North Star News
January 29, 2021
North Elementary
440 N. 10th Street Noblesville, Indiana 46060
Phone: 317-773-0482 Fax: 317-776-6274
https://www.noblesvilleschools.org/Domain/14
Follow us on Twitter at @Northelem2
Follow us on Facebook at North Elem and North Elementary School PTO
Principal's Points
Hello North Families,
As another week comes to a close, I can honestly say, our second semester has started off well. The weeks are just flying by.
One of my favorite activities is that I get to watch our teachers and students teaching and learning as they interact in wonderful ways.
Watching the amazing learning, one would never know we are in a pandemic, because when I move through our classrooms observing and admiring the fine workings of our classroom communities all seems right with the world!
As we move into the cold season and with the pandemic still in orange please continue to make sure to monitor your students health. Together we can continue to have successful in person learning throughout the year as long as we continue to follow all of our protocols.
Daily self-screening process – If any of these are present and cannot be explained by an alternative diagnosis, please contact the school nurse regarding school protocols. An explanation may require further medical documentation.
*Do I have -
- Fever (100.0 Fahrenheit or higher) -
- New or worsening cough -
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing -
- Chills or shaking -
- Muscle pain or fatigue -
- Sore throat -
- New loss of taste or smell -
- Diarrhea -
- Nausea or vomiting -
- Persistent headache -
Our students have done a fantastic job so far and I am very proud of them.
Have a fantastic weekend!
Mr Lugo
Principal
North Elementary
Mr. Lugo's Brainbuster
Write your answer on a piece of paper and put it in the brain buster jar in the office. If your name is pulled and you have the correct answer, you will receive a prize from Mr. Lugo!
Virtual Learners
Hopefully everyone is having a great week and that you are taking time to take care of you this week. It is easy to be so occupied with all of the tasks that we have to do at home, for our kids, for work, and for others that we often forget about taking care of ourselves. You are able to sustain the work you do for others better if you are taking care of you. So… this message is just a friendly reminder to take time each day to do something for you - it could be a walk, working out, reading a book, writing, relaxing quietly, binging on Netflix, or… you name it. Once again we appreciate all you are doing at home and want to recognize that means also investing in yourself a bit. Take time to plan this weekend for what self-care will look like for you next week. And it’s good to have your kids do that too. Build the habit now so that it follows them through life.
eLearning Days, Closures, and 2 Hour Delays Reminder
Just a reminder that if we were to have weather that would cause our in-person learning to be on a 2 hour delay, have an eLearning Day, or close, our online learning day would be as follows:
eLearning Day - if an eLearning day is called due to weather, we would operate as usual for online learners. If there are any schedule changes for your child on an eLearning day called due to weather, then your child’s teacher will communicate this with all families. Teachers will do their best to keep the schedule the same, yet if their own children are home with them, they may need to make slight adjustments.
School Closure - if school is closed for the day (NO eLearning day) then we would NOT conduct online learning on that day. This allows for the online learning schedule to stay aligned with those that are attending in-person.
2 Hour Delays - if there is a 2 hour delay, we would operate as usual for online learners. As with an eLearning day, if there are any schedule changes, your child’s teacher will contact you.
Upcoming Events and Announcements
2/11 - Spirit dress-up day: College Day (Support your favorite college)
2/11 - Papa Johns Fundraiser
2/12 - Valentine's Day Party
2/15 - No school Presidents' Day
Valentine's Day Party:
Each class will have a Valentine's Day Party on February 12th. PTO will provide a snack for each student. Students can bring in valentine's if they choose to do so. Please remember that no outside food should be sent in.
There is still some artwork left from last year (since we ended so abruptly), if your child has a specific piece he/she would like back, please email me at <lisa_fritz@nobl.k12.in.us> with the following information:
-Student Name
-Last year's teacher
-This year's teacher
-Description of artwork you are wanting back
Any artwork left after February 5th will either be discarded or repurposed.
Thanks,
Ms. Fritz
To help ensure all children have access to nutritious food, the USDA has extended free
breakfasts and lunches for all students until the end of the school year. Eating school meals helps support our cafeterias during this tough time. It also cuts down on grocery bills and meal prep time while providing a balanced meal. All school food is being covered and wrapped in order to keep your child safe. You can find the updated 2021 menus HERE
Cindy Celusnak
Cafeteria Manager
North Elementary
Ext: 28503
Counselor's Corner
Top 10 Homework Tips
Kids are more successful in school when parents take an active interest in their homework. It shows kids that what they do is important. Parents can be supportive by demonstrating study and organization skills, explaining a tricky problem, or just encouraging kids to take a break. Here are some tips to guide the way:
1. Know the teachers — and what they're looking for. Attend school events, such as parent-teacher conferences, to meet your child's teachers. Ask about their homework policies and how you should be involved.
