Wildcat Update
February 12, 2021
Announcements
Calendar
- Monday, February 15, 2021 - NO SCHOOL - President's Day
- Friday, February 19, 2021 - Full Day of School
- Thursday & Friday February 25 - 26, 2021- Parent Teacher Conferences- Students dismiss at 12:05pm.
- Tuesday March 9- Picture make up day
February 12 Early Release Professional Development
Fifth and Sixth grade math teachers meet with district math coaches and other math teachers in the district to learn how to look at student data on the most recent district math assessment and use that data to guide instruction. Our K-4th grade teachers and special education teachers meet with teachers at Gavilan Peak to talk about short cycle goals. Sixth grade ELA teacher meet with her multi-school collaborative team to compare student progress on a common assessment and share strategies. Special area teachers met with other special area teachers to discuss instructional strategies.
Thank you for all the parents for picking up their kids at 2:00 so we can have this valuable collaboration time.
Free COVID Testing
The Deer Valley Unified School District will be offering free COVID testing at the district office noon to 5pm on February 3, 10, 17 and 24. Click on this link for more information: Return to School 20-21 / COVID-19 Testing Locations (dvusd.org)
Calling all Next Year's Kindergarteners
Kindergarten Round-Up was this week. If you missed it here are a couple videos you can view to learn all about kindergarten at New River!
Meet the principal and take a school tour: https://youtu.be/3bVxzwPfzc4
Meet Mrs. Martin a kindergarten teacher and learn about the classroom: https://youtu.be/UHgdEmvIqsQ
We are now enrolling kindergarten students for students who turn 5 years old by August 31, 2021 for the 2021-22 school year! Deer Valley Unified School District also has Early Kindergarten Entry testing, please see information below or click on this link: Kindergarten / Early Entry Kindergarten (dvusd.org). Please stop by the office anytime during normal hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to pick up a registration packet from Kara or Lisa.
Early Kindergarten Entry
Children who turn 5 between September 1 and December 31, 2021 may be assessed to determine readiness for early entrance into kindergarten. The intent of early entrance is to identify highly capable children who miss the regular September 1 cutoff for kindergarten entrance. Early entry is specifically geared for children whose curriculum achievement level far exceeds the norm. In order to be considered for the early entrance acceptance, the child must exhibit advanced skills in language arts, mathematics, and in social, emotional, and motor development as measured by tests administered by the Deer Valley Unified School District.
Students Returning to New River School this Fall?
Do you know of anyone returning to New River School campus this fall? If so, please let them know we are now enrolling and would love to hear from them. Please contact Kara or Lisa @ 623-376-3500 at your earliest convenience, in order to plan for the upcoming school year. We look forward to having everyone back on campus! Thank you!
New River Student Council will hold Leukemia Fundraiser
New River STUCO will once again hold their annual fundraiser for Leukemia families. This year things will be done a little differently as students will not be bringing in their change for us to count. On-line accounts will be set up by teacher and students will enter information if they would like to participate. Friends and family will be able to make donations on-line using the students name. There will be prizes for students who get donations and there will be an ice cream sandwich party for the winning class. Watch for fliers on Friday, February 12, 2021 for the fundraiser that will run from Tuesday, February 16, 2021 through Friday, March 12, 2021. The flier will have instructions about how to register under your student's teacher's name to create their own online account.
School Store Program Starts Next Week
This year, we are partnering with SchoolStore.com to raise funds for essential tools our students and teachers need to succeed. SchoolStore's program is 100% online so there is no selling or handling of money or products. Watch for packets to come home the week of February 8th! Thank you.
3rd -6th Grade Students
We are starting to prepare for AzM2 state testing. The testing window is April 5-May 14. It is important that all student have their own headphones for the testing. If you are able please purchase a set for your students to bring to school.
Valentines Class Activities
In an effort to minimize the spread of COVID-19 we will not be passing out Valentine's Day cards or having treats at a party. Students may make a craft in class that will be sent home. See the parent update that will go out early next week from DVUSD for more information.
Mask Expectations
In an effort to remain in person on campus everyone on campus is required to wear a mask. This includes visitors in the the front office and if you are out of your car for drop off and pick up. Make sure the mask is worn properly over the nose and mouth.
Open Enrollment Window is Now
If you know anyone wanting to sign up for open enrollment for next year let them know the time is now to do it. Here is the link: https://openenrollment.dvusd.org/application
PTSA
You can still sign up for PTSA. Annual membership fees are $7 per individual member. Cash, check and PayPal payments are accepted. Make checks payable to New River PTSA or submit through PayPal to Nreptsa@gmail.com. There are also membership forms in the office for you to come in person to join.
Food and Nutrition
We ordered additional cafeteria tables to ensure we can maintain 6 foot social distancing while students eat.
We continue to serve breakfast and lunch DAILY at no charge for all students.
Click here to access the virtual breakfast and lunch menu.
You can help support our school! Fry's Community Rewards makes fund-raising easy by donating to local organizations based on the shopping you do everyday. Once you link your card to an New River Elementary, all you have to do is shop our store and swipe your Shopper's Card! Sign up at www.frysfood.com/account/communityrewards to support New River Elementary. Thank you for your support!
Student Handbook
Click on this link to view the student handbook or you can view the handbook on the school website.
Hello Families,
The theme for quarter three is: Am I making an honest effort?
Our motto this week is:
I drop my shoulders. I take a few breaths. I can handle this.
Problems are a part of life, so naturally, they will be a part of our children's lives too. When our children take a moment to pause and become calm when dealing with life's frustrations, they can better process the problem and focus on solutions.
Pausing, even for just a few breaths, can help our kids respond thoughtfully to their challenges rather than react in anger. Taking a pause helps our children to avoid thoughts that sound like:
"This isn't fair!" or "Why me?"
Answers to questions like this likely include pity or blame, and they keep us stuck in the problem rather than help us find a solution. By pausing for even a moment and affirming that we can overcome our challenges, we can respond more thoughtfully instead of reacting emotionally. A thoughtful response to our challenges sounds more like:
"How can I best respond to what happened?"
The answers to this question will be solution-oriented and focused on what's next rather than on what happened. So, the next time your child is feeling frustrated, encourage them to let their shoulders drop down away from their ears, take a few deep breaths, and remind them that they are excellent problem solvers and that they will solve this problem too! Tell them you can help them begin by asking the right questions, such as, what do you recommend we do next?
After all, success is not about our frustrations and mistakes; it's about how we recover from them.
Best to you,
Danna Evans
All Things E.Q
New River School
Email: tina.marone@dvusd.org
Website: https://www.dvusd.org/newriver
Location: 48827 North Black Canyon Highway, Phoenix, AZ, USA
Phone: 6233763500
Facebook: facebook.com/NewRiverElementarySchool
Twitter: @NewRIverWildcat