I read an article recently about technology and the importance of providing guidelines and time limits for children through adolescence. American Academy of Pediatrics first recommends NO technology before age 18 months.

Findings are showing that over use of technology is like a "reward system" to children because it can over-release the chemical dopamine which makes us feel good. Our bodies build up tolerance as it releases more dopamine, which, in turn causes us to crave it even more!

Over use of technology also causes issues with natural development of executive functioning skills. This includes the ability to plan, organize, managing time, use of appropriate actions or responses to situations, good judgment, impulse control and multi-tasking. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that with an over-release of dopamine and cravings for more stimulation, children are not able to judge when they should use technology or for how long because their executive functioning is not developed.

The article continues on to explain how excessive technology use impairs the "fight or flight" response and relationships with others due to lack of socialization. I encourage you to research more on this if interested.

Please know that in the school setting, we do limit technology use each day. We know the importance of collaboration and discussion in learning. Nothing will ever replace the teacher to student learning experience.

Yours in education,

Stephanie Leasure

Principal

As a courtesy to our office staff, please try to avoid making phone calls to the office from 7:50-8:10 a.m. and from 2:30-2:50 p.m. During these timeframes we are working to get students into classes or ready to head home on busses or by car. We don't want to miss anything or make mistakes. We appreciate your help with this!

Office Reminders:

1. Book rental rates are located online at the East Noble website. You may pay it all at once or make payments each month, due on the 15th. Final payment is due on February 15th. Please know that if you are inquiring about free or reduced textbook fees, you MUST complete the free/reduced lunch application form. Call the school if you have any questions.

2. If your child is ill, please call our office and let us know by 9 a.m. if at all possible. Our office number is (260) 347-1354. If you believe the illness is Covid related, please ask to speak with Nurse Whitney. Other ways to contact us, e-mail Nurse Whitney at waumsbaugh@eastnoble.net or Stephanie Leasure, Principal at sleasure@eastnoble.net

3. Please contact the office by 1:30 p.m. if you need to make changes to your child's transportation home for the day. We cannot guarantee the changes when you call after 1:30 p.m. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR THIS! Please note that the office phone may be on night ring during dismissal, please leave a message and we will call you right back as soon as dismissal is complete.

4. If your child is a car rider, please make sure to use your car tags each day. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE CAR TAGS, PLEASE STOP AT THE OFFICE TO GET SOME RIGHT AWAY!

5. If you need to change your child's bus or start bus transportation, please follow these steps:

Bus Change or Start Up Requests

If you need to change your bus location, please go to the North Side website, https://www.eastnoble.net/o/north-side-elementary, and follow these directions:

Click on the "Menu" at the top of the home page. Click the “For Families” tab and then the "Transportation" tab. When the drop down menu appears, you will see a link called “Transportation Change Request.” When you click that link, you will be taken to a form that you can fill out and submit electronically. It will notify transportation via email that a request has been submitted and they will begin working on fulfilling the request. Once arrangements have been made and confirmed with drivers, transportation will communicate the arrangements to parents.

if you have any questions, contact Jane Hilterbrand in the office, (260) 347-1354 or jhilterbrand@eastnoble.net.

Monday

Doors Open/Breakfast – 8:15

(Grab-n-Go Breakfast if arrive after 8:35)

School Starts - 8:45

School Ends - 2:40 (bell rings)

Tuesday - Friday

Doors Open/Breakfast – 7:30

(Grab-n-Go Breakfast if arrive after 7:50)

School Starts – 8:00

School Ends – 2:40 (bell rings)

Attendance

September 30th is 40 days of school. Reflect on your child's attendance, how are they doing?

According to the state of Indiana, students shouldn't miss more than 6 days of school in a school year, Non-Covid related. Ask yourself, of the days my child has missed school, ho many were Covid related and how many were not Covid related? those related to Covid, were you directed by the school or your doctor to stay home?

How will you work on improving or keeping your child's attendance to a minimum the remainder of the school year?

Safety

We have now experienced a few fire drills and a school lockdown. Students are doing a nice jo working through these learning experiences. I encourage you to talk with your children at home about the importance of practicing these drills in school so that if they were to ever happen, your child would be prepared.

On behalf of myself, Mrs. Leasure and Nurse Whitney, we want to say thank you for working with us through the continued Covid situations that arise. We understand the frustrations, but are happy to be able to offer more than one type of close contact quarantine option. Please visit www.eastnoble.net for the most up to date ENSC 2021-2022 School Year Opening Plan: Health, Safety, and School Environment Protocols.

Please feel free to contact me if you ever have any questions on the drills we practice or how we are keeping your child safe in our school environment during Covid-19 protocols. The school number is (260) 347-1354 and my e-mail is jperlich@eastnoble.net