February 2023 NDS Notice

February is a time to remember those who we love and who are special to us. The staff at New Dimensions is committed to making every student feel special, loved and wanted. We teach kindness to all as we grow each of our students. Our staff has answered the call from NDS leadership to continue to advance our over 530 students to do more than simply show up for class. Using our current Core Knowledge and Eureka Math Square programs we are able to grow our students academically. NDS has implemented a Social Emotional Learning curriculum entitled Second Step to help those students who may need additional support with social and behavioral skills. At New Dimensions we want to teach the whole child by putting the child first and doing what is best for him/her.

Open enrollment for the 2023/2024 year began January 2, 2023. We have been busy accepting applications and the number of applications grows each day. Our enrollment period ends on Thursday, March 30 at 5 p.m. Applications are posted on our website and are also available to pick up at the school. If you have friends or family who may be interested in our school and would like to tour, please have them contact Misty Dillingham (mdillingham@ndschool.org) or Lisa Ervin (lervin@ndschool.org).

At the end of the enrollment period, it will be determined if there are more applications than spaces available for each grade. If the number of applicants for a particular grade does not exceed the number of available spaces for that grade level, all students who have applied by the deadline will be accepted. If the number of applicants for a particular grade level exceeds available spaces for that grade level, a lottery system will determine admission eligibility. The lottery will be held on Friday, March 31 at 11:00. Students who are not offered enrollment will be placed on a waitlist. The waitlist will not carry into the next school year.

We would like to welcome some new staff to NDS. Mrs.Deborah McCurry will join us as a teacher assistant in kindergarten. Diana Hitchcock will join our 5th grade team as an ELA teacher and Mrs. Amber Watson will join our middle school team to teach 7th/8th grade ELA. We would also like to welcome Mindy Peters who will be joining us part time as an additional speech/language therapist. I look forward to working with these ladies. They will be a great asset to our school.

I appreciate all the support and words of encouragement from each parent, student and staff over the last month. I will continue to work hard to ensure that all students feel safe, wanted and successful at NDS. My door is always open. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns by phone at 828-437-5753 or by email at lervin@ndschool.org.

Lisa Ervin

Interim Director, New Dimensions

We need to know your intentions for the 2023-2024 school year. We are hopeful that all our current students will remain Warriors next year.

As we continue to strive to be one of the best schools in this area, we also need your input on our Parent Survey. Please complete the Letter of Intent and Parent Survey Form to help us determine how we can work together to help each child be successful and to better structure our classrooms.

Please complete the 2023-2024 Letter of Intent and Parent Survey by March 1. Thank you for allowing NDS to be a part of the educational experience for your student(s).

Grade level Spelling Bees will take place at school in homeroom classes on Wednesday, February 1. The winner from each grade level will move forward to the schoolwide Spelling Bee on Tuesday, February 7 at 8:30 a.m. in the middle school auditorium. An announcement listing the grade level winners will be made on Wednesday afternoon. A Zoom link will be sent out for the schoolwide Spelling Bee for those who wish to attend virtually.

Recently, the Old Colony Players in Valdese, NC, held performances at the Old Rock School for the excellent showing of Disney's Beauty and the Beast Jr. NDS first through eighth grade students attended an exclusive showing for our school. Students were bussed by grade level to the event for the show.

Everyone was excited to watch some of our very own student performers in the production. New Dimensions had six students in the show: Abigail Ferns (8th), Erica Burnette (7th), Lily Burnette (7th), Kate Dillingham (7th), Haley Smith (4th), and Finley Carlson (4th).

One thing is certain, there is brilliant talent in our Warrior family!!

We are having a duty-free lunch day for our staff on Friday, February 17, in honor or Random Acts of Kindness Day. This day will be set aside to allow our teachers and staff to enjoy a meal and duty-free lunch day. Please use the link below to sign up to volunteer your time to cover lunch duty for one or more grade levels. Thank you in advance for your kindness to our staff!

Next, we will have round two of selling fresh Krispy Kreme doughnuts during our morning carline on Wednesday, February 15, from 7:15 - 8:15 a.m. The cost per dozen will be $10. Those interested in purchasing doughnuts that day will use the 3rd lane to pick up doughnuts and to keep cars flowing as usual.

