News from New Haven
Posts from the Principal / May 2022
MAY!
14 student days left of this school year. I feel like we have had 10 years of events packed into this one year. We started this school year off with mandates and protocols and many unknowns, but I am so very grateful that we are ending the school year in a somewhat "traditional" way.
Recently, we have reflected on some school practices as we begin setting up the framework for next school year. We have so many traditions at New Haven that we haven't really been able to do in the last 2 years and I am happy to have them back. However, there are some things we did during "Covid" that we will more than likely keep in place moving forward. Our lunch routine is definitely one of them. Our tables seat 8 students but we have had them sitting 4 to a table to provide space and room for them, and honestly it has been wonderful for everyone. Monitoring student needs has been so much easier, and we have seen a major decrease in the shenanigans. Lunch time has become a great social time for our kids and we know they desperately need that time with peers.
This month's newsletter is FULL of information and opportunities for students over the summer, as well as, some final data to share as we finish this school year.
KSA (Kentucky Summative Assessment)
Our 3rd, 4th, & 5th grade students will begin the KSA beginning May 2nd (Monday) and work through Friday, May 6th.
We will not be allowing volunteers in the school during this time as we will be operating on a different schedule for all students, and we need to provide a quiet controlled environment for our kids.
On Monday, all of our students will take their survey, and begin to get the feel of the testing environment. Tuesday through Friday students will begin their content assessments.
3rd- Reading and Math & this year our 3rd graders will take the Gifted and Talented identification test at the end of the week.
4th grade- Reading, Math, and Science
5th grade- Reading, Math, Social Studies, Language Mechanics, and On-Demand Writing.
PLEASE make sure that your student is at school on time. If they are tardy they cannot join their class during the assessment because we can't interrupt once it has begun.
Any students who are absent will have to make up all sections that they missed on the day they return. It is FAR better for the students to test with their teacher and classmates in the environment they are used to. If you can avoid taking them out it is best for your child.
Summary of Data
I am very proud of all of our students this year. We have seen a tremendous about of individual growth as well as overall grade level mastery of standards; especially rebounding from virtual instruction.
There are many pieces of data that we analyze over the course of the year to determine mastery of standards, growth in skills, and overall developmental progress. I have attached a brief summary of two instruments we use within the district level to monitor growth and achievement. We also use these tools to determine the likelihood of achievement on state assessments.
Regardless of what has been going on in the world I can always count on our staff to be solid for our students. It's no secret that the education profession is under fire and more and more teachers are leaving the profession. Nothing saddens me more than that, but I am so very grateful to lead an extraordinary staff. I am biased, admittedly, but New Haven is not like other schools. We are not perfect, but we are a building of professionals that love our job, love our students, and push ourselves to grow as much as our students. You won't find that every where. They spend many hours preparing and organizing just what each student needs. They nurture, teach, and comfort 24+ kids a day. Their investment doesn't stop when school is over either, they continually check in with students through their school careers. WE by far have the BEST staff in the area!
Would you join me in recognizing our staff this week? A note or email of appreciation goes a LONG way! :) Thank you parents, for also being your child's first teacher and supporting the work that we do all year long to prepare our children for their next adventures!
5th grade promotion news
Last Thursday a letter was sent to all 5th grade parents through Infinite Campus regarding 5th grade promotion that is being held on Monday, May 16th. Students need to arrive by 5:40 and go to homerooms. Families can go to the gym and be seated. Promotion will begin at 6:00 pm and last about 45 minutes to an hour. Please limit the number of guests to the promotion in order to provide proper seating and space for everyone to enjoy the event.
The 5th grade "WALK"
Parents, I will send out information regarding our 5th graders final walk on May 20th in a separate email.
Bison need help too !
For many years now, we have worked collaboratively with Big Bone State Park for many events for our students. We've also been out to see all of the Bison and have had speakers come in to educate our students on the rich history just down the road from us!
After working with the State Park this year, we found out that the Bison are in need of help! So, some of our students suggested that we adopt them! Unfortunately, we can't adopt them all, but it did get everyone thinking- We COULD help!
