New Lebanon School
Weekly Updates
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Hello Bobcat Families and Happy New Year! Thank you for partnering with us for a successful week of remote learning. We saw many parents behind the iPad screens setting up quiet learning spaces, delivering snacks, and making sure students were set up for success - THANK YOU! Thank you for allowing us to "come into your homes" to continue the learning and growing we know is so important for young children. The past week would not have been possible without the dedication of our staff and teachers AND your support. We look forward to seeing you on Monday morning in person at New Lebanon School!
January 6th is a day that will go down in history, and it is important to allow some time to acknowledge what happened. It is likely that many of our students have heard about what happened one way or another. The events that unfolded are scary to adults and our students. In the end, the attacks were met with clear and forceful condemnation and our democratic institutions were defended.
If you scroll down, we have provided many resources for you to use as a family to talk about these issues as well as best practices to discuss safety and violence with children.
It is important to note:
1. Violence does not solve problems.
2. The peaceful transition of power is called for in our constitution.
3. The peaceful and orderly transition of power is a concept important to democratic government.
4. Lastly, it is important we talk about wrong actions rather than labeling people as bad.
The articles below were written for parents and can provide you with appropriate language to use:
“You can say, ‘Everyone is feeling a different way about the election, and this is one way they’re expressing it,’” she says. “‘As a family, we might do this differently, but this is how they’re choosing to do it. But other people are stepping in to keep the peace and keep everyone safe.’ It’s important to highlight there are people who are keeping people safe.”
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/family/2021/01/talking-to-your-kids-about-chaos/
https://www.fortmorgantimes.com/2021/01/06/talking-to-kids-about-violence-capitol-trump/
https://twowritingteachers.org/2021/01/06/the-storming-of-the-capitol/
Our grand experiment in republican self-government depends on good-faith cooperation. Under the First Amendment, we can protest the government and criticize the outcome of an election, but if we lose the argument, we must accept the results. And that’s what Americans have always done.
In his First Inaugural Address, President Ronald Reagan praised our collective achievement:
"To a few of us here today this is a solemn and most momentous occasion, and yet in the history of our nation it is a commonplace occurrence. The orderly transfer of authority as called for in the Constitution routinely takes place, as it has for almost two centuries, and few of us stop to think how unique we really are. In the eyes of many in the world, this every 4-year ceremony we accept as normal is nothing less than a miracle."
If you need support at this time, please know we are here. Reach out to Mrs. Michaelson, Mrs. Eisenstein, Mrs. Cyr (School Psychologist), or Mrs. Corrente (School Social Worker).
Looking for a New Year's Resolution?
Let's all work together to get all of our Bobcats to school on time in January! When we get to school late, we miss important morning routines and we miss learning! Doors open at 8am - arrive early and grab a breakfast to enjoy in your classroom as you get settled for the day. The bell rings and school starts at 8:15am!
Together in Safety and Learning,
Mrs. Michaelson & Mrs. Eisenstein
Important Upcoming Dates
Next week we celebrate the holidays!!!
- Monday, January 11th: IN PERSON LEARNING RESUMES
POSTPONED! Middle School Advanced Studies Parent Meeting (Zoom links coming soon)
- Tuesday, January 12th @ 9am: Virtual Magnet Open House (invite any friends who live in Greenwich and are interested in New Lebanon School)
- Tuesday, January 12th @ 7pm: PTA MEETING on Zoom (Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85204839771?pwd=V3AzQXEza2h5TXBmamZCV1BxQTBzQT09) - Wednesday, January 13th @ 6:30pm: Virtual Magnet Open House (invite any friends who live in Greenwich and are interested in New Lebanon School)
- Monday, January 18th: NO SHCOOL, MLK Day
- Thursday, January 21st, 7pm: Board of Education Meeting
- February 8th-12th: NO SCHOOL, February Break
- Monday, February 15th: NO SCHOOL, President's Day
- Tuesday, February 16th: SCHOOL RESUMES
A Peek at our Week at New Lebanon School (before Holiday Break)!
5th Grade Enjoys Their Weekly Reward - Watching Elf!
New Leb Staff Enjoys a Holiday Breakfast
4th Graders Safely Practicing Strings!
5th Grade Boys Learn How to Tie a Tie!
Thank you Mr. Alvarado and Mr. Taylor!
5th Grade Boys Learn How to Tie a Tie!
New Leb's Successful Remote Week!
2nd Grade Starts their Day with Vowel Teams!
5th Grade Kicks off Morning Meeting!
1st Grade Musicians
Resources from Kaitlin Cyr, New Lebanon School Psychologist...
Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers (from The National Association of School Psychologists)
1. Reassure children that they are safe. Emphasize that schools are very safe. Validate their feelings. Explain that all feelings are okay when a tragedy occurs. Let children talk about their feelings, help put them into perspective, and assist them in expressing these feelings appropriately.
2. Make time to talk. Let their questions be your guide as to how much information to provide. Be patient; children and youth do not always talk about their feelings readily. Watch for clues that they may want to talk, such as hovering around while you do the dishes or yard work. Some children prefer writing, playing music, or doing an art project as an outlet. Young children may need concrete activities (such as drawing, looking at picture books, or imaginative play) to help them identify and express their feelings.
3. Keep your explanations developmentally appropriate.
• Early elementary school children need brief, simple information that should be balanced with reassurances that their school and homes are safe and that adults are there to protect them. Give simple examples of school safety like reminding children about exterior doors being locked, child monitoring efforts on the playground, and emergency drills practiced during the school day.
• Upper elementary and early middle school children will be more vocal in asking questions about whether they truly are safe and what is being done at their school. They may need assistance separating reality from fantasy. Discuss efforts of school and community leaders to provide safe schools.