Finally, middle school students are also selling 16oz Pepsi products. The products will be sold by the case with 24 bottles per case. The cost is $22 per case. Orders are due by March 10, and all orders must be picked up after school on Thursday, March 23.

NDS students will enjoy a schoolwide dance on Friday, February 24. Kindergarten - 2nd grade school dance will be held from 12:30-1:30 p.m., and the 3rd - 5th grade dance will be held 1:45-2:45 p.m. No tickets are needed for the elementary dances.

The annual middle school formal will be held in the evening on February 24. We are looking forward to seeing our students all dressed up for the "Winter Wonderland" theme! Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased at school until February 17. They are $8 for all students and guests.

Students may bring a non-NDS student guest to the formal. The student guest must be in 6th-8th grade and in good standing with his/her school. The guest student, his/her parent, and current school administration must fill out the correct portions of the registration form in order for the guest student to be considered. The forms must be turned in no later than February 17.

It's the time of year when NDS joins forces with the American Heart Association. This month, your students will be learning about heart health and raising funds to protect all hearts – especially other kids’! Through fun activities, students will discover ways to take care of his/her heart and brain while practicing kindness, gratitude and learning ways to de-stress. Plus, we have the chance to earn PE equipment for our school! Our event kicks off today and will conclude on March 3. Our goal this year is to raise $4,000!

As part of Read Across America Week, February 27 will begin our weeklong celebration of all things Dr. Seuss, including the Scholastic Book Fair, special dress days, and some guest story readers! You don't want to miss it! Stay tuned for more information as the dates get closer.

Scholastic Book Fair is scheduled for February 27- March 3.

Monday - "The Cat in the Hat" dress in red, black and white or as a cat.
Tuesday - "If I Ran a Zoo" dress like an animal.
Wednesday - "Wacky Wednesday" dress in wacky/tacky clothing.
Thursday - "Oh, The Places You Go" wear a shirt from your favorite place.

Friday - "Fox In Sox" wear your craziest socks

New Dimensions Charter School partners with Big Bear Sports to offer you NDS logo apparel and other products. You can order NDS logo items and NDS athletic logo items at any time using the apparel order. Order forms can also be found on the NDS website - https://www.ndschool.org/parent-student-info and/or picked up at the school.

Ordering Window and delivery dates for turning in forms:

01/02/23 - 03/31/23 with projected deliver on 4/06/23

04/03/23 - 04/28/23 with projected deliver on 5/12/23

Wednesday, February 1: Warrior Wednesday; Grade level spelling bees (online)

Tuesday, February 7: School level spelling bee (MS Auditorium and Zoom)

Wednesday, February 8: Warrior Wednesday; Kindergarten Field Trip

Friday, February 10: BUCM Souper Bowl Food Collection and Dress Down

Saturday, February 11: Fatz Pancake Breakfast Middle School Fundraiser (7-10 a.m.)

Monday, February 13: 1st grade field trip; March lunch ordering window opens (food service 03.06.2022 - 03.31.2022)

Tuesday, February 14: $1 Wear RED dress down day for Kids Heart Challenge (AHA); Staff Meeting

Wednesday, February 15: Krispy Kreme Fundraiser @ Morning Drop-off; 100th Day; Warrior Wednesday

Thursday, February 16: $2 Icee Day; Board meeting (4 p.m.)

Friday, February 17: Duty-Free Lunch for Staff; Random Acts of Kindness Day; Progress Reports

Wednesday, February 22: Warrior Wednesday

Friday, February 24: 2nd grade field trip; K-2 School Dance (12:30-1:30); 3-5 School Dance (1:45-2:45); MS Winter Formal (6-8 p.m.); March lunch ordering window closes (food service 03.06.2022 - 03.31.2022)

Monday. February 27- Friday, March 3: Read Across America Week/Scholastic Book Fair

Monday, February 27: "Cat in Hat Dress Down" (wear red, black, white)

Tuesday, February 28: "If I Ran a Zoo" (dress like an animal)