We are taking our student's idea and running with it! Please take a look at the information below and if you can help out that would be great! We would love to reach out goal of adopting to care for 1 bison this year!
NH FRC
April has been a very busy month for our FRC! Attached below is our APRIL newsletter that shares all of the great community outreach and in school support that our FRC has been involved in. I am very grateful and proud of the work that we continue to do.
We have had a few families reach out about supporting our FRC in different ways. We have families that want to help out, but can't necessarily participate during the school day in ways. They are looking to support kids and family needs through donations. Ms. Aker has created an Amazon wish list (linked below) for any families or individuals that would like to support the initiatives that New Haven is involved in. I wanted to share the link with the community as well so that you are able to see what our needs are from time to time.
For example, Ms. Aker and I are teaming up to start a Birthday Book Cart next year. Each month we will celebrate students whose birthdays fall in that month, allow them to pick a book of their choice, have a treat with others, and hear a story from Ms. Aker about the origin of "birthdays" (its a birthday picture book). While students do that, I will be writing each student a birthday wish in their new book. You will find some of the books that students have indicated would be books they like on the Amazon wish list. This is just a small example of the work and initiatives that we are doing for our children. If you feel compelled to support us in this way, we thank you! If you have some time that you feel you would like to donate to our FRC please reach out to Ms. Aker!
FRC Website for information and assistance: Click here
If you have any questions you can reach her at kelsee.aker@boone.kyschools.us
PTO
A BIG shout out to our supportive parents and the work done in conjunction with our PTO. There are so many things that have been provided for our students this year it is unbelievable! Thank you for working with us to provide activities, events, and learning beyond what the school could do!
We have one last "Food-raiser" for this school year! Proceeds go straight into the student fund for assemblies and programs for our kids! Please consider stopping by Texas Roadhouse on May 11th between 3 and 11 pm!- You can dine in or order take out! :)
"Paws" for a minute....
On behalf of ALL the New Haven staff I want to thank Krista Brassine for the last 8 years that she has committed to New Haven. She is never one to be the center of attention, but I cannot allow for her to finish her final year at New Haven without recognizing the great work she has done with others.
She was one of the first parents to welcome me to New Haven as the new principal and helped set the working relationship between myself and the PTA. She has supported the school in so many ways, including working closely with Nancy Huff and Kristie Thornton to raise all the money we needed to get a new playground. I can't begin to list all of the initiatives that she has supported to add to our school's climate. She has been instrumental in our transition to a PTO (a more parent operated organization), and has helped keep many of the events and traditions that we love at New Haven going. She will be most certainly missed, but leaves a great legacy of supporting New Haven students and staff!
THANK YOU MRS. BRASSINE for all of your years of support and dedication!
SBDM parent election results
Congratulations to Lynn Morrow and Stacey Cole as the 2022-2023 parent representatives on our School Based Decision Making council. They will be joining Bill Thornton, our returning parent representative.
Thank you to all parents who considered this position and giving of their time.
ART SHOW
Wow!!! We have some seriously talented artists at New Haven! I am so impressed with their pieces. Their attention to color, lines, shape, form, and texture are amazing. I love showing off their work and their gifts. Way to go Tigers!!!
SUMMER Activities for our NH students
Mission and Vision of New Haven... Our WHY, WHAT, and HOW.
Keep'n up with the Calendar! (dates will be added/ revised each month as needed)
May
2nd- 10th- STATE TESTING WINDOW (3rd, 4th, & 5th)
6th- Popcorn Friday
13th- First grade Fairy Tale Ball /// Kindergarten Fun Day /// Ryle Honorary Diploma Day
16th- 5th grade Promotion
17th- No School
19th- SBDM @ 4:30
20th- Students LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!
ENJOY YOUR SUMMER! STAY SAFE AND HAVE FUN!
August 2022
August 10th- PK and Kindergarten Open House 4:00 - 7:00 (only PK & K staff will be on site)
August 11th- 1st - 5th grade OPEN HOUSE - 4:00 - 7:00
August 18th- 1st day of the 2022-2023 school year
Approved Calendar for the 22-23 school year
New Haven Elementary
Home of the Tigers!
