Weekly Updates
New Lebanon School
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We Did It - Week 11 of Distance Learning Complete!
Hello Bobcat Families!
With two weeks of Distance Learning left, the end of the year seems to have flown by! We are so proud of all of the learning our students and families have accomplished over the last 11 weeks. There are so many culminating projects taking place: our Virtual 5th Grade IB Exhibition, publishing of writing in 3rd and 4th grade, Kindergarten Virtual Graduation, and our Annual 5th Grade Celebration, to name just a few! None of this would be possible without our dedicated staff working alongside families each day. We have seen a true partnership deepen between school and home, and we are so grateful for this - thank you for making it possible.
While we know summer will look different, GPS has launched a Seamless Summer Learning website for all to utilize, which you can read more about and access below.
Summer Learning Websites
Many families have been asking if we are able to leave some of our K-8 software platforms open through the summer. We are very excited to off our Seamless Summer Learning website. If you scroll to the bottom, families can see which platforms will be left open through August 7th to support those who want to continue with a learning schedule. All students are encouraged to join the GPS Summer Reading Challenge! Whether your child has a school-issued device or is accessing the resources from any web-enabled device, all students will be able to participate in the programming available for summer learning.
Enjoy the beautiful weekend, and we will "see" you on Monday!
Be Safe, Be Well, & We Love You,
Ms. B & Mrs. Monaco
Important Upcoming Dates!
FLEX Fridays: The last two Fridays of the year are "Flex" Fridays for students to catch up on any missing work for their teacher or working on specials (FLES, Music, Art, PE). If you have completed all assignments, there are extension activities posted in the daily lesson plans (original documents with lessons from the beginning of distance learning). You can also check out the extension activities here: https://www.greenwichschools.org/teaching-learning/academics/seamless-summer-learning.
June 2nd, 3rd, and 4th (9:30am-12:30pm): Parent/Family Pick-Up of Student Items from New Leb Bus Loop
June 12th: Last Day of School (PreK-5th)
June 12th: 5th Grade Graduation @ New Leb Parking Lot, 1:00pm
PTA - we need you!
Family/Student Pick Up June 2nd, 3rd, and 4th
Please also plan to bring any library books you have at home to school to drop off - there will be boxes available to drop them in. There will not be any charges for library books!
K, 1st, and 2nd families: Please bring back all classroom book bags that were sent home in March or before. There will be boxes marked for each grade level’s books - please place them into the box with your child’s grade level.
Instruments - 5th Grade Only: Please bring your instrument to New Leb on Tuesday, June 2nd at 12:30pm to hand deliver it to Mrs. Dryer.
Instruments - 3rd and 4th Grade: Please keep your instruments in a safe place this summer. You will bring them back to school in the fall. More information will come from your teacher about how to continuing practicing over the summer!
*If you are leaving Greenwich for any reason (moving to another place), please bring your instrument to school on Tuesday, June 2nd at 12:30 to meet Mrs. Dryer.
iPads: Students will keep their iPads over the summer - please take good care of them! 5th Graders - please bring your iPad with you to Western Middle School - you will trade it in for your Chromebook!
Calling all 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade artists and musicians!
Help name the pair of osprey at Greenwich Point!
The Friends have launched a naming contest for these birds. Submit your ideas to info@friendsofgreenwichpoint.org by Friday, June 5. The winner of the chosen names will receive the Friends 2020 hand-painted tree ornament, once it is available in the fall.
Binney Park foreman Jonathan Fasone was retained to build the osprey nest platform for Friends of Greenwich Point last winter. Staff from the Town’s Parks Department, the Marine Division and Greenwich Point caretaker Larry Imbrogno, aided in erecting the platform on the west side of Greenwich Point at the edge of a wooded area just above the high tide in April.
For more information, you can visit: www.friendsofgreenwichpoint.org
bruce museum jr art competition
Call for Entries!
The Bruce Museum is excited to announce a new art competition that will highlight the talents and concerns of the coming generation of young artists.
The Bruce Museum Junior Art Competition 2020: Seeing and Feeling During the Pandemic has been developed for children in grades Kindergarten through grade 8. Using the prompt, “What do you see and feel during this time of pandemic?” the art competition asks kids to use their creativity to share their unique experiences during this unprecedented health crisis.
Deadline for entries is June 15, 2020. Winners will be announced on June 19, and their artwork will be exhibited virtually on a dedicated website.
Free Virtual Tutoring from college students - Click on the text below to learn more!
Browse the Greenwich Library from home - adults and kids!
Since the Library is currently closed, they will be happy to suggest eBook and audiobook formats that you can download through the Digital Library.
Article of the Week
It's Not Children's Education We Should Be Worried About, It's Their Mental Health
Nick Morrison, of Forbes Magazine, discusses the impact of school closures and distance learning on the mental health of students.
Mental Health Moment #28
Social Media Cleanup Submitted by Laura McClinton, ESS Clinical Coordinator
Spring is finally here, and with it comes the opportunity for spring cleaning. While most people will focus on cleaning their homes, yards, etc… another good idea is to take a few moments to clean up your social media accounts. Make a conscious effort to follow more sites that bring you positivity while unfollowing people and sites that create more anxiety within you.
Mental Health Moment #29
Someday Soon Jars Submitted by Kelly Deegan, ESS Clinical Coordinator
Just because we are currently limited in what we can do, and where we can go, does not mean that things will be this way forever. Try creating a “Someday Soon Jar”. Create a list of things that you would like to do, places you would like to go, things you would like to learn, etc. You and your family can add to your list of things that you will do when the social distancing is over. Write each one on a piece of paper and put it into the jar. As social restrictions are lifted, go back to the papers and read what you have listed… you may be surprised and be able to complete some of them. Turn your frustration into anticipation!
Mental Health Moment #30
Coping Skills Box Submitted by Vanessa Boykewich, ESS Clinician
A Coping Skills Box is a box filled with objects that can help you to regulate your mood, increase focus, and / or self-soothe as needed. You can create your own Coping Skills Box by using markers to decorate a cardboard or shoe box you may have laying around. You can write a list of your favorite coping skills on the outside, and fill the inside with things like Play-Doh, therapeutic putty, small puzzles, fidget spinners, cards that prompt stretching / yoga poses, art supplies, and so much more!
During times of distress, it can be particularly difficult to think rationally and decide how to best help ourselves. Keeping a toolkit like this in a prominent and handy place is a great reminder to utilize healthy skills when you or anyone else in your family is feeling overwhelmingly distressed.
IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF HELP/SUPPORT WHILE WE ARE OUT OF SCHOOL
Our School Social Worker School Psychologist will be available during school hours (8:00am-3:00pm) via email if you need any support.
Kaitlin Cyr: kaitlin_cyr@greenwich.k12.ct.us
Sandra Saavedra: Sandra_Corrente@greenwich.k12.ct.us
In case of an emergency, please call 911 or 211 (Emergency Mobile Psychiatric Services or EMPS).
Dial 2-1-1 or 1-800-203-1234 if you or someone you care about is experiencing a crisis or are concerned about someone who might be.
Kids in Crisis - 24 Hour Hotline - (203) 661-1911
Need help? Not sure? Any time of the day or night, there is always a live counselor on the end of the phone. These trained Crisis Counselors are available to provide immediate help and assess services needed to address and work through any situation.