2. Set up a homework-friendly area. Make sure kids have a well-lit place to complete homework. Keep supplies — paper, pencils, glue, scissors — within reach.
3. Schedule a regular study time. Some kids work best in the afternoon, following a snack and play period; others may prefer to wait until after dinner.
4. Help them make a plan. On heavy homework nights or when there's an especially hefty assignment to tackle, encourage your child to break up the work into manageable chunks. Create a work schedule for the night if necessary and take time for a 15-minute break every hour, if possible.
5. Keep distractions to a minimum. This means no TV, loud music, or phone calls.
6. Make sure kids do their own work. They won't learn if they don't think for themselves and make their own mistakes. Parents can make suggestions and help with directions, but it's a kid's job to do the learning.
7. Be a motivator and monitor. Ask about assignments, quizzes, and tests. Give encouragement, check completed homework, and make yourself available for questions and concerns.
8. Set a good example. Do your kids ever see you diligently balancing your budget or reading a book? Kids are more likely to follow their parents' examples than their advice.
9. Praise their work and efforts. Post their work or art project on the refrigerator. Mention academic achievements to relatives.
10. If there are continuing problems with homework, get help. Talk about it with your child's teacher. Some kids have trouble seeing the board and may need glasses; others might need a little extra help.
*Adapted from www.kidshealth.org
News from the Nurse
HAND WASHING. Please remind your student(s) that good hand hygiene is one of the best ways to remove germs and prevent the spread of infection and illness. Good hand hygiene can protect you, your family, and the community. Be a friend… Don’t share your germs!! J
SICK DAYS/COVID PROTOCOLS. Reminder: Per Noblesville Schools protocols, if your student has had a fever of 100.0 or more, vomiting or diarrhea, they are to be fever free – without medication – and vomit /diarrhea free, for 24 hours before returning to school. If your student is not feeling well, please keep them home!
If a student has more than one symptom for more than 1 day, please seek further medical evaluation. If an alternate diagnosis is given, have the doctor give you a note showing “Non-Covid” and OK to return to school. If it’s decided between you and your doctor that a Covid test is necessary, everyone in the household is to remain home until those results return – hopefully negative! Lastly, if you choose not to do either of the protocol options, the student is to remain home for 10 days.
Any questions, please contact Nurse Harrison directly.
High Ability Identification Process
Noblesville Schools relies on NWEA scores to identify students who achieve at exceptional levels for High Ability (FOCUS) instruction. To identify students with the potential for high achievement that is not reflected in NWEA scores, all students in kindergarten and second grade who are not already identified as High Ability in both math and English language arts will take an online screener called the Cognitive Abilities Test, or CogAT. Students who meet the benchmark on the screener will later take the remaining portions of the CogAT. All fifth graders who are not already identified as High Ability in both math and English language arts and who met the benchmark will take the full CogAT without first taking the screener. Parents of online learners will receive a separate letter with detailed information regarding testing plans to accomodate these students. If you have any questions about high ability testing and instruction, go to Noblesville Schools and click on Academics and then on High Ability. Questions may be directed to Robert Lugo at robert_lugo@nobl.k12.in.us.
Noblesville East Performing Arts Sign-Up
Job Opportunities
Spring Break Travel
Report Travel to COVID Level 4 Areas- Quarantine Required
We are encouraging staff and families to stay home during spring break to minimize the spread of COVID.
If you are planning to travel, please be aware that you are required to notify your school nurse of any travel to a COVID “Level 4” area and will need to quarantine upon your return.
Please note that the COVID travel level is different than the overall travel level and can be found in the specific health section of your destination on the US State Department’s website.
Check carefully as the COVID travel level changes frequently and is often not the same as the overall travel advisory level.
You can check the COVID level of your destination here.
School nurse contacts can be found here.
Kindergarten enrollment
Community News
Noblesville Youth Baseball
Preschool - 6th Grade
Registration starts January 1, 2021
Click here for more information.