The Tiger Times
2/17/23
West Newton Elementary
Email: sstrube@decaturproud.org
Website: decaturproud.org/westnewtonelementary
Location: West Newton Elementary School, 7529 South Mooresville Road, West Newton, IN, USA
Phone: 317856-5237
Twitter: @wntigers
MISSION
VISION
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Dear West Newton Families,
Thank you for all of the wonderful donations for the Valentine’s Day parties - our students had such a great time! Speaking of donations, our students, staff, and families donated over 2,200 food items to the Decatur Township Goodwin Center food pantry! Thank you so much for your generosity in providing nutritious food to Decatur families.
Teachers continue to focus on Success Criteria and Grouping to support learning for our students. The joyful learning environments that our staff and students participate in each day support our students’ continued success and growth.
IREAD3 is the week of March 13-17, 2023 for all of our 3rd grade students
Every Tuesday. & Thursday In February = Extended Day from 2:30-4:30pm
Every Wednesday in February = Clubs from 2:30-4:30pm
Mon., Feb. 20 = Presidents Day; School is not in session
Feb. 27-March 3 = CogAT testing for Kindergarten, Grades 2&5
The West Newton staff continues to prepare our students to be “Tomorrow Ready”. Thank you so much for partnering with us in our students’ success and for sharing your children with us. #DecaturProud
With Tiger Pride,
Susan D. Strube
Principal
DON'T FORGET TO ORDER YOUR YEARBOOK
CogAT Testing
Kindergarten:
Attention parents of Kindergarten students! The MSD of Decatur Township High Ability Committee is getting ready to begin this year’s identification process to determine which students will qualify for the High Ability Program for the 2023-24 school year. Beginning February 27, all kindergarten students will be given a test called the CogAT Complete online, which is a measure of potential focusing on general thinking skills and problem-solving skills. Students have also taken an NWEA test this year, and their most recent scores will be used for achievement scores in reading and math. All of these scores will be used by the High Ability Committee to determine which kindergarten students will be ‘flagged’ as having exceptional abilities for provisional admission to the High Ability Program. If you have questions or concerns about the process, you are welcome to contact the school or the district office.
Grades 2 and 5:
Attention parents of 2nd and 5th grade students! The MSD of Decatur Township High Ability Committee is getting ready to begin this year’s identification process to determine which students will qualify for the High Ability Program for the 2023-24 school year. Beginning February 27, all 2nd and 5th grade students will be given a test called the CogAT Complete online, which is a measure of potential focusing on general thinking skills and problem-solving skills. Students have also taken an NWEA test this year, and their most recent scores will be used for achievement scores in reading and math. All of these scores will be used by the High Ability Committee to determine which 2nd and 5th grade students will be ‘flagged’ as having exceptional abilities for provisional admission to the High Ability Program. If you have questions or concerns about the process, you are welcome to contact the school or the district office.
SHOUT OUT TO OUR POPCORN CREW!!!
West Newton PTO - Events at a Glance
MARCH
Tuesday, March 7 ~ PTO Meeting @ 5:30 pm
APRIL
Tuesday, April 4 ~ PTO Meeting @ 5:30 pm
Join the Decatur Middle School Band!
You are invited to be a part of the amazing band program at Decatur Middle School next year!
Why join the band?
Learn to play an instrument and music
Make friends and be a part of the welcoming band community
Perform concerts
Become smarter (people who learn music get better scores in math and English and have higher IQ!)
Have fun!!!
Instrument options:
Flute Clarinet Oboe Bassoon Alto saxophone Trumpet French horn Trombone Baritone Tuba Percussion
Important dates:
2/23 or 2/24: You’ll visit Decatur Middle School for a school tour and to listen to the band and the choir during the school day
Week of 2/27: Instrument try-on during the school day
Week of 3/6: Middle school counselors visit elementary schools to select classes for middle school - this would be the time to choose the band class!
3/16 at 5pm or 7pm (pick your own time): Band Information Night at Decatur Middle School band room
7/24-7/28 5:30pm: Beginning Band Camp (free!) at Decatur Middle School
Questions?
Email Ms. Nunokawa (mnunokawa@decaturproud.org) or Ms. Davis (mdavis2@decaturproud.org)!
AYS ~ SPRING BREAK
It’s time to refresh your optimism and brighten your spring!
At Your School (AYS) is offering a full-day Spring Break camp for Decatur Township
families (Pre-K – 6) at Blue & Gold Academy from March 27-31. This camp will help
empower you and your family to achieve your goals and ensure your Spring Break is as
bright as possible! Families currently enrolled in AYS or waitlisted-register by January 25 for $20 off per child! Registration opens for all families on January 26th.
Learn more and register today at www.ayskids.org/spring!
AYS ~ Summer
Summer Days are on their way, and At Your School (AYS) is offering a full-day camp for Decatur Township families (Pre-K – 6) at Blue & Gold Academy from June 5 – July 14. Join AYS and capture the sunshine and positive vibes to help you shine through the summer. Current and waitlisted AYS families who register by February 28 will receive $100 off per child! Learn more and register at www.ayskids.org/summer!
