Friday Flash
February 9th, 2024
Principal's Message
If my heart could swell and burst with pride it would! As a school community we have all been working together on making Newbury Elementary a safe working and learning environment for all. Through training and discussions our staff have worked on how to handle conflict, provide feedback and better understand each other so that they can be a more effective team. Through the implementation of the Positivity Project our students and staff have developed and strengthened social emotional intelligence, helping our school to become more supportive and accepting. While talking with someone who has had the opportunity to spend extended time in our building they noted, "What a nice little school we had." No higher an honor could have been paid to the Newbury School community.
I had the great pleasure to speak at the Vermont Principal's Association Winter Symposium about our Knight School Program. It was nice to be able to share what we do to make learning meaningful in June for all students. My presentation included photos and quotes from both staff and students. It was exciting to learn that our program has inspired others to bring something similar to their elementary schools in the future.
~Loretta
Reminder our Community Coffee is on February 21st at 9:00am.
Pictures from Around the School
Positivity Project: Love
“Love is just a word until someone comes along and gives it meaning.“
-PAUL COELHO
Dear Families,
This week our school community will be focusing on the character strength of Love. Love means you value close relationships with others and being close to people.
The character strength of love represents the way we think, feel, and behave towards the people with whom we have close relationships. When one person loves another person, that person: comforts and makes the other feel safe; sacrifices on the other’s behalf; supports the other during struggles; and places the others' needs ahead of their own. If you love a person, that person makes you feel safe and secure. You can be yourself with that person. You miss that person when they are not around.
On a group level, love is vital for the wellbeing of society. The world is endlessly interconnected. We are all dependent upon each other for survival and happiness. Love produces positive feelings, which help negate loneliness, anxiety, and depression. Without love, we cannot form strong relationships with our families, friends, or communities. A world without love is a dangerous world.
To practice and encourage the character strength of love 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!
What are some ways that you can show love to yourself? Why is this important?
5-6 H3 Students Cheer others Success
K-2 Forest School
5th & 6th Graders Visit Riverbend
Staff Spotlight: Laurie Williams
Library Media Specialist
Laurie Williams grow up on the prairie of Southwestern Minnesota. She received my BA in English & Writing from St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, MN, and her M. Ed in Curriculum & Instruction is from the University of Vermont. At one point in her life she wanted to go into family law and received scholarship offers from a few universities, but she decided not to pursue it. Mrs. Williams loves being part of those moments when children do something they thought they could never do, and they come to realize that things that don’t come easy are in fact within their reach. Their efforts pay off! Laurie also enjoy being able to teach children for all seven of their years at NES. Outside of Mrs. Williams would be doing the following, "If I could be outside 24/7 hiking, gardening, skiing, sledding, and biking, especially with family and friends, I would be! But of course I love to read, too, and spend time with animals." She would like students to know that she wants to help them develop the belief that with patience and persistence, they can tackle anything!
News From the Art Room
This trimester the Art students have been working with clay. The bovines have been working on making bowls for the Empty bowls project. They also have been working with slabs, coils and some have tried using the wheel. The owls created cupcakes that started with a pinch pot and has a top. Once completed they could create animals, or something from their imagination. The 1st and second grade started with self hardening clay and the made birds. They were taught how to make a pinch pots which they turned into flowers.
Arts Summer Camp Infromation
Registration for New England School of the Arts summer camp is open! They will be running 6 unique, 1 week performance focused camps for grades K-4 and 5-8 at their homebase in Lebanon, NH. Camp starts July 1st and runs through August 9th. Learn more here: https://www.nesarts.org/about-summer-camp
Winter Activities!
Introducing Ashley Grote
My name is Ashley Grote, and I am the school psychologist intern at OUUSD this year, one of my goals is to find ways to enhance student's learning experiences both within the school environment and at home. Recognizing the vital role of parental involvement in a child's education, I am eager to compile valuable resources and strategies to support learning beyond the classroom. I encourage you to explore the resource below, which contains helpful information on supporting learning at home and resources for parents. Your participation in completing the Google Form survey (linked below) after exploring the resources will contribute to the development of tailored resources and initiatives aimed at empowering students and their families. Together, we can create a collaborative and enriching educational journey for our students. Thank you for your valuable input and support.
Student Council Sponsors Spirit Week Feb.19th-23rd
Monday, February 19th: PJ Day
Tuesday, February 20th: Switch it Up Day - Teachers Dress as Students and Students Dress as Teachers
Wednesday, February 21st: Wacky Wednesday - wacky hair, mismatched socks,
or an entire mismatched outfit
Thursday, February 22nd: Throwback Thursday - pick a decade and dress the way
they did in that decade
Friday, February 23rd: Newbury Colors Day
Important Dates
February 15th: 4th Grade NAEP testing
February 16th: Winter Program (Burke Mountain & Running Waters Recreation)
February 21st: Community Coffee (Topic FY 25 Budget)
February 26th: Winter Break Begins
March 6th: School Resumes
March 15th: Second Trimester Ends
March 22nd: Report Cards Go Home
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