entries must be submitted to the students’ classroom teacher on or before November 23rd. The winners will be presented with a $25.00 check at school the week of December 6th- 10th. In previous years we held an awards ceremony at the Trumbull Public Library however due to the Covid-19 Pandemic we will not be having the ceremony.
Thank you for your participation in this event and thank you for your support of the Trumbull Police Union.
Sincerely,
School Resource Officer
Brian Federowicz #65
National PTA Reflections Contest: I Will Change the World By....
Tashua is participating in the National PTA Reflections Contest again this year! Please see the links below for information regarding rules, catergories and successful entry tips.
- Student Entry and Official Rules: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1248HZJl_9hRGZ5OnUYISNjsDN0jzSQZ8/view?usp=sharing
- How to Submit a Successful Entry: https://drive.google.com/file/d/18sLdjTTXdr_DBVmjoxEUIG6wNJ4oXE_b/view?usp=sharing
- Special Artist Division Guidelines: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AoTjRTiQfUx_BjZJRogAn2XsbD-QS5Wv/view?usp=sharing
- Catergory Guidelines: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1g8aAtmUbvxvSpRjKksrBc5vWe2F1taCH/view?usp=sharing
- 2022-23 Theme Search Packet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sNN6KgEyq_VQ_VeoAW_UiCzXp-Yx545W/view?usp=sharing
- Art ideas - Families
- Reflections - Coloring Book
- Other Art ideas - Families and Kids
- Drawing page - One Sheet
Updates from our PTA
Thank you to everyone that has supported the PTA through fundraising and volunteering at events. We could not do it without you. We all wish you and your families a happy and healthy Thanksgiving.
As a reminder, if you wish to volunteer and you have not filled out the TPS volunteer form for the 2021-2022 school year, please complete the form using the link below and submit the hardcopy to the office. Some parents have expressed interest in volunteering for the Holiday Boutique and the office will need enough time to make sure the forms can be processed.
https://www.trumbullps.org/Attachments/boe/volunteerforms201920.pdf
Our PTA Membership Drive is still going on! Thank you to all who have joined to help support our school. We're excited to announce that we've already added 32 new PTA memberships which means our kiddos have earned the No Homework Pass and Extra Recess rewards (to be scheduled at a later date). If you haven't yet joined, there's still time! Our schoolwide contest runs until 12/10 and if we hit the final level kids will get to celebrate with a Mismatch Day! Please consider joining the PTA and helping us build an even stronger school community!
Fall Fundraiser- Delivery Update
Good news...we have a delivery date! If you ordered items to ship to the school (including frozen cookie dough) these will be available for pick up at Tashua between 4-6pm on THURSDAY 12/9. Exact location for pick up will be communicated at a later date. If you are unable to pick up at this time please reach out to Lisa Stein at 203-273-4657. Student prizes will also be included in this parent pick up or distributed through your child's classroom mailbox on Friday 12/10.
AR Workshop Fundraiser
Thank you for all that participated in our craft nights out! Couldn’t make a craft night out? You can still order take home kits from AR workshop in Fairfield:
Order an ornament kit to go at https://www.arworkshop.com/event/?loc=fairfield&ev=266353 make sure you add the code TES21 in the comment section so the school gets credit!
If you have any questions please contact Lisa Stein at lisastein14@gmail.com.
Thank you to Jess DiBuono for coordinating the purchase of Pura Vida bracelets in our Tashua Colors. Order on Membership toolkit: https://tashuaschoolpta.membershiptoolkit.com/packet/4337
Please view link below for more information and to sign-up to volunteer
TASHUA COMMUNITY FOOD DRIVE
UPCOMING PTA DATES
* November 8th – 30th – Tashua Community Food Drive
* December 2nd & 3rd: Holiday Boutique - more information to come
* December 2nd: General PTA Meeting- 7pm
* December 20th: Reflections contest deadline
Updates from our Fathers' Club
Thank you to all of you who placed orders to support the Holiday Wreath Fundraiser!
PTA Membership
Some of things that membership dues pay for include:
Recognition of staff throughout the year with breakfasts and lunches
Activities and goodies for staff during staff appreciation
Grade level activities, including a number of activities for the 5th grade
Supplies for Teachers
Professional Development for Teachers
Folders and assignment books for students
Our PTA registration for the 2021-2022 school year is already up and running! Please use the link below to join and access your membership: