Weekly Updates
New Lebanon School
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We Did It - Week 8 of Distance Learning Complete!
Hello Bobcat Families!
While this week presented sad news knowing we will not return to school this year, it also brought us closer as we celebrated teachers, nurses, and look forward to celebrating our mothers this Sunday. Thank you for everything you did to celebrate and honor those amongst us.
As you have heard from Dr. Jones, plans are being developed around 5th Grade Graduation, how we will gather our remaining belongings from the building (teachers and families/students), and what school will look like this fall. We thank you for your patience as we work these things out - some information may come sooner and some much later. We are in a holding pattern in terms of hearing from the state and the health department regarding the fall. As soon as we have information about these items, we will share them with you.
Thank you to everyone who spoke out and had their voices heard regarding the budget conversations over the last few weeks. While the lack of funding for next year presents a challenge, our administrative teams are working hard to keep these changes as far away from impacting the students' day to day routine as possible. Many other districts are going through similar changes - we are not alone.
Thank you for everything you are doing to stay connected with New Leb - we miss you all dearly!
Be Safe, Be Well, and We Love You!
Ms. B & Mrs. Monaco
Important Upcoming Dates!
Sunday, May 10th: Happy Mother's Day!
Wednesday, May 13th: Read-a-thon Poster Contest Due! See forms below.
Upload your poster here: https://padlet.com/cheri_amster/PosterContest
Friday, May 15th: FLEX Friday
Did you pick up your new books?
3rd, 4th, and 5th graders - your books are coming soon!
Thank you to the Greenwich Alliance for the generous grant that made this possible!
Check out our rockstar artists and musicians!
Benjamin and Rebecca Vargas - Using recycled materials to create a new work of art
Daniela and Gabriel Pucci - Create a 3D Habitat
4th Grade violinist demonstrating her excellent technique!
Mia Melgar - 2D animal habitat
Alejandra Martinez - Draw a 2D habitat using foreground, midground, and background
Alex Rodriguez - Design a brand new running shoe
administrator office hours
We have some new and exciting news! Mrs. Monaco and Ms. B are hosting student based office hours every Wednesday from 12:00-1:00. Please join us to say hi, chat, catch up, or ask any questions you may have. Click on the link below to join the meeting. Looking forward to “seeing” you all!
Do you know of a new family in your neighborhood coming to new leb next year?
Daily lessons from your teachers
Our teachers are spending an enormous amount of time preparing daily Math and Reading/Writing lessons for your students. We are doing this so that your students can keep up with the Greenwich Public Schools curriculum to the best of our ability. If you need support finding these videos, please reach out to your teacher or a staff member, so your child can continue hearing your teacher's voice and connecting with them. Thank you!
Live Videos:
When our teachers are working with your students on content or teaching them on a video, please feel free to let them teach. You do not have to tell your students the correct answer or help coach them - that is what our teachers are there for! This also helps teachers assess what the students are able to understand and do independently.
One easy way to help your child be independent is to have them set an alarm on their iPad 5 minutes before their "live video" is set to take place. This will allow them to get prepared and be on time for "class". Thank you for your support with this!
Additional Reminders for live Videos with Teachers and Students:
1. Appropriate Clothing: Think, "Would I wear this to school?" If Yes, then you are good!
2. Appropriate Place: Students should video chat while at a table, desk, or appropriate learning space. When online, mute the microphone until it’s time to speak. This eliminates background noise for all.
read-a-thon - just keep reading!
Keep reading and tallying your minutes!
If you did not see Layla Rodriguez explaining the read-a-thon yet, you still can! Click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oM4BDBcMWX4&t=1s
ALL Read-a-thon documents (English and Spanish): https://drive.google.com/open?id=12rD5rT4mBAXMXYyuk_ZU5UhqWeG-mvuP
Where do I upload my forms? See below!
Contracts: https://padlet.com/cheri_amster/ReadathonContracts
Minutes/Tally Form: https://padlet.com/cheri_amster/ReadathonMinutes
Poster Contest: https://padlet.com/cheri_amster/PosterContest
Click below to acess Boardway plays from home!
Ridgefield Playhouse Science Show
Looking for something fun to do with your stay at home student? We invite teachers, students and families to tune into our fun 45-minute "virtual field trip" with Doktor Kaboon and the Wheel of Science - a FREE livestream event on Friday, May 15 at 3pm via our Facebook page and on our website!
We have partnered with Doktor Kaboom to present a special online version of his "Wheel of Science" live show exclusively for the Playhouse! He'll be spinning his science wheel and conducting whatever science experiment the wheel lands on! From optical illusions and chemical reactions to physics demonstrations and more, Doktor Kaboom conveys important scientific principles in an improvisational, comedic way that your students love!
Best for Grades 2 - 5, but all families can enjoy together!
