Monthly Update
April 8, 2022
Nantucket Elementary School Latest News and Calendar Updates
Hello Families,
This year seems to be flying by so quickly!! In two weeks, we will be enjoying our Spring Vacation. School will be closed from 4/16 - 4/24 and re-open on Monday, April 25, 2022. I love when the weather starts to turn the corner, and we start to have warmer days. The children are excited to be outside and playing in the sun and warmer temperatures, for sure. Remember, we think the most important thing for our students, staff, and families to do on these breaks is to enjoy some down time. The opportunity to rest, rejuvenate, and refresh ourselves through spending time with family and friends is critical for our social and emotional wellbeing. As I mentioned before, I stayed here for our winter break. For this one, I will be driving to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. I am excited to spend the week with most of my family. There will be 17 of us ranging in age from 2 years old to 81 years old!! I am not sure this will be restful, but this will be entertaining for sure!!
We have some exciting events occurring in April and May. Please see information just below and dates listed at the bottom of this document.
1. Literacy Spirit Week 4/11 - 4/15 - Next week we will be celebrating literacy and sharing our love for reading with our students with many school-wide activities! Each day we will have a different theme day where your child can dress in a theme to match a book theme of the day. See the attached flyer for details!
Monday-Hat Day
Tuesday- Wear Red
Wednesday- Mismatch day
Thursday- Rainbow day
Friday- Wear clothes with pockets/Poem in Your Pocket Day
This week our students and teachers are preparing for a school-wide Door Decorating Contest while discussing authors, characters, books and their love for reading. The students will also be participating in a "Guess the Poet" contest with their classes each day this week as we celebrate Poetry Month.
2. Literacy Night 4/12 5:30 - 6:30 pm - A much celebrated annual event, Literacy Night, will be held on April 12th. This is always a wonderful event where we celebrate the love of reading. We do this through sharing games, activities, and we have book characters walking about our school from 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm on Tuesday, April 12th. We invite you to bring your family to join us as we roll out the red carpet for Literacy Night. In addition, we will be celebrating a Literacy Spirit Week. The flyer detailing the daily events was emailed home today and is shared below. Your child is invited to dress as his or her favorite book character, but dressing up in costume is optional. Students will be able to "walk the red carpet" in their costume and pose for a photo shoot! So bring your camera (or phone)! Costumes can be as simple as a hat, prop or shirt. Dressing as the character is just for fun and is NOT required to attend. Family Literacy Night is a free event hosted by our school so that you can come with your family to enjoy playing word games and participating in other literacy activities with your teachers and friends in a fun and friendly environment!
3. Parent Placement Information due by 4/29 - Also, we have asked families to share information they want us to know about their child for beginning our placement process for next year. This information was previously shared. Class lists for the next school year are developed in the spring by all the current classroom teachers to provide optimal learning environments for all students. Many factors are considered as we strive to accommodate the individual needs of all of our students. The placement team works together to create classes using the following criteria: classroom configuration (ratio of boys and girls), program needs of individual students, a balance of academic levels, social and emotional needs of students, as well as recommendations from former teachers, principals, support staff and the guidance team. If there is special information we need to know about your child or their learning style, please share this with me through email or in writing by April 29, 2022. This date is important. We cannot guarantee consideration of your input beyond this date, because the team will be creating the groups in May. Please be aware that we cannot honor parents’ requests for a specific teacher. Thank you for respecting this policy. We sincerely promise to select the best possible placements for your child, as well as construct well-balanced classes for all students and staff for the 2022-2023 school year. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
4. Lip Sync - 5/6/22 - Reminder that Lip Sync sign ups were due on 4/1, but we did extend the date. We are looking to have 3-5 more groups sign up. For those of you who are unsure about what this entails, Lip Sync involves groups of students coming together outside of school to practice lip syncing a song (mouthing the words and not singing). The groups often incorporate costumes, dance routines, and sometimes props. Here is a link to clips of our former shows to give you a much better sense of the event!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TK4NQqih34k
5. No School for Current Kindergarten Students on Wednesday 5/11/2022.
6. Get to Know You Day for 2022-2023 enrolling Kindergartners - Wednesday 5/11/2022 On this day, May 11, 2022, the Kindergarten teachers will be conducting screening for next years' incoming Kindergarten students during the school day. The current kindergartners will not have school on this day due to this process. On the NPS school calendar this is still an early dismissal day for all other students including Pre-k and grades 1-12. We appreciate your flexibility in finding alternate childcare for your child on Wednesday, May 11, 2022.
