Friday Flash
January 19th, 2024
Notes from the Principal's Office
I was hoping that the winter doldrums and blahs would stay away until at least the beginning of February. Unfortunately, they've struck our school with a vengeance, both staff and students are not quite as light in the step as they were a month ago. We are seeing an increase in work refusal....mostly in students! Hopefully, the arrival of real amounts of snow that will allow for the building of snowmen, snow angels and forts will bring some of the enthusiasm back that we all seem to be lacking. Yesterday, was the first day that I noticed that our days appeared slightly longer. More daylight will help us all beat cabin fever.
Getting moving especially in the winter months can help us all feel better both mentally and physically. I'm excited that NES will be participating in the Passport to Winter Fun. For every ten days that your child spends at least an hour being active, they earn an amazing price. Some of the prizes are include swim pass to the CCBA or buy one pass to Whaleback and get one free. I'm hoping that our students will take advantage of this great opportunity.
It looks like Sunday into Monday is going to be extremely cold, please stay safe and warm. It might be a great night for a board game and some hot chocolate!
~Loretta
PS: Don't forget our community coffee on January 24th from 9:00-10:00. I will be discussing our Continuous Improvement Plan and students will share what they are learning about.
Positivity Project: Perseverance
“You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and
smarter than you think.” ~A.A Milne Author of Winnie the Pooh
Dear Families,
This week, our school community will be focusing on the character strength of Perseverance. Perseverance means you complete what you start despite obstacles. You never give up.
The concept of perseverance can most often be found in one’s active pursuit of overcoming obstacles. Perseverance is a uniquely human characteristic that identifies an individual’s ability to spend long periods of time devoted to a single goal or set of goals. People demonstrating high levels of perseverance can handle significant, sometimes repeated, setbacks in pursuit of goals.
Those who persevere through setbacks often reap the benefits of the success gained by refusing to give up. Sometimes, this comes with the added benefit of increased knowledge and skill as a result of the work needed to achieve. A single group member’s ability or willingness to persevere can substantially impact those working with them and the team. Groups that show high levels of perseverance can achieve goals they may not have believed possible.
To practice and encourage the character strength of perseverance with your child, please visit the Positivity Project’s P2 for Families (password: P2), where together you will watch a video, read a quote, and talk about the answers to three questions.
Have a wonderful week!
Is it always easy to overcome challenges?
Staff Spotlight: Emily Ross
5th & 6th ELA Teacher
Emily Ross is originally form Western Massachusetts. After graduating high school she attended UMASS-Amherst where she majored in English with a minor in education. She later earned a Master's of Education from Cambridge College in Boston. She loves getting to know the students and building relationships with them. One of her favorite parts of teaching is when a student learns a new skill and feels more confident as a learner. She also love sharing great book recommendations with students. Outside of school Mrs. Ross loves spending time with her family, friends, and pets. Emily also loves going to the beach, reading, traveling, and being outside. Mrs. Ross would like her students to know they are encouraged to make mistakes, that's generally how we learn. "I'd also like them to know that it's best to treat everyone kindly because we never know what they might be facing."
H3 and Guidance Update from Mr. O'Hearn
During H-Cubed: Harmony with Self, Harmony with Others, and Harmony with Nature; students at all grade levels spend time practicing the Positivity Project Character Strengths through movement, games, partner work, short readings or videos, art projects, teamwork and discussion. Recent topics have included Kindness, Self Control, Supporting Others When They Struggle, and Optimism. For the week of Kindness, H-3 classes played “the Smile Game” and “Kind Kim Says” (instead of “Simon Says”). Students also created and distributed sticky notes with affirmations of kindness for self and others. Students at all grade levels learned about Supporting Others When They Struggle (Other Person Mindset) through the text Have You Filled A Bucket Today? Partners shared something they are struggling with and peers gave support, encouragement and suggestions during a “Back-To-Back” exercise. Fifth and Sixth graders mastered the “Lean / Walk”, trusting their partner for balance as they attempted to walk across the gymnasium together. Optimism was our focus last week. We completed acrostic poems and exercised our “positive thinking” muscles. We practiced more effective self-talk: “we may not have achieved a goal . . . . YET.” During this week’s Prudence class students practiced decision making skills through GIANT Tic Tac Toe contests, rounds of “Would you rather?”, and a GIANT team-based Connect-4 Puzzle. Next week’s class focus will be on Perseverance.
