The Tiger Times
October 2017
West Newton Elementary
MISSION
A Note from your Principal
Dear West Newton Families,
September was a busy month at West Newton and truly seemed to fly by! Our students are certainly busy learning and growing each day and since time is flying by then we must be having a great time learning! Our students have completed their first grading quarter and are eager to share their accomplishments at our Oct. 4 Conference Day. School is not in session on Oct. 4, but the school will be open all day as teachers meet with parents, guardians, and students regarding their grades, data, and setting goals. It is also Book Fair time at West Newton which is always a favorite time for our students, teachers, and families. Thank you to our PTO for always dazzling us with wonderful books and volunteering their time to help students shop for something new to read. I’d like to invite parents and guardians to our next PTO meeting held on Tues., Oct. 10 in the West Newton media center from 6-7pm. October also means a well-deserved respite for our students with Fall Break from Oct. 16-20; school reconvenes on Oct. 23. Thank you for sharing your students with us as West Newton is always focused on student learning, safety, and customer service.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Strube
MEET OUR FIRST GRADE TEAM
Hurricane Harvey Donations
Cold and Flu Reminders!
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Cold and flu season is upon us! My main goal this season is to keep our West Newton students and staff as healthy as possible. I will need everyone’s help in order to accomplish this goal! The following are some reminders about illness and your children:
1) Students that have a fever above or equal to 100.0 degrees MUST STAY HOME!
2) Students cannot return to school until they have been fever free for 24 hours WITHOUT the use of medication. The Center for Disease Control recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care.
3) Students will only be sent home sick if they have a fever above or equal to 100.0, vomiting twice or more in 30 minutes, and/or are experiencing frequent diarrhea. If a student has a low grade temperature in the morning or has vomited/had diarrhea they are most likely contagious. PLEASE KEEP THEM HOME!
4) Seek emergency medical attention if your child shows any of these symptoms:
-Fast or troubled breathing
-Bluish skin color
-Not drinking any fluids
-Not waking up or not interacting
-Flu-like symptoms resolve but then return with high fever and/or worsening cough
-Fever with a rash
5) Washing your hands is the BEST way to prevent the spread of cold and flu!!
6) Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze (try coughing into your sleeve instead of your hand-ALWAYS wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer!
7) Please notify the school if your student has been diagnosed with influenza A and please make sure to share any doctor’s notes or medical documentation related to the illness with the school nurse.
Thank you for your help in keeping our Tiger cubs healthy and ready to learn!! J
Paige Ison, RN
West Newton School Nurse
Reading Success
The seeds for success in the classroom are sown at home. Encouraging children to read at home is one of the most powerful ways that parents can support students’ learning. Just 15 minutes of reading at home per day can make a difference in students’ reading fluency. Prioritize reading with these tips:
- Always have books on hand;
- Focus on their interests;
- Read out loud together;
- Make it a routine;
- Be a patient listener;
- Cut the distractions;
- Ask questions.
IPAD TIPS
5 Top TIps for Parents from Apptitude2Learn
#2 Accountability~It is important to know what your child is doing on the device. To view all previously opened apps, double click home (or four finger swipe up on screen).
#3 Notifications~Swipe up the control center from the bottom of the screen and tap on the crescent moon icon to turn on “Do not Disturb.” This will block any notifications from popping up while your child is working in an app. You can customize notifications by tapping on Settings – Notification Center.
#4 Guided Access~If your child has trouble staying focused on their work within a specific app, Guided Access enables you to set up the iOS device so that you cannot leave apps, and you are able to control which features of the app you are allowed to use or not use.
#5 Restrictions~If certain apps, such as iMessage or FaceTime, have become a distraction, you can set up restrictions on your child’s iPad. You can access this feature in Settings – General – Restrictions.
CANVAS Parent Instructions
POPCORN FRIDAY ~ October 13, 2017
School Smiles ~ October 3, 2017
Applications will be sent home with students prior to October 3.
Online Application:Fall Break ~ No School
Picture Retakes ~ October 27, 2017
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Go to www.decaturproud.org
Click on the tab 'Families', then 'Volunteer' to submit an electronic form.
Don't have a computer, not a problem. Volunteer forms are available in the school office.
For more information contact:
Bev O'Toole 317-241-0183 or botoole@msddecatur.k12.in.us
West Newton PTO ~ Events at a Glance
Tuesday, 3rd @ 6pm --- PTO Meeting
Wednesday, 4th --- Student Led Conferences / Last Day of Book Fair
Monday, 16th - Friday, 20th --- Fall Break
Friday, 27th / 6:00-8:00 --- Movie Night
NOVEMBER
Tuesday, 7th @ 6pm ---PTO Meeting
Thursday, 9th / 6:00-8:00 --- Skating Party
Monday, 20th - Friday 24th --- Thanksgiving Break
DECATUR PROUD LICENSE PLATES
BOX TOPS for EDUCATION
Clipping Box Tops for Education is an easy way to help earn cash for our school. Each one is worth 10¢ for our school! Just look for the pink Box Tops on hundreds of products. All you have to do is clip them and send them to school. Your child can earn personal rewards and rewards for their class or grade level when they bring in Box Tops! For more information on Box Tops, including a list of participating products, go to BTFE.com. Be sure to sign up as a member (it’s free!) so you can check out our school’s earnings details and get access to coupons and bonus offers. You can also download the Box Tops Bonus App to earn even more money for our school.
Thank you for your support!