Wildcat Update
October 2, 2020
First Through Third Graders started on campus this week!
Announcements
Start Dates for Students to Return to Campus
- 10/5 4th-6th Grades
Please have your students bring their chrome books and chargers back to school when they transition back to campus. We will be keeping these in the classrooms when students are back to on campus learning.
Please support our school!
Sign up at frysfood.com/account/communityrewards and secure.escrip.com/signup/index to support New River Elementary.
Acknowledgement Form
When students return on campus they receive an acknowledgment form that needs to be signed and returned. If you have not done so yet please do so as soon as possible.
Arrival Time When Students are on Campus
Students may arrive on campus in the mornings between 8:30 and 8:45 am. Once they arrive they can either go to the cafeteria for a free breakfast or go to their classroom for classroom games and connection. Instruction starts at 8:45 am.
If they are eating breakfast please drop them off at 8:30 so they have time to eat.
Staggered Dismissal When Students are On Campus
All Kinders and first grade students along with their older siblings (yellow group) will be dismissed at 3:20 pm. All 2nd and 3rd grade students along with older siblings (green group) will be dismissed at 3:25 pm and then all remaining students (blue group) will be dismissed at 3:30 pm.
We are asking that all parents please place the colored sign in your front window when coming through the parent pick up line. This will help to speed up the process and allow us to keep our students more effectively distanced for safety purposes. We are also asking for parents to time their pick up arrival time to coincide with the colored group you are assigned to. Example: If a parent who is picking up their kids who is in the 3:30pm (blue) dismissal group and is in line with the 3:20 pm (yellow) dismissal group, they may be asked to drive around and join at the back of the line so as not to hold up the dismissal process.
You may also choose to park your car and wait for your children at the crosswalk. Make sure you are following the staggered times.
We are hoping these changes will allow for us to dismiss big families in a more streamlined manner. We appreciate your help in making this process successful. Bus students will be dismissed following the same process.
Face Coverings
The students that have been on campus have been doing an amazing job wearing their face masks appropriately. Thank you for your support at home!
It is important that their masks are laundered frequently to avoid any infections. You may want to have 5 masks so you can have them wear one each day of the week and throw them in the washing machine on the weekends. Let the office know if you need additional masks.
See DVUSD update to parents with Face Mask Guidance for families at this link: https://www.dvusd.org/Page/75080
Food and Nutrition
Breakfast and lunch will continue to be free for students when they come on campus until Dec. 31. Curbside services moved to Thursday only and will include breakfast and lunch for 5 days.
Click here to access the virtual breakfast and lunch menu.
Calendar
There is no school on October 12 and 13, October 16 is a full day of school. Parent teacher conferences are October 22 and 23. More information will come about Parent Teacher Conferences.
School Spirit T-Shirt Order
Orders are still being taken online at spiritandpride.com or call 1 (800) 854-4452. See the attached flyer. The orders will close September 30.
First Day Packet Paperwork
The following documents from the first day packets need to be turned in ASAP: pink sheets needs to be edited and signed, blue directory internet permission forms and the green students rights and responsibilities forms need to be signed.
Please turn them into the front office, fax (623-376-3580) or you can scan them and email to lisa.willingham@dvusd.org.
Shot Records
Nurse Holley needs shot records. They can be turned in by person, fax or scan and email them to holley.nelson@dvusd.org.
Wildcats PTSA
If you want to become a member, annual membership fees are $7 per individual member. Cash, check and PayPal payments are accepted. Make checks payable to New River PTSA or submit through PayPal to Nreptsa@gmail.com. There are also membership forms in the office for you to come in person to join.
Watch this video to learn about New River's plan to return to school safely.
Next week's motto is:
I don't brag because I am happy with myself.
Bragging can be damaging to both the student doing the bragging and the student hearing the bragging. The student hearing the bragging may internalize it and feel insecure about their own abilities. While the student doing the bragging is unsuccessfully seeking approval, and more likely collecting disdain from other students, rather than admiration. Bragging can take several forms:
- The Humble-Brag The goal of the humble-brag is to avoid sounding like you are bragging by including a put-down. Here's an example, "I can't believe I just got into Harvard. Their acceptance department must be slacking." While there is an attempt at humility, the brag is obvious. Help your child understand that people are more apt to share in the excitement when the statement is a genuine declaration of joy, "I just found out I got accepted to Harvard! I am excited and overwhelmed!"
- Fishing for a Compliment Fishing for a compliment is when students put themselves down, to motivate others to compliment them. Here's an example, "I played terribly tonight. I can't believe I missed that easy flyball." Response: "I think your grand slam made up for that error." Fishing for a compliment may earn some compliments, but the person giving the praise feels coerced, and the exchange is often forced and artificial.
When discussing bragging with your kids, ask them, "Why do people brag?" Once they understand that the person is seeking approval, it is easier to be unaffected by their bragging and even develop empathy for the bragger. A good follow-up question is, "Do you think bragging works?" and "What would be more effective?" If the goal is to connect with other people and make friends, there are far more effective tools, such as having a genuine interest in the other person and sharing sincere compliments, rather than bragging.
"Be genuinely interested in everyone you meet, and everyone you meet will be genuinely interested in you."
-Rasheed Ogunlaru, Executive Coach and Author of A Zest for Business
For younger kids, here are some picture books that discuss this topic:
- Well, I Can Top That!, by Julia Cook
- I'm the Best, by Lucy Cousins.
- The Biggest Brag By The Berenstain Bears, Mike Berenstain
Here is the ATEQ Student Newsletter for this week!
Wishing you well,
Danna Evans
All Things E.Q. - The Discovery of You!
New River School
Email: tina.craig@dvusd.org
Website: https://www.dvusd.org/newriver
Location: 48827 North Black Canyon Highway, Phoenix, AZ, USA
Phone: 6233763500
Facebook: facebook.com/NewRiverElementarySchool
Twitter: @NewRIverWildcat