During weekly Guidance/Health classes in the Library students at all grade levels continue to learn more about the 24 Character Strengths which anchor our school-wide Positivity Project. Each month we also learn about a new body system with Nurse Jessi. We start most classes with a “Mindful Moment”, practicing our mindful breathing, focusing, relaxation and self regulation skills for 4-5 minutes. Short videos, texts and class discussions give students the opportunity to learn more about the Character Strengths and practice them in their lives. Recent focal skills have included Optimism and Prudence. All grade levels have learned more about dental health and proper care of teeth and gums. Students have discussed the best habits and tips for brushing and flossing teeth. In December students learned more about the digestive system and its proper functioning in the body. More recently students have been learning about their skeletal system and habits for creating healthy bones. Sixth graders have also completed PSA’s (Public Service Announcements) criticizing tobacco and cannabis use and vaping. They worked in teams doing all of the script writing, video recording, sound editing and production. A special Thank You to Ms. Laurie Williams for her excellent help and guidance during this activity.
Pictures From Around the School
News from the Health Office
News from the Health Office: We now have a limited number of COVID tests available to send home with students who have symptoms of COVID. However you may want to order tests for your household. Below are several options. Please let me know if you need help with ordering.
- Free COVID tests through USPS: https://special.usps.com/testkits
- Free COVID/FLU at home tests through VCIL Free Lucira, Telehealth, and Treatment! (mailchi.mp)
You Qualify If You Have…
· No Insurance
· Medicaid
· Medicare
· Indian Health Services coverage
· Veterans Administration coverage
What You Get:
· Two free Lucira molecular flu and COVID tests for each household member over 18! (These are newly released Pfizer Lucira at-home tests which diagnosis Flu A, Flu B, and COVID. They usually sell for $50 each.)
· Access to free telehealth and treatment options if you test positive.
- COVID testing through your health insurance or your primary care provider: Check with your health insurance to see what is covered.
NES will participate in the Passport to Winter Fun Program!
January The Upper Valley Trails Alliance’s Passport to Winter Fun program has begun and our school is participating! The Passport is an engaging program that encourages children to be more active during the winter. For every 10, 20, and 30 days that your child is active for at least 1 hour, they can claim prizes from participating businesses! We will be sending booklets home soon and all you have to do to register your child is please complete the Front Flap and turn it in to the school, mail it to UVTA’s Passport to Winter Fun (P.O. Box 1215, Norwich, VT 05055) or Scan QR code to complete the form online. Please mail or submit Front Flaps by Friday, February 24th!
If you want to receive program updates and deadline reminders, you can subscribe to the Winter Fun Weekly eNewsletter by emailing passport@uvtrails.org. Let’s keep our kids healthy and active this winter! February We hope you are enjoying your Passport to Winter Fun and getting outdoors this Winter! Remember, for every 10, 20 and 30 days that your child is active for at least 1 hour, they can claim prizes from participating businesses! To claim your prizes, take your passport to the business listed on the prize sheet and once they verify that your child has reached the 10, 20 and/or 30-day milestones in the booklet, they will sign the booklet and you are free to enjoy the prize! If you haven’t completed the Front Flap, this is your reminder to do so before Friday, February 24th! You can turn it in to the school, mail it to UVTA’s Passport to Winter Fun (P.O. Box 1215, Norwich, VT 05055) or Scan QR code to complete the form online.
March The Passport to Winter Fun program concludes at the end of this month on March 31st! This is your reminder to cash in incentive prizes earned on days 10, 20 & 30 before the end of the month! Businesses will no longer be accepting Passports after March 31st so go enjoy the prizes before time runs out! Once your child has completed all 30 days in the Passport, they have officially earned the title of Polar Bear Achiever and qualify for a prize! To receive the prize, please complete the Back Flap and turn it in to the school, mail it to UVTA’s Passport to Winter Fun (P.O. Box 1215, Norwich, VT 05055) or Scan QR code to complete the Back Flap online. If you submit the Back Flap before Friday, April 7th, your kiddo will also be entered into the Grand Prize Raffle and could win an AMAZING prize! Visit uvtrails.org to view complete list of Grand Prizes
Important Dates
January 24th: Community Coffee 9:00-10:00am
January 26th: Winter Program (Burke Mountain & Winter Activities)
January 31st: Early Release 12:15 dismissal
February 2nd: Winter Program (Burke Mountain & Ice Fishing: Conditions permitting)
February 9th: Winter Program (Burke Mountain & Bowling)
February 15th: 4th Grade NAEP testing
February 16th: Last Day Winter Program (Burke Mountain & Carnival)
Principal Loretta Cruz
Email: loretta.cruz@oesu.org
Website: https://www.nesvt.org/
Location: 214 Pulaski Street, Newbury, VT, USA
Phone: 802-866-5621
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newburyelementaryVT