Friday Flash
February 16th, 2024
Principal's Message
There was a lot to love about this week! Sledding, skiing, heart shaped pizzas, archery and bouncing houses and being with our friends. I know it looks all we did was play this week but there was lots of learning that happened too. Primary grade students continued work with phonemic awareness and number sense. Students in the fourth grade participated in the NAEP testing on Thursday in the areas of reading and math. We will not see the results of this test, but they will be used to create a national report card. Ms. Ross's fifth grade students are headed west in covered wagons as part of their westward expansion unit and sixth graders continue their work with Trout in the Classroom. Who says learning can't be fun?
Speak of something not so fun, as expected school budgets might face some challenges this year. OUUSD Administrators made initial presentations to the school board on Wednesday night. If you'd like to know more about the NES portion of the budget please consider attending the Community Coffee on Wednesday from 9:00-10:00 at the school or looking at the presentation I shared at the board meeting which can be found below.
~Loretta
Reminder our Community Coffee is on February 21st at 9:00am.
Pictures from Around the School
Positivity Project: Humility
“Humility is the wisdom of accepting the truth that you just might be wrong.“
-RICHARD PAUL EVANS
Dear Families,
This week our school community will be focusing on the character strength of Humility. Humility means you do not seek the spotlight. You let your actions speak for themselves.
Humble people have an accurate (not underestimated) sense of their abilities and achievements. They hold the capacity to acknowledge their mistakes and limitations, and are open to advice and new ideas. They do not show off their possessions or accomplishments.
Developing humility is associated with positive developmental outcomes in individuals. It allows a person to honestly reflect on their abilities and acknowledge how and where they can improve. Humility opens them up to new ideas, advice, and (consequently) abilities that pride, arrogance, or pretentiousness often block. Therefore, humility makes them desired members of a team.
To practice and encourage the character strength of humility with your child, please visit the Positivity Project’s P2 for Families (password: P2) where together you will watch a video, read a quote and talk about the answers to three questions.
Have a wonderful week!
How is integrity related to humility?
Updates from Mr. O'Hearn
During weekly Guidance/Health classes in the Library students at all grade levels continue to learn more about the 24 Character Strengths which anchor our school-wide Positivity Project. We start most classes with a “Mindful Moment”, practicing our mindful breathing, focusing, relaxation and self regulation skills for 4-5 minutes. Short videos, texts and class discussions give students the opportunity to learn more about the Character Strengths and practice them in their lives. Recent focal skills have included Perseverance, where students reviewed Positive Self-Talk and the Power of “Yet”. For Social Intelligence students explored the meaning of empathy through scenarios and class discussions. We also completed blank-face coloring sheets, adding facial expressions for different emotions. Other Person Mindset: Cheering Others’ Success gave each class a chance to cheer each other on and celebrate some accomplishments students have identified. This past week students completed Friendship Cards and a Heart Activity where we highlighted some of the loves of our life and detailed them in a drawing. Typically, the second week in February celebrates Love in the Positivity Project. Next week’s PowerSkill will be Humility.
Staff Spotlight: Connie Smith
Paraeducator
Connie Smith grew up in St.Johnsbury, Vermont. She attended the St. Johnsbury Academy and later graduated from Blue Mountain Union in Wells River. This is what Connie shared when asked what she liked best about her job here at Newbury, "Building relationships with the kids, and helping them to realize they can do anything they set their minds to. When you see their eyes light up after they've been working on something they struggle with, and that Ah Ha moment happens. It's such an amazing feeling. Also when you have former students come up to you years later and remember how you helped them and get the biggest hugs from them. It's such a rewarding position." When Connie is not at school she enjoys camping with her husband and dogs. She all loves a good truck pull at the fair or some live music, which she thinks is the best. Connie wants her students to know that, they all are exceptional in their own ways. "Always remember you can do it! Keep your head up always. I will always be in your corner cheering you on".
Winter Activities!
Introducing Ashley Grote
My name is Ashley Grote, and I am the school psychologist intern at OUUSD this year, one of my goals is to find ways to enhance student's learning experiences both within the school environment and at home. Recognizing the vital role of parental involvement in a child's education, I am eager to compile valuable resources and strategies to support learning beyond the classroom. I encourage you to explore the resource below, which contains helpful information on supporting learning at home and resources for parents. Your participation in completing the Google Form survey (linked below) after exploring the resources will contribute to the development of tailored resources and initiatives aimed at empowering students and their families. Together, we can create a collaborative and enriching educational journey for our students. Thank you for your valuable input and support.
Student Council Sponsors Spirit Week Feb.19th-23rd
Monday, February 19th: PJ Day
Tuesday, February 20th: Switch it Up Day - Teachers Dress as Students and Students Dress as Teachers
Wednesday, February 21st: Wacky Wednesday - wacky hair, mismatched socks,
or an entire mismatched outfit
Thursday, February 22nd: Throwback Thursday - pick a decade and dress the way
they did in that decade
Friday, February 23rd: Newbury Colors Day
Important Dates
February 21st: Community Coffee (Topic FY 25 Budget)
February 26th: Winter Break Begins
March 6th: School Resumes
March 11th: VCAP Testing Opens
March 15th: Second Trimester Ends
March 22nd: Report Cards Go Home
Principal Loretta Cruz
Email: loretta.cruz@oesu.org
Website: https://www.nesvt.org/
Location: 214 Pulaski Street, Newbury, VT, USA
Phone: 802-866-5621
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newburyelementaryVT