• Upper middle school and high school students will have strong and varying opinions about the causes of violence in schools and society. They will share concrete suggestions about how to make school safer and how to prevent tragedies in society. Emphasize the role that students have in maintaining safe schools by following school safety guidelines (e.g. not providing building access to strangers, reporting strangers on campus, reporting threats to the school safety made by students or community members, etc.), communicating any personal safety concerns to school administrators, and accessing support for emotional needs.
4. Review safety procedures. This should include procedures and safeguards at school and at home. Help children identify at least one adult at school and in the community to whom they go if they feel threatened or at risk.
5. Observe children’s emotional state. Some children may not express their concerns verbally. Changes in behavior, appetite, and sleep patterns can also indicate a child’s level of anxiety or discomfort. In most children, these symptoms will ease with reassurance and 2 time. However, some children may be at risk for more intense reactions. Children who have had a past traumatic experience or personal loss, suffer from depression or other mental illness, or with special needs may be at greater risk for severe reactions than others. Seek the help of mental health professional if you are at all concerned.
6. Limit television viewing of these events. Limit television viewing and be aware if the television is on in common areas. Developmentally inappropriate information can cause anxiety or confusion, particularly in young children. Adults also need to be mindful of the content of conversations that they have with each other in front of children, even teenagers, and limit their exposure to vengeful, hateful, and angry comments that might be misunderstood.
7. Maintain a normal routine. Keeping to a regular schedule can be reassuring and promote physical health. Ensure that children get plenty of sleep, regular meals, and exercise. Encourage them to keep up with their schoolwork and extracurricular activities but don’t push them if they seem overwhelmed. Suggested Points to Emphasize When Talking to Children
• Schools are safe places. School staff works with parents and public safety providers (local police and fire departments, emergency responders, hospitals, etc.) to keep you safe.
• The school building is safe because … (cite specific school procedures).
• We all play a role in the school safety. Be observant and let an adult know if you see or hear something that makes you feel uncomfortable, nervous or frightened.
• There is a difference between reporting, tattling or gossiping. You can provide important information that may prevent harm either directly or anonymously by telling a trusted adult what you know or hear.
• Although there is no absolute guarantee that something bad will never happen, it is important to understand the difference between the possibility of something happening and probability that it will affect you (our school community).
• Senseless violence is hard for everyone to understand. Doing things that you enjoy, sticking to your normal routine, and being with friends and family help make us feel better and keep us from worrying about the event.
• Sometimes people do bad things that hurt others. They may be unable to handle their anger, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or suffering from mental illness. Adults (parents, teachers, police officers, doctors, faith leaders) work very hard to get those people help and keep them from hurting others. It is important for all of us to know how to get help if we feel really upset or angry and to stay away from drugs and alcohol.
• Stay away from guns and other weapons. Tell an adult if you know someone has a gun. Access to guns is one of the leading risk factors for deadly violence.
• Violence is never a solution to personal problems. Students can be part of the positive solution by participating in anti-violence programs at school, learning conflict mediation skills, and seeking help from an adult if they or a peer is struggling with anger, depression, or other emotions they cannot control.
NASP has additional information for parents and educators on school safety, violence prevention, children’s trauma reactions, and crisis response at www.nasponline.org. ©2016, National Association of School Psychologists, 4340 East West Highway #402, Bethesda, MD 20814
PTA MEETING | Tuesday, January 12, 2020 | 7pm - ALL PARENTS & FAMILIES WELCOME!
NEW LEB PTA is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
NEXT WEEK!
New Lebanon PTA MEETING
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85204839771?pwd=V3AzQXEza2h5TXBmamZCV1BxQTBzQT09
Meeting ID: 852 0483 9771
Passcode: 561624
Welcome, Yaneli Avila!
From Ms. Aviles...
"I am excited to join the New Lebanon School PPS Team to help support the staff, students and community in general. This is my 13th year as a Speech-Language Pathologist and my 11th year in the Greenwich Public Schools. Prior to coming to Greenwich, I was part of the PPS team for the Stamford Public Schools for two years. I received both my Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Communication Disorders from Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, New York. Helping students find their voice and teaching them how to communicate is my passion. Hablo español y estoy aquí para servirles."
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT OUR READING & WRITING PROGRAM WE USE IN GREENWICH PUBLIC SCHOOLS?
NEW: One (1) hot item choice will be available for lunch each day...
MONDAY, Jan. 11th - French Toast Sticks, Chicken Breakfast Sausages
TUESDAY, Jan. 12th - Pasta with Meat Sauce
MENUS: COVID19 menu notes:
A grab and go brown bag meal will be offered for breakfast and lunch consisting of the following:
Breakfast: Cereal with Milk or Whole Grain Muffin, Yogurt or Bagel, Cream Cheese, Jelly, Fresh Fruit.
Lunch: Deli Sandwich on Whole Grain Roll, Vegetable Bites, Whole Fruit Piece or Cut Fruits, Snack, and Milk.
Bottled Water available for both meal periods for 75 cents.
Alternate meal available: Gluten Free Vegan Veggie Wrap, Sun Butter and Jelly Sandwich, Cheese Sandwich, Plain Bagel with Cream Cheese/String Cheese, Fresh Fruit, Veggie Bites
MAGNET OPEN HOUSE
New Lebanon accepts students from everywhere in Greenwich AND we provide free transportation via school bus every morning and afternoon. We also serve free breakfast and lunch to all students every day and offer numerous after school programs! Magnet applications must be received online or be postmarked by Friday, February 5th. Placement decisions will come at the end of February.
Send this link to your friends to join us on Tuesday, January 12th at 9am OR Wednesday, January 13th at 6:30pm!