7. First Way Parking Lot - I am sure you have heard or encountered this, we want to reiterate that the parking lot off of First Way is for staff and high school students only. All of the parking spots are assigned to staff or students. There are now signs posted at the entrances to this lot stating that it is permit parking only. Parents and Guardians should not use that lot for any reason. This is a terrible place for students to be dropped off, this is not a drive through, and there is nowhere for any non permitted driver to park. Again, please stop driving in this lot. We are asking you to be a model for all children in the morning and the afternoon. Thank you for your continued cooperation.
Please be advised if you drive your children to school, you may only drive into the Backus Road lot for parking or to access the drive through loops for student drop off. Surfside Road lot and the First Way lot are staff only parking.
Remember to frequently check out the NES website for all current information, Parent Handbooks, School Improvement Plan, upcoming important dates, fun photos, and school council information. www.npsk.org click on schools and select NES
As always, please feel comfortable reaching out to Kim Albertson albertsonk@npsk.org or myself kubischk@npsk.org should you have any questions. We are always happy to assist!!
Warmly,
Kim Kubisch and Kim Albertson
Nurse's Corner
Food is fuel for our bodies. It is important that students have healthy snacks and lunches during the day. This includes making sure they have a refillable water bottle and a snack and lunch that includes a fruit, vegetable, grain and protein. When possible it is best for students to have healthy snacks and avoid candy, chocolate or sugary foods for school meals. I have attached educational information about healthy snacks and lunches.
Along with eating healthy, staying active is just as important. During school hours our students have 30 minutes of recess once per day. Outside of school time it is also important for students to continue to be active. The goal is at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day. No matter the season it is important to dress appropriately for the temperature and get outside! This also does wonders for all of our mental health!
There is mounting research showing increased myopia (blur at a distance) in children due to increases in screen time. It is very important for children to have more sunshine time and less screen time to protect their eyes. Too much screen time causes changes to the muscles around the eyes and can lead to lifelong changes in vision.
https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/kids-healthy-eating-plate/
https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/kids-healthy-lunchbox-guide/
Meri Lepore RN, FNP-BC
School Nurse
Nantucket Elementary School
Growth Mindset
Important Dates for April and May
- 4/11 - 4/15 Literacy Spirit Week
- 4/12 Literacy Night 5:30 - 6:30 pm
- 4/16 - 4/24 Spring Vacation - No School
- 4/27 Second Grade Family Folk Dance NES Gym 6:00 pm
- 4/29 Parent Placement Email Due
- 5/4 Lip Sync Rehearsal - NHS Auditorium 4:00 pm
- 5/6 Lip Sync Performance - NHS Auditorium 6:00 pm
- 5/11 NO SCHOOL FOR KINDERGARTNERS ONLY
- 5/11 1/2 Day - Early Dismissal 12:00 pm Grades 1-12 & PreK
- 5/17 NES Unified Arts Night at NES 5:30 - 7:00 pm
School Counselor Information - Morning Routines
https://docs.google.com/document/d/19yzHLInbF0hGjLV5jOiedxX7paaL8MhspcDD1feqg28/edit?usp=sharing
Nantucket Elementary School
Nantucket Elementary School
Website: www.npsk.org
Location: 30 Surfside Road, Nantucket, MA, 02554 USA
Phone: (508) 228 -7290
Lip Sync
PLEASE JOIN US FOR AN INFORMATION NIGHT
REGARDING LIP SYNC
WEDNESDAY 3/16/22
NES CAFE 6:00 PM
First Way Lot is for Staff and High School Students Only
Please be advised if you drive your children to school, you may only drive into the Backus Road lot for parking or to access the drive through loops for student drop off. Surfside Road lot and the First Way lot are staff only parking.