DCHS FOOD BANK
Decatur Township Families,
Dry and fresh food items will be available for drive thru pick-up for any families with children enrolled in MSD of Decatur Township Schools!
When: Selected Thursdays 11:30AM – 12:50PM (dates below)
Where: DCHS, Door 1
How to apply: Complete the intake form below and submit! (required for each distribution date) The form must be completed by the Tuesday before the pick date. 2023 days have been updated on the google form.
Click Here to complete the form.
January 12
January 19
February 2
February 16
February 23
March 2
March 16
April 13
April 27
May 11
Please see QR Code below.
eLearning Day Synchronous Learning Schedule
West Newton families, if we have an eLearning Day as designated by our superintendent Dr. Prusiecki due to inclement weather, then he will also alert families if it is a Synchronous eLearning Day. Please review below regarding what a Synchronous eLearning Day would look like for students as they work on their iPads from home with their teachers.
Synchronous Schedules (Live)
Kindergarten -4th Grade
8-8:30am Attendance/Morning Meeting/SEL
8:30-10:30 a.m. Reading/Writing/Math/SS/Interventions
1-2:00pm Office hour
Related Arts/Asynchronous
5th-6th Grade
8-9:45am Block 1
9:45-11:00 a.m. Block 2
1-2:00pm Office hour
Related Arts/Asynchronous
Exceptional Learners Teachers + IAs and Reading Teacher
Follow and attend general education schedules in designated grade levels for ELA/Math (30 mins of ELA/30 minutes of Math)
Meet with their students during Asynchronous learning-90 minutes
And will designate 1 hour for an office hour
Behavior Support Classrooms, Speech, and ELL
Teachers will share a specific schedule to families with 150 minutes of synchronous learning including IA support and will designate 1 hour for an office hour.
Indianapolis Public Library: Decatur Branch Programming Survey
Hello Decatur Township community members.
Please share your input on programs you would like to see offered at the Indianapolis Public Library Decatur Branch and what times work best for you and your family. Follow the link to fill out a brief survey. Thank you for your time. https://forms.gle/SMY6iUxCGHUaSbMF9
Distribution of information by a community group in accordance with MSD Decatur policy does not imply, directly or indirectly, that the group's program(s), event(s) and/or service(s) is sanctioned, sponsored or endorsed by the district, the Board of Education or the superintendent."
LOST and FOUND
POPCORN FRIDAY EVERY WEEK
Popcorn is $.50 per bag. Popcorn money will be collected all week and the popcorn will be distributed during the students' lunch time. All proceeds benefit the Student Activity fund and the Staff Fund.
Popcorn Friday will take place every week!!
SCHOOL SUPPLIES STORE
COKE LIDS COLLECTION
FOOD FREE BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
NO SMOKING / NO VAPING POLICY
Decatur Township School Police Department, (DTSPD), in collaboration with the Drug Free Coalition, is excited to offer a new diversion program for students found to be in possession of tobacco products,
e-cigarettes, and or vaping devices. DTSPD has also partnered with our local courts in an effort to minimize the use of these products and devices on our campuses. Our students, if found with the aforementioned items, would be in violation of Indiana Code 35-46-1-10.5, Minor in Possession of a Tobacco Product or an Electronic Cigarette or 7.1-5-12-8 Smoking in a Prohibited Area. Each of these would be met with an Indiana citation, also known as a “Uniform Traffic Ticket,” (UTT). When submitted to the courts, the cost of the ticket for this violation is $170.50. This is an actual ticket and will affect your license or the ability to obtain one if left unpaid. Our objective however, is not to create financial hardship, but to have an opportunity to educate students and families on the dangers of vaping and tobacco products. Twice per month, DTSPD officers will present a 1-hour class for students who have opted to accept the terms of the diversion program. The cost of the class for a student attending alone is $75.00. If a student attends the class with a parent or guardian, the class is discounted at a cost of $25.00. Upon the completion of the class, the UTT, or citation, will not be referred to the courts, and there will be no record of the violation. A student may only participate in the program once per school year, and only twice throughout their entire school career.
VOLUNTEERS
Current Job Openings in Decatur Schools
Health Services Newsletter Link, COVID Reporting Form and Updates
- We encourage all families to conduct a daily screening of your children prior to sending them to school. COVID symptoms are any of the following:
- Fever or chills
- Sore throat or shortness of breath
- Cough (especially new onset, uncontrolled) or shortness of breath
- Diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, abdominal pain
- Headache (particularly new onset or severe especially with fever)
- New loss of taste or smell
- A positive COVID case will need to quarantine/isolate at home for a period of five (5) days. A student/staff member may return at the conclusion of five days if they are no longer showing any symptoms.
- If your child tests positive, please access our “COVID Parent Reporting Form” on the main page of our website, or call your school’s front office. The following link is the reporting form:
- Click here for the Parent COVID Reporting Form
- Students who are close contacts may come to school because of our mask requirement. A medical note is required if close contacts quarantine at home.