Bulldog Bulletin
January 26, 2018
MOVIE NIGHT INFO
Parents,
If you sent in money and permission forms for your student to attend Movie Night tonight and did not receive a ticket, please know that your child is registered to attend the Movie Night. We have record of all students who turned in their money and form and they will be admitted at the door. We apologize for any confusion and look forward to seeing our Bulldogs at Movie Night tonight at 6:30!
NBE PTO
Dear Bulldog Families,
It has certainly been an eventful start to 2018, both with our Indiana weather and with New Britton learning and growing! We want to thank you for your flexibility as the inclement weather conditions have impacted our school day. Safety is our top priority when making the decision to delay or cancel school, and we realize that delays and cancellations may cause hardships.
The ever-changing weather has given us many authentic opportunities to incorporate science and math. Yesterday, I briefly shared some information and wonderings on the announcements regarding the anniversary of the blizzard of 1978. Several students stopped by throughout the day to share how many years ago this event occurred and some research they did. Student scientists explored and investigated snow through reading, writing, science, and math.
In our September Bulldog Bulletin, I shared that New Britton would be undergoing renovation during the upcoming school year. An architectural team from Fanning Howey met with our teacher group, HSE Facilities personnel, and Central Office Administration in a redesign process that has been collaborative and energizing. We had five meetings first semester, starting in August, to dream and then turn those dreams into plans to support our 21st Century learners. Our goal was to redesign our current physical space (without changing the existing exterior footprint of our building) to better support collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, and communication. The New Britton renovation plans were submitted to and approved by the school board this past Wednesday, January 24. Here are some highlights of our plan, but I will be sharing more specifics with each newsletter during second semester.
- Grade-level Neighborhoods – we will be transforming classrooms into learning studios within grade-level neighborhoods. The neighborhood concept is one that extends the idea of collaboration inside a single classroom to interacting with students in other classrooms in a shared space (Collaboration Space or Huddle).
- Classroom Updates – all learning studios will receive the following updates:
- Marker boards (all chalkboards will be removed), updated laminate and hardware on cabinets, new countertops, and new furniture
- Building-wide updates – the HVAC system will be replaced, walls will be painted, fluorescent lighting will be replaced with energy efficient LED lighting. The parking lot will be modified to increase safety and efficiency.
- The Center X and Media Center will be transformed to create more flexible and collaborative areas.
Since the scope of this work will impact all interior areas of the building, the renovation will be done in 5 phases, from June 4th, 2018 through July of 2019. Work will begin on June 4th and continue during the school year. We will have six temporary classrooms in the gym in order to stay within the established timeframe. Mr. Gorrill and I are currently collaborating with the administration at Cumberland Road Elementary (since they are currently in the process of renovation) to address proactive steps we can take to help prepare our staff, families, and community for our upcoming work. New Britton staff visited CRE on January 3 to view finished areas, temporary classroom spaces, and current construction.
We will continue to meet with our teachers and Fanning Howey team to further determine the specifics of our renovation and timeline, but there are some important dates:
- · January 24, 2018 – Board approval to release documents
- · February 8, 2018 – Pre-Bid meeting
- · February 21, 2018 – Receipt of bids
- · March 14, 2018 – Recommendation of award of contracts
- · June 4, 2018 – Start of construction
- · July 29, 2019 – Construction complete
Fanning Howey in conjunction with V/S America, Inc. has outfitted New Britton with 2 classes of pilot furniture to help us get an idea of how furniture can further enhance the learning environment. Furniture was delivered to Mrs. Brandt (1st grade) and Mrs. Gundersen (4th grade) on Monday. Their students will be collecting data regarding strengths and challenges of this particular line of furniture. Students have already been involved in mathematical, reading, and writing work related to this pilot opportunity.
Mrs. Bleemel’s 3rd grade class has also piloted 2 different cubby options to give us some important feedback. This real-world (redesign) process has enabled both students and adults to take part in making decisions that will positively impact learning. We plan to schedule time at upcoming PTO meetings not only to share more specifics but to take parents on a virtual walk-through of our design
As always, thank you for partnering with us in education. Have a great weekend!
