The Tiger Times
February 2018
West Newton Elementary
MISSION
A Note from your Principal
Welcome to February! I am happy to report how well things are going at West Newton! Students and teachers have been working hard on increasing skills and meeting goals, and great progress is being made. The staff of West Newton looks forward to sharing your child’s current progress with you during the month of February. Our students are also busily updating their Student Data Pages for my review over the Presidents’ Day weekend. The staff of West Newton wants our students to be able to share their progress from fall to winter assessments with their families; this is one way we are able to share how we collect information and data about our students to best meet their educational needs. February is a busy month with our 3rd – 6th graders taking the ISTEP+ test starting on Feb. 26 through March 9. I am confident that our teachers have prepared students to do their very best on the test. The ISTEP+ test is one measure of students’ skills and abilities, and the data it provides helps schools better determine both strengths and areas to improve upon. West Newton also loves to celebrate our students’ talents so please join us at our annual West Newton’s Got Talent program on Fri., Feb. 23 from 6-8pm in the gymnasium; snacks will also be on sale that evening. As always, thank you for sharing your child with all of the staff at West Newton and for your continued partnership in your child’s education.
With Tiger Pride,
Susan D. Strube, Principal
SCHOOL-WIDE STRATEGIES
The West Newton staff utilizes school-wide strategies to support students in grades 1-6 with instruction aligned with the Indiana College and Career Ready Standards. The rigor increases as students progress through each grade level, but all staff use the same common strategies to support student learning.
Reading = Yes, Ma’am and marking & coding for text evidence
Math = CUBES problem solving steps and Math Fact Mastery
Writing = 6 Traits of Writing
Science = Indiana Science Initiative and cross-curricular embedding with reading of nonfiction
Social Studies = Cross-curricular embedding with reading of nonfiction
These strategies support our students with critical thinking skills and set high expectations for completion of work.
Art Updates from Mrs. Suchy:
Visiting Clay Artist: Our visiting Clay Artist will soon begin her visits to the West Newton Art room. Please check below to find your child's class date. We invite you to participate in this event with your child. This is a great opportunity to work alongside your child and interact with students and staff that are helping make our clay art days a huge success. WE NEED PARENT HELP FOR THIS EVENT. If you are able to help, please have a current volunteer approved application on file or apply at the link below. Any questions, please email Mrs. Suchy at tkrell-suchy@msddecatur.k12.in.us.
Parent Volunteer Link: http://www.decaturproud.org/families/volunteer
PARENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for the following dates; you don't have to have a student in the class to volunteer:
- March 12 - 1st/Quattrocchi, 2nd/Bright, and 5th/Barrett
- March 14 - 1st/Mould, 2nd/Culver, and 5th/Frankl
- April 5 - 2nd/Liffick and 5th/Wray
- April 6 - 1st/Lewman and 5th/Edwards-McKeiver
- April 9 - 6th/Washer and 4th/Yount
- April 11 - 4th/Green and 3rd/Rini
- April 12 - 6th/Linton, 4th/Cutshaw, and 3rd/Parker
- May 8 - 6th/Fortune, 4th/Ryden, and 3rd/Goodin
- May 11 - 6th/Langley, 4th/Wilson, and 3rd/Keene
- May 15 - 1st/Burkhart, 2nd/Hofmeister, and 5th/Maydwell
Clay Sign up Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc6wHJXF2QcMNlsQzIy3yM3r-GWJGdeZQp6OKN37ai7xTtMWg/viewform
Thank you for supporting the Visual Art program at West Newton.
Recycled Art Projects: All Students are invited to showcase their Recycled Art projects on Friday, February 23 at West Newton's Got Talent. This is an optional, at home, project. Finished projects are due to Mrs. Suchy by Friday, February 16. Informational flyers are available in the office.
A NOTE FROM THE NURSE:
Dear Parents/Guardians:
Due to the recent outbreak of Influenza A and B here in the state of Indiana, we feel it’s important to review our procedures in regards to children who are sick at home and/or school.
If your child is vomiting or has diarrhea before school and it’s not related to any other medical condition, it is often most appropriate to keep him/her home from school. A child who is sick will not be able to perform well in school and is likely to spread the illness to other children and staff. Please make arrangements for childcare ahead of time to avoid spreading contagious illnesses any further.
Our school guidelines state that you should not send your child to school if he/she has:
1. Fever in the past 24 hours of 100 degrees or higher
2. Vomiting/diarrhea in the past 24 hours (not related to other conditions)
3. Strep throat-MUST take antibiotics for at least 24 hours before coming back to school
4. If child has been up most of the night with a bad cough, keep him/her home and its best to see their doctor before returning if symptoms persist.
If your child becomes ill at school and the teacher or nurse feels the child may have a contagious illness, you will be called to come and take him/her home from school. It is essential that your child’s info is updated with a correct phone number where you can be contacted AND an emergency contact in case you cannot be reached. If your daytime or emergency phone numbers change during the year, PLEASE contact the school’s front office immediately with appropriate contact information.
These guidelines are meant to serve the best interests of all the children and staff here at West Newton. As always, THANK YOU for your efforts in keeping our tiger cubs safe and healthy! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call!
Mrs. Paige Ison, RN
School Nurse
317-856-5237
Want to be a bus driver for Decatur Township? Well...
- Call the transportation office at 317-856-8060 - ask for Mark Anderson!
- We will train you to get your CDL class B license!
- Make $19.61 an hour for doing what many parents do for free!
HOMEWORK HIGHLIGHTS
Practice equals mastery ~ students will gain confidence and show success in the classroom. If you need help with ideas and/or strategies, contact your child's teacher.
ISTEP PRACTICE LINK
DMS SLC Open House ~ Wednesday, February 7, 2018
POPCORN FRIDAY ~ February 9, 2018
Sign up to help pop and distribute popcorn: click here
VALENTINE'S DAY PARTY ~ Wednesday, February 14, 2018
West Newton's Got Talent ~ Friday, February 23, 2018
West Newton PTO ~ Events at a Glance
FEBRUARY
Friday 16th / 6:00-8:00 --- Movie Night
Friday 23rd / 6:00-8:00 --- West Newton's Got Talent
MARCH
Tuesday 6th / 6:00 --- PTO Meeting
Friday 9th - Friday 16th --- Book Fair (Lunch with someone you love)
Friday 9th / 5:00 --- Grandparent's Night / Book Fair Grand Opening
Monday 19th - Friday 30th --- SPRING BREAK
Monday, April 2nd --- School Reconvenes
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Submit your application: http://www.decaturproud.org/families/volunteer
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
MSD DECATUR APP
iPhone:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/msd-of-decatur-township/id1262277147
Google Play:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.schoolcourier.decatur&hl=en
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!