Wildcat Update
September 25, 2020
Kindergartners started on campus this week!
First Day Pics!
Happy Kids!
Lunch Time!
Announcements
Start Dates for Students to Return to Campus
- 9/29 1st-3rd Grades
- 10/5 4th-6th Grades
Please have your students bring their chrome books and chargers back to school when they transition back to campus. We will be keeping these in the classrooms when students are back to on campus learning.
Arrival Time When Students are on Campus
Students may arrive on campus in the mornings between 8:30 and 8:45 am. Once they arrive they can either go to the cafeteria for a free breakfast or go to their classroom for classroom games and connection. Instruction starts at 8:45 am.
Staggered Dismissal When Students are On Campus
All Kinders and first grade students along with their older siblings (yellow group) will be dismissed at 3:20 pm. All 2nd and 3rd grade students along with older siblings (green group) will be dismissed at 3:25 pm and then all remaining students (blue group) will be dismissed at 3:30 pm.
We are asking that all parents please place the colored sign in your front window when coming through the parent pick up line. This will help to speed up the process and allow us to keep our students more effectively distanced for safety purposes. We are also asking for parents to time their pick up arrival time to coincide with the colored group you are assigned to. Example: If a parent who is picking up their kids who is in the 3:30pm (blue) dismissal group and is in line with the 3:20 pm (yellow) dismissal group, they may be asked to drive around and join at the back of the line so as not to hold up the dismissal process.
We are hoping these changes will allow for us to dismiss big families in a more streamlined manner. We appreciate your help in making this process successful. Bus students will be dismissed following the same process.
September 25 PLC Early Release
On September 25 students ended their day at 2:00 pm so teachers can work together in their multi- school collaborative teams. Teachers in grades K-4 work with Galivan Peak teachers and teachers in 5-6 grade work in teams with the following schools: Galivan Peak, Sunset Ridge, Anthem and Desert Mountain. Special area teachers work with other special area teachers in the district as well. This time is very valuable as the teachers plan together as we transition to in person learning.
Food and Nutrition Changes Starting Oct. 1
Breakfast and lunch will continue to be free for students when they come on campus until Dec. 31. We will continue to provide curb side pick up for all DVOA students as well until Oct. 1. After Oct. 1 curbside services moves to Thursday only and will include breakfast and lunch for 5 days.
Face Coverings
If your child is not use to wearing a mask you may want to think about fun ways to prepare them in short segments. The attached document on "How to Help Your Child Adapt to Wearing a Mask" may give you some fun ideas to play with at home.
See DVUSD update to parents with Face Mask Guidance for families at this link: https://www.dvusd.org/Page/75080
Calendar
There is no school on September 28 and October 2 is a full school day.
School Spirit T-Shirt Order
Orders are still being taken online at spiritandpride.com or call 1 (800) 854-4452. See the attached flyer. The orders will close September 30.
First Day Packet Paperwork
The following documents from the first day packets need to be turned in ASAP: pink sheets needs to be edited and signed, blue directory internet permission forms and the green students rights and responsibilities forms need to be signed.
Please turn them into the front office, fax (623-376-3580) or you can scan them and email to lisa.willingham@dvusd.org.
Shot Records
Nurse Holley needs shot records. They can be turned in by person, fax or scan and email them to holley.nelson@dvusd.org.
Wildcats PTSA
If you want to become a member, annual membership fees are $7 per individual member. Cash, check and PayPal payments are accepted. Make checks payable to New River PTSA or submit through PayPal to Nreptsa@gmail.com. There are also membership forms in the office for you to come in person to join.
Watch this video to learn about New River's plan to return to school safely.
Next week's motto is:
I am a productive team member.
This insight focuses on knowing when to lead and when to follow. Students often devalue teamwork unless they are the leader, and they often confuse leadership with being in charge. However, the best leaders know when to lead and when to follow.
You can help your child understand that sometimes a good leader "leads," and sometimes they "follow" the constant is doing what is best for the team.
Every list that touts the essential skills of productive team members or leaders includes one version or another of these three skills.
- Appreciation
- Why it's essential: A valued member of a team appreciates everyone's contribution to the group. They are supportive and encouraging to everyone, and their positive energy makes them sought after team members and leaders.
- How to practice now: Have your child practice appreciation now by showing gratitude to the people in their family when they make meals, give rides, or help them in any way.
- Observation
- Why it's essential: Being able to recognize the needs of the group is a crucial skill. When do you lead, when do you follow? What does the team need now to be successful?
- How to practice now: Teach your children to "read the room" by observing how people behave differently in different places. You can do this in restaurants, grocery stores, or doctor's offices. See if they can identify group norms such as walking rather than running or the noise level in a restaurant as opposed to the doctor's office. Ask why they think those norms are in place?
- Contribution
- Why it's essential: A valuable team member is productive and results-oriented. It's not just about being on a team; it's about contributing to the team!
- How to practice now: Talk to your child about different ways they can contribute at home. Help them see the value everyone brings one another when the pitch in and help.
Building these habits now is helpful because, as the famous quote that is often attributed to Aristotle states, "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act, but a habit."
Besides, these skills don't only make happy teams; they make happy families too!
Be well,
Danna Evans
All Things E.Q
New River School
Email: tina.craig@dvusd.org
Website: https://www.dvusd.org/newriver
Location: 48827 North Black Canyon Highway, Phoenix, AZ, USA
Phone: 6233763500
Facebook: facebook.com/NewRiverElementarySchool
Twitter: @NewRIverWildcat