New Lebanon School
Weekly Updates
¿Necesita leer nuestro boletín en español?
Hello Bobcat Families!
We had our first fabulous 5-day week at New Lebanon School. Thank you to our in person and remote learning families for continuing to practice safe distancing, mask wearing, and washing our hands also known as the 3 W's: Watch Your Distance, Wear a Mask, and Wash Our Hands. Our students are doing a phenomenal job of adhering to our new school rules and procedures, and we thank you for your ongoing support with this.
While our world does still at times (or maybe all the time for some of us) feel upside down, we are happy to be together and safe in school - whatever form that may take. That being said, between the election noise, wildfires and hurricanes, and continuous push for equity that so many deserve, we can feel defeated. That is why we continue to need one another more than ever. We need to connect with families and friends, talk about the injustice many people in our country still face, and advocate for those in need.
One way we are doing this is by participating in a book talk with other administrators in Greenwich. As we read White Fragility together, we open ourselves up to vulnerable and necessary conversations around race and equity in our community and beyond. While reading a book is not an antiracist practice, it is one step toward understanding more about the history of our country, so we can continue to fight for and advocate for those who are not treated equitably.
If you are interested, you may access the additional resources below. There are two "Reading Rooms" which offer virtual read aloud books to share with your children. Our teachers also have access to these as well as hard copy books written by diverse authors with characters from around the world. In addition, part of our teacher & staff professional development to start the year included resources for teachers to talk to children about the injustices occurring in our world through literature.
Virtual Bookshelf: People Power edition
7 Books About Race to Read to Your Kids
As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions - we are always available!
alexandra_bartholomew@greenwich.k12.ct.us
lindsey_eisenstein@greenwich.k12.ct.us
Love,
Mrs. Michaelson & Mrs. Eisenstein
Mrs. Michaelson and Mrs. Eisenstein wish you a wonderful 3 day weekend!
Important Upcoming Dates
Monday, September 28th: NO SCHOOL (Yom Kippur)
NEW DATE: Wednesday, October 7th 6:00pm-7:30pm: VIRTUAL Open House - Details coming soon!
Friday, October 2nd: Custodian Appreciation Day - Thank You to our custodial staff for keeping us safe and our building clean every day!
Friday, October 9th: Picture Day - see more information in your student's backpack and below!
Monday, October 12th: Columbus Day - SCHOOL IS OPEN, NO BANC OR B&G CLUB!
Welcome back, the books missed you!
Kindergarten has a safe freeze dance party on the bus loop!
We can't mask how excited we are to welcome you back!
1st Grade Writes Outside!
1st Grade Writes Outside!
1st Grade Writes Outside!
Picture Day is Friday, October 9th!
This year's Fire Drills and Lockdown Drills will look very different to minimize the stress and anxiety of our students during what has been a strange and scary time for many.
During Fire Drills, Mrs. Eisenstein or Mrs. Michaelson will announce on the loud speaker that we are having a practice fire drill. No alarm will be sounded. We will have staggered fire drills where we dismiss 1-2 grade levels at a time out different exit points of the building. Once all students are accounted for, they will have a staggered return inside.
During Lock Down Drills, Mrs. Eisenstein or Mrs. Michaelson will announce on the loud speaker that we are having a practice Lock Down Drill. Students will remain in their seats, and teachers will take some time to read and talk about I'm Not Scared, I'm Prepared, a children's book appropriate for all ages (Pre-K - 5th) that teaches children how to prepare if there were to be an unknown or unexpected person nearby. You can watch a video about I'm Not Scared, I'm Prepared here! Our local police officers will be in the building to accompany Mrs. M. and Mrs. E. to each room to ensure locks, shades, and doors are all working correctly.
Additional Resources for Parents to Talk about Race and Racism with Children
How to Talk to Kids about Race and Racism: https://www.parenttoolkit.com/social-and-emotional-development/advice/social-awareness/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-race-and-racism
Understanding Race and Privilege (an article from the National Association of School Psychologists)
Talking Race With Young Children (Podcast - only 7 minutes!)
A Children's book list for Anti-Racist Activism:
Consejos para hablar con tus hijos sobre las protestas y el racismo: https://cnnespanol.cnn.com/2020/06/02/consejos-para-hablar-con-tus-hijos-sobre-las-protestas-y-el-racismo/
¿Cómo hablar con los hijos sobre el racismo y la discriminación?: https://holanews.com/como-hablar-con-los-hijos-sobre-el-racismo-y-la-discriminacion/
Cómo hablar con nuestros hijos sobre el racismo y la importancia de la igualdad: https://mamaslatinas.com/parenting-pregnancy/156621-como-hablar-con-hijos-sobre-racismo-importancia-igualdad
Estrategias y actividades para reducir los prejuicios racistas y el racismo: https://ctb.ku.edu/es/tabla-de-contenidos/cultura/competencia-cultural/reducir-prejuicios-y-racismo/principal
FREE EVENT - A Night Out with Friends: A Conversation with Misty Copeland
A Conversation with Misty Copeland 🩰 Thursday, 10/1 at 7:00 pm The Friends of the Greenwich Library present A Night Out with Friends: A Conversation with Misty Copeland. Join the Friends for this unique opportunity to virtually meet Misty Copeland, author and principal dancer and prima ballerina at American Ballet Theatre, via Zoom to discuss her inspiring life and career, experiences as a trailblazer and social change agent, and upcoming children's book, Bunheads. New York Times bestselling author Copeland's new book Bunheads is the first in a series of picture books inspired by the ballerina's own early experiences in ballet, chronicling the perseverance, hard work, and elation that comes with performing and working together in a ballet troupe. This program is appropriate for all ages. A limited number of signed copies of Bunheads will be available to purchase through through Diane’s Books.