Parent and Educator Webinar
Strategies to De-Escalate Emotionally Charged Students & How to Adapt Them to the School Closure Environment
Participants will leave this session with strategies to establish a classroom culture that reduces crisis incidents, de-escalate crisis incidents, and productively follow up on crisis incidents. Special focus will be placed on adapting these strategies to remote work with students. This session is appropriate for teachers and aides.
May 20th, 4:00 PM EDT
COVID-19 and Trauma: Using the Trauma-Attuned Model® to Support Students
Participants will understand how COVID-19 can affect students who have experienced trauma, and learn actionable strategies for supporting students with trauma in their backgrounds. This session is appropriate for teachers and aides.
Mental Health Moment #19: Meditation Challenge
submitted by Jenna Crance, ESS Clinical Coordinator
Meditation is a great way to stay mentally healthy, in fact studies have shown that regular meditation practices lower stress, increase focus, and reduce brain chatter. The meditation challenge consists of a commitment to meditating for 10 minutes a day for 10 days. Jason Stephenson has some great (short and long) meditations on YouTube that are easy to access for all. He has a couple for beginners, some to promote better sleep, as well as some longer segments if one really likes meditation.
Check out Jason's Youtube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwRp13WDIrMNywoE9Nd6BIJqDT_dPJrJq
Mental Health Moment #20: The Power of Positivity
submitted by Jenn Wood, ESS Clinical Coordinator
The power of positivity can make a world of a difference for one’s mental health. Some small but effective steps one can take to help work through stressful moments are:
Looking at the positives (quality time with family, time to appreciate life’s little moments etc.)
Getting in touch with nature and exercising
Playing chase outside with family
Mental Health Moment #21: Mental Health Bingo
submitted by Lindsay Hutchison, ESS Clinical Coordinator
Connecticut Corona Virus Help
Unemployment
File for unemployment benefits through the Connecticut Department of Labor. Eligibility will be determined on a case-by-case basis. The Department released a quick sheet related to the virus that can answer your FAQs about COVID-19’s impact on workers and employers.
Mortgage Relief
Governor Ned Lamont reached an agreement with over 50 credit unions and banks to offer mortgage relief to Connecticut’s residents and businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more about participating financial institutions and answers to frequently asked questions here.
Renter Protection
On April 10, 2020, Governor Lamont signed an Executive Order that provides immediate protections for residential renters.
Utilities
Attorney General William Tong announced that the Connecticut Public Utilities Authority has granted an emergency moratorium on electric, natural gas, and water utility shut-offs.
Price Gouging
Report your concerns about price gouging to the Office of the Attorney General by calling 860-808-5318 or online here. During an emergency disaster, sellers cannot charge prices that would be unjustifiable during normal business operations.
Travel
The Connecticut Insurance Department instructed insurers to accommodate travel cancellation requests under certain terms and conditions. Consumers who have questions on travel insurance can contact the Insurance Department by email at insurance@ct.gov or by calling 860-297-3900.
You may also review the State of Connecticut’s answers to Frequently Asked Questions to learn more about how the state is responding.
From the Nurse's Corner! Weekly Health Tip
- Most people who have gotten sick with the coronavirus have had a mild case. There are not a lot of cases in children and children tend to have a very mild case.
- Older people tend to get sicker. We must all protect ourselves, families and friends. So always remember use soap and water and wash for at least 20 seconds.
- Sneeze into your elbows. Corona virus is thought to spread through droplets . By sneezing or coughing into your elbows, you prevent the germs from going into the air.
- Continue to avoid touching your face and wear a mask in public places to protect yourself and others. Stay safe!
Is your child under the weather?
If your child has a reported illness, fever, or other symptoms, please email Nurse Pat so we can keep track just like we would when we are in school: Patricia_Bleuher@greenwich.k12.ct.us
IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF HELP/SUPPORT WHILE WE ARE OUT OF SCHOOL
Our School Social Worker School Psychologist will be available during school hours (8:00am-3:00pm) via email if you need any support.
Kaitlin Cyr: kaitlin_cyr@greenwich.k12.ct.us
Sandra Saavedra: Sandra_Corrente@greenwich.k12.ct.us
In case of an emergency, please call 911 or 211 (Emergency Mobile Psychiatric Services or EMPS).
Dial 2-1-1 or 1-800-203-1234 if you or someone you care about is experiencing a crisis or are concerned about someone who might be.
Kids in Crisis - 24 Hour Hotline - (203) 661-1911
Need help? Not sure? Any time of the day or night, there is always a live counselor on the end of the phone. These trained Crisis Counselors are available to provide immediate help and assess services needed to address and work through any situation.
INFORMATION ON THE CORONAVIRUS
INFORMATION ON THE CORONAVIRUS:
Hotline Numbers for residents who have questions about COVID-19:
203-622-7865
203-622-7703
203-622-7614
203-622-7842
203-622-7836
COVID-19 Testing at Murphy Medical Associates:
1 East Putnam Ave, Greenwich 06830
30 Buxton Farm Road, Stamford, CT 06905