Mrs. Mankin
Students collecting data regarding pilotclassroom furniture
Student Scientists investigating snow
Students reviewing and assessing pilot furniture
After School Enrichment classes
Valentine's Sale
Cupid sent us an email announcing Student Council's annual Valentine's Sale! Valentines will be sold Monday, February 5th - Friday, February 9th in the cafeteria during student's lunchtimes. The Valentines will cost $.50 with all proceeds going to Riley Children's Hospital. Please help us support this worthwhile project.
February Dates to Remember
Friday 1/26
6:30-8:30 PTO Movie Night
Monday 1/29
7:00 p.m. PTO meeting
Tuesday 2/6
First grade outreach program
Wednesday 2/7
First grade outreach program
National Counselor's Day
Science Fair project set up 6-7pm
Thursday 2/8
NBE Science Fair - Judging during school hours
2:00-3:00 - Participants gather in gym to present projects as classes tour
6:00 - Doors open for project viewing & discussion
6:30-7:00 - Awards Ceremony - All participants will be recognized for their hard work and great thinking!
5:30-7:00 HSE Preschool Open House (see info below)
Friday 2/9
3rd grade Field Trip to Children's Museum
Thursday 2/15
Moore & Buening service trip to Northridge Retirement Home
Friday 2/16
4th grade Field Trip to Indiana State Museum
PTO Movie Night
Monday 2/19
NO SCHOOL President's Day
Tuesday 2/20
SCHOOL WILL BE IN SESSION
Thursday 2/22
Math Bowl Competition Good luck Mathletes!
Monday 2/26
7:00 p.m. PTO meeting
Tuesday 2/27
7:00 p.m. 2nd grade Music Program (Mayer, Linton, Shoemaker)
Wednesday 2/28
7:00 p.m. 2nd grade Music Program (Miller, Hughes, Worrall)
From the Cafeteria
Application for Free and Reduced Price School Meals
Cafeteria Birthday Day Information
E-Funds Online School Payments
Due to the capacity of our cafeteria, the number of parent lunch guests is limited to 2 per grade level. Please call the office at 594-4130 to reserve your seat. Spots are available first come first serve and may be reserved up to a week before the date.
When sending lunch money in with your student, please remember to include the Student ID number on all checks and envelopes.
From the Music Teacher
From the Art Teacher
PTO Executive Board
Co-President: Leslie Zeisig
Co-President: Lisa Cheney
Vice President: Sarah Fleming
Secretary: Gretchen Gonso
Treasurer: Amy Mason
Email the NBE PTO at mailto:NewBrittonPTO@gmail.com
Click HERE for PTO contact Information, important dates and volunteer opportunities.
Mark your calendars for upcoming 7:00 p.m. PTO meetings:
January 29th
February 26th
March 26th
May 14th
Check out the HSE Community Bulletin Board!
Hamilton Southeastern Schools has now consolidated all the great activities offered in Fishers into one easy to access location - the CBB! Check out the CBB for library programs, S.P.O.R.T.S. news and other programs you would normally see in our Bulldog Bulletin. Use this link to check it out now!
*If you would like to have your event advertised to this link, please complete the submission form on the CBB.
*Permitted use of school newsletters as required by the Equal Access Act is not an endorsement of this group or this group’s beliefs by Hamilton Southeastern Schools or the Board of School Trustees.
- Click HERE to learn more about HSE Preschool.
- HSE Preschool Open House 2/8/18
- 5 Signs of Emotional Suffering from ChangeDirection.org
- Child Find Information
- Kindergarten Open House
Contact Us
8660 E 131st St, Fishers, IN 46038
Fax: 594-4139
New Britton website: http://www.hse.k12.in.us/NBE/home.aspx
HSE website: http://www.hse.k12.in.us/ADM/home.aspx
Twitter: @